| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09106222B2 |
On-die system and method for controlling termination impedance of memory device data bus terminals
A system for controlling the termination impedance of memory device data bus terminals is fabricated on the same die as the memory device. The system includes a termination resistor connected to each data bus terminal, which is connected in parallel with several transistors that are selectively turned on to adjust the termination impedance. The transistors are controlled by a circuit that determines the resistance of the termination resistor and turns on the correct number of transistors to properly set the termination impedance. In one example, the resistance of the termination resistor is determined by measuring a resistor of the same type as the termination resistor. In another example, the resistance of the termination resistor is determined indirectly by measuring parameters that affect the resistance of the termination resistor. In either case, the system can maintain the termination impedance of the data bus terminals constant despite changes in the termination resistor. |
| US09106221B2 |
Adaptive termination
A system for receiving data is provided the system includes an inductive data device, such as a device that receives high-speed data over an inductive coupling. An adjustable impedance is coupled to the inductive data device, where the adjustable impedance is used for dynamically controlling ringing in the inductive data device, such as by damping ringing signals generated by circuit inductances or capacitances. |
| US09106220B2 |
Methods and systems for high bandwidth chip-to-chip communications interface
Systems and methods are described for transmitting data over physical channels to provide a high bandwidth, low latency interface between integrated circuit chips with low power utilization. Communication is performed using group signaling over multiple wires using a vector signaling code, where each wire carries a low-swing signal that may take on more than two signal values. |
| US09106218B2 |
Embedded non-volatile memory circuit for implementing logic functions across periods of power disruption
A circuit having an autonomous ferroelectric memory latch (AML) is disclosed. An AML characterized by an AML input, an AML output, a first AML power contact, a second AML power contact and an AML state, and a first switch in series with one of the AML input or the AML output. The switch is positioned to prevent the state of the AML from changing when power is provided between the first and second AML power contacts. In one aspect of the invention, the circuit could include a second switch in series with the other of the AML input or the AML output and a latch in series with the AML input or the AML output. The latch is positioned such that a direct path back does not exist between the AML output and the AML input. |
| US09106215B2 |
Oscillation stop detection circuit and electronic device
Provided is an oscillation stop detection circuit having low current consumption, which is capable of detecting stop of oscillation regardless of whether an input signal stops at High or Low and thereby accurately measuring an oscillation stop detection period. The oscillation stop detection circuit includes: a pulse generation circuit for outputting a one-shot pulse in synchronization with an oscillation signal input from an input terminal; a capacitor including one terminal connected to a first power supply terminal and another terminal connected to an output terminal; a constant current circuit connected between the first power supply terminal and the another terminal of the capacitor; and a switch circuit connected between an output terminal of the pulse generation circuit and the another terminal of the capacitor, for connecting the another terminal of the capacitor to a second power supply terminal based on the one-shot pulse. |
| US09106213B2 |
Bit generation apparatus and bit generation method
A bit generation apparatus includes a glitch generation circuit that generates glitch signals which include a plurality of pulses, and T-FF bit generation circuits which input the glitch signals, and based on either rising edges or falling edges of the plurality of pulses included in the glitch signals, generate a bit value of either 0 or 1. Each of the T-FF bit generation circuits generates a respective bit value based on either the parity of the number of rising edges or the parity of the number of falling edges of the plurality of pulses. As a result of employment of the T-FF bit generation circuits, circuits that are conventionally required but not essential for the glitch become unnecessary. This serves to prevent expansion in circuit scale and increase in processing time of bit generation for the bit generation circuit. |
| US09106212B2 |
Method and apparatus for interfacing integrated circuits (ICs) that operate at different supply voltages
A Tx IC and an Rx IC that use different supply voltages are mounted on a circuit board and interfaced via traces of the board. The configuration of the Tx IC is such that DC decoupling is provided between the ICs while also preventing inadvertent turn-on of the ESD diodes of the Rx IC. These features make it possible to provide DC decoupling between high-performance Tx ICs that use relatively high supply voltages and Rx ICs that use relatively low supply voltages without the need for AC coupling capacitors and while also preventing ESD protection of the Rx IC from being degraded. |
| US09106209B2 |
Gate driving unit having gate signal of reduced off-time and liquid crystal display device having the same
Disclosed are a gate driving unit capable of having reduced design area and power consumption by reducing an off-time of a gate signal, and an LCD device having the same. The gate driving unit includes N stage circuit units driven by receiving a start signal and first to fourth clock signals from the outside, wherein each stage circuit unit is configured to output gate signals by at least one of the first to fourth clock signals, and to receive gate signals output from an (N+3)th stage circuit unit to thus use as reset signals. |
| US09106208B2 |
Switched-capacitor band-pass filter of a discrete-time type, in particular for cancelling offset and low-frequency noise of switched-capacitor stages
A band-pass filter made up by an operational amplifier and by an input circuit. The input circuit is formed by a capacitive filtering element, connected to the input of the operational amplifier; a coupling switch, coupled between an input node and the capacitive filtering element; a capacitive sampling element, coupled between the input of the filter and the input node; and a sampling switch, coupled between the input node and a reference-potential line. The coupling switch and the input sampling switch close in phase opposition according to a succession of undesired components sampling and sensing steps, so that the capacitive sampling element forms a sampler for sampling the undesired component in the undesired components sampling step, in the absence of the component of interest, and forms a subtractor of the undesired components from the input signal in the sensing step. |
| US09106207B2 |
Switching power amplifier system for multi-path signal interleaving
A switching power amplifier for multi-path signal interleaving includes a signal splitter configured to split a multi-bit source signal from a digital source into a plurality of multi-bit signals, one or more fractional delay filters configured to delay one or more signals of the plurality of signals by a selected time, a plurality of bit-stream converters, each bit-stream converter configured to receive one of the multi-bit signals, each bit-stream converter further configured to generate a single-bit signal based on a received multi-bit signal, a plurality of switching power amplifiers, each switching power amplifier configured to receive a single-bit signal from one of the bit-stream converters, and an interleaver configured to generate an interleaved output by interleaving two or more outputs of the switching power amplifiers, wherein a sampling frequency of the interleaved output of the interleaver is greater than the selected sampling frequency of the multi-bit source signal. |
| US09106205B2 |
Wireless SAW sensors having integrated antennas
A wireless surface acoustic wave sensor includes a piezoelectric substrate, a surface acoustic wave device formed on the substrate, and an antenna formed on the substrate. In some embodiments, the antenna is formed on the surface of the substrate using one or more of photolithography, thin film processing, thick film processing, plating, and printing. |
| US09106204B2 |
Four LC element balun
A balun includes an unbalanced port having a single-ended terminal, a balanced port having first and second differential terminals, and first and second series resonant LC circuits. The first series resonant LC circuit is connected between the first and second differential terminals, and includes a first element of a first type and one element of a second type connected in series. The second series resonant LC circuit is connected between the single-ended terminal and ground, and includes second and third elements of the first type and the one element of the second type connected in series. The one element of the second type is shared by the first and second series resonant LC circuits. The first differential terminal is connected between the one element of the second type and the third element of the first type. |
| US09106203B2 |
Secure wireless energy transfer in medical applications
A medical device-powering wireless receiver for use with a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to a power supply includes a load configured to power the medical device using electrical power, and a second electromagnetic resonator adapted to be housed within the medical device and configured to be coupled to the load, wherein the second electromagnetic resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to the first electromagnetic resonator to provide resonant, non-radiative wireless power to the second electromagnetic resonator from the first electromagnetic resonator; wherein the square root of the product of the respective Q factors is greater than 100; and an authorization facility to confirm compatibility of the resonators and provide authorization for initiation of transfer of power. |
| US09106202B2 |
Poly-phase filter with phase tuning
A poly-phase filter receives inphase input signals I and Ī and quadrature input signals Q and Q, and provides inphase output signals Iout and Iout and quadrature output signals Qout and Qout. The capacitance of each variable capacitor connected to the terminals providing inphase output signals Iout and Iout is and the capacitance of each variable capacitor connected to the terminals providing quadrature output signals Qout and Qout, are different in value, and preferably by twice a predetermined value. This is because adjustment to the capacitance values may be made to each set of variable capacitors by the predetermined value. |
| US09106193B2 |
Variable gain amplifier
According to an embodiment, a variable gain amplifier includes a differential transistor pair including a first and second transistor. A variable resistor for setting a gain is connected between electrodes the transistor pair. A first variable capacitor is connected to an electrode of the first transistor, and a second variable capacitor is connected to an electrode of the second transistor. Corresponding to the gain setting set by adjusting the variable resistor, capacitance values of the variable capacitors can be adjusted to provide improved frequency characteristics of the variable gain amplifier. |
| US09106192B2 |
System and method for device playback calibration
Systems and methods are provided for device playback calibration. In one example, a calibration device with a microphone and signal processor may detect audio content rendered by a playback device. The calibration device may transmit the detected audio content to a processing unit configured to determine an equalization setting for optimal playback of the playback device based on the received detected audio content and a relative distance and direction between the playback device and the calibration device. The calibration device may further be configured to modulate the detected audio content before transmitting the detected audio content to the processing unit to accommodate for a limited frequency range of the processing unit. In this case, the processing unit may demodulate the received signal prior to determining the equalization setting. The processing unit may then transmit the determined equalization setting to the playback device according to a wireless communication protocol. |
| US09106189B2 |
Operational amplifier circuit and method for enhancing driving capacity thereof
An operational amplifier circuit configured to drive a load is provided. The operational amplifier circuit includes an output stage module. The output stage module includes a detection circuit and an output stage circuit. The detection circuit is configured to detect a current output voltage and a previous output voltage based on a comparison result of a current input voltage and the current output voltage. The detection circuit enhances a charge capacity or a discharge capacity of the output stage circuit for the load based on a detection result. Furthermore, a method for enhancing the driving capacity of the operational amplifier circuit is also provided. |
| US09106188B2 |
Amplifying device and method for controlling the same
An amplifying device includes a first pre-distorter unit outputting a modulated signal obtained by adding a phase compensation amount and an amplitude adjustment amount to an input signal, a power amplifier inputting the modulated signal and outputting an output signal obtained by amplifying the modulated signal, a power supply voltage modulation unit modulating a power supply voltage, a second pre-distorter unit controlling the power supply voltage modulation unit on the basis of amplitude information on the input signal; and a control unit controlling an operation of the first pre-distorter unit and the second pre-distorter unit, wherein the control unit includes a phase control unit controlling the phase compensation amount by using a phase coefficient, a first amplitude control unit controlling the amplitude adjustment amount by using a first amplitude coefficient, and a second amplitude control unit controlling the operation of the second pre-distorter unit by using a second amplitude coefficient. |
| US09106186B1 |
Reduced gain variation biasing for short channel devices
An amplifier biasing circuit that reduces gain variation in short channel amplifiers, an amplifier biasing circuit that produces a constant Gm biasing signal for short channel amplifiers, and a multistage amplifier that advantageously incorporates embodiment of both types of amplifier biasing circuits are described. Both amplifier biasing circuit approaches use an operational amplifier to equalize internal bias circuit voltages. The constant Gm biasing circuit produces a Gm of 1/R, where R is the value of a trim variable resistor value. The biasing circuit that reduces gain variation produces a Gm of approximately 1/R, where R is the value of a trim variable resistor value, however, the biasing circuit is configurable to adjust the bias circuit Gm to mitigate the impact of a wide range of circuit specific characteristics and a wide range of changes in the operational environment in which the circuit can be used, such as changes in temperature. |
| US09106183B2 |
Variable switched DC-to-DC voltage converter
A voltage converter can be switched among two or more modes to produce an output voltage tracking a reference voltage that can be of an intermediate level between discrete levels corresponding to the modes. One or more voltages generated from a power supply voltage, such as a battery voltage, can be compared with the reference voltage to determine whether to adjust the mode. The reference voltage can be independent of the power supply voltage. |
| US09106181B2 |
Power amplifier circuit
Linearity and power efficiency in a power amplifier circuit are enhanced. The power amplifier circuit includes a first transistor that amplifies a signal input to the base and that outputs the amplified signal from the collector and a first capacitor that is disposed between the base and the collector of the first transistor and that has voltage dependency of a capacitance value lower than that of a base-collector parasitic capacitance value of the first transistor. |
| US09106180B2 |
Variable phase shifter, semiconductor integrated circuit and phase shifting method
A variable phase shifter. The variable phase shifter includes: a transmission line that outputs quadrature signals from a pair of output ports in response to an input signal of a specific frequency; a synthesizer that includes a first transistor connected to a first port of the pair of output ports and a second transistor connected to a second port of the pair of output ports, and that on input of the input signal takes signals output from the pair of output ports of the transmission line with a phase according to their respective load impedances and employs the first and the second transistors to amplify and combine the signals; and a phase controller that controls the phase of the output signal that is combined and output by the synthesizer by controlling the amplification operation of each of the first and second transistors of the synthesizer. |
| US09106179B2 |
Voltage-controlled oscillators and related systems
Apparatus are provided for voltage-controlled oscillators and related systems. An exemplary voltage-controlled oscillator includes an active-circuit arrangement that facilitates generation of an oscillating signal, and a resonator arrangement capacitively coupled to the active-circuit arrangement to influence an oscillation frequency of the oscillating signal based on a difference between a first control voltage and a second control voltage. |
| US09106178B2 |
Apparatus for controlling motor for electric vehicle and method for reducing torque ripple using the same
An apparatus controlling an electric vehicle motor and a method to reduce torque ripple using the same are provided.A field current flowing in a rotor field coil is controlled by generating a negative phase ripple current with respect to torque ripple according to each position of the rotor, allowing torque ripple of the motor to be reduced without degrading output torque. Additionally, in an operation region of a high torque section, torque ripple is reduced by controlling a field current by increasing an AC component of a negative phase ripple current, and in an operation region of a low torque section, torque ripple is reduced by controlling a field current by decreasing an AC component of a negative phase ripple current. That is, torque ripple of a motor can be reduced by controlling only a field current. |
| US09106174B2 |
Rotary electrical machine control device
An inverter control section controls the inverter by controlling an armature current in a two-axis orthogonal coordinate system that rotates in synchronization with the rotary electric machine, the armature current being a vector obtained by synthesizing a field current and a drive current extending along respective axes of the orthogonal coordinate system. If it is determined that connection between the DC power source section and the inverter is in a blocked state, the inverter control section executes zero-torque control in which the inverter is controlled such that torque regenerated by the rotary electric machine becomes zero, and executes high-loss control in which the field current is varied so as to increase the armature current while maintaining a torque command provided in the zero-torque control. |
| US09106172B2 |
Electric machine temperature control
A test automation system may specify a temperature setpoint for an electric machine system and generate a command for the electric machine system to output a torque in such a manner that a temperature of the electric machine system varies within a predefined range of the temperature setpoint for at least a predefined period of time. |
| US09106171B2 |
Power supply compensation for an actuator
A mechanism for compensating power to a motor or actuator. Compensation may counter the effects of changing voltage levels of power to the motor and varying temperatures at the motor. An output of a wave generator may be input to a comparator along with a level of voltage representing the temperatures and voltage levels. An output may be a power signal for driving the motor at a constant speed and/or torque which can increase a maintenance-free lifetime of the motor and actuator. |
| US09106170B2 |
Control device of AC motor
A control device for controlling a three phase AC motor with an inverter includes: a current acquisition device for a current of the motor; a rotation angle acquisition device for a rotation angle of the motor; a current estimation device for a current estimated value; a first voltage command value operation device for a first voltage command value; a voltage command reference value operation device for a voltage command reference value; a second voltage command value operation device for a second voltage command value; a control mode switching device for first and second control modes generating a drive signal of the inverter based on the first and second voltage command value, respectively; and a number-of-revolutions operation device. When the revolution number is more than a threshold, the first control mode is selected. When the revolution number is not more than the threshold, the second control mode is selected. |
| US09106167B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving a sensorless BLDC/PMSM motor
A method for driving a BLDC motor comprising at least three stator windings, comprising: a) determining a time period, and energizing during the time period two of the windings and leaving a third winding un-energized, based on a first motor state; b) measuring a first voltage representative for the back-EMF generated in the un-energized winding shortly before expiry of the time period; c) applying a commutation at expiry of the current time period; d) measuring a second voltage shortly after the commutation, and calculating a subsequent time period; e) repeating steps b) and c). An electrical circuit and a controller are provided for performing these methods. |
| US09106164B2 |
Motor control device, image forming apparatus including the motor control device, and motor control method
A motor control device to execute speed control and position control of motor simultaneously, includes a target position information provider, a target speed information provider, a detected position information detector, a processor to add position feedback information, position feed-forward information, speed feedback information, and speed feed-forward information for output as motor control information, based on the target position information, the setting target speed information, and the detected position speed information, a control voltage generator operatively connected to the processor to generate a control voltage to drive the motor in accordance with the motor control information, and a motor driver operatively connected to the control voltage generator and the motor to control rotation of the motor based on the control voltage. |
| US09106163B2 |
Control device of AC motor
A control device for controlling a three phase AC motor with an inverter includes: a sensor phase current acquisition device for a sensor phase current sensed value; a rotation angle acquisition device for a rotation angle sensed value; a number-of-revolutions operation device for the revolution number; a current estimation device for a current estimated value; a first voltage command value operation device for a first voltage command value; a voltage command reference value operation device for a voltage command reference value; a second voltage command value operation device for a second voltage command value; a control mode switching device for switching to a first control mode when the revolution number is more than a threshold, and switching to a second control mode when the revolution number is not more than the threshold; and a torque abnormality monitoring device for monitoring an output torque during the second control mode. |
| US09106161B2 |
Method for setting a desired output voltage of a power supply branch of a controllable energy store
A method for setting a desired output voltage of a power supply branch of a controllable energy store, for controlling and supplying electrical energy to an n-phase electric motor, where n≧1. The controllable energy store has n parallel power supply branches, which each have at least two serially connected energy storage modules including at least one electrical energy storage cell having an assigned, controllable coupling unit; are connected to a reference bus on one side; and are connected to phases, respectively, of the electric motor on the other side. At least one coupling unit is controlled by pulses so that the arithmetic mean of the output voltage of a power supply branch corresponds to the desired output voltage. The energy storage cells respectively assigned to the coupling unit are switched into the respective power supply branch for a pulse duration, and are bypassed during a pause time. |
| US09106160B2 |
Monolithic energy harvesting system, apparatus, and method
An energy harvesting device utilizing a monolithic, mesoscale, single-degree-of-freedom inertial based resonator in which the support structure, beam-spring, and proof mass are a single component without joints, bonds, or fasteners. Frequency tuning features include holes in the proof mass in which mass can be added to change the devices resonance frequency as well as levers which add curvature to the beam-spring system and adjust system stiffness. Robustness is increase by designing the resonator to exhibit nonlinear behavior such that its power density is maximized for low vibration amplitudes and minimized for high amplitudes. The device structural resonance modes are designed to be much higher than the resonators proof mass-spring resonance frequency. Electromechanical transducers are used to convert the resonators mechanical energy to electrical energy. Electrical circuitry is included to extract and condition the electrical charge. |
| US09106158B2 |
Piezoelectric rotary drive for a shaft
A piezoelectric rotary drive for a shaft, is disclosed which can include a piezoelectric actuator and a coupling portion for driving the shaft as a stick-slip drive. To transmit greater contact forces between the frame and the shaft, at least one piezoelectric actuator and an adjustable and/or deformable frame with at least one coupling portion can be coupled to the shaft in a force-locked manner so as to accomplish a stick-slip drive, wherein the frame translates a piezoelectric deformation of the actuator mechanically such that the coupling portion rotates about the axis of the shaft over at least a part of the circumference of the shaft. |
| US09106154B2 |
Power converter system using voltage sources driven in alternation
A power converter system includes a first unipolar voltage source that produces a first voltage and a second unipolar voltage source that produces a second voltage. The power converter system also includes a transformer with a first primary winding, a second primary winding, and a secondary winding, and control equipment. The first primary winding is connected to the first unipolar voltage source, and the second primary winding is connected to the second unipolar voltage source such that when the first voltage is applied, a first secondary voltage is induced in the secondary winding and that when the second voltage is applied, a second secondary voltage is induced. The first secondary voltage is directed in opposition to the second secondary voltage. The control equipment drives the first unipolar voltage source and the second unipolar voltage source in alternation for the production of the first voltage and the second voltage. |
| US09106148B2 |
Power supply apparatus and image forming apparatus
The power supply apparatus includes a transformer having primary and secondary sides, a switching element, a feedback unit, a conversion unit that converts a current flowing in a primary winding of the transformer into a voltage, a control unit that controls operation of the switching element, a voltage switching unit that increases the voltage output from the conversion unit and feeds the increased voltage to the control unit when a continuous oscillation state is transited to an intermittent oscillation state. The voltage switching unit switches the voltage of the power supply that is input into the control unit to be higher when the continuous oscillation state is transited to the intermittent oscillation state. |
| US09106147B2 |
Universal power supply apparatus
There is provided a universal power supply apparatus including a power supply unit switching input power into driving power having a preset voltage level and supplying the driving power, a power recognition unit outputting a recognition voltage having a preset voltage level to an output terminal from which the power is output to recognize connection of a device, controlling a power output of the power supply unit according to a detected rated output, and recognizing disconnection of the device after the connection of the device according to a power state of the driving power of the power supply unit, and a detection unit providing a detection voltage having a preset voltage level to the output terminal. |
| US09106146B2 |
Energy-saving control device
An energy-saving control device is disclosed. The control device is connected with an integrated circuit (IC) and a secondary winding of a transformer of a power converter. A primary winding of the transformer receives energy, and then the energy is discharged from the secondary winding and an energy signal of the energy is generated. And the energy signal comprises a high-frequency part and a low-frequency part thereafter. The energy signal is received by the energy-saving control device to control the operation of the IC according to a ratio of the low-frequency part to the high-frequency part. |
| US09106144B2 |
Voltage converting apparatus and sub-harmonic detector thereof
A voltage converting apparatus and a sub-harmonic detector are disclosed. The sub-harmonic detector includes a pulse eliminating circuit, a counter, and a comparator. The pulse eliminating circuit receives a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal and a reference PWM signal having a same period. The PWM signal and reference PWM signal has a plurality of pulses and reference pulses respectively. The pulse eliminating circuit eliminates at least one part of the pulses which overlap with the reference pulses for generating a processed signal. The counter counts the processed signal and the PWM signal during a time period to obtain first and second counting values. The comparator compares the first and second counting values for detecting whether a sub-harmonic condition happens or not in the PWM signal. |
| US09106141B2 |
Switching power supply device
In a switching power supply device with reduced size and increased power conversion efficiency, a first resonant circuit including a series resonant inductor and a series resonant capacitor, and a second resonant circuit including a series resonant inductor and a series resonant capacitor, are caused to resonate with each other to cause sympathetic vibration of each resonant circuit, such that transmission is performed by utilizing both magnetic field coupling and electric field coupling between a primary winding and a secondary winding. Operation at a switching frequency higher than a specific resonant frequency of an overall multi-resonant circuit allows a ZVS operation to be performed, enabling a significant reduction in switching loss and high-efficiency operation. |
| US09106137B2 |
Direct current voltage generating apparatus for generating stable DC voltages
An exemplary direct current (DC) voltage generating apparatus for generating stable DC voltages includes a voltage conversion circuit, a voltage control circuit, and a voltage regulating circuit. The voltage conversion circuit receives an alternating current (AC) voltage, and converts the AC voltage to a first DC voltage. The voltage control circuit receives the first DC voltage, and converts the first DC voltage to a second DC voltage and a control signal. The voltage regulating circuit receives the control signal, and regulates the second DC voltage to a stable second DC voltage at the voltage control circuit according to the control signal. |
| US09106134B2 |
Power transfer devices
A power transfer device includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a control unit, and a drive unit. The input terminal can receive an input voltage. The output terminal can provide an output voltage. The control unit can control a switch between the input and output terminals to adjust the output voltage according to the input voltage and a reference voltage, wherein said control unit is deactivated if the reference voltage reaches the input voltage. The drive unit can connect the control unit and the switch if the control unit is activated, and can maintain the output voltage at or near the input voltage if the control unit is deactivated. |
| US09106128B2 |
Charge pump circuit and phase-locked loop including the charge pump circuit
Provided is a charge pump circuit having a current mirror structure, including a first voltage controller including a plurality of first resistors and a plurality of first switches, and in response to a switching control signal corresponding to a bias current, driving the plurality of first switches to allow a current path passing through the plurality of first resistors to bypass, thereby controlling a voltage level of an output end, a second voltage controller including a plurality of second resistors and a plurality of second switches, and in response to the switching control signal, driving the plurality of second switches to allow a current path passing through the plurality of second resistors to bypass, thereby controlling a voltage level of an output end to correspond to the voltage of the output end of the first voltage controller. |
| US09106118B2 |
Rotor having projections for positioning permanent magnets and electric motor including such rotor
A rotor includes a rotor core having an outer circumferential surface provided with projections extending in a direction of a rotational axis and projecting outwardly in a radial direction, and a plurality of permanent magnets arranged between the projections. The projections extend at an angle with respect to the direction of a rotational axis. The permanent magnets have inclined sides on both side faces, which incline with respect to the direction of a rotational axis. Side faces of the projections and the inclined side of the permanent magnets which face each other incline so as to define the same angle with respect to the direction of a rotational axis. An electric motor including such a rotor is also provided. |
| US09106115B2 |
Rotating electrical machine
A rotating electrical machine includes a stator core, a rotor core, and permanent magnets. The stator core includes a yoke and tooth portions projecting from the yoke in a radial inward direction. Each tooth portion has a base joined to the yoke and an end opposite to the base. The rotor core includes a boss portion and projections. The projections project from the boss portion in a radial outward direction and spaced in a circumferential direction. Each permanent magnet is located between and spaced from adjacent projections to forma gap in the circumferential direction. A width of the gap is not greater than a width of the end of the tooth portion in the circumferential direction. |
| US09106112B2 |
Solar sunmill generator bulb
An electric radiometer generates electricity in tangible amounts by placing stationary rare earth magnets on a stationary magnetized needle which are connected to two-sided aluminum wings in such a manner that an electric current is produced when the coils in motion cut across the flux lines of a stationary magnetic field after a complete revolving circuit to a receiving device. |
| US09106111B2 |
Outer body of an electromechanical energy converter
In an electromechanical energy converter having an outer body and an inner body, which are mounted movably relative to one another about an axis of rotation, an outer body according to the invention surrounds an annular structural element, a permanent magnet and a support ring which is received concentrically in the structural element. The support ring comprises a recess to receive the permanent magnet, and the recess has a boundary surface which extends parallel as to a radius of the axis of rotation. |
| US09106106B2 |
Method and apparatus for locating a portable device and then transmitting power over wireless signal
A device with a sensor to detect a location of a portable device within proximity of the device and a controller to identify an amount of power to transmit to the portable device and reposition a directional antenna to transmit to the portable device an identified amount of power over a wireless signal based on the location of the portable device. |
| US09106103B2 |
Unintteruptible power supply systems and methods employing on-demand energy storage
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system includes first and second busses, a first switching circuit configured to selectively couple an AC source to the first and second busses and a second switching circuit configured to selectively couple the first and second busses to a load. The system also includes a storage capacitor and a third switching circuit configured to couple the storage capacitor between the first and second busses. The system further includes a control circuit configured to control the first, second and third switching circuits to generate an AC voltage at the load. |
| US09106101B2 |
Electrical distribution network improvement for plug-in electric vehicles
Electrical distribution network (EDN) improvement method for plug-in electric vehicles receives and stores in a database EDN configuration information, demography information and load information for simulating load of the EDN assets. The method dynamically updates the EDN configuration, demography information and/or load information to provide an efficient and customizable method of simulating a PEV load impact on an EDN configuration and apply improvements to the EDN in real time. |
| US09106098B2 |
Fuel cell system with grid independent operation and DC microgrid capability
A fuel cell system includes grid independent operation with DC microgrid capability. This fuel cell system has a capability of operation with and without the grid, and with DC micro-grid capability. |
| US09106095B2 |
Inductive charging keyboard
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a wireless charging device having an inductive charging coil built into a keyboard, such as the interior space of a keycap in the keyboard. The wireless charging device and keyboard may further be built into a housing of a primary device, such as a laptop computer. The wireless charging device may communicate with another secondary device having a compatible coil. For example, the wireless charging device may transmit, via the inductive charging coil, a wireless charging signal to a wirelessly chargeable device placed on top of the keyboard. In another example, the wireless charging device may receive, through the inductive charging coil, a wireless charging signal from a wireless powering device placed on top of the keyboard. |
| US09106093B2 |
Contactless power transmission structure of laser distance measuring device
A contactless power transmission structure of a laser distance measuring device, comprising: a first circuit board, disposed on a rotation disk on an upper portion of a main axis, and on said first circuit board is provided with a laser light tube and a lens; a second circuit board disposed at an end of said main axis; a third circuit board, fixed on a bottom seat and is not rotatable; two signal receivers and two signal transmitters, to transmit signals to said laser light tube and said lens, and receive signals sent from said laser light tube and said lens; a motor, located on a side of said main axis, is connected to said main axis through a conveyer belt to make it rotate, and that brings said rotation disk to rotate; and a power structure, connected electrically and supplies power to said first, second, and third circuit board. |
