| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09101085B2 |
Expanding device and method for manufacturing components
In an expanding device that can more effectively expand an adhesive tape in its wafer-attached region and can pick up components on the adhesive tape with high accuracy, a central first portion of an adhesive tape, including a portion with a wafer attached thereto, is laid on a top surface of a heating table, a non-heated ring is disposed to surround an outer peripheral edge of the heating table, a heat insulation is laid on an upper surface of the non-heated ring, a second portion of the adhesive tape located outwardly of the first portion thereof is located on or above the insulation, a third portion of the adhesive tape located outwardly of the second portion is held by a holder, and the holder is movable up and down relative to the heating table and the non-heated ring by a drive unit. |
| US09101083B2 |
T-flex bonder
A flexible circuit with multiple independent mounting points can be mounted (soldered) to substrates by independently (and concurrently) positioning mounting points in x, y, and theta (angular rotation) with vacuum chucks. In one embodiment the vacuum chucks can be guided by computer aided vision to locate and match fiducials on the flex circuit with fiducials on the substrate. In one embodiment, hot bars can be used in a subsequent bonding operation to secure an adhesive coupling between the flexible circuits and the substrate. |
| US09101082B1 |
Junction box thermal management
An electrical assembly may include an enclosure having a base portion to attach the enclosure to a panel and a heat dissipating portion opposite the base portion, a circuit board having a first thermal interface on a first side of the board, a second thermal interface on a second side of the board, and a thermally conductive portion to provide enhanced thermal conduction between the first thermal interface and the second thermal interface, a power electronic device having a thermal interface coupled to the first thermal interface of the circuit board, a heat spreader arranged to transfer heat to the heat dissipating portion of the enclosure, and a thermally conductive pad coupled between the second thermal interface of the circuit board and the heat spreader. |
| US09101073B2 |
Server cabinet
A server cabinet includes a rack, a server, a switch, and a first supporting member. The rack includes two columns located at a front end of the rack. The server is installed between the columns. The switch is installed in the rack above the server. Opposite ends of a front side of the switch are fastened to the columns of the rack. The first supporting member includes a connecting plate mounted to a rear side of the switch, and a supporting plate extending out from an end of the connecting plate and located below the switch. A raised portion protrudes down from the supporting plate. The raised portion is supported on the server. |
| US09101072B2 |
Method of embedding magnetic component in substrate
A method of embedding a magnetic component in a substrate is disclosed. Holes are formed in a substrate by mechanically drilling. Each of the holes includes a top opening, a bottom and sidewall, wherein an area of the top opening is larger than that of the bottom. The sidewall extends from the top opening vertically downwards to a predetermined depth, and then is slanted inwardly to the bottom to form a sloped sidewall at the bottom of the hole. A predetermined region is defined along a portion of an edge of the top opening, and a portion of the substrate material under the predetermined region is removed by routing to form a component accommodation trench with a portion of the sloped sidewall at the bottom. Then, a magnetic component is placed into the component accommodation trench. |
| US09101067B2 |
Method for forming copper wiring
In a Cu wiring forming method for forming a Cu wiring by filling Cu in a recess which is formed in a substrate in a predetermined pattern, a barrier film formed of a TaAlN film is formed at least on the surface of the recess by thermal ALD or thermal CVD. Then a Cu film is formed to fill the recess with the Cu film. Further, the Cu wiring is formed in the recess by polishing the entire surface of the substrate by CMP. |
| US09101064B2 |
Thin film electrode ceramic substrate and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein are a thin film electrode ceramic substrate and a method for manufacturing the same. The thin film electrode ceramic substrate includes: a ceramic substrate; one or more anti-etching metal layers formed in a surface of the ceramic substrate; thin film electrode pattern formed on the anti-etching metal layers; and a plating layer formed on the thin film electrode pattern, wherein respective edge portions of the thin film electrode pattern are contacted with the anti-etching metal layer, and thus, an undercut defect occurring between the surface of the ceramic substrate and the thin film electrode pattern and between the thin film electrode patterns due to an etchant can be prevented and the binding strength of the entire thin film electrode pattern can be enhanced, resulting in securing durability and reliability of the thin film electrode patterns. |
| US09101063B2 |
Power module substrate, power module, and method for manufacturing power module substrate
A power module substrate includes a ceramics substrate composed of Si3N4 having a top face. A metal plate composed of aluminum having a purity of 99.99% or more is joined to the top face of the ceramics substrate with a brazing filler metal which includes a melting-point lowering element interposed therebetween. A high concentration section is formed at a joint interface at which the metal plate is joined to the ceramics substrate, has an oxygen concentration greater than an oxygen concentration in the metal plate and in the ceramics substrate, and has a thickness of less than or equal to 4 nm. |
| US09101062B2 |
Highly heat conductive polyimide film, highly heat conductive metal-clad laminate, and method for producing the same
A highly heat conductive metal-clad laminate, which may be included in a highly heat conductive polyimide film, has a metal layer on one or both sides of an insulating layer which has a heat conductive filler-filled polyimide layer. The insulating layer of the highly heat conductive metal-clad laminate or the highly heat conductive polyimide film having the filler-filled polyimide layer is characterized in that the content of the heat conductive filler in the filler-filled polyimide layer is 20-80 wt %, the heat conductive filler contains a plate-like filler with an average length DL of 0.1-15 μm and a spherical filler with an average particle diameter DR of 0.05-10 μm, DL and DR satisfy the relationship DL>DR/2, no heat conductive filler of 30 μm or more is contained, and the coefficient of thermal expansion is in the range of 10-30 ppm/K. |
| US09101055B2 |
Method of measuring a three-dimensional shape
In order to measure a three-dimensional shape, feature information is read from a database. A board is transferred to a measurement position. A measurement head is transferred to an inspection area of the board. Light of a first lighting device for three-dimensional measurement and light of a second lighting device for two-dimensional measurement is illuminated onto the inspection area to photograph a first reflection image and a second reflection image that are reflected from the inspection area. The inspection area is realigned by comparing the feature information with at least one of the photographed first and second reflection images to inspect distortion of the inspection area. The realigned inspection area is inspected. Thus, the three-dimensional shape may be precisely measured. |
| US09101053B2 |
Electronic device with slidable tray
An electronic device includes a housing, a tray, and a latching mechanism. The housing defines a receiving channel and an opening communicating with the receiving channel. The tray is slidably received in the receiving channel and slidable out of the housing through. The latching mechanism includes a hook, at least one latching member rotatably connected to the housing and comprising a latching clamp for latchingly engaging the hook, a driving assembly, and at least one first resilient element configured to apply a spring force to the at least one latching member. The driving assembly is configured to drive the at least one latching member to rotate from a locking position where the hook is lockingly engaged with the latching clamp to a releasing position where the latching clamp disengages from the hook. |
| US09101049B2 |
Opacity baffle to prevent viewing of internal structures in secure electronic equipment
An opacity baffle is disclosed that can be permanently secured to the back face of an electronic apparatus to cover ventilation openings or other openings that render the apparatus visually unsecure. The opacity baffle in one example comprises a grill and ventilation material that are secured together at their edges resulting in a rigid structure. The grill contains openings to promote ventilation within the apparatus, and the ventilation materials allows for air flow despite being visually opaque. One-way fasteners can be used to secure the baffle to the back face, which when inserted in place cannot be removed without evident tampering. The baffle and fasteners can be provided with the apparatus when sold or can be sold separately, allowing a particular customer to affix the baffle if needed to meet security requirements, or not if such security measures are unnecessary. |
| US09101047B2 |
Terminal including touch unit and method for manufacturing touch unit
A terminal includes: a touch unit that includes first electrodes connected in a first diagonal direction, the first diagonal direction being oblique to each side of the touch unit, and a second electrodes disposed in the second diagonal direction which intersects the first diagonal direction, the second diagonal direction being oblique to each side of the touch unit, and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) configured to receive information generated in response to electric signals from one or more of the first electrodes and the second electrodes. Accordingly, a width of the terminal may be reduced as signal wirings need not be formed at the side surface thereof. |
| US09101046B2 |
Shielded twisted pair of conductors using conductive ink
An apparatus for transmitting electrical signals is disclosed. The apparatus includes a substrate and a twisted pair of conductors located on the substrate. The twisted pair of conductors has a first layer comprising conductive material, a second layer comprising nonconductive material, and a third player comprising conductive material. The first layer has a plurality of segments separated by a plurality of gaps. The second layer is positioned in said gaps and electrically insulates a portion of the segments positioned within the gaps. The third layer is positioned over the second layer. The third layer is configured to electrically connects an end of one segment to an end of another segment. The twisted pair of conductors formed by the three dimensional structure comprises two electrically isolated conductors twisted about each other. |
| US09101045B2 |
Shield structure for electronic apparatus
A shield structure for an electronic apparatus includes a frame member and a shield box. The frame member is a conductive frame to which the wiring substrate is attached and covering a back surface of the wiring substrate. The shield box is formed on a front surface of the wiring substrate having an electronic component mounted thereon, to cover an area of a portion of the front surface. The wiring substrate includes a plurality of connecting portions formed thereon that ground the front surface and the back surface to the frame member. On a side on which the wiring substrate protrudes from the shield box, the shield box includes a shield wall member forming a wall surface substantially perpendicular to the wiring substrate. The shield wall member is grounded to at least one location of the connecting portions of the wiring substrate in the vicinity of the wall surface. |
| US09101044B2 |
Circuit module and method of producing the same
A circuit module includes a substrate, a mount component, a sealing body, a trench and a shield. The substrate has a mount surface. The mount component is mounted on the mount surface. The sealing body has a main surface and an outer peripheral surface, the sealing body sealing the mount component, the main surface sandwiching the mount component between the main surface and the mount surface, the outer peripheral surface covering the mount component on the mount surface. The trench has a groove-like shape, the trench being recessed from the main surface of the sealing body to the mount surface, the trench being formed to leave a space between the trench and the outer peripheral surface. The shield covers the main surface and the outer peripheral surface of the sealing body, the shield being filled in the trench. |
| US09101042B2 |
Control of uniformity in a surface wave plasma source
A surface wave plasma source (SWPS) is disclosed, having an electromagnetic (EM) wave launcher including a slot antenna configured to couple EM energy in a desired EM wave mode to a plasma by generating a surface wave on a plasma surface of the SWPS adjacent the plasma. The SWPS also includes a dielectric window positioned below the slot antenna, having a lower surface and the plasma surface. The SWPS further includes an attenuation assembly disposed between the slot antenna and the plasma surface. The attenuation assembly includes a first fluid channel substantially aligned with a first arrangement of slots in the slot antenna, and is configured to receive a first flow of a first fluid at a first fluid temperature. The SWPS finally includes a power coupling system coupled to the EM wave launcher and configured to provide EM energy to the EM wave launcher for forming the plasma. |
| US09101041B2 |
Plasma torch head, plasma torch shaft and plasma torch
A plasma torch head, a plasma torch shaft and a plasma torch for providing a quick and simple possibility of changing the plasma torch head are described. |
| US09101040B2 |
DC voltage-operated particle accelerator
A DC voltage-operated particle accelerator for accelerating a charged particle from a source to a target includes a first electrode arrangement and a separate second electrode arrangement. The first electrode arrangement and the second electrode arrangement are disposed in such a way that the particle successively runs through the first electrode arrangement and the second electrode arrangement. Each of the electrode arrangements is designed as a high-voltage cascade. |
| US09101026B2 |
Integration of LED lighting with building controls
An LED-based light can be installed in a conventional light fixture. The LED-based light can include a sensor operable to output a first signal indicative of whether an area of one or more of the rooms is in an occupied state or a non-occupied state, and the LED-based light can also include an LED controller operable to control at least one LED in the light in response to the first signal. Additionally, the LED-based light can include a transmitter operable to output a second signal indicative of whether the area is in the occupied state or the non-occupied state to a building environment regulator. |
| US09101024B2 |
Smart FET circuit
A lighting module has at least one array of solid-state lighting elements, a variable resistor having an input of an intensity control voltage for the array of solid-state lighting elements, the variable resistor having an output electrically connected to an input of the array of solid-state lighting elements, and a voltage regulator electrically connected to the output of the variable resistor, the voltage regulator having an output connected to an input of the array of solid-state lighting elements. |
| US09101023B2 |
Light-emitting element driving circuit and display device
A light-emitting element driving circuit controls the luminance of light-emitting elements by using a PWM signal. A display device includes the driving circuit and multiple light-emitting elements. The driving circuit includes a control circuit that generates a control signal by using a divided signal based on an input PWM signal, and a light-emitting element driving unit that drive the light-emitting elements by using the control signal. The control signal includes a larger number of frequency components in comparison with frequency components of the input PWM signal. |
| US09101022B2 |
Lighting device having boost circuitry
A lighting device is generally illustrated including a light body having forward facing light sources including a visible white light source, visible colored light source and an infrared light source. Additionally, a side facing light source is provided. The light body also includes switches for activating the visible light sources and a three-position switch for activating the IR light source and the side facing light source. The lighting device further includes boost circuitry for controlling electrical energy supplied to a light source. |
| US09101021B2 |
Solid-state lighting apparatus and methods using parallel-connected segment bypass circuits
A lighting apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) sets coupled in series. The apparatus further includes a bypass circuit coupled in parallel with one of the LED sets and configured to sense and control a bypass current when the one of the LED sets is in a first bias state and to attenuate the bypass current responsive to a transition of the one of the LED sets to a second bias state. The first bias state may be substantially non-conducting and the second bias state may be conducting. The apparatus may include a plurality of such bypass circuits, respective ones of which are coupled in parallel with respective ones of the LED sets such that the bypass circuits are coupled in series. |
| US09101019B2 |
LED luminescence apparatus and method of driving the same
An LED luminescence apparatus includes a plurality of LED units connected in series which are configured to receive a unidirectional ripple voltage, a plurality of switch units, one end of each being connected to the cathode of one of the plurality of LED units, a plurality of constant current control circuit units, one end of each being connected to an another end of a respective switch unit to receive a current from the respective switch unit, each of the constant current control circuit units being configured to output a current control signal to the respective switch unit to control a magnitude of the received current to have a specific value, and a current comparison unit to receive currents flowing from the plurality of switching units, and generate a plurality of switching control signals for the respective switch units to sequentially drive the plurality of constant current control circuit units. |
| US09101013B2 |
Driver for connecting LED to electronic ballast
To allow an electronic ballast (3) of a fluorescent tube lamp or a similar lamp to be replaced by a light emitting diode circuit (2) without removing the electronic ballast (3), a driver (1) is provided with a first circuit (10) for detuning a resonant tank of the electronic ballast (3). The first circuit (10) comprises a serial connection of a capacitor (11) and a bidirectional switch (12). The serial connection is coupled to the electronic ballast (3) for receiving an alternating current signal. The driver (1) is provided with a second circuit (20) for providing a direct current signal to the light emitting diode circuit (2). The second circuit (20) comprises a rectifier with inputs coupled to the serial connection and with outputs coupled to the light emitting diode circuit (2). Further, the driver (1) is provided with a third circuit (30) for providing a control signal to the first circuit (10) for controlling an amount of power supplied to the light emitting diode circuit (2). |
| US09101009B2 |
Circuit arrangement for operating N parallel-connected strings having at least one semiconductor light source
A circuit arrangement may include an input for coupling to a supply voltage; n semiconductor light source units comprising a driver device; wherein the units are coupled in parallel, wherein each driver device comprises a PWM controller. A respective controller is designed to provide a PWM signal at a respectively predefinable frequency to a control electrode of a respective converter switch. The arrangement includes current measuring devices which are designed for measuring the current through a respective string having at least one semiconductor light source; and a control device having control outputs, wherein each controller has a clock input, wherein a respective control output is coupled to a respective clock input of the controllers, wherein the control device is designed to provide clock signals at its control outputs, said clock signals being phase-shifted by 360°/n with respect to one another. |
| US09101007B2 |
Display panel and method of fabricating the same
A display panel includes a substrate, a luminous display array, a thin film encapsulation, an auxiliary layer, an optical film and an optical clear adhesive. The luminous display array is disposed on the substrate. The thin film encapsulation layer is disposed on the substrate, covering the luminous display array. The auxiliary layer is disposed on the then thin film encapsulation. The auxiliary layer has an even top surface, and a shore hardness ranging from D4 to D60. The optical film is disposed on the auxiliary layer. The optical clear adhesive is disposed on the even top surface of the auxiliary layer for attaching the auxiliary layer and the optical film. |
| US09101002B2 |
Method of controlling multiple lamps
A method of controlling multiple lamps is applied to an illumination system, which includes an input interface, a signal transmitter, a plurality of signal receivers, a plurality of driving devices, and a plurality of lamps. The method includes the following steps: detect a state of the input interface with the signal transmitter; transmits a corresponding signal with the signal transmitter; each of the signal receivers receives the signal and detects a waveform of an AC power source, and each of the signal receivers transmits a corresponding control signal to the corresponding driving device to control the corresponding lamp at a reference point in the following cycle of the waveform of the AC power source. |
| US09101001B2 |
Spectrally-controlled backlighting for LCD displays
A display backlight assembly includes a light guide panel having first and second principal faces and at least one edge surface. A display screen is aligned with and substantially perpendicular to the first principal face of the light guide panel. The assembly also includes a light source with one or more white LEDs and one or more first color LEDs, where each first color LED emits a first color of light that is red, green, blue, or yellow. Each white LED and each first color LED is positioned to emit light into the light guide panel. A controller is electrically coupled to the light source and capable of independently setting an intensity value for each white LED and for each first color LED. The controller controls illumination of the LEDs independently as needed to provide backlighting with the selected intensity. |
| US09100997B2 |
Method for transmitting control information from a control apparatus to an operating device for at least one light-emitting means and operating device for at least one light-emitting means
A method for transmitting control information from a control apparatus to an operating device for a light-emitting means may include a) modulating control information onto a supply line by means of the control apparatus during a modulation phase, wherein a switchable shunt of the device is connected between the first and second supply connections; b) decoding the control information in a decoder of the device; b1) activating the demodulation by the decoder when the absolute value for the voltage at the two supply connections falls below a first threshold value; and c) actuating a converter of the operating device in accordance with the decoded control information. |
| US09100993B2 |
Heating devices and fuel vapor processing apparatus using the heating devices
A heating device may include an electric heating element configured to generate heat, a heat radiation element, and an electrical insulation member interposed between the electric heating element and the heat radiation element. The electrical insulation member may be bonded to both of the electric heating element and the heat radiation element. |
| US09100992B2 |
Heater assembly
An assembly suitable for controlling the temperature of a workpiece operatively engaged thereby is provided. The assembly generally comprises a housing characterized by first and second housing members sealingly united at their peripheries, and a heater cartridge enclosed within the housing and compressively retained interior of the sealingly united peripheries of the housing members. The heater cartridge comprises a heat conducting casing characterized by first and second heat conducting casing members and a composite heating element compressively retained between the heat conducting casing members. The first and second heat conducting casing members are selectively united interior of their peripheries so as to delimit heat conduits for the heater cartridge. |
| US09100989B2 |
Method and apparatus for ad-hoc content sharing
An approach is provided for discovering proximity-based and/or location-based services over an ad-hoc network. A request to share at least one content item from at least one device is determined. Further, one or more compressed representations of the at least one content item are generated, where the one or more compressed representations include at least one link for retrieving the at least one content item. Furthermore, the one or more compressed representations are broadcast in one or more broadcast messages over an ad-hoc network to one or more other devices. |
| US09100988B2 |
Mobile repeater system based ad hoc trunked sites
A first Mobile Repeater System (MRS), configured to serve as an access point associated with a Basic Service Set (BSS), broadcasts a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID). Other Mobile Repeater Systems (MRSs) join the BSS to create a local ad hoc trunked site in which each of the MRSs are communicatively coupled via at least one WLAN communication link. These MRSs include the first MRS and a second MRS. The first MRS can be configured to provide a control channel for communication with a first subscriber unit, and the second MRSs can be configured to provide a first trunked traffic channel for communication with the first subscriber unit. |
| US09100987B2 |
Formation and rearrangement of lender devices that perform multiplexing functions
A method includes establishing an ad-hoc network between a borrower and at least two lenders of bandwidth and establishing one lender of the at least two lenders as a multiplexer to manage data flow over the ad-hoc network between the borrower and lenders of the at least two lenders of bandwidth. The method may include providing a computer infrastructure to perform the steps of the invention. A system is also provided which includes a server having a database containing data associated with one or more lenders and a borrower in an ad-hoc network and at least one hardware and/or software component. The system may further include computer usable medium having readable program code embodied in the medium to perform processes of the invention. |
| US09100984B2 |
Wireless channelization
A wireless device may be configured to operate in one of two modes where each mode uses a different channel list to perform operations in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. In a first mode, the wireless device operates as an access point that sets up channels using one channel list in order to facilitate communications within a basic service set (BSS). In a second mode, the wireless device uses a second channel list to operate as a station and scan for a BSS. The first channel list contains a subset of the channels contained in the second channel list. The channels in each respective channel list may be reconfigured to adapt to changes in the configuration of a BSS and the devices communicating therein. |
| US09100983B2 |
Telecommunications method, protocol and apparatus for improved quality of service handling
A telecommunications network adapted to process data packets according to the client mobile internet protocol domain is extended to provide bearer capability, such that subsessions can be used to distinguish one portion of traffic from another. A different Quality of Service (QoS) can be assigned to each bearer. The bearers can be setup by a mobile node or a home agent in the telecommunications network. |
| US09100977B2 |
Method for operating a wireless terminal as an access point and wireless terminal
A method for operating a wireless terminal as an access point—access point terminal (2)—that connects a set of one or more client terminals (4) to an external network, wherein a schedule of absence periods is established during which the connected client terminals (4) are not allowed to transmit data to the access point terminal (2), wherein the absence periods together with corresponding presence periods are scheduled at regular intervals and have certain durations, is characterized in that an adaptation of the absence/presence periods' duration and/or interval parameters is executed on the basis of the bandwidth available in the external network and the amount of traffic transmitted between the access point terminal (2) and the connected client terminals (4). Furthermore, a corresponding wireless terminal is disclosed. |
| US09100976B2 |
Device-to-device distributed scheduling
A system and method for distributed scheduling of transmissions between device-to-device (D2D) communications is disclosed. The distributed scheduling method employs a distributed scheduling structure in which device identifiers rather than connection identifiers are used to enable scheduling of a D2D data transfer between devices in a wireless neighborhood. The novel distributed scheduling structure is scalable to a larger number of D2D devices than is feasible with a connection identifier-based tone matrix. |
| US09100975B2 |
Methods and apparatus for transmitting clear to send (CTS)-to-self indication
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for transmitting a clear to send (CTS)-to-self indication. According to certain aspects, a method for wireless communications by a wireless device is provided. The method generally includes scheduling a first antenna at the wireless device for communication using one of a first radio access technology (RAT) or a second RAT, scheduling one or more other antennas at the wireless device configured for communication using the first RAT, for communication using the second RAT in order to enable one of transmit or receive diversity on the second RAT or simultaneous communication on the first and second RATs, and transmitting an idle-mode indication to force he first RAT to an idle mode. |
| US09100973B2 |
Antenna selection for coexistence of multiple radio interfaces
A wireless communication device comprises a wide area transceiver, an auxiliary receiver, a plurality of antennas for use by said auxiliary receiver and said wide area transceiver, and an antenna selection circuit. The antenna selection circuit selects an antenna configuration for the auxiliary receiver and the wide area transceiver. The antenna selection circuit is configured to measure a link quality for one or more of antennas used by the auxiliary receiver, and select an antenna configuration for the wide area transceiver based on the link quality measurements for the auxiliary receiver. |
| US09100970B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling neighbor cell interference
A method for managing neighbor cell interference comprises: a step of measuring inter-cell interference control information by subframe units; and a step of transmitting the inter-cell interference control information measured by subframe units, to at least one neighbor cell for each of the subframes. The interference management method of the present invention dynamically performs neighbor cell interference management under the condition where neighbor cell interference changes in terms of time, thus improving performance of a system. Further, the interference management method of the present invention maps a wireless resource property pattern to a cell ID. Consequently, the system adopting the method of the present invention exhibits excellent performance in any environment. |
| US09100969B2 |
Physical layer feedback for in-device coexistence interference mitigation
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for transmitting IDC information on a physical uplink channel are provided. A described technique includes identifying, at a user equipment (UE), in-device coexistence (IDC) interference, and transmitting, to a base station, an IDC indicator or selected IDC solution identifying the IDC interference on a physical layer uplink channel. |
| US09100963B2 |
Time slot sharing in TDMA communication system
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a method in a transmitting unit; a method in a receiving unit; a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, in a wireless communication network employing Time Division Multiple Access, TDMA, for transmitting and, receiving and demodulating data, respectively, the data being transmitted in a signal comprising a burst, wherein bursts relating to NMS number of mobile stations are multiplexed into a single time slot. The transmission comprises grouping a block of N b number of user code bits, representing the data to be transmitted, into NDS/NMS groups of user code bits. Mapping the groups of user code bits to data symbols such that one group is represented by one data symbol, thereby obtaining a block of data symbols, wherein each data symbol is drawn from one or more pre-defined complex-valued symbol constellation(s). The transmission further comprises repeating the block of data symbols, such that the burst to be transmitted comprises NMS number of equal blocks of data symbols, rotating the NMS number of blocks of data symbols according to a mobile-station-specific rotation, and transmitting the rotated blocks of data symbols in a burst in the time slot. |
| US09100960B2 |
Direct transition to CELL DCH
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for reducing the time delay associated with the initialisation of a data transfer in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN). A Radio Network Controller (RNC) initiates a data transfer by transmitting a downlink paging message to a User Equipment (UE), wherein the UE is capable of being in the states URA PCH, CELL PCH or CELL DCH. The paging message comprises information for transferring the UE from the URA PCH or the CELL PCH state directly to the CELL DCH state by means of delay reducing information indicated in the paging message. |
| US09100954B2 |
Method for transmitting response information in a wireless communication system, and apparatus for same
The present invention relates to a method for transmitting response information on downlink data through multiple information blocks to be bundled in a wireless system in a time division duplex (TDD) mode. The method for transmitting response information according to the present invention comprises the following steps: coding response information on the downlink data; scrambling the coded response information; and transmitting the scrambled response information to a base station, wherein, if a portion of the bits of the coded response information are information bits that indicate ACK/NACK on the downlink data, the scrambling step involves scrambling the coded response information using a specific scrambling sequence, and the specific scrambling sequence includes information on the number of information blocks to be bundled. |
| US09100952B2 |
Base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus and control information transmission method
The present invention is directed to preventing occurrence of PDCCH blocking while reducing PDCCH detection errors. The present invention provides a search space size adaptive control section (203) that controls the size of the UE-specific search space adaptively depending on the number of component carriers to which a PDSCH for a mobile station apparatus (10) is assigned, a control information generation section (201) that generates control information reflecting a control result by the search space size adaptive control section (203), and a transmission/reception section (23) that transmits this control information to a mobile station apparatus (10) by RRC signaling. |
| US09100950B2 |
Techniques for efficient data transfers in a body area network
A method for transferring data among devices in a body area network (BAN). The method comprises dividing an access time to a wireless medium of the BAN into at least a contention-based period and a contention-free reservation period; allowing devices to transfer data during the contention-based period using a local prioritized contention access (LPCA) mechanism; and allowing only devices having reserved time slots to transfer data during the contention-free reservation period. |
| US09100947B2 |
Modulation and coding schemes in sub-1 GHz networks
Systems and methods of controlling characteristics of messages in sub-1 GHz networks (e.g., IEEE 802.11ah networks) are disclosed. One or more data structures indicating available modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) may be stored at or accessible to transmitters and receivers. The data structures may be organized based on an MCS index, a frame format, a wireless network bandwidth, and/or the number of spatial streams in use at the wireless network. Information stored in the data structures may be used in generation and processing of messages communicated via the sub-1 GHz network. |
| US09100942B2 |
WiFi Direct connection using machine-readable labels
Systems and methods are disclosed for a first WiFi Direct device to receive a machine-readable label from a second WiFi Direct device to provide information on the P2P WiFi capability of the second WiFi Direct device to aid the two devices in establishing a WiFi Direct connection. The machine-readable label may include the display of a QR code by the second WiFi Direct device to the first WiFi Direct device. The information on the WiFi capability of the second WiFi Direct device may include the identity of the listen channel, the operating channel, whether the device is a P2P group owner or not (e.g., a P2P client device), and other service and/or configuration information. Because the first WiFi Direct device knows whether the second WiFi Direct device is a group owner or not, the first WiFi Direct device may take the appropriate connection to establish the WiFi Direct connection. |
| US09100940B2 |
System and method for extended wireless access gateway service provider Wi-Fi offload
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) discovery signal at a wireless network element from a customer premise equipment; requesting that a data session be established at a gateway; receiving an Internet protocol (IP) address; and communicating the IP address to the customer premise equipment. |
| US09100936B2 |
System and method for detecting mutually supported capabilities between mobile devices
A system and method for detecting mutually supported capabilities between two or more mobile devices is described. In some cases, the system transmits a message to a called device requesting information about the device. In some cases, the transmitted message is answered by a user of the device. In some cases, the transmitted message is automatically received and answered by the called device. In some cases, the system presents information about a service supported by a called party during a call placed to the party. |
| US09100933B2 |
Application level broadcast in peer overlay network
A broadcast message may be initiated or received at a peer node. The node obtains an uplink bandwidth available for broadcasting the message over the network and a number of copies that can be broadcast based on the available bandwidth. The node determines a range of key values for finger nodes that should receive copies of the broadcast message from a finger table. The finger table entries include references to finger nodes and key values associated with the finger nodes. The node determines which other nodes should receive copies of the broadcast message from range of key values and the number of copies. The node also determines an End ID for each recipient node. A copy of the broadcast message and corresponding End ID is sent to a finger node if the finger node's key value is within a range of key values specified by the End ID. |
| US09100917B1 |
Power save modes for a system-on-chip and a host processor of a wireless device
A system-on-chip including a host interface module configured to interface the system-on-chip to a host processor of a wireless device and to communicate with the host processor of the wireless device via a bus. The bus uses an application programming interface of the system-on-chip. The host processor uses the application programming interface to configure a power save mode of the system-on-chip. A power management module operated the system-on-chip in the power save mode without performing a handshake with the host processor via the bus in response to the host processor stopping communication with the system-on-chip. The handshake includes (i) sending a request to enter the power save mode to the host processor via the bus and (ii) receiving an acknowledgement of the request from the host processor via the bus. |
| US09100914B2 |
Adaptation of DRX cycle based on knowledge of scheduling information and system load
Methods and arrangements for enabling reduced battery consumption in a mobile terminal. A method involves determining a scheduling priority associated with the mobile terminal and/or a load level in a cell associated with the mobile terminal. The method further involves determining whether a criterion is fulfilled based on the determined scheduling priority and/or load level, where the criterion is associated with an anticipated waiting time until being scheduled. If the criterion is fulfilled the DRX settings of the mobile terminal are adjusted, such that said settings are in accordance with the anticipated waiting time associated with the criterion. Thereby, reduced battery consumption in the mobile terminal is enabled. |
| US09100913B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing power consumption of a terminal in a mobile communication system
The present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for optimizing the power consumption of a terminal in a mobile communication system. The method for optimizing power consumption of a terminal in a mobile communication system comprises: a determination step of determining whether there is a need for changing a configuration for a discontinuous reception operation of the terminal; and a transmission step of transmitting, to a base station, a request message for a change in the discontinuous reception operation, if it is determined that the change is needed. |
| US09100911B2 |
Inter-rat coverage determination for energy saving management
Embodiments of systems and techniques are described for determining inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) coverage for energy saving management (ESM). In some embodiments, a network management (NM) apparatus may determine that a source cell of a network of a first RAT is triggered to activate an energy saving state and that the source cell is partially overlapped by each of a plurality of cells of one or more networks of one or more RATs different from the first RAT. The NM apparatus may instruct the source cell to activate the energy saving state when a combination of the plurality of cells provides coverage of the source cell. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US09100908B2 |
Method to prevent hyper frame number de-synchronization in a wireless communication system
Methods and apparatus are provided for HFN synchronization in a wireless communication system. If re-establishment of an RLC entity occurs during a pending RLC reset procedure, the pending RLC reset procedure is aborted and the re-establishment of the RLC entity is performed. A first RC variable included in a RESET PDU is incremented. The pending RLC reset procedure is restarted. The RESET PDU including the incremented first RC variable is transmitted. A RESET ACKnowledgement (ACK) PDU for the RESET PDU including a second RC variable is received. The second RC variable included in the received RESET ACK PDU is checked and the received RESET ACK PDU is accepted based on the checking result. |
| US09100903B2 |
Selecting a wireless communication technology according to application state
A method for an application program executed by a network terminal device to select a preferred wireless communication technology from at least two different communication technologies provided concurrently by the same network operator, according to at least one communication parameter differentiating between the two communication technologies. |
| US09100895B2 |
Client balancing in wireless networks
A method directed to receiving, by a network device, client density data of a first access node in a plurality of access nodes in a network. Also, the network device receives client density data of a second access node in the plurality of access nodes. The network device determines whether the client density data of the first access node overlaps with the client density data of the second access node. In response to the received client density data of the first access node overlapping with the received client density data of the second access node, the network device identifies the first access node and the second access node as members of a virtual radio frequency (RF) neighborhood, wherein the virtual RF neighborhood comprises a subset of a RF neighborhood. Each member of the virtual RF neighborhood is capable of receiving beacons from other members of the virtual RF neighborhood. |
| US09100893B2 |
Method for cell selection in a radio access network
A method for cell selection in a radio access network covering a geographical area divided into a plurality of cells, the method comprising: searching for a cell on a frequency; checking to see if the cell is a barred cell; and conditional on identifying the cell as a barred cell performing a search for a cell on another frequency. |
| US09100889B2 |
Methods for signaling and determining the time of the beginning of a measurement time interval, communication device and communication network element
A method for determining a time of a beginning of a measurement time interval for carrying out a radio measurement, the method including receiving a message via a radio communication channel and determining the time of the beginning of the measurement time interval based on a time of the transmission of the message. |
| US09100888B2 |
Cell reselection for multiple SIM devices