| US09106092B2 |
Apparatus for discharging DC-link capacitor for electric vehicle charger
The present invention provides an apparatus for charging a high voltage battery of an electric vehicle by performing a control operation when the apparatus operates abnormally, the control operation discontinuing operations of a rectifier, a boost PFC (Power Factor Control) circuit and a DC-DC converter and receiving a power source from an auxiliary power supply unit, the power source charged by discharging a DC-link capacitor. |
| US09106091B2 |
Vehicle and vehicle control method
A vehicle that is chargeable using power from an external power source includes: a chargeable electric storage device; a charging device that charges the electric storage device by using the power from the external power source; and a control device that, based on maximum supply power that is able to be supplied to the electric storage device and based on actual charge power actually supplied to the electric storage device, calculates a shortfall with respect to charge power supplied to the electric storage device in a case where charging is performed at the maximum supply power, and stores information relating to a causal factor for the shortfall. |
| US09106090B2 |
Method for recovering capacity of lithium ion battery
A method for recovering the capacity of a lithium ion battery determines whether or not the cause of degradation is a decrease in lithium ions; calculates the amount of the decrease in lithium ions; and connects a lithium ion replenishing electrode to a positive electrode or a negative electrode to release lithium ions corresponding to the amount of the decrease from the lithium ion replenishing electrode, thereby replenishing the lithium ion battery with lithium ions for recovery of the battery capacity. |
| US09106088B2 |
Non-contact power transmission apparatus
A non-contact power transmission apparatus includes a high-frequency converting section, which converts input voltage to high-frequency voltage and outputs it, a primary coil, which receives high-frequency voltage from the high-frequency converting section, and a secondary coil, which receives electric power from the primary coil. The non-contact power transmission apparatus further includes a load to which the electric power received by the secondary coil is supplied, a rectifier located between the secondary coil and the load, and an output adjusting section, which supplies, as pulses, output voltage to the high-frequency converting section. The output adjusting section is configured to increase or reduce output to the load by adjusting a duty cycle of the pulse output. |
| US09106085B2 |
Combined transformer, and non-contact battery charging device using the same
A non-contact battery charging device is for charging a touch pen using a combined transformer. The combined transformer includes a primary winding wound around a tubular insulating spool secured in a receptacle of a pen stand and allowing insertion of the touch pen, and a second primary wound around a magnetic core coaxially secured in the touch pen. A section of the magnetic core is coaxially located in the spool when the touch pen is inserted into the receptacle and extends through the spool. A charger having the magnetic core and the secondary winding is operable to supply a charging voltage to a rechargeable battery in the touch pen based on an input voltage across the primary winding. |
| US09106083B2 |
Systems and method for positioning freedom, and support of different voltages, protocols, and power levels in a wireless power system
A system and method for providing positioning freedom, and support of different voltages, protocols, and power levels in a wireless power system. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a base unit having one or more transmitter coils; one or more components including a ferromagnetic, ferrite, or other magnetic material or layer, that modify the magnitude and/or phase of an electromagnetic field in one or multiple dimensions; and one or more components within the base unit and/or the mobile device, for positioning freedom, and support of different voltages, protocols, and power levels. In accordance with various embodiments, the base unit and mobile device can communicate with each other prior to and/or during charging or powering to determine a protocol to be used to charge or power the mobile device. |
| US09106077B2 |
Power control apparatus and power control method
A power control apparatus includes: a control unit that controls discharged power of a first battery and discharged power of a second battery; and a power acquisition unit that acquires a total power to be supplied from the first and second batteries to a load device connected to the first and second batteries. The control unit: in a first period, changes the discharged power of the first battery according to a change in the acquired total power, and changes the discharged power of the second battery toward a first direction in which the discharged power of the second battery approximates the discharged power of the first battery; and, in a second period after the first period, changes the discharged power of the second battery according to the change in the acquired total power, and changes the discharged power of the first battery toward a second direction opposite the first direction. |
| US09106076B2 |
Differential protection in electrical power networks
A method in a three-terminal differential protection includes measuring a terminal phase current (IT1(y), IT2(y), IT3(y)) at each terminal (T1, T2, T3) of a protected zone of the differential protection in each phase (L1, L2, L3) to be protected, and determining a bias current (Ib(y)) of the phase on the basis of the terminal phase currents (IT1(y), IT2(y), IT3(y)). The bias current determination includes subtracting phasor values of the terminal phase currents of two terminals from the phasor value of the terminal phase current of one terminal. The terminal phase current, which is a minuend in the phasor difference computation, is selected on the basis of the phase angles or amplitudes of the terminal phase currents. |
| US09106075B2 |
Fault tolerant power supply incorporating intelligent gate driver-switch circuit to provide uninterrupted power
A fault tolerant power supply system includes at least one load switch configured to connect an input voltage to an output node of the load switch when the load switch is turned on and at least one power channel coupled to the load switch to receive the input voltage. The power channel is configured as a buck converter and includes at least a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch. The fault tolerant power supply system is configured to measure a current flowing through the low-side power switch, to determine that the current flowing through the low-side power switch has exceeded a current limit threshold, and to disable the low-side power switch and the load switch in response to the determination that the current flowing in the low-side power switch has exceeded the current limit threshold. |
| US09106072B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection of amplifier cascode devices
Exemplary embodiments are directed to providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of a cascode device of an amplifier. In an exemplary embodiment, a transistor is configured to receive a bias voltage and at least one circuit element coupled to the transistor and configured to receive an input voltage via an input pad. Additionally at least one diode can be coupled to a drain of the first transistor and configured to limit a voltage potential at an internal node of the amplifier caused by the input pad. |
| US09106071B2 |
Apparatus and methods of bootstrap and over voltage combination clamp for wireless power receiver
Apparatus and methods are provided for bootstrap and over voltage protection (OVP) combination clamping. In one embodiment, method is provided to use the same bootstrap capacitors and bootstrap terminals for an over voltage protection circuit. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit for a wireless power receiver comprises a first rectifier input terminal RX1, a second rectifier input terminal RX2, a first bootstrap terminal HSB1, a second bootstrap terminal HSB2. A first and a second bootstrap circuit are coupled to HSB1 and HSB2 to power the rectifier circuit in a regular mode. A over voltage protection (OVP) circuit is coupled between HSB1 and HSB2. The OVP circuit is turned on to connect HSB1 and HSB2 together in an OVP mode. |
| US09106068B2 |
Quick-release cord grip
A quick-release cord grip is described herein. The quick-release cord grip can include a damming device through which at least one conductor traverses, and a frame mechanically coupled to the damming device. The frame can include a first portion having a first receiving feature along a first inner surface, a first coupling feature, and a first fastening feature. The frame can also include a second portion having a second receiving feature along a second inner surface, a second coupling feature, and a second fastening feature. The first coupling feature and the second coupling feature can be movably coupled to each other. The first fastening feature and the second fastening feature can be detachably coupled to each other. The damming device can be disposed within the first receiving feature and the second receiving feature when the first fastening feature and the second fastening feature are mechanically coupled to each other. |
| US09106064B2 |
Cable management in rack systems
A rack system includes one or more racks each configured to receive at least one distribution module. Each rack includes management sections located at the front of the rack; troughs located at the rear of the rack; horizontal channels extending between the management sections and the trough; a storage area located at a first of opposing sides of the rack; a front vertical channel that connects to the storage area and at least some of the management sections; and a travel channel at the rear of the first rack that connects the storage area to the troughs. |
| US09106062B2 |
Geared spacer assembly for conductor bundle
A spacer assembly includes first and second clamping bodies. The first clamping body has a first slot. The first slot has a first set of teeth. The second clamping body has a second slot. The fastener connects the first clamping body to the second clamping body. The fastener has a second set of teeth to engage the first set of teeth such that rotation of the fastener moves the first clamping body relative to the second clamping body. |
| US09106061B1 |
Adjustable thermostat cover with detents and level
A thermostat cover includes a base with four walls and an aperture sized such that at least a portion of a thermostat may be received. A lid is slidably mounted on the base at a front side of the base. The lid has a slide member that couples with a slide rail located on the base. In another embodiment, the lid has a slide member that extends from the lid and couples with an extension track located on the base. The extension track is configured in an L-shape such that the lid is collapsible with a first position and a second position. The extension track may have stops that hold the lid in the second position. In another embodiment, the lid is hingedly coupled to the base. A support rod is configured to hold the lid in a raised position. |
| US09106050B2 |
Self-characterization tunable optical network unit
A tunable optical transmitter, comprising a tunable laser comprising a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) section, a phase section, and a gain section, a photodiode detector (PD) optically coupled to the tunable laser, wherein the tunable optical transmitter lacks a temperature controller, and wherein the tunable optical transmitter is configured to lock onto a wavelength at different operating temperatures. |
| US09106044B2 |
System and method for generating a synchronisation control signal
A system for generating a synchronization control signal for synchronizing a radio-frequency signal having a frequency and a pulsed optical signal, the system comprising an electro-optical amplitude modulator that includes a phase shift controller having a controller output at which the synchronization control signal is output, a phase shift mixer that includes a first and a second photodetector, an optical input connection that connects the input for the optical signal to the optical input of the electro-optical amplitude modulator, and an input splitter that is arranged in the input connection in order to output the optical signal additionally at a branch of the input splitter. |
| US09106042B2 |
Battery connector system
A battery connector system for connecting a battery to a battery powered device is provided herein that includes an insert molded contact block comprising a contact block, a plurality of electrical contacts insert molded into the contact block, and an outer electrical connection for electrically coupling the plurality of electrical contacts to the battery powered device. The battery connector system further includes an inner electrical connection located on a housing enclosure for electrically coupling the battery housed in the housing enclosure to the outer electrical connection through the plurality of electrical contacts. The battery connector system further includes a sealed electrical path between the inner electrical connection and the outer electrical connection, wherein the sealed electrical path is formed by over molding the insert molded contact block with the housing enclosure. |
| US09106038B2 |
Pulse oximetry system with low noise cable hub
A pulse oximetry system for reducing the risk of electric shock to a medical patient can include physiological sensors, at least one of which has a light emitter that can impinge light on body tissue of a living patient and a detector responsive to the light after attenuation by the body tissue. The detector can generate a signal indicative of a physiological characteristic of the living patient. The pulse oximetry system may also include a splitter cable that can connect the physiological sensors to a physiological monitor. The splitter cable may have a plurality of cable sections each including one or more electrical conductors that can interface with one of the physiological sensors. One or more decoupling circuits may be disposed in the splitter cable, which can be in communication with selected ones of the electrical conductors. The one or more decoupling circuits can electrically decouple the physiological sensors. |
| US09106036B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals and a shielding shell. The insulating housing has a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall and two side walls together forming an inserting chamber thereamong. The top wall and the bottom wall respectively define a plurality of first terminal grooves and second terminal grooves which are opened symmetrically about the inserting chamber and communicate with the inserting chamber. The terminals include the first terminals and the second terminals. The first terminals and the second terminals are respectively inserted frontward in the first terminal grooves and the second terminal grooves of the insulating housing to be arranged in two rows in vertical direction. The first terminals and the second terminals are symmetrical in structure and arrangement about the inserting chamber. The shielding shell encloses the insulating housing. |
| US09106034B2 |
Coaxial connector
A coaxial connector for a mating device to be inserted therein, includes an insulating body having a sustaining portion, a static terminal having a first contact portion, and a movable terminal having a second contact portion for contacting the first contact portion. The sustaining portion and an object below have a gap therebetween. The static terminal and the movable terminal are fixed to the insulating body. An elastic arm is formed by extending from the second contact portion. The sustaining portion engages the elastic arm. When the mating device is inserted into the coaxial connector, the mating device presses the elastic arm downwards, the second contact portion moves downwards to be separated from the first contact portion, and the elastic arm drives the sustaining portion to move downwards together, such that the sustaining portion butts against the object below to prevent the movable terminal from moving downwards excessively. |
| US09106032B2 |
Stacking connector having a RJ-45 connector stacked over a USB connector with power and ground pins
A stacking connector comprises an insulating body, a plurality of connection terminals and a USB connector. The insulating body has a first containing space and a second containing space. A plurality of terminal slots is defined in a connection port of the insulating body and communicates with the first containing space. The plurality of connection terminals is configured in the first containing space, and exposed to the connection port to constitute a RJ-45 connector with the connection port. The USB connector is configured in the second containing space. Power pin and ground pin of the USB connector are electrically connected to NC pins of the plurality of connection terminals separately. Therefore, the USB connector receives power from a mainboard to provide to the RJ-45 connector. In contrary, the RJ-45 connector receives power by way of PoE to provide to the USB connector. |
| US09106031B2 |
Dual orientation electronic connector
A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. Each individual contact in the first plurality of contacts is electrically connected within the tab or body to a corresponding contact in the second plurality of contacts. In some embodiments contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are directly opposite each other are coupled together. In some other embodiments, contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are in a cater cornered relationship with each other are coupled together. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations. |
| US09106029B2 |
Electrical connection device
An electrical connection device is used to be provided in an electronic device casing, and comprises a first circuit board and a second circuit board which are substantially coplanar, a receptacle connector provided to the first circuit board and a plug connector provided to the second circuit board. The receptacle connector comprises a housing and a plurality of first terminals. The housing has a first mating surface, and a pair of sliding contact grooves respectively adjacent to both sides of the first mating surface. The plug connector comprises a body and a plurality of second terminals. The body has a pair of side flanges respectively engaged with and received in the sliding contact grooves. The plug connector is mated with the receptacle connector in a direction perpendicular to a board surface of the first circuit board. |
| US09106025B2 |
Shielded circular plug connector unit with symmetrically arranged plug contacts
A circular plug connector unit for shielded electrical cables, having an insulating body that is enveloped by a shielding sleeve, wherein plural electrical socket shaped plug contacts and/or pin shaped plug contacts are arranged in receiving cavities in the insulating body, wherein the shielding sleeve is interlocked with the insulating body. The plug side end of the shielding sleeve includes an even number of axially extending sleeve segments which are separated by longitudinal slots which are advantageously configured as sleeve segments that are short in axial direction and sleeve segments that are long in axial direction. Sleeve segments which are arranged in sequence advantageously have a uniform radial offset relative to each other in an alternating direction, wherein the sleeve segments of two identically configured shielding sleeves are insertable into one another with a rotational offset in circumferential direction of 360° divided by a number of the sleeve segments. |
| US09106020B2 |
Midplane especially applicable to an orthogonal architecture electronic system
A midplane has a first side to which contact ends of a first differential connector are connected and a second side opposite the first side to which contact ends of a second differential connector are connected. The midplane includes a plurality of vias extending from the first side to the second side, with the vias providing first signal launches on the first side and second signal launches on the second side. The first signal launches are provided in a plurality of rows, with each row having first signal launches along a first line and first signal launches along a second line substantially parallel to the first line. The second signal launches are provided in a plurality of columns, with each column having second signal launches along a third line and second signal launches along a fourth line substantially parallel to the third line. |
| US09106017B2 |
Terminal pullout structure of connector
A connector housing includes a terminal receiving chamber and a pair of lances for locking the terminal on both sides of the terminal receiving chamber. A terminal pullout jig inserted into the connector housing displaces the lances to respective unlocking positions, thus pulling out the terminal from the terminal receiving chamber. The connector housing includes a pair of unlocking wall portions configured to be elastically deformed integrally with the pair of lances respectively. The terminal pullout jig includes an unlocking arm portion configured to displace the pair of the lances to the respective unlocking positions, and a terminal pressing portion for pressing the terminal in a terminal pullout direction. |
| US09106016B1 |
Electrical connector
According to an example embodiment, an electrical connector may include an electrical cord comprising a plurality of wires, and a plug connected to the electrical cord. The plug may include electrical contacts coupled to the plurality of electrical wires, and at least one latch. The at least one latch may be biased to extend away from the plug, an end surface of the at least one latch being within two tenths of a millimeter of an end surface of the plug opposite from the electrical cord. |
| US09106015B2 |
Electrical connector
A latching of a latch piece to a latch portion of a lock release unit is released with a latch claw being retracted in a connector fitting portion by swing of a latch arm. A latching of an auxiliary latch piece to the latch portion is released with a lock claw being retracted in the connector fitting portion by swing of a lock arm and an auxiliary arm. |
| US09106012B2 |
Antirotation coupling for connector
A mechanism (20) for connecting the coupling nut (14) and barrel (12) of an electrical or optical connector to resist but not prevent their relative rotation, includes a clicker ring (22) that has forward-projecting teeth (36) and that fits into a circular recess (32) at the rear of the coupling nut to engage rearward-projecting nut teeth (34). The clicker ring also has slots (40) that receive radially-outward projections (42) on the barrel, to prevent clicker ring turning. |
| US09106011B2 |
Electrical connection arrangement having a fastener abutting an uncoated portion of a sleeve
A method for providing an electrical connection arrangement between a first member and a second member is provided, as is a corresponding arrangement. The first member is made of electrically conductive material provided with a coating layer, and the electrical connecting arrangement includes a fastening element, the method including providing the first member with a first hole, arranging a sleeve in the first hole of the first member, such that the first member becomes electrically connected with the sleeve, coating an area of the first member including the sleeve, inserting the fastening element into the sleeve and through the first member, and engaging the fastening element with the second member, such that the fastening element becomes abutted against an uncoated surface portion provided on the sleeve to electrically connect the sleeve with the fastening element, and such that the fastening element becomes electrically connected to the second member. |
| US09106007B2 |
Electrical junction box
An electrical junction box includes: a case main body to which a bolt is attached; a terminal of which one end is provided with a bolt insertion portion, of which the other end is provided with a wire connection portion, and of which the center is provided with a bent portion bent at right angle; two electric wires connected to the wire connection portion; and a side cover to which the terminal is attached. When the side cover is mounted on one side surface of the case main body, the bolt is inserted into the bolt insertion portion. The side cover is provided with a wire fixing piece having an arc-like sectional shape and extended along the one electric wire. The two electric wires are wound together with the wire fixing piece by a tape, and fixed to the wire fixing piece. |
| US09106005B2 |
Surface mount device
Disclosed is a surface mount device to be mounted on a base member, including plural lead units, each of the plural lead units including, a lead including a body portion and a foot formed at an end of the lead; a solder portion formed at the foot of the lead to protrude toward the direction of the base member to have a summit portion, and a diffusion prevention portion provided on the lead for preventing a diffusion of a solder along the body portion of the lead. |
| US09106002B2 |
Method for sealing an electrical coupling piece, and coupling piece
A method for sealing an electric coupling piece (K) against moisture, includes, at an end of the line (1) intended for connection to the coupling piece (K), at least one annular groove extending in the circumferential direction is cut into the casing of the line (1). Prior to injection molding the protective body (9), an O-ring (10) serving as a sealing element is placed into the groove, where the O-ring (10) rests tightly against the lateral borders of the groove (11) with the respective pretension, where the O-ring is of a material which connects tightly and in a moisture proof manner to the insulating material of the finely produced protective body (9). |
| US09106000B2 |
Connector and connector assembly
A connector assembly has first and second housings (10, 300). Ribs (305, 306) project from an inner surface of a receptacle (301) of the second housing (300). The first housing (10) has a main body (11) that can fit into the receptacle (301), a seal ring (50) is mounted externally on the housing main body (11) and a retaining member is mounted into the main body (11). The retaining member includes a pressing surface (67, 90) for preventing detachment of the seal ring (50) and grooves (68, 86) that receive the ribs (305, 306) when the housings are connected. Reverse tapered surfaces (74, 91) are formed on the back surfaces of the grooves (68, 86) at a side facing and opposite to the pressing surface (67, 90) of the retaining member and incline toward the housing main body (11) to approach the pressing surface (67, 90). |
| US09105999B2 |
Lock device for electronic apparatus
A lock device for electronic apparatus includes a lock body and a key member. The lock body includes a front end, a rear end, and a bottom side defined between the front and the rear end and having at least one retaining section provided thereon. The lock body is configured for inserting into a slot on an electronic apparatus. When the lock body is inserted into the slot, the bottom side of the lock body is located corresponding to a plurality of terminals in the slot with the retaining section abutted against inner sides of the terminals, so that the lock body is held in the slot to lock the same. The key member is configured for detachably engaging with a lock core structure of the lock body, so that the lock body can be inserted into and extracted from the slot only with the key member. |
| US09105991B1 |
Crimpless electrical connector assembly
A crimpless electrical connector assembly includes an outer housing. The outer housing has a first connector aperture extending therethrough. A connecting member is positionable within the interior of the outer housing. The connecting member insertably receives an electrical conductor so the electrical conductor is operationally coupled to the connecting member. An inner housing is provided. The inner housing has a conductor aperture extending therethrough. The inner housing is positionable within the interior of the outer housing. The conductor aperture is aligned with the first connector aperture when the inner housing is positioned within the interior of the outer housing. The conductor aperture insertably receives the electrical conductor so the electrical conductor is operationally coupled to the connecting member. A connector is selectively inserted into the first connector aperture on the outer housing so the connector is operationally coupled to the connecting member and the electrical conductor. |
| US09105990B2 |
Terminal block with integral heat sink and motor provided therewith
A terminal block (10) to be fixed to a motor case (C) which houses a motor body and includes a coolant flow path (C1) and adapted to fasten busbars by tightening bolts includes nuts (30) for tightening the bolts, and a heat sink (40) made of aluminum die-cast and held in close contact with the nuts (30) via an insulation plate (20) behind the nuts (30). The heat sink (40) includes a heat radiating portion (46) which comes into contact with cooling water passing in the coolant flow path (C1) of the motor case (C). |
| US09105985B2 |
Antenna system for mobile communication and antenna module thereof
An antenna system for mobile communication includes a transportation device and an antenna module installed on the transportation device. The antenna module has a first polarized antenna unit and a second polarized antenna unit. The polarized direction of first polarized antenna unit is perpendicular to the polarized direction of second polarized antenna unit, such that when the transportation device moves along a first direction, the first and the second polarized antenna units are coupling to each other, and each has an 8-shaped radiation pattern. The longitudinal direction of the radiation pattern of the first polarized antenna unit and the longitudinal direction of the radiation pattern of the second polarized antenna unit are parallel to a second direction, and the second direction is not parallel to the first direction. Thus, the instant disclosure provides the antenna system capable of restraining the multipath fading of mobile communication. |
| US09105984B2 |
Wireless communication device with slot antenna
A wireless communication device includes a base board, a metal zone, and a filter. The metal zone and the filter are disposed on the base board. The metal zone defines a slot. The filter is connected to the slot to divide the slot into a first slot section and a second slot section. When a current having a first frequency flows through the first slot section and the second slot section, the filter is in an open circuit state, and the first slot section and the second slot section are activated to receive/transmit wireless signals having a first central frequency. When a current having a second frequency only flows through the first slot section, the filter is in a closed circuit state, and the first slot section is activated to receive/transmit wireless signals having a second central frequency. |
| US09105981B2 |
Dielectric lens cone radiator sub-reflector assembly
A dielectric cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector is provided as a unitary dielectric block with a sub-reflector at a distal end. A waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block is dimensioned for insertion coupling into an end of the waveguide. A dielectric radiator portion is provided between the waveguide transition portion and a sub-reflector support portion. An outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided with a plurality of radially inward grooves extending radially inward to a diameter less than an inner diameter of the end of the waveguide and a lens bore extends from a proximal end of the dielectric block towards the distal end of the dielectric block at least to the sub-reflector support portion. The unitary dielectric block may be manufactured as a single contiguous monolithic portion of dielectric material via injection molding. |
| US09105977B2 |
Terminal device having meta-structure
A terminal device includes a housing, a communication antenna, and an agglomerative meta-structure, wherein the agglomerative meta-structure comprises a first pattern layer connected in series between an input end and an output end of the agglomerative meta-structure, and a second pattern layer connected in parallel between the input end and the output end. |
| US09105975B2 |
Antenna device and portable wireless terminal equipped with the same
A second slit 117 and a fourth slit 119 provided in a first antenna element 150 and a first slit 116 and a third slit 118 provided in a second antenna element 151 are adjusted such that the mutual coupling between the first antenna element 150 and the second antenna element 151 in the desired frequency band is canceled, and reduces degradation in coupling between antenna elements without connecting the antenna elements through components and the like. With such a configuration, it is possible to achieve high-efficiency loosely coupled MIMO array antennas operating in the same frequency band in a portable wireless terminal. |
| US09105974B2 |
Antenna with divided ground plane
A removable jacket for a modular communicator, including a connector for connecting the jacket to a modular communicator that includes an antenna and a ground plane for the antenna, wherein the jacket may be conveniently attached to and detached from the communicator, an extended ground plane for the antenna, and at least one ground contact, for connecting the extended ground plane to the ground plane of the communicator, wherein the ground plane of the communicator is too short for the antenna to resonate at a desired frequency, but the ground plane of the communicator when connected with the extended ground plane, provides a combined ground plane sufficient for the antenna to resonate at the desired frequency. |
| US09105970B1 |
Balloon payload with balloon-to-balloon communications and avionics on top
The present disclosure provides a balloon payload with communications and avionics on positioned on top. The payload may include a chassis and an avionics system coupled to the first chassis. The payload may also include a battery coupled to the first chassis and positioned below the avionics system. The payload may additionally include an air-to-ground communications antenna coupled to the first chassis and positioned below the battery portion and the avionics portion. |
| US09105968B2 |
Antenna assembly and mobile terminal using same
An antenna assembly of the present disclosure includes a grounding plate, a metal plate, a metal frame and an antenna body disposed between the grounding plate and the metal plate. The metal frame includes a closed annular portion, and the antenna body includes a feeding portion. One end of the feeding portion is electrically connected to the metal plate and the other end thereof is spaced apart from the grounding plate, and the closed annular portion is spaced apart from the metal plate. The antenna assembly of the present disclosure can improve the performances of the product and make the appearance of the product more aesthetic. Meanwhile, the present disclosure also provides a mobile terminal using the antenna assembly described above. |
| US09105965B2 |
Touching an antenna of a near field communications (NFC) device to control its operation
A near field communications (NFC) device is disclosed that interacts with other NFC devices to exchange information and/or the data. An operator may touch, or be sufficiently proximate to, an antenna module of the NFC device to operate and/or control the NFC device. The antenna module includes antenna components that are characterized by a corresponding characteristic impedance. The touch, or sufficient proximity, of the operator changes the corresponding characteristic impedance of antenna components. The NFC device may determine a location of the touch, or proximity, of the operator based upon this change. The NFC device may interpret the location of the touch, or proximity, of the operator as information from the operator to operate and/or control the NFC device. |
| US09105963B2 |
Tunable Yagi and other antennas
A tunable antenna is formed on a boom. First and a second opposed non-conductive support pole extend from a first end of the boom. Third and a fourth opposed non-conductive support pole extending from a second end of the boom. Each pole has a wire guide at its end. First and second spools are mounted near the first end of the boom. Third and fourth spools are mounted near the second end of the boom. First and second wires are spooled on the first and second spools. A third wire is spooled on the third spool and mechanically coupled to the first wire by a non-conductive cord, the first and third wires running through the first and third pole guides. A fourth wire is spooled on the fourth spool and mechanically coupled to the second wire by non-conductive cord, the second and fourth wires running through the second and fourth pole guides. |
| US09105962B2 |
Antenna mount and its protective module
An antenna mount includes a main member, a first contacting member, a second contacting member, and a driving member. The main member has a chamber therein to receive the first contacting member, the second contacting member and the driving member. The first contacting member electrically connects to a signal wire of a cable for signal transmission, and the main member electrically connects to a ground wire of the cable. Two ends of the second contacting member are respectively connected to the main member and contacted with the first contacting member, wherein the second contacting member has a predetermined resistance. Once a connector of an antenna is engaged, the driving member is moved to separate the second contacting member and the first contacting member; and when the connector of the antenna is disengaged, the second contacting member contacts with the first contacting member again as a protective circuit. |
| US09105961B2 |
Low profile, wideband GNSS dual frequency antenna structure
GNSS signals are centered around two bands, L1 and L2, and antennas must cover both these bands for good RTK performance. GPS is at a lower frequency in both bands than the Russian GLONASS system. What is described herein is a method of constructing a low profile dual frequency wideband antenna with excellent polarization and signal reception for both GPS and GLONASS. This technique minimizes the impact of tolerances of the dielectrics, thicknesses and tuning by optimal construction. |
| US09105960B2 |
Method for formation of radiometric images and an antenna for implementation of the method
A method of radiometric image generation is provided using a series of isochronous revolutions of a multi-beam antenna with a dispersion characteristic. The antenna is combined with a multi-channel receiver with frequency channel separation to form an imaging unit. The method comprising cyclically executing the following phases: two separate calibration phase; using first and second standards; external radiation reception phase; data processing phase and data transformation phase. |
| US09105959B2 |
Resonator enclosure