A Multi Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) modem capable of receiving paging messages related to at least two subscriber identities comprises a paging configuration block configured to determine whether a collision between paging occasions related to the respective subscriber identities will be systematic or not, and to launch, when the collision has been determined to be systematic, a reselection of a new cell for at least one of the at least two subscriber identities. |
| US09100887B2 |
Methods and apparatus for switching between a base channel and a 60 GHz channel
A method for switching between channels on different bands is described. Communication with a wireless device occurs on a base channel. A channel switch request is sent to the wireless device. An acknowledgment is received from the wireless device. Communication with the wireless device switches to a 60 GHz channel. |
| US09100880B2 |
Methods and systems for QoS translation during handover between wireless networks
This disclosure provides methods and systems for translating quality of service (QoS) parameters of a first radio access technology (RAT), e.g., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), to QoS parameters of a second RAT, e.g., code division multiple access (CDMA) high rate packet data (HRPD). The methods and systems facilitate a handover by a multi-mode mobile station or other wireless device from the first RAT to the second RAT and vice versa. |
| US09100865B2 |
Radio terminal and control method
A radio terminal according to one embodiment comprises a radio communication unit 110 capable of performing radio communication with E-UTRAN, a measurement unit 120 that measures RSRP from the E-UTRAN, and a control unit 150 that performs a control so that measurement data including information related to RSRP measured by the measurement unit 120 and location information at the time of measurement is reported to the E-UTRAN, wherein when a rapid change of RSRP measured by the measurement unit 120 is detected, the control unit 150 performs control so that measurement data corresponding to RSRP indicating the rapid change is excluded from a target to be reported to the E-UTRAN. |
| US09100860B2 |
Method and device for maintaining the performance quality of a communication system in the presence of narrow band interference
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for measuring power levels of signals provided by a receiver configured to scan radio frequency signals over a wide frequency band, calculating an average power level from at least a portion of the measured power levels, determining a threshold, detecting interference in the wide frequency band based on the threshold, the average power level, or both, and causing a null that substantially suppresses the interference received by the receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09100857B2 |
Method and system with improved disaster recovery capability
A recovery scheme where a base station monitors state of interoperation with a primary exchange. When the primary exchange becomes unavailable, active services may be lost, but the base station sends an activation request message to a secondary exchange that has access to base station configuration information of the base station. The secondary exchange uses the base station configuration information to activate the base station, and user terminals in the base station cell may begin to registrate to the system. Recovery capability of communications can be achieved with optimized use of network resources. |
| US09100853B2 |
Policy decisions for data communication in constrained resource networks
A method comprising receiving a signal indicating that a first access network is unable to provide a desired quality level for data communication with the terminal; determining, in response to receiving a signal indicating that the first access network is unable to provide the desired quality level of data communication with the terminal, at least one further access network for providing a data flow of the data communication with the terminal; generating a set of policies for the data communication, the set comprising a plurality of policies wherein each policy specifies one or more access networks for one or more data flows of the data communication, and at least one policy specifies the at least one further access network for providing one or more data flows to the terminal; and providing the generated set of policies to the terminal. |
| US09100848B2 |
Frequency determination for base stations installed in different locations under different operators
A location judgment unit (411) judges whether an installation location of a base station (10) is in a first area corresponding to a service area of a first network operator. A frequency determination unit (412) determines, by using a first procedure, a radio frequency for use in wireless communication between the base station (10) and a mobile station (30) when the installation location of the base station (10) is in the first area, and determines the radio frequency of the base station (10) by using a second procedure different from the first procedure when the installation location of the base station (10) is outside the first area. The second procedure includes: receiving information on a frequency available in the installation location of the base station (10) from a frequency management system (50) that manages a frequency of a second area including the installation location of the base station (10); and determining a radio frequency of the base station (10) based on the frequency information. |
| US09100847B2 |
ANT syncword specific acquisition thresholding
Systems, methods, and devices for determining an acquisition threshold boundary value and applying that boundary value to identify which incoming signals are directed to a device, based on matching the device syncword with the syncword for the incoming signal. For some implementations using ANT protocol, syncwords composed of the last four bits of the preamble and first 14 bits of the network address identify each device. Incoming syncwords are correlated with the device's syncword, and the correlation compared to threshold boundary value which is based on the characteristics of the individual syncword, including syncword bit stream inter-symbol interference. |
| US09100846B2 |
Terminal measurement configuration in carrier aggregation
There are provided measures for terminal measurement configuration in carrier aggregation, said measures exemplarily including a configuration of one or more carriers for automatic terminal measurements relating to network performance on said one or more carriers, said one or more carriers being carriers in a carrier aggregation for one or more terminals, wherein said configuration may be dependent on the one or more terminals' capabilities in terms of single- or multi-carrier terminal measurements. According to such configuration, automatic terminal measurements may be performed simultaneously on the configured one or more carriers or on the configured one or more carriers based on a predetermined priority of each carrier. Said measures may exemplarily be applied for in an MDT context. |
| US09100845B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring antenna performance by comparing original and received voice signals
A method and apparatus for measuring an antenna performance includes obtaining a voice signal received or transmitted through an antenna and corresponding to an original voice signal, quantifying the antenna performance to generate a quantification result by performing a quantification method based on the original voice signal and the obtained voice signal, and displaying the quantification result. |
| US09100839B2 |
Apparatus and methods for radio frequency signal boosters
Provided herein are apparatus and methods for radio frequency (RF) signal boosters. In certain implementations, a multi-band signal booster is provided for boosting the uplink and downlink channels of at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band. In certain configurations, the downlink channels of the first and second channels are adjacent, and the signal booster includes a first amplification path for boosting the uplink channel of the first frequency band, a second amplification path for boosting the uplink channel of the second frequency band, and a third amplification path for boosting both downlink channels of the first and second frequency bands. |
| US09100838B2 |
Rail system having a wired communication zone
A rail system is disclosed. The rail system may have a track including a wireless communication zone and a wired communication zone. The rail system may also have an electrical contact that extends along the wired communication zone. The electrical contact may be configured to transmit electrical energy and a data communication. The rail system may further have a power source electrically connected to the electrical contact. The rail system may additionally have a controller selectively electrically connectable to the electrical contact and a wireless network. The power source may be configured to transmit electrical energy through the electrical contact. The controller may be configured to switch between data communication transmission via the wireless network and via the electrical contact, based at least in part on a location of a rail vehicle within the rail system. |
| US09100836B2 |
Radio resource management in mobile communication network employing private base stations
There is provided a solution for reusing radio resources opportunistically by private base stations to increase the overall capacity of the network. The solution is based on applying an uplink broadcast in a mobile communication, in which information representing a radio resource allocated by a base station to a user terminal is broadcasted. |
| US09100835B2 |
Method and apparatus of wireless communication using directional antennas
A method is provided, in which a base station allocates pilot signals to mobile terminals in a cell, obtains CSI from uplink pilot signals transmitted by mobile terminals, uses the CSI to precode messages, and transmits the messages in conformance with a TDD protocol. The CSI is obtained by comparing the pilot signal received from each mobile terminal to a known pilot signal associated with that mobile terminal. The known pilot signals are associated with respective mobile terminals according to a pilot signal reuse pattern in which adjacent cells are allocated mutually orthogonal reuse groups of mutually orthogonal pilot signals, and mobile terminals within a given cell are limited to transmitting only pilot signals allocated to that cell. |
| US09100830B2 |
Wireless communication system
A wireless communication system for communicating via a wireless communication network, may include: a setting device configured to create a first information needed for joining a wireless device into the wireless communication network and set the first information in the wireless device to be joined into the wireless communication network, the setting device being configured to create setting information that correlates the first information with a second information containing at least one of information indicating a method of setting the first information and information indicating an operator who performed an operation of setting the first information; and a management device configured to select the wireless device, which is to be joined into the wireless communication network, by using the setting information that has been created by the setting device. |
| US09100820B2 |
Apparatus for managing members of at least one group of decoders having access to broadcast data
A technique to manage members of a group of decoders having access to broadcast data, each group member sharing a common broadcast encryption scheme (BES) comprising the steps of, in a stage for a decoder to become a group member, receiving keys pertaining to the position in the group according to the BES, receiving a current group access data comprising a current group access key, and in a stage of accessing broadcast data, using the current group access data to access the broadcast data, and in a stage of renewing the current group access key, sending a first group message comprising at lease a next group access key encrypted so that only non-revoked decoders can access it, said group message being further encrypted by the current group access key, updating the current group access key with the next group access key. |
| US09100814B2 |
Federated download of digital content to wireless devices
A content descriptor is received at a download server on a network from a remote content server, which is coupled to the download server through a computer network. The content descriptor is indicative of a selection by a user transmitted from a wireless client device to the remote content server and relating to a digital product hosted by the remote content server. The content descriptor is used by the download server to obtain the digital product from the remote content server. The digital product is then downloaded from the download server to the wireless client device via a wireless network. The content descriptor may include information such as a reference for use by the download server in locating the digital product, information describing the digital product, price information relating to the digital product, and/or information specifying a licensee of the digital product. |
| US09100812B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling privileged access in a cellular network
Method and apparatus in a reservation function associated with a base station serving a cell in a cellular network, for enabling access for privileged sessions in the cell. When detecting that resources being pre-reserved for privileged sessions, are used for establishing a connection for a privileged session for a wireless terminal, the reservation function pre-reserves new resources exclusively for privileged sessions to compensate for the resources occupied by the established privileged session connection in a dynamic manner. Thereby, an amount of resources sufficient for enabling at least one subsequent privileged session connection remains pre-reserved in the base station. |
| US09100804B2 |
Proactive diagnostics
A data message is received from a machine-to-machine (M2M) device over a mobile communication network. The data message includes: a Machine Identification (MID) number of a machine coupled to the M2M device and/or an identifier of the M2M device; location information of the machine; and an alert based on a condition of the machine satisfying a service or alarm criterion. A database associated with the application server is searched for different solutions for the machine satisfying a service or alarm criterion. The machine is then matched with one or more providers that can service the machine for each solution. A tailored response data message, based on the machine location information, the identified condition and the matched provider(s), is sent to the user of the machine. |
| US09100803B2 |
Methods and systems for subscriber identity management in a mobile device
Methods and systems for managing a pool of subscriber identities, and wirelessly provisioning mobile devices to use one or more of the subscriber identities when a subscriber is roaming on a different network. When a subscriber's mobile device connects to a visited network, a subscriber identity server can be notified. The subscriber identity server may have access to a plurality of available subscriber identities (e.g., registered to various service providers), and may select a suitable subscriber identity matching the subscriber's visited network. The subscriber identity can be communicated to the subscriber's mobile device, which can be reprogrammed to assume the new subscriber identity. |
| US09100802B2 |
Method and apparatus to concurrently notify emergency contacts during an emergency voice call based on network capability
A method and apparatus for automatically sending a data message from a mobile device to at least one recipient during or soon after an emergency voice call, the method having the steps of: determining whether the data message can be sent over the network during the emergency voice call, and if yes, creating and sending the data message; and if no, waiting until either the mobile device connects to a new network, wherein the method proceeds back to said determining step, or until the voice call has ended and then creating and sending the data message. |
| US09100796B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for seamless roaming between diameter and non-diameter networks
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for seamless roaming between networks are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for seamless roaming between networks. The method occurs at a home subscriber server (HSS). The method includes maintaining registration status information for a subscriber. The method also includes communicating with a first network via a first network interface and with a second network via a second network interface using the registration status information to facilitate roaming between the first network and the second network. The first network interface is configured to receive and send Diameter signaling messages for managing mobility of the subscriber and the second network interface is configured to receive and send non-Diameter signaling messages for managing mobility of the subscriber. |
| US09100794B2 |
Apparatus for and system for enabling a mobile communicator
Disclosed herein is a mobile communicator that includes a contact operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and positioned to complete an electric circuit when the contact is in the closed position thereby activating the mobile communicator and providing the mobile communicator with functionality. The mobile communicator includes a display, a notification mechanism, a user interface, a transmitter and a receiver. Further, the mobile communicator includes an initial default disabled state. The mobile communicator remains in the initial default disabled state even when the contact is in the closed position and the activating electrical circuit is complete. A logic of the enabling system is configured to change the initial default disabled state of the mobile communicator to an enabled state, wherein the at least one of the plurality of functions become enabled, when a condition is satisfied. |
| US09100792B2 |
System and method for service-free location based applications
Provided is a distributed system and method for enabling new and useful location dependent features and functionality to mobile data processing systems. Mobile data processing systems (MSs) interact with each other as peers in communications and interoperability. Data is shared between mobile data processing systems to carry out novel Location Based eXchanges (LBX) of data for new mobile applications. Information which is transmitted inbound to, transmitted outbound from, or is in process at, a mobile data processing system, is used to trigger processing of actions in accordance with user configured permissions, charters, and other configurations. In a preferred embodiment, a user configurable platform is provided for quickly building well behaving LBX applications at MSs and across a plurality of interoperating MSs. |
| US09100783B2 |
Automatic friend following application
Two friends can pair wireless communication devices which subsequently exchange positional information peer-to-peer or through a cloud server. Each device presents a map showing its location and the location of the paired device. Instructions can be provided to the device playing a follower role of how to reach the current location of the other device, which plays a leader role. In turn the leader device can present information as to the location of the follower device so that a user of the leader device can ascertain if the follower is off-track. |
| US09100777B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling device
A method and an apparatus for controlling a device are provided. Information regarding a second external device, which was received by a first external device, is received from the first external device. The second external device is authenticated based on the information regarding the second external device. Position information regarding the second external device is detected. Control information regarding the first external device is transmitted to the first external device. The control information is based on the position information. |
| US09100776B2 |
Location based event reminder for mobile device
Utilizing a spatial calendar device and service, the user can associate an event reminder to a location in space. The location can be fed into the device manually, from the map unit, GIS address book unit, or from the current reading of the GPS unit, as well as any other source of GPS location media. An event reminder can be text and/or audio to remind the user of a specific thing to do or pick once he or she approaches the location. Examples: once at the parking lot of an airport (inside the car or in the vicinity of the car), the user can associate a reminder (text, audio, or visual) to the location of his/her vehicle at the airport. In this case the system will automatically read the GPS location of the car and will prompt the user to enter an audio or text event reminder. |
| US09100775B2 |
Audio delivery system for headsets
Methods and systems for delivering audio content to a headset are disclosed. A user taps a close proximity data exchange headset onto an device to download audio content. The audio content is played at the headset. In another embodiment, a user can record audio content with a headset and save the content onto a close proximity data exchange device. Other parties may then use the close proximity data exchange device to retrieve the audio content. Security techniques could be implemented to ensure only an authorized person can store or retrieve audio content. The close proximity data exchange headset may be a near field communication (NFC) headset, and the close proximity data exchange device may be an NFC device. |
| US09100773B2 |
Verifying a wireless device
In some aspects of what is described here, a first wireless device detects proximity of a second wireless device (e.g., by a Near Field Communication (NFC) interface or another type of interface). Based on detecting proximity of the second wireless device, the first wireless device generates a recommendation request from information received from the second wireless device. The first wireless device sends the recommendation request to a trusted authority and receives a response. The response includes the trusted authority's recommendation whether to trust the second wireless device. The first wireless device can determine whether to trust the second wireless device based on the recommendation. |
| US09100771B2 |
Machine type communication event reporting method, device and system
Disclosed in the present invention are a Machine Type Communication event reporting method, device and system. The method includes: a mobility management network element acquires identifier information of an MTC server corresponding to an MTC device from a user subscription server; the mobility management network element sends the identifier information to an MTC event reporting entity; and the MTC event reporting entity reports an MTC event of the MTC device to the MTC server corresponding to the identifier information. By way of the present invention, the MTC event report can be sent to a correct MTC server, so that the MTC server can effectively monitor the MTC device. |
| US09100770B2 |
Method and apparatus for blackout, retune and subscription enforcement in a cellular network multimedia distribution system
A method for blackout, retune and roaming enforcement in a cellular network multimedia distribution system. The method includes the steps of receiving a plurality of service regions in the cellular network multimedia distribution system; determining an affiliation of the client with one of the service regions in the plurality of service regions; and, processing a service region specific message based on the affiliation. An apparatus, as well as a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the stored instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method are also disclosed. |
| US09100769B2 |
System and method of storing service brand packages on a mobile device
A method of providing wireless communication service to a mobile device is provided. The method comprises providing a system memory partition and a carrier memory partition on the mobile device. The method further comprising protecting two or more service brand packages from deletion by a mobile device reset. The method further comprises provisioning the mobile device with a first service brand network. The method further comprising resetting the mobile device, wherein resetting the mobile device comprises removing the mobile device from the first service brand network and deleting unprotected data stored on the mobile device. The method further comprising provisioning the mobile device with a second service brand network without re-installing previously installed data associated with the second service brand package. |
| US09100765B2 |
Audio enhancement module for portable media player
An audio or video enhancement module incorporates advanced audio enhancement effects. These advanced effects cover a wide range including but not limited to 3D audio spatialization (virtualization) and transient enhancement. The device is configured for receiving an audio input signal, in analog or digital form, enhancing the received signal, and transmitting an output audio signal having the enhanced effects embedded in the signal. The output signal may be either digital or audio. Further, the output signal may be a mono signal, a stereo signal, a MIDI signal, or a multichannel signal (such as 2.1, 5.1, 7.1, etc.). User input to the module is provided to control the amount of audio enhancement. |
| US09100764B2 |
Systems for providing power to a hearing assistance device
Disclosed herein, among other things, is an apparatus for connection to a hearing assistance device having a DAI compatible interface compatible with direct audio input (DAI) signals. According to an embodiment, the apparatus includes a connector to connect to the DAI-compatible interface. The connector includes audio and ground connections compatible with the DAI-compatible interface. The connector further includes a power connection adapted to provide power to the hearing assistance device. The apparatus also includes a power source electrically connected to the connector. The power source is adapted to charge one or more energy storing devices, such as batteries, within the hearing assistance device, according to various embodiments. In an embodiment, the power source is adapted to supplement power provided to the hearing assistance device by the one or more energy storing devices within the device. |
| US09100763B2 |
Determining stimulation signal strength in an auditory prosthesis
A method for determining the level of stimulation signals generated by an auditory prosthesis as a result of processing an electrical audio signal representative of sound is disclosed, the method comprising: converting the audio signal into a plurality of frequency-based signal components; analyzing one or more of the signal components to determine a quantity associated with the presence of a target signal in the analyzed signal component; and calculating the signal level based on the determined quantity when the determined quantity indicates a target signal is sufficiently present in the audio signal. |
| US09100761B2 |
Earphone assembly
An earphone assembly for an in-ear listening device and method for filtering a portion of an audible sound output are disclosed. An earphone comprises a housing configured to receive a nozzle, a plurality of drivers each having an acoustical output disposed within the housing, and an elongated passageway disposed within the housing configured to filter at least an audible portion of a sound wave output from at least one of the plurality of drivers. The method comprises providing an elongated passageway to provide an increased path length and connecting an output of the at least one driver to the elongated passageway to configure the sound output to be received within the elongated passageway to acoustically filter a portion of the sound output from the at least one driver. |
| US09100760B2 |
Audio channel fault detection system
An audio system includes a diagnostic capability to check for faults to a power source and faults to ground for output audio channels configured to drive loudspeakers. The fault to ground analysis involves analysis of a number of digital samples to determine if a predetermined threshold is exceeded during a predetermined period of time. The analysis may involve both a digital signal processor and a microprocessor performing a zero crossing analysis using the predetermined threshold and the predetermined window of time. |
| US09100759B2 |
Loudspeaker driver with sensing coils for sensing the position and velocity of a voice-coil
This invention concerns a loudspeaker driver includes at least one actuator connected to a vibrating support to impart excitation to the latter when caused to move, wherein the loudspeaker driver further includes a plurality of sensing members arranged to move with the at least one actuator, each sensing member providing output sensing data dependent on the velocity of said at least one actuator, and means for determining the position of the at least one actuator based on at least one ratio (X/Y) of output sensing data or of linear combinations of output sensing data provided from the plurality of sensing members, said at least one ratio being independent of the velocity of the at least one actuator. |
| US09100753B2 |
Acoustic transducer
An acoustic transducer includes a sound-producing member at least partially disposed within the first magnetic flux gap region between the magnetic poles. The sound-producing assemblage is magnetically excited through a magnetic circuit that passes from a location outside the magnetic flux gap region to inside the magnetic flux region through an air gap. The moving member is controllably movable under the influence of at least one varying magnetic field, and its movement is constrained by a unique combination of mechanical restraints and magnetic restraints imposed upon the moving member by the interaction of a plurality of magnetic fields. |
| US09100749B2 |
System and method for directionally radiating sound
A method of operating an audio system that provides audio radiation to a plurality of listening positions includes providing at least one source of audio signals. At each listening position, at least one array of speaker elements is provided. A filter is provided between the at least one source and at least one of the speaker elements at a first listening position. The filter is optimized so that the filter reduces acoustic energy radiated from the first array to at least one other listening position of the plurality of listening positions, compared to acoustic energy radiated from the first array to the first listening position. |
| US09100747B2 |
Signal processing device and signal processing method
A signal processing device includes a noise analysis unit for analyzing a frequency component of a noise signal obtained by converting a collected sound into an electrical signal, a plurality of filtering units for carrying out predetermined filtering operations on the noise signal on the basis of an analysis result, and an output control unit for temporally varying a synthesis rate of outputs of the plurality of filtering units according to a change in the analysis result of the noise analysis unit. When the analysis result of the noise analysis unit changes, one filtering unit starts a predetermined filtering operation by characteristics different from those of other filtering units that carry out predetermined filtering operations on the noise signal according to the change in the analysis result of the noise analysis unit. |
| US09100746B2 |
Mobile terminal handwriting pen
A mobile terminal handwriting pen is provided, and the handwriting pen is integrated with an earphone. The handwriting pen includes: a pen nib, which is an earphone plug; a pen body, one end of which is fixedly connected to the pen nib, and the other end is movably connected to a pen cap, wherein, an earphone cord is set within the pen body, and both ends of the earphone cord are respectively connected with the earphone plug and an earplug; and the pen cap, which movably cooperates and connects with the pen body and on which the earplug is set. The present invention has a simple structure and less production cost, and it is easy to be standardized and massively produced, which is convenient for usage and promotion. |
| US09100730B2 |
Establishing connections in a multi-rate optical network
An optical transmission network comprises nodes which support a plurality of different wavelength channels and support at least a first bitrate traffic type and the second bitrate traffic type on respective wavelength channels. A connection of the second bitrate traffic type is established on an available wavelength, if the wavelength offers an acceptable quality of transmission using a first quality of transmission calculation. Alternatively, a connection of the second bitrate traffic type is established on a wavelength which is spaced, by a guard band, from wavelengths used for connections of the first bitrate traffic type, if the wavelength offers an acceptable quality of transmission using a second quality of transmission calculation. The second quality of transmission calculation is less stringent than the first quality of transmission calculation, and can ignore the effects of interference due to cross-phase modulation. The guard band is a wavelength spacing at which the interference between a connection of the first bitrate traffic type and a connection of the second bitrate traffic type is less than a predetermined amount. |
| US09100729B2 |
Method for handling a telecommunications connection, telecommunications arrangement, switching device and network coupling device
A method is specified for the handling of a telecommunications connection between at least two subscribers, wherein the telecommunications connection has a signalling Channel for transmission of a signalling stream and a payload Channel for the transmission of a payload stream, wherein frequency-coded Signals are transmitted in the payload stream, wherein at least one subscriber among the at least two subscribers is assigned to a network which has a switching device and a signal processing device provided separately from the switching device, and wherein the frequency-coded Signals are recognized in the signal processing device and are transmitted independently of the payload stream to the switching device. The invention also relates to a telecommunications arrangement, a switching device and a network coupling device. |
| US09100725B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating moving picture clip and/or displaying content file list, and recording medium storing program for executing the method
A recording and reproducing apparatus for displaying a content file list, a content file list displaying method and a recording medium storing a program performing the method, which are capable of easily identifying a paused content file and memorizing a point of the content file which reproducing is paused and content of the content file at the paused point, are provided. The method includes: determining whether or not a paused content file exists; creating a content file list capable of identifying the paused content file with reference to the result of the determination; and displaying the created content file list. |
| US09100723B2 |
Method and system for managing information on a video recording
A method and system that implement a process for managing video information on a video recording device. The management process involves receiving a video input signal including a video stream, obtaining content information corresponding to the video stream, associating the content information with the video stream, and storing the video stream and associated content information in a database as a searchable index for the video stream. The searchable index includes location of the stored video stream and identifies the associated content information. Then, content information from an input signal corresponding to a video stream is captured for analysis and searching the index to identify stored video streams related to the video program for suggestion to the user. |
| US09100718B2 |
System for synchronising content with live television
A computer system in which augmentation content can be provided to a client device. A receiver is provided in a server for receiving a live television signal. A matching engine can then identify a segment of television, based on fingerprinting techniques and can determine a time delay between the start time of the segment of television and its identification. A content retrieval unit can then select augmentation content based on the identified segment of television and the time delay, and this can be output to a client device. In this way the augmentation content can be selected so that it maintains synchronization with live television. |
| US09100709B1 |
Content selection and playback in a network environment
In response to receiving a watch now command to playback selected content, a content source selector resource identifies one or more sources (e.g., digital video recorder, video on demand, linear television channel, etc.) from which selected content is available. To select amongst multiple possible resources from which to retrieve the selected content, the content source selector resource traverses a decision tree on behalf of the user to select a source from which to retrieve selected content. In certain instances, such as when content is currently not available or the subscriber wishes to watch the content later, a subscriber can select a watch later command to indicate a desire to record content for later viewing. In this latter instance, the decision tree also can be used to select a source from which to retrieve and store selected content for later viewing. |
| US09100706B2 |
Method and system for customising live media content
There is provided a method of customizing live media content with the live media content including at least one dewarped panoramic view of a monitored area. The panoramic view may have a plurality of portions for selection by a user, the method comprising: receiving the live media with audio and video interleaved and/or compressed as a single stream data, receiving a selection of one of the plurality of portions of the panoramic view; and customizing the live media based on the selection of the a portion of the panoramic view for display. A system to customize live media content is also disclosed. |
| US09100705B2 |
Methods and apparatus for indexing and/or advertising in a user selected downloaded digital video recording
A method and apparatus of indexing a previously digitally recorded program of an audio and video program comprising: first, downloading the digital recording of the audio and video program; second, downloading from a server an index of the digital audio and video program to be associated with the digital recording of the audio and video program so as to navigate the digital recording of the audio and video program; third associating the index to the digital audio and video recording enabling a user of the digitally recorded audio and video program to navigate the digital recording of the audio and video program according to the index; and fourth, enabling the user to navigate the indexed associated digital recording of the audio/video program using the index applied to the digital recording of the audio and video program among many other aspects not allowed regarding the length of this abstract. |
| US09100701B2 |
Enhanced video systems and methods
A method is provided for enhanced video services to at least one user. The method includes receiving a first input video, and processing the received input video to obtain multi-dimensional information associated with the input video. The method also includes obtaining user recommendation information based on user behavior, and creating enhanced video information based on the multi-dimensional information associated with the input video and the user recommendation information. Further, the method includes associating the enhanced video information with the first input video to create an enhanced video of the first input video, and playing back the enhanced video to the user. |
| US09100697B1 |
Intelligent full window web browser transparency
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and computer readable storage media for rendering web pages with partial transparency. In response to a user request for a web page, the user-desired web page is retrieved. One or more content elements of the retrieved web page are analyzed to identify background elements and foreground elements. The web page is analyzed to determine whether transparency is appropriate for background elements. If transparency is appropriate, the background elements are rendered as at least partially transparent, such that a wallpaper is at least partially visible to a user through the background elements, and the foreground elements are rendered as opaque. If transparency is not appropriate, the foreground and background elements of the web page are rendered as opaque. |
| US09100683B2 |
Optimizing video recorder power usage for DVR network
A method, program product and system are provided for optimizing recording requests to minimize electricity usage for a network of DVRs. The disclosed methodology analyzes upcoming recording requests against a schedule guide including both local and networked DVRs. Overlaps in requested recordings and broadcasts during same or close proximity time slots are identified. Requested recordings are then rescheduled to optimally overlap recording times based upon the number of tuners in each DVR system. Changes in recording schedules are then communicated to other interconnected DVRs in a network. |
| US09100680B2 |
System and method to control communication of data
A method includes, in response to determining that a distribution capacity of a network device exceeds a first distribution capacity threshold and that the distribution capacity of the network device does not exceed a second distribution capacity threshold, determining, at the network device, whether a data source satisfies a popularity criteria. The method includes, in response to determining that the data source satisfies the popularity criteria, sending, from the network device, data associated with the data source to a user device. |
| US09100677B2 |
Server, client device, method for generating a transport stream thereof and processing the transport stream thereof
A method for generating a transport stream of a server is provided. The method for generating a transport stream of a server which sends broadcasting content to a client device comprises: scrambling broadcasting content by using a specific key; adding at least one content-encryption message which includes the specific key and a device key for obtaining the specific key from the at least one content-encryption message to the broadcasting content so as to generate a transport stream; and sending the generated transport stream to the client device. |
| US09100676B2 |
Audiovisual reproduction system
Audiovisual reproduction system comprising a central unit managing a sound control circuit, and a telecommunications modem connected to a distribution network controlled by a host server, through a multitask operating system created around a tools and services library, characterized in that the operating system comprises a function that adjusts the sound control circuit to couple volumes in the various areas in which the loudspeakers in the audiovisual reproduction system are used, this function being accessible through a management mode of the multitask operating system, the coupling maintaining the ratios between the various volumes in each area when the volume in one area is modified. |
| US09100672B2 |
Data transmitting device and data transmitting and receiving system
A data transmitting device is for transmitting data including video image information that is inter-frame encoded. The data transmitting device includes an identification information inserting unit configured to insert, in the data to be transmitted by the data transmitting device, video image identification information for identifying the video image information included in the data; and a video image information inserting unit configured to insert the video image information in the data to be transmitted by the data transmitting device. The video image information inserting unit inserts in the data the video image information that has been inter-frame encoded, behind the video image identification information that has been inserted in the data by the identification information inserting unit. |
| US09100668B2 |
Graphics correction engine
The present invention generally relates to graphic correction systems and methods. In particular, embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods configured to test the quality of images or other multimedia content uploaded to a web-based application and automatically performing corrections and conversions to the image or other multimedia content based at least in part on the results of the quality test. |
| US09100667B2 |
Life streaming
A system and method for analyzing, summarizing, and transmitting life experiences captured using a life recorder is described. A life recorder is a recording device that continuously captures life experiences, including unanticipated life experiences, in video and/or audio recordings. In some embodiments, the video and/or audio recordings generated by a life recorder are automatically summarized, indexed, and stored for future use. By indexing and storing life recordings, a life recorder may search for and acquire life recordings generated by itself or another life recorder, thereby allowing life experiences to be shared minutes or even years later. In some embodiments, recordings generated by a life recorder may be analyzed in real-time and automatically pushed to one or more target devices. The ability to automatically and instantaneously push life recordings as live feeds to one or more target devices allows friends and family to experience one's life experience in real-time. |
| US09100665B2 |
Method of providing customized hospitality media functions at a plurality of set-top boxes being connected to an RF coax network, and hospitality media system thereof
A hospitality media system includes a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs) coupled to a radio frequency (RF) coax network. Each STB has an identifier for identifying the STB. A content source broadcasts media content to the STBs utilizing the RF coax network and an update server distributes software data to the STBs. The software data causes a particular STB to perform a media function customized for the particular STB according to the identifier of the particular STB. |
| US09100658B2 |
Method and arrangement for video coding
Methods and arrangements in video encoding and decoding entities. The methods and arrangements involve determining (804) the frequency of occurrence of a plurality of reference pictures associated with an obtained (802) set of blocks, which are neighbors of a block B. The methods and arrangements further involve selecting (806) a reference picture or combination of reference pictures having the highest determined frequency of occurrence to be a prediction, Cpred, of the reference picture or combination of reference pictures, C, to be used when encoding/decoding the block, B. The methods and arrangements further involve providing/obtaining (610,612, 808) an indication specifying whether the prediction, Cpred, corresponds to C, and when the prediction, Cpred, is indicated to correspond to C, the encoded block, Be, is decoded (812) based on the prediction Cpred. |
| US09100655B2 |
Motion compensation method, image decoding method, image coding method, motion compensation apparatus, program, and integrated circuit
A motion compensation method includes: specifying, using a motion vector of a current block, a reference image area for use in motion compensation for each of the current block and a current sub-block spatially adjacent to the current block, to read out reference pixel data of the specified area from a frame memory; performing motion compensation using the reference pixel data read out in the readout, to generate prediction pixel data for each of the current block and the current sub-block; outputting the prediction pixel data for the current block, generated in the performing of motion compensation; and temporarily storing the prediction pixel data for the current sub-block, generated in the performing of motion compensation. |
| US09100654B2 |
Method and apparatus for inserting video watermark in compression domain
An apparatus and method for video watermarking are provided. The apparatus and method include receiving a bit stream encoded by a video encoder by a spatial domain information analyzer and extracting information from a spatial domain of an image with respect to code words forming the bit stream, grouping the code words for each segmented domain by a domain classifier based on the information from the spatial domain, determining a sign of the each segmented domain by a domain sign determiner and inserting a watermark in the each segmented domain according to the sign determined by the domain sign determiner by a watermark bit inserter. |
| US09100653B2 |
Memory transfer controller and method of transfer control of video line data and macroblock data
A method of transferring sets of video line data and macroblock data, includes the steps of determining a macroblock period and a video line period longer than the macroblock period, dividing each set of video line data to be transferred within the video line period into two or more portions according to the difference between the determined macroblock period and video line period, aligning a burst transfer of each of the portions of the divided set of video line data and each set of macroblock data to the macroblock period, and initiating the burst transfer of the sets of video line data and macroblock data at macroblock period intervals. |
| US09100651B2 |
Apparatus and method for encoding image
Provided is a moving picture coding apparatus for increasing a compression ratio of a moving picture signal while maintaining high image quality. To minimize the number of bits required for a residual block, quantized transform coefficients are adaptively divided into a plurality of subsets according to a size of a transform block, and non-zero quantized transform coefficients of each subset are scanned and encoded. Also, an intra prediction mode of the current block is determined using reference pixels obtained by filtering reference pixels of the current block. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the amount of data required for the residual block of the current block. |
| US09100649B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing a video signal
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for encoding or decoding a video signal. The method for processing a video signal according to the present invention determines the type of a block in accordance with the information which indicates whether to partition or merge the current block, acquires predicted values of each sub-block using restored peripheral pixels for each sub-block, and restores the current block using the acquired values. Here, pixels used for acquiring predicted values may include restored pixels for other sub-blocks contained in the current block, and the type of sub-blocks can be taken into account in a prediction mode for acquiring predicted values. |
| US09100648B2 |
Method and apparatus for decoding a video signal
The present invention relates to a method for decoding a video signal, comprising: obtaining adaptive transform size flag information for a 1st coding unit, the adaptive transform size flag information indicating whether a coding unit is partitioned in to coding units each of which has a half size in horizontal and vertical directions; obtaining adaptive transform size flag information for each 2nd coding unit, if the adaptive transform size flag information of a 1st coding unit is true, the 2nd coding unit indicating a sub-block included in the 1st coding unit; determining a size of a transform unit based on the adaptive transform size flag information; wherein the adaptive transform size flag information is obtained based on a size of a current transform unit, a minimum transform size, and a maximum transform size. |
| US09100646B2 |
Device and method for image encoding/decoding using prediction direction conversion and selective encoding
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for encoding/decoding videos using prediction direction change and selective encoding. The present disclosure provides a video encoding apparatus that encodes the current block of a video, comprising a rectangle encoder for dividing and then successively encoding the current block at input into rectangular block units to output a rectangularly encoded bitstream; a square encoder for encoding the current block at input in square block units to output a squarely encoded bitstream; and an encoding selector for calculating the encoding costs of the rectangularly encoded bitstream and the squarely encoded bitstream so as to output the bitstream with a minimum encoding cost. According to the present disclosure, the prediction accuracy may be increased when encoding or decoding videos so that video encoding efficiency can be improved. |
| US09100643B2 |
Multi-person stereo display system
The multi-person stereo display system permits several independent viewers to see different stereo images on a single projection surface. This is accomplished through the innovative use of video multiplexing, software, control electronics, and special viewing glasses. The system is particularly useful in situations where the viewers see computer generated images from their own independent perspectives. |
| US09100636B2 |
Motion and quality adaptive rolling intra refresh
Described herein are techniques related to motion and quality adaptive rolling intra (I) macro-block (MB) that is used to encode a particular image frame. In particular, the rolling I MB configuration may be based upon global motion direction, quantization parameter (QP) value, complexity based roll, and/or QP saturation based roll. |
| US09100628B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and imaging apparatus
The present technique has a face detection unit configured to detect a face region which is determined as a face in an image, a position specifying unit configured to specify a particular position in the image, a range specifying unit configured to determine a first range as a range for calculating an evaluation value of a hue and to set a hue at a position specified by the position specifying unit in a case where the position is not contained in the face region, and to determine a second range as a range for calculating an evaluation value of a hue and to set a hue at a position specified by the position specifying unit in a case where the position contains the face region, and image processing unit for performing image conversion processing based on color information contained in the hue range. |
| US09100627B2 |
Electronic device and method of controlling the same
An electronic device and a method of controlling the electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a broadcast receiving unit that receives a broadcast content, a communication unit that receives power information associated with a mart grid, the power information including at least one of per-time slot electricity rate information and power demand information, and a controller that selectively performs one of an operation of outputting the broadcast content received through the broadcast receiving unit and an operation of storing the received broadcast content in an internal memory or an external memory considering the received power information. |
| US09100623B2 |
Image processing device and method for adding textures to background and to an object
An image processing device includes an image processing part configured to perform image processing to an original image including a background and an object by adding a first texture component to at least the background. |
| US09100622B2 |
Wideband tuner architecture
A wideband receiver system is provided to concurrently receive multiple RF channels including a number of desired channels that are located in non-contiguous portions of a radio frequency spectrum and to group the number of desired channels into a contiguous frequency band. The system includes a wideband receiver having a complex mixer for down-shifting the multiple RF channels and transforming them to an in-phase signal and a quadrature signal in the baseband. The system further includes a wideband analog-to-digital converter module that digitizes the in-phase and quadrature signals and a digital frontend module that transforms the digital in-phase and quadrature signals to baseband signals that contains only the number of desired RF channels that are now located in a contiguous frequency band. An up-converter module up-shifts the baseband signals to a contiguous band in an IF spectrum so that the system can directly interface with commercially available demodulators. |
| US09100621B2 |
Intra prediction in image processing
An intra prediction method and a device using the intra prediction method are provided. The intra prediction method includes the steps of: deriving a current prediction mode as a prediction mode of a current block; constructing neighboring samples of the current block with available reference samples; filtering the available reference samples; and generating predicted samples of the current block on the basis of the filtered available reference samples. The filtering step includes performing the filtering using the available reference sample located in the prediction direction of the current prediction mode and a predetermined number of available reference samples neighboring to the prediction direction of the current prediction mode. |
| US09100620B2 |
Method and system for adding a color bar as a rendering job ticket attribute
A system and method for automatically adding a color bar as a rendering job ticket attribute and dynamically generating the color bar based on the rendering job attribute. The color bar can be added in association with the rendering job ticket along with a set of sub-attributes that include parameters associated with the color bar. The dynamic color bar can be automatically configured to include spot colors associated with the rendering job and the parameters can be specified in a device-independent way. Upon receiving the rendering job with the dynamic color bar attribute, the rendering device can render each page of the job in association with the color bar. The dynamic color bar generation instructions can be detected in the job ticket generated by a print driver thereby enhancing the use of the color bar in a color rendering application. |
| US09100619B2 |
Video synthesizing apparatus and program
The invention provides data for display on the display area for a child frame when the child frame is synthesized and displayed on the parent frame in picture-in-picture playback in order to give the displayed area of the child frame in conformity with the video content in the parent frame, as well as providing a video display apparatus etc. for displaying the child frame at an appropriate displayed position using the data for display. A video display apparatus 1 includes: decoders 101 and 103 for decoding two sets of video data; a synthesizer 105 for synthesizing the decoded videos to output; an input unit 108 for commanding display/non-display of the child frame; a processing controller 109 for controlling the operations of decoders 101 and 103 in accordance with the command; and a position designator 110 which receives the command and the data for display and time information and designates the displayed position of the child frame to the synthesizer 105. The position designator 110 determines the displayed position of the child-frame video in accordance with displayable time information of the child-frame video and information on the displayed area or displayable area depending on time, included in the data for display. |
| US09100618B2 |
System and method for allocating bandwidth between media streams
An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display receives a first request to display a first video stream and in response, displays the first video stream. The device allocates, in accordance with a bandwidth allocation, available bandwidth for receiving data at the device between receiving the first video stream and preloading one or more other, non-displayed, video streams. While displaying the first video stream on the display, the device preloads at least a portion of one or more non-displayed video streams based on the bandwidth allocation. After the preloading, the device receives a second request to display a second video stream. In response to receiving the second request, the device displays at least a portion of the second video stream on the display using a preloaded portion of the second video stream that was preloaded in accordance with the bandwidth allocation. |
| US09100614B2 |
Graphical interface navigation based on image element proximity
A method of facilitating navigation of a graphical user interface is presented. In the method, an image associated with the graphical user interface is generated for presentation to a user. The image includes a plurality of image elements, wherein the image elements collectively occupy less than the entirety of the image. An input indicating a location not coinciding with at least one of the image elements is received. One of the image elements is selected based upon the proximity of the location with the one of the image elements. |
| US09100606B2 |
Imaging element, control method, and imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of comparing units that compare analog signals supplied from pixels including photoelectric conversion elements through a vertical signal line with reference signals of ramp waves having different inclinations and output comparison results, a plurality of counters that execute counts until the comparison results are inverted for the different comparing units and output count values as digital data, and a sample-and-hold unit that electrically disconnects the vertical signal line and the comparing units and supplies the held analog signals to the comparing units while the comparing units execute the comparisons. The present disclosure can be applied to an imaging element, a control method, and an imaging apparatus. |
| US09100603B2 |
Image pickup device and camera system
Provided are an image pickup device and a camera system that are capable of detecting an extremely small signal from a pixel or one photon signal with low noise and high precision at high speed, and are capable of performing various kinds of high-performance shooting by increasing a frame rate with use of this. Each sense circuit includes a comparator configured to compare an output signal from a pixel with a reference signal, and when signal detection is performed, a charge allowing a first pixel signal output from a selected pixel to be cancelled out is held in one or both of input sections of the comparator, an independent offset bias for each comparator is applied to one of the input sections of the comparator to cancel out an offset of the comparator, and a digital decision on intensity of light incident on the pixel is performed by comparing a reference signal changing in steps with a second pixel signal output from the selected pixel. |
| US09100602B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, driving method, and electronic apparatus
Disclosed is a solid-state imaging device including a pixel array, two vertical scanning circuits, and a control part. The pixel array has a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix form. The two vertical scanning circuits are configured to sequentially select and scan each of the pixels in a vertical direction per row. The control part is configured to generate, based on a mode signal corresponding to an imaging mode, a driving switch signal to stop driving of one of the two vertical scanning circuits. |
| US09100600B2 |
Anti-blooming shutter control in image sensors
An image sensor includes a line driver, which further includes a transfer pulse generating circuit. The transfer pulse generating circuit is configured to determine an integration status of a first group of pixels, and to selectively apply the anti-blooming shutter to the first group of pixels based on the determined integration status of the first group of pixels. |
| US09100597B2 |
Multi-spectrum photosensitive devices and methods for sampling the same
A multi-spectrum photosensitive device and method for sampling the same, the method includes a first combining process for combining-and-sampling two adjacent pixels in same row different column, or in different row same column, or in different row different column in the pixel array to obtain a sampling data of a first combined pixel; a second combining process for combining-and-sampling the sampling data of the first combined pixel obtained from the first combining unit to obtain a sampling data of a second combined pixel; and a third combining process, a sampling data of a third combined pixel is obtained by a method for color conversion and image scaling in a digital space. The application is applied for a multi-pixel sharing reading and amplifying circuit of a single-layer color photosensitive chip, a single-sided multi-layer photosensitive chip, and a double-sided double-layer photosensitive chip. In the basis of the spirit of the existing pixel reading circuit, the application has orders of magnitude breakthrough in principle, basic circuit and performance, and implements a YUV format output of a sub-sampling image in a photosensitive device at the same time of implementing sub-sampling with high performance. |
| US09100592B2 |
System and method for producing color shifting or gloss effect and recording medium with color shifting or gloss effect
A gloss effect image pattern is created on a recording medium by electronically creating a first electronic pattern ink, the first electronic pattern ink including a first color and including holes, the holes representing areas in the first electronic pattern ink wherein the first color is absent; electronically creating a second electronic pattern ink using the first color and including filled holes, the filled holes of the second electronic pattern ink representing areas in the second electronic pattern ink filled with a second color, the second color being different than the first color; electronically creating an electronic image region; electronically painting, using the first electronic pattern ink, a background of the electronic image region; electronically painting, using the second electronic pattern ink, a foreground of the electronic image region; and rendering, using marking materials, the electronic image region on the recording medium. |
| US09100590B2 |
Laser based display method and system
The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well. |
| US09100586B2 |
Systems and methods for photometric normalization in array cameras
Systems and methods for performing photometric normalization in an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention are disclosed. The image data of scene from a reference imaging component and alternate imaging components is received. The image data from each of the alternate imaging components is then translated to so that pixel information in the image data of each alternate imaging component corresponds to pixel information in the image data of the reference component. The shifted image data of each alternate imaging component is compared to the image data of the reference imaging component to determine gain and offset parameters for each alternate imaging component. The gain and offset parameters of each alternate imaging component is then applied to the image data of the associate imaging to generate corrected image data for each of the alternate imaging components. |
| US09100585B2 |
Combined broadcast and backchannel delivery of streaming content
Streaming content may be delivered through a combination of broadcast and a backchannel. Related apparatus and methods for receiving and distributing streaming content are described. A receiving device may receive a packet of information in the form of a broadcast signal from a broadcast source. The packet of information may contain one or more streamlets and a table of contents associated with the streamlets. A desired streamlet may be selected from the packet of information and presented with a display. A remainder of a data stream associated with the streamlet may be requested and received from via a backchannel while the desired streamlet is being presented. The remaining data stream may then be presented with the display. |
| US09100584B1 |
Camera array correction method
The present disclosure illustrates a camera array correction method. The method comprises steps of calculating the gain values between the images captured by cameras with the pre-measured characteristic of each of the cameras. By such correction method, the different cameras in the camera array can capture images of the same brightness values and color values simultaneously. In addition, the huge computation requirement due to the increasing of the cameras can be reduced effectively. |
| US09100583B2 |
Image processing apparatus for correcting an aberration of an image containing a luminance saturation part, image pickup apparatus, image processing method, and non-transitory recording medium storing program
An image processing apparatus includes an image obtaining portion 200 that obtains a first and second images having exposures different from each other, a region selecting portion 203 that selects a first region different from a region containing a luminance saturation part from the first image, and that selects a second region corresponding to the region containing the luminance saturation part of the first image from the second image, an image restoration processing portion 201 that performs an image restoration processing using an image restoration filter generated based on an optical transfer function for the first region of the first image and the second region of the second image, and an image replacing portion 202 that replaces the region containing the luminance saturation part of the first image with the second region of the second image so as to synthesize the first and second regions to generate one image. |
| US09100580B2 |
Digital camera system and method
A digital camera system (1) is disclosed, comprising at least one pixel (3); a shutter means (4) for the pixel (3), whereby the shutter means (4) is adapted to generate at least one shutter pulse Stmax, Stmin during a frame period t for the pixel (3), whereby the pixel (3) is switched from a non-sensitive state to a sensitive state during the at least one shutter pulse t; and a memory means (5) for storing light information collected by the pixel (3) in the sensitive state during the frame period t; whereby the shutter means (4) is adapted to generate at least two shutter pulses for the pixel (3) during the frame period t. |
| US09100572B2 |
Methods and systems for confidence-based image processing
A system and method for triggering image re-capture in image processing by receiving a first image captured using a first mode, performing a computer vision task on the first image to produce a first result, generating a confidence score of the first result using a machine learning technique, triggering an image re-capture using a second mode in response to the confidence score of the first result, and performing the computer vision task on a result of the image recapture using the second mode. |
| US09100567B2 |
Imaging device comprising two optical systems
The imaging device includes: a first optical system; a second optical system; a first imaging element configured to convert an optical image of a first shooting range formed by the first optical system into an electrical signal; a second imaging element configured to convert an optical image of a second shooting range formed by the second optical system into an electrical signal; a first focus driving section configured to shift a focus lens of the first optical system to a focus position of a first object in the first shooting range; and a movement prediction section configured to predict movement of an image of a second object in the second shooting range. The first focus driving section shifts the focus lens of the first optical system to a position different from the focus position of the first object, according to a result of the prediction of the movement prediction section. |
| US09100566B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging method capable of quickly setting photographing condition, and non-transitory storage medium
In the present invention, in a state where a photographing parameter of an imaging section (for example, the focal length of a zoom lens) has been set within the range between a first value (for example, a wide angle end of 18 mm) and a second value (for example, a telephoto end of 140 mm), and a reference value (for example, 28 mm) for the photographing parameter has been set within the range between the first value and the second value, a control section changes the set parameter to the reference value. |
| US09100565B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image capture device, and computer program
An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an image processor configured to generate first movie data based on image capturing data, the image capturing data being obtained in response to a shooting instruction; and a controller configured to generate a movie file including second movie data, the second movie data being obtained by deleting a portion of a movie represented by the first movie data when at least one of (i) the contents of management information associated with the first movie data and (ii) the contents of the first movie data itself satisfy a predetermined condition. |
| US09100561B2 |
Image pickup apparatus that provides a correlation image
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element configured to provide a photoelectric conversion to an optical image formed by an image pickup optical system, a correlation image acquirer configured to obtain a product between a pixel value of an image output from the image pickup element and a representative value of a reference signal that fluctuates during an exposure time period for each of a plurality of divided time periods made by dividing the exposure time period by a predetermined division number, and a correlation image calculator configured to obtain an output from the image pickup element and to calculate a sum of the product for the exposure time period as a correlation image. |
| US09100559B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image pickup apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program using compound kernel
An image processing apparatus that blurs a picked-up image based on distance information on a subject, comprises a restoration kernel acquisition section that acquires a restoration kernel as a kernel for eliminating degradation of an image; a blur kernel acquisition section that acquires a blur kernel as a kernel for blurring the image; a compound kernel acquisition section that acquires a compound kernel obtained by merging the restoration kernel with the blur kernel; and an image processing section that eliminates the degradation of the picked-up image and blurs the picked-up image by using the compound kernel. |
| US09100556B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing method includes a restore step of performing blur restoration for image data, an acquisition step of acquiring image-related information stored together with the image data, and an extraction step of extracting the range of object distances at which the blur restoration is performed, based on the image-related information. In the restore step, blur restoration is performed for the image data in the range of object distances extracted in the extraction step. |
| US09100555B2 |
Hybrid mode repeater/re-driver for high speed digital video signaling
A system and a method are disclosed for a hybrid mode re-driver which, among other advantages, reduces power consumption while maintaining signal integrity. Equalization is performed on a signal to remove distortions such as inter-symbol interference. The signal is then analyzed and the quality of the signal is assessed. In some cases, retiming is then performed on the signal to remove additional signal distortions. In other cases, retiming is not performed and is transmitted to a driver while bypassing retiming components. When retiming components are bypassed, the retiming components are placed in a state of reduced power consumption to reduce system power consumption. |
| US09100549B2 |
Methods and apparatus for referring media content
Methods, devices, computer program products and systems are provided for referring media content at communication devices, such as wireless communication devices. The methods, systems and devices allow for all forms of media content to be referred, such as audio, video, multimedia content and the like and, in particular advertising content. In addition, the methods, systems and devices provide for the content providers to optimize the delivery schedules and/or methods of delivery based on the volume of referrals. In addition, by tracking the volume of referrals, content providers can alter billing structure, such as advertising rates associated with advertising content. |
| US09100548B2 |
Feature enablement at a communications terminal
In one embodiment, a method for electronic enablement of features at a communication device that includes receiving a feature token, validating the feature token, and changing the enablement state of one or more features at the communication device in accordance with a valid feature token. |
| US09100547B2 |
Accessing broadcast media
This invention relates to a system (2000) for providing individual users access to audio/visual content which has been broadcast to a plurality of users on a scheduled basis. The system comprises means for storing the content, means for enabling a user to download the content in the form of a downloadable file, and means for enabling a user to view the content by opening and playing the downloaded file. The means for opening and playing the downloaded file preferably being adapted to open and/or play the downloaded file only within a fixed time period after the scheduled broadcast time of the content. |
| US09100545B2 |
Image device having a plurality of detectors in a time delay and integration (TDI) configuration and associated method
In certain embodiments, an imaging device includes an image sensor that includes a detector array. The detector array includes a plurality of detectors operable to receive a charge generated by light. The detector array also includes a plurality of detector sub-arrays each including one or more of the plurality of detectors. The one or more detectors of each detector sub-array are in a time delay and integration (TDI) configuration. The image sensor of the imaging device is operable to, for each of the plurality of detector sub-arrays of the detector array, generate an image signal corresponding to a scan of an object. |
| US09100543B2 |
Method and system for controlling video structure of video conference system
Disclosed is a method and system for allowing a server system to control a video structure of a client system through a video of an optimized size and to transmit the controlled video structure in a system in which video conference is remotely available. The method includes a step of allowing a control unit of any one client system to request a main control unit of a server system to change the video structure which includes coordinates and video size; and allowing the main control unit to make a change so as to coincide with the request of the control unit of the client system, which has requested the change of the video structure being currently outputted to a video conference monitor, and to transmit the change to a control unit of each client system. |
| US09100536B2 |
Imaging device and method
A display is disclosed that comprises an array of display pixels, in which light sensing pixels are interspersed with the display pixels substantially across the area of the display. At least one color display sub-pixel is arranged to be switched off when the corresponding color light sensor pixel closest to that display sub-pixel is detecting light to generate an image. A portable electronic device is disclosed which comprises the display. The display is then operable to capture an image from the light sensing pixels, so that for example it can then operate as one or more of a digital mirror, scanner, biometric lock or touch panel. When a user looks at the display for a video call, the captured image of the user appears to look directly the other party. |
| US09100535B2 |
Device and method for motion estimation and compensation
A device for motion estimation in video image data is provided. The device comprises a motion estimation unit (11, 21) for estimating a current motion vector for an area of a current image by determining a set of temporal and/or spatial candidate motion vectors and selecting a best motion vector from the set of candidate motion vectors. The motion estimation unit (11, 21) is further adapted for substantially doubling one or more of the candidate motion vectors and for including the one or more substantially doubled candidate motion vectors in the set of candidate motion vectors. |
| US09100530B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes an identifier identifying, for each pixel in the frame image, minimum pixel values for each color component from pixel values of surrounding pixels for each color component. The surrounding pixels are positioned around the pixel. The identifier also identifies, as a common pixel value, a minimum value in the minimum pixel values identified for each color component. The apparatus further includes a generator generating a preprocessed image which can be obtained by replacing a pixel value of each pixel in the frame image with the common pixel value identified for the pixel by the identifier, a low pass filter generating a first subframe image by applying a low-pass filter to the preprocessed image, and a subtractor generating, as a second subframe image, a difference image between the frame image and the first subframe image. |
| US09100529B2 |
Power supply unit and image forming apparatus
A power supply unit includes a first power supply configured to supply electric power to a load using electric power supplied from an external power source; a second power supply configured to store the electric power supplied from the external power source and supply the stored electric power to the load; a no-power detecting unit configured to monitor a voltage of the external power source and detect no electric power from the external power source; and an output switching unit configured to switch the electric power to be supplied to the load to the electric power supplied from the second power supply when the no-power detecting unit detects no electric power. A first setting value that is a target output voltage of the first power supply is larger than a second setting value that is a target output voltage of the second power supply. |
| US09100527B2 |
Communication apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium
A communication apparatus, which has a normal power consumption mode and a power saving mode lower in power consumption than in the normal power consumption mode and which is connected to a network via a network interface device, communicates with a device on the network via the network interface device. The communication apparatus acquires capability information indicating a communication capability of the device, and based on acquired capability information, determines a communication mode to be used when the network interface device communicates with the device under a condition that the communication apparatus has shifted to the power saving mode, and when the communication apparatus shifts from the normal power consumption mode to the power saving mode, sets the determined communication mode as a communication mode to be used when the network interface device communicates with the external device. |
| US09100520B2 |
Determining whether a scanned page is blank or contains image data
An apparatus includes a display unit configured to display preview images of a plurality of image data, a determining unit configured to determine whether each of the plurality of image data is a blank page, a display control unit configured to display a preview image of image data determined not to be a blank page on the display unit in a first display mode and to display a preview image of image data determined to be a blank page on the display unit in a second display mode, and a change unit configured to change the determination result and the display mode at the display unit of image data corresponding to the preview image when receiving an instruction to change the selected display mode of a preview image from the first display mode to the second display mode, or from the second display mode to the first display mode. |
| US09100515B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of assignment to print destination
An image forming apparatus is connected to an information processing device and at least one external image forming apparatus through a communication circuit. The image forming apparatus includes a communication section, an image forming section, an image processing section, and an assignment control section. The image processing section performs image processing on print data received from the information processing device. The assignment control section determines a print destination for processed print data subjected to image processing by the image processing section from the image forming apparatus of its own and the at least one external image forming apparatus. |
| US09100510B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image reading apparatus include a light source; an image sensor configured to output an image signal of an object illuminated by the light source; a first calculating unit configured to calculate a third light amount based on a difference between a first image signal output from the image sensor when the light source illuminates a reference member as the object at a first light quantity and a second image signal output from the image sensor when the light source illuminates the reference member at a second light quantity and a difference between the first light quantity and the second light quantity; and a light quantity setting unit configured to set a light quantity at which the light source illuminates a document as the object to the third light quantity. |
| US09100508B2 |
System and method for method for providing quality-of-service in a local loop
Described is a system and method for receiving in a first network operated by a first network provider, a service request from a client for a service application provided by the first service provider, the client accessing the first network via a second network operated by a second network provider, wherein the service request includes a level of service that is to be provided to the service application. The level of service is communicated to the second network provider and, subsequent to receiving the service request, the level of service is purchased from the second network provider to guarantee the client the level of service when accessing the second network. |
| US09100502B2 |
Dual layer authentication for electronic payment request in online transactions
Increasing the security of online payment requests by introducing a dual-layer authentication system for accessing the funds and/or credit through payment cards is described. An additional check regarding the identity of a card user to be included within a traditional security protocols for these cards, wherein the additional check is based on an authentication channel which is external to the user's card. A device owned by the legitimate card owner certifies that the user of the card at any given instant is the legitimate owner of the card and not someone else. To process this additional information, a connection by means of a proximity based device is established. |
| US09100500B2 |
Methods and systems of providing local access number calling features
In an embodiments a method of providing a local access number to a subscriber may include receiving subscriber locale information indicating a location of a subscriber, mapping the subscriber locale information to one or more local access numbers, identifying, from the one or more local access numbers, a local access number corresponding to the subscriber locale information and transmitting the identified local access number to the subscriber's mobile device. |
| US09100499B2 |
Communication apparatus and method with off-hook detection and power supply control
A communication apparatus has an off-hook detection function, and has a first electric power supply for supplying electric power to a telephone control unit for controlling a telephone apparatus, and a second electric power supply for supplying electric power to an off-hook detection unit for detecting an off-hook of the telephone apparatus. The apparatus causes the off-hook detection unit to detect an off-hook of the telephone apparatus when, from a first power mode, a second power mode, in which electric power consumption is less than in the first power mode, is transitioned into. |
| US09100495B2 |
Footwear sole structures controlled by a web-based cloud computer system using a smartphone device
A computer system comprising a Web site and/or a cloud array of computers wherein the system is configured to have a connection to a smartphone or other mobile computer device and the system is configured to use the device to control a configuration of computer-controlled footwear structural elements located in footwear soles of a device user, and sensors located in footwear soles of the device user and a sensor including a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer in the device. The system is further configured to control the configuration of footwear structural elements and sensors by using the device and the connection to: transmit data to the system for storage and/or shared or independent processing and/or analysis: process data received from the sensors located in footwear soles of the device user and the sensor in the device; and use the processed data to alter a configuration of the footwear structural elements. |
| US09100494B1 |
Reconfigurable mobile device with keyboard cover and display areas of content and applications
A multifunction cover with touch screen display, icons, and a keyboard is described. A multifunction touch screen enabled mobile device may be configured to be connected to the separate cover, which may be attached to the device and detached from the device. The mobile device may be enabled with a cellular voice and data communication, WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, and Internet Protocol connectivity. The mobile device may be enabled to play videos, capture photos, and stream multimedia content. |
| US09100489B2 |
Managing groups using telephones
An aspect of the present invention facilitates formation of groups using missed calls. In an embodiment, upon receipt of a first missed call to a pre-specified number from a first user, a missed call server allocates a first phone number to a new group. Upon receiving missed calls to such allocated number, the corresponding callers (i.e., the phone numbers of the callers) are added to the group. According to another aspect of the present invention, different phone numbers are allocated for different groups, and the members are added in each group, in response to missed calls to the corresponding numbers. Additional management tasks such as provide group owner the ability to approve/reject the addition/removal requests, formation of sub-groups, etc., are also facilitated based on missed calls. |
| US09100485B2 |
Adaptive stochastic queueing
An Adaptive Stochastic Queueing device comprises a process that maintains a plurality of queues defined around the known and changing resource usage history of an ensemble of customers, customers seeking access to a resource. Applying a stochastic approach that reflects the history of each customer in reference to the ensemble history, the queues intercept and sort customers. A stochastic sequencer sequences customers from the queues to the resource in a manner that selectively promotes customers in a manner attuned to the application using the device. |
| US09100483B1 |
Properly ascertaining shift-related work deficiencies of contact center agents
A work schedule for an employee, such as a contact center agent, may indicate various time periods when the agent should be engaging in specific types of work activities during their work shift. During the work shift, the agent may indicate an activity code identifying a type of work activity the agent is presently engaged in. The agent may deviate from the planned work schedule in various ways, including by starting later than the scheduled start time or leaving earlier than the scheduled end time. The agent may be allowed to “make up” a work-related time deficiency by working through a scheduled break or working earlier or past their scheduling work shift. If the agent successfully makes up the work-related deficiency within a time limit, then no improper deviation from the planned schedule is noted. Otherwise, a work-related deficiency condition may be recorded. |
| US09100482B2 |
Mobile monitoring for supervisors
A mobile service observing integration system efficiently utilizes multi-functional smart devices providing operating system support for native applications and application programming interface support for third-party applications, allowing seamless mobile communication between a contact center and its agents and supervisors. |
| US09100478B1 |
System and method for creating interactive voice response (IVR) dialers
An IVR dialer creation method and system is described that creates new IVR dialers from recorded conversations between users and target IVR systems. An IVR dialer creation server and/or an IVR dialer application records each channel communications between a user and a target IVR system. The IVR system times target IVR system messages, and converts the times into pauses for the IVR dialer. The IVR system speech recognition determines the content of target IVR system messages. The IVR system analyzes user DTMF tones or voice responses to queries from the target IVR server. The IVR system determines which of the user responses are generic for the functional task performed and which pertain to user-specific information. The IVR system then builds the new IVR dialer from the pauses and user responses leaving open the possibility for the input of user-specific information during a later communication with the target IVR system. |