An enclosed resonator includes a generally planar plate having a top side and a bottom side wherein a pocket is recessed into the bottom side to produce a bottom surface and a periphery around the rectangular pocket including a first pair of parallel sides and a second pair of parallel sides, a plurality of generally parallel channels formed into the top side each channel extending generally in a direction of the second pair of parallel sides, a first plurality of holes extending along a first side of the first pair of parallel sides each hole extending from the bottom side to one of the plurality of generally parallel channels, a second plurality of holes extending along a second side of the first pair of parallel sides each hole extending from the bottom side to one of the plurality of generally parallel channels. |
| US09105957B2 |
Attenuator
An attenuator includes: a first portion including a first insulating substrate and a resistor section formed on the first insulating substrate; and a second portion including a second insulating substrate and a terminal section, the second insulating substrate being separated from the first insulating substrate, and the terminal section being formed on the second insulating substrate to be connected to the resistor section. |
| US09105946B2 |
Battery resetting process for scaffold fuel electrode
An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode configured to operate as an anode to oxidize a fuel when connected to a load. The cell also includes an oxidant electrode configured to operate as a cathode to reduce oxygen when connected to the load. The fuel electrode comprises a plurality of scaffolded electrode bodies. The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell system and method of resetting the electrochemical cell by applying a charge (i.e. voltage or current) to the cell to drive oxidation of the fuel, wherein the fuel electrode operates as an anode, and the second cell operates as a cathode, removing uneven distributions of fuel that may cause premature shorting of the electrode bodies to improve capacity, energy stored, and cell efficiency. |
| US09105943B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolyte lithium secondary battery
A lithium secondary battery has an anode, a cathode, a separator between the anode and the cathode and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The non-aqueous electrolyte includes a lithium salt; and a non-linear carbonate-based mixed organic solvent in which (a) a cyclic carbonate compound, and (b) a propionate-based compound are mixed at a volume ratio (a:b) in the range from about 10:90 to about 70:30. The cathode has a capacity density in the range from about 3.5 to about 5.5 mAh/cm2 and a porosity in the range from about 18 to about 35%. This battery may be manufactured as a high-loading lithium secondary battery. |
| US09105933B2 |
Gas diffusion electrode, method of producing same, membrane electrode assembly comprising same and method of producing membrane electrode assembly comprising same
A process for producing a gas diffusion electrode comprising the steps of: casting a porous electrically conductive web with a suspension of particles of an electrically conductive material in a solution of a first binder to provide a first layer which is an electrochemically active layer (AL); casting a suspension of particles of a hydrophobic material in a solution of a second binder on said first layer to provide a second layer; and subjecting said first and second layer to phase inversion thereby realizing porosity in both said first layer and said second layer, wherein said subjection of said second layer to phase inversion thereby realizes a water repellent layer; a gas diffusion electrode obtained therewith; the use of a gas diffusion electrode in an membrane electrode assembly; a membrane electrode assembly comprising the gas diffusion electrode; and a method of producing a membrane electrode assembly is realized, said membrane electrode assembly comprising a membrane sandwiched between two electrodes at least one of which is a gas diffusion electrode, wherein said method comprises the step of casting said membrane electrode assembly in a single pass. |
| US09105929B2 |
Negative electrode base member
A battery having high output voltage, high energy density and excellent charge and discharge cycle characteristics is achieved through the use of one of the following negative electrode base members as a negative electrode base member for lithium ion secondary batteries: a negative electrode base member where a metal film is formed on a support having an organic film; such a negative electrode base member where the surface layer of the organic film is covered with a metal oxide film; a negative electrode base member where a metal film is formed on a support having a composite film formed from a composite film-forming material containing an organic component and an inorganic component; and a negative electrode base member where a silica coating is formed, on a support having a photoresist pattern, from a silica film-forming coating liquid and a metal film is formed on the support after removing the photoresist pattern. |
| US09105926B2 |
Positive electrode active material, positive electrode, and nonaqueous electrolyte cell
Disclosed herein is a positive electrode active material wherein at least one metallic element M1 different from a principal transition metal element A is present at least at part of a surface of a lithium-containing transition metal oxide containing the principal transition metal element A, and, further, a compound of a metallic element M2 different from the metallic element M1 is present in a coating manner or in the vicinity of the lithium-containing transition metal oxide. |
| US09105916B2 |
Fuel cell module
A fuel cell module includes: in a casing, a fuel cell stack that is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells; and an oxidant gas distributing member that is disposed at a side surface, that extends in a stack direction, of the fuel cell stack, that extends in a direction from one end to another end of each of the unit cells, and that supplies the oxidant gas along the oxidant gas distributing member from the one end to the another end to supply the oxidant gas to the another end of each unit cell. The oxidant gas distributing member includes a heat exchange restraint portion that restrains heat exchange between the unit cells and the oxidant gas in at least one of end portions of the fuel cell stack in the stack direction, in comparison with the heat exchange thereof in other portion in the fuel cell stack. |
| US09105915B2 |
Fuel cell stack coupled to a humidifier via an inclined channel
An end plate of a fuel cell stack is directly fixed to a humidifier. A resin pipe is attached to an oxygen-containing gas outlet of an end plate through a resin coupling pipe. The resin pipe includes one end having a large diameter and the other end having a small diameter. The other end is provided at an off gas supply channel of the humidifier. The off gas supply channel includes an inclined channel. The other end extends up to an end of the inclined channel where inclination of the inclined channel is started. An off gas ejection port is formed at the other end. The off gas ejection port is opened to the end of the inclined channel where inclination is started. Condensed water returned along the inclined channel flows from the off gas ejection port into the resin pipe. |
| US09105903B2 |
All-solid-state lithium battery, and production method therefor
The invention relates to an all-solid-state lithium battery and to a method for producing such a battery. The all-solid-state lithium battery includes first and second electrodes separated by a solid electrolyte. The second electrode is formed by a composite material including an electrochemically-active material made of a lithium-ion insertion material, and an amorphous lithium-based material which is an ionic conductor for the lithium ions and which is inert relative to the electrochemically active material. |
| US09105901B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack includes at least one battery module having a plurality of battery cells that are aligned in the same direction, a heat dissipation member disposed in alignment with the battery module, and a heat conducting member connected to the heat dissipation member. The heat dissipation member has a plurality of heat dissipation fins and a heat dissipation pipe. The heat dissipation pipe is connected with the plurality of heat dissipation fins. |
| US09105899B2 |
Electronic device subassemblies
An electronic device may include subassemblies such as battery structures, electromagnetic shielding structures, and button structures. The electromagnetic shielding structures may include a conductive fence and a flexible shielding layer that covers electronic components. The electromagnetic shielding structure may be formed with a recess that receives a protruding portion of a battery. The recess may be formed from a multi-level shielding structure that includes rigid and flexible portions. The button structures may be mounted to a ledge that is formed as an integral part of a device housing. An electronic device battery may be enclosed in a protective battery sleeve. The battery sleeve may include a center portion that encloses the battery and peripheral portions that are folded and coupled to the center portion by adhesive material interposed between opposing surfaces of the folded peripheral portions and the center portion of the battery sleeve. |
| US09105898B2 |
Fuel cell
A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a separator. The separator includes a water accumulation portion including at least one of a buffer portion, a lowermost channel groove, a channel junction portion, and a bypass channel. The buffer portion is connected to a reactant gas channel through which a reactant gas is to flow along a power generation surface of the membrane electrode assembly. The channel groove is provided in the reactant gas channel and located at a lowest position in the reactant gas channel in a direction of gravity when the membrane electrode assembly and the separator are in an upright position. Channel grooves of the reactant gas channel are joined in the channel junction portion. The membrane electrode assembly includes a water impermeable layer which is disposed outside of a power generation region and which faces the water accumulation portion. |
| US09105896B2 |
Metal rings for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries
The present application provides for metal rings and ceramic collars for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The metal rings may be outer and inner Ni rings configured for sealing to an alpha-alumina collar via active brazing for use in NaMx cells. The inner and outer Ni metal rings may be sealed to differing portions of the alpha-alumina collar. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the alpha-alumina collar may define a tapered thickness that reduces internal stresses at the active brazed joints resulting from differing coefficients of thermal expansion between the Ni metal rings and the alpha-alumina collar. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings and alpha-alumina collar sealed by active brazing, and thereby the active braze joints themselves, may be oriented to control or dictate the stresses on the joints during use. |
| US09105895B2 |
Operation method at the time of load reduction of fuel cell system
An operation method at the time of load reduction of fuel cell system includes in this order a first step of determining a target power generation amount of the fuel cell module, a second step of increasing the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to a fuel cell module, a third step of reducing the power generation amount of the fuel cell module, a fourth step of reducing the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell module, a fifth step of reducing the flow rate of the water supplied to the fuel cell module, a sixth step of reducing the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the fuel cell module, and a seventh step of detecting whether the power generation amount of the fuel cell module reaches the target power generation amount or less. |
| US09105894B2 |
Fuel cell system containing anode tail gas oxidizer and hybrid heat exchanger/reformer
A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit, and a fuel heat exchanger containing a fuel reformation catalyst. The fuel heat exchanger is connected to the fuel inlet conduit and to at least one fuel cell system exhaust conduit which in operation provides a high temperature exhaust stream to the fuel heat exchanger. The fuel heat exchanger is thermally integrated with an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) exhaust conduit such that in operation an ATO exhaust stream in the ATO exhaust conduit heats a fuel inlet stream passing through the heat exchanger. |
| US09105887B2 |
Anode injector control algorithm for a low frequency discrete output
A system and method for controlling an injector in a fuel cell system. The method provides a variety of injector pulse widths for at least one predetermined duty cycle and determines an injector close time for each of the variety of injector pulse widths. The method also determines an error for the at least one predetermined duty cycle based on each of the provided injector pulse widths and uses the injector pulse width with the lowest error for the at least one predetermined duty cycle. |
| US09105886B2 |
Large-area demineralizer for fuel cell
A coolant demineralizer is disclosed for a fuel cell, which removes ions released from coolant for cooling a fuel cell stack to pipes. In particular the demineralizer reduces the occurrence of differential pressure due to an ion resin layer such that the coolant smoothly flows through the demineralizer, thereby maximizing the effect of filtering ions and, at the same time, the utilization of the ion resin. To this end, the demineralizer includes a housing having an inlet port, through which coolant is introduced to pass through an interior space of the housing, and an outlet port through which the coolant is discharged; and a filter member having a plate-shape such that the coolant introduced through the inlet port passes through the filter member in a direction perpendicular to the filter member. |
| US09105873B2 |
Organic electroluminescent element
An organic electroluminescent element in accordance with the present invention includes: a transparent electrode; a blue light-emitting layer containing a blue light-emitting material having a maximum emission wavelength 460 nm or less; a first green light-emitting layer containing a first green light-emitting material having a maximum emission wavelength in the spectrum between 460 nm and 610 nm; a red light-emitting layer containing a red light-emitting material having a maximum emission wavelength of 610 nm or more; a second green light-emitting layer containing a second green light-emitting material having a maximum emission wavelength in the spectrum between 460 nm and 610 nm; and a reflecting electrode. The maximum emission wavelength of the first green light-emitting material is located on a short wavelength side of the spectrum. The maximum emission wavelength of the second green light-emitting material is located on a long wavelength side of the spectrum. |
| US09105871B2 |
Method of manufacturing an OLED display device, the resulting OLED display device and a timepiece comprising the same
Organic light emitting diode display device including a substrate covered by a cover which has a plane surface delimited along the external perimeter thereof. The plane surface of the cover is provided with a protuberance. The substrate is provided with a stack of layers, the stack of layers including at least the following layers in succession in the following order starting from the substrate: at least one anode; an insulating layer; a spacer layer which has a first exclusion area in a first area; an active hole injection layer, an active hole transport layer and an active electron transport layer; a cathode layer which has a second exclusion area. The protuberance of the cover is joined to the layer with which the protuberance is in contact, a hole, whose diameter is smaller than the geometrical dimensions of the protuberance, being made in the protuberance and through the substrate. |
| US09105867B2 |
Method for forming a patterned layer on a substrate
This invention relates to a method for forming a patterned layer on a substrate by means of an imprint process. According to the method a first layer is provided on the substrate, and a pattern of recesses is provided in the first layer by imprinting the layer with a patterning means. Then the first layer is cured. The curing is followed by performing a first surface treatment onto the first layer to make the surface of thereof hydrophilic, and then performing a second surface treatment onto a selected subarea of the surface of the first layer to make the. subarea hydrophobic. The subarea includes surface portions between the recesses and excludes the recesses. Finally, a conducting pattern material (41) is deposited into the recesses. |
| US09105861B2 |
Light emitting device and organic light emitting display device including the same
A light emitting device includes first and second electrodes facing each other on a substrate, a plurality of stacks stacked between the first and second electrodes and each including an EML so as to emit particular light, and a charge generation layer formed between the stacks so as to adjust charge balance therebetween and including an N-type charge generation layer and a P-type charge generation layer, wherein at least any one of the N-type charge generation layer and the P-type charge generation layer includes the same electron transporting material as that of an electron transport layer of one of the stacks that is adjacent to the N-type charge generation layer. |
| US09105860B2 |
Organic light emitting diode
A full color organic light emitting diode having high efficiency and high color purity while having low manufacturing costs due to simple manufacturing processes. |
| US09105855B2 |
Light-emitting element and display device
There has been a problem that difference in refractive index between an opposite substrate or a moisture barrier layer provided thereover, and air is maintained large, and light extraction efficiency is low. Further, there has been a problem that peeling or cracking due to the moisture barrier layer is easily generated, which leads to deteriorate the reliability and lifetime of a light-emitting element. A light-emitting element comprises a pixel electrode, an electroluminescent layer, a transparent electrode, a passivation film, a stress relieving layer, and a low refractive index layer, all of which are stacked sequentially. The stress relieving layer serves to prevent peeling of the passivation film. The low refractive index layer serves to reduce reflectivity of light generated in the electroluminescent layer in emitting to air. Therefore, a light-emitting element with high reliability and long lifetime and a display device using the light-emitting element can be provided. |
| US09105853B2 |
N-dopant for carbon nanotubes and graphene
A composition and method for forming a field effect transistor with a stable n-doped nano-component. The method includes forming a gate dielectric on a gate, forming a channel comprising a nano-component on the gate dielectric, forming a source over a first region of the nano-component, forming a drain over a second region of the nano-component to form a field effect transistor, and exposing a portion of a nano-component of a field effect transistor to dihydrotetraazapentacene, wherein dihydrotetraazapentacene is represented by the formula: wherein each of R1, R2, R3, and R4 comprises one of hydrogen, an alkyl group of C1 to C16 carbons, an alkoxy group, an alkylthio group, a trialkylsilane group, a hydroxymethyl group, a carboxylic acid group and a carboxylic ester group. |
| US09105852B2 |
Bipyridine compound, light-emitting element material, organic semiconductor material, light-emitting element, display module, lighting module, light-emitting device, lighting device, display device and electronic device
A light-emitting element having good characteristics can be obtained by using a bipyridine compound having at least one 2,2′-bipyridine structure and at least two anthracene skeletons as light-emitting element materials. In particular, a bipyridine compound in which an anthracene skeleton is bonded to each of the 5-position and the 6-position of 2,2′-bipyridine through an arylene group can be synthesized and a light-emitting element having good characteristics can be obtained in the case where the bipyridine compound is used as a light-emitting element material. |
| US09105844B2 |
Piezoelectric device with piezoelectric polymer material
The present invention relates to a piezoelectric device of a multi-layered structure on which first electrodes and second electrodes are sequentially stacked on a piezoelectric polymer and single surfaces or both surfaces of piezoelectric polymer.In accordance with the present invention, the vibration response characteristics of the piezoelectric polymer can be improved by using the graphene or the composite thereof as a surface electrode material to the piezoelectric polymer; and, there are effects that the response characteristics of the piezoelectric device are excellent and the reliability thereof is excellent by forming a second electrode having an excellent conductivity and a protection electrode thereof. |
| US09105842B2 |
Method for manufacturing a carbon-based memory element and memory element
A method for manufacturing a resistive memory element includes providing a storage layer comprising a resistance changeable material, said resistance changeable material comprising carbon; providing contact layers for contacting the storage layer, wherein the storage layer is disposed between a bottom contact layer and a top contact layer; and doping the resistance changeable material with a dopant material. |
| US09105839B2 |
Perpendicular spin transfer torque memory (STTM) device having offset cells and method to form same
Perpendicular spin transfer torque memory (STTM) devices having offset cells and methods of fabricating perpendicular STTM devices having offset cells are described. For example, a spin torque transfer memory (STTM) array includes a first load line disposed above a substrate and having only a first STTM device. The STTM array also includes a second load line disposed above the substrate, adjacent the first load line, and having only a second STTM device, the second STTM device non-co-planar with the first STTM device. |
| US09105837B2 |
Bipolar memory cells and memory devices including the same
Bipolar memory cells and a memory device including the same are provided, the bipolar memory cells include two bipolar memory layers having opposite programming directions. The two bipolar memory layers may be connected to each other via an intermediate electrode interposed therebetween. The two bipolar memory layers may have the same structure or opposite structures. |
| US09105833B2 |
Actuator and method for driving actuator
An actuator is provided which can be driven with a simple configuration and by simple control. The actuator comprises a thin film made of a shear piezoelectric material, a first electrode formed on a first main surface of the thin film, and a second electrode formed on a second main surface of the thin film. A driving force is generated on at least one end edge of the thin film by applying a predetermined AC voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US09105832B2 |
Spin hall effect magnetic apparatus, method and applications
An ST-MRAM structure, a method for fabricating the ST-MRAM structure and a method for operating an ST-MRAM device that results from the ST-MRAM structure each utilize a spin Hall effect base layer that contacts a magnetic free layer and effects a magnetic moment switching within the magnetic free layer as a result of a lateral switching current within the spin Hall effect base layer. This resulting ST-MRAM device uses an independent sense current and sense voltage through a magnetoresistive stack that includes a pinned layer, a non-magnetic spacer layer and the magnetic free layer which contacts the spin Hall effect base layer. Desirable non-magnetic conductor materials for the spin Hall effect base layer include certain types of tantalum materials and tungsten materials that have a spin diffusion length no greater than about five times the thickness of the spin Hall effect base layer and a spin Hall angle at least about 0.05. |
| US09105831B2 |
Nonvolatile magnetic element and nonvolatile magnetic device
Provided is a nonvolatile magnetic device that is capable of realizing low power consumption by performing writing with a voltage and is also excellent in retention characteristics. The nonvolatile magnetic device includes a nonvolatile magnetic element. The nonvolatile magnetic element includes: a first free layer made of a ferromagnetic substance; a first insulating layer made of an insulator, the first insulating layer being provided to be connected to the first free layer; a charged layer provided adjacent to the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer made of an insulator, the second insulating layer being provided adjacent to the charged layer; and an injection layer provided adjacent to the second insulating layer. The charged layer is smaller in electric resistivity than both of the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer. The injection layer is smaller in electric resistivity than the second insulating layer. |
| US09105830B2 |
Method and system for providing dual magnetic tunneling junctions using spin-orbit interaction-based switching and memories utilizing the dual magnetic tunneling junctions
A magnetic memory is described. The magnetic memory includes dual magnetic junctions and spin-orbit interaction (SO) active layer(s). Each dual magnetic junction includes first and second reference layers, first and second nonmagnetic spacer layers and a free layer. The free layer is magnetic and between the nonmagnetic spacer layers. The nonmagnetic spacer layers are between the corresponding reference layers and the free layer. The SO active layer(s) are adjacent to the first reference layer of each dual magnetic junction. The SO active layer(s) exert a SO torque on the first reference layer due to a current passing through the SO active layer(s) substantially perpendicular to a direction between the SO active layer(s) and the first reference layer. The first reference layer has a magnetic moment changeable by at least the SO torque. The free layer is switchable using a spin transfer write current driven through the dual magnetic junction. |
| US09105829B2 |
Thermal management in electronic devices with yielding substrates
In accordance with certain embodiments, heat-dissipating elements are integrated with semiconductor dies and substrates in order to facilitate heat dissipation therefrom during operation. |
| US09105827B2 |
Method for bonding semiconductor substrates
A method is provided for bonding a first substrate carrying a semiconductor device layer on its front surface to a second substrate. The method comprises producing the semiconductor device layer on the front surface of the first substrate, depositing a first metal bonding layer or a stack of metal layers on the first substrate, on top of the semiconductor device layer, depositing a second metal bonding layer or a stack of metal layers on the front surface of the second substrate, depositing a metal stress-compensation layer on the back side of the second substrate, thereafter establishing a metal bond between the first and second substrate, by bringing the first and second metal bonding layers or stacks of layers into mutual contact under conditions of mechanical pressure and temperature suitable for obtaining the metal bond, and removing the first substrate. |
| US09105825B2 |
Light source package and method of manufacturing the same
A package for a light source is disclosed. In particular, a Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC) is described which provides enhanced heat dissipating properties. Moreover, the PLCC is described as comprising a single-gage leadframe, which provides for enhanced design flexibility and reduced manufacturing costs. Methods of manufacturing light source packages are also disclosed. |
| US09105823B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor chip and method for producing an optoelectronic semiconductor chip
An optoelectronic semiconductor chip has an epitaxial layer sequence. A doped epitaxial layer of the epitaxial layer sequence has a first region and a second region and a protected structure. The first region of the doped epitaxial layer completely covers the protected structure. The outer surface of the doped epitaxial layer has a first roughness in the first region and a second roughness in the second region. |
| US09105821B2 |
Curable silicone resin composition, cured product thereof and photosemiconductor apparatus
The present invention is curable silicone resin composition which is an addition-curable silicone composition, and comprises: (A) (A-1) a compound having at least two aliphatic unsaturated groups per one molecule and represented by the following formula (1), (B) an organic silicon compound having at least two hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atom per one molecule and having no aliphatic unsaturated group, (C) a hydrosilylation catalyst containing a platinum group metal, and (D) 0.1 to 500 parts by mass of silicone powder having an average particle diameter of 0.5 to 100 μm based on 100 parts by mass of the total Components (A) and (B). Thereby, there can be provided a curable silicone resin composition having high light extraction efficiency and useful as, for example, an encapsulant, a cured product thereof and a photosemiconductor apparatus. |
| US09105818B2 |
Method and apparatus for fabricating phosphor-coated LED dies
The present disclosure involves lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus includes a first doped semiconductor layer. A light-emitting layer is disposed over the first doped semiconductor layer. A second doped semiconductor layer is disposed over the light-emitting layer. The second doped semiconductor layer has a different type of conductivity than the first doped semiconductor layer. A photo-conversion layer is disposed over the second doped semiconductor layer and over side surfaces of the first and second doped semiconductor layers and the light-emitting layer. The photo-conversion layer has an angular profile. |
| US09105816B2 |
High-power white LEDs
A light emitting apparatus has a first radiation source without a dome, a substantially transparent and light transmissive optic device devoid of scattering particles and phosphor, a lens, a down conversion material containing phosphor that is disposed on the planar top surface of the optic device between the lens and the radiation source, and a heat sink, upon which the radiation source is mounted, having a recess formed therein in which the radiation source, the optic device and the down conversion material are positioned, wherein an air space is defined between a boundary of the recess and the optic device. |
| US09105812B2 |
Diode for a printable composition
An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary diode comprises: a light emitting or absorbing region having a diameter between about 20 and 30 microns and a height between 2.5 to 7 microns; a plurality of first terminals spaced apart and coupled to the light emitting region peripherally on a first side, each first terminal of the plurality of first terminals having a height between about 0.5 to 2 microns; and one second terminal coupled centrally to a mesa region of the light emitting region on the first side, the second terminal having a height between 1 to 8 microns. |
| US09105811B2 |
Process for realizing a system for recovering heat, in particular based on the Seebeck's effect, and corresponding system
An embodiment of a process for realizing a system for recovering heat is described, the process comprising the steps of: formation on a substrate of a plurality of L-shaped down metal structures; deposition of a dielectric layer on the substrate and the plurality of L-shaped down metal structures by using a screen printing approach; definition and opening in the dielectric layer of upper contacts and lower contacts of the L-shaped down metal structures; formation of a plurality of L-shaped up metal structures being connected to the plurality of L-shaped down metal structure in correspondence of the upper and lower contacts so as to form a plurality of serially connected thermocouples, each comprising at least one L-shaped down metal structure and at least one L-shaped up metal structure, being made of different metal materials and interconnected at a junction, the serially connected thermocouples thus realizing the system for recovering heat. |
| US09105809B2 |
Segmented thermoelectric device
According to some embodiments, a thermoelectric system includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements forming a thermoelectric array, the thermoelectric elements having a cooling side and a heating side. The system further includes at least one heat exchanger on at least one of the cooling side and the heating side, the heat exchanger being in thermal communication with at least some of the thermoelectric elements. In addition, the system includes a substrate generally positioned between the thermoelectric elements and the heat exchange element. The substrate comprises an electrical isolation layer, a support element configured to receive the heat exchanger and a plurality of interconnecting tabs configured to place adjacent thermoelectric elements in electrical communication with one another. |
| US09105800B2 |
Method of forming deposited patterns on a surface
A method for forming a coating of material on selected portions of a surface of a substrate having a plurality of cavities, each cavity having outer, peripheral sidewalls extending outwardly from the surface. The method includes: providing a structure having a release agent thereon; contacting top surface of the wafer with the release agent to transfer portions of the release agent to the top surface of the wafer while bottom portions of the cavities remain spaced from the release agent to produce an intermediate structure; the release agent disposed on the top surface of the wafer and with the bottom portions of the cavities void of the release agent; exposing the intermediate structure to the material to blanket coat the material on both the release agent and the bottom portions of the cavities; and selectively removing the release agent together with the coating material while leaving the coating material on the bottom portions of the cavities. |
| US09105796B2 |
CZTS/Se precursor inks and methods for preparing CZTS/Se thin films and CZTS/Se-based photovoltaic cells
The present invention relates to coated binary and ternary chalcogenide nanoparticle compositions that can be used as copper zinc tin chalcogenide precursor inks. In addition, this invention relates to coated substrates comprising binary and ternary chalcogenide nanoparticle compositions and provides processes for manufacturing these coated substrates. This invention also relates to compositions of copper zinc tin chalcogenide thin films and photovoltaic cells comprising such films. In addition, this invention provides processes for manufacturing copper zinc tin chalcogenide thin films, as well as processes for manufacturing photovoltaic cells incorporating such films. |
| US09105795B2 |
Composite superconductor
Disclosed is a composite superconductor comprising a superconductor and a metal member. The metal member is composed of one or more members to be joined together in such manner that the one or more members cover the superconductor, and at least one member is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. |
| US09105785B2 |
Luminescent solar concentrator
The present invention is directed to luminescent solar concentrators, processes for the production of the same and uses thereof. The luminescent solar concentrators comprise a composite substrate including two or more films containing luminescent compounds and wavelength-selective mirrors, which concentrators may be connected to photovoltaic cells. |
| US09105784B2 |
Solar module
A solar module having improved photoelectric conversion efficiency is provided. The solar module (1) is provided with a bifacial light-receiving solar cell (10), a transparent member (15), a weather-resistant member (14), and a bonding layer (13). The bonding layer (13) includes at least two media (13b, 13c) having different refractive indices. Interfaces (22, 23) are formed by at least two media (13b, 13c) and are positioned in a region unoccupied by the solar cells (10). The interfaces (22, 23) are configured such that at least some of the light that is incident on the interfaces (22, 23) in a direction (z) perpendicular to the solar module (1) is guided to the back surface (10b) of the solar cells (10). |
| US09105782B2 |
Arrays of ultrathin silicon solar microcells
Provided are solar cells, photovoltaics and related methods for making solar cells, wherein the solar cell is made of ultrathin solar grade or low quality silicon. In an aspect, the invention is a method of making a solar cell by providing a solar cell substrate having a receiving surface and assembling a printable semiconductor element on the receiving surface of the substrate via contact printing. The semiconductor element has a thickness that is less than or equal to 100 μm and, for example, is made from low grade Si. |
| US09105778B2 |
Systems methods and apparatuses for magnetic processing of solar modules
Provided herein are methods, apparatuses and systems for fabricating photovoltaic cells and modules. In certain embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems involve coating ferromagnetic substrates with thin film solar cell materials and using magnetic force to constrain, move or otherwise manipulate partially fabricated cells or modules. According to various embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide magnetically actuated handling throughout a photovoltaic cell or module fabrication process, from forming photovoltaic cell layers on a substrate to packaging the module for transport and installation. The magnetically manipulated processing provides advantages over conventional photovoltaic module processing operations, including fewer mechanical components, greater control over placement and tolerances, and ease of handling. As a result, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide highly efficient, low maintenance photovoltaic module fabrication processes. |
| US09105777B1 |
Semiconductor gamma ray detector element configuration of axially series multi-chamber structure for improving detector depletion plan
A High Purity Germanium (HPGe) radiation detector has been specially machined to be this invented series multi-chamber coaxial configuration. So extra-large volume HPGe detectors can be easily produced with current available HPGe crystal, and the entire detector body structure can be uniquely optimized in accordance with the exact semiconductor crystal ingot situation so the overall detector can be easier depleted and the photo-induced carriers can be better collected as the signal output. This invention makes extra-large efficiency HPGe gamma ray detectors of 100% to 200%, and maybe even higher efficiency, possible and easier to be produced based on current HPGe crystal supply capability. The invention improves the detector performance for very high energy gamma ray detection especially. The invention could also be applied to any other kind of semiconductor materials if any of them could be purified enough for this application in future. |
| US09105776B2 |
Method and structure for thin film photovoltaic materials using semiconductor materials
A photovoltaic device and related methods. The device has a nanostructured material positioned between an electron collecting electrode and a hole collecting electrode. An electron transporting/hole blocking material is positioned between the electron collecting electrode and the nanostructured material. In a specific embodiment, negatively charged carriers generated by optical absorption by the nanostructured material are preferentially separated into the electron transporting/hole blocking material. In a specific embodiment, the nanostructured material has an optical absorption coefficient of at least 103 cm−1 for light comprised of wavelengths within the range of about 400 nm to about 700 nm. |