| US09100477B2 |
System and method of call screening
A method includes receiving a notification that indicates that a call from a caller has been received at a remote network-based messaging system at a computer terminal. The computer terminal is connected to the remote network-based messaging system via a data connection. The method includes displaying a pop-up view at the computer terminal to notify a subscriber of the call. The pop-up view includes call screening options and an option to add information identifying the caller to an electronic address book that is not a call log. The method includes sending a request to intercept the call from the computer terminal to the remote network-based messaging system via the data connection and sending information that indicates a destination device from the computer terminal to the remote network based messaging system. The call is routed from the remote network-based messaging system to the destination device. |
| US09100476B1 |
Providing caller identification to mobile devices
A caller information server provides caller identification (ID) information to a mobile device. The server receives caller ID information from local address books stored on multiple mobile devices. The caller information server aggregates the received caller ID information to generate a pooled address book. The caller information server may determine whether names within the caller ID information are legitimate and store or filter the information accordingly. When a mobile device receives a call from a telephone number for which it lacks caller ID information in its local address book, the mobile device sends a request for the caller ID information for the telephone number, to the caller information server. The server identifies caller ID information associated with the telephone number in the pooled address book, and sends this information to the mobile device. |
| US09100472B2 |
Methods and apparatus to pre-qualify user communities for communication services
Example methods and apparatus to pre-qualify user communities for communication services are disclosed. An example method comprises configuring a first remote network demarcation associated with a first loop to a loop-back state, interrogating the first loop to determine a first parameter representative of the first loop, configuring a second remote network demarcation associated with a second loop to the loop-back state, interrogating the second loop to determine a second parameter representative of the second loop, and compiling a report based on the first and second parameters, the report containing a value that represents a degree to which a communication service can be provided to a user community associated with the first and second loops. |
| US09100470B2 |
Biasing component for raising and lowering a keyboard for a handheld communication device
A clamshell or slide type of handheld wireless communication device can include a biasing component to raise or lower a keyboard relative to a first housing of the device. The biasing component can raise the keyboard when the communication device is opened and can lower the keyboard when the communication device is closed. When the keyboard is raised, the keyboard can be flush with or above the first housing or sides of the first housing of the communication device. When the keyboard is lowered, the keyboard can be below the first housing of the communication device. |
| US09100460B2 |
Media stream fragment request
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for requesting potentially missing fragments in a media stream index are described in this specification. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a fragmented media stream index at a client system, where the media stream index includes a list of sequentially arranged fragment identifiers. Fragments listed in the media stream index can be requested from a server system. Fragment identifiers that are potentially missing in the media stream index can be identified based, at least in part, on a determined naming convention indicating the sequential arrangement of the fragment identifiers. Fragments can be requested based on the potentially missing fragment identifiers and processed for display when received. |
| US09100457B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmission framing in a wireless communication system
Method and apparatus for framing in a wireless transmission system supporting broadcast transmissions. A framing format incorporates fields specific to a uni-directional transmission and reduces the overhead of the system. One embodiment employs a version of HDLC having a start of frame field and an error checking mechanism attached to the payload of each frame, wherein protocol information is not transmitted with each individual frame. |
| US09100453B2 |
Social device security in a social network
A social network (SNET) is divided into one or more circles employing separate security secrets, e.g. keys, for communication between members. A device can be a member of more than one circle, and store different keys for each of those circles in separate, restricted portions of memory. When a member leaves a circle, new keys can be generated and distributed to the remaining members. Before and after joining a circle, a level of trust associated with the device or human member can be determined based on third party trust verification and a trust history. A requirement for multiple current circle members to vouch for the prospective member can be imposed as a condition of membership. Each circle can be assigned different trust and access levels, and authorization to receive information can be checked before transmitting information between circles. |
| US09100451B2 |
Mediation system and method for processing event records
A mediation method and a mediation system divided into independent node components that process event records independently of the other components of the system. In addition, the system is provided with at least one node manager component that configures the node components and starts them up, when required. Further, the node manager component monitors the functioning of the node components and also stops the node components, if required. Each of the independent node components operates according to its own settings and is thus self-contained and capable of continuing operation even though some of the other components are temporarily inoperative. The system comprises also a system database that manages configuration information and stores audit trail data. |
| US09100449B2 |
Virtual inline configuration for a network device
A performance enhancing proxy network device is configured to operate in a virtual inline mode, in which selected network traffic is redirected to and through the network device by a router using simple routing policies. In this way, the network device can be coupled to the router in series but can still operate as if it were physically connected inline. |
| US09100444B2 |
Systems and methods of creative work collaborative systems
Systems, methods, and tangible computer-readable storage mediums for tracking collaboration are presented. More particularly, embodiments relate to providing, using a processor, an environment for collaboration between users; and tracking, using the processor, information regarding the collaboration; such that the tracked information includes rights information regarding rights of the collaborating users. Some further embodiments include storing, in a non-transient, computer-readable storage medium, the rights information. Some further embodiments include determining compensation for at least one user based on the rights information. Some further embodiments include: storing, in a non-transient, computer-readable storage medium, initial content; and storing, in the storage medium, additional content, such that the additional content builds on the initial content. |
| US09100442B2 |
Image forming apparatus supporting peer-to-peer connection and method of managing address book thereof
A method of managing an address book of an image forming apparatus that supports a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection includes connecting the image forming apparatus to an external wireless device in the P2P connection method through a wireless local area network (WLAN); operating a soft access point (AP) module of the image forming apparatus so that the image forming apparatus operates as an AP; allocating an internet protocol (IP) address to the wireless device by driving a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server unit (DHCP server) of the image forming apparatus; and registering the wireless device connected to the image forming apparatus in the address book, which stores wireless devices that are connectable to the image forming apparatus, with the allocated IP address. |
| US09100441B2 |
Recognizing an installation position of a network device according to an internet protocol (IP) address through a network device installation position table and an IP address assigning table
An IP address assigning method is provided. Firstly, an IP address request packet containing a media access control address is transmitted to a DHCP server. The IP address request packet is analyzed, so that the media access control address is acquired. Then, at least one address forwarding table of at least one network switch is acquired. Then, the address forwarding table is analyzed according to the media access control address, so that an assigned number of a port of the network switch is acquired. Then, a predetermined IP address listed in an IP address assigning table is assigned to the network device according to the assigned number of the port of the network switch. Afterwards, the media access control address and/or the assigned IP address is recorded in a field of the IP address assigning table corresponding to the assigned number of the port of the network switch. |
| US09100438B2 |
Shared identity profile management
Example methods and apparatus are disclosed for maintaining a shared identity profile. An example method includes receiving, at a first online service provider, a plurality of profile information items from a user and storing, by the first online service provider, the profile information items in an identity profile associated with the user. In the example method, at least one of the profile information items includes user identifying information that is capable of verification. The example method also includes verifying, by the first online service provider, the user identifying information and storing, by the first online service provider, as part of the identity profile, a verification status corresponding with the verifying. The example method further includes receiving, at the first online service provider, a request, from a second online service provider, for one or more of the profile information items including the user identifying information and providing, from the first online service provider to the second online service provider, the requested profile information items and the verification status. |
| US09100437B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide firewalls for process control systems
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide firewalls for process control systems are disclosed. An example method includes analyzing a network communication to identify a first service, an address associated with the first service within a secured portion of a network, and a subset of ports used by the first service, the network communication originating from within the secured portion of the network and to be transmitted to a destination outside of the secured portion of the network, and storing an identifier of the first service, the address, and the subset of the ports when the network communication includes the identifier, the address, and the subset of the ports. |
| US09100436B2 |
System for tracking diffusion
A tracking system comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a programmed processor is provided. The storage medium of the tracking system includes instructions for receiving a request for content from a device using a first shortened content address, the first shortened content address including a shortened content address base and a first link identifier. The storage medium further includes instructions for determining a content address identifier associated with the first shortened content address and instructions for searching the device for a cookie associated with the content address identifier, the cookie including a cookie link identifier. The storage medium also includes instructions for providing the content to the device using the first shortened content address when the cookie is found on the device and the cookie link identifier is the first link identifier and instructions for providing the content to the device using a second shortened content address when the cookie is found on the device and the cookie link identifier is not the first link identifier, the second shortened content address including the shortened content address base and the cookie link identifier. The storage medium further includes instructions for generating a new link identifier when the cookie is not found on the device and instructions for providing the content to the device using a third shortened content address when the cookie is not found on the device, the third shortened content address including the shortened content address base and the new link identifier. |
| US09100432B2 |
Cloud-based distributed denial of service mitigation
A method, performed by a computer device, may include receiving an indication of a distributed denial of service event at a front end system associated with a customer; generating one or more virtual front end systems for the customer, in response to receiving the indication of the distributed denial of service event; and redirecting traffic intended for the customer's front end system to the generated one or more virtual front end systems. The method may further include determining whether resource capacity of the generated one or more virtual front end systems has been reached; and generating an additional one or more virtual front end systems for the customer, in response to determining that the resource capacity of the generated one or more virtual front end systems has been reached. |
| US09100430B1 |
Systems for network risk assessment including processing of user access rights associated with a network of devices
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for network risk assessment. One of the methods includes accessing information describing network traffic between network devices. A network topology of the network is determined based on the information describing network traffic, where the network topology includes nodes connected by an edge to one or more other nodes, and each node is associated with a network device and each edge represents two nodes that can communicate with each other. User account access information indicating access rights and/or access records may be overlaid on the network topology and the system can provide various visualizations of the network topology to illustrate security risks associated with specific user accounts or nodes, identify compromise values/likelihoods/risks of particular user accounts and/or network accounts, and identify network segmentation issues, among others. |
| US09100428B1 |
System and method for evaluating network threats
Systems and methods are presented for generating a threat score and a usage score of each of a plurality of IP addresses. The threat score may be determined based on quantity of occurrences and recency of each occurrence of an IP address in network alert datasets, in addition to a weighting factor for each data source indicating the accuracy of the data source. |
| US09100427B2 |
Method and an apparatus to perform multiple packet payloads analysis
A method and an apparatus to perform multiple packet payload analysis have been disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a plurality of data packets, each of the plurality of data packets containing a portion of a data pattern, determining whether each of the plurality of data packets is out of order, and making and storing a local copy of the corresponding data packet if the corresponding data packet is out of order. Other embodiments have been claimed and described. |
| US09100424B1 |
System and method for secure real-time cloud services
A system and method for providing secure, end-to-end data service enabling real-time data over the Internet is disclosed. The system and method provides a communication framework between sensors, devices, and machinery and the users of that data from any remote location that is connected to the Internet without requiring open inbound firewall ports, while at the same time enabling high data rates, low latency and full bi-directionality. The graphical and networking features of RIA frameworks in combination with the disclosed system and method provide low-latency, real-time data applications in a web browser securely over the Internet. |
| US09100422B1 |
Network zone identification in a network security system
Different network segments can have overlapping address spaces. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a distributed agent of a security system receiving a security event from a network device monitored by the agent. In one embodiment, the agent normalizes the security event into an event schema including one or more zone fields. In one embodiment, the agent also determines one or more zones associated with the received security event, the one or more zones each describing a part of a network, and populates the one or more zone fields using the determined one or more zones. |
| US09100420B2 |
System for remotely managing electric vehicle
In a system for remotely managing an electric vehicle, a meter related to charge of the electric vehicle, installed in each parking lot, and a meter installed in each home communicate information related to the electric vehicle using a communication network constructed for the purpose of energy management. The meter in each home is linked with an in-home display (IHD) device installed in the home, and a user identifies and manages, in the home, information of the user's own electric vehicle through the IHD device. The user remotely controls the electric vehicle in the parking lot through the IHD device. Accordingly, it is possible to considerably improve convenience in the use of the electric vehicle, in relation to information management or control of the electric vehicle. |
| US09100418B2 |
Adaptive data verification for resource-constrained systems
A system and method for adaptively verifying data in resource constrain systems. The adaptive data verification mechanism employs the proper mode of verification adaptively to balance cost/performance requirements plus security requirements. The algorithm uses a belief level for the validity of a received message, and assigns the belief level to a scale between a bona fide message at one end of the scale and a malicious message at an opposite end of the scale. Depending where on the scale the belief level falls determines which validation mode will be used to authenticate the message. In an alternate embodiment, the belief level relative to a scale and the amount of data waiting to be processed in a buffer are both used to determine which mode will be used to validate the message. |
| US09100416B2 |
System and method for conveying end-to-end call status
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a session initiation protocol (SIP) subscribe message over a primary call leg requesting outdial event notification on a secondary call leg. Receiving of the call is responsive to a unified messaging system placing a call outside of its local access and transport area. A call is placed on the secondary call leg responsive to receiving outdial information on the primary call leg. Alternative outdial information directed to the calling party is received responsive to the call on the secondary leg being unanswered. Another call is placed on the secondary leg responsive to receiving the alternative outdial information without requiring receipt of another SIP subscribe message over the primary call leg. A calling card server performs SIP messaging associated with one of the SIP notify message or the SIP subscribe message. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09100414B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a reliable voice extensible markup language service
A method and apparatus for providing a reliable Voice Extensible Markup Language (VXML) over packet networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network are disclosed. For example, a service provider may utilize a plurality of content servers that can be accessed by at least one telephony browser. The telephony browser can reach the content browsers directly as well as through a shared server that may load balance among the content servers. When a request for a VXML content, e.g., a VXML application, is received, the telephony browser sends the request to the shared server. If the request fails or a response is not received prior to expiration of a predetermined time interval, then the telephony browser sends a second request directly to one of the content servers that is capable of providing the requested content. |
| US09100411B2 |
Intelligent communication screening to restrict spam
A system is provided to restrict the ability of a spammer to freely contact an entity over a communication channel. To do so, the system reconfigures a communication channel used to contact the target entity such that the system can intercept a communication from a source contacting entity en route to the target entity. The system extracts an identifier (e.g., contacting entity's telephone number) from the communication and uses the identifier to query a database storing information about the contacting entity. The information reveals the contacting entity's industry, occupation, credibility, etc. From this information, the system automatically identifies the contacting entity as a spammer, potential spammer, or non-spammer. The system performs a default screening of the communication based on the classification. Alternatively, the target contacted entity can specify a configuration for different actions the system takes to screen the communication based on the source contacting entity classification. |
| US09100404B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for providing applications style functionality to a user
Systems, methods, and computer readable media of providing applications style functionality to a user of a mobile radio terminal are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the systems, methods, and computer readable media include the steps of receiving a data stream transmission having a plurality of states, wherein each state is associated with output instructions and storage instructions, and wherein the plurality of states is configured such that moving through the states creates the appearance of executing an application on the mobile radio terminal; decoding the data stream transmission and caching each of the plurality of states with the associated output instructions according to the associated storage instructions; rendering a first state; responsive to an event on the mobile radio terminal, moving from the first state to a second state by applying the output instructions associated with the second state; and communicating a change of state to a server. |
| US09100403B2 |
Apparatus and methods for providing authorized device access
Methods, apparatus, and systems are described for providing an accessor device an access credential to interact with a device resource on an accessee device. An authorization entity having a trust relationship with the accessee device, or a linked subordinate authorization entity, generates the access credential. The access credential includes a modification detection indicator, at least one access privilege, and an accessor public key. The at least one access privilege corresponds to at least one device resource on the accessee device. The authorization entity forwards the access credential to the accessor device, which presents the access credential to the accessee device for authentication. Once authenticated, the accessee device grants access to one or more device resources, and controls requests to insure they are within the scope of the at least one access privilege. |
| US09100395B2 |
Method and system for using a vibration signature as an authentication key
A method and computer program product for using a vibration signature as an authentication key to authorize access of a user computer to a network. A vibration device generates a vibration signal of the vibration signature. In one embodiment, a router detects and validates the vibration signal, and then the router starts a session of connecting the user computer to the network. In another embodiment, the user computer decodes the vibration signal of the vibration signature to a security set identifier and a security key, and then sends to a router. In response to validating the security set identifier and the security key, the router starts a session of connecting the user computer to the network. |
| US09100392B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing user authentication and identification based on a one-time password
An approach is provided for authenticating and/or identifying a user through machine-transferrable one-time password codes. A user device sends to an authentication platform a request for a one-time password for authenticating a user at a relying party device. A machine readable form of the one-time password deliverable to the relying party device over an air gap between the user device and the relying party device is determined and transmitted. The relying party device reverts the machine readable form back to the one-time password, and transmits the one-time password to the authentication platform to authenticate the user device. |
| US09100391B2 |
Portal authentication method and access controller
In a portal authentication method, a DHCP request message sent by a terminal is received by an AC. In response to finding that a user of the terminal is an unauthenticated user, a private network IP address is assigned to the terminal. After portal authentication of the terminal is finished, a wireless connection of the terminal is terminated by the AC. When a DHCP request message sent by the terminal again is received, a determination that the user of the terminal passes the authentication is made by the AC, a public network IP address is assigned to the terminal, and an accounting request message is sent to a RADIUS server. After finding that the terminal is offline, an accounting stop message is sent by the AC to the RADIUS server, the wireless connection of the terminal is disconnected, and the public network IP address is released. |
| US09100387B2 |
State driven orchestration of authentication components in an access manager
Methods and systems are described for state driven orchestration of authentication components to access a resource protected by an access manager framework. In response to a client request for a protected resource, relevant authentication components and their respective order are determined. Upon successful authentication of the first authentication component, proper state information of the authentication process is stored by the client indicating the next authentication component. In response to a request for additional credential information for the authentication process from the next authentication component, the client provides the stored state information so that the authentication process continues with the second authentication component according to the determined order of the authentication components within an authentication process. |
| US09100386B2 |
Method and system of plug-in privilege control
A plug-in privilege control includes authorizing a plug-in, including assigning a plug-in identification number (PIN) to the plug-in wherein the PIN is used to identify an identification (ID) of the corresponding plug-in; notifying the plug-in about the PIN; storing information about the plug-in and a plug-in accessible service to a mapping of services; receiving a request for a service from the plug-in, wherein the request includes the PIN; retrieving the ID of the plug-in according to the PIN; and determining whether to allow the plug-in to access the service that it requested. |
| US09100382B2 |
Network security configuration using short-range wireless communication
A configuration device is disclosed for configuring a network device in a communication network. The configuration device initiates pairing operations with the network device via a short-range communication connection. The configuration device determines whether the network device is in a registered state or an unregistered state. If the configuration device determines that the network device is in the unregistered state, the configuration device establishes a secure short-range communication channel between the configuration device and the network device. The configuration device transmits a network key to the network device via the secure short-range communication channel for configuring the network device to communicatively connect to the communication network. If the configuration device determines that the network device is in the registered state, the configuration device determines whether to unregister the network device. |
| US09100372B2 |
System for determining whether or not automaton satisfies context-free grammar
A server that holds context-free grammar and is connectable to a client that holds an automaton. The server compares an edge pair with an encrypted string value such that the encrypted string value is hidden from the client. The edge pair represents a string for an encrypted value in which a nonfinal character is made to correspond to a state before and the state after held by the client and an encrypted string value represents a string for an encrypted value in which each of a plurality of nonfinal characters contained in a substituted symbol string for a production rule for the context-free grammar is given correspondence with an assigned state before and state after. The encrypted value in which in which the encrypted string value matches the edge pair has been encrypted is sent to the client along with the state before and state after that has been assigned. |
| US09100369B1 |
Secure reverse connectivity to private network servers
Establishing a connection is disclosed. A first communication link with a perimeter gateway located external to a private network firewall but behind a perimeter network firewall is initiated. A request to allow the connection from a requestor that has requested the connection to an internal server via the perimeter gateway is received. A second communication link with the internal server protected by the private network firewall is initiated. The connection is allowed at least in part by associating together the first communication link with the second communication link. |
| US09100365B2 |
Web application process
A computer network and corresponding method for providing, as part of a web portal session, access for a user to a web application running on a server. The network includes first and second traffic managers connected via an intermediate web server. The first traffic manager includes an interface for receiving from the user, as part of the portal session, a request for access to the web application and for passing the request to the intermediate web server; and for forwarding to the second traffic manager. The second traffic manager includes an interface for receiving the request from the first traffic manager via the intermediate web server and for passing the received request to the web application. |
| US09100360B2 |
Contextual awareness architecture
An architecture for collecting and managing contextual awareness data is contemplated. The architecture may be used to implement various policies as a function of the contextual awareness data, such as but not limited to implementing dwelling specific policies depending on the contextual awareness data indicating whether one or more users are presence within a dwelling. |
| US09100357B2 |
Notification classification and display
A method can include receiving, by a notification module operable by a computing device, an instruction to generate a contextual notification and notification information associated with the instruction. The method also cam include generating, by the notification module and in response to receiving the instruction, a notification object. In some examples, the method can include assigning, by the notification module and based on the notification information, the notification object to at least one notification class from a plurality of notification classes. The example method can also include generating, by the computing device and based at least in part on the at least one notification class to which the notification object is assigned, the contextual notification by populating the notification object with the notification information; and outputting the contextual notification in a manner based at least in part on the at least one notification class. |
| US09100356B2 |
Method of adding a postscript message to an email
A system and method providing for appending of a note or instruction to the contents of an email such that the note or instructions is only appended to emails of selected recipients of a group of recipients, with only the email going to the other recipients of the group of recipients is provided. |
| US09100354B2 |
Control device, for instance for systems-on-chip, and corresponding method
A system comprises a resource, such as an interconnection, for example, of the Network-on-Chip (NoC) type, having an overall bandwidth available for allocation to a set of initiators that compete for allocation of the overall bandwidth. The system includes a communication arbiter for allocating the overall bandwidth to the initiators according to respective values of bandwidth requested (RBW) by the initiators. A control device (50) is configured to detect the deviation between the value of bandwidth allocated to the initiators and the respective value of requested bandwidth and allocate the overall bandwidth to the initiators in a dynamic way minimizing the mean value of the deviation. |
| US09100347B2 |
Method of burst scheduling in a communication network
Delay-sensitive burst scheduling in a network is carried out through communications between source and destination nodes. A distributed scheduler at each destination node selects timeslots for burst arrivals from requesting source nodes, irrespective of timeslot selections made by distributed schedulers at other nodes. |
| US09100344B2 |
Label-based partitioning for network subscribers
A method of providing a new network service to selected subscribers, who are already receiving known network services, uses labels. A distinct label is assigned to each network service and is also attached to subscribers already receiving that service. To access newly selected subscribers for providing a further service or a notification, the method uses predetermined subscriber-access-labels which lead to a class of intended subscribers. The intended subscribers are listed by using the subscriber-access-labels and a label-matching-algorithm in a flat hierarchy to generate a list of the newly selected subscribers. The list assists to dispense either a new network service or otherwise to reach them. Label matching also enables producing a desired list of specified network services. A computer readable medium for the method is included. The present method enables faster service by avoiding a largely hierarchical approach to retrieving customer listings, and is well suited for applications like AJAX®. |
| US09100339B1 |
Network failure detection and prediction using signal measurements
Network health monitoring and network failure detection prediction using opportunistic scheduling and measurement is contemplated. The health monitoring may be facilitated with opportunistic scheduling and measurement of pilot power in various bands to detect harmonics induced by equipment suffering from non-linearity or other distortions. |
| US09100338B2 |
Flow-based adaptive private network with multiple WAN-paths
Systems and techniques are described which improve performance, reliability, and predictability of networks without having costly hardware upgrades or replacement of existing network equipment. An adaptive communication controller provides WAN performance and utilization measurements to another network node over multiple parallel communication paths across disparate asymmetric networks which vary in behavior frequently over time. An egress processor module receives communication path quality reports and tagged path packet data and generates accurate arrival times, send times, sequence numbers and unutilized byte counts for the tagged packets. A control module generates path quality reports describing performance of the multiple parallel communication paths based on the received information and generates heartbeat packets for transmission on the multiple parallel communication paths if no other tagged data has been received in a predetermined period of time to ensure performance is continually monitored. An ingress processor module transmits the generated path quality reports and heartbeat packets. |
| US09100335B2 |
Processing a message based on a boundary IP address and decay variable
A technique for determining a boundary IP address is disclosed. The technique includes processing a header to extract candidate IP address, locating a gateway IP address, and selecting the boundary IP address based on the location of the gateway IP address. |
| US09100334B1 |
Method and system for variable length tag processing
Machine implemented method and system for processing frames received by a network device from another network device via a network link are provided. The network device is configured to maintain a data structure to determine a tag size of a tag received in a frame header of a frame received by the network device; determine if the tag size is less than a fixed programmable size; insert a blank character to increase the tag size to the programmable size; and process the frame with the tag having the programmable size. |
| US09100333B2 |
System and method for routing commands in a modularized software system
Converged network management application and system is provided that delivers a management platform as a service that can view and/or manage all managed networks in the aggregate, or any one of them individually (including individual devices within the managed networks), in a secure and efficient manner, providing continuously available intelligence in real time on the managed networks and systems, and overcoming integration issues including conflicting address schemas, the need to avoid unnecessary infrastructure, and the need acquire all necessary information in real time within applicable memory and bandwidth constraints. |
| US09100331B2 |
Method for linking ethernet communication for digital protective relay and the digital protective relay performing the same
A method for establishing an Ethernet communication link of a digital protective relay having at least two communication ports, includes: configuring physical layers of a first communication port and a second communication port; determining whether or not auto-negotiation with respect to the first communication port or the second communication port is successful; and replacing configuration information regarding one of physical layers of the first communication port and the second communication port with configuration information regarding the other of the physical layers of the first communication port and the second communication port according to whether or not the auto-negotiation with respect to the first communication port and the second communication port has been successful. Although Ethernet ports of the digital protective relay are connected without priority, the digital protective relay may perform the same operation. |
| US09100330B1 |
Introduction of read delay or write delay in servers of a geographically distributed data processing system so that clients read up-to-date data
Read delay or write delay is added to server computers of a geographically distributed data processing system so that when writing to a dataset occurs at a first server and reading from the dataset occurs at a second server, the sum of any delay of returning an acknowledgement of completion of each write request and any delay in the reading of data for each read request is at least the data transmission delay between the two servers. For certain client applications such as NFS, the added delay is sufficient to compensate for the transmission delay without the use of a conventional read lock, which would require a round-trip delay. The method can provide an up-to-date global view of the dataset at each of the servers. The method can also provide equal performance of read access and write access at each of the servers. |
| US09100326B1 |
Automatic parsing of text-based application protocols using network traffic data
A method for analyzing an application protocol of a network. The method includes extracting non-alphanumeric tokens from conversations of the network, selecting frequently occurring non-alphanumeric token as a field delimiter candidate for dividing each conversation into a slice-set, analyzing slice-sets of the conversations to determine a statistical measure of matched slices for each conversation, and -o determine a field delimiter candidate score by aggregating the statistical measure of matched slices for all conversations, and selecting the non-alphanumeric token as the field delimiter of the protocol based on the field delimiter candidate score associated with the non-alphanumeric token. |
| US09100323B1 |
Deadlock-resistant fabric tree replication in a network device
In general, the invention is directed to techniques for reducing deadlocks that may arise when performing fabric replication. For example, as described herein, a network device includes packet replicators that each comprises a plurality of resource partitions. A replication data structure for a packet received by the network device includes packet replicator nodes that are arranged hierarchically to occupy one or more levels of the replication data structure. Each of the resource partitions in each of the plurality of packet replicators is associated with a different level of the replication data structure. The packet replicators replicate the packet according to the replication data structure, and each of the packet replicators handles the packet using the one of the resource partitions of the packet replicator that is associated with the level of the replication data structure occupied by the node that corresponds to that particular packet replicator. |
| US09100319B2 |
Context-aware pattern matching accelerator
Methods and systems for improving accuracy, speed, and efficiency of context-aware pattern matching are provided. According to one embodiment, a packet stream is received and pre-matched by an acceleration device with one or more conditions to identify packets meeting the one or more conditions. The acceleration device then correlates at least one identified packet based on the one or more conditions to generate matching tokens of the packet that meet the one or more conditions and sends, to one or more processors of the acceleration device, the matching tokens along with identifiers of the one or more conditions so that the processors can process the matching tokens and the identifiers of the one or more conditions based on one or more of context aware string matching, regular expression matching, and packet field value matching to extract packets that match context of the one or more conditions. |
| US09100316B2 |
Resilient provider link state bridging (PLSB) virtual private LAN service (VPLS) interworking
A method of peer interfacing a Link-State controlled network domain with an Ethernet Bridging controlled network domain. A pair of peer attachment points are provided between the Link-State controlled network domain and the Ethernet Bridging domain. The peer attachment points are respective endpoints of a set of one or more LAN segments defined within the Ethernet Bridging domain. The set of LAN segments are represented as a virtual node in the Link-State controlled network domain. The virtual node is represented in the Link-State controlled network domain as connected to each of the peer attachment points via a respective virtual link. The virtual links are configured such that frames to or from an address in the Link-State controlled network domain are forwarded over a tree passing through only one of the peer attachments points. |
| US09100315B2 |
Source asynchronous signaling
Technology for asynchronous communication including a wired channel, a sender controller, and a receiver controller is disclosed. The sender controller can be configured to send multiple request signals up to a predefined limit on the output request port paired with multiple data blocks sent on the data before receiving an acknowledgment signal on the output acknowledge port. At least one combination of any of the input channel, the sender controller, the output channel, and the receiver controller can be configured to operate within at least one time constraint to avoid stalling an asynchronous flow control. |
| US09100312B1 |
Best-effort client rate limiter
A network device which controls the flow of packets from a best-effort client is provided. The network device includes a flow controller which transmits transaction messages between the best effort client and an arbiter, and an average rate monitor which comprises a counter which increments at an amount of (x−1) when a transaction occurrence is detected by the average rate monitor, and decrements at an amount of 1 per cycle when a transaction occurrence is not detected by the average rate monitor. The best-effort client is only given a grant by the arbiter when the counter has a value of zero. |
| US09100310B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for monitoring service usage
Usage information is received that describes usage of communication services by a communications device. The usage information is compared to monitoring criteria. When the monitoring criteria are satisfied, an electronic notification message is sent to the communications device before an additional charge is incurred. |
| US09100309B2 |
Identification and classification of web traffic inside encrypted network tunnels
The present principles are directed to identifying and classifying web traffic inside encrypted network tunnels. A method includes analyzing network traffic of unencrypted data packets to detect packet traffic, timing, and size patterns. The detected packet, timing, and size traffic patterns are correlated to at least a packet destination and a packet source of the unencrypted data packets to create at least one of a training corpus and a model built from the training corpus. The at least one of the corpus and model is stored in a memory device. Packet traffic, timing, and size patterns of encrypted data packets are observed. The observed packet traffic, timing, and size patterns of the encrypted data packets are compared to at least one of the training corpus and the model to classify the encrypted data packets with respect to at least one of a predicted network host and predicted path information. |