| US09105771B2 |
Method for producing at least one optoelectronic semiconductor component
A method of producing an optoelectronic semiconductor component includes providing a carrier having a top side, an underside situated opposite the top side, and a plurality of connection areas arranged at the top side alongside one another in a lateral direction; applying a plurality of optoelectronic components arranged at a distance from one another in a lateral direction at the top side, the components having a contact area facing away from the carrier; applying protective elements to the contact and connection areas; applying an electrically insulating layer to exposed locations of the carrier, contact areas and protective elements; producing openings in the insulating layer by removing protective elements; and arranging an electrically conductive material on the insulating layer and in the openings, wherein the electrically conductive material connects a contact area to an assigned connection area. |
| US09105766B2 |
Optical electronic package
An optical electronic package includes transmitting chip and a receiving chip fixed to a wafer. A transparent encapsulation structure is formed by a transparent plate and a transparent encapsulation block that are formed over the transmitter chip and at least a portion of the receiver chip, with the transparent encapsulation block embedding the transmitter chip. An opaque encapsulation block extends over the transparent plate and includes an opening that reveals a front area of the transparent plate. The front area is situated above an optical transmitter of the transmitting chip and is offset laterally relative to an optical sensor of the receiving chip. |
| US09105760B2 |
Pick-and-place tool for packaging process
An apparatus includes a guide ring, and a bond head installed on the guide ring. The bond head is configured to move in loops along the guide ring. The bond head is configured to pick up dies and place the dies during the loops. |
| US09105755B2 |
Method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor epitaxial substrate
There is provided a nitride semiconductor epitaxial substrate having a group III nitride semiconductor layer with C-plane as a surface, grown on a substrate via a buffer layer of the group III nitride semiconductor containing Al, wherein the buffer layer has an inversion domain on the surface. |
| US09105749B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
In a transistor including a wide band gap semiconductor layer as a semiconductor layer, a wide band gap semiconductor layer is separated into an island shape by an insulating layer with passivation properties for preventing atmospheric components from permeating. The edge portion of the island shape wide band gap semiconductor layer is in contact with the insulating film; thus, moisture or atmospheric components can be prevented from entering from the edge portion of the semiconductor layer to the wide band gap semiconductor layer. |
| US09105748B1 |
Integration of a non-volatile memory (NVM) cell and a logic transistor and method therefor
A method of making a split gate non-volatile memory (NVM) using a substrate includes etching a recess into an isolation region of an NVM region of the substrate and depositing a conductive layer and a capping layer. A select gate and a control gate are formed in the NVM region, and a dummy gate is formed in a logic region of the substrate. A portion of the capping layer is removed and a salicide block bi-layer is deposited and patterned to form a first opening that exposes a contact portion of the conductive layer over the recess. A silicided region is formed on the contact portion. The substrate is planarized to expose the dummy gate, which is replaced with a metal gate. A second opening is etched through a first interlayer dielectric deposited over the substrate to the silicided region. Contact metal is deposited into the second opening. |
| US09105744B2 |
Semiconductor devices having inactive fin field effect transistor (FinFET) structures and manufacturing and design methods thereof
Semiconductor devices and manufacturing and design methods thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an active FinFET disposed over a workpiece comprising a first semiconductive material, the active FinFET comprising a first fin. An electrically inactive FinFET structure is disposed over the workpiece proximate the active FinFET, the electrically inactive FinFET comprising a second fin. A second semiconductive material is disposed between the first fin and the second fin. |
| US09105742B1 |
Dual epitaxial process including spacer adjustment
A multi-gate semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor structure and a second semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure includes a first gate stack having first spacers formed on opposing sides thereof. The second semiconductor structure includes a second gate stack having second spacers formed on opposing sides thereof. First elevated source/drain regions abut the first spacers to define a first effective S/D distance between the first gate stack and the first elevated source/drain regions. Second elevated source/drain regions abut the second spacers to define a second effective S/D distance between the second gate stack and the second elevated source/drain regions. The second effective S/D distance is equal to the first effective S/D distance. |
| US09105741B2 |
Method of replacement source/drain for 3D CMOS transistors
A method of forming a semiconductor structure may include forming at least one fin and forming, over a first portion of the at least one fin structure, a gate. Gate spacers may be formed on the sidewalls of the gate, whereby the forming of the spacers creates recessed regions adjacent the sidewalls of the at least one fin. A first epitaxial region is formed that covers both one of the recessed regions and a second portion of the at least one fin, such that the second portion extends outwardly from one of the gate spacers. A first epitaxial layer is formed within the one of the recessed regions by etching the first epitaxial region and the second portion of the at least one fin. A second epitaxial region is formed at a location adjacent one of the spacers and over the first epitaxial layer within one of the recessed regions. |
| US09105735B2 |
Transistor and display device
It is an object to manufacture a highly reliable display device using a thin film transistor having favorable electric characteristics and high reliability as a switching element. In a bottom gate thin film transistor including an amorphous oxide semiconductor, an oxide conductive layer having a crystal region is formed between an oxide semiconductor layer which has been dehydrated or dehydrogenated by heat treatment and each of a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer which are formed using a metal material. Accordingly, contact resistance between the oxide semiconductor layer and each of the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer can be reduced; thus, a thin film transistor having favorable electric characteristics and a highly reliable display device using the thin film transistor can be provided. |
| US09105734B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a base insulating film including silicon, an oxide semiconductor film over the base insulating film, a gate insulating film over the oxide semiconductor film, a gate electrode which is in contact with the gate insulating film and overlaps with at least the oxide semiconductor film, and a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film includes a region in which a concentration of silicon distributed from the interface with the base insulating film toward an inside of the oxide semiconductor film is lower than or equal to 1.0 at. %. A crystal portion is included at least in the region. |
| US09105732B2 |
Semiconductor device
To provide a transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor and is capable of operating at high speed or a highly reliable semiconductor device including the transistor, a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor layer including a pair of low-resistance regions and a channel formation region is provided over an electrode layer, which is embedded in a base insulating layer and whose upper surface is at least partly exposed from the base insulating layer, and a wiring layer provided above the oxide semiconductor layer is electrically connected to the electrode layer or a part of a low-resistance region of the oxide semiconductor layer, which overlaps with the electrode layer. |
| US09105729B2 |
Display substrate
A display substrate including a base substrate having a switching device, a first insulating layer over the base substrate having a contact hole partially exposing an electrode of the switching device, a first electrode over the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer over the first electrode, and a second electrode over the second insulating layer, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is coupled to the electrode of the switching device through the contact hole, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed in regions other than a peripheral region of the contact hole to prevent delamination and shorting of the pixel and common electrodes. |
| US09105727B2 |
Semiconductor element and display device using the same
A semiconductor having an active layer; a gate insulating film in contact with the semiconductor; a gate electrode opposite to the active layer through the gate insulating film; a first nitride insulating film formed over the active layer; a photosensitive organic resin film formed on the first nitride insulating film; a second nitride insulating film formed on the photosensitive organic resin film; and a wiring provided on the second, nitride insulating film. A first opening portion is provided in the photosensitive organic resin film, an inner wall surface of the first opening portion is covered with the second nitride insulating film, a second opening portion is provided in a laminate including the gate insulating film, the first nitride insulating film, and the second nitride insulating film inside the first opening portion, and the semiconductor is connected with the wiring through the first opening portion and the second opening portion. |
| US09105725B2 |
Semiconductor-on-insulator device including stand-alone well implant to provide junction butting
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a bulk substrate layer, an active semiconductor layer, and a buried insulator layer interposed between the bulk substrate layer and the active semiconductor layer. A first source/drain (S/D) region includes a first stand-alone butting implant having a first butting width. A second S/D region includes a second stand-alone butting implant having a second butting width. A gate well-region is interposed between the first and second S/D regions. The gate well-region has a gate width that is greater than the first and second butting widths. |
| US09105722B2 |
Tucked active region without dummy poly for performance boost and variation reduction
In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided that includes a semiconductor substrate including an active region and at least one trench isolation region at a perimeter of the active region, and a functional gate structure present on a portion of the active region of the semiconductor substrate. Embedded semiconductor regions are present in the active region of the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the portion of the active region that the functional gate structure is present on. A portion of the active region of the semiconductor substrate separates the outermost edge of the embedded semiconductor regions from the at least one isolation region. Methods of forming the aforementioned device are also provided. |
| US09105711B2 |
Semiconductor structure with reduced junction leakage and method of fabrication thereof
A semiconductor structure is formed with a NFET device and a PFET device. The NFET device is formed by masking the PFET device regions of a substrate, forming a screen layer through epitaxial growth and in-situ doping, and forming an undoped channel layer on the screen layer through epitaxial growth. The PFET device is similarly formed by masking the NFET regions of a substrate, forming a screen layer through epitaxial growth and in-situ doping, and forming an undoped channel layer on the screen layer through epitaxial growth. An isolation region is formed between the NFET and the PFET device areas to remove any facets occurring during the separate epitaxial growth phases. By forming the screen layer through in-situ doped epitaxial growth, a reduction in junction leakage is achieved versus forming the screen layer using ion implantation. |
| US09105705B2 |
Method and apparatus for plasma dicing a semi-conductor wafer
The present invention provides a method for plasma dicing a substrate. The method comprising providing a process chamber having a wall; providing a plasma source adjacent to the wall of the process chamber; providing a work piece support within the process chamber; placing the substrate onto a support film on a frame to form a work piece work piece; loading the work piece onto the work piece support; providing a clamping electrode for electrostatically clamping the work piece to the work piece support; providing a mechanical partition between the plasma source and the work piece; generating a plasma through the plasma source; and etching the work piece through the generated plasma. |
| US09105704B2 |
Method of depositing films with narrow-band conductive properties
Conducting materials having narrow impurity conduction bands can reduce the number of high energy excitations, and can be prepared by a sequence of plasma treatments. For example, a dielectric layer can be exposed to a first plasma ambient to form vacancy sites, and the vacancy-formed dielectric layer can be subsequently exposed to a second plasma ambient to fill the vacancy sites with substitutional impurities. |
| US09105702B2 |
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. |
| US09105698B2 |
Multilevel interconnect structures and methods of fabricating same
A multilevel interconnect structure for a semiconductor device includes an intermetal dielectric layer with funnel-shaped connecting vias. The funnel-shaped connecting vias are provided in connection with systems exhibiting submicron spacings. The architecture of the multilevel interconnect structure provides a low resistance connecting via. |
| US09105696B1 |
Method of coating surface of substrate hole with layer of reduced graphene oxide
A method for coating a layer of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on the surface of substrate holes (especially holes with high aspect ratio) includes a serial wet process steps of hydrophilic treatment of the surface of the substrate, self-assembly of a silane layer, steps of grafting of a polymer layer, grafting of graphene oxide (GO), intercalation of metal ions, and intercalation of metal atom/rGO intercalation. The method further includes the decoration of conductive metals (copper or nickel tungsten) plug on the rGO layer in holes by electroplating process. |
| US09105691B2 |
Contact isolation scheme for thin buried oxide substrate devices
A method of forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) device includes defining a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure in an SOI substrate, the SOI substrate including a bulk layer, a buried insulator (BOX) layer over the bulk layer, and an SOI layer over the BOX layer; forming a doped region in a portion of the bulk layer corresponding to a lower location of the STI structure, the doped region extending laterally into the bulk layer beneath the BOX layer; selectively etching the doped region of the bulk layer with respect to undoped regions of the bulk layer such that the lower location of the STI structure undercuts the BOX layer; and filling the STI structure with an insulator fill material. |
| US09105689B1 |
Bonded semiconductor structure with SiGeC layer as etch stop
A semiconductor structure is formed with a first wafer (e.g. a handle wafer) and a second wafer (e.g. a bulk silicon wafer) bonded together. The second wafer includes an active layer, which in some embodiments is formed before the two wafers are bonded together. A substrate is removed from the second wafer on an opposite side of the active layer from the first wafer using a SiGeC layer as an etch stop. In some embodiments, the SiGeC layer is then removed; but in some other embodiments, it remains as a strain-inducing layer. |
| US09105686B2 |
Fabrication of localized SOI on localized thick box using selective epitaxy on bulk semiconductor substrates for photonics device integration
Photonic devices are created by laterally growing a semiconductor material (i.e., a localized semiconductor-on-insulator layer) over a localized buried oxide (BOX) created in a semiconductor by either a trench isolation process or thermal oxidation. In one embodiment, and after trench formation in a semiconductor substrate, the trench is filled with oxide to create a localized BOX. The top surface of the BOX is recessed to depth below the topmost surface of the semiconductor substrate to expose sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor substrate within each trench. A semiconductor material is then epitaxially grown from the exposed sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09105684B2 |
Isolation structure, semiconductor device having the same, and method for fabricating the isolation structure
An isolation structure of a semiconductor, a semiconductor device having the same, and a method for fabricating the isolation structure are provided. An isolation structure of a semiconductor device may include a trench formed in a substrate, an oxide layer formed on a bottom surface and an inner sidewall of the trench, a filler formed on the oxide layer to fill a part of inside of the trench, and a fourth oxide layer filling an upper portion of the filler of the trench to a height above an upper surface of the trench, an undercut structure being formed on a boundary area between the inner sidewall and the oxide layer. |
| US09105681B2 |
Method for forming deep silicon via for grounding of circuits and devices, emitter ballasting and isolation
According to an exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor die including at least one deep silicon via is provided. The deep silicon via comprises a deep silicon via opening that extends through at least one pre-metal dielectric layer of the semiconductor die, at least one epitaxial layer of the semiconductor die, and partially into a conductive substrate of the semiconductor die. The deep silicon via further comprises a conductive plug situated in the deep silicon via opening and forming an electrical contact with the conductive substrate. The deep silicon via may include a sidewall dielectric layer and a bottom conductive layer. A method for making a deep silicon via is also disclosed. The deep silicon via is used to, for example, provide a ground connection for power transistors in the semiconductor die. |
| US09105679B2 |
Semiconductor device and insulated gate bipolar transistor with barrier regions
In a semiconductor device a barrier region is sandwiched between a drift region and a charge carrier transfer region. The barrier and charge carrier transfer regions form a pn junction. The barrier and drift regions form a homojunction. A mean impurity concentration in the barrier region is at least ten times as high as an impurity concentration in the drift region. A control structure is arranged to form an inversion layer in the drift and barrier regions in an inversion state. No inversion layer is formed in the drift and barrier regions in a non-inversion state. |
| US09105675B2 |
WH (wafer-holder) process
A stacking apparatus that stacks chip assemblies each having a plurality of chips disposed continuously with circuit patterns and electrodes, includes: a plurality of stages each allowed to move arbitrarily, on which the chip assemblies are placed; a storage unit that stores an estimated extent of change in a position of an electrode at each chip, expected to occur as heat is applied to the chip assemblies placed on the plurality of stages during a stacking process; and a control unit that sets positions of the plurality of stages to be assumed relative to each other during the stacking process based upon the estimated extent of change in the position of the electrode at each chip provided from the storage unit and position information indicating positions of individual chips formed at the chip assemblies and controls at least one of the plurality of stages. |
| US09105671B2 |
Liquid processing apparatus and liquid processing method
A liquid processing apparatus includes a substrate retaining part that retains a substrate in a horizontal position and rotates the substrate, first and second processing liquid supply nozzles disposed to supply first and second processing liquids, respectively, to the substrate, liquid receiving cups disposed to appropriately position an upper end thereof above the substrate and to receive the first or second processing liquid that has been supplied to the substrate, a first tubular outer cup including an upper opening and disposed around the liquid receiving cup, vertically movable between a lifted position to which the first tubular outer cup is lifted so that its upper end is positioned above the liquid receiving cup, and a lowered position lower than the lifted position, and a second tubular outer cup disposed externally to the first tubular outer cup. The tubular outer cup is selected according to the kind of processing liquid. |
| US09105666B2 |
Methods of fabricating semiconductor structures
Semiconductor structures including an etch stop material between a substrate and a stack of alternating insulating materials and first conductive materials, wherein the etch stop material comprises an amorphous aluminum oxide on the substrate and a crystalline aluminum oxide on the amorphous aluminum oxide; a channel material extending through the stack; and a second conductive material between the channel material and at least one of the first conductive materials in the stack of alternating insulating materials and first conductive materials, wherein the second conductive material is not between the channel material and the etch stop material. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating such semiconductor structures. |
| US09105665B2 |
Gettering agents in memory charge storage structures
Methods of forming memory cells including a charge storage structure having a gettering agent therein can be useful for non-volatile memory devices. Providing for gettering of oxygen from a charge-storage material of the charge storage structure can facilitate a mitigation of detrimental oxidation of the charge-storage material. |
| US09105662B1 |
Method and structure to enhance gate induced strain effect in multigate device
A FinFet formed by depositing a thin layer of polycrystalline silicon followed by depositing a stress containing material, including a high Ge percentage silicon germanium film and/or a high stress W film on top of a polycrystalline silicon film. Freeing space between fins allows stressor films to be deposited closer to the transistor channel, improving the proximity of the stress containing material to the transistor channel and enhancing the stress coupling efficiency by defining a ratio between stress level in the stressor film and stress transferred to the channel for a mobility enhancement. The stress level is enhanced by patterning by removing the n-type workfunction metal from the p-FinFET. After stripping off the soft or hard mask, the p-type workfunction metal is deposited in the n- and p-FinFET regions. The freed space specifically for p-FinFet between the fins achieves an even higher stressor coupling to further boost the carrier mobility. |
| US09105658B2 |
Method for processing oxide semiconductor layer
A method for processing an oxide semiconductor containing indium, gallium, and zinc is provided. In the method, the oxide semiconductor layer comprises a plurality of excess oxygen, a first oxygen vacancy that is close to first indium and captures first hydrogen, and a second oxygen vacancy that is close to second indium and captures second hydrogen, the first hydrogen captured by the first oxygen vacancy is bonded to one of a plurality of excess oxygen to so that a hydroxyl is formed; the hydroxyl is bonded to the second hydrogen captured by the second oxygen vacancy to release as water; and then, the first oxygen vacancy captures one of excess oxygen and the second oxygen vacancy captures one of excess oxygen. |
| US09105657B2 |
Methods for producing near zero channel length field drift LDMOS
Adverse tradeoff between BVDSS and Rdson in LDMOS devices employing a drift space adjacent the drain, is avoided by providing a lightly doped region of a first conductivity type (CT) separating the first CT drift space from an opposite CT WELL region in which the first CT source is located, and a further region of the opposite CT (e.g., formed by an angled implant) extending through part of the WELL region under an edge of the gate located near a boundary of the WELL region into the lightly doped region, and a shallow still further region of the first CT Ohmically coupled to the source and ending near the gate edge whereby the effective channel length in the further region is reduced to near zero. Substantial improvement in BVDSS and/or Rdson can be obtained without degrading the other or significant adverse affect on other device properties. |
| US09105655B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
In a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same, a pillar pattern is formed in an alternating pattern and a one side contact (OSC) is formed without using a tilted ion implantation process or a mask, resulting in formation of a vertical gate. The semiconductor device includes an alternating or zigzag-type pillar pattern formed over a semiconductor substrate, a first hole formed between pillars of the pillar pattern, a passivation layer formed over a sidewall of the first hole, a second hole formed by partially etching a lower part of the first hole, a bit line formed in the second hole, and a contact formed at a lower part of the pillar pattern. |
| US09105653B2 |
Method for fabricating a metal gate electrode
An exemplary method for fabricating a metal gate electrode includes providing a substrate having thereon a dielectric layer and a trench in the dielectric layer; depositing a work-function metal layer over the dielectric layer and into the trench; depositing a sacrificial layer over the work-function metal layer to fill the first trench; performing a chemical mechanical polishing to remove the work-function metal layer outside the trench; removing the sacrificial layer in the trench; and depositing a signal metal layer to fill the trench. |
| US09105652B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A resist layer (46a) including a thick film section (47a), which is relatively thick, at one side thereof, and a thin film section (47b), which is relatively thin, at the other side thereof is formed using a multiple-tone mask. A gate electrode (15a) is formed at a place where it will be provided on a semiconductor layer (12a) so as to be narrower than the resist layer (46a), by executing isotropic etching to a conductive film (44) formed in advance using the resist layer (46a) as a mask, in order to form overhang portions (48) on the resist layer (46a) at both sides of the gate electrode (15a). Then, the entire thin film section (47b) is removed, the thick film section (47a) is made thinner, and impurities are implanted into the semiconductor layer (12a) using the remaining resist layer (46a) and the gate electrode (15a) as masks. |
| US09105651B2 |
Method of fabricating a MOS device using a stress-generating material
Provided is a method of fabricating a MOS device including the following steps. A gate structure is formed on a substrate and a first spacer is formed at a sidewall of the gate structure. A first implant process is performed to form source and drain extension regions in the substrate. A spacer material layer is formed on the gate structure, the first spacer and the substrate. A treatment process is performed so that stress from the spacer material layer is applied onto and memorized in a channel between two source and drain extension regions. An anisotropic process is performed to remove a portion of the spacer material so that a second spacer is formed. A second implant process is performed to form source and drain regions in the substrate. |
| US09105646B2 |
Methods for reproducible flash layer deposition
A method for reducing the leakage current in DRAM Metal-Insulator-Metal capacitors includes forming a flash layer between the dielectric layer and the first electrode layer. A method for reducing the leakage current in DRAM Metal-Insulator-Metal capacitors includes forming a capping layer between the dielectric layer and the second electrode layer. The flash layer and the capping layer can be formed using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. The precursor materials used for forming the flash layer and the capping layer are selected such they include at least one metal-oxygen bond. Additionally, the precursor materials are selected to also include “bulky” ligands. |
| US09105640B2 |
Semiconductor device including two groove-shaped patterns
The semiconductor device has insulating films 40, 42 formed over a substrate 10; an interconnection 58 buried in at least a surface side of the insulating films 40, 42; insulating films 60, 62 formed on the insulating film 42 and including a hole-shaped via-hole 60 and a groove-shaped via-hole 66a having a pattern bent at a right angle; and buried conductors 70, 72a buried in the hole-shaped via-hole 60 and the groove-shaped via-hole 66a. A groove-shaped via-hole 66a is formed to have a width which is smaller than a width of the hole-shaped via-hole 66. Defective filling of the buried conductor and the cracking of the inter-layer insulating film can be prevented. Steps on the conductor plug can be reduced. Accordingly, defective contact with the upper interconnection layer and the problems taking place in forming films can be prevented. |
| US09105637B2 |
Anti-fuse structure and fabrication
A method including a first interconnect level including a first electrode embedded in a first dielectric layer, a top surface of the first electrode is substantially flush with a top surface of the first dielectric layer, a second interconnect level including a via embedded in a second dielectric layer above the first dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer in direct contact with and separating the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, an entire top surface of the first electrode is in direct physical contact with a bottom surface of the third dielectric layer, and an interface between the first dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer extending from the top surface of the first electrode to the via, the interface including a length less than a minimum width of the via, a bottom surface of the via is in direct physical contact with the first dielectric layer. |
| US09105634B2 |
Voids in interconnect structures and methods for forming the same
A device includes a dielectric layer, a passive device including a portion in the dielectric layer, and a plurality of voids in the dielectric layer and encircling the passive device. |
| US09105633B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and manufacturing method thereof
An organic light emitting diode display includes a substrate including a display region displaying an image and a peripheral region surrounding the display region, a plurality of pad wires formed in the peripheral region of the substrate, and a plurality of bumps formed between the plurality of pad wires. The organic light emitting diode display blocks or relieves impact which is generated when a temporary upper protective film is half-cut and applied to a plurality of pad wires or an insulating layer by forming a plurality of bumps between the plurality of pad wires, thus preventing a damage to the pad wires or the insulating layer. |
| US09105627B2 |
Coil inductor for on-chip or on-chip stack
A coil inductor and buck voltage regulator incorporating the coil inductor are provided which can be fabricated on a microelectronic element such as a semiconductor chip, or on an interconnection element such as a semiconductor, glass or ceramic interposer element. When energized, the coil inductor has magnetic flux extending in a direction parallel to first and second opposed surfaces of the microelectronic or interconnection element, and whose peak magnetic flux is disposed between the first and second surfaces. In one example, the coil inductor can be formed by first conductive lines extending along the first surface of the microelectronic or interconnection element, second conductive lines extending along the second surface of the microelectronic or interconnection element, and a plurality of conductive vias, e.g., through silicon vias, extending in direction of a thickness of the microelectronic or interconnection element. A method of making the coil inductor is also provided. |
| US09105624B2 |
Techniques providing metal gate devices with multiple barrier layers
A semiconductor device with a metal gate is disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device with a metal gate includes a semiconductor substrate, source and drain features on the semiconductor substrate, a gate stack over the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the source and drain features. The gate stack includes a HK dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of barrier layers of a metal compound formed on top of the HK dielectric layer, wherein each of the barrier layers has a different chemical composition; and a stack of metals gate layers deposited over the plurality of barrier layers. |
| US09105622B2 |
Barrel-plating quad flat no-lead (QFN) packaging structures and method for manufacturing the same
A barrel-plating quad flat no-lead (QFN) package structure and a method for manufacturing the same. The method includes: providing a metal substrate for a plurality of QFN components; forming a first photoresist film on a top surface of the substrate; forming a plating pattern in the first photoresist film; forming a first metal layer containing a plurality of inner leads; etching the substrate from the back surface of the substrate to form a plurality of I/O pads; filling sealant in the etched areas; attaching at least one die in a predetermined region on the top surface of the substrate; connecting the die and the inner leads using metal wires; sealing the die, the inner leads, and the metal wires with a molding compound; separating the resulting joint QFN components into individual QFN components; and forming a second metal layer on the back surface of the I/O pads. |
| US09105617B2 |
Methods and structures for eliminating or reducing line end epi material growth on gate structures
One method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a line-end protection layer in an opening on an entirety of each opposing, spaced-apart first and second end face surfaces of first and second spaced-apart gate electrode structures, respectively, and forming a sidewall spacer adjacent opposing sidewall surfaces of each of the gate electrode structures but not adjacent the opposing first and second end face surfaces having the line-end protection layer positioned thereon. |
| US09105616B2 |
External connection terminal, semiconductor package having external connection terminal, and methods for manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein are an external connection terminal part, a semiconductor package having the external connection terminal part, and a method for manufacturing the same. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the external connection terminal part includes an insulating material and metal plating pattern formed on both surfaces of the insulating material. |
| US09105613B1 |
Method of manufacturing electronic package module and electronic package module manufactured by the same
A method of manufacturing an electronic package module is provided. The method forms dual-side and selective encapsulation by using a dam filling process and a sacrificial layer. Electronic components are protected from electromagnetic interference while not interfering functioning of specific electronic components which are not encapsulated. |
| US09105612B2 |
Microelectronic packages having cavities for receiving microelectronic elements
Packaged microelectronic elements are provided which include a dielectric element, a cavity, a plurality of chip contacts and a plurality of package contacts, and microelectronic elements having a plurality of bond pads connected to the chip contacts. |
| US09105610B2 |
Methods and arrangements relating to semiconductor packages including multi-memory dies
Embodiments provide a method comprising providing a multi-memory die that comprises multiple individual memory dies. Each of the individual memory dies is defined as an individual memory die within a wafer of semiconductor material during production of memory dies. The multi-memory die is created by singulating the wafer of semiconductor material into memory dies where at least one of the memory dies is a multi-memory die that includes multiple individual memory dies that are still physically connected together. The method further comprises coupling a semiconductor die to the multi-memory die. |
| US09105603B2 |
Laminate type semiconductor ceramic capacitor with varistor functionality and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor ceramic having a compounding molar ratio m between a Sr site and a Ti site that satisfies 1.000 ≦m≦1.020, has a donor element present as a solid solution in crystal grains, has an acceptor element present in a grain boundary layer in the range of 0.5 mol or less with respect to 100 mol of the Ti element, contains a Zr element in the range of 0.15 mol or more and 3.0 mol or less with respect to 100 mol of the Ti element, and has the crystal grains of 1.5 μm or less in average grain size. |
| US09105601B2 |
Power module package
Disclosed herein is a power module package including: a substrate including a metal layer, a first insulation layer formed on the metal layer, a first circuit pattern formed on the first insulation layer and including a first pad and a second pad spaced apart from the first pad, a second insulation layer formed on the first insulation layer to cover the first circuit pattern, and a second circuit pattern formed on the second insulation layer and including a third pad formed on a location corresponding to the first pad and a fourth pad spaced apart from the third pad; a semiconductor chip mounted on the second circuit pattern; one end being electrically connected to the semiconductor chip, and another end protruding from the outside, wherein the first pad and the third pad, and the second pad and the fourth pad have different polarities. |
| US09105597B2 |
Electric power converter and method of manufacturing the same
An electric power converter that can easily be assembled is provided. An electric power converter includes a semiconductor stacking unit, a frame and a spring unit. The semiconductor stacking unit has a configuration in which the semiconductor modules and coolers are stacked. The spring unit is inserted between one end of the semiconductor stacking unit in a stacking direction, and a support provided on the frame, and fixes the semiconductor stacking unit while applying pressure thereto. The spring unit is provided with a first plate, a second plate, and a coil spring sandwiched between the first and second plates. A recess is provided in the first plate so as to have a gap between the first plate and the end surface of the semiconductor stacking unit. A penetrating passage through which the entire spring unit passes along a bottom of the recess is provided in the spring unit. |
| US09105595B2 |
Battery heating circuits and methods based on battery discharging using resonance components in series
According to certain embodiments, a battery heating circuit is provided, comprising a switch unit 1, a switching control module 100, a damping component R1, and an energy storage circuit; the energy storage circuit is configured to be connected with the battery and comprises a current storage component L1 and a charge storage component C1; the damping component R1, the switch unit 1, the current storage component L1, and the charge storage component C1 are connected in series; the switching control module 100 is connected with the switch unit 1, and is configured to control ON/OFF of the switch unit 1, so as to control energy flowing from the battery to the energy storage circuit only. For example, the heating circuit provided in the present invention can improve the charge/discharge performance of the battery, and improve safety when the battery is heated. |
| US09105590B2 |
Semiconductor structure having material layers which are level with each other and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor structure is provided in the present invention. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first material layer and a second material layer. A trench region is defined on the substrate. The trench region includes two separated first regions and a second region, wherein the second region is adjacent to and between the two first regions. The first material layer is disposed on the substrate outside the trench region. The second material layer is disposed in the second region and is level with the first material layer. |
| US09105588B2 |
Semiconductor component having a second passivation layer having a first opening exposing a bond pad and a plurality of second openings exposing a top surface of an underlying first passivation layer
A conductive feature on a semiconductor component is disclosed. A first passivation layer is formed over a substrate. A bond pad is formed over the first passivation layer. A second passivation layer overlies the first passivation layer and the bond pad. The second passivation layer has a first opening overlying the bond pad and a plurality of second openings exposing a top surface of the first passivation layer. A buffer layer overlies the second passivation layer and fills the plurality of second openings. The buffer layer has a third opening overlapping the first opening and together exposes a portion the bond pad. The combined first opening and third opening has sidewalls. An under bump metallurgy (UBM) layer overlies the sidewalls of the combined first opening and third opening, and contacts the exposed portion of the bond pad. A conductive feature overlies the UBM layer. |
| US09105587B2 |
Methods of forming semiconductor structures with sulfur dioxide etch chemistries
Methods of forming a semiconductor device structure and sulfur dioxide etch chemistries. The methods and chemistries, which may be plasma chemistries, include use of sulfur dioxide and a halogen-based compound to form a trimmed pattern of a patterning material, such as a resist material, at a critical dimension with low feature width roughness, with low space width roughness, without excessive height loss, and without substantial irregularities in the elevational profile, as compared to trimmed features formed using conventional chemistries and trimming methods. |
| US09105580B2 |
Semiconductor device including semiconductor construct installed on base plate, and manufacturing method of the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor construct including a semiconductor substrate and an external connection electrode provided to protrude on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, a base plate on which the semiconductor construct is installed, and a sealing layer stacked on the semiconductor substrate except for the external connection electrode and on the base plate including a side surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09105578B2 |
Interface for metal gate integration
A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) includes a semiconductor substrate and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) over the semiconductor substrate. A gate structure is formed within the ILD and disposed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the gate structure includes a high-k dielectric material layer and a metal gate stack. One or more portions of a protection layer are formed over the gate stack, and a contact etch stop layer is formed over the ILD and over the one or more portions of the protection layer. The metal gate stack includes aluminum and the protection layer includes aluminum oxide. |
| US09105577B2 |
MOSFET with work function adjusted metal backgate
An SOI substrate, a semiconductor device, and a method of backgate work function tuning. The substrate and the device have a plurality of metal backgate regions wherein at least two regions have different work functions. The method includes forming a mask on a substrate and implanting a metal backgate interposed between a buried oxide and bulk regions of the substrate thereby producing at least two metal backgate regions having different doses of impurity and different work functions. The work function regions can be aligned such that each transistor has different threshold voltage. When a top gate electrode serves as the mask, a metal backgate with a first work function under the channel region and a second work function under the source/drain regions is formed. The implant can be tilted to shift the work function regions relative to the mask. |
| US09105567B2 |
Making ESD diode with P-S/D overlying N-well and P-EPI portion
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor doped area (NWell) having a first conductivity type, and a layer (PSD) that overlies a portion of said doped area (NWell) and has a doping of an opposite second type of conductivity that is opposite from the first conductivity type of said doped area (NWell), and said layer (PSD) having a corner in cross-section, and the doping of said doped area (NWell) forming a junction beneath said layer (PSD) with the doping of said doped area (NWell) diluted in a vicinity below the corner of said layer (PSD). Other integrated circuits, substructures, devices, processes of manufacturing, and processes of testing are also disclosed. |
| US09105564B2 |
High-frequency device including high-frequency switching circuit
A high-frequency device includes at least an insulating substrate, a semiconductor substrate, a switching circuit, and an electrode. The semiconductor substrate is on the insulating substrate. A switching circuit is within an active region of the semiconductor substrate. The electrode is in contact with the semiconductor substrate such that a voltage signal can be applied to the semiconductor substrate via the electrode. |
| US09105563B2 |
Method and system of improved uniformity testing
A method and system includes a first substrate and a second substrate, each substrate comprising a predetermined baseline transmittance value at a predetermine wavelength of light, processing regions on the first substrate by combinatorially varying at least one of materials, process conditions, unit processes, and process sequences associated with the graphene production, performing a first characterization test on the processed regions on the first substrate to generate first results, processing regions on a second substrate in a combinatorial manner by varying at least one of materials, process conditions, unit processes, and process sequences associated with the graphene production based on the first results of the first characterization test, performing a second characterization test on the processed regions on the second substrate to generate second results, and determining whether at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate meet a predetermined quality threshold based on the second results. |
| US09105556B2 |
Tunneling field-effect transistor including graphene channel
According to example embodiments, a tunneling field-effect transistor (TFET) includes a first electrode on a substrate, a semiconductor layer on a portion of the first electrode, a graphene channel on the semiconductor layer, a second electrode on the graphene channel, a gate insulating layer on the graphene channel, and a gate electrode on the gate insulating layer. The first electrode may include a portion that is adjacent to the first area of the substrate. The semiconductor layer may be between the graphene channel and the portion of the first electrode. The graphene channel may extend beyond an edge of at least one of the semiconductor layer and the portion of the first electrode to over the first area of the substrate. |
| US09105555B2 |
Stretchable form of single crystal silicon for high performance electronics on rubber substrates
The present invention provides stretchable, and optionally printable, semiconductors and electronic circuits capable of providing good performance when stretched, compressed, flexed or otherwise deformed. Stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention preferred for some applications are flexible, in addition to being stretchable, and thus are capable of significant elongation, flexing, bending or other deformation along one or more axes. Further, stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention may be adapted to a wide range of device configurations to provide fully flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices. |
| US09105551B2 |
Method for making an imager device
A method for making an imager device including the implementation of the steps of: making, through a layer of electric insulating material within which are made one or more pixels each including an antenna able to pick up an electromagnetic wave received at said pixel, of an aperture forming an access to a layer of sacrificial material provided between the layer of electric insulating material and a reflective layer able to reflect said electromagnetic wave; removing part of the layer of sacrificial material through the aperture, forming between the reflective layer and the layer of electric insulating material at least one optical cavity. |
| US09105547B2 |
Solid state imaging device, method of manufacturing the same, and imaging apparatus
A solid state imaging device including: a plurality of sensor sections formed in a semiconductor substrate in order to convert incident light into an electric signal; a peripheral circuit section formed in the semiconductor substrate so as to be positioned beside the sensor sections; and a layer having negative fixed electric charges that is formed on a light incidence side of the sensor sections in order to form a hole accumulation layer on light receiving surfaces of the sensor sections. |
| US09105546B2 |
Imaging systems with backside illuminated near infrared imaging pixels
An imaging system may include an image sensor having backside illuminated near infrared image sensor pixels. Each pixel may be formed in a graded epitaxial substrate layer such as a graded n-type epitaxial layer. Each pixel may be separated from an adjacent pixel by an isolation trench formed in the graded epitaxial layer. The isolation trench may be a continuous isolation trench or may be formed from a combined front side isolation trench and backside isolation trench that are separated by a wall structure. A buried front side reflector may be provided that reflects light such as infrared light that has passed through a pixel back into the pixel, thereby effectively doubling the silicon absorption depth of the pixels. |
| US09105544B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device including unit pixel cells, each having a photoelectric conversion film and a pixel electrode which are formed above a silicon substrate, an amplification transistor which is formed on the silicon substrate and outputs a voltage according to a potential of the pixel electrode, and a reset transistor which is formed on the silicon substrate and resets a potential of a gate electrode of the amplification transistor, the imaging device including a vertical signal line which is disposed correspondingly to a column of the unit pixel cells, and transmits a voltage of the unit pixel cells of the corresponding column, and a vertical scanning unit which selects a row of the unit pixel cells having a voltage to be outputted to the vertical signal line, wherein the vertical signal line is located below the pixel electrode of the unit pixel cells corresponding to the vertical signal line. |
| US09105542B2 |
Imaging systems and methods for providing a switchable impedance to ground
This is generally directed to a switchable impedance to ground. In particular, a pixel array can be coupled to and surrounded by a ground ring. The ground ring can be coupled to a switchable impedance to ground. During a correlated double sampling (“CDS”) phase of the pixel array, the switchable impedance can be set to a high resistance value. For example, the switchable impedance can be set to 500 ohms. During an analog-to-digital conversion (“ADC”) readout phase of the pixel array, however, the switchable impedance can be set to a low resistance value. For example, the switchable impedance can be set to 1-10 ohms. Setting the switchable impedance to the high impedance value during the CDS phase can prevent imaging errors such as black hole artifacts. Setting the switchable impedance to the low impedance value during the ADC readout phase can, for example, prevent errors due to ground drift. |
| US09105535B2 |
Copper feature design for warpage control of substrates
An approach is provided in which a laminate substrate includes top layers, bottom layers, and a core layer. The top layers are positioned between the core layer and a top surface metallurgy (TSM) layer and include at least one top conductive layer. The bottom layers are positioned between the core layer and a bottom surface metallurgy (BSM) layer and include at least one bottom conductive layer that includes a material void pattern that is based upon the top conductive layer and reduces warpage of the laminate substrate. |
| US09105533B2 |
Bump structure having a single side recess
A bump structure includes a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The bump structure further includes a first side connected between the first end and the second end. The bump structure further includes a second side opposite the first side. The second side is connected between the first end and the second end, and the second side comprises a recess for a reflowed solder material to fill. |
| US09105531B2 |
Semiconductor device
A first photosensitive organic insulating film (PO1) formed in contact with a passivation film (PL) covers the entire circumference of a stepped portion (TRE) at a surface of the passivation film PL formed by a topmost conductive layer (TCL) and has an outer circumferential edge (ED1) positioned, along the entire circumference, on the outer circumferential side with respect to the stepped portion (TRE). This can prevent the first photosensitive organic insulating film (PO1) from peeling off the passivation film (PL). |
| US09105529B2 |
Thin-film transistor substrate and organic light-emitting display apparatus including thin-film transistor substrate
A thin film transistor (TFT) substrate, an organic light-emitting display apparatus including the TFT substrate, and a method of manufacturing the TFT substrate that enable simple manufacturing processes and a decrease in the interference between a capacitor and other interconnections are disclosed. The TFT substrate may include a substrate, a TFT arranged on the substrate, the TFT including an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, a pixel electrode electrically connected to one of the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a capacitor including a lower capacitor electrode and an upper capacitor electrode, the lower capacitor electrode formed from the same material as the active layer and arranged on the same layer as the active layer, and the upper capacitor electrode formed from the same material as the pixel electrode. |
| US09105527B2 |
High Productivity Combinatorial material screening for stable, high-mobility non-silicon thin film transistors
Methods for HPC techniques are applied to the processing of site-isolated regions (SIR) on a substrate to form at least a portion of a TFT device used in display applications. The processing may be applied to at least one of gate dielectric deposition, gate dielectric patterning, metal-based semiconductor deposition, metal-based patterning, etch stop deposition, etch stop patterning, source/drain deposition, or source/drain patterning. The SIRs may be defined during the deposition process with uniform deposition within each SIR or the SIRs may be defined subsequent to the deposition of layers wherein the layers are deposited with a gradient in one or more properties across the substrate. |
| US09105525B2 |
Touch unit, array substrate, liquid crystal cell substrate and touch display device
The embodiment of the present invention discloses a touch unit, an array substrate, a liquid crystal cell substrate and a touch display device. The touch unit comprise a plurality of touch sub-units, each of which comprising a sensor thin film transistor (TFT), an sensing capacitor, a reading induction line and a memory capacitor, the capacitance of the memory capacitor being less than that of the sensing capacitor. Due to the memory capacitor is added to stabilize the voltage of the sensor TFT, the interference of noise upon the voltage of the sensor TFT is reduced, thus effectively improving the signal stability of the touch unit. |
| US09105524B2 |
Method of fabricating a thin film transistor array substrate
A thin film transistor array substrate including a gate line and a data line formed on a substrate, the gate and data lines crossing each other; a gate insulation film formed between the gate and data lines; a gate electrode formed at an intersection of the gate and data lines; an active layer formed on the gate insulation film to overlap the gate electrode; an etch stop layer formed on the active layer to define a channel region of the active layer; and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the active layer to partially overlap the active layer. The etch stop layer is between the source and drain electrodes, and the source and drain electrodes are spaced apart from the etch stop layer. |
| US09105522B2 |
Quantum tunneling devices and circuits with lattice-mismatched semiconductor structures
Structures include a tunneling device disposed over first and second lattice-mismatched semiconductor materials. Process embodiments include forming tunneling devices over lattice-mismatched materials. |
| US09105521B2 |
Display device having light emitting elements with red color filters
A display device comprising TFT elements having satisfactory characteristics and being easy to assemble. In the display device, a pixel emitting red light comprises a red color filter. The red color filter forms a light shielding film for the TFT elements in a driver circuit portion or in a pixel portion. |
| US09105519B2 |
Substrate treatment apparatus, substrate treatment method, and non-transitory storage medium
A substrate treatment apparatus configured such that substrates in a same lot are distributed by a delivery mechanism into a plurality of unit blocks, each unit block including a solution treatment module, an ultraviolet irradiation module, and a substrate carrying mechanism, the apparatus includes: an illuminance detection part that detects an illuminance of a light source of the ultraviolet irradiation module; and a control part that controls, when an illuminance detection value of the ultraviolet irradiation module in one unit block among the plurality of unit blocks becomes a set value or less, the delivery mechanism to stop delivery of a substrate to the one unit block and deliver subsequent substrates to another unit block, and the ultraviolet irradiation module to perform irradiation on substrates which have already been delivered to the one unit block with an irradiation time adjusted to a length according to the illuminance detection value. |
| US09105514B2 |
Three-dimensional non-volatile memory device, memory system including the same, and method of manufacturing the same
A 3D non-volatile memory device including a substrate that includes a first region and a second region; a pipe channel film that is formed on the substrate in the first region; a pipe gate that substantially encloses the pipe channel film; and a driving gate that is formed on the substrate in the second region and has at least one dummy pattern. |
| US09105512B2 |
SONOS stack with split nitride memory layer
A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same are provided. In one embodiment, semiconductor device includes a first oxide layer overlying a channel connecting a source and a drain formed in a substrate, a first nitride layer overlying the first oxide layer, a second oxide layer overlying the first nitride layer and a second nitride layer overlying the second oxide layer. A dielectric layer overlies the second nitride layer and a gate layer overlies the dielectric layer. The second nitride layer is oxygen-rich relative to the second nitride layer and includes a majority of the charge traps. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US09105510B2 |
Double sidewall image transfer process
Methodology enabling a generation of fins having a variable fin pitch less than 40 nm, and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include: forming a hardmask on a substrate; providing first and second mandrels on the hardmask; providing a first spacer on each side of each of the first and second mandrels; removing the first and second mandrels; providing, after removal of the first and second mandrels, a second spacer on each side of each of the first spacers; and removing the first spacers. |
| US09105509B2 |
Ball grid array and card skew matching optimization
A method, system, and computer storage device simultaneously compare the timing of conductive signal paths in a substrate and a printed circuit board to achieve a predetermined signal timing goal. Specifically, the method automatically calculates a substrate-based length of time it will take a signal to pass within each substrate conductor (within a conductor group) and automatically calculates a board-based length of time it will take a signal to pass within each of board conductors (within the conductor group). The method automatically adds the substrate-based length of time and the board-based length of time for each of the combined substrate-board conductors to produce a combined timing for each of the combined substrate-board conductors. The method automatically compares the combined timing of each the combined substrate-board conductors to determine whether the combined substrate-board conductors pass signals within a predetermined timing variance limit. |
| US09105503B2 |
Package-on-package device
A package-on-package device includes memory chips side-by-side on a package substrate. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a thickness of a semiconductor package. Further, data and command pads of a logic chip may be located to be adjacent to data and command pads of the memory chips. Accordingly, a routing distance between pads can be contracted and thus signal delivery speed can be improved. This makes it possible to improve an operation speed of the device. |
| US09105492B2 |
Compliant micro device transfer head
A compliant micro device transfer head and head array are disclosed. In an embodiment a micro device transfer head includes a spring portion that is deflectable into a space between a base substrate and the spring portion. |
| US09105486B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first conductive type semiconductor substrate, a second conductive type active region formed on a top surface side of the semiconductor substrate, a second conductive type inside VLD region formed to contact the active region on the top surface side in a plan view, and a second conductive type well region formed to contact a portion opposite to the portion contacting the active region of the inside VLD region on the top surface side in a plan view. The well region is formed to be deeper than the active region. The inside VLD region has the same depth as that of the active region in the portion contacting the active region, the depth gradually increasing from the active region toward the well region and becoming the same as the depth of the well region in the portion contacting the well region. |
| US09105485B2 |
Bonding structures and methods of forming the same
A package includes a package component and a second package component. A first elongated bond pad is at a surface of the first package component, wherein the first elongated bond pad has a first length in a first longitudinal direction, and a first width smaller than the first length. A second elongated bond pad is at a surface of the second package component. The second elongated bond pad is bonded to the first elongated bond pad. The second elongated bond pad has a second length in a second longitudinal direction, and a second width smaller than the second width. The second longitudinal direction is un-parallel to the first longitudinal direction. |
| US09105483B2 |
Package-on-package assembly with wire bond vias
A microelectronic package can include wire bonds having bases bonded to respective ones of conductive elements exposed at a surface of a substrate. The wire bonds may have exterior edge surfaces disposed at an angle between 25° and 90° relative to the bases, and ends remote, e.g., opposite, from the bases, and remote from the ends which are connected to the bases. A dielectric encapsulation layer extends from the substrate and covers portions of the wire bonds such that covered portions of the wire bonds are separated from one another by the encapsulation layer, wherein unencapsulated portions of the wire bonds are defined by portions of the wire bonds that are uncovered by the encapsulation layer, the unencapsulated portions including the ends of the wire bonds. |
| US09105477B2 |
ESD protection structure and ESD protection circuit
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure and an ESD protection circuit are provided. A PMOS transistor is located in a first region of a first N-type well region of a semiconductor substrate. A first doped base region located in a second region of a first N-type well region is N-type doped and connected to an external trigger-voltage adjustment circuit. An NMOS transistor is located in a third region of a first P-type well region. A second doped base region located in the fourth region of the first P-type well region is P-type doped and connected to the external trigger-voltage adjustment circuit. The external trigger-voltage adjustment circuit can be configured to pull up an electric potential of the second doped base region when the power supply terminal generates an instantaneous electric potential difference. |
| US09105472B2 |
Single-crystal substrate,single-crystal substrate having crystalline film,crystalline film,method for producing single-crystal substrate having crystalline film,method for producing crystalline substrate,and method for producing element
Provided are a single-crystal substrate for epitaxial growth on which a crystalline film may be formed with stress thereon being suppressed or eliminated, a single-crystal substrate having a crystalline film, a crystalline film, a method of producing a single-crystal substrate having a crystalline film, a method of producing a crystalline substrate, and an element producing method. The single-crystal substrate has a roughened surface formed on at least a partial region of a surface of the single-crystal substrate. And in order to obtain the single-crystal substrate having a crystalline film, a single-crystalline film is formed by epitaxial growth on a roughened-surface unformed surface on which the roughened surface is not formed, and a crystalline film having low crystallinity than the single-crystalline film is formed by epitaxial growth on a roughened-surface formed surface of the single-crystal substrate. |
| US09105469B2 |
Defect mitigation structures for semiconductor devices
A method and a semiconductor device for incorporating defect mitigation structures are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a defect mitigation structure comprising a combination of layers of doped or undoped group IV alloys and metal or non-metal nitrides disposed over the substrate, and a device active layer disposed over the defect mitigation structure. The defect mitigation structure is fabricated by depositing one or more defect mitigation layers comprising a substrate nucleation layer disposed over the substrate, a substrate intermediate layer disposed over the substrate nucleation layer, a substrate top layer disposed over the substrate intermediate layer, a device nucleation layer disposed over the substrate top layer, a device intermediate layer disposed over the device nucleation layer, and a device top layer disposed over the device intermediate layer. The substrate intermediate layer and the device intermediate layer comprise a distribution in their compositions along a thickness coordinate. |
| US09105468B2 |
Vertical bit line wide band gap TFT decoder
A 3D memory array having a vertically oriented thin film transistor (TFT) selection device that has a body formed from a wide energy band gap semiconductor is disclosed. The wide energy band gap semiconductor may be an oxide semiconductor, such as a metal oxide semiconductor. As examples, this could be an InGaZnO, InZnO, HfInZnO, or ZnInSnO body. The source and drains can also be formed from the wide energy band gap semiconductor, although these may be doped for better conduction. The vertically oriented TFT selection device serves as a vertical bit line selection device in the 3D memory array. A vertical TFT select device has a high drive current, a high breakdown voltage and low leakage current. |
| US09105467B2 |
Dummy cell array for fin field-effect transistor device and semiconductor integrated circuit including the dummy cell array
A semiconductor device includes a substrate; a device area of the substrate, the device area including a plurality of device unit cells; and a dummy cell array arranged around the device area. The dummy cell array includes a plurality of dummy unit cells repeatedly arranged in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each of the dummy cell unit having a structure corresponding to a device unit cell. The device unit cell includes at least a first transistor in the device area. The structure of the dummy unit cell includes an active area and a gate line. For each dummy unit cell, the active area and the gate line extend beyond a cell boundary that defines the dummy unit cell. |
| US09105465B2 |
Wafer edge conditioning for thinned wafers
The present invention relates to a method for minimizing breakage of wafers during or after a wafer thinning process. A method of forming a rounded edge to the portion of a wafer remaining after surface grinding process is provided. The method comprises providing a semiconductor wafer having an edge and forming a recess in the edge of the wafer using any suitable mechanical or chemical process. The method further comprises forming a substantially continuous curved shape for at least the edge of the wafer located above the recess. Advantageously, the shape of the wafer is formed prior to the backside grind process to prevent problems caused by the otherwise presence of a sharp edge during the backside grind process. |
| US09105462B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor apparatus includes a substrate, a first semiconductor chip, a second semiconductor chip and a first converter. The first semiconductor chip includes a first surface and a second surface and is mounted on the substrate, the first surface is opposed to the substrate, the second surface is opposed to the first surface. The second semiconductor chip includes a first area and is stacked on the second surface. The first converter is arranged in the first area, the first converter is configured to perform at least one of analog-to-digital conversion and digital-to-analog conversion and arranged in the first area. A part of the first area does not overlap the first semiconductor chip when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second surface. |
| US09105460B2 |
Gas discharge tube including a starting aid
In various embodiments, a gas discharge tube having a starting aid may include a discharge vessel with at least one open end, in which end a stopper with a continuous stopper bore is inserted; and an electrical leadthrough, which is inserted into the respective stopper bore and is fuse-sealed into the stopper bore. The starting aid extends as far as into the stopper bore. |
| US09105459B1 |
Microchannel plate assembly
A microchannel plate assembly includes a plurality of microchannel plates that are aligned along a common axis and coupled together. The microchannel plates each have an object-side surface and an image-side surface and the assembly has respective interfaces between the image-side surface and the object-side surface of adjacent microchannel plates. At least one ion barrier film is disposed on at least one of the microchannel plates, but only on the object-side surfaces in the interfaces. |
| US09105457B2 |
Cone-shaped orifice arrangement for inductively coupled plasma sample introduction system
A mass analysis system including a sample inlet arranged to introduce a sample and an ion source coupled to the sample inlet and arranged to ionize a portion of the sample into ions. The system also includes a sampler element having a sample orifice arranged to receive the sample ions into a first vacuum chamber. The system includes a skimmer element having a skimmer orifice arranged to receive the sample ions from the first vacuum chamber into a second vacuum chamber where the skimmer orifice is of a first size. The system further includes a third cone element having a third cone orifice of a second size arranged to receive the sample ions from the second vacuum chamber into a third vacuum chamber where the third cone is configured to allow a continuum flow of ions through the third cone orifice. The third chamber includes an ion optics assembly and mass analyzer. |
| US09105455B2 |
Multi inlet for solvent assisted inlet ionisation
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a dual channel Solvent Assisted Inlet Ionisation (“SAII”) interface. |
| US09105451B2 |
Plasma processing method and plasma processing apparatus
A plasma processing apparatus performs generating plasma only with the carrier gas without the supply of the processing gas after the end of processing to the substrate. |
| US09105450B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus
A microwave plasma processing apparatus includes: a processing container wherein a gas is excited by microwaves and a substrate is plasma-processed; a microwave source which outputs microwaves; a transmission line through which the microwaves output from the microwave source are transmitted; a plurality of dielectric plates which are arranged on an inner surface of the processing container and emit the microwaves into the processing container; a plurality of first coaxial waveguides which are adjacent to the dielectric plates and through which the microwaves are transmitted to the dielectric plates; and a coaxial waveguide distributor which distributes and transmits the microwaves transmitted through the transmission line to the first coaxial waveguides. The coaxial waveguide distributor includes a second coaxial waveguide which has an input portion and 2 types of branched structures which are connected to the first coaxial waveguides and have different configurations. |
| US09105446B2 |
Charged particle beam apparatus
An object of the present invention is to provide a charged particle beam apparatus that effectively removes electrical charges from an electrostatic chuck.In order to achieve the above object, the charged particle beam apparatus of the present invention includes a sample chamber that maintains a space containing an electrostatic chuck mechanism (5) in a vacuum state; and in which the charged particle beam apparatus includes an ultraviolet light source (6) to irradiate ultraviolet light within the sample chamber, and a irradiation target member irradiated by the ultraviolet light; and the irradiation target member is placed perpendicular to the adsorption surface of the electrostatic chuck. |
| US09105445B2 |
Inspection system, inspection image data generation method, inspection display unit, defect determination method, and storage medium on which inspection display program is recorded
An inspection system includes a primary optical system configured to irradiate a charged particle or an electromagnetic wave as a beam, a movable unit configured to hold an inspection target and move the target through a position where the beam is irradiated, and a TDI sensor configured to integrate an amount of secondary charged particles in a predetermined direction to sequentially transfer the integrated amount. The secondary charged particles are obtained by irradiating the beam onto the target while moving the movable unit in the predetermined direction. The inspection system further includes a prevention module configured to prevent an arrival of the beam at the target side or an arrival of the secondary charged particles at the TDI sensor during a time period from one transfer to the following transfer after the elapse of a predetermined length of time from the one transfer and until the following transfer. |
| US09105443B2 |
Multi-step location specific process for substrate edge profile correction for GCIB system
Disclosed are an apparatus, system, and method for scanning a substrate or other workpiece through a gas-cluster ion beam (GCIB), or any other type of ion beam. The workpiece scanning apparatus is configured to receive and hold a substrate for irradiation by the GCIB and to scan it through the GCIB in two directions using two movements: a reciprocating fast-scan movement, and a slow-scan movement. The slow-scan movement is actuated using a servo motor and a belt drive system, the belt drive system being configured to reduce the failure rate of the workpiece scanning apparatus. |
| US09105442B2 |
Charged particle beam apparatus
Provided is a charged particle beam apparatus or charged particle microscope capable of observing an observation target sample in an air atmosphere or a gas environment without making significant changes to the configuration of a conventional high vacuum charged particle microscope. In a charged particle beam apparatus configured such that a thin film (10) is used to separate a vacuum environment and an air atmosphere (or a gas environment), an attachment (121) capable of holding the thin film (10) and whose interior can be maintained at an air atmosphere or a gas environment is inserted into a vacuum chamber (7) of a high vacuum charged particle microscope. The attachment (121) is vacuum-sealed and fixed to a vacuum partition of the vacuum sample chamber. Image quality is further improved by replacing the atmosphere in the attachment with helium or a light-elemental gas that has a lower mass than atmospheric gases such as nitrogen or water vapor. |
| US09105436B2 |
Ion source having negatively biased extractor
A method of generating ions in a radiation generator includes emitting electrons from an active cathode and on a trajectory away from the active cathode, at least some of the electrons as they travel interacting with an ionizable gas to produce ions. The method also includes setting a potential of at least one extractor downstream of the active cathode such that the ions are attracted toward the at least one extractor. |
| US09105435B1 |
Robust, rapid, secure sample manipulation before during and after ionization for a spectroscopy system
This invention provides for the efficient positioning of a sample to be analyzed by using either magnetic or electro-mechanical fields to retain the sample in the ionization region. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample is contacted with a sampler device, which is inserted into a chamber and accurately positioned using electro-mechanical devices. In an embodiment of the invention, the influence of an electro-mechanical field on the sampler device enables the sample to be positioned in the ionization region to be contacted by particles that result in ionization of the sample whereby rendering the resulting ions available for analysis. |