| US09100304B2 |
Resource management in dynamic network environments
A system comprises a communications network configured to support transmission of a plurality of communications streams and a resource manager communicatively coupled to the communications network and configured to provision resources of the communications network to the plurality of communications streams. The system may further comprise a performance test manager communicatively coupled to said communications network and configured to identify a communication stream from said plurality of communications streams, identify a test network path for said identified communication stream that is substantially free of other network traffic, and perform a performance test over said test network path. |
| US09100303B2 |
Methods, devices, and systems for allocating IP address
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, a device and a network system for allocating an IP address. The allocating method comprises: allocating a first IP address to a first server; allocating a second IP address to a client connected to the first server; monitoring the client allocated with the second IP address; allocating a third IP address to the first server when a monitoring result indicates that an IP address conflict exists between the first IP address and a current IP address of a second server; wherein the second server is connected to the client allocated with the second IP address. The method may reallocate the IP address automatically when a subnet conflict occurs. |
| US09100302B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring multicast availability
Differences in the way a network and a host operating system handle multicast traffic is used to create a passive monitoring construct that measures both multicast availability and isolation. In one aspect, a computer registers a multicast group with a network to multicast a simple heartbeat message; consumer computers look for this heartbeat to detect multicast failures. In another aspect, a heartbeat is generated on the same multicast group that is being monitored but on a different port than the application traffic for this multicast group. The network routes the heartbeat packets identically to those of the application data but the heartbeat packets are instead delivered to a monitoring process and not the end application on arrival at the consumer computer. A correlating computer serves as a stateful warehouse of all multicast publisher and consumer information using information obtained by client-side agents. Using information of who is publishing and who the consumers in the various parts of the network actually see, island detection and network failures can be detected. |
| US09100301B2 |
Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to manage alarm configurations of servers
Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to manage alarm configurations of servers are disclosed. An example system includes a processor, an alarm linkage database to store information representative of alarm configurations for a plurality of servers, and a memory comprising machine readable instructions. When executed, the instructions cause the processor to perform operations comprising accessing alarm configurations in the alarm linkage database for a subset of the plurality of servers in response to a first request, initiating a change in respective alarm configurations of the subset of the plurality of the servers, and initiating propagation of the alarm configuration to the subset of the servers, the subset including more than one server. |
| US09100298B2 |
Host visibility as a network service
At a data switching device in a data center, it is detected whether a host has connected to a cloud computing network of which the data switching device and the data center are components. The detection is performed without directly communicating with the host. The data switching device determines properties of the host and generates a message comprising data representative of the properties of the host. The message is sent from the data switching device to a node in the cloud computing network that is configured to manage components of the cloud computing network associated with the host. |
| US09100295B2 |
Virtual service delivery platform
A system, computer-implemented method and a computer-readable medium for accessing content on a plurality of computing devices from a plurality of independent frameworks. The system includes a virtual backend service (VBS) platform. A plurality of independent frameworks hosted on the VBS platform, where each independent framework is configured to provide access to an independent set of applications that provide a service over a network. The system also includes a configuration module for configuring each computing device in the plurality of computing devices to access the set of applications particular to the independent framework, wherein the configuring dynamically switches access of each computing device between the independent frameworks, and access the service from each framework by the configured computing device. |
| US09100289B2 |
Creating searchable and global database of user visible process traces
In one example, a controller device includes one or more network interfaces communicatively coupled to one or more devices of a virtual network, and a processor configured to determine, for the virtual network, a set of two or more related processes executed by respective devices in the virtual network, receive via the network interfaces data for the set of two or more related processes, and aggregate the data for the set of two or more related processes to form aggregated data for the set of two or more related processes. |
| US09100282B1 |
Generating optimal pathways in software-defined networking (SDN)
A method for optimizing delivery of digital information packets across a network of linked, packet switching nodes is disclosed. A suitably programmed computer translates business oriented requests into network technical requirements. The computer then uses knowledge including pre-stored or real-time discovered topographical maps of the network, and a database of the current attributes of the components of the network, to automatically determine settings for software addressable forwarding devices on the network to implement the network technical requirements, and then configures the network remotely via the software addressable switches at nodes on the network. |
| US09100279B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for forwarding data in communications system
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for forwarding data in a communications system. The implementation of the method includes: A data forwarding device forwards a data packet from a source end to a destination end by using a low-speed channel; during a procedure for forwarding the data packet from the source end to the destination end by using the low-speed channel, the data forwarding device receives a control command sent by a service processing node, where the control command is used to indicate that the data packet of the source end does not need to be forwarded to the service processing node; and the data forwarding device forwards the data packet from the source end to the destination end according to the indication of the control command by using a high-speed channel. |
| US09100277B2 |
Client credentials data structure and method of employing the same
A client credentials data structure, a method of employing the same and a secure client-server communication system employing the data structure or the method. One embodiment of the data structure is associated with a client and includes: (1) a pre-provisioned set of credentials configured to register the client with a server, (2) a standard user set of credentials employable for secure client-server communication, and (3) a re-acquisition token combinable with the pre-provisioned set of credentials to allow the client to re-register the client with the server. |
| US09100275B2 |
Signal unit including a field indicative of a zero-length payload
A method includes receiving, at a first wireless device from a second wireless device, a signal (SIG) unit including a first field. The method also includes determining whether the first field has a particular value that is indicative of a zero-length payload and decoding the SIG unit based at least in part on the determination. |
| US09100269B2 |
Provisioned provider link state bridging (PLSB) with routed back-up
A method of managing traffic flow in a packet network. A working sub-network is provided, which comprises one or more provisioned static working paths between at least one source node and one or more destination nodes in the network, and the working sub-network with a service instance. A backup sub-network is provided, which comprises one or more dynamic protection paths between the at least one source node and the one or more destination nodes, and the backup sub-network associated with the service instance. During a normal operation of the network, forwarding subscriber traffic associated with the service instance through the network using the working sub-network. Following detection of a network failure affecting the service instance, the subscriber traffic associated with the service instance is switched for forwarding through the network using the backup sub-network. |
| US09100268B2 |
Application-aware MPLS tunnel selection
Various exemplary embodiments are a method and related system and computer-readable medium including one or more the following: receiving a data packet; analyzing the data packet using deep packet inspection (DPI) to determine an application associated with the data packet; determining an MPLS tunnel corresponding to the application associated with the data packet; and forwarding the data packet through the MPLS tunnel. In various exemplary embodiments, the step of analyzing the data packet including examining information in layers 2 through 7 of the data packet or analyzing the data packet to match an application signature. Furthermore, in various exemplary embodiments, the method and related system and computer-readable medium also includes adding a marking to the data packet to indicate the application associated with the data packet. |
| US09100267B2 |
Network management method, a system and a device
A device manages a management database in the form of objects to be managed that are referenced according to a reference specification. Equipment exchanges management data in the form of data structures indicated by patterns each corresponding to a respective referenced object and being assigned a respective identifier. In order to manage a given object, the device and the equipment store synchronization information associating the reference of the given object and the corresponding pattern identifier. In order to manage a given object, the equipment sends the corresponding pattern assigned the respective identifier and a data ticket which has a structure indicated by said pattern and is assigned said identifier. The device translates the pattern into the respective referenced object as a function of the identifier of said pattern and the synchronization information, and then stores the data from the received ticket in the management database. |
| US09100261B2 |
Frequency-domain amplitude normalization for symbol correlation in multi-carrier systems
Methods and systems are disclosed for frequency-domain amplitude normalization for symbol correlation in multi-carrier communication systems. Digital samples associated with input signals received from a communication medium are processed using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to generate complex frequency components. Each complex frequency component is normalized with respect to its amplitude, and the frequency-domain, amplitude-normalized frequency components are multiplied with frequency components for reference symbol(s) to generate frequency-domain correlation values. These frequency-domain correlation values are analyzed to determine if a correlation exists between the amplitude-normalized frequency components and the predetermined reference frequency components. A correlation detection output is then generated that indicates whether or not a symbol synchronization was achieved. The disclosed embodiments are particularly useful for symbol correlation in received signals for power line communication (PLC) systems. |
| US09100259B2 |
Receiving device, receiving method, and receiving program
GI removers b102-nR remove a GI from received signals. FFT units b103-nR apply a time-to-frequency transform to the signals obtained in the GI removers b102-nR. Demapping units b104-nR separate from the obtained frequency-domain signals the received signals of resource elements in which data, a first pilot symbol, and a second pilot symbol were respectively transmitted. Path extractors b105-nR use the first pilot symbol to extract effective paths for estimation. Channel estimators b106-nR compute first CFR estimation values using the second pilot symbol, compute CIR estimation values by using path location information extracted by the path extractors and the first CFR estimation values, and then convert the CIR estimation values into second CFR estimation values. |
| US09100258B2 |
MIMO receiver using lattic reduction and K-Best detection
A detection process for a receiver of a wireless communication system based on Multiple-Input Multiple-Output antennas (nT, nR), said receiver processing observations symbols y derived from symbols x transmitted by an emitter through a channel H; characterized in that it involves: —a preprocessing which only depends on the channel H, said preprocessing involving: —a first QRD decomposition (61) for the purpose of decomposing said channel H into two Qext and Rext matrices, with QextHQext=/and Rext being upper triangular; —a lattice reduction (62) for the purpose of generating Qext, Rext and a transformation matrix T; —a second QRD decomposition (63) applied on the matrix Rext T−1 for the purpose of generating two matrixes Q′ext and R′ext, —a loading phase (64, 65, 66) comprising a linear detection process of the observations y for the purpose of generating a value xcenter; —a neighborhood search (67-70) performed in the Original Domain Neighborhood (ODN) with a search center being equal to the result xcenter of said loading phase, said neighborhood search determining a limited number of symbols (K-best). |
| US09100256B2 |
Systems and methods for determining the number of channel estimation symbols based on the channel coherence bandwidth
Various systems and methods are provided for channel estimation. These systems and methods (a) determine a coherence bandwidth for the channel, (b) adapt the channel estimation based on the coherence bandwidth, and (c) perform channel estimation by transmitting a channel estimation symbol over a channel. In some embodiments, the channel estimation is adapted based on the coherence bandwidth. This may include selecting a number of channel estimation symbols to transmit in a packet. Additionally, the number of channel estimation symbols transmitted in a packet can be selected by increasing the number of channel estimation symbols when the coherence bandwidth of the channel is high or decreasing the number of channel estimation symbols when the coherence bandwidth of the channel is low. |
| US09100255B2 |
Frame structure for filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC) waveforms
A unified frame structure for filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) waveforms may allow FBMC and OFDM frames to be communicated over a common channel without significant inter-frame gaps. The unified frame structure may set an FBMC frame duration to an integer multiple of an OFDM frame element duration to enable alignment of FBMC frames and OFDM frames in the time domain. The unified frame structure may also map control channels in the FBMC and OFDM frames to common resource locations so that the respective control channels are aligned in the time and/or frequency domains. The unified frame structure may also share synchronization channels between FBMC and OFDM frames. Additionally, overhead in an FBMC time division duplexed (TDD) communications channel can be reduced by overlapping time windows appended to FBMC blocks. |
| US09100251B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for interleaving and deinterleaving data
A data processing apparatus is arranged to map input data symbols to be communicated onto a predetermined number of sub-carrier signals of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed OFDM symbols. The predetermined number of sub-carrier signals is determined in accordance with one of a plurality of operating modes and the input data symbols are divided into first sets of input data symbols and second sets of input data symbols. |
| US09100249B2 |
System and method for providing virtual spaces for access by users via the web
A system configured to provide one or more virtual spaces that are accessible to users. The virtual spaces may be provided such that an enhanced level of interactivity between the virtual spaces and the Web, including resources that communicate with the system via the Internet (e.g., via users, websites, webpages, other web resources, etc.) and/or other networks. To provide this enhanced level of interactivity, the system may enable interactions between an instance of a virtual space and the Web (e.g., queries, commands, communication, administrative controls, etc.) via a standard web protocol, such as a HyperText Transfer Protocol (e.g., http, https, etc.) and/or other standard web protocols. Since interactions take place between the instance of the virtual space and the Web via a standard web protocol, the instance of the virtual space may interact directly with Web resources such as web servers, web browsers, websites, webpages, and/or other Web resources. |
| US09100247B2 |
Distributed synchronous batch reconfiguration of a network
A novel alternative concept for handling dynamic provisioning changes and ongoing network reconfiguration and incremental reoptimization in general. A prime motivation is concern about the dependency of existing concepts for dynamic provisioning on the real-time coherence of databases of network state at diverse geographic locations. Not only is the continual updating of such global state everywhere in the network an intensive real-time load, but inevitable incoherencies pose hazards in network operation. The alternative proposal is a framework that makes use precise time synchronization and the computational power of network nodes to solve identical local instances of incremental reoptimization problems in situ. The new scheme removes the database coherency hazard, reduces signaling volumes, and increases resource efficiencies in service provisioning. It also provides a framework in general for continually ongoing incremental or (if desired) total reoptimization of network configuration. |
| US09100246B1 |
Distributed application virtualization
Distributed application virtualization provides for the distribution, configuration and control of multiple application components, layered file systems, and configuration settings that may be applied on top of an operating system of each system configured to work in conjunction with other systems within a single distributed virtualization layer. A distributed software virtualization manager or service handles communication between systems within each distributed virtual layer. One distributed virtualization operation activates components, selected based on user-defined parameters, on systems across the network belonging to a selected distributed virtual application layer. Other virtualization operations, whether local and/or distributed, include capturing file system and configuration activity associated with the detected event and storing data representative of the captured file system and configuration activity to a virtual layer, such as a local or distributed application layer. |
| US09100245B1 |
Identifying protected media files
A user can have media files associated with a user account in a shared resource environment, enabling the user to access those files from multiple devices and locations. Instead of uploading each file, a process can scan the files to determine corresponding copies already stored to the shared resource environment, which can be associated with the user account without uploading another copy. In cases where encryption or other protection prevents the content of a file from being verified, a fingerprint of unencrypted records of the file can be generated and compared against an index of fingerprints for previously encountered files. If the fingerprint matches information stored for a media file, and the fingerprint meets at least one validity criterion, a copy of the media file can be associated with the user account even though the user's copy cannot be read, or potentially even played, by a component of the environment. |
| US09100238B2 |
Information providing apparatus, system, method, and program
Disclosed is an information providing apparatus, wherein information desired by users is provided with a high-precision selection, and at low processing cost. The information providing apparatus comprises: a data storing means for storing therein utilization log data that includes a plurality of sets of a plurality of context values inputted from a user terminal upon accessing a piece of content, and one or more information selection criterion values for the piece of content; a totalizing means for totalizing frequencies of accesses to pieces of content, from the utilization log data, for each of the combinations of the values that each of the contexts can take and the values that each of the information selection criteria can take; a context-influence calculating means for calculating a coefficient of association between each of the information selection criteria and each of the contexts, from the result of the totalization conducted by the totalizing means, and outputting the result to an information providing means; and the information providing means for selecting n [h] pieces (n [h] is one or more, and h is 1 to (the aforementioned m)) of contexts in priority from those having higher association with each of m pieces (m is one or more) of information selection criteria, on the basis of the coefficient of association, and selecting, on the basis of values of the n [h] pieces of contexts (current values) inputted from one of the user terminals (a current terminal), a piece of content to be outputted to the current terminal. |
| US09100236B1 |
TCP proxying of network sessions mid-flow
In one example, an intermediate network device sends packets that advertise a transmission control protocol (TCP) window size of zero bytes to a client device and a server device. The device, after sending the packets, receives a first zero-window probe packet from the client device including data representing a first current sequence number for a client-to-server packet flow of an established network session, and a second zero-window probe packet from the server device including data representing a second current sequence number for a server-to-client packet flow of the network session. The device also initializes a TCP state based on the first and second current sequence numbers, and acts as a TCP proxy for packets following the first zero-window probe packet of the client-to-server packet flow based on the TCP state and packets following the second zero-window probe packet of the server-to-client packet flow based on the TCP state. |
| US09100234B2 |
Apparatus and method for virtual antenna mapping in multi-antenna system
An apparatus and a method for mapping virtual antennas and physical antennas in a wireless communication system. The method for mapping the virtual antennas and the physical antennas includes generating at least two virtual antenna signals for at least two virtual antennas. The method also includes generating at least two physical antenna signals by applying a corresponding matrix, which maps the at least two virtual antennas and the at least two physical antennas in many-to-many relation, to the at least two virtual antenna signals. The method further includes transmitting the at least two physical antenna signals over respective physical antennas. |
| US09100229B2 |
Method of calibrating a slicer in a receiver or the like
A method of calibrating data slicer-latches in a receiver to remove offset errors in the slicer-latches. A known voltage is applied to all but one of the inputs of the slicer-latch. The remaining input receives an offset cancelation voltage from a DAC is stepped upward from a minimum voltage until the slicer-latch output transitions by incrementing a codeword to the DAC and the codeword that resulted the transition is saved. Then the offset cancelation voltage is swept downward in steps from a maximum voltage until the slicer-latch output transitions and the codeword that caused the transition is averaged with the stored codeword. The average of the codewords is applied to the DAC to generate the offset cancelation voltage used during normal operation of the receiver. |
| US09100228B2 |
Long term evolution (LTE) uplink canonical channel estimation
A method and system for canonical channel estimation in the Long Term Evolution uplink where a multi-frequency signal is generated and then converted to frequency spectrum which is then convolved in the frequency domain with a truncated window function to obtain a time domain channel impulse response. The time domain channel impulse response can be then transformed to a frequency domain to produce a down sampled user channel response, which can be then linearly interpolated to provide a channel estimate for a plurality of subcarriers. Such an approach achieves channel estimation within Long Term Evolution at only canonical locations to reduce complexity without loss in channel entropy. |
| US09100227B2 |
Methods and apparatus for estimating channel time and frequency correlations in OFDM communication receiver
Channel time and frequency correlations are determined from OFDM symbols and subframes using appropriately scaled sums of the products of the received pilot symbols at predetermined intervals n in time and/or frequency of resource elements within the resource blocks of the subframes. The correlation estimates may optionally be improved using pilot symbols for a plurality of antennas and for a plurality of pilot signal ports, and across a plurality of subframes. The calculated channel time and frequency correlations may be employed to improve estimates of channel characteristics for purposes such as selection of a transmission mode between a base station and a user equipment on the channel or for the purpose of channel equalization and data demodulation. |
| US09100224B2 |
Call processing method and apparatus in VoIP system
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system includes at least one Internet Protocol (IP) terminal setting up a call through a switching system according to a signaling protocol, and at least one computer terminal capable of remotely accessing the IP terminal. The IP terminal sets up the call by exchanging a signaling message with a counterpart IP terminal when the computer terminal has remotely accessed the IP terminal, by transmitting a packet received through the call to the computer terminal, and by transmitting a packet received from the computer terminal to the counterpart IP terminal. A subscriber can receive and originate a call by accessing the subscriber's IP terminal irrespective of the subscriber's location. |
| US09100219B2 |
Instant message response message
A first Instant Message is published to a group of subscribing clients. The message is received by an application at a first client. A response message is created at the first client, the response message comprising information provided by the first client, the first message and information about the first client. The response message is returned to the originator of the published first message. |
| US09100218B2 |
Enhanced buddy list interface
A graphical user interface between a user of a computer service and the computer service includes a list of other users of the computer service selected by the user as significant to the user and an icon associated with one of the other listed users indicating that a communication has occurred between the user and the other user. |
| US09100217B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for packet based transmission of multiple data signals
Apparatus, systems and methods for receiving one or more input signals and providing output signals in various video, audio, data and mixed formats are described. One or more input processors receive the input signals. Each of the input processors provides one or more packetized signals corresponding to one or more of the input signals received at the input processor. Each output processor can receive one or more packetized signals and generate one or more output signals. The output signals correspond to one or more of the input signals, additional locally generated signals or data relating to the signals or any combination of such signals. Use of a packet router according to the invention allows input signals encoded as one set of packetized signals to be recombined to provide additional packetized signals incorporating the same or different combinations of the packetized signals. |
| US09100214B1 |
Performing customer bandwidth profiling in computer networks
In general, techniques are described for performing customer bandwidth profiling in computer networks. A network device intermediately positioned in a service provider network between a customer network and a centralized network device that provides a hierarchical arrangement of virtual local area networks (VLANs) located in the service provider network may perform the techniques. The network device determines a service profile based on authentication messages and associates the service profile with the hierarchical arrangement of VLANs used for delivering the traffic to and from the customer network and the service provider network. The service profile defines constraints on delivery of the traffic associated with the one or more services. The network device then applies the service profile to the traffic received via the associated hierarchical arrangement of VLANs to enforce the constraints on the delivery of the traffic received via the associated hierarchical arrangement of VLANs. |
| US09100213B1 |
Synchronizing VPLS gateway MAC addresses
In general, techniques are described for synchronizing gateway layer two (L2) addresses of routers that cooperate to provide interconnectivity to multiple, separate L2 networks. In one example, a router includes a VPLS module that establishes a VPLS instance to provide L2 connectivity between a local L2 network for the router and a remote L2 network for the router, wherein the router is addressable by a gateway L2 address. A synchronization module receives a gateway L2 address synchronization message that includes an additional gateway L2 address for an additional router. An integrated routing and bridging (IRB) interface of the router receives a L2 PDU from the local L2 network on an attachment circuit for the VPLS instance attached to the interface card, and a forwarding unit routes a layer three (L3) packet carried by the PDU when the PDU has an L2 destination address that matches the additional gateway L2 address. |
| US09100212B2 |
Transactional memory that performs a direct 32-bit lookup operation
A transactional memory (TM) receives a lookup command across a bus from a processor. The command includes a base address, a starting bit position, and a mask size. In response to the lookup command, the TM pulls an input value (IV). The TM uses the starting bit position and the mask size to select a portion of the IV. A first sub-portion of the portion of the IV and the base address are summed to generate a memory address. The memory address is used to read a word containing multiple result values (RVs) from memory. One RV from the word is selected using a multiplexing circuit and a second sub-portion of the portion of the IV. If the selected RV is a final value, then lookup operation is complete and the TM sends the RV to the processor, otherwise the TM performs another lookup operation based upon the selected RV. |
| US09100207B2 |
Systems, devices, and methods for mapping devices to realize building automation and energy management
The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for mapping components of an automation system. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems, devices, and methods for intelligently controlling one or more energy-consuming devices in a structure such as a residential, commercial, or industrial building. One embodiment includes a method of identifying a location of at least one component of an automation system, comprising obtaining an image of the at least one component, the image being captured by a wireless device; determining a location of the wireless device at the time of capturing the image; determining an identity of the at least one component; and associating the identity of the at least one component with the location. |
| US09100200B2 |
Video augmented text chatting
A method and a system for initiating a video session between parties while the parties are engaged in a text chat session. The method includes the steps of: reaching consent between the parties to engage in a video session while in a text chat session; identifying user activity associated with the text chat session; and automatically activating a video session with the other party when the user is actively associated with the text chat session. |
| US09100197B2 |
Apparatus and method for signaling by and to a computer system user
Apparatus, methods and program products by which the user of a computer system is notified of the desirability or urgency of initiating an interval during which the user leaves the system idle to permit some communication or update from a network with which the system is in communication. |
| US09100194B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing authentication between a sending unit and a recipient based on challenge usage data
A method, apparatus and/or system generates a challenge for user authentication, having a challenge data element from a stored pool of challenge data elements. The challenge is based on rule data and stored usage data associated with at least some of the challenge data elements in the stored pool of challenge data elements. The generated challenge is sent for use in an authentication of a user to a sender. A method, apparatus and/or system also generates sender authentication and corresponding location information, having a data element from a stored pool of challenge data elements. Selection of the data elements is based on rule data and stored usage data associated with at least some of the data elements in the stored pool of data elements. |
| US09100192B2 |
Apparatus and method for provisioning an endorsement key certificate for a firmware trusted platform module
Disclosed is a method for provisioning an endorsement key (EK) certificate for a firmware trusted platform module (fTPM). In the method, the fTPM receives a derived key (DK) from a hardware trusted platform (HWTP). The fTPM is implemented in the HWTP, the DK is derived from a hardware key (HWK) securely stored in the HWTP, the HWK is unique to the HWTP, and the HWK is not available to the fTPM. The fTPM generates an endorsement primary seed (EPS) based on the DK, and generates a hashed endorsement primary seed (HEPS) based on a hash of the EPS. The fTPM forwards the HEPS to a provisioning station, and receives, from the provisioning station, an EK certificate corresponding to the HEPS. |
| US09100188B2 |
Hardware-based root of trust for cloud environments
Apparatuses, computer readable media, methods, and systems are described for generating and communicating a create measured virtual machine (VM) request, the request comprising a network address of a boot server, initiating establishment of a secure tunnel with a measured VM, receiving a quote from the measured VM, and determining, by a processor, whether the measured VM is authentic based on the quote. |
| US09100185B2 |
Encryption processing apparatus and method
A device that uses homomorphic encryption is disclosed. The device obtains a first encrypted polynomial, a second encrypted polynomial, a first encrypted weight, and a second encrypted weight by respectively encrypting a first polynomial, a second polynomial, a first weight, and a second weight by using a homomorphic encryption scheme, and obtains an encrypted secure distance corresponding to encryption of a secure distance. |
| US09100181B2 |
Interleaved phase sector based RF signal decimation
Values representative of modulation signal components are extracted from a modulated signal. The modulated signal contains a modulation signal. A local clock signal is developed which correlates in time to the modulated signal and has a plurality of non-overlapping phase sectors per cycle. Signal values are acquired from the modulated signal, separately for at least one phase sector of one cycle of the local clock signal. At least two signal values from the same local clock cycle, but different phase sectors are combined to obtain at least one combined signal value representative of a modulation signal component. |
| US09100172B2 |
Method for interworking with trustzone between normal domain and secure domain, and management method of trusted application download, management server, device and system using it
The present invention provides a trusted application download management, authentication, and execution method and system. A trusted application download management server according to the present invention includes a service loader, which accesses a device equipped with a trusted platform and establishes a data communication channel, and a service controller which controls the delegation of a download authority for a trusted application and allows the trusted application to be downloaded to the device when a trusted application download is requested by the device, thus totally managing the download of the trusted applications and allowing the trusted application to be securely downloaded. |
| US09100171B1 |
Computer-implemented forum for enabling secure exchange of information
A secure communication forum is established through use of a network resource that is available to a host user and one or more forum users. The host user is validated and assigned a master key for his or her forum. Individual users who are to participate in the forum are assigned users keys that are validated with the master key. The forum is maintained for ongoing use for the users. |
| US09100165B2 |
Direct data recovery
The direct data recovery (DDR) uses adaptive data decoding (ADD) to combine a conventional reversal of data coding made on a transmit side with a reversal of received signal distortions introduced by a transmission channel; wherein both such reversals are achieved by the same conversion of a sub-range parameter or a referencing subspace (corresponding to said received signal) into data transmitted originally, by applying an ADD step comparing said sub-range parameter or referencing subspace with its reference or reference frame and using a result of such comparison for addressing a Content Addressed Memory (CAM) outputting recovered data. |
| US09100163B2 |
Transmitter, receiver, method for transmitting and method for receiving
According to an embodiment, a transmitter is described comprising an input configured to receive a plurality of symbols to be transmitted and a timing circuit configured to associate each symbol with a symbol transmission period of a predefined sequence of symbol transmission periods, wherein the symbol transmission periods of the sequence of symbol transmission periods are at least partially different. |
| US09100162B2 |
Adaptive generation of channel state feedback (CSF) based on base station CSF scheduling
Adaptive generation of channel state feedback (CSF) based on base station CSF scheduling. CSF report scheduling information may be received. CSF metrics may be generated based at least in part on the CSF report scheduling information. A CSF report including the CSF metrics may be transmitted to the base station. Periodicity of CSF report scheduling or other CSF report scheduling factors may be taken into consideration in generation of the CSF metrics. |
| US09100159B2 |
Method for effectively transmitting control signal in wireless communication system
A method of performing HARQ performed by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes receiving a bundling indicator which indicates the number of bundled downlink subframes, determining whether at least one bundled downlink subframe is missed by comparing the bundling indicator with the number of detected bundled downlink subframes, generating a representative ACK/NACK signal when no bundled downlink subframe is missed, and transmitting the representative ACK/NACK signal on an uplink channel. Recovery capability is maximized and the packet loss is reduced in such a situation that less number of ACK/NACK signals are fed back than that of downlink packets. |
| US09100156B2 |
Flexible allocation of control signal resources
A wireless communication system is disclosed. The method for processing a downlink subframe at a user equipment in a wireless communication system includes receiving information associated with a PHICH duration, receiving a subframe that includes a PHICH, a PDCCH, and a PDSCH, and obtaining the PDSCH after a lapse of the PDCCH duration. If the PHICH duration is larger than the PDCCH duration, the obtaining of the PDSCH is performed in consideration of PHICH resources in a duration that corresponds to the PHICH duration but not to the PDCCH duration. |
| US09100155B2 |
Method and apparatus for control and data multiplexing in wireless communication
A method of wireless communication includes determining a number of symbols for uplink control information (UCI) on each of a plurality of layers, multiplexing symbols for the UCI with data on multiple layers such that the symbols are time aligned across the layers, and sending the multiplexed symbols on the multiple layers on uplink. In some designs, the number of symbols for the UCI may be determined based on a spectral resource parameter. |
| US09100154B1 |
Method and system for explicit AP-to-AP sounding in an 802.11 network
A method of one AP accessing a channel occupied by a neighboring AP within CCA range, by acquiring channel knowledge via performing cooperative sounding and setting a null towards the neighboring AP, under certain conditions verifications, is provided herein. The method may include: transmitting and receive signals via a plurality of radio circuitries connected to plurality of antennas; monitoring signals received by the radio circuitries and generating a list of neighboring co-channel access points that each has plurality of antennas and are further located within a clear channel assessment (CCA) range of the access point; and instructing the radio circuitries to transmit a sounding sequence to the list of neighboring access points, and receive Channel State Information (CSI). |
| US09100146B2 |
Virtual sectorization using an active anntenna array
Embodiments of the claimed subject matter provide a method and apparatus for virtual sectorization using an active antenna array. Embodiments of the apparatus include a transmitter for providing signals to an active antenna array. The signals cause the active antenna array to transmit a first reference signal to a first sector indicated to user equipment within the first sector by a sector identifier. The signals also cause the active antenna array to transmit a plurality of second reference signals into a corresponding plurality of second virtual sectors that overlap the first sector. The apparatus also includes a scheduler for scheduling transmission to user equipment based on feedback generated by the user equipment using the first reference signal or the second reference signals. |
| US09100138B2 |
Method and system for automatic topology discovery in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network
A method for automatic topology discovery implemented in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network is disclosed. The WDM network contains a number of wavelength switching devices, and the method starts with selecting an unassigned wavelength between a pair of wavelength switching devices. For a first port of a first wavelength switching device, a pass through state is configured between the first port and a coupling port of the first wavelength switching device, and a first probing signal is sent at the unassigned wavelength to the first wavelength switching device. The method continues with detecting iteratively the first probing signal at the unassigned wavelength through each of a set of ports of a second wavelength switching device during a time period, and recording a connection between the first port of the first wavelength switching device and a port of the second wavelength switching devices when the first probing signal is detected. |
| US09100136B2 |
Methods and apparatus for mitigating known interference
Systems and methods for mitigating known interference at a receiving device are provided. A signal from a transmission source is received by a receiving device that is affected by an interference source. At least one of a first pilot signal associated with the transmission source and a second pilot signal associated with the interfering source is determined. The first pilot signal includes information broadcast from the transmission source and the second pilot signal includes information broadcast from the interference source. Interference caused by the interference source is mitigated from the received signal using at least one of the first pilot signal and the second pilot signal. |
| US09100134B2 |
Synchronization of shared identifiers across servers in an IMS network
Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for synchronization of shared initial filter criteria in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. A first computing device in the IMS network transmits a registration request to a second computing device in the IMS network. The first computing device receives a response to the registration request from the second computing device, including an identifier associated with a shared initial filter criteria set stored at the first computing device. The first computing device determines whether the shared initial filter criteria set corresponding to the identifier is stored at the first computing device and transmits a retrieval request to the second computing device if the shared initial filter criteria set corresponding to the identifier is not stored. The first computing device receives the shared initial filter criteria set from the second computing device, and stores the shared initial filter criteria set. |
| US09100131B2 |
Single photon source