| US09105433B2 |
Plasma torch
A plasma torch includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel, a hollow electrode, a first insulator, a concentric reducer, a tangential inlet, an electrode housing and a first electrode. The hollow electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel and extends into the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel. The first insulator seals the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode. A non-conductive granular material is disposed between the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel and the hollow electrode. The concentric reducer is disposed within the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel and extends from the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel to the hollow electrode. The electrode housing is connected to the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel. The first electrode is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel and extends through the electrode housing into the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel. |
| US09105427B2 |
Telescoping current path structure for dual tank dead tank circuit breaker with parallel resistor assembly
Current path structure provides a current path between an interrupter assembly and a resistor assembly of a dead tank circuit breaker and includes an electrically conductive fixed support having first and second ends. The first end is fixed to one of the interrupter assembly or the resistor assembly. A substantially hollow, electrically conductive conductor has first and second ends, with a connector at the first end thereof. The connector is removably connected to the other of the interrupter assembly or the resistor assembly. Coupling structure removably couples the conductor with the fixed support such that when coupled, the current path structure is in an operative position electrically connecting the interrupter assembly with the resistor assembly, and when decoupled, the fixed support can be moved into telescoping relation within the conductor defining a collapsed position of the current path structure. |
| US09105423B2 |
Mounting panel structure for a rocker switch knob
A mounting structure of a switch knob for a vehicle includes a panel 10 having an opening portion 11 and a switch knob 14 having a front surface 14a exposed through the opening portion 11. The panel 10 includes a pair of support portions 12 respectively extending upright on opposing edge portions of the opening portion 11 on the back surface 10b of the panel 10 in a direction perpendicular to the panel 10, and the switch knob 14 is pivotably supported by the support portions 12. Thus, there is provided a mounting structure of a switch knob for a vehicle, which is simple, with the number of components for mounting being reduced and in which a possibility of scratching a panel surface during the mounting operation can be reduced. |
| US09105420B2 |
Cylindrical activation of menu buttons
Cylindrical switch assemblies and methods of making the same are provided. Cylindrical switch assemblies can mitigate false presses by using switch assembly designs with vertically or near vertically mounted activation elements positioned around a perimeter of a button. The activation elements (e.g., switches) of the switch assemblies may be fixed to a vertical sidewall of a bracket and positioned such that a portion of the activation elements extend beneath the button. When the button is actuated by a user, the button activates the activation elements. Positioning multiple activation elements around the perimeter of the button ensures that the user can press anywhere on the button and still activate the activation elements. |
| US09105417B2 |
Method for controlling the opening or closing of an electric circuit in an electric meter
A method of controlling the opening or the closing of an AC electric circuit in an electricity meter by means of a relay is provided. The method times relay activation commands so as to take account of the inertial delay (di) of the relay, in such a manner that the actual activation command applied to the relay causes the relay actually to take action on the electric circuit when an electrical parameter of said circuit reaches a zero value, in order to limit the formation of electric arcs in the relay. |
| US09105413B2 |
Portable apparatus and portable timepiece
A pushbutton of a portable apparatus is locked against inward axial movement by engagement with a locking member when the locking member is unthreaded a distance A from the apparatus body and brought into abutment with a fixed stopper member. The pushbutton is released from its locked state when the locking member is threaded into the apparatus body and brought out of abutment with the stopper member and into abutment with the apparatus body. In its unlocked state, a head portion of the pushbutton is axially spaced a distance B from an opposedly facing portion of the locking member, wherein A≦B. |
| US09105412B2 |
Electrical contact for relay and method of manufacturing therefor
A rivet-shaped electrical contact for relay is used as a movable contact for the relay. The rivet-shaped electrical contact includes a heavy-load contact portion formed of a first silver-oxide type contact material; and a light-load contact portion formed of a second silver-oxide type contact material. The hardness of the first silver-oxide type contact material is set to be higher than that of the second silver-oxide type contact material. |
| US09105411B2 |
Multilayer ceramic capacitor and method of manufacturing the same
A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a ceramic body; an active layer including a plurality of first and second internal electrodes alternately exposed to both end surfaces of the ceramic body with a dielectric layer interposed therebetween; upper and lower cover layers formed on upper and lower surfaces of the active layer; and first and second external electrodes formed on the end surfaces of the ceramic body, wherein when a thickness of the ceramic body is defined as T, a thickness of the active layer is defined as S, a thickness of the lower cover layer is defined as C, and a distance from an end of a lowermost internal electrode in a length direction to an end of a band portion of an external electrode close to the end of the lowermost internal electrode is defined A, 0.25≦S/T≦0.75 and 3≦A/C≦10 are satisfied. |
| US09105410B2 |
Boron containing perylene monoimides, a process for their production, their use as building blocks for the production of perylene monoimide derivatives, monoimide derivatives and their use in dye-sensitized solar cells
Boron-comprising perylene monoimides and a process for producing the boron-comprising perylene monoimides are provided. The boron-comprising perylene monoimides are useful as building blocks for producing perylene monoimide derivatives and monoimide derivatives. The boron-comprising perylene monoimides are also useful for preparing dye-sensitized solar cells. |
| US09105409B2 |
Dye-sensitized solar cell and manufacturing method for thereof
Dye-sensitized solar cell and a manufacturing method for the same are disclosed. Dye-sensitized solar cell according to one embodiment of this document can comprise a first substrate including a first electrode, a photo-absorption layer positioned on the first substrate, and a second substrate including a second electrode, the second substrate positioned on the photo-absorption layer and the photo-absorption layer including a middle layer where a plurality of holes are formed. |
| US09105404B2 |
Charge storage device and method of manufacturing it
The present invention provides a charge storage device, comprising a pair of electrodes, each electrode being operable to store electric charge and having a respective capacitance CP, CN that is different to the other, with the ratio of the capacitances CP/CN being greater than 1. In exemplary embodiments, the charge storage device may be an asymmetrical supercapacitor, which is operable to provide an enhanced energy capacity by increasing the cell voltage through unequalising the electrode capacitance. Hence, by increasing the CP/CN ratio an improved power capability can be achieved over conventional devices, while offering a simple and low cost manufacturing strategy. The present invention has particular application with cameras, electric vehicles, elevators, renewable energy stores, fuel cells, batteries and many forms of electronic devices. |
| US09105402B2 |
Composite electrode structure
A method of storing charge comprising the steps of providing a capacitor comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte comprises a nonaqueous liquid of sufficient dielectric constant to dissociate salts soluble in the nonaqueous liquid, a composite comprising a prefabricated porous carbon electrode structure or a carbon foam substrate that is a prefabricated paper structure and a coating deposited by infiltrating the structure with iron oxide via self-limiting electroless deposition on the surface. |
| US09105400B2 |
Ceramic electronic component including internal electrode with thick section
In a ceramic electronic component, a section of a first extraction section located closer to a first end surface defines a first thick section. The first thick section is at least about 1.5 times as thick as a first central section of a first opposed section in a direction. The length of the first thick section is within the range of about ¼ to about ¾ of a distance from a tip of a second opposed section closer to the first end surface, to the first end surface in the direction. |
| US09105398B2 |
Method of manufacturing a stacked-type solid electrolytic capacitor package structure having a plurality of negative lead pins
A stacked-type solid electrolytic capacitor package structure includes a capacitor unit, a package unit and a conductive unit. The conductive unit includes a plurality of stacked-type capacitors stacked on top of one another and electrically connected with each other, and each stacked-type capacitor has a positive portion and a negative portion. The package unit includes a package body for enclosing the capacitor unit. The conductive unit includes a first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal. The first conductive terminal has a first embedded portion electrically connected to the positive portion and enclosed by the package body and a first lateral exposed portion connected to the first embedded portion. The second conductive terminal has a second lateral exposed portion, a second front exposed portion, a second rear exposed portion, and a second embedded portion electrically connected to the negative portion and enclosed by the package body. |
| US09105395B2 |
Envelope tracking signal generator incorporating trim cell
A novel and useful radio frequency (RF) front end module (FEM) circuit that provides high linearity and power efficiency and meets the requirements of modern wireless communication standards such as 802.11 WLAN, 3G and 4G cellular standards, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. The configuration of the FEM circuit permits the use of common, relatively low cost semiconductor fabrication techniques such as standard CMOS processes. The FEM circuit includes a power amplifier made up of one or more sub-amplifiers having high and low power circuits and whose outputs are combined to yield the total desired power gain. An integrated multi-tap transformer having primary and secondary windings arranged in a novel configuration provide efficient power combining and transfer to the antenna of the power generated by the individual sub-amplifiers. |
| US09105390B2 |
Structure of transformer
An improved structure of transformer includes a lead frame main body (1), a lead frame cover (2), a trouser-like flap (3), and two iron cores (4) where the lead frame main body (1) has a penetration hole (11) with a bobbin (12) formed at the circumference there around. The trouser-like flap (3) being made of metal has a hollow part (31) for slipping on a bobbin (121) of the lead frame main body (1) also includes horizontally stretched thigh parts (32), (33). The outer circumference of the trouser-like flap (3) is furnished with a primary winding (123). The lead frame cover (2) being a sheet-shaped body has a hollow hole (21) furnished at the center thereof. On the inner-side surface, each of the two iron core (4) has a main core part (41) capable of stretching through the penetration hole (11) of the lead frame main body (1) where the main core part (41) has a containing circumferential trench (43) capable of containing the lead frame main body (1). What is more, the containing circumferential trench (43) also has a pair of oppositely disposed side openings (44), (45) for being stretched through by the wire connecting seats (13), (14). |
| US09105389B2 |
Cooling system for dry transformers
The disclosure is related to a dry transformer, which includes a transformer core with at least two parallel limbs and upper and lower yokes, and at least two hollow cylindrical coils, each arranged as neighbored coils around a limb of the at least two parallel limbs. A cooling system can include at least one wall-like diaphragm in-between the neighbored coils, which is in parallel to the orientation of the limbs. |
| US09105379B2 |
Tunable resistance coatings
A method and article of manufacture of intermixed tunable resistance composite materials containing at least one of W:Al2O3, Mo:Al2O3 or M:Al2O3 where M is a conducting compound containing either W or Mo. A conducting material and an insulating material are deposited by such methods as ALD or CVD to construct composites with intermixed materials which do not have structure or properties like their bulk counterparts. |
| US09105376B2 |
Connector arrangements for shielded electrical cables
A shielded electrical ribbon cable is disclosed. The cable includes a plurality of conductor sets including a first conductor set adjacent a second conductor set. Each conductor set includes one or more insulated conductors. The cable further includes first and second shielding films disposed on opposite sides of the cable forming cover portions and pinched portions, where the cover portions substantially surround each conductor set, and the pinched portions form pinched portions of the cable on each side of each conductor set. The insulated conductors in a conductor set are not in a same geometrical plane. A first insulated conductor of the first conductor set is nearest the second conductor set. A second insulated conductor of the second conductor set is nearest the first conductor set. The first and second insulated conductors have a center-to-center spacing S. The first insulated conductor has an outer dimension D1 and the second insulated conductor has an outer dimension D2. S/Dmin is in a range from 1.7 to 2, where Dmin is the lesser of D1 and D2. |
| US09105370B2 |
Conductive paste, and electronic device and solar cell including an electrode formed using the same
A conductive paste includes a conductive powder, a metallic glass, and an organic vehicle. The metallic glass may be an alloy including a first element with an atomic radius that satisfies the following equation: (r1−rn)/(r1+rn/2)×100≧9% In the equation, r1 may be an atom radius of the first element, rn may be an atom radius of other elements included in the metallic glass, and n may be an integer ranging from 2 to 10. |
| US09105366B2 |
Arrangement and method for an X-ray image system with a grid frame arranged to enable the grid frame to oscillate
An arrangement for an X-ray image system with a grid frame arranged to enable the grid frame to oscillate is provided. The arrangement includes a switch unit, with which an anti-scatter grid inserted into the grid frame may be detected. An X-ray emission is only triggered by the switch unit at a predeterminable activation time if an anti-scatter grid is inserted. |
| US09105363B2 |
Methods for vaporization and remediation of radioactive contamination
A method for collecting volatile radioactive substances. The method includes irradiating a volatile radioactive substance on or under a contaminated material surface using microwave radiation and vaporizing the volatile radioactive substance, wherein the volatile radioactive substance comprises at least one of cesium and iodine. The method further includes recovering the vaporized volatile radioactive substance from the contaminated material. The method may be accomplished with and/or without physically collecting or isolating the contaminated material. |
| US09105359B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and error correction methods thereof
A data processing method is provided for processing data read from a nonvolatile memory. The data processing method includes receiving first bit data from the nonvolatile memory at a memory controller, and performing erasure decoding based on the first bit data and second bit data stored in the memory controller. The first bit data indicates a memory cell that is erasure, and the second bit data is read using a read voltage during previous error correction decoding. |
| US09105358B2 |
Memory system having an encoding processing circuit for redundant encoding process
In one embodiment, a memory system for writing redundant data output by an encoding processing circuit, comprises a memory, a encoding processing circuit, and a decoding circuit. The memory is electrically rewritable by using memory cells. The memory cells are capable of having two different resistance values corresponding to logical values of 1 or 0 respectively. The redundant data is read from and a predetermined logical value is written to the memory by flowing current in a same direction. The encoding processing circuit performs redundant encoding processing on target data and outputs redundant data. A number of bits having the predetermined logical value exceeds a number of bits having the logical value other than the predetermined logical value, for writing the redundant data to the memory. A decoding circuit reads data from the memory, and performs a decoding process on the data. |
| US09105356B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first transistor connected to an internal voltage terminal and a first node at which a first resistance unit is connected. The first resistance unit includes a resistor connected between the first node and a node from which a monitoring voltage is provided for controlling the first transistor. This resistance unit also includes a first resistance adjustment unit connected in parallel with the first resistor. Also included is a second resistance unit having a third resistor connected between the monitor node and a second node which is connected to a ground potential and a second resistance adjustment unit connected in parallel with the third resistor. A comparator comparing the monitor node voltage to a reference is provided with an output terminal connected the first transistor. Also included is a control circuit to control the resistance adjustment units. |
| US09105353B2 |
Memory device and semiconductor device including the memory device
A memory device includes a level shifter which includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first output terminal configured to output a first signal, and a second output terminal configured to output an inverted signal of the first signal, a first buffer, a second buffer, a first node, and a second node. The first node, where an output terminal of the first buffer and the first input terminal of the level shifter are connected, is configured to hold a first data. The second node, where an output terminal of the second buffer and the second input terminal of the level shifter are connected, is configured to hold a second data. |
| US09105352B2 |
Semiconductor storage apparatus with different number of sense amplifier PMOS driver transistors and NMOS driver transistors
A semiconductor memory device, including a plurality of word lines, a plurality of pairs of bit lines, a plurality of memory cells coupled to the plurality of word lines and the plurality of pairs of bit lines, a plurality of sense amplifiers each coupled between a corresponding pair of bit lines, a plurality of first driver transistors coupled between the plurality of sense amplifiers and a first power supply line, a plurality of second driver transistors coupled between the plurality of sense amplifiers and a second power supply line, a pair of common data lines, and a plurality of column selection gates each coupled between the corresponding pair of bit lines and the pair of common data lines, wherein the number of the first driver transistors is more than the number of the second driver transistor. |
| US09105351B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including amplifier circuit
In a conventional DRAM, a decrease in the capacitance of a capacitor causes an error in reading data. A plurality of memory blocks MB is connected to one bit line BL_m. Each memory block MB includes a sub bit line SBL, a plurality of memory cells, and a precharge transistor. The drain of a transistor of the memory cell is connected one of the bit line BL_m and the sub bit line SBL, whereas a capacitor of the memory cell is connected to the other one of the bit line BL_m and the sub bit line SBL. The capacitance of the sub bit line SBL is sufficiently low; thus, a potential change due to electric charges of the capacitor of the memory cell can be amplified by an amplifier circuit AMP without an error and the amplified signal can be output to the bit line. |
| US09105350B2 |
Apparatuses and methods of operating for memory endurance
Methods of operating an apparatus such as a computing system and/or memory device for memory endurance are provided. One example method can include receiving m digits of data having a first quantity of digits represented by a first data state that is more detrimental to memory cell wear than a second data state. The m digits of data are encoded into n digits of data having a second quantity of digits represented by the first data state. The value n is greater than the value m. The second quantity is less than or equal to the first quantity. The n digits of data are stored in an apparatus having memory cells. |
| US09105349B2 |
Adaptive operation of three dimensional memory
When data from a portion of a three dimensional NAND memory array is determined to be uncorrectable by Error Correction Code (ECC), a determination is made as to whether data is uncorrectable by ECC throughout some unit that is larger than the portion. If modified read conditions provide ECC correctable data, the modified read conditions are recorded for subsequent reads of the larger unit. |
| US09105347B2 |
Shift register and driving method thereof
A shift register includes a signal input unit for receiving and providing an input signal, a signal output unit for controlling whether outputting a clock signal according to the input signal provided by the signal input unit, and a plurality of stable modules. Each of the stable modules is electrically coupled to an output terminal of the signal input unit, an output terminal of the signal output unit, and a default potential. Each of the stable modules receives a corresponding operation signal and is enabled in a duty of the corresponding operation signal, such that both the output terminal of the signal input unit and the output terminal of the signal output unit are electrically coupled to the default potential when the input signal is disabled. Before one of the stable modules is disabled, another of the stable modules has already been enabled. |
| US09105345B2 |
Ferroelectric memory device and method for manufacturing same
The present invention relates to a ferroelectric memory device having a multilevel polarization (MLP) state generated due to adjustment of a displacement current and to a method for manufacturing the ferroelectric memory device. |
| US09105341B2 |
Nonvolatile memory apparatus having magnetoresistive memory elements and method for driving the same
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a source line, a first bit line disposed over the source line, a second bit line disposed under the source line, a first memory cell between the source line and the first bit line, and a second memory cell between the source line and the second bit line. |
| US09105337B2 |
Memories and methods of programming memories
Apparatus and methods for adjusting programming for upper pages of memories are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a threshold voltage distribution upper limit is determined after a single programming pulse for lower page programming, and upper page programming start voltages are adjusted based on the determined upper limit of the threshold voltage distribution. |
| US09105336B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to one embodiment includes: a cell array; and a data writing unit that repeatedly executes a write loop including a programming operation of applying a program voltage to a selected word line and a passage voltage to non-selected word lines during writing of data, in which, when a difference between the passage voltage used in an n-th write loop and the passage voltage used in an n+1-th write loop is expressed as ΔVn and when a condition of L |
| US09105330B1 |
Memory devices configured to apply different weights to different strings of memory cells coupled to a data line and methods
Memory devices and methods are disclosed. One such method compares input data to stored data in a memory device and includes applying a first weight factor to a first string of memory cells coupled to a data line, where a first bit of the stored data is stored in the first string of memory cells; applying a second weight factor to a second string of memory cells coupled to the data line, where a second bit of the stored data is stored in the second string of memory cells; comparing a first bit of input data to the first bit of the stored data while the first weight factor is applied to the first string of memory cells; and comparing a second bit of the input data to the second bit of the stored data while the second weight factor is applied to the second string of memory cells. |
| US09105325B2 |
Memory controller for strobe-based memory systems
An integrated circuit (IC) memory controller is disclosed. The memory controller includes a receiver to receive a strobe signal and provide an internal strobe signal. An adjustable delay circuit delays an enable signal to generate a delayed enable signal. A gate circuit generates a gated strobe signal using the delayed enable signal that masks transitions of the internal strobe signal that occur prior to a valid region of the internal strobe signal. A sample circuit samples data using the gated strobe signal. |
| US09105319B2 |
Multiport memory architecture
The present disclosure describes techniques and apparatuses for multiport memory architecture. In some aspects serial data is received from a data port and converted to n-bit-wide words of data. The n-bit-wide words of data are then buffered as a k-word-long block of parallel data into a line of a multiline buffer as a block of k*n bits of data. The block of k*n bits of data is then transmitted to a multiport memory via a write bus effective to write the block of k*n bits of data to the multiport memory. |
| US09105314B2 |
Program-disturb decoupling for adjacent wordlines of a memory device
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to memory operations regarding programming bits into a memory array. |
| US09105312B2 |
Sense amplifier
A sense amplifier circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor, a fifth transistor, a sixth transistor, a first resistive device, and a second resistive device. The first resistive device is coupled to a first data line and to a drain of the third transistor. The second resistive device is coupled to a second data line and to a drain of the fourth transistor. A terminal of the fifth transistor is coupled to the gate of the first transistor. A terminal of the sixth transistor is coupled to the gate of the second transistor. |
| US09105309B2 |
Electronic device with detachable electronic module
An electronic device includes an electronic module, a tray, and a carrier. The tray includes a bottom plate and two elastic members located at two opposite sides of the accommodation space. The electronic module is located between the two elastic members. Each elastic arm of each elastic member has a pushed portion and a blocking portion extending to the accommodation space. The tray moves together with the electronic module, between a first position and a second position. When the tray is located at the first position together with the electronic module, each blocking portion is at least partially located in each corresponding first positioning hole of the electronic module. With the tray moves, together with the electronic module, from the first position to the second position, each stopper presses against each corresponding pushed portion, thereby enabling the corresponding blocking portion to detach from the corresponding first positioning hole. |
| US09105308B2 |
System and method for disk sector failure prediction
A system and method for predicting the likelihood of failure of the individual sectors of a magnetic storage disk based upon the monitoring of adjacent sector performance in responding to access requests. The prediction for a specific target sector's fidelity can be made through the gathering of sector performance data that occurs during normal read/write actions to the adjacent sectors, without a recent access request necessarily being made to the target sector. Scrubbing of the sectors can also be directed based upon the needed sector access data for target sector fidelity prediction. |
| US09105307B2 |
Data protection system
The present invention provides systems and methods for logically organizing data for storage and recovery on a data storage medium using a multi-level format. The present invention also provides systems and methods for protecting data stored on data storage medium so that the data may be recovered without errors. |
| US09105300B2 |
Metadata time marking information for indicating a section of an audio object
The application relates to a method for encoding time marking information within audio data. According to the method, time marking information is encoded as audio metadata within the audio data. The time marking information indicates at least one section of an audio object encoded in the audio data. E.g. the time marking information may specify a start position and an end position of the section or only a start position. The at least one section may be a characteristic part of the audio object, which allows instant recognition by listening. The time marking information encoded in the audio data enables instantaneous browsing to a certain section of the audio object. The application further relates to a method for decoding the time marking information encoded in the audio data. |
| US09105298B2 |
Digital life recorder with selective playback of digital video
A method and apparatus for controlling the playback of video recorded by a sensing subsystem of a digital life recorder. The process identifies a selected video feed recorded by a camera of a sensing subsystem responsive to receiving user input. A segment of video from the selected video feed is identified using a personal computing device communicating with a digital life recorder. The digital life recorder records the selected video feed. A playback restriction associated with the segment of video is identified and generates a set of commands for restricting playback of the segment of video. A processor may then execute the set of commands. |
| US09105297B2 |
Information recording device and data recovery method
An information recording device includes a recording medium with a plurality of data tracks and a controller that stores management information regarding data recorded in a group of adjacent data tracks, the recorded data including first data recorded in a first data track that is partially overwritten by second data subsequently recorded in a second data track that is adjacent to the first data track. The controller recovers management data of the recorded data based on whether or not a sector in the first data track that is adjacent to a sector in the second data track can be read by offset read processing when the sector in the second data track cannot be read by normal read processing. |
| US09105294B2 |
Composite magnetic recording media
Composite magnetic recording media are described. A composite structure is a structure that is formed of multiple components. For example, a composite magnetic recording medium may include a substrate, an underlayer formed over the substrate, the underlayer defining a coating surface, and a magnetic layer formed over the coating surface of the underlayer. Composite magnetic recording media constructed according to the materials and techniques disclosed may provide dimensional flexibility while exhibiting improved physical or electromagnetic characteristics. In some examples, dimensional flexibility may be achieved by pairing a substrate greater than or equal to approximately 4000 nanometers thick with an underlayer less than or equal to approximately 890 nanometers thick. |
| US09105287B2 |
Method of forming a PMR writer device with multi-level tapered write pole
A method of fabricating a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head with a multi-level tapered write pole which creates an efficient channeling of magnetic flux to the pole tip. A tapered bottom yoke is first formed in an etched substrate and a write pole is formed on the tapered bottom yoke. The write pole comprises a main pole with a tapered tip. A tapered top yoke is then formed on the write pole and symmetrically positioned relative to the bottom yoke. The edge of each yoke is recessed from the ABS of the tapered tip, giving the write pole a stepped profile. The tapered tip can be two sloped surfaces that are symmetric about a mid-plane of the main pole or a single sloped edge on the leading side or the trailing side of the pole. |
| US09105279B2 |
Microwave assisted magnetic recording and magnetic storage device
Disclosed is a technique of providing a large-capacity magnetic storage device at high device manufacturing yield while keeping the reliability, the magnetic storage device enabling recording on a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having distribution of characteristics in the circumferential direction as well at high track density of 500 kTPI or more that would be expected from the average characteristics of the medium. A recording condition from is selected for each sector from a parameter table that stores a set of at least two types of recording conditions by a microwave assisted magnetic recording head including a magnetic recording pole and a high-frequency magnetic field oscillator in the magnetic storage device, and information is recorded for each sector based on the condition. |
| US09105278B2 |
Optical information recording medium having super-resolution film
An optical information recording medium has a first information recording layer (20) and a second information recording layer (40) each of which includes (i) a group of pre-pits (31, 51) constituting marks (32, 52) and spaces (33, 53) and (ii) a super-resolution film (23, 43), the marks (32, 52) and the spaces (33, 53) having different lengths, an average length of a smallest mark that is smallest in length and a smallest space that is smallest in length being less than or equal to a resolution limit of a reproduction optical system for reproducing information recorded on the first information recording layer (20) and the second information recording layer (40), the group of pre-pits (31, 51) being formed so that a push-pull signal for the reproduction optical system to reproduce the information recorded by the group of pre-pits is negative in polarity. This provides an inexpensive and high-capacity multilayer optical information recording medium based on a super-resolution technology. |
| US09105275B2 |
Method for sensing the physically-recordable maximum capacity of a disc
The method adapted for a disc burner for sensing/computing the maximum allowable capacity of a disc for overburn purpose where an accurate capacity of the disc based on the outermost-edge wobble signal is obtained, resulting in more data written on the disc with an amount of the data smaller than the physically-recordable maximum capacity of the disc and decreasing the failure rate of data overburning. |
| US09105273B1 |
Electron-activated photon emission material and use thereof
Electron-activated photon emission materials are disclosed. A first electron source emits a first electron having a first predetermined energy at a first nanoparticle of a photon emission material that includes a first layer of a plurality of nanoparticles. A first photonic response of the receipt of the first electron by the first nanoparticle is determined. The first photonic response is interpreted as a first numeric value. |
| US09105269B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for automatically monitoring for voice input based on context
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes detecting a current context associated with a mobile computing device and determining, based on the current context, whether to switch the mobile computing device from a current mode of operation to a second mode of operation during which the mobile computing device monitors ambient sounds for voice input that indicates a request to perform an operation. The method can further include, in response to determining whether to switch to the second mode of operation, activating one or more microphones and a speech analysis subsystem associated with the mobile computing device so that the mobile computing device receives a stream of audio data. The method can also include providing output on the mobile computing device that is responsive to voice input that is detected in the stream of audio data and that indicates a request to perform an operation. |
| US09105266B2 |
System and method for processing multi-modal device interactions in a natural language voice services environment
A system and method for processing multi-modal device interactions in a natural language voice services environment may be provided. In particular, one or more multi-modal device interactions may be received in a natural language voice services environment that includes one or more electronic devices. The multi-modal device interactions may include a non-voice interaction with at least one of the electronic devices or an application associated therewith, and may further include a natural language utterance relating to the non-voice interaction. Context relating to the non-voice interaction and the natural language utterance may be extracted and combined to determine an intent of the multi-modal device interaction, and a request may then be routed to one or more of the electronic devices based on the determined intent of the multi-modal device interaction. |
| US09105264B2 |
Coding apparatus and decoding apparatus
A coding apparatus which suppresses an extreme increase in a bit rate, includes: a downmixing and coding unit (301) that downmixes audio signals that have been provided, to reduce the number of channels to be fewer than the number of the provided audio signals, and to code the downmix signals; an object parameter extracting unit (304) that extracts parameters indicating correlation between the audio signals; and a multiplexing circuit (309) that multiplexes the extracted parameters with the generated downmix coded signals. The object parameter extracting unit (304) includes: an object classifying unit (305) that classifies each of the provided audio signals into a predetermined one of types based on audio characteristics; and an object parameter extracting circuit (308) that extracts parameters using a temporal granularity and a frequency granularity each of which is determined for a corresponding one of the types. |
| US09105262B2 |
Audio output of a document from mobile device
Architecture for playing a document converted into an audio format to a user of an audio-output capable device. The user can interact with the device to control play of the audio document such as pause, rewind, forward, etc. In more robust implementation, the audio-output capable device is a mobile device (e.g., cell phone) having a microphone for processing voice input. Voice commands can then be input to control play (“reading”) of the document audio file to pause, rewind, read paragraph, read next chapter, fast forward, etc. A communications server (e.g., email, attachments to email, etc.) transcodes text-based document content into an audio format by leveraging a text-to-speech (TTS) engine. The transcoded audio files are then transferred to mobile devices through viable transmission channels. Users can then play the audio-formatted document while freeing hand and eye usage for other tasks. |
| US09105260B1 |
Grid-editing of a live-played arpeggio
A method including receiving a first set of performance data corresponding to a first plurality of MIDI-based notes in a first rhythmic order. The first plurality of MIDI-based notes may form a first arpeggio, with each of the first plurality of notes having a corresponding first performance data. The method further includes receiving input data indicating a change to the first performance data corresponding to a note in the first plurality of notes, changing the first performance data for the corresponding note using the input data, receiving a second set of performance data corresponding to a second plurality of MIDI-based notes, and applying the changed first performance data to the second performance data. Applying the first changed performance data includes editing the second set of performance data in real-time by replacing the second performance data with the changed first performance data. |
| US09105256B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device and a driving method thereof for displaying an image, in which the polarity of a voltage applied to the liquid crystal element is inverted in a first frame period and a second frame period which are sequential. The voltage applied to the liquid crystal element is compensated in the case where images of the first frame period and the second frame period are judged as a still image as a result of comparison of the image of the first frame period with the image of the second frame period and the absolute value of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal element in the first frame period is different from that of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal element in the second frame period. |
| US09105253B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having a second scan line for turning on all second thin film transistors simultaneously
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is disclosed. The LCD device comprises a plurality of pixel units arranged in the form of a matrix. Each of the pixel units comprises: a scan line; a data line; a first storage capacitor; a liquid crystal capacitor; and a first TFT, having a source electrically connected to the data line, a gate electrically connected to the scan line, and a drain electrically connected to the first storage capacitor. Each of the pixel units further comprises a second TFT, having a gate, a source electrically connected to the drain of the first TFT, and a drain electrically connected to the liquid crystal capacitor. The gates of the second TFTs are electrically connected with each other to control the second TFTs to be turned on simultaneously so as to tilt the liquid crystal molecules. Because this shortens the time to wait for scanning of the gates is shortened and increases the time duration in which the backlight can emit light, the number of LEDs can be reduced to lower the cost. |
| US09105252B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
The present invention provides a display device with reduced power consumption and that reduces changes in luminance, and perceptibility of flicker, and a driving method thereof. A display device according to an exemplary embodiment comprises: a display panel configured to display a still image and a motion picture; a signal controller configured to control signals for driving the display panel; and a graphics processing unit configured to transmit input image data to the signal controller, wherein the signal controller comprises a frame memory configured to store the input image data, and the display panel is driven at a first frequency when the motion picture is displayed and the display panel is driven at a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency when the still image is displayed. |
| US09105244B2 |
Panel control apparatus and operating method thereof
A panel control apparatus and an operating method thereof are provided, and which includes a scalar and a timing controller. The scalar transmits a present display data for composing a display frame, and determines whether to generate a refresh request signal according to a state of the display frame. The timing controller includes a memory, an over driving unit and a panel self refresh unit. When the refresh request signal is not generated, the over driving unit converts the present display data into an over driving display data according to a previous compression data from the memory. When the refresh request signal is generated, the panel self refresh unit compresses the present display data into a refresh display data, and stores the refresh display data into the memory. |
| US09105242B2 |
Image display system, image display apparatus and calibration method
A target value of a contrast ratio of an image display apparatus is set, and the number of levels, among which the luminance of a backlight is changed over, and each level of luminance are decided according to the target value of the contrast ratio. The backlight is made to emit light at the individual levels of luminance of the backlight thus decided, and at the same time, the image display apparatus is made to display a predetermined color chart thereon, so that color measurement is thereby carried out, and calibration is carried out at each level of luminance of the backlight based on a color value thus measured. The calibration is carried out only on an appropriate number of levels of the luminance of the backlight required to achieve the target value of the contrast ratio. |
| US09105241B2 |
Structure of light emitting device array and drive method for display light source
Array of light emitting device is provided as the backlight for a display apparatus. A control circuit and drive method are provided utilizing a multiple scan selection drive scheme and a charging-relaxation step to eliminate the flicker and to enhanced the speed of LC response. |
| US09105239B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, recording medium, and program
There is provided an image processing device including a movement section which scrolls a medical image on a screen, and a display control section which, in a case where the medical image is scrolled on the screen, controls a display section to display the medical image in a manner that an observation reference position of a diagnosis region of the medical image passes through a display reference position of a display region of the screen. |
| US09105238B2 |
Active matrix triode switch driver circuit
A pixel circuit for an active matrix organic light-emitting diode display system includes a first input node, a second input node, first power supply node, a second power supply node, a triode switch circuit, a storage capacitor, an organic light emitting diode, and a resistive element. The triode switch circuit is connected to the first and second input nodes. The storage capacitor is connected between an output of the triode switch circuit and the second power supply node. The organic light-emitting diode is connected between the output of the triode switch circuit and the second power supply node. The first resistive element is connected between the output of the triode switch circuit and the first power supply node. |
| US09105236B2 |
Light emitting display device
Disclosed herein is a light emitting display device capable of minimizing a difference in current driving capability between driving switching elements so as to improve image quality of the display device. |
| US09105232B2 |
Display device, data processing device for the same, and method thereof
A data processing device includes a gamma processor applying a gamma function to grayscale data including red grayscale data, green grayscale data, and blue grayscale data to generate luminance data including red luminance data, green luminance data, and blue luminance data, a first compensation coefficient generator generating a first compensation coefficient, a second compensation coefficient generator calculating a first grayscale ratio of the blue grayscale data and a second grayscale ratio of the red grayscale data, and generating a second compensation coefficient, a data compensation coefficient generator generating a data compensation coefficient by multiplying the first compensation coefficient and the second compensation coefficient, a data compensator generating compensation luminance data by adding the luminance data to a value of the data compensation coefficient multiplied by the luminance data, and an inverse processor generating compensation grayscale data. |
| US09105230B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method of driving the same
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the OLED display includes a panel including pixels which are configured to control an amount of current that flows from a first power source to a second power source to generate an image of predetermined brightness. The display may also include at least one first power source line formed on a top of the panel and at least one second power source line positioned on a bottom of the panel to face the first power source line. The display may further include a first switch configured to alternately supply the first power source to the first power source line and the second power source line. |
| US09105224B2 |
Stereoscopic display device
A stereoscopic display device includes: a parallax barrier in which light transmission parts that transmit light and light shielding parts that block light are formed alternately, and a display panel that displays a stereoscopic image. A plurality of pixels for displaying the stereoscopic image are formed on the display panel. Each pixel includes a plurality of color forming subpixels that contribute to the color formation of the stereoscopic image, and a contrasting subpixel that contributes to the contrast of the stereoscopic image. In each pixel, the contrasting subpixel is positioned at both ends of the pixel in a direction in which the light transmission parts and the light shielding parts are arranged alternately. In each pixel that overlaps the light shielding part when the display panel is viewed from front, the contrasting subpixel is positioned at both ends of the light shielding part. |
| US09105222B2 |
Display control apparatus and display control method
A display control apparatus determines if an application manager has attribute information compatible with attribute information of a selected application program, and controls the application manager which is determined to have the attribute information compatible with the attribute information of the application program to execute display processing of the application program. |
| US09105219B2 |
Light emitting element drive device, light emitting element drive method, and display apparatus
A light emitting element drive device includes: a light emitting section having a light emitting element; output capacitance capable of storing power supplied to the light emitting section; a driver connected between the light emitting section and a reference potential and including a switch section whose conductive state is controlled by a pulse-like lighting signal depending on magnitude of a load current and a constant current source section connected in series to the switch section; and a power supply controller being a power supply that provides drive power to the light emitting section and including a function to adjust an output current supplied to the output capacitance. The power supply controller changes the supply amount of the output current for the light emitting section from the power supply controller based on load current information that is necessary peak power of the light emitting section. |
| US09105217B2 |
System for accurately and precisely representing image color information
A method and system for accurate and precise representation of color for still and moving images, particularly sequences of digitized color images. Spectral and/or extended dynamic range information is retained as images are captured, processed, and presented during color adjustment. Using this extra spectral information, various methodologies for further presenting or processing the color within these images can be optimized. Presentation-device independence is achieved not by attempting to discover a device-independent intermediate representation, but rather by deferring the binding and mapping of color representation onto a presentation device until its actual use. |
| US09105213B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method of driving the same
An OLED display device is provided. The OLED display device may include a first capacitor connected between a data line and a first node, a first transistor connected to the first node and a second node, an OLED connected between a low-level source voltage terminal and a third node, a second transistor connected to the second and third nodes, a driving transistor, and a second capacitor. The driving transistor may have a gate connected to the first node, a drain connected to the second node, and a source connected to a high-level source voltage terminal. One end of the second capacitor may receive a control signal, and the other end of the second capacitor may be connected to the first node. |
| US09105206B2 |
LED-illuminated sign
The inventive LED-illuminated sign structure includes a frame, an outer shell and a plurality of separate LED emitters. The frame includes two opposite main support panels each having an upright outward surface, and shell-supporting members. The outer shell has a pair of opposite translucent sidewalls each extending along and is spaced from the respective outward surface. The LED emitters are spaced on each outward surface such that the translucent sidewalls are illuminated substantially entirely. The frame defines an open region for passing reflected light within the frame structure to and through the opposite translucent sidewall. The LED illuminator includes an LED emitter on a mounting surface, a one-piece lens member over the LED emitter and including a lens portion and a flange portion, and a gasket between the flange portion and the mounting surface. The lens member has a restraining ridge positioned to press the LED-emitter wires and the gasket against the mounting surface such that the wire portions between the ridge and the LED emitter remain in substantially fixed position regardless of wire movement beyond the restraining ridge. |
| US09105202B2 |
Backlight illumination in a mirror
A mirror assembly mountable to a wall, the mirror asembly includes a mirror platform having a front surface and a rear surface and a chassis, the chassis is engageable with the mirror platform to define a mirror assembly interior. The chassis is mountable to the wall, and the chassis has an outer edge section. The outer edge section further includes a plurality of areas, the plurality of areas permits light radiated from the mirror assembly interior to illuminate the surroundings of the mirror assembly. |
| US09105200B2 |
Semi-automated or fully automated, network and/or web-based, 3D and/or 4D imaging of anatomy for training, rehearsing and/or conducting medical procedures, using multiple standard X-ray and/or other imaging projections, without a need for special hardware and/or systems and/or pre-processing/analysis of a captured image data
Systems, methods and software are provided that simulate or facilitate imaging of medical procedures for purposes of optimized performance, simulation, training and/or accreditation. More particularly, aspects of the invention relate to a system, apparatus and/or subsystems for generating 3D and/or 4D imaging from 2 or more 2D images and/or projections for use in performing, simulating, training, and/or facilitating medical-access procedures. Such procedures use semi-automated and/or fully automated, network and/or web-based, 3D and/or 4D imaging of anatomy and corresponding medical devices or treatment for performing, training, rehearsing and/or conducting medical procedures, using multiple (e.g., >2 and/or >3) standard 2D x-ray and/or other radiation or sound imaging projections without a need for special hardware and/or systems (e.g., rotational runs) and/or pre-processing/analysis of a captured image data. |
| US09105196B2 |
Method and system for autonomous teaching of braille
The present invention is a method and system for autonomous learning of Braille by an unsighted user. The system allows the unsighted user to pass a card over an RFID reader so as to trigger an audible response that is indicative of an indicia (Braille word or character) embossed on the card. The embossed card further comprises an RFID tag and a series of raised indicia surfaces representative of a Braille-based word or character. The tag transmits a signal indicative of the word or character to the receiving (via receiver) micro-controller which will convert the signal to an audible tone to be transmitted through an output device. The system has a memory which holds a library of tones corresponding to a signal to be converted. An autonomous record mode allows the system user to record an audio input to be stored in the library, or utilize an interface port, or removable memory, for downloading an input. |
| US09105195B2 |
Method and materials for training emergency first responders
An olfactory training device and method replicating one or more aromas typical of any man-caused or natural incident or accident, especially such aromas accompanied by or originating in open, smoldering, or smoking fire. Such aromas may originate from burning tissue, bones, cartilage, or other bodily materials. Such burning aromas may also originate from other synthetic or natural materials. One or more such olfactory training devices may be dispersed in a manner to engage the olfactory-sensory system of a trainee. The olfactory training device may be classroom-deployed, field-deployed, laboratory-deployed, or deployed via any type of setting-deployable training device or protocol. |
| US09105194B1 |
Semi-network independent educational electronic exam engine
Embodiments relate to electronic administration of an academic examination. Execution of an exam file on a student device causes exam questions to be presented. Input from students is translated into responses. Response data identifying one or more responses and a student identifier may be transmitted from the student user device to another device during an exam period or at the end of the exam period. However, the transmission may be explicitly or functionally conditioned by network connection strength, network availability and so forth. When the condition is not satisfied or when a transmission fails, response data is locally and securely cached at the student user device. The response(s) is immediately locked or locked at the end of an examination period, such that a student user can no longer modify the response(s). The student user device subsequently transmits the response data (e.g., when the transmission condition is satisfied). |
| US09105193B2 |
Motion platform and aircraft simulator comprising the same
The present invention is related to a motion platform and aircraft simulator comprising the same. According to the invention, a motion platform is provided using at least three uprights and a sub-frame connected to the uprights by connecting members. A cabin in which a person can be accommodated is connected to the sub-frame. By restricting the way the various components are capable of moving relative to each other a motion platform is obtained which is able to offer the desired simulation of motion such as translational movement, pitch, roll, and yaw of the cabin. |
| US09105192B2 |
Monitoring apparatus and method
Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor. The apparatus is arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to detection by means of the at least one sensor of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects. The apparatus is arranged to determine a lateral offset value being a distance of the or each target object from an extended axis of the host vehicle and to over-ride triggering of the at least one action such that triggering of the at least one action is not performed in dependence on the lateral offset value. |
| US09105183B2 |
System and method for graphically displaying aircraft traffic information using aircraft symbology
Presented herein is a system and method for graphically displaying aircraft traffic information. The system comprises an Operating Company Symbology database and a display system coupled to a processor that is configured to (1) receive traffic information; (2) determine the Operating Company Symbology from the received traffic information; (3) receive a selection of an aircraft or traffic information including at least one of the Flight ID, Operating Company, or Surface Traffic; (4) graphically render aircraft symbology and the associated traffic information on the display. |
| US09105181B2 |
Systems and methods for generating power through the flow of water
A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit. |
| US09105178B2 |
Remote dynamic configuration of telemetry reporting through regular expressions
A system for dynamic configuration of telemetry data may comprise a client to place a library call to a configuration server, the library call including identifying information associated with the client. The system may further comprise a processor to receive, from the configuration server, one or more regular expressions for configuration of the telemetry data collected at the client, based on the identifying information, collect, at the client, the telemetry data based on predetermined criteria, match the one or more regular expressions to the telemetry data, based on the match, selectively provide the telemetry data based on the one or more regular expressions to produce filtered telemetry data, and periodically report the filtered telemetry to the server, the filtered telemetry data including or excluding the telemetry data matching the one or more regular expressions. |
| US09105177B2 |
Mobile device, control method thereof, message sending apparatus and message sending method
Disclosed is a mobile device, a control method thereof, a message sending apparatus and a message sending method. The mobile device includes a wireless communication unit which performs wireless communication via a wireless network; a signal processing unit which processes a signal transmitted/received by the wireless communication unit; a display unit which displays an image based on the signal processed by the signal processing unit; and a control unit which receives a message from a counterpart device, displays the received message on the display unit, remotely accesses a remote device, and controls the remote device to allow the mobile device to access information stored in the remote device. |
| US09105175B1 |
Water heater alarm
A water sensor and alarm system for storage water heaters comprising an alarm housing, embedded battery, annunciator, and two bottom exposed fluid sensors separated by a stand-off. The system is designed for prompt owner notification when fluid is detected adjacent to a hot water heater tank. Notification is audible, and optionally may be in the form of remote notification, such as but not limited to a signal transmitted to the home security device connected to a 24-hour security monitoring network, or a smart phone, tablet, or other smart device. The alarm housing can be easily and quickly mounted to the side of the water heater tank. Ultra low power consumption is an important benefit provided by the alarm system, which continues during low battery warnings and water detection alarming. Also, the audible alarm may optionally include a boost circuit to amplify annunciator loudness, but at a tradeoff with conserving power. |
| US09105174B2 |
System and methods for nonverbally communicating patient comfort data
Systems and methods for nonverbally communicating patient comfort data are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may include one or more operations including receiving patient comfort data associated with one or more patients through a patient comfort level input device during a course of a treatment session, transmitting the patient comfort data associated with one or more patients received through the patient comfort level input device, and alerting one or more practitioners of the patient comfort data associated with one or more patients received through the patient comfort level input device. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may include at least one of the additional operations of receiving objective data indicating one or more particular treatment types substantially contemporaneously with a performance of the one or more particular treatment types and automatically generating one or more objective treatment session notes for inclusion within at least one of one or more patient charts and one or more medical records. |
| US09105173B2 |
Assembly with condition monitoring and a method for condition monitoring
An assembly that is provided with condition monitoring includes a first element having two or more electrically conductive contact members (102-105), a second (106) element attached to the two or more electrically conductive contact members and providing galvanic connections between the contact members. The assembly further includes a monitoring circuit (120) for monitoring electrical conductivities of the galvanic connections and for generating an indicator signal in response to a situation in which the electrical conductivity of one or more of the galvanic connections is lower than a threshold. When the joint between the first and second elements is totally or partially out of order, the electrical conductivity of one or more of the galvanic connections is low or zero and thus the indicator signal is generated. Therefore, the condition of the joint can be electrically monitored. |
| US09105167B2 |
Merchandise security system including retractable alarming power cord
A merchandise security system for an electronic item of merchandise is provided. In one example, the merchandise security system includes a continuous alarming power cord comprising at least one electrical conductor. The alarming power cord has a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the electronic item of merchandise and a second end. The merchandise security system also includes a reel for receiving the second end of the alarming power cord and adapted for storing at least a portion of the alarming power cord thereon. In addition, the merchandise security system includes monitoring circuitry in electrical communication with the alarming power cord and configured to detect an interruption in an electrical signal provided to the alarming power cord. |
| US09105160B1 |
Double draw video poker games
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for implementing improvements in video poker games. A second draw can be offered to the player, allowing the player an additional chance to improve the player's hand. The second draw can be always offered or triggered upon predefined conditions. |
| US09105152B2 |
Game transaction module interface to single port printer
A gaming device includes a game module for presenting instances of a game title and a game transaction module for interfacing with a system controller of a game entertainment center. The gaming device further includes a printer for printing various items such as tickets, coupons, vouchers, and other promotional material. The gaming device further includes a printer manager for arbitrating print job conflicts. |
| US09105150B2 |
Method and system for gaming and brand association
A gaming system includes: (i) a base wagering game requiring a wager to made by a player; (ii) at least one winning outcome for the base wagering game; (iii) a paytable for the at least one winning outcome; a secondary award provided randomly to the player, the secondary party award provided by a secondary award provider and kept separate and apart from the paytable; and (iv) advertising for secondary award provider, the advertising provided in exchange for the provision of the secondary award. |
| US09105146B2 |
Central determination offer and acceptance game with multiplier
A central determination gaming system wherein a predetermined game outcome that is associated with a payout is selected. A player is enabled to play at least one interactive game, such as an offer and acceptance type game, wherein each payout potentially provided to the player is based, at least in part, on the selected predetermined game outcome. After providing the player the payout of the interactive game, the gaming device provides the player by one or more multipliers wherein each multiplier is based on the selected predetermined game outcome. The modified payout is then provided to the player, wherein the modified payout is equal to the payout associated with the selected predetermined game outcome. |
| US09105142B2 |
Random access and random load dispensing unit
The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins. |
| US09105137B2 |
Mining machine information collection system
An information collection device of an information collection system of a mining machine collects operation information from the dump truck. The information collection device transmits a position information request command to request the transmission of position information about the dump truck through a second wireless communication device at a predetermined time. When the dump truck whose response to the position information request command is received by the second wireless communication device can stay in the communication range of an in-vehicle wireless communication device until the communication of the operation information of the dump truck ends, the information collection device collects the operation information of the dump truck whose response is received by the second wireless communication device. |
| US09105135B2 |
Using genetic algorithm to design 2-dimensional procedural patterns
Selection of an area of an image can be received. Selection of a subset of a plurality of predefined patterns may be received. A plurality of patterns can be generated. At least one generated pattern in the plurality of patterns may be based at least in part on one or more predefined patterns in the subset. Selection of another subset of patterns may be received. At least one pattern in the other subset of patterns may be selected from the plurality of predefined patterns and/or the generated patterns. Another plurality of patterns can be generated. At least one generated pattern in this plurality of patterns may be based at least on part on one or more patterns in the other subset. Selection of a generated pattern from the generated other plurality of patterns may be received. The selected area of the image may be populated with the selected generated pattern. |
| US09105134B2 |
Techniques for visualizing the age of data in an analytics report
In one embodiment, a method includes displaying, in two dimensions, a business analytics report containing various data elements, wherein each data element has data associated therewith. The method further enables generation of a three-dimensional representation of the business analytics report by adding a time axis to the data elements. Once the three-dimensional representation is generated, the method displays, on the time axis, update points identifying when data associated with the data elements was updated. In some cases, depending on the length of the time axis, several update points may be displayed for each data element. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also described. |
| US09105133B2 |
Multi view image display apparatus and control method thereof
A multi view image display apparatus is provided. The multi view image display apparatus includes: a depth adjuster configured to adjust a depth of an input image; a renderer configured to render a multi view image based on the input image of which depth is adjusted; a display configured to arrange a multi view image in a preset arrangement pattern in order to display the multi view image; and a controller configured to control the depth adjuster to shift the depth of the input image based on depth information related to at least one object of the input image so that an object satisfying a preset criteria has a preset depth value. |
| US09105131B2 |
Multi-core geometry processing in a tile based rendering system
A method and an apparatus are provided for combining multiple independent tile-based graphic cores. A block of geometry, containing a plurality of triangles, is split into sub-portions and sent to different geometry processing units. Each geometry processing unit generates a separate tiled geometry list that contains interleave markers that indicate an end to a sub-portion of a block of geometry overlapping a particular tile, processed by that geometry processing unit, and an end marker that identifies an end to all geometry processed for a particular tile by that geometry processing unit. The interleave markers are used to control an order of presentation of geometry to a hidden surface removal unit for a particular tile, and the end markers are used to control when the tile reference lists, for a particular tile, have been completely traversed. |
| US09105130B2 |
View synthesis method capable of depth mismatching checking and depth error compensation
A view synthesis method of depth mismatching checking and depth error compensation, wherein, input left and right maps are warped in a processor to perform view synthesis, comprising following steps: when a present pixel moves to a position of a target pixel after warping, compute respectively pixel displacement amounts for said present pixel to move to said target pixel in said left and said right maps, to figure out coordinate of said target pixel; determine if depth value of the present pixel is greater than that of said target pixel, if an answer is positive, determine if depth value of said present pixel matches that of coordinate adjacent to said target pixel; and if answer is negative, set depth value of said target pixel to a hole; otherwise, cover said target pixel with pixel value of said present pixel, hereby completing refining even minute errors. |
| US09105129B2 |
Level of detail transitions for geometric objects in a graphics application
Systems and methods for providing smooth level of detail transitions for geometric objects, such as geometric terrain tiles, are provided. In one embodiment, a parent geometric tile associated with a first level of detail can be partitioned into sub-tiles. The sub-tiles can be blended independently with child geometric tiles associated with a second level of detail. The blends can be adjusted as a function of camera distance over a transition range to provide a smooth level of detail transition. Various enhancements and modifications can be made to the level of detail transition, such as implementing a bias in the level of detail calculation, implementing an unpop algorithm over only a subset of the transition range, implementing a time based fade during a camera stop, and other enhancements. |
| US09105124B2 |
Methods and systems for reducing noise- related imaging artifacts
A method for reducing noise in a medical diagnostic image includes acquiring an initial three-dimensional (3D) volume of projection data, generating a projection space noise estimate using the 3D volume of projection data, generating an initial 3D volume of image data using the 3D volume of projection data, generating an image space noise estimate using the 3D volume of image data, generating a noise projection estimate using the projection space noise estimate and the image space noise estimate, and reconstructing an image using the generated noise estimate. A system and non-transitory computer readable medium are also described. |
| US09105123B2 |
Non-linear projections of 3-D medical imaging data
The present invention improves projection displays of volume data. Using the Minimum Intensity Projection (MinIP), fluid filled regions or other regions of hyporeflective tissue are displayed. By limiting the projection to partial volumes within the volume, differences in the scattering intensity within specific regions are isolated. In this way, hyperreflectivity of weakly scattering tissue can be assessed. |
| US09105122B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
In an image processing performing local tone correction on an image, tone correction on an object (face) area can be suppressed from becoming nonuniform. The apparatus is provided with an acquisition unit (102) that acquires coordinate information on an object area, a division unit (103) that divides the inputted image into a plurality of divided areas, a first decision unit (105) that decides atone correction coefficient for each of the divided areas, a second decision unit (106) that decides a tone correction coefficient for the object area based on coordinate information on the object area and the tone correction coefficients for the plurality of divided areas, and an image processing unit (107) that performs tone correction processing on the object area by applying thereto the tone correction coefficient decided by the second decision unit in a uniform manner without depending on coordinates thereof. |
| US09105117B2 |
Methods and apparatus for coherent manipulation and stylization of stereoscopic images
Methods and apparatus for coherent manipulation and stylization of stereoscopic images. A stereo image manipulation method may use the disparity map for a stereo image pair to divide the left and right images into a set of slices, each of which is the portion of the images that correspond to a certain, small depth range. The method may merge the left and right slices for a depth into a single image. The method may then apply a stylization technique to each slice. The method may then extract the left and right portions of each stylized slice, and stack them together to create a coherent stylized stereo image. As an alternative to first extracting slices from a merged image and then applying a stylization technique to the slices, the method may first apply the stylization technique to the merged image and then extract slices from the stylized merged image. |
| US09105114B2 |
Storage medium storing image processing program and image processing apparatus
A game apparatus generates an image of a three-dimensional virtual space as viewed from a predetermined viewpoint, an object being provided in the three-dimensional virtual space. Next, the game apparatus obtains a depth value (Z value) indicating a depth from the viewpoint in a line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional virtual space for each pixel of the image. Further, the game apparatus detects a pixel corresponding to a contour of the object based on the depth value. Specifically, a plurality of pixels are specified as reference pixels. It is determined whether or not a pixel of interest corresponds to a contour, based on a change level of differences in depth value between the pixel of interest and the reference pixels. |
| US09105111B2 |
Method and systems for thumbnail generation, and corresponding computer program product
An embodiment of a consumer electronics product having a thumbnail display feature includes a system for generating and storing thumbnails having a given size from images, such as JPEG images, for which a spatial frequency domain representation is available. The system includes a zooming processor to reduce the size of the images by zooming. The zooming processor is configured to perform both spatial frequency domain zooming to approximate the desired thumbnail size and then image pixel domain zooming to fit the desired thumbnail size. The product includes cache storage configured to store a plurality of thumbnails in a file system as free blocks in the file system, so that file system data structures are left unchanged. |
| US09105108B2 |
System for making a panoramic print