A photon source capable of emitting, for example, a single photon or a single pair of photons on demand. The photon source may include an excitation region where a single instance of a quantum system is excited using excitation energy. A Stimulated Raman Adiabatic Passage (STIRAP) technique can be used for exciting the quantum system to a desired energy level. The photon source may include a photon emission region physically displaced from the excitation region. A transport device can be used for controllably moving an excited quantum system from the excitation region to the photon emission region. The photon emission region may include a resonant cavity tuned to the de-excitation frequency of the quantum system for inducing de-excitation of the quantum system and emission of a photon. The photon emission resonant cavity may be switchably coupled to an output port by a tunable resonant cavity coupling device. |
| US09100129B2 |
Optical coherent receiver with local oscillator laser having hybrid cavity
A coherent optical receiver includes a local oscillator (LO) laser configured to provide an LO signal. The LO laser includes a hybrid external cavity and an active gain medium within the hybrid external cavity, where the LO laser is defined between a first optical reflector on a chip including the active gain medium and a second optical reflector not on the chip. |
| US09100126B2 |
Optical reception device and optical reception control method
An optical reception device (10) includes an electrical signal converter (110) that converts an optical signal serving as an input polarization multiplexed signal into electrical signals of respective polarization components, a signal processor (120) that executes digital signal processing for digital signals generated by executing A/D conversion processing, and a phase difference output unit (130) that detects a phase difference generated between the polarization components of the optical signal based on the signals having undergone digital signal processing, and outputs information representing the phase difference. The signal processor (120) compensates for the distortion of the optical signal based on the information representing the phase difference. Even if rapidly varying PMD exists, the optical reception device prevents degradation of the reception precision by executing signal processing in optimal identification phases for the respective polarization components of a received polarization multiplexed signal. |
| US09100121B2 |
Link setup method for wavelength division multiplexing wavelength passive optical network(WDM PON) system
A link setup method for a wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network (WDM PON) system. The system includes a service providing device, a local node, and a plurality of subscriber devices. The link setup method includes assigning an initial wavelength for communication between the service providing device and a new subscriber device to be installed in the local node. The assigning of the initial wavelength may be performed as a part of process for activating the subscriber device, and this procedure may be performed between a physical layer of the service providing device and a physical layer of the new subscriber device. |
| US09100118B2 |
Transmission device and transmission system
A transmission device includes an optical amplifier to amplify an optical main signal to be transmitted on an optical transmission path; a first controller to stop output of the optical amplifier and output of an optical monitor signal to be transmitted on the optical transmission path when a failure of the optical transmission path is detected; a second controller to be switched from the first controller and to operate and stop the output of the optical amplifier and the output of the optical monitor signal when the failure of the optical transmission path is detected; an optical monitor signal transceiver to transmit and receive the optical monitor signal including control information; and a switch to switch an operation from the first controller to the second controller, based on information of the failure of the optical transmission path based on the states of transmission and reception of the optical monitor signal. |
| US09100115B1 |
Processor unit for determining a quality indicator of a communication channel and a method thereof
A processor unit used to determine a quality indicator, QI, of a communication channel. The processor unit receives received complex symbols at an input, executes a predetermined sequence of transformations on the received complex symbols and computes the error vector magnitude, EVM. The quality indicator, QI, of the communication channel is determined based on the determined error vector magnitude, EVM. Data representing the quality indicator, QI, is outputted at an output of the processor unit. The predetermined sequence of transformations transfers all the received complex symbols to a single predetermined region containing a single target location. The error vector magnitude, EVM, is then calculated as average distance of all the processed received complex symbols in the predetermined single region to the single target location. |
| US09100113B2 |
Auto-heterodyne receiver
A receiver with a local oscillator, a quadrature modulator, a first mixer and a second mixer, wherein a first input of the quadrature modulator is connected to a second signal input of the receiver circuit and a second input of the quadrature modulator is connected to the local oscillator. Further, a first input of the first mixer is connected to a first signal input of the receiver circuit, a second input of the first mixer is connected to an output of the quadrature modulator, and an output of the first mixer is connected to a first signal output of the receiver circuit. A first input of the second mixer is connected to the second signal input, a second input of the second mixer is connected to the output of the quadrature modulator, and an output of the second mixer is connected to a second signal output of the receiver circuit. |
| US09100107B1 |
Systems and methods for global navigation satellite system signal tracking
Systems and methods for satellite signal tracking are provided. In one embodiment, a GNSS tracking system comprises: a carrier demodulator that receives a navigation signal including pilot and data signal components; a correlator block that implements early, prompt and late correlators, generates prompt values from the pilot signal, and generates early and late values from the data signal; a carrier tracking loop that generates a reference signal using the prompt values, and outputs the reference signal to the carrier demodulator; a code tracking loop that outputs a pilot signal local replica to the prompt correlator and a data signal local replica to the early and late correlators, wherein a chip rate for the local replicas is adjusted by the code tracking loop as a function of the early and late values; and a symbol demodulator that extracts navigation data from the data signal component using the early and late values. |
| US09100105B2 |
Splitter
A splitter includes, in parallel between trunk terminals and branch terminals, a signal branching circuit that blocks distributed power and passes a PLC communication signal and a power branching circuit that blocks the communication signal and passes the distributed power. In the signal branching circuit, impedance viewed from the branch terminal side is matched with characteristic impedance of a power line and impedance viewed from the trunk terminal side is higher than impedance viewed from the branch terminal side, in the frequency band of the communication signal. In the power branching circuit, input/output impedance is set to be sufficiently higher than the impedance of the signal branching circuit viewed from the trunk terminal side, in the frequency band of the communication signal. |
| US09100102B2 |
Method to use a preamble with band extension in power line communications
Embodiments include methods of powerline communications using a preamble with band extension is provided. A method may include receiving a packet data unit PDU. Bit-level repetition is applied to at least a portion of the PDU to create a repeated portion. Interleaving is performed per a subchannel. Pilot tones are inserted in the interleaved portion. Each data tone is modulated with respect to a nearest one of the inserted pilot tones. The PDU is transmitted over a power line. |
| US09100093B2 |
AAS direct signaling framing methodologies to support high capacity wireless links
A new frame structure applicable to the IEEE 802.16 OFDMA wireless waveform is described, for the purposes of increasing base station capacity, increasing subscriber link rates and extending base station range. The frame structure provides the necessary constructs so that advance signal processing technologies such as Stacked Carrier Spread Spectrum and adaptive antenna technology may be used in combination with these constructs in order to realize these gains. These concepts are equally applicable in other advanced wireless waveforms based on OFDM or OFDMA such as LTE or UMB. |
| US09100086B1 |
Aircraft basestation
A wireless communications basestation that utilizes a light weight high directivity electronically-steerable antenna mounted on an aircraft to providing relay broadband communication service among mobile units in a geographic area is provided. The aircraft carries aloft the antenna; a radio and a switching device for routing. A gateway may also be provided to enable communications with a wide area network. A communication system for a geographic area utilizing the airborne wireless communications basestation is also presented. The system includes a number of user equipment units located in the geographic area in communication with the airborne wireless communications basestation. The user equipment units may utilize omni-directional antennas for low data rate communications, and/or a high directivity antenna. |
| US09100083B2 |
Radio-frequency front-end supporting multiple wireless communication standards
A radio-frequency (RF) front-end supporting at least a first and second wireless communication bands includes a mixer arranged for mixing a received signal with a first local oscillation signal when the shared receiver front-end performs the reception operation according to the first wireless communication band, and for mixing the received signal with a second local oscillation signal when the shared receiver front-end performs the reception operation according to the second wireless communication band, wherein the first and second local oscillation signals are different in frequency. |
| US09100082B2 |
Radio communication system and a repeater
A radio communication system for a communication between a base station and a mobile terminal. The radio communication system repeats a signal transmitted from the base station at repeaters that are multistage-connected by a leaky coaxial cable. Each repeater converts a frequency of an input signal into a different frequency and outputs the frequency-converted signal to the leaky coaxial cable connected to the repeater. The repeaters are provided between the leaky coaxial cables connected in series. |
| US09100081B2 |
Radio reception device for vehicle and noise cancellation method
A radio reception device for vehicle 100 (200) includes a variable phase shifter 22, an amplitude regulator 23, and an adder 24, and has an arrangement in which a signal of an RF, IF, or baseband stage of a radio receiver mixed with a noise is added to a phase-inverted component of the noise to remove only the noise. Therefore, sound distortion due to loss of sound information does not occur so that a quality sound can be provided. |
| US09100080B2 |
Digital radios
A digital radio receiver comprises: a first section arranged to receive an analog radio signal and to generate therefrom digital intermediate frequency I and Q channel samples, a second section arranged to convert said I and Q channel samples to a lower, baseband frequency, said second section comprising: a first coordinate rotation digital computer module arranged to perform a complex rotation of the I channel samples; a second coordinate rotation digital computer module arranged to perform a complex rotation of the Q channel samples; a phase accumulator arranged to provide an output signal representing a complex rotation to be applied to each of the I and Q channel samples, wherein the second section is arranged such that the phase accumulator output signal is modified by a phase offset signal prior to being supplied to one of the first and second coordinate rotation digital computers. |
| US09100077B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmission of sounding reference signal in uplink wireless communication systems with multiple antennas and sounding reference signal hopping
Disclosed is a sounding reference signal transmission method which is efficient in an uplink wireless telecommunications system using a multiple antenna technique and sounding reference signal hopping. A terminal is equipped with a plurality of antennas, and a base station receives the sounding reference signal transmitted from these antennas and estimates the uplink channel state of each antenna. The sounding reference signal performs frequency hopping so that the base station determines the channel condition for the entire bandwidth to which data is transmitted in the uplink system. In this environment, the sounding reference signal is transmitted through an antenna pattern through the entire data transmission bandwidth of the uplink system for each antenna of the terminal without additional overhead. |
| US09100074B1 |
Beamforming training techniques for MIMO systems
A first communication device receives a plurality of training signals associated with a transmit beamforming training portion of a current iteration of a beamforming procedure between the first communication device and a second communication device. A receive antenna weight vector (AWV) is applied to an antenna array as each of the plurality of training signals is received. A channel estimate is determined based on reception of the plurality of training signals, and feedback is determined based on the channel estimate. The feedback is transmitted to the second communication device as part of the current iteration of the beamforming procedure. |
| US09100069B2 |
Rate matching for high speed dedicated physical control channel in a multi antenna wireless communication system
In one aspect, a method for encoding control information generated by a user equipment (UE) is provided, where the control information comprises a first bit sequence, a second bit sequence, and a third bit sequence. The method comprises: arranging said bit sequences to produce a bit sequence X1; padding the bit sequence X1 with a bit sequence P1 to produce a bit sequence X1′; convolution encoding the bit sequence X1′ to produce an encoded bit sequence Z1; and puncturing the bit sequence Z1 using a predefined puncturing pattern to produce a bit sequence R1, wherein the predefined puncturing pattern is a rotationally symmetric puncturing pattern. |
| US09100068B2 |
Multi-resolution beamforming in MIMO systems
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods for beamforming that achieve beamforming optimality criterions. Some proposed beamforming techniques are based on antenna directions with multiple resolutions. |
| US09100065B2 |
Symbol vector-level combining transmitter for incremental redundancy HARQ with MIMO
Techniques are provided for transmitting and receiving a mother code in an incremental redundancy hybrid automatic repeat-request protocol. A set of information bits corresponding to a message may be encoded and interleaved to produce the mother code. Each bit position of the mother code may be mapped to an output symbol, and each output symbol may be mapped to an antenna for transmission. One or more transmissions of symbols contained in the output symbols may be performed, where each transmission may include puncturing the mother code by selecting one or more symbols from the of output symbols, and transmitting each symbol in the one or more symbols on an antenna corresponding to that symbol. The mother code may be decoded, in part, by determining combinable bits contained within a set of received symbols, and computing one or more log-likelihood ratio values corresponding to each symbol in the set of received symbols. |
| US09100056B2 |
Waveguide structure for a contactless connector
A contactless connector includes a first communication chip configured to at least one of transmit and receive wireless RF signals, a second communication chip configured to at least one of transmit and receive wireless RF signals, and a waveguide structure between the first and second communication chips. The waveguide structure conveys RF signals between the first and second communication chips. |
| US09100043B2 |
Method and circuit for an analog digital capacitance converter
A method for converting a capacitance of a precision capacitor for measurement into a digital signal is described. According to a clocking in charging processes an integration capacitor, discharged before the start of conversion, of an integrator circuit is charged by electric current obtained from a charging of the precision capacitor and in discharge processes by brief current surges in the opposite direction which are obtained from a charging of a reference capacitor, with the result that on average no charge builds up, and the number of discharge processes in a particular number of clock pulses is counted. The clocking is paused after a predetermined number of cycles. A residual voltage is converted into a digital value and the counted number of discharge processes and the particular number of clock pulses are combined with the digital value emitted by the analog-to-digital voltage converter to form a digital total result. |
| US09100039B2 |
System, medium, and method of encoding/decoding multi-channel audio signals
An system, method, and method of encoding/decoding a multi-channel audio signal, including a decoding level generation unit producing decoding-level information that helps a bitstream including a number of audio channel signals and space information to be decoded into a number of audio channel signals, wherein the space information includes information about magnitude differences and/or similarities between channels, and an audio decoder decoding the bitstream according to the decoding-level information. Accordingly, even a single input bitstream can be decoded into a suitable number of channels depending on the type of a speaker configuration used. Scalable channel decoding can be achieved by partially decoding an input bitstream. In the scalable channel decoding, a decoder may set decoding levels and outputs audio channel signals according to the decoding levels, thereby reducing decoding complexity. |
| US09100036B2 |
Receiving device and data interpolation processing method
There is provided a receiving device includes: a plurality of interpolation unit circuits, each interpolation unit circuit configured to perform interpolation processing of a sampling value obtained by asynchronously sampling input data, based on an interpolation ratio, so that sampling data synchronous with the input data and continuous in time is generated, wherein one of the interpolation unit circuits is provided in parallel with another of the interpolation unit circuits for a channel previous to a channel in which switching of the interpolation ratio is performed. |
| US09100034B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A digital-correction-type A/D converter which is a charge sharing type and performing successive approximation is realized in a small area. The A/D converter is configured with an A/D conversion unit which is a charge sharing type and performing successive approximation, a digital correction unit which receives a digital output of the A/D conversion unit and performs digital correction to the digital output, and a holding unit which holds a test signal. A test signal of a common value from the holding unit is inputted into the A/D conversion unit in the first period and the second period. The A/D conversion correction coefficient for the digital correction unit is calculated on the basis of the digital correction result of the digital correction unit in the first period, and the digital correction result of the digital correction unit in the second period. |
| US09100032B2 |
Methods and devices for analog-to-digital conversion
Analog-to-digital converter arrangements and corresponding methods are provided, wherein a reduction signal is subtracted from an analog input signal if a signal level of the input signal exceeds a threshold value. |
| US09100030B1 |
Real-time modification of waveform characteristics in arbitrary waveform generator
An arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) comprises a real-time digital signal processor (DSP) configured to process a stream of waveform data based on current values of processing parameters, a DSP memory configured to store information related to the processing parameters, and an update component configured to update in real-time the current values of the processing parameters based on the information stored in the DSP memory. |
| US09100028B2 |
Clock generation circuit and semiconductor device provided therewith
It is an object of the present invention to solve a problem that malfunction of communication is generated by varying a frequency of a clock due to noise from outside in a case where there is no supplied signal in a circuit which performs negative feedback control so that the supplied signal and the feedback signal can maintain a fixed phase relationship between the signals. The present invention provides a configuration including a PLL circuit and an oscillator circuit, where a switch for switching an output between a signal from the PLL circuit and a signal from the oscillator circuit to the signal output portion is provided to switch from a connection to the PLL circuit to a connection to the oscillator circuit in a case where there is no received signal. |
| US09100025B2 |
Circuit for measuring the resonant frequency of nanoresonators
In the field of nanoresonator oscillators or NEMS (nanoelectromechanical systems) oscillators, a circuit is proposed for measuring the oscillation frequency of a resonator, including a phase-locked loop with a frequency-controlled oscillator and a phase comparator. The resonator includes a vibration excitation input and a dynamic polarization input (using strain gauges). The frequency-controlled oscillator applies a polarization frequency f1 to the polarization input. A frequency generator supplies a fixed intermediate frequency FI; a mixer receives the frequencies f1 and FI for producing an excitation frequency f0 that is the sum or difference of f1 and FI. The phase comparator receives the frequency FI and the output signal of the resonator and produces a control signal that is sent to the frequency-controlled oscillator, indirectly locking the oscillation frequency onto the resonant frequency of the resonator. |
| US09100020B2 |
Panel device
A panel device includes a panel section, a first conductive layer that is provided in a side of one surface of the panel section, an insulating layer that is stacked on the first conductive layer and a second conductive layer that is stacked on the insulating layer. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are formed by coating an electrically conductive solvent-type substance. The insulating layer is formed by coating an insulating curing-acceleration-type substance. |
| US09100013B2 |
Nonvolatile resistor network assembly and nonvolatile logic gate with increased fault tolerance using the same
Provided is a nonvolatile resistor network assembly characterized by that: it comprises a first and a second resistor network which are each composed of a plurality of nonvolatile resistive elements connected together; it also comprises a write means for writing into the first and second resistor networks; and writing into the first and second resistor networks is performed by the use of the write means in a manner to make total resistances of respectively the first and second resistor networks different from each other. Further provided is a nonvolatile logic gate which performs logical operation using stored data determined by the total resistances of the respective nonvolatile resistor networks. |
| US09100004B2 |
Buffer system having reduced threshold current
A buffer system is provided that reduces threshold current using a current source to provide power to one or more stages of the buffer system. The buffer system may also include delay management techniques that balances all of, or part of, a delay that may be imparted to an input signal by the current source. In addition, hysteresis techniques may be used to provide enhanced noise management of the input signal. |
| US09100002B2 |
Apparatus and methods for leakage current reduction in integrated circuits
This disclosure relates to leakage current reduction in integrated circuits (ICs). In one aspect, an IC can include a digital logic circuit and a polarization circuit. The digital logic circuit can have a plurality of inputs and can include a plurality of logic gates. The polarization circuit can receive a standby signal and a digital input signal comprising a plurality of bits. When the standby signal is deactivated, the polarization circuit can control the plurality of inputs of the digital logic circuit based on the digital input signal. However, when the standby signal is activated the polarization circuit can control the plurality of inputs of the digital logic circuit to a low power state associated with a smaller leakage current of the plurality of logic gates relative to at least one other state of the digital logic circuit. |
| US09099996B2 |
Methods and devices for providing cross point information
A method for providing cross point information includes: providing an input signal having amplitude and phase information; interpolating between a first point of the input signal and a second point of the input signal to provide cross point information between the first point and the second point; and providing a pulse-width modulated signal based on the input signal and the cross point information. |
| US09099994B2 |
Relaxation oscillator
In an embodiment, a method includes: during a first portion of a cycle of a clock signal generated by an oscillator, pre-charging a first capacitor of a first switched capacitor stage until a first comparator determines that a first node voltage of the first switched capacitor stage is greater than a first reference voltage at a first reference voltage node; applying a second reference voltage to the first reference voltage node; and responsive to a first edge of the clock signal, charging the first capacitor until the first comparator determines that the first node voltage is greater than the second reference voltage at the first reference voltage node. |
| US09099991B2 |
Inverter, NAND gate, and NOR gate
Disclosed are an inverter, a NAND gate, and a NOR gate. The inverter includes: a pull-up unit constituted by a second thin film transistor outputting a first power voltage to an output terminal according to a voltage applied to a gate; a pull-down unit constituted by a fifth thin film transistor outputting a ground voltage to the output terminal according to an input signal applied to a gate; and a pull-up driver applying a second power voltage or the ground voltage to the gate of the second thin film transistor according to the input signal. |
| US09099987B2 |
Filter arrangement and method for producing a filter arrangement
The invention relates to a filter arrangement (10) comprising a substrate (16) having a first series resonator (11) and a first and a second parallel resonator (12, 13). The filter arrangement (10) further comprises a carrier (18), on which the substrate (16) is arranged and which comprises a first inductor (17), the first connection of which is coupled to a first connection of the first series resonator (11) by means of the first parallel resonator (12) and to a second connection of the first series resonator (11) by means of the second parallel resonator (13). |
| US09099983B2 |
Bulk acoustic wave resonator device comprising a bridge in an acoustic reflector
A bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator device includes an acoustic reflector formed over a substrate and a resonator stack formed over the acoustic reflector. The acoustic reflector includes multiple acoustic impedance layers. The resonator stack includes a first electrode formed over the acoustic reflector, a piezoelectric layer formed over the first electrode, and a second electrode formed over the piezoelectric layer. A bridge is formed within one of the acoustic reflector and the resonator stack. |
| US09099980B2 |
Dynamically detecting resonating frequencies of resonating structures
There is described herein a real-time scheme, implementable in software, hardware, or a combination thereof, to detect a resonating frequency of a structure from a sensed signal and dynamically set the center frequency of an adaptive compensator for effective attenuation of the resonating frequency. |
| US09099977B2 |
Amplifier circuit
An amplifier circuit includes: a first filter that receives input of amplitude information of an input signal, and performs filtering so that a gain of a frequency component higher than a first cutoff frequency becomes greater than a gain of a frequency component lower than the first cutoff frequency; a power supply circuit that has a low-pass filter characteristic, and receives input of amplitude information outputted from the first filter and generates a power supply voltage corresponding to the amplitude information outputted from the first filter; an amplifier that receives supply of the power supply voltage, and amplifies a signal based on the input signal; and a phase difference detector that detects a phase difference between the amplitude information of the input signal and the power supply voltage, wherein the first filter changes the first cutoff frequency in a direction in which the phase difference decreases. |
| US09099975B2 |
Current divider based voltage controlled gain amplifier
An RF amplifier includes an input stage, a buffer stage, and an output stage. The input stage is configured to provide attenuation and impedance matching for an input radio frequency (RF) signal by providing shunt and series variable resistance current paths and RF power to RF current conversion. The input stage routes the RF current between the current paths resulting in an attenuation of the RF input current. The buffer stage is configured to provide an intermediate RF current which tracks the current level of the attenuated RF input current, thereby providing isolation between the input and output stages. The output stage is configured to provide RF current to RF power conversion, utilizing the intermediate RF current to provide an RF signal having an RF output power proportional to the RF input power. |
| US09099974B2 |
Volume redirection
Exemplary systems and methods enable a user of a mobile device that is communicatively coupled to a remote device to adjust the audio output volume level of an application running on the remote device using audio volume adjustment inputs on the mobile device. The application produces an audio output signal that has an adjustable audio volume output level. The mobile device receives the audio output signal from the remote device. The mobile device detects an audio volume adjustment input. The mobile device redirects the audio volume adjustment to the remote device to control the audio output volume level of the application. |
| US09099971B2 |
Virtual keyboard interaction using touch input force
Providing a virtual keyboard interaction is disclosed. An indicator identifying a force intensity of a touch input provided on a touch input surface is received. It is determined that the touch input is associated with a virtual keyboard. A virtual keyboard interaction is provided based at least in part on the indicator identifying the force intensity of the touch input. |
| US09099970B2 |
Class AB differential line drivers
An output stage of a differential line driver generates a differential output signal. A common-mode component of the differential output signal is decoupled from the differential output signal using a common-mode voltage sense. The common-mode component of the differential output signal is provided to a capacitor that is coupled between the output stage and the common-mode voltage sense. |
| US09099969B2 |
Class AB amplifiers
An amplifier including first, second, third, and fourth switches, each having first and second terminals. The first terminal of each switch communicates with a respective load. The second terminal of the first switch communicates with the second terminal of the second switch. The second terminal of the third switch communicates with the second terminal of the fourth switch. A first terminal of a first capacitance communicates with the second terminals of the first and second switches. A first terminal of a second capacitance communicates with the second terminals of the third and fourth switches. A first inductance communicates with second terminals of the first and second capacitances. |
| US09099967B2 |
Increasing ground noise rejection in audio systems
An audio source device has an audio connector to which an external load can be connected. An audio signal is amplified and then driven through the connector, wherein the amplification process uses feedback from the return pin of the connector. The return pin is directly connected to a ground break resistor circuit. The ground break resistor circuit is connected between the return pin of the audio connector and circuit ground. A determination is made as to whether the connected external load has a low impedance or a high impedance. When a low impedance load is detected, such as a headset, the ground break resistor circuit is essentially short-circuited. When a high impedance load is detected, the ground break resistor circuit is maintained and its value is set in accordance with the detected load. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US09099965B2 |
Integrated driver and related method
A driver circuit may include a first node (VA), and a first circuit to generate on the first node (VA) an inverted replica of an input signal (VIN) during driver switching between a first supply voltage (Vdd1) and ground, the inverted replica having a threshold voltage value based upon a reference voltage (Vref) greater than the first supply voltage (Vdd1). The driver circuit may include a cascode stage (M3) to be controlled by the reference voltage (Vref) and to be coupled between a second supply voltage (Vdd2) and the first node, a delay circuit (D) to generate a delayed replica of the input signal (VIN), an amplifier, and a switching network (M5, M6) to couple a control terminal of an active load transistor (M9) either to one of the reference voltage (Vref) or to ground, based upon the input signal (VIN). |
| US09099963B2 |
Selector and amplifier device therefor
An amplifier device includes a plurality of input terminals for receiving input signals (e.g. audio signals), a main switch, which switches over the input terminals so as to select one input terminal, an analyzer, which analyzes the input signals at respective timings so as to determine whether or not each of the input signals corresponds to a playback signal, a storage for storing a plurality of determination results in connection with the input terminals, a controller for controlling the main switch to select the input terminal whose input signal is newly determined as the playback signal, and an amplifier for amplifying the input signal of the selected input terminal. The analyzer performs frequency analysis on the input signals so as to determine the input signal including a specific frequency component having a high intensity as noise not forming the playback signal. |
| US09099962B2 |
Systems and methods to adjust the matching conditions of an amplifier
A system and method improve amplifier efficiency of operation relative to that of a matching circuit with fixed matching conditions. A power level representing a level of transmission power from an amplifier circuit and an indicator of amplifier circuit operation are provided. The indicator is at least one of channel, channel bandwidth, out-of band spectral requirements, spectral mask requirements, error vector magnitude, modulation rate, and modulation type. The matching conditions for a matching circuit of an amplifying transistor are adjusted based at least in part on the power level and the indication where the matching conditions are different for channels at an edge of a channel band than for channels nearer a center of the channel band. |
| US09099958B2 |
System and method for a voltage controlled oscillator
In accordance with an embodiment, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) includes a VCO core having a plurality of transistors, a bias resistor coupled between collector terminals of the VCO core and a first supply node, and a varactor circuit coupled to emitter terminals of the VCO core. The bias resistor is configured to limit a self-bias condition of the VCO core. |
| US09099956B2 |
Injection locking based power amplifier
A method, an apparatus and/or a system of injection locking based power amplifier is disclosed. A method includes inputting a reference signal through an injection circuit of an oscillator circuit that generates an output signal of high power that oscillates at an inherent frequency of oscillation of the oscillator circuit. The method also includes reducing a frequency of the reference signal through a differential transistor pair coupled to the injection circuit of the oscillator circuit. The method further includes locking through a tuning circuit of the oscillator circuit coupled to the differential transistor pair a frequency of the output signal to the reduced frequency of the reference signal based on the power of the reference signal to amplify the power of the reference signal through the oscillator circuit. The frequency of the reference signal is higher than the frequency of the output signal. |
| US09099952B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling switching devices for DC motor
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for controlling switching devices for a DC motor, which controls the dead-time in an on-chip manner, even when a microcontroller is not mounted in a vehicle controller, by providing a semiconductor chip for controlling switching devices for a DC motor. More specifically, switching devices are mounted in a semiconductor chip to configure an internal circuit of the chip with a half-bridge and a dead-time controller is provided on the semiconductor chip and is configured to transmit gating signals by controlling dead-time periods during operation of the switching devices and drive the switching devices directly connected to a motor. |
| US09099946B2 |
High speed flywheel on magnetic bearings
A high speed energy storage flywheel comprises a rotor which is located in a vacuum chamber provided in a stator housing and is supported by magnetic bearings with respect to the stator housing. A fluid tank used for releasing in a controlled manner, a fluid inside the vacuum chamber and therefore create a braking effect on the rotor by friction. |
| US09099945B2 |
Leakage current reducing apparatus
In a system supplying power from an AC power supply to a three-phase motor via a converter and an inverter, a leakage current reducing apparatus is connected to a connection line between the AC power supply and the converter. A common mode transformer detects, as common mode voltage, common mode current flowing from the AC power supply to the connection line. The common mode voltage is inputted to a voltage amplifier via a filter apparatus. Output voltage obtained by voltage amplification passes through a capacitor and then is applied as an AC component to a neutral point of capacitors connected in a Y-connection fashion, so as to have the same phase as that of the common mode voltage. Thus, current having the same phase as that of the common mode current is supplied via the capacitors to the converter through the connection line, thereby reducing the common mode current. |
| US09099944B2 |
Return control circuitry for VCM
To provide a disk drive capable of inhibiting the occurrence of acoustic noise caused by a voltage pulse when the head is retracted using a speed control method using voltage obtained by rectifying a back electromotive force after the power source has been cut off from the rotation of a spindle motor. Retraction control circuit is used to control the on and off modes of transistors in accordance with the speed of VCM. The voltage across VCM becomes a voltage that can be regulated with VCM voltage control circuit. At this time, voltage is supplied to the terminals based on the voltage of ISO5V that is the rectified voltage of the back electromotive force of the spindle motor and the pulsating voltage is synchronized and produced at both terminals. As a result, the potential difference across VCM is such that the pulsating voltage is negated and acoustic noise is inhibited. |
| US09099943B2 |
Electromagnetic vibration exciter system with adjustable electro-viscoelastic suspension device
The electromagnetic vibration exciter system with an adjustable electro-viscoelastic suspension device comprises an electromagnetic vibration exciter, a power amplifier and an adjustable electro-viscoelastic suspension device, which acts as the suspension device of the electromagnetic vibration exciter. The adjustable electro-viscoelastic suspension device contains a displacement sensor detecting the displacement of the moving component, a first adjustable amplifier and a second adjustable amplifier, a differentiator, an adjustable phase shifter, an adder and a proportioner. The linearity of the stiffness and damping of the exciter system is excellent, which can be adjusted as need through the adjustment of gain of the adjustable amplifier, the proportioner, the adjustable phase shifter. This invention has adjustable and linear parameters and it is also easy to be realized. |
| US09099941B2 |
Vibration type driving device
A vibration type driving device includes a vibrator configured to make an elliptic motion of a contact portion by combining vibrations in different vibration modes, and a driven body configured to be rotated relative to the vibrator by the elliptic motion while being in contact with the contact portion. A contact pressure of the contact portion with the driven body is lower on a radial inner side than on a radial outer side in a radial direction of the rotation. |
| US09099939B2 |
Linear electro-polymer motors and devices having the same
A linear electro-polymer motor includes a fixed member, a linear shaft having an axis, a polymer actuator, and a bias member. The polymer actuator includes a first end fixedly connected to the linear shaft and a second end fixedly connected to the fixed member. The bias member includes a first end fixedly connected to the linear shaft and a second end fixedly connected to the fixed member. The polymer actuator changes length after receipt of voltage to linearly move the linear shaft along the axis. |
| US09099935B2 |
Single-phase active front end rectifier system for use with three-phase variable frequency drives
A voltage source inverter comprises a rectifier having an input for receiving single-phase AC power from an AC source and converting the AC power to DC power on a DC bus. The DC bus has first and second rails to provide a relatively fixed DC voltage. A DC bus capacitor is across the first and second rails to smooth voltage ripple. An inverter receives DC power from the DC bus and converts the DC power to AC power. An active front end circuit comprises a pair of filter capacitors in series across the first and second rails to create a midpoint. A bidirectional switch is connected between the rectifier input and the midpoint. The bidirectional switch is controlled to inject current into the midpoint of the DC bus. |
| US09099934B2 |
Three phase active rectifier system
A voltage source inverter comprises a rectifier converting AC power to DC power at an output. An inverter receives DC power and converts the DC power to AC power. A link circuit is connected between the rectifier circuit and the inverter circuit and comprises a DC bus. A DC bus capacitor across the DC bus smoothes voltage ripple. An active filter circuit comprises a pair of filter capacitors in series across the first and second rails to create a midpoint. Bidirectional switches are connected between the rectifier input and the midpoint. A current sensor is connected between the bidirectional switches and the midpoint. An active switch controller controls a conduction angle of the bidirectional switches to maintain DC bus voltage at a desired reference level under a wide load range. |
| US09099932B2 |
Duty cycle balance module for switch mode power converter
A duty cycle balance module (DCBM) for use with a switch mode power converter. One possible half-bridge converter embodiment includes a transformer driven to conduct current in first and second directions by first and second signals during and second half-cycles, respectively. A current limiting mechanism adjusts the duty cycles of the first and second signals when a sensed current exceeds a predetermined limit threshold. The DCBM receives signals representative of the duty cycles which would be used if there were no modification by the current limiting mechanism and signals Dact—1 and Dact—2 representative of the duty cycles that are actually used for the first and second signals, and outputs signals Dbl—1 and Dbl—2 which modify signals Dact—1 and Dact—2 as needed to dynamically balance the duty cycles of the first and second signals and thereby reduce flux imbalance in the transformer that might otherwise arise. |
| US09099930B2 |
Power converter and method of assembling the same
A power converter includes a plurality of power conversion modules. At least one power conversion module includes a plurality of power conversion devices defining a three-level bridge. A first power conversion module includes four terminals including one of a positive terminal and a negative terminal, an output terminal, a first neutral terminal, and a second neutral terminal. The first neutral terminal is coupled to a direct current (DC) link and the second neutral terminal is coupled to a second power conversion module. |
| US09099929B2 |
Power converting device and synchronous rectifier control circuit
A power converting device includes a main switch, a synchronous rectifier switch, a rectifier-filter circuit which outputs an output voltage, and a synchronous rectifier control circuit which includes a sampling circuit coupled to the rectifier-filter circuit for outputting a voltage variation signal, a differential amplifier circuit that outputs an amplified signal by adding the output voltage and an offset voltage to the voltage variation signal attenuated thereby, and a comparison circuit that compares the amplified signal with the output voltage so as to output a trigger signal, such that the synchronous rectifier switch is turned on when the main switch is turned off, and is turned off prior to conduction of the main switch. |
| US09099928B2 |
Synchronous rectifying apparatus and controlling method thereof
The present application provides a synchronous rectifying apparatus and a control method thereof, the apparatus comprising: a transformer, a primary circuit, a rectifying circuit, a self-driving circuit, a PWM control circuit and an auxiliary control module including at least one auxiliary control circuit and at least one auxiliary winding, wherein the auxiliary control circuit includes at least one auxiliary switch and is electrically coupled to the Pulse Width Modulation control circuit and the auxiliary winding via the auxiliary switch, and the auxiliary winding is electrically coupled to the transformer; wherein before the transfer switch of the primary circuit is controlled to be turned on by the switching control signal, the auxiliary switch is controlled to be turned on by the auxiliary control signal, and the synchronous rectifier of the rectifying circuit is controlled to be turned off through the self-driving signal. |
| US09099926B2 |
System and method for connecting the midpoint of a dual-DC bus to ground
A system includes a power source that provides alternating current (AC) power and is connected to system ground; a dual-DC bus that provides direct current (DC) power to a load, and comprises a positive line, a negative line, and a midpoint line; an active rectifier that converts AC power from the power source to DC power for the dual-DC bus; and an impedance circuit connected between the midpoint of the dual-DC bus and the system ground that provides impedance for third harmonic common-mode current. |
| US09099925B2 |
Switching power supply with circuit to control turn on timing of switching element
A switching power supply that conducts switching of an input voltage by a switching element to obtain a specified output voltage includes: an ON width controlling component that controls an ON width of the switching element; a zero current detecting component that detects zero current through the switching element to turn ON the switching element; a frequency reducing component that delays a turn ON timing of the switching element upon detection of a light load condition by a load condition detecting component to reduce a switching frequency of the switching element; and an AC period detecting component that detects a period of the input voltage to hold the load condition detected by the load condition detecting component over every period detected by the AC period detecting component. |
| US09099923B1 |
Hybrid power supply architecture
A hybrid power supply architecture including a microcontroller, a linear regulator, a first current sensing unit, a second current sensing unit, a switching regulator, a PWM controller and a hybrid output stage is disclosed. The linear and switching regulators respectively perform linear and switching regulation according to a first enable signal and a second enable signal generated by the microcontroller to generate a linear output power and a switching output power. The first and second current sensing units respectively generate a first current sensing signal and a second current sensing signal by sensing the linear and switching output powers. The microcontroller receives the first and second current sensing signals to determine a loading state. The switching regulator is enabled to actuate in case of heavy loading, and particularly the linear regulator is shut off only when the switching output power is stable, thereby implementing the best conversion efficiency. |
| US09099917B2 |
Constant current source circuit and a sampling circuit
A constant current source circuit includes a main circuit, wherein the main circuit includes a first three-terminal regulator, a transistor, a sample resistor and a load, an output terminal of the first three-terminal regulator is connected with a control Electrode of the transistor, a reference Electrode of the transistor is connected with a voltage input terminal, a working Electrode is connected with one end of the load, and the other end of the load is connected with one end of the sample resistor, and the other end of the sample resistor and an input terminal of the first three-terminal regulator are connected to a reference potential, respectively, wherein the constant current source circuit further includes an adjusting unit that includes a voltage stabilizing unit, a fourth resistor and a fifth resistor. |
| US09099915B2 |
Congruent power and timing signals for device
Congruent power and timing signals in a single electronic device. In an embodiment, a circuit may include just one isolation transformer operable to generate a power signal and a timing signal. On the secondary side, two branches may extract both a power signal and a clock signal for use in the circuit on the isolated secondary side. The first branch may be coupled to the transformer and operable to manipulate the signal into a power signal, such as a 5V DC signal. Likewise, the second circuit branch is operable to manipulate the signal into a clock signal, such as a 5 V signal with a frequency of 1 MHz. By extracting both a power supply signal and a clock signal from the same isolation transformer on the secondary side, valuable space may be saved on an integrated circuit device with only having a single winding for a single isolation transformer. |
| US09099913B2 |
Method and device for estimating the clamping force on a winding package of a transformer or a reactor
A method and a device for estimating the winding clamping force on a winding package of a transformer or a reactor, the winding package comprising at least one winding with connections and an iron core. The device includes a current pulse generator configured to generate a current pulse sufficient to excite the winding, means for supplying the current pulse to the winding, a sensor for measuring vibrations of the transformer or the reactor generated by the current pulse, and a computing unit configured to calculate a mechanical resonant frequency based on the measured vibrations and to estimate the clamping forces on the winding packages based on the calculated mechanical resonant frequency and a predetermined relation between the expected mechanical resonant frequency and the clamping force. |
| US09099912B2 |
Electromagnetic coupling
An electromagnetic coupling comprises a stator, a first rotor in which a first polar tooth and a second polar tooth are provided along a circumferential direction in an alternating manner, and a second rotor. The first rotor comprises a first polar tooth ring in which a plurality of the first polar teeth are provided along a circumferential direction with a gap therebetween, and a second polar tooth ring in which a plurality of the second polar teeth are provided along a circumferential direction with a gap therebetween, and which is placed opposing the first polar tooth ring such that the second polar teeth are placed in respective gaps between adjacent ones of the first polar teeth. |
| US09099911B2 |
Universal motor
A universal motor includes a wound rotor and a stator. The stator has stator windings and a stator code. The stator core has at least two poles with the stator windings wound thereon and a yoke connecting the poles. Each pole has a neck and a pole shoe forming a continuous pole arc facing the rotor. The ratio of the diameter of the motor to the width of the stator core measured across the poles is between 0.65˜0.95. |
| US09099910B2 |
Multi-mode motor for switching among motor power supplies
A motor is configured to operate in one of at least two modes in response to determining that a power provided by a power supply for the motor crosses certain thresholds. For example, first and second windings apply a rotating force to a rotating armature of a single motor. The first and second windings are electrically coupled to first and second commutators, respectively, which transmit power to the first and second windings from a first and second power source, respectively. In other aspects, different power sources power the motor, and the motor operates at different speeds depending on the power source applied. For example, the change in power sources is effected in response to detecting a change in applied power past a threshold, thus effecting the motor's operation in a second, different speed. So configured, a single motor can reduce deployment of bulky and expensive add-on equipment. |
| US09099902B2 |
Aircraft vehicle and a fixing sleeve
This disclosure provides an aircraft vehicle, which comprises a circuit board, and at least one power component mounted on said circuit board. The at least one power component comprises a rotor, a drive unit and a fixing sleeve. Said drive unit is electrically connected to said circuit board and drives the rotor to rotate. Said fixing sleeve comprises a receiving space with an opening at a top. Said fixing sleeve comprises at least one first stopping piece and at least one second stopping piece projected on an outer surface of the fixing sleeve. Said drive unit is accommodated in the receiving space and is secured in the fixing sleeve. Said circuit board comprises at least one positioning hole corresponding to the power component. The fixing sleeve is configured to pass through the positioning hole so that the circuit board is retained between the first stopping piece and the second stopping piece. This disclosure also provides a fixing sleeve. Thus, when the aircraft vehicle falls or collides with another object, the fixing sleeve ensures that the drive unit does not separate from the circuit board, therefore enhancing the performance of the aircraft vehicle. |
| US09099899B2 |
System for generating electrical energy
A method and apparatus for producing useful work by a traffic-way or roadway having a moveable portion that can be readily displaced by the weight passing thereover, and translating the displacement of the moveable portion into a storing energy system; e.g., a torsion spring being compressed having a energy release mechanism that connects to an rotor or a drive shaft. |
| US09099894B2 |
System and method for coded communication signals regulating inductive power transmission
An inductive power transfer system and method for transferring power to an electrical device wirelessly includes an inductive power outlet and an inductive power receiver. During operation, instruction signals are sent from the inductive power outlet to the inductive power receiver. When no instruction signals are transferred, the system is configured to deactivate such that power is drawn by the system only during operation. |
| US09099892B2 |
Portable power systems
A power system includes an electric battery and an enclosure configured to surround the electric battery. A console is disposed on at least one side of the enclosure. The console includes a first charge input configured to receive a charge from an AC power source, a second charge input configured to receive a charge from a DC power source, and an outlet configured to receive a connector for a device. A battery management system includes controls to regulate a battery charge between the first charge input and the second charge input. |
| US09099891B2 |
Submodule for a multi-stage power converter having additional energy storage device
A submodule for forming a multilevel power converter for electric energy distribution and transmission, includes a capacitor unit and a power semiconductor circuit having power semiconductors that can be switched off. The capacitor unit and the power semiconductor circuit are interconnected in such a way that, depending on the actuation of the power semiconductors of the power semiconductor circuit, at least the voltage released at the capacitor unit or a zero voltage can be generated at output terminals of the submodule. The submodule is not only able to compensate for reactive power, but to exchange active power with a connected alternating current network. An additional energy storage device is connected to the capacitor unit through a chopper unit for regulating current flow between the additional energy storage device and the capacitor unit. |
| US09099887B2 |
Common monitoring and/or control of a flywheel and battery-based power supply system
A power supply system includes a flywheel system electrically coupled to a DC bus for supplying electrical power between a power grid and a load. The flywheel system includes a flywheel coupled to rotate with a rotor of a motor/generator. A battery system is electrically coupled to the DC bus concurrently with the flywheel system. |
| US09099877B2 |
Battery management system for control of lithium power cells
An intelligent rechargeable battery pack having a battery management system for monitoring and controlling the charging and discharging of the battery pack is described. The battery management system includes primary and secondary protection circuits for monitoring the charging and discharging of the battery. Individual battery cells forming the battery pack are connected by a main bus to a connector for connection to a battery charger or a device to be powered, and the main bus may be interrupted by a switch controlled by the battery management system to prevent damage to the battery during charging or discharging of the battery. |
| US09099870B2 |
Charge redistribution method for cell arrays
A topology is described in which each pair of cells in a string shares a single inductor. Switches permit the single inductor to selectively charge one or the other of the cells. In a variant of the topology, the inductor together with additional switches permit selectively charging multiple cells simultaneously (even one or both cells simultaneously in a pair of cells), drawing upon either an external energy source or upon one or multiple other cells in the string. In this way the number of inductors is minimized while providing isolation among the charging circuits. |
| US09099864B2 |
Electronic device with connector fault protection circuitry
An electronic device may include protection circuitry coupled to a connector port. The connector port may be a reversible connector port that receives a mating reversible connector plug with either first or second orientations. The connector port may include contacts for receiving and/or transmitting signals during communications between the electronic device and the accessory device. The protection circuitry may monitor signals received at the contacts to determine whether transient or permanent connection faults exist. In response to determining that a connection fault exists at any of the contacts, the protection circuitry may electrically disconnect the faulty contacts from processing circuitry in the electronic device. |
| US09099848B2 |
Breakaway coupler for wire segments
A breakaway coupler suitable for connecting segments of powered and nonpowered wires, configured to provide a “weakest link” connection point that is the first to fail upon the application of a substantial force to the wire segments connected by the coupler. The couple including a first receptacle configured to securely retain a first segment of wire, a second receptacle configured to securely retain a second segment of wire, and a sacrificial coupling member configured to connect the first receptacle to the second receptacle. |
| US09099846B2 |
Plug and play control panel module with integrally socketed circuit board
A plug and play control panel assembly having a circuit board with plug in sockets that receive a plurality of electrical components with the board seating in an enclosure having a cover attached that can help capture the components and board therebetween keeping the board seated and the components plugged in. The board includes at least one socket for a power receptacle having outwardly extending terminal blades received in socket slots. One preferred socket is configured for blades of a duplex 120 volt receptacle plugged into a board that preferably is an insert molded circuit board. A control panel module is produced having an insert molded board with plug in sockets on one side for receiving electrical components and at least one plug in socket on its opposite side defining a “plug and play” control panel module that is removably plugged into a larger apparatus during apparatus assembly. |
| US09099845B2 |
Meter socket with current bypass
A meter socket for a meter box includes a set of meter jaws to receive a watt-hour meter, a bypass conductor member to selectively connect the meter jaws and provide a bypass for the watt-hour meter, and an activator for the bypass conductor member. The activator is configured to be activated by a user through a closed meter box to move the bypass conductor member from a metered position to a bypass position. |
| US09099838B2 |
System and method for laser modulation
A laser system can include a laser and a laser output modulator to modulate the output of the laser. |
| US09099836B2 |
Laser beam amplifier and laser apparatus using the same
A laser beam amplifier with high optical axis stability is provided. The laser beam amplifier includes: a container for accommodating a laser medium; a pair of electrodes for performing discharge in the laser medium to form an amplification region for a laser beam in the laser medium; and an optical system for forming an optical path between a first point, upon which the laser beam is incident, and a second point, from which the laser beam is outputted, such that the amplification region is located in the optical path between the first point and the second point, wherein the first point and the second point are conjugate to each other, and the laser beam incident upon the first point is amplified while passing through the amplification region at least twice and then transferred to the second point. |
| US09099835B2 |
Systems and methods of achieving high brightness infrared fiber parametric amplifiers and light sources
Fiber optic amplification in a spectrum of infrared electromagnetic radiation is achieved by creating a chalcogenide photonic crystal fiber (PCF) structure having a radially varying pitch. A chalcogenide PCF system can be tuned during fabrication of the chalcogenide PCF structure, by controlling, the size of the core, the size of the cladding, and the hole size to pitch ratio of the chalcogenide PCF structure and tuned during exercising of the chalcogenide PCF system with pump laser and signal waves, by changing the wavelength of either the pump laser wave or the signal wave, maximization of nonlinear conversion of the chalcogenide PCF, efficient parametric conversion with low peak power pulses of continuous wave laser sources, and minimization of power penalties and minimization of the need for amplification and regeneration of pulse transmissions over the length of the fiber, based on a dispersion factor. |
| US09099834B2 |
Optically pumped vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser device
The present invention relates to an optically pumped vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser device comprising at least one VECSEL (200) and several pump laser diodes (300). The pump laser diodes (300) are arranged to optically pump the active region (108) of the VECSEL (200) by reflection of pump radiation (310) at a mirror element (400). The mirror element (400) is arranged on the optical axis (210) of the VECSEL (200) and is designed to concentrate the pump radiation (310) in the active region (108) and to form at the same time the external mirror of the VECSEL (200). The proposed device avoids time consuming adjustment of the pump lasers relative to the active region of the VECSEL and allows a very compact design of the laser device. |
| US09099828B2 |
Modular electrical plug connector assembly
A modular electrical plug connector assembly for control units in a motor vehicle includes a module rack and at least first and second plug-in modules that are situated in the module rack and that each includes respective housings shaped to accommodate respective electrical plug connectors. The housings are provided with respective electrically conductive contact elements. The first and second plug-in modules are positioned relative to one each other in a predetermined manner in the module rack, and are inseparably connected to the module rack by a joining process. |
| US09099825B2 |
Center conductor engagement mechanism
A center conductor engagement member comprising a resilient contact region having a first end and a second end, the resilient contact region being substantially curvilinear from the first end to the second end, wherein the second end of the resilient contact region is secured by a body portion, and an insert engageable with the second end of the resilient contact region to retain the second end of the resilient contact region is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided. |
| US09099823B2 |
Buffering device for fixing flexible cable
A buffering device for fixing a flexible cable includes a fixing part and a moving part. The two connecting ends of the flexible cable move relatively to each other. One of the connecting ends is connected to a circuit board. The fixing part defines two sliding cutouts fixed at two opposite sides of the flexible cable and adjacent to the connecting end of the flexible cable clamping and sandwich the flexible cable between the mount and the circuit board. The moving part includes a movable support and two second cushions. The movable support comprises a top support frame and a bottom support frame. The movable support is inserted into the sliding cutouts and moves back and forth in the sliding cutouts. The two second cushions sandwich the flexible cable between the top support frame and a bottom support frame. |
| US09099821B2 |
Busbar plate
A busbar plate includes a busbar plate main body and total plus/minus terminal blocks. The busbar plate main body includes a terminal accommodating chamber part having a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers. The total plus/minus terminal blocks are externally attached to terminal accommodating chambers at two ends of the busbar plate respectively, and are formed of terminal block main bodies and busbars. One ends of the busbars are fastened to total plus/minus terminals in the terminal accommodating chambers at the two ends, the other ends of the busbars are fastened to an adjacent module or a connecting busbar of an external equipment. Flexible resin material is used for the busbar plate main body, and high strength resin material is used for the terminal block main bodies. |
| US09099813B1 |
Electrical connector assembly having a contact organizer
Electrical connector assembly including an electrical connector having signal contacts and ground contacts that are coupled to a connector housing and disposed along a mounting side of the connector housing. The electrical connector assembly also includes a contact organizer that is positioned along the mounting side of the connector housing. The contact organizer has signal windows and ground passages extending therethrough that are defined by respective inner surfaces of the contact organizer. The ground contacts engage the inner surfaces of the ground passages when the contact organizer is held in a pre-loaded position away from the mounting side. The contact organizer moves to a seated position against the mounting side when the electrical connector is mounted to the circuit board. Each of the signal contacts is surrounded by an air gap that exists between the signal contact and the inner surface of the corresponding signal window. |
| US09099810B2 |
Half fitting prevention connector
A half fitting prevention connector includes a cylindrical case, a connector body, a lever, and a release lever. The release lever has a lock hole. An electromagnetic coil has a plunger. The plunger is arranged so as to face a microswitch. The electromagnetic coil is excited by connection between the signal terminal of the connector body and a signal terminal of a mating connector, and thereby moving the plunger toward the microswitch. The release lever is rotatable so that the plunger can enter the lock hole to press the microswitch in a state that the connector body is completely fitted with the mating connector and the plunger cannot enter the lock hole in a state that the connector body is half fitted with the mating connector. |
| US09099809B2 |
Connection system including connector body with integral primary and secondary lock
A connector system including a first connector having a longitudinally extending lock arm defining a lock nib and attached to the first connector. The lock nib is configured to engage a primary lock tab of a second connector when the first and second connectors are in a fully mated position and the lock arm is in a resting position. The lock nib is configured to disengage the primary lock tab and engage a secondary lock tab of the second connector when the lock arm is moved from a resting to an activated position and the first and second connectors are moved to a partially mated position while the lock arm is in the activated position. The connector system generates an audible or tactile click only when the first connector is fully mated with the second connector. The connectors can be disconnected with bare hands, no tools are required. |
| US09099807B2 |
Releasable locking connector assembly
A releasable locking connector assembly includes a coupling nut rotatably coupled to a connector body; splines on the connector body or the coupling nut; and a lock ring having mating splines that is translatable with respect to the connector body and the coupling nut between engaged and disengaged positions. The mating splines engage the splines when the lock ring is in the engaged position to prevent rotation of the coupling nut, and the mating splines are spaced from the splines when the lock ring is in the disengaged position to permit rotation of the coupling nut. A moveable index ring is movable between a locked position, in which the lock ring is in the engaged position, and an unlocked position, in which the lock ring is in the disengaged position. A push ring sequentially moves the moveable index ring between the locked and unlocked positions. |
| US09099802B2 |
Modular Electrical Apparatus
A modular electrical apparatus is provided. The present modular apparatus consists of four separate interchangeable electrical fixtures that can be connected together to form a single device that provides outlets and light sources to locations that often lack wired electrical connections, such as outdoor sheds. The user can connect any number of the various electrical fixtures together in any order, allowing users to fully customize the present invention based upon their needs. |
| US09099800B2 |
Connector
There is provided a connector capable of realizing simple assembly and prevention of entering of foreign matter. A connector terminal (56) includes an insertion part (56a) that has a terminal metal fitting to be electrically connected with an external connection terminal, and a pin (56d) fixed to the insertion part (56a) and has a bent shape. The connector terminal (56) is held by a connector housing (55). In this situation, the connector housing (55) has a hole (57) that has a size at which the pin (56a) can penetrate from a tip side, and a guide wall (57d) formed along an outer circumference of the hole (57) and projects in a direction in which the pin (56d) projects from the connector housing (55). |
| US09099793B2 |
Crimping structure of terminal to electrical cable
A conductive metal terminal includes a conductor holding part that holds a conductor of a electrical cable at a distal end side of the conductive metal terminal and a sheath holding part that holds a sheath at a proximal end side of the conductive metal terminal. The conductor holding part includes a bottom plate on which the conductor of the aluminum electrical cable is placed and a pair of conductor crimping pieces. The sheath holding part includes a bottom plate adjacent to the bottom plate of the conductor holding part and a pair of sheath crimping pieces. The conductor holding part further includes an indent formed in a semi-cylindrical shape and extending from one of the conductor holding part to the other of the conductor holding part. The conductor holding part further includes circular-shaped serrations which are closer to the distal end side than the indent. |
| US09099792B2 |
Crimping terminal
A crimping terminal includes a conductor crimping portion which is connected to an electric cable so as to crimp the electric cable. The conductor crimping portion includes a bottom plate on which a conductor is placed and a pair of conductor crimping tabs which is provided on both sides of the bottom plate. The conductor crimping portion includes serrations that are formed at least a part of the inner surface thereof and retains the conductor of the electric cable inside the conductor crimping portion and at least one bead that protrudes from the inner surface. |
| US09099791B2 |
Cable assembly having a coaxial cable with outer conductor not protruding a housing surrounding the cable
A cable assembly including a coaxial cable having active components mounted thereon, a housing substantially surrounding the coaxial cable, and a launch connector mounted to the outside of the housing and in connection with the coaxial cable. |
| US09099790B2 |
Mobile device and antenna structure therein
A mobile device includes a ground element, a conductive bezel, a nonconductive layer, and a feeding element. The conductive bezel is substantially independent of the ground element. A slot is formed in the conductive bezel. The nonconductive layer is affixed to the conductive bezel and covers the slot of the conductive bezel. The feeding element is close to the slot of the conductive bezel and is coupled to a signal source. An antenna structure is formed by the feeding element and the slot. |
| US09099788B2 |
Man-made composite material and man-made composite material antenna
The present invention relates to a man-made composite material. The man-made composite material is divided into a plurality of regions. A plane electromagnetic wave is incident on a first surface and exits in the form of a spherical wave from a second surface of the man-made composite material opposite to the first surface. Reverse extensions of the exiting electromagnetic wave intersect with each other at a virtual focus of the man-made composite material. A line connecting the virtual focus to a point on the top surface of the ith region and a line perpendicular to the man-made composite material form an angle θ therebetween, which uniquely corresponds to a curved surface in the ith region. A set formed by points on the top surface of the ith region that have the same angle θ forms a boundary of the curved surface to which the angle θ uniquely corresponds. |
| US09099787B2 |
Microwave antenna including an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements
A microwave antenna comprises an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements. An antenna element comprises a cover, a hollow waveguide formed within the cover for guiding microwave radiation at an operating frequency between a first open end portion and a second end portion arranged opposite the first end portion, a septum arranged centrally and along the longitudinal direction within the waveguide and separating said waveguide into two waveguide portions, a substrate arrangement arranged at the second end portion within the cover, said substrate arrangement comprising a ground plane and line structures arranged on both sides of and at a distance from said ground plane and a substrate integrated waveguide, a waveguide transition arranged between said hollow waveguide and said substrate integrated waveguide, an integrated circuit arranged within said cover and electrically contacted to said ground plane and said line structures, and terminals electrically contacted to said integrated circuit. |
| US09099786B2 |
Metamaterial surfaces
An apparatus to modify an incident free space electromagnetic wave includes a block of an artificially structured material having an adjustable spatial distribution of electromagnetic parameters (e.g., ε, μ, η, σ, and n). A controller applies control signals to dynamically adjust the spatial distribution of electromagnetic parameters in the material to introduce a time-varying path delay d(t) in the modified electromagnetic wave relative to the incident electromagnetic wave. |
| US09099782B2 |
Lightweight, multiband, high angle sandwich radome structure for millimeter wave frequencies
A lightweight multiband, high angle sandwich radome structure for millimeter wave frequencies includes a central core layer, a reinforced laminate skin adjacent each side of the central core, and outer matching layers on each of the reinforced laminates. |
| US09099778B2 |
Superconducting antenna device
A superconducting antenna device of an embodiment includes an array antenna made by stacking a flat antenna having one or more antennas made of a superconducting material and a ground pattern on a low-loss dielectric substrate from a short wave band to an extremely-high frequency band, a vacuum chamber configured to accommodate the array antenna, a refrigerator configured to cool the array antenna, and a vacuum insulating window configured to pass an electromagnetic wave from a short wave band to an extremely-high frequency band in a direction of directivity of the array antenna in the vacuum chamber. |
| US09099775B2 |
Radiating cell having two phase states for a transmitting network
A radiating cell having two phase states suitable for a transmitter array able to transmit microwave frequency signals, the cell comprising a first antenna and a second antenna arranged on either side of an assembly comprising two substrate layers separated by a ground plane, the second antenna comprising a conducting element able to radiate, the cell comprising comprises at least two switching means, said means each comprising an on state and an off state between two ports, one of said ports being connected to the second radiating element, said switching means being controlled in opposition. The radiating cell applies notably to the implementation of transmitter arrays employing several configurable cells to control the radiation pattern. |
| US09099774B2 |
Antenna
An apparatus including an antenna having an active element and a parasitic element; and at least one support, where the antenna is at least partially on the at least one support, where the at least one support includes a first section coupled to a second different section, where the active element is at least partially on the first section, and where the first section is at least partially formed with a first manufacturing process and a first material. The parasitic element is at least partially on the second section, and the second section is at least partially formed with a second different manufacturing process and a second different material. |
| US09099767B2 |
Antenna core, antenna, and methods for producing an antenna core and an antenna
The invention relates to an antenna core, an antenna comprising an antenna core, and to methods for producing an antenna core and an antenna. The antenna core used in each case consists of a continuous soft-magnetic strip having a plurality of layers which are stacked one on top of the other and each of which is formed by a section of the strip. The layers are connected to one another by curved sections of the strip at end regions of the antenna core. |
| US09099765B2 |
Device having a quadrature near field communication antenna
A device having a quadrature near field communication antenna is provided. The device comprises: a housing having; a first NFC (near field communication) antenna comprising a coil about parallel to a given side of the housing enabled to produce a first magnetic field that extends from the given side of the housing; a second NFC antenna about parallel with the first NFC antenna, the second NFC antenna comprising at least one respective coil forming two opposing current loops enabled to produce a second magnetic field perpendicular to the first magnetic field; and, a circuit for operating the first NFC antenna and the second NFC antenna in quadrature phase. |
| US09099764B2 |
Electronic circuit and electronic device
An electronic circuit according to an embodiment includes a power supply line having a first EBG pattern, the first EBG pattern including a plurality of first linear parts and a first slit, each of the first linear parts extending along a direction in which the power supply line extends and surrounded by the first slit except one end of the first linear part. |
| US09099763B2 |
Tunable slow wave coplanar waveguide transmission line having a movable shielding plane
The invention relates to a high-frequency transmission line including a conductive tape (6) associated with a shielding surface (4) that is placed under the line structure and is divided into parallel microstrips in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of the line, said microstrips being movable relative to the conductive tape. |
| US09099756B2 |
Flame retardant electrolyte for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including the same
Flame retardant electrolyte solutions for rechargeable lithium batteries and lithium batteries including the electrolyte solutions are provided. The flame retardant electrolyte solution includes a lithium salt, a linear carbonate-based solvent, at least one ammonium cation, a phosphoric acid-based solvent, and an additive including oxalatoborate. |
| US09099755B2 |
Lithium secondary battery
This invention relates to a lithium secondary battery, the tab shape of which is improved, thus increasing the safety and improving the electrical properties thereof. The lithium secondary battery includes an electrode group composed of a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first electrode tab connected to the first electrode, and a second electrode tab connected to the second electrode. The first electrode tab includes a first portion connected to the first electrode and a second portion, which is not the first portion, the width of the first portion being less than the width of the second portion. |
| US09099754B2 |
Sealed type cell manufacturing method
A cell assembly (20) is formed by arranging an electrode body and electrolyte in an external case (12) having a through hole (41). A laser is applied to an annular portion (formed by Al or Al-based alloy) surrounding an opening end (41A) of the through hole (41) toward outside the case so as to form a welded base (45). A sealing film (54) is welded to the surface of the welded base directly or via a base film (52) welded in advance, so as to temporarily seal the through hole (41). The cell assembly (20) in the temporarily sealed state is subjected to initial charge and then a hole is opened through the film (54) so as to form a gas discharge passage for communication between inside and outside of the case (12), thereby discharging an excessive gas from the case (12) outside. |
| US09099752B2 |
Electrocatalyst for electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide
The electrocatalyst for the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide includes a copper material supported on titania nanotubes. The copper material may be pure copper, copper and ruthenium, or copper and iron supported on the titania nanotubes. The electrocatalyst is prepared by first dissolving copper nitrate trihydrate in deionized water to form a salt solution. Titania nanotubes are then added to the salt solution to form a suspension, which is then heated. A urea solution is added to the suspension to form the electrocatalyst in solution. The electrocatalyst is then removed from the solution. In addition to dissolving the copper nitrate trihydrate in the volume of deionized water, either iron nitrate monohydrate or ruthenium chloride may also be dissolved in the deionized water to form the salt solution. |
| US09099751B2 |
Nanostructured platinum alloys for use as catalyst materials
A series of binary and ternary Pt-alloys, that promote the important reactions for catalysis at an alloy surface; oxygen reduction, hydrogen oxidation, and hydrogen and oxygen evolution. The first two of these reactions are essential when applying the alloy for use in a PEMFC. |
| US09099744B2 |
Particulate porous carbon material and use thereof in lithium cells
The present invention relates to a novel particulate porous carbon material containing a carbon phase and at least one pore phase, and to the use of such materials in lithium cells, especially lithium-sulfur cells. The carbon phase forms, with the pore phase, essentially unordered co-continuous phase domains, such that the distance between adjacent domains of the pore phase is not more than 50 nm. The invention also relates to a process for producing such carbon materials and to composite materials comprising elemental sulfur and at least one inventive particulate porous carbon material. |
| US09099742B2 |
Graphite material, carbon material for battery electrodes, and batteries
A graphite composite material obtained by mixing graphite material 1 having diversity in the sizes of optical anisotropic structure and optical isotropic structure, the ratio thereof, and crystal direction, and graphite material 2 having a rhombohedron structure, which is different from graphite material 1 and has an average interplanar spacing d002 of plane (002) of 0.3354 nm to 0.3370 nm measured by the powder X-ray diffraction method and Lc of 100 nm or more. Also disclosed is a carbon material for a battery electrode, a paste for an electrode, an electrode, a battery, a lithium ion secondary battery and a method of producing the graphite composite material. |
| US09099737B2 |
Process for the preparation of crystalline lithium-, iron- and phosphate-comprising materials
The present application relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of general formula (I) Lia-bM1bFe1-cM2cPd-eM3eOx (I), wherein M1, M2, M3, a, b, c, d, e and x: M1: Na, K, Rb and/or Cs, M2: Mn, Mg, Ca, Ti, Co, Ni, Cr, V, M3: Si, S, a: 0.8-1.9, b: 0-0.3, c: 0-0.9, d: 0.8-1.9, e: 0-0.5, x: 1.0-8, depending on the amount and oxidation state of Li, M1, Fe, M2, P, M3, wherein compounds of general formula (I) are neutrally charged, comprising the following steps (A) providing an essentially aqueous mixture comprising at least one lithium-comprising compound, FeOOH as iron-comprising compound and at least one M1-comprising compound, if present, and/or at least one M2-comprising compound, if present, and/or least one M3-comprising compound, if present, at least one compound comprising at least one phosphorous atom and at least one reducing agent, (B) drying the mixture provided in step (A), in order to obtain a solid compound and (C) calcining the solid compound obtained from step (A) or (B) at a temperature of 300 to 950° C. |
| US09099732B2 |
Rechargeable battery having a fuse with an insulating blocking member
A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly; a terminal; a fuse, the electrode assembly, the terminal, and the fuse being electrically connected to each other; and an insulating blocking member in operative co-operation with the fuse. |
| US09099730B2 |
Storage battery having molded-in terminal
A storage battery includes a generally rectangular container having opposed side walls, end walls, a bottom wall and an open top defining a container interior. The container interior is divided into a plurality of cells supporting positive and negative plates. The plates include aligned positive lugs and aligned negative lugs. A pair of conductive straps are provided. One of the straps interconnects the positive lugs while the other strap interconnects the negative lugs. A tombstone extends from each of the straps. Each tombstone is located at a position spaced inwardly from the container walls. A pair of battery terminals are supported within the container end walls. Each battery terminal is directly connected to one of the tombstones. The battery terminals are positioned between the tombstone and the container wall and include a termination location adjacent the container wall for direct disconnectable termination thereat. A cover is provided for enclosing the open end of the container. |
| US09099721B2 |
High-power lithium secondary battery
Provided is a secondary battery including an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode non-coating portion that is not coated with an active material in a portion of a positive electrode collector. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode non-coating portion that is not coated with an active material in a portion of a negative electrode collector. The non-coating portions are disposed in at least one of upper and lower portions of the electrode assembly in a longitudinal direction of the electrodes. A positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab are connected to the non-coating portions. The separator is a complex porous separator including a substrate coated with a binder polymer or an organic/inorganic mixture formed of a binder polymer and inorganic particles. |
| US09099716B2 |
Coating and lithiation of inorganic oxidants by reaction with lithiated reductants
A method for producing conductive carbon coated particles of an at least partially lithiated electroactive core material comprises the step of premixing an oxidant electroactive material with a metallated reductant followed by chemically reacting the oxidant electroactive material with the metallated reductant, said reductant being a coating precursor, said metal being at least one alkaline and/or at least one alkaline earth metal, and said chemically reacting being performed under conditions allowing reduction and metallation of the electroactive material via insertion/intercalation of the alkaline metal cation(s) and/or the alkaline earth metal cation(s) and coating formation via a polymerization reaction like polyanionic or radicalic polymerization of the reductant. |
| US09099711B2 |
Fuel cell membrane
The fuel cell membrane is a polymer electrolyte (or polyelectrolyte) membrane formed from a blend of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and phosphonated polysulfone in the ester form (PPSU-E), where the sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) and the phosphonated polysulfone each form about 50 wt % of the polyelectrolyte membrane. The polyelectrolyte membrane is made by dissolving a mixture of SPEEK and PPSU in the ester form (PPSU-E) in dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at room temperature to form a solution. The SPEEK/PPSU-E mixture has a concentration of between about 10 wt % and about 15 wt % in the solution. The solution is then stirred and left to release air bubbles therefrom. The DMAc is then evaporated from the solution, leaving the resultant polyelectrolyte membrane, which is then washed and dried. |
| US09099710B2 |
Battery container, sub-battery container used therein, and battery pack using the same
Disclosed is a battery container, which may stably support a plurality of battery modules received in the battery container and facilitate the stacking and separation of the battery modules, a sub-battery container used therein, and a battery pack using the same. The sub-battery container, includes two side plates standing to face each other at both side walls of the sub-battery container; and horizontal support bars disposed in parallel and so that both longitudinal ends of the horizontal support bars are coupled to the opposing corners of the two side plates, wherein the horizontal support bars include an upper horizontal support bar and a lower horizontal support bar, and the lower horizontal support bar and the upper horizontal support bar have uneven portions capable of coupling to each other at the bottom of the lower horizontal support bar and at the top of the upper horizontal support bar. |
| US09099706B2 |
Method of providing a calibrating reference voltage and index synchronization sequence for a cell voltage measurement system
A method for providing calibration synchronization pulses in a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal including fuel cell voltage measurement pulses. The method includes providing a sequence of voltage signals representative of the voltage of the fuel cells in a fuel cell group, where the sequence of voltage signals are provided in the order of the position of the fuel cells in the group. The method also includes providing a sequence of calibration pulses and combining the sequence of voltage signals and the sequence of calibration pulses so that the calibration pulses are provided before a voltage signal of a first cell in the group. The method modulates the combined sequence of the voltage signals and the calibration pulses using an inverted saw tooth wave to provide the PWM signal, where a width of the pulses representing the voltage signals are proportional to a width of the pulses representing the calibration pulses. |
| US09099694B2 |
Method of manufacturing electrode body
A method of manufacturing an electrode body having a pair of electrode layers and an electrolyte layer disposed between the pair of electrode layers, by which an electrode body with reduced internal resistance can be manufactured, the method including the steps of: dispersing at least an active material capable of releasing or absorbing and releasing a metal ion, an electrolyte having conductivity for the metal ion, and a binder into a solvent, to prepare an electrode slurry, and applying the electrode slurry onto a base material, thereby forming a sheet-shaped electrode layer containing the binder; and dispersing at least an electrolyte having ion conductivity for the metal ion into a solvent to prepare an electrolyte slurry, and applying the electrolyte slurry onto the electrode layer, thereby forming a sheet-shaped electrolyte layer on the electrode layer. |
| US09099693B2 |
Fuel cell and fuel cell separator
In a fuel cell having a separator in which main cooling water channels are formed, a separator for another unit cell stacked on the cooling water channel formation surface side of the separator, and a second sealing member interposed between the separators and to seal a cooling medium flowing in the main cooling water channels, an outer peripheral rib for regulating the flow of cooling water to the second sealing member side is provided inside relative to the second sealing member in the separator surface direction in order to improve the efficiency of cooling with the cooling medium. |
| US09099692B2 |
Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery is provided, including: a cabinet provided with two electrode terminals for connecting inner and outer parts thereof, to which an anode and a cathode are connected, respectively, and being formed with a cooling fluid channel on a bottom surface of the cabinet; an electrode plate received in the cabinet together with an electrolyte such that both ends of the electrode plate are connected to the internal electrode terminal; and a cover which covers an opened portion of the cabinet and is wound together with the cabinet while an edge of the cover overlaps with the edge of the cabinet to seal the cabinet. |
| US09099691B2 |
Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly having a plurality of first electrodes each including a first coated region coated with a first active material and a first uncoated region having a first alignment opening and a second alignment opening, a plurality of second electrodes each including a second coated region coated with a second active material and a second uncoated region having a third alignment opening and a fourth alignment opening, a separator between each first coated region and each second coated region; and a case housing the electrode assembly, wherein the first alignment openings are substantially aligned with each other, the second alignment openings are substantially aligned with each other, the third alignment openings are substantially aligned with each other, and the fourth alignment openings are substantially aligned with each other. |
| US09099686B2 |
Donor film, method of manufacturing the same, and method of manufacturing organic light emitting display using the same
A donor film includes a base film including a first area and a second area surrounding the first area, the second area having an organic material binding property that is different from an organic material binding property of the first area, a light-to-heat conversion pattern on the base film at the first area, a reflection layer on the base film at the second area, and a transfer layer on the light-to-heat conversion pattern and the reflection layer. |
| US09099681B2 |
Display device, display, and electronic unit
A display device includes: a third electrode provided on a side of the second electrode opposite to the light-emitting layer; and an efficiency improving layer improving an efficiency of light extraction from the light-emitting layer, and the efficiency improving layer being provided between the second and third electrodes. The first and third electrodes are each in a laminated structure including a first layer being transmissive, and a second layer being transmissive and having a refractive index higher than a refractive index of the first layer. |
| US09099677B2 |
Encapsulation structure for an organic light emitting display device, an organic light emitting display device, and methods of manufacturing an organic light emitting display device
An encapsulation structure for an organic light emitting display device, an organic light emitting display device, and a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display device are provided. The encapsulation structure includes a first porous layer, a first planarization layer, and a first barrier layer. The first porous layer above a substrate may have a curved top surface. The first planarization layer on the first porous layer may have a flat top surface. The first barrier layer on the first planarization layer may include a low melting point glass. |
| US09099676B2 |
Mirror electroluminescent display panel
A mirror electroluminescent display panel includes an array substrate, a plurality of driving devices, a plurality of electroluminescent devices, and a cover substrate. The driving devices and the electroluminescent devices are disposed on the array substrate. Each electroluminescent device includes a first electrode electrically connected to the corresponding driving device, a light-emitting layer disposed on the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on the light-emitting layer. The cover substrate and the array substrate are disposed oppositely. The cover substrate has a plurality of transmission regions, and a reflection region disposed between adjacent transmission regions, and each of the transmission regions is corresponding to each of the light-emitting layers, respectively. |
| US09099675B2 |
Light emitting apparatus, image forming apparatus, display apparatus, and image pickup apparatus
A light emitting apparatus having organic EL elements is provided. The first optical length L1 between the emission point of the light emitting layer and the reflection surface of the first electrode, satisfies the following formula: L1>0, (λ/8)×(−1−2Φ1/π) |
| US09099666B2 |
Organic light-emitting device
An organic light-emitting device comprising an anode; a cathode; a first light-emitting layer between the anode and the cathode; and a second light-emitting layer between the first light-emitting layer and the cathode, wherein: the first light-emitting layer comprises a hole-transporting material and a first phosphorescent material, the second light-emitting layer comprises a second phosphorescent material; and the lowest triplet excited state energy level of the hole-transporting material is: (a) lower than the lowest triplet excited state of the second phosphorescent material, and (b) the same as or higher than the lowest triplet excited state energy level of the first phosphorescent material. |
| US09099659B2 |
Organic electroluminescent element material, organic electroluminescent element, display device, and lighting device
This invention provides an organic EL element, which can control luminescence wavelength, exhibits high luminescence efficiency, and has a prolonged emission life, and a lighting equipment and a display device. They can be realized by an organic electroluminescent element material characterized by a metal complex having a structure represented by the following general formula (A) as a partial structure. |
| US09099657B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element and solar cell
Provided is a photoelectric conversion element containing at least: a semiconductor layer containing a semiconductor and a dye which is supported by the semiconductor, and a hole transport layer containing a hole transport compound, wherein the dye is a compound represented by Formula (1), and the hole transport compound is a polymer made from 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene: |
| US09099655B2 |
Composition comprising at least one emitter compound and at least one polymer having conjugation-interrupting units
The present invention relates to a composition, containing at least one emitter compound and at least one polymer with conjugation-interrupting units, to the use of said composition in an optoelectronic apparatus and to an optoelectronic apparatus which contains said inventive composition. |
| US09099651B2 |
Donor substrate and method for forming transfer pattern using the same
A donor substrate includes a base layer, a light-to-heat conversion layer disposed on the base layer, a buffer layer disposed on the light-to-heat conversion layer and a transfer layer disposed on the buffer layer. The buffer layer includes a cross-linked polymer, a spacer polymer bonded to the cross-linked polymer, and a perfluoroalkyl alcohol group bonded to the spacer polymer. |
| US09099644B2 |
Phase change memory cell
A phase change memory cell includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit comprises a first electrode, a carbon nanotube layer and a second electrode electrically connected in series. The first circuit is adapted to write data into the phase change memory cell or reset the phase change memory cell. The second circuit comprises a third electrode, a phase change layer and a fourth electrode electrically connected in series, at least part of the phase change layer is overlapped with the carbon nanotube layer. The second circuit is adapted to read data from the phase change memory cell or reset the phase change memory cell. |
| US09099641B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing magnetoelectric junctions having improved read-write characteristics
Embodiments of the invention implement MEJs having improved read-write characteristics. In one embodiment, an MEJ includes: ferromagnetic fixed and free layers, a dielectric layer interposed between the ferromagnetic layers, and an additional dielectric layer proximate the free layer, where the fixed layer is magnetically polarized in a first direction, where the free layer has a first easy axis that is aligned with the first direction, and where the MEJ is configured such that when subject to a potential difference, the magnetic anisotropy of the free layer is altered such that the relative strength of the magnetic anisotropy along a second easy axis that is orthogonal to the first easy axis, compared to the strength of the magnetic anisotropy along the first easy axis, is magnified during the application of the potential difference, where the extent of the magnification is enhanced by the presence of the additional layer. |
| US09099640B2 |
Transducer for ultrasonic motor
Electrodes (7, 8, 9), having curved sections in the shape of the outline thereof, are disposed in areas of a rectangular plate-shaped piezoelectric transducer element (1) in which the strain in the natural mode of vibration is large. The electrodes (7, 8) which excite a bending vibration are disposed in areas in which the strain in the bending natural mode is at least a predetermined value, and the outline curved sections of the electrodes (7, 8) are shaped so as to follow along strain contours (3, 4), and the electrode (9) which excites a stretching vibration is disposed in an area in which the strain in the stretching natural mode is at least a predetermined value, thus providing a transducer for an ultrasonic motor which aims to reduce transducer loss (increasing vibration efficiency), and improve transducer durability and reliability. |
| US09099635B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer element chip, probe, electronic instrument, and ultrasonic diagnostic device
An ultrasonic transducer element chip includes a substrate, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements and a plate-shaped member. The substrate includes a partition wall section defining a plurality of openings arranged in an array pattern. A wall thickness of the partition wall section is smaller than a wall height of partition wall section. Each of the ultrasonic transducer elements is provided in each of the openings. The plate-shaped member is fixed on a surface of the substrate opposite to a surface of the substrate on which the ultrasonic transducer elements are provided. The plate-shaped member covers at least one of the openings in a plan view seen along a thickness direction of the substrate. |
| US09099634B2 |
Elastic-wave filter device and composite device including the same
An elastic-wave filter device includes a first piezoelectric substrate, a second piezoelectric substrate, a first pillar-like wiring electrode, and a second pillar-like wiring electrode. The first and second substrates have a first and a second IDT electrodes on their top faces respectively. A lateral face of the second substrate confronts a lateral face of the first substrate. The first pillar-like electrode and the second pillar-like electrode are formed above the first and the second substrates respectively, and are electrically connected to the first and the second IDT electrodes respectively. The first substrate is thicker than the second substrate. A distance between a plane including the top face of the first substrate and a plane including the top face of the second substrate is smaller than a distance between a plane including an underside of the first substrate and a plane including an underside of the second substrate. |
| US09099633B2 |
Solid electrolyte memory elements with electrode interface for improved performance
A memory element can include a first electrode; a second electrode; and a memory material programmable between different resistance states, the memory material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and comprising a solid electrolyte with at least one modifier element formed therein; wherein the first electrode is an anode electrode that includes an anode element that is ion conductible in the solid electrolyte, the anode element being different than the modifier element. |
| US09099624B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and package
A semiconductor light emitting device and package containing the same include: a light emitting structure including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer. A light extraction layer is disposed on the light emitting structure and includes a light-transmissive thin film layer having light transmittance, a nano-rod layer including nano-rods disposed on the light-transmissive thin film layer, and a nano-wire layer including nano-wires disposed on the nano-rod layer. |
| US09099620B2 |
Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention is directed to reduction of angle dependence of chromaticity in a phosphor layer, without using a light scattering agent, the phosphor layer being made up of phosphor particles adhered tightly to one another via a binder according to the spray coating method. The phosphor layer contains phosphor particles laid along the top surface of the light emitting element and the binder embedded into a gap between the phosphor particles, and the phosphor layer does not contain the light scattering agent. The area of a region on the upper surface of the phosphor layer is between or equal to 3% and 10% with respect to the area of the top surface of the light emitting element, the region being positioned at the gap between the phosphor particles and allowing the light being outputted to pass through the binder and directly reach the upper surface of the phosphor layer. This configuration makes the asperities smaller on the surface of the phosphor layer and reduces the angular dependence of chromaticity. |
| US09099618B1 |
Lighting device having a patterned conformal coating doped with a luminescent material
A lighting device is provided, comprising: a substrate; two or more light-emitting elements formed over the substrate; a first transparent conformal layer formed over the two or more light-emitting elements in a pattern, the first transparent conformal layer being doped with a luminescent material; a second transparent conformal layer formed over a portion of the substrate not covered by the two or more light-emitting elements, the second transparent conformal layer not being doped with the luminescent material. |
| US09099614B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting element
A semiconductor light emitting element suppressing non-uniformity in light emission on a light emitting surface is provided. An n-type semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer and a p-type semiconductor layer are laminated in order, and a translucent electrode film is laminated on the p-type semiconductor layer and a p-electrode is provided on the translucent electrode film. On the other hand, an n-electrode is provided on a semiconductor layer exposure surface that exposes the n-type semiconductor layer. The p-electrode includes a connecting portion having a circular planar shape and an extending portion that extends like a long and slender strip from the connecting portion to encircle and face the n-electrode. Holes in the translucent electrode film are provided such that the density thereof is decreased along with a move from the n-electrode side toward the p-electrode side. |
| US09099613B2 |
LEDs with efficient electrode structures
Aspects include Light Emitting Diodes that have a GaN-based light emitting region and a metallic electrode. The metallic electrode can be physically separated from the GaN-based light emitted region by a layer of porous dielectric, which provides a reflecting region between at least a portion of the metallic electrode and the GaN-based light emitting region. |
| US09099612B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device and the manufacturing method thereof
This application provides a semiconductor light-emitting device and the manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor light-emitting device comprises a semiconductor light-emitting structure and a thinned substrate. The semiconductor light-emitting structure comprises a plurality of semiconductor layers and a plurality of first channels, wherein a plurality of first channels has a predetermined depth that penetrating at least two layers of the plurality of semiconductor layers. |
| US09099603B2 |
Image sensor of curved surface
A method for manufacturing an image sensor, including the steps of: forming elementary structures of an image sensor on the first surface of a semiconductor substrate; installing a layer on the first surface; defining trenches in the layer, the trenches forming a pattern in the layer; and installing, on a hollow curved substrate, the obtained device on the free surface side of the layer, the pattern being selected according to the shape of the support surface. |
| US09099602B2 |
Photocoupler
A photocoupler includes: a support substrate; a MOSFET; a light receiving element; a light emitting element; and a bonding layer. The support substrate includes an insulating layer, input and output terminals. The MOSFET is bonded to the support substrate. The MOSFET has a first surface having an operation region. The light receiving element includes p-n junction and is bonded to the MOSFET. The light receiving element has first and second surfaces. The first surface includes a light reception region, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The light emitting element is connected to the input terminal. The light emitting element has first and second surfaces. The first surface includes first and second electrodes. The second surface has a light emitting region. The bonding layer is configured to bond the light emitting element to the light reception region. |
| US09099593B2 |
III-V group compound devices with improved efficiency and droop rate
The present disclosure involves an illumination apparatus. The illumination apparatus includes an n-doped semiconductor compound layer, a p-doped semiconductor compound layer spaced apart from the n-doped semiconductor compound layer, and a multiple-quantum-well (MQW) disposed between the first semiconductor compound layer and the second semiconductor compound layer. The MQW includes a plurality of alternating first and second layers. The first layers of the MQW have substantially uniform thicknesses. The second layers have graded thicknesses with respect to distances from the p-doped semiconductor compound layer. A subset of the second layers located most adjacent to the p-doped semiconductor compound layer is doped with a p-type dopant. The doped second layers have graded doping concentration levels that vary with respect to distances from the p-doped semiconductor layer. |
| US09099592B2 |
Optical element producing a modulated region of increased light intensity and optically enhanced photovoltaic cell and LED lighting device including the same
An optical element has a plano-plano body formed of a first material having a greater refraction index n1 and a second material having a lesser refraction index n2. Both indices are greater than one. The absolute value of the index contrast, log10 (n1/n2), is in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.17, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.05. The materials have an induced absorbance rate ΔAbs/Dose less than or equal to about 0.4, preferably less than or equal to about 0.2. The materials are arranged such that an interface with at least one cusp is defined therebetween. The cusp has an apex pointed toward the material having the greater index of refraction. The cusp is operative to produce a region of increased light intensity on one surface of the optical element in response to light incident on the other surface of the optical element. |
| US09099590B2 |
Solar cell and solar cell module
A solar cell (10) provided with connecting wires (351) which are connected to light receiving surface side fine-line electrodes (30A). The connecting wires (351) have expanding portions (BP1, BP2) which expand from the connection region (R1) where wiring member is to be connected. The expanding portions (BP1, BP2) expand in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the wiring material in a state where the wiring member is connected to the connecting wires (351). |
| US09099587B2 |
Educational solar cell module
The present invention relates to an educational solar cell module. According to the present invention, the electrodes of the solar cells can be easily and removably connected to each other in series or in parallel, and the variations in voltage and current according to the number of connected solar cells can be easily observed to thereby increase interest in solar energy. The educational solar cell module includes: a plurality of frames; a solar cell panel joined to the top surface of the frames; and a frame coupling member disposed on the frames to couple neighboring frames to each other so that the frames can be continuously joined and arrayed. |
| US09099583B2 |
Nanowire device with alumina passivation layer and methods of making same
In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a device including a silicon substrate, wherein at least a portion of the substrate surface can be a silicon nanowire array; and a layer of alumina covering the silicon nanowire array. In some embodiments, the device can be a solar cell. In some embodiments, the device can be a p-n junction. In some embodiments, the p-n junction can be located below the bottom surface the nanowire array. |
| US09099582B2 |
Silicon texturing formulations
The present disclosure includes a texture formulation that includes an aliphatic diol, an alkaline compound and water which provides a consistent textured region across a silicon surface suitable for solar cell applications. The current invention describes silicon texturing formulations that include at least one high boiling point additive. The high boiling point additive may be a derivative compound of propylene glycol or a derivative compound of ethylene glycol. Processes for texturing a crystalline silicon substrate using these formulations are also described. Additionally, a combinatorial method of optimizing the textured surface of a crystalline silicon substrate is described. |
| US09099580B2 |
Elementary image acquisition or display device
An elementary image acquisition or display device, including a focusing structure with microlenses, each microlens being shaped to focus incident light beams towards a substrate while avoiding intermediate conductive tracks and vias. |
| US09099578B2 |
Structure for creating ohmic contact in semiconductor devices and methods for manufacture
A semiconductor-to-metal interface with ohmic contact is provided. The interface includes a semiconductor material, a metal layer, and a silicon carbide layer disposed between the semiconductor material and the metal layer. The silicon carbide layer causes the formation of a semiconductor-to-metal interface with ohmic contact. Applications include forming a photovoltaic device with ohmic contact by disposing a layer of silicon carbide over the photovoltaic material before depositing a bottom electrode layer of metal to complete the bottom of a photovoltaic cell. |
| US09099569B2 |
MEMS microphone
A micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) microphone includes: a printed circuit substrate; a MEMS chip that is combined with the printed circuit substrate and has a MEMS inner space; and a case that is combined with the printed circuit substrate, accommodates the MEMS chip, and forms an inner space that is separated from an external space, wherein the case is a double-type case including an inner case and an outer case, a medium acoustic path space is formed between the inner case and the outer case, and the printed circuit substrate includes a substrate acoustic path that connects the medium acoustic path space to the MEMS inner space of the MEMS chip so that external sound passing through the sound hole enters the MEMS inner space of the MEMS chip after passing through the medium acoustic path space. |
| US09099568B2 |
Three-terminal printed devices interconnected as circuits
A layer of microscopic, 3-terminal transistors is printed over a first conductor layer so that bottom electrodes of the transistors electrically contact the first conductor layer. A first dielectric layer overlies the first conductor layer, and a second conductor layer over the first dielectric layer contacts intermediate electrodes on the transistors between the bottom electrodes and top electrodes. A second dielectric layer overlies the second conductor layer, and a third conductor layer over the second dielectric layer contacts the top electrodes. The devices are thus electrically connected in parallel by a combination of the first conductor layer, the second conductor layer, and the third conductor layer. Separate groups of the devices may be interconnected to form more complex circuits. The resulting circuit may be a very thin flex-circuit. |
| US09099566B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a trench formed in a substrate, a first stacked structure formed in the trench and including a plurality of first material layers and a plurality of second material layers stacked alternately on top of each other, and a transistor located on the substrate at a height corresponding to a top surface of the first stacked structure. |
| US09099565B2 |
Method of making a semiconductor device using trench isolation regions to maintain channel stress
A method for forming a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) semiconductor device includes forming laterally adjacent first and second active regions in a semiconductor layer of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. A stress inducing layer is formed above the first active region to impart stress thereto. Trench isolation regions are formed bounding the first active region and adjacent portions of the stress inducing layer. The stress inducing layer is removed leaving the trench isolation regions to maintain stress imparted to the first active region. |
| US09099564B2 |
Nitride semiconductor element with selectively provided conductive layer under control electrode
According to one embodiment, the semiconductor element includes a semi-insulating substrate which has a first first-conductivity-type layer. The semiconductor element includes a first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer contains non-doped AlXGa1-XN (0≦X<1). The semiconductor element includes a second semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer contains non-doped or second-conductivity-type AlYGa1-YN (0 |
| US09099559B2 |
Method to induce strain in finFET channels from an adjacent region
Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed using two epitaxial layers of different lattice constants that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin, strained, epitaxial layer may be cut to form strain-relieved base structures for fins. The base structures may be constrained in a strained-relieved state. Fin structures may be epitaxially grown in a second layer over the base structures. The constrained base structures can cause higher amounts of strain to form in the epitaxially-grown fins than would occur for non-constrained base structures. |
| US09099558B2 |
Fin FET structure with dual-stress spacers and method for forming the same
This application discloses a Fin FET structure and a method for forming the same. In the Fin FET structure, there are lower stress spacers disposed over the lower portion of the fin's opposite sidewalls, asserting one stress type to suppress the carrier mobility; there are also upper stress spacers disposed over the upper portion of the fin's opposite sidewalls, asserting an opposite stress type to increase the carrier mobility. Therefore, the leakage current in the fin FET is reduced and the device performance is improved. In the method, the stress spacers are formed by depositing stress layers and etching back the stress layers, where stress types and magnitudes are controllable, resulting in a simple process. |
| US09099557B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a second conductive-type well configured over a substrate, a first conductive-type body region configured over the second conductive-type well, a gate electrode which overlaps a portion of the first conductive-type body region, and a first conductive-type channel extension region formed over the substrate and which overlaps a portion of the gate electrode. |
| US09099556B2 |
Transistor having an active region with wing structure
A semiconductor device includes an active region having a channel region and at least a wing region adjoining the channel region under the gate dielectric layer. The at least one wing region may be two symmetrical wing regions across the channel region. |
| US09099555B2 |
Tunnel field effect transistor
A TFET transistor includes an intrinsic channel, source and drain extension regions, source and drain conductive regions, a gate surmounting the channel and laid out such that an end of the channel is not covered by the gate. The transistor includes a first arrangement for forming an isolating space between the sides of the gate and the source conductive region including a first and a second dielectric spacer. The extension region has a thickness strictly greater than that of the channel such that the extension region has an increased thickness opposite the gate dielectric layer. The first face of the first spacer is in contact with the side of the gate followed by the side of the gate dielectric layer such that the first face covers the whole of the side of the layer. |
| US09099553B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A MOSFET includes: a substrate having a first trench formed therein, the first trench opening on a side of one main surface; a gate insulating film; and a gate electrode. The substrate includes an n type source region, a p type body region, an n type drift region, and a p type deep region making contact with the body region and extending to a region deeper than the first trench. The first trench is formed such that a distance between the wall surface and the deep region increases with increasing distance from the main surface of the substrate. |
| US09099550B2 |
Semiconductor device including a MOSFET
A semiconductor device has a MOSFET and a Schottky barrier diode. A source electrode of the MOSFET is disposed over a main surface of the semiconductor substrate and is coupled to a source region in a well region of the semiconductor substrate. The Schottky barrier diode is adjacent to the MOSFET and includes a part of the source electrode and a part of the main surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09099548B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same
To provide a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof achieving both reduction in ON resistance and increase in breakdown voltage and suppressing a short circuit. The semiconductor device has, in its semiconductor substrate having a main surface, a p− type epitaxial region, n− type epitaxial region, n type offset region, and p type body region configuring a pn junction therewith; and further has a p+ type buried region between the p− type and n− type epitaxial regions, isolation trench extending from the main surface to the p+ type buried region, and trench sidewall n type region formed on at least a portion of the sidewall of the isolation trench. The n type impurity concentration in the trench sidewall n type region is higher than that in the n− type epitaxial region. The trench sidewall n type region extends along the sidewall to reach the p+ type buried region. |
| US09099547B2 |
Testing process for semiconductor devices
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a wafer having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface. The top surface has a plurality of dicing channels. The wafer has a plurality of dies adjacent the top surface. Each die of the plurality of dies is separated by a dicing channel of the plurality of dicing channels from another die of the plurality of dies. Trenches are formed in the wafer from the top surface. The trenches are oriented along the plurality of dicing channels. After forming the trenches, the plurality of dies is tested to identify first dies to be separated from remaining dies of the plurality of dies. After testing the plurality of dies, the wafer is subjected to a grinding process from the back surface. The grinding process separates the wafer into the plurality of dies. |
| US09099543B2 |
Nanowire sensor having nanowire of network structure
A nanowire sensor having a nanowire in a network structure includes: source and drain electrodes formed over a substrate; a nanowire formed between the source and drain electrodes and having a network structure in which patterns of intersections are repeated; and a detection material fixed to the nanowire and selectively reacting with a target material introduced from outside. |
| US09099542B2 |
Transistors from vertical stacking of carbon nanotube thin films
A carbon nanotube field-effect transistor is disclosed. The carbon nanotube field-effect transistor includes a first carbon nanotube film, a first gate layer coupled to the first carbon nanotube film and a second carbon nanotube film coupled to the first gate layer opposite the first gate layer. The first gate layer is configured to influence an electric field within the first carbon nanotube film as well as to influence an electric field of the second carbon nanotube film. At least one of a source contact and a drain contact are coupled to the first and second carbon nanotube film and are separated from the first gate layer by an underlap region. |
| US09099540B2 |
Three-dimensional system-in-package architecture
A system and method for making semiconductor die connections with through-silicon vias (TSVs) are disclosed. A semiconductor die is manufactured with both via-first TSVs as well as via-last TSVs in order to establish low resistance paths for die connections between adjacent dies as well as for providing a low resistance path for feedthrough channels between multiple dies. |
| US09099534B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device, semiconductor device and electronic apparatus
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes exposing a wiring layer which is formed of an alloy including two or more types of metals having different standard electrode potentials, on one surface side of a semiconductor substrate and performing a plasma process of allowing plasma generated by a mixture gas of a gas including nitrogen and an inert gas or plasma generated by a gas including nitrogen to irradiate a range which includes an exposed surface of the wiring layer. |
| US09099531B1 |
Metal routing in advanced process technologies
A plurality of elongated, substantially parallel mandrels are formed on a first work surface, the mandrels being spaced apart a distance in the range between the resolution limit and twice the resolution limit. Spacers are formed on the work surface extending from sidewalls of the mandrels. First portions of the work surface are exposed through gaps in the spacers near the midpoint between a majority of adjacent mandrels; but at least one pair of adjacent mandrels is close enough together that the spacers extend continuously between the adjacent mandrels. The mandrels are then removed, thereby exposing second portions of the work surface. The exposed first and second portions are etched down to a second work surface; and the exposed portions of the second work surface are etched to form trenches in that surface. A wire routing is formed by filling the trenches with a metal such as copper. |
| US09099530B2 |
Methods of patterning small via pitch dimensions
Integrated circuit methods are described. The methods include providing a photomask that includes two main features for two via openings and further includes an optical proximity correction (OPC) feature linking the two main features; forming a hard mask layer on a substrate, the hard mask layer including two trench openings; forming a patterned resist layer over the hard mask layer using the photomask, wherein the patterned resist layer includes a peanut-shaped opening with two end portion aligned with the two trench openings of the hard mask layer, respectively; and performing a first etch process to the substrate using the hard mask layer and the patterned resist layer as a combined etch mask. |
| US09099529B2 |
Method of forming a conductive polymer microstructure
The present disclosure relates to microstructure devices, in which a conductive pattern is formed on the basis of a conductive polymer material. In order to avoid the deposition and processing of the sacrificial materials and reduce a negative influence of the lithography process on sensitive conductive polymer materials a one-layer patterning sequence is proposed, in which a trench pattern is formed in a dielectric material that is subsequently filled with the conductive polymer material. |
| US09099526B2 |
Integrated circuit device and structure
A device, including: an integrated circuit chip, where the integrated circuit chip includes: a first layer including a plurality of first transistors including a mono-crystal channel; at least one metal layer overlying the first layer, the at least one metal layer including aluminum or copper and providing interconnection between the first transistors; a second layer overlying the at least one metal layer, the second layer including second horizontally oriented transistors including a second mono-crystal channel; and a through the second layer via of diameter less than 150 nm, where the second horizontally oriented transistors are interconnected to form logic circuits. |
| US09099521B2 |
Reverse conducting IGBT
A reverse conducting IGBT that includes an insulated gate; a semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type drift region, a second conductivity type body region, a first conductivity type emitter region, and a second conductivity type intermediate region; and an emitter electrode provided on a surface of the semiconductor layer. The first conductivity type drift region of the semiconductor layer contacts the insulated gate. The second conductivity type body region of the semiconductor layer is provided on the drift region and contacts the insulated gate. The first conductivity type emitter region of the semiconductor layer is provided on the body region and contacts the insulated gate. The second conductivity type intermediate region of the semiconductor layer is provided on the emitter region and is interposed between the emitter region and the emitter electrode. |
| US09099518B1 |
Electrostatic discharge protection device
Various embodiments provide an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device. The ESD protection device may include a subcollector, collector, base, and emitter formed in layers on top of one another. The emitter may include a different semiconductor than a semiconductor included in the base to form a heterojunction. The ESD protection device may include a collector contact disposed on the subcollector and an emitter contact disposed on the emitter. The ESD protection device may be a two-terminal device, with no conductive base contact coupled with the base. |
| US09099517B2 |
Bipolar junction transistor with spacer layer
New designs for silicon carbide (SiC) bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and new methods of manufacturing such SiC BJTs are described. The SiC BJT comprises a collector region, a base region and an emitter region disposed as a stack, the emitter region and part of the base region forming a mesa. The intrinsic part of the base region includes a first portion having a first doping concentration and a second portion having a second doping concentration lower than the first doping concentration. Further, the second portion is vertically disposed between the first portion and the emitter region in the stack. |
| US09099515B2 |
Reconfigurable guide pin design for centering wafers having different sizes
An apparatus includes a robot arm, and a plurality of guide pins mounted on the robot arm. Each of the plurality of guide pins includes a plurality of wafer supports at different levels, with each of the plurality of wafer supports configured to support and center a wafer having a size different from wafers configured to be supported and centered by remaining ones of the plurality of wafer supports. |
| US09099514B2 |
Wafer holder with tapered region
An apparatus, a system and a method are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a wafer holder including a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are formed of the same continuous material. The first portion includes a first upper surface and a first lower surface, and the second portion including a second upper surface and a second lower surface. The apparatus further includes an interface between the first and second portions. The interface provides for a transition such that the first upper surface of the first portion tends toward the second upper surface of the second portion. The apparatus further includes a tapered region formed in the first portion. The tapered region starts at a radial distance from a center line of the wafer holder and terminates at the interface. The tapered region has an initial thickness that gradually decreases to a final thickness. |
| US09099502B2 |
Chemical-liquid mixing method and chemical-liquid mixing apparatus
The present invention provides a chemical-liquid mixing method and a chemical-liquid mixing apparatus capable of sufficiently generating a peroxomonosulfuric acid that is effective in removing a resist from a substrate, when a sulfuric acid and a hydrogen peroxide solution are mixed with each other. At first, an inner tank 10 is filled up with a sulfuric acid and the sulfuric acid overflowing from the inner tank 10 is allowed to flow into an outer tank 12. Then, a hydrogen peroxide solution is supplied into the inner tank 10 and the hydrogen peroxide solution is allowed to flow into the outer tank 12 whereby the two kinds of liquids of the hydrogen peroxide solution and the sulfuric acid are stored in the outer tank 12. Simultaneously when the hydrogen peroxide solution flows into the outer tank 12, a return pump 16 is activated. |
| US09099496B2 |
Method of forming an active area with floating gate negative offset profile in FG NAND memory
A stack can be patterned by a first etch process to form an opening defining sidewall surfaces of a patterned material stack. A masking layer can be non-conformally deposited on sidewalls of an upper portion of the patterned material stack, while not being deposited on sidewalls of a lower portion of the patterned material stack. The sidewalls of a lower portion of the opening can be laterally recessed employing a second etch process, which can include an isotropic etch component. The sidewalls of the upper portion of the opening can protrude inward toward the opening to form an overhang over the sidewalls of the lower portion of the opening. The overhang can be employed to form useful structures such as an negative offset profile in a floating gate device or vertically aligned control gate electrodes for vertical memory devices. |
| US09099495B1 |
Formation of high quality fin in 3D structure by way of two-step implantation
The present disclosure discloses a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. A fin structure is formed over a substrate. The fin structure contains a semiconductor material. A first implantation process is performed to a region of the fin structure to form a fin seed within the region of the fin structure. The fin seed has a crystal structure. The first implantation process is performed at a process temperature above about 100 degrees Celsius. A second implantation process is performed to the region of the fin structure to cause the region of the fin structure outside the fin seed to become amorphous. The second implantation process is performed at a process temperature below about 0 degrees Celsius. Thereafter, an annealing process is performed to recrystallize the region of the fin structure via the fin seed. |
| US09099493B2 |
Semiconductor device with raised source/drain and replacement metal gate
In a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate is provided. This SOI substrate comprises a buried oxide layer and an ETSOI layer between the buried oxide layer and a surface of the SOI substrate. A dummy gate is formed on the ETSOI. At least two raised source/drain regions are epitaxially formed adjacent to the dummy gate, and a protective cap is formed thereon. An etch process employing at least one acid is used to remove the dummy gate from the ETSOI. A gate dielectric layer is deposited on the protective cap and the ETSOI after removing the dummy gate. A replacement metal gate is then formed on the gate dielectric layer to replace the removed dummy gate, the gate dielectric layer is removed from the protective metal cap, and the protective cap is removed from the raised source/drain regions. |