A system for making a panoramic image includes a digital camera (20) for capturing a first image (30) defining a first overlap region (115) and a second image (40) defining a second overlap region (215). Two points (150, 151) in the first overlap region are identified and a first vector (175) overlap region connecting the two points is defined. Two points (250, 251) in the second overlap region which correspond to the two points in the first overlap region are identified and a second vector (275) of the two points is defined. If the points in the first vector match points in the second vector, determine if the first and second vectors are parallel. If the vectors are not parallel, rotate the second vector image until the second vector is parallel to the first vector. |
| US09105107B2 |
Apparatus and method for image processing
Apparatus and method for correcting a tone of a panoramic image. An image processing apparatus may acquire, from an overlapping region of a left image and a right image, ghost information based on an optimal threshold and a cost map in which a similarity between the left image and the right image is reflected, may generate a tone correction map based on a global tone correction function generated using the ghost information in the overlapping region, and based on a local tone correction level generated using local information of an optimal seam, and may correct the left image and the right image using a final tone correction map generated by applying, to the tone correction map, a weighting based on the left image and a weighting based on the right image. |
| US09105104B2 |
Image processing apparatus,image processing method, and program
Provided is an image processing apparatus including a generation unit configured to generate a background model of a multinomial distribution from an acquired image, and generate a background, and a determination unit configured to determine whether a background with high reliability can be generated from the background model generated by the generation unit. |
| US09105103B2 |
Systems and methods of tracking object movements in three-dimensional space
The technology disclosed relates to tracking movement of a real world object in three-dimensional (3D) space. In particular, it relates to mapping, to image planes of a camera, projections of observation points on a curved volumetric model of the real world object. The projections are used to calculate a retraction of the observation points at different times during which the real world object has moved. The retraction is then used to determine translational and rotational movement of the real world object between the different times. |
| US09105093B2 |
Method and apparatus for bi-layer segmentation
A method and an apparatus for bi-layer segmentation of an image or a sequence of images are described. A classifier is derived based on depth data of the image and another classifier is derived based on color data of the image. The image is then segmented by maximizing a weighted sum of matching scores derived from the classifiers based on depth data and color data of the image. The classifier based on color data of the image is derived using color sampling subsequent to generating an initial segmentation of the image. |
| US09105092B2 |
Registration method of images for surgery
In order for registration of images for surgery, first, a three-dimensional reference image of a surgical area of a patient before surgery is acquired. Then, a grating-pattern light is provided towards the surgical area to acquire a first measurement image. Thereafter, a preliminary registration is performed between the acquired first measurement image and a pre-acquired three-dimensional reference image. Then, a grating-pattern light is provided towards the surgical area after cutting out the surgical area to acquire a second measurement image. Thereafter, a fine registration is performed between the acquired second measurement image and the pre-acquired three-dimensional reference image based on the preliminary registration result. Thus, an accurate registration result may be acquired at low cost in a short period of time. |
| US09105091B2 |
Watermark detection using a propagation map
A method for detecting and selecting watermarking in video coding is provided that comprises accessing a list of possible watermarks; generating propagation maps of modifications to the video that would be caused by applying the respective watermarks; generating a detection region responsive to each respective propagation map that includes blocks within the propagation map that collectively rank highest with respect to a selected detection criteria compared to each other region within the propagation map; selecting a threshold metric for evaluating detection regions; and removing watermarks from the list responsive to a comparison of their detection regions with the threshold metric. |
| US09105088B1 |
Image blur with preservation of detail
Implementations relate to blurring an image while preserving details in the image. In some implementations, a method includes receiving an input image and creating a blurred image from the input image by averaging pixel intensities of a plurality of pixels in the input image. The method creates a transparency mask from the input image, where the transparency mask indicates transparency values for pixel positions of the input image based on edges detected in the input image. The pixel intensities of the input image and pixel intensities of the blurred image are composited based on the transparency values of the transparency mask to create an output image having greater blur than the input image in areas outside the detected edges. |
| US09105086B2 |
Method and device for generating a super-resolution version of a low resolution input data structure
The invention relates to an improved robustness in upscaling the resolution of regularly sampled multi-dimensional signals, where a single low-resolution signal is available. These methods are referred to as example-based super-resolution or single-image super-resolution. A method for super-resolving a single image comprises three stages. First, an interpolation-based up-scaling of the input image is performed, followed by a Local De-noising step in contour regions. The second stage comprises extrapolation through cross-scale block matching, wherein an extrapolated high-frequency band is obtained that is de-noised through regularization in the same contour regions. The third stage comprises adding the contributions of the low-frequency band of the high-resolution image and the extrapolated high-frequency band. |
| US09105083B2 |
Changing the arrangement of text characters for selection using gaze on portable devices
Arrangements involving portable devices (e.g., smartphones and tablet computers) are disclosed. One arrangement enables a content creator to select software with which that creator's content should be rendered—assuring continuity between artistic intention and delivery. Another utilizes a device camera to identify nearby subjects, and take actions based thereon. Others rely on near field chip (RFID) identification of objects, or on identification of audio streams (e.g., music, voice). Some technologies concern improvements to the user interfaces associated with such devices. Others involve use of these devices in connection with shopping, text entry, sign language interpretation, and vision-based discovery. Still other improvements are architectural in nature, e.g., relating to evidence-based state machines, and blackboard systems. Yet other technologies concern use of linked data in portable devices—some of which exploit GPU capabilities. Still other technologies concern computational photography. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US09105081B2 |
Protection filter for image and video processing
A filter includes a conventional filtering block and a protection block. The conventional filtering block receives input values and provides filtered values. The protection block receives filtered values and a group of input values proximate the current input, to ensure that the output is lies within a range computed for the current input. The range is determined by the protection block based on the group of input values proximate the current input. Any algorithm or statistical function may be applied to the group of input values to determine the range. If a filtered value provided by the conventional filtering block is outside the range, then the protection block computes and outputs a value that is within the range. The filter may be used in temporal or spatial filtering of images and video to mitigate artifacts such as motion artifacts and static artifacts. |
| US09105079B2 |
Method and system for obtaining optical proximity correction model calibration data
A method may be implemented for obtaining calibration data for use in calibrating an optical proximity correction model. The method may include capturing an image for each portion of a plurality of portions of a wafer to obtain captured images. The method may further include assembling at least portions of the captured images to form an assembled image. The method may further include mapping layout data of the wafer with the assembled image. The method may further include selecting portions of the assembled image based on the layout data of the wafer. The method may further include obtaining data associated with the portions of the assembled image as the calibration data. |
| US09105077B2 |
Method for classifying a multitude of images recorded by a camera observing a processing area and laser material processing head using the same
The present invention relates to a method for classifying a multitude of images recorded by a camera observing a processing area of a workpiece processed by a processing beam, comprising the steps of: recording a first pixel image and a multitude of subsequent pixel images by the camera during a processing operation; detecting mismatches of a position and orientation of a keyhole generated by the processing beam in the workpiece within an image plane of the subsequent pixel images in comparison to the first pixel image; compensating the mismatches of the position and orientation of the respective keyholes in the subsequent pixel images with regard to the first pixel image, to produce a set of pixel images having each a normalized keyhole position and orientation; classifying the set of normalized pixel images into at least two classes by means of a classifier. |
| US09105074B2 |
Scalable compression using JPEG-LS
A global bit stream comprising at least a first and a second bit stream is generated using an original visual bit stream. The first bit stream is generated by compressing the original visual bit stream using a JPEG-LS compression technique with a lossy factor ‘n’. The second bit stream is generated by compressing a difference bit stream using a JPEG-LS lossless compression technique, wherein the difference bit stream comprises a difference between the original visual bit stream and the first bit stream. The visual display is recreated using a reconstructed bit stream after receiving the global bit stream over a channel, wherein the reconstructed bit stream is generated by decompressing at least the first bit stream using a JPEG-LS lossless compression technique. The second bit stream is decompressed using JPEG-LS lossless compression technique and the quality of the display may be enhanced by adding the decompressed second bit stream. |
| US09105068B2 |
Grammar model for structured search queries
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a social graph that includes a plurality of nodes and edges, receiving an unstructured text query, identifying nodes and edges that correspond to n-grams of the text query, accessing a context-free grammar model, identifying grammars having query tokens that correspond to the identified nodes and edges, determining a score for each identified grammar, and then generating structured queries based on the identified grammars based on strings generated by the grammars. |
| US09105066B2 |
Trip-based vehicle insurance
Methods and systems for offering and providing trip-based vehicle insurance are provided. Information is received regarding a vehicle operator and a vehicle, and trip-based insurance policies including quantities of vehicle use units are offered to the customer. Based on selected coverage types, the insurance provider may generate an insurance quote for a policy having an amount of the vehicle use units and may facilitate a purchase transaction with the customer for the insurance policy. Once a policy is selected and purchased, the system and method monitor vehicle use to determine each use of a vehicle use unit. Each vehicle use unit generally corresponds to one vehicle trip, but additional vehicle trip limitations may be added that may result in additional charges when exceeded during the course of a vehicle trip. |
| US09105050B2 |
Program, system and method for linking community programs and merchants in a marketing program
The present invention is a system, data access management utility and a method of generating links between local merchants and a marketing system. The present invention may be operable to register members, merchants, community programs, intermediaries and other entities with the marketing system. Embodiments of the present invention may be operable to quickly and efficiently register multiple members and/or multiple merchant store types virtually simultaneously to the marketing system. An automated registration and/or boarding process may be operated by the present invention to undertake such registration and/or boarding of members, merchants, community programs, intermediaries and other entities with the marketing system, including automated boarding of merchants. |
| US09105049B2 |
System and method for automatically determining an advertisement type of a digital advertisement
Systems and methods for determining a type of a digital ad are disclosed. Generally, an ad type determination module automatically determines a type of a digital ad, such as a direct response ad or a branding ad, based on at least one of (1) a number of hyperlinks associated with the digital ad, (2) a number of click throughs associated with the digital ad, (3) a click-through rate associated with the digital ad, and (4) an industry associated with the digital ad. After the ad type determination module determines a type of the digital ad, an indication of the type of digital ad may be exported to a system of an online advertisement service provider so that the online advertisement service provider may perform actions such as optimizing the digital ad, or generating reports regarding the digital ad, based on the determined type of the digital ad. |
| US09105048B2 |
Behavioral targeting system that generates user profiles for target objectives
A behavioral targeting system determines user profiles from online activity. The system includes a plurality of models that define parameters for determining a user profile score. Event information, which comprises on-line activity of the user, is received at an entity. To generate a user profile score, a model is selected. The model comprises recency, intensity and frequency dimension parameters. The behavioral targeting system generates a user profile score for a target objective, such as brand advertising or direct response advertising. The parameters from the model are applied to generate the user profile score in a category. The behavioral targeting system has application for use in ad serving to on-line users. |
| US09105046B1 |
Constraining ad service based on app content
Application content information is obtained from a mobile device application server. An ad server log includes at least application identifiers for applications that have requested advertisements from an ad network. If identifying information included in the application content information is the same as an application identifier found in the ad server log, the application content information is analyzed to determine whether the corresponding mobile device application is appropriate to be served an advertisement, based on predetermined content criteria. An application registry includes a database of mobile device applications that are registered in the ad network. The application registry record for a mobile device application is updated to indicate the determined appropriateness of the mobile device application corresponding to the analyzed application content information. |
| US09105043B2 |
Method and system for providing incentives to members of a social network
A social network server computer forms a social network including a primary member linked to a plurality of secondary members, each of whom provides a member profile. A network profile is generated based on an analysis of the member profiles. A social network server computer then determines a relative value of the social network with respect to a merchant by analyzing the associated network profile, and offers a merchant incentive to the primary member of the network as a function of the determined relative value. In a second embodiment, a merchant computer associated with a merchant determines a relative value of the social network with respect to a merchant by analyzing the network profile, and offers a merchant incentive to the primary member of the network as a function of the determined relative value. The merchant incentives may be also offered to the secondary members of the associated social network. |
| US09105042B2 |
Customer sentiment analysis using recorded conversation
A system is configured to receive voice emotion information, related to an audio recording, indicating that a vocal utterance of a speaker is spoken with negative or positive emotion. The system is configured to associate the voice emotion information with attribute information related to the audio recording, and aggregate the associated voice emotion and attribute information with other associated voice emotion and attribute information to form aggregated information. The system is configured to generate a report based on the aggregated information and one or more report parameters, and provide the report. |
| US09105041B2 |
Systems and methods for take-out order analytics
Systems and methods for take-out order management and analysis. In an embodiment, for each of a plurality of restaurants, an interactive menu associated with the restaurant is provided to a plurality of users, a plurality of orders are received from the plurality of users, and the plurality of orders are sent to the restaurant. Order information related to the plurality of orders and the plurality of users is stored in at least one database, and analyzed. |
| US09105039B2 |
System and method for providing mobile alerts to members of a social network
Systems and methods are presented for providing mobile alerts to members of a social network upon the occurrence of certain trigger events related to the social network, including member-trigger events, venue-trigger events, and other-trigger events. A member may select and edit their own mobile-alert settings that determine which events are trigger events. The member may enable or disable all their mobile alerts using a single action, such as toggling a digital button on their phone screen. A data processor receives indication of, or determines occurrence of, a trigger event. The data processor then determines whether to communicate a mobile alert to the member based on the member's mobile-alert settings. The alert may be communicated to the member's mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, using a variety of convenient means, such as a text message or Push Notification. |
| US09105037B2 |
Method and system for leasing of network services and applications based on a usage pattern
Aspects of a method and system for predictive leasing of network services and applications based on a usage pattern may comprise a management entity that coordinates operation of one or more endpoint devices. A user profile associated with the one or more endpoint devices may be received by the management entity, wherein the management entity may utilize the user profile associated with the one or more endpoint devices and a usage pattern associated with the one or more endpoint devices to determine leasing information for the one or more endpoint devices. The management entity may be operable to communicate the determined leasing information to the one or more endpoint devices. The leasing information may comprise leasing services and/or applications to the one or more endpoint devices. |
| US09105034B2 |
Implementing computer interaction response tests
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for enhancing computer interaction challenge-response tests (e.g., Completely Automatic Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart, or CAPTCHA). Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for introducing advertising in such challenge-response tests, such that users are presented with opportunities to learn about or reinforce brands. In a typical embodiment, when a user attempts to access content (e.g., web content), the user will be presented with a CAPTCHA test. The CAPTCHA test typically includes an advertisement (e.g., logo, label, etc.) and an associated question for the user to answer. Along these lines, the advertisement is generally selected based on the user's demographics (e.g., interests, gender, age, etc.). If the user successfully responds to the question and/or responds within a certain amount of time, a reward can be determined (e.g., access to the content, preferred placement in a queue for computing resources, etc.). In one embodiment, a cumulative points total can be maintained for the user based on cumulative responses to CAPTCHA tests. In this embodiment, the CAPTCHA tests presented to the user can have increasing levels of difficulty with corresponding rewards. |
| US09105033B2 |
Two-way marketing personalized desktop application
A method and system receives a first data feed from at least one third-party computerized device by way of a computerized network connected to the customer computerized device. This first data feed is displayed through the display item. The graphic user interface receives customer interaction information when the customer interacts with the display item. The method transmits such customer interaction information to the third-party computerized device by way of the customer computerized network. The customer computerized device then receives a second data feed from the third-party computerized device by way of the computerized network. The second data feed is different than the first data feed and the second data feed is based on the customer interaction information and/or the group usage statistics. |
| US09105031B2 |
Authentication mechanisms for wireless networks
Security techniques and security mechanisms for wireless networks that transmit content such as advertisements. According to exemplary techniques, control messages comprising unrequested content (e.g., advertisement data) may be transmitted in response to a request from a client device, while in other exemplary techniques the control messages may be transmitted without any request from a client device. In some exemplary implementations, security mechanisms such as public key cryptography algorithms may be used to secure transmissions. In some of these techniques which implement public key cryptography, a user may be required to retrieve a public key from a source other than the wireless access point transmitting encrypted advertisements (e.g., a sign or terminal in a commercial entity transmitting such advertisements, or from a web service), such that the user may confirm that the encrypted content is from a source matching the retrieved public key and thus confirm the authenticity of a wireless access point. |
| US09105029B2 |
Search system utilizing purchase history
A method for providing a purchase history context search includes receiving at least one search term from a user through an input device. A purchase history for the user is then accessed from at least one purchase history database over a network. A web index that is located on at least one storage device is then accessed. A plurality of search results, each associated with a web page indexed by the web index, are then determined using the at least one search term and the purchase history, each search result including a link to an associated web page. The plurality of search results are then provided for display on a display device. |
| US09105027B2 |
Verification of portable consumer device for secure services
Apparatuses, methods, and systems pertaining to the verification of portable consumer devices for 3-D Secure Systems are disclosed. In one implementation, a verification token is coupled to a computer by a USB connection so as to use the computer's networking facilities. The verification token reads identification information from a user's portable consumer device (e.g., credit card) and sends the information to a validation entry over a communications network using the computer's networking facilities. The validation entity applies one or more validation tests to the information that it receives from the verification token. If a selected number of tests are passed, the validation entity sends a 3-D Secure datum to the verification token. The verification token may enter the 3-D Secure datum into a hidden field of a Purchase Authentication Page appearing on the computer's display. |
| US09105018B2 |
Bill-pay integration
Apparatus and methods for bill integration are provided. Checks issued by a bill-pay vendor may be integrated into a daily issue file and be presented to a user for review. The review may include selecting one or more check service to be applied to a check. The presenting may including marking checks and images corresponding to items received from a bill-pay vendor. Credit card transactions initiated via a bill-pay vendor may be integrated into the daily issue file. Checks received from the bill-pay vendor may be numbered into a range that is not a user-generated range. Bill-pay integration may include just-in-time funding of payments initiated through the bill-pay vendor. The daily issue file may be accessed via a mobile device, and may be filtered based on an entitlement associated with the mobile device. |
| US09105017B2 |
Customer reprint of a physical receipt from an electronic receipt
A method is disclosed for reprinting a paper copy of a receipt at a physical store location and based off of an electronic receipt. The electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. A customer may pair their mobile electronic device with a POS terminal in a store location. Information may be sent to a server or computer system to request that a receipt be reprinted. The server may then process the request and transmit receipt information to the POS terminal where a paper copy of the receipt is printed for the customer. |
| US09105016B2 |
Systems and methods for creating and using a hybrid-digital mailbox
A method, electronic device, and computer-readable storage medium are. In one embodiment, a method is provided for receiving tracking data regarding a delivery item, determining, based on the tracking data, whether supplemental content is associated with the delivery item, and automatically scheduling delivery of the supplemental content when supplemental content is associated with the delivery item. |
| US09105014B2 |
Interactive avatar in messaging environment
A sender sends an email message to a receiver. The message includes an avatar representing the sender. Upon receiving the message, if the receiver has a question related to the message, the receiver sends the question to the sender via the avatar. After receiving the question, the avatar remote server device correlates the question with the message through a MSG-ID associated with the receiver or avatar. The avatar remote server device parses and analyzes the question and then searches mailboxes, agendas, previous answers, toDoLists, folders, resumes, and/or address books of the sender to find a corresponding answer for the question. Then, the avatar remote server device provides the answer to the receiver via the avatar. Alternatively, upon receiving the question, the avatar remote server device sends a notification to the sender. If the sender has an online connectivity, the sender provides the answer to the receiver via the avatar. |
| US09105008B2 |
Detecting controversial events
A method, device, and computer-readable storage medium storing instructions are provided for detecting controversial events that are reflected in user-generated content items. In a single-step approach, user-generated content items are received and analyzed by a controversial event detection module, which determines the likelihood that sets of content items reflect controversial events. In one example, public posts by users of a social networking service are grouped into snapshots of posts that are associated with an entity and were generated during a window of time. An event detection module may determine the likelihood that snapshots reflect events. In a two-step approach, event snapshots are provided to a controversy detection module, which determines the likelihood that event snapshots are controversial. In a blended approach, snapshots are provided to a controversy detection module, which determines the likelihood that snapshots are controversial events based in part on the event score. |
| US09105005B2 |
Online computing system
An online computing system hosting a plurality of computing projects in the form of database records allows users to search computing projects by search keys, project ID or category names, conduct computation for found computing projects, and create new computing projecs at client computers. Each computing job is performed by searching the database, selecting a computing project by clicking on one of the found links on a search result page, and providing data in a computing data input form for submission. |
| US09105004B2 |
Automatic logistics system using trigger forwarding device
An automated logistics system comprising radio frequency identification device (RFID) chips, an RFID reader-writer, a computer and a triggering-forwarding device is provided. The triggering-forwarding device forwards received signals of information input equipment to the computer by a network and can utilize output signals to trigger different operating states of other equipment connected with the triggering-forwarding device or a software system arranged on the other equipment; the output signals also can be used as check data for information read by the RFID reader-writer; and the triggering-forwarding device also can be used for receiving feedback information of the computer and displaying the feedback information by a display module. Due to addition of the triggering-forwarding device in the scene design of enterprise, software programming is simpler, the automated logistics system has strong applicability, identified targets are more definite and feedback information can be timely obtained to timely solve error problems. |
| US09105003B2 |
Freight tracking and control system
An electronic system for managing items in a supply chain. The system generally includes item information capturing means, such as a handheld device, adapted for capturing identification information associated with an item identified for supply chain management; mode specifying means adapted for receiving user input representative of a selection of at least one of a plurality of capturing modes, wherein each capturing mode is adapted for creating associated information by associating the captured item information with supply chain information; and transferring means adapted for transferring the associated information to an electronic storage device. |
| US09105001B2 |
Analytic solution integration
Embodiments relate analytic solution integration. According to an aspect, a method for analytic solution integration includes establishing an engine abstraction layer configured to interface with a plurality of analytic engines associated with a plurality of models. A services layer is interfaced with the engine abstraction layer to provide a communication interface to invoke the analytic engines associated with the models. A user interface is provided to the services layer. The user interface is configured to define an analytic solution as an executable sequence of one or more of the models. |
| US09104991B2 |
Predictive retirement toolset
A system assesses one or more applications for retirement. The system includes a processing device configured for receiving attribute data corresponding to one or more of a plurality of applications. The processing device is further configured for determining one or more of the plurality of applications to assess for retirement, translating at least some of the received attribute data into two or more translated values based at least in part on one or more predetermined values, and summing two or more of the translated values, thereby resulting in one or more combined values. The processing device is further configured for calculating one or more cumulative values based at least in part on the one or more combined values and converting the one or more cumulative values, thereby resulting in one or more probability values each indicating the probability of retirement of one of the one or more applications. |
| US09104988B2 |
System and method for providing facilities management based on weather vulnerability
An approach is provided for managing facilities (e.g., wire centers) based on weather vulnerability analysis. Data representing trouble tickets associated with a plurality of facilities is received. Weather information relating to the facilities is received. A determination is made of the vulnerability of the facilities to weather based on the data and the weather information. The facilities are prioritized based on the determined vulnerability. Preventative maintenance activities (as well as financial forecasts) can be performed for one or more of the facilities based on the prioritization of the facilities. |
| US09104987B2 |
Method and system for associating business rules with received content in a content processing system and generating a content list therefrom
A system 100 includes a content management system 221 having a material identification and business rules for content including targets and a work flow system 220 in communication with the content management system and receiving the material identification and targets. The work flow system 220 obtains content having an associated business rule identification and associates the content with the material identification. The content management system 221 associates the content with the business rules and generates a content list in response to the business rules. The content management system 221 receives a selection from the content list. The content delivery network 280 communicates content to a user device in response to the selection. |
| US09104986B2 |
Customer premise equipment with access to free market based pricing for bandwidth on a communications network
A system and method for providing a user of communications services with free market based pricing may include providing for communications over one of multiple network paths serviced by multiple respective communications service providers via at least one communications network. One of the network paths over which to communicate based on current pricing from the multiple communications service providers may be selected and communications may be performed over the selected network path. |
| US09104978B2 |
System and method for parameter evaluation
The described implementations relate to machine learning. One implementation provides a technique involving logging data that includes outcomes and values of first and second parameters that are associated with the outcomes. The technique can also include determining an equation that includes a first coefficient for the first parameter and a second coefficient for the second parameter, normalizing the first coefficient based on the values of the first parameter, and normalizing the second coefficient based on the values of the second parameter. The first parameter and the second parameter can be ranked in order of contribution to the outcomes based on the normalized first and second coefficients. |
| US09104977B2 |
Systems and methods for predicting characteristics of an artificial heart using an artificial neural network
A system configured to predict characteristics of an artificial heart is described. The system includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor, and an artificial neural network configured to receive an input vector of a predetermined length to train the artificial neural network, produce an output vector based on the input vector, and compare the output vector with a target vector of the predetermined length. When the output vector does not match the target vector within a predetermined error rate, the network is configured to adjust at least one weight, and when the output vector matches the target vector within the predetermined error rate, the network is configured to execute the input vector to produce an estimate at least one characteristic of the artificial heart. |
| US09104976B2 |
Method for classifying biometric data
Methods, systems, and computer program products for biometric authentication and more particularly to a method for classifying biometric data consisting in constructing, on the basis of a first universal statistical model and based on a set of first individual collections of biometric data, a second statistical model comprising a plurality of statistical sub-models and taking into consideration the biometric specificities of an individual or class of individuals, such that the first and second statistical models jointly define a highly discriminatory universal statistical model. |
| US09104974B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving determined spike events between neurons in neuromorphic chips utilizing a strobe representing spike occurrence time information
An apparatus and a method for transmitting and receiving a spike event in a neuromorphic chip. A transmission apparatus of the neuromorphic chip outputs addresses sequentially and repeatedly to an address bus, and when a spike generated by a neuron is detected by the transmission apparatus, outputs a strobe at a first time when one of the addresses being output sequentially and repeatedly becomes identical to an address of the neuron that generated the spike. A receiving apparatus of the neuromorphic chip inputs an address through the address bus at a strobe detection time when the strobe is detected by the receiving apparatus. |
| US09104969B1 |
Utilizing semantic analysis to determine how to process measurements of affective response
Disclosed herein are Systems, methods, and computer program products for utilizing semantic analysis to set a processing level of a processor processing measurements of affective response. A semantic analyzer receives a segment of content, analyzes it utilizing semantic analysis, and outputs an indication regarding whether a value related to a predicted emotional response to the segment reaches a threshold. Based on the indication, a controller selects a processing level, from among at least first and second processing levels, for a processor to process the measurements. The processor is configured to utilize significantly fewer computation cycles to process data operating at the first processing level, compared to the number of computation cycles it utilizes to process data operating at the second processing level. |
| US09104967B2 |
Applying ruleset limiting criteria for affirming rule inputs and outputs
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for processing abstract rules with limiting criteria. In one embodiment, limiting criteria may specify requirements for characteristics of sets of input or output values of processing abstract rules. For example, limiting criteria may specify requirements for statistical validity of a set of input values, such as a minimum record count. In one aspect, limiting criteria may include input criteria applied to input data prior to being processed in a rule engine. In another aspect, limiting criteria may include output criteria applied to an output of a rule engine. In the event that limiting criteria are not satisfied, the processing of the abstract rule may be terminated. |
| US09104965B2 |
Vehicle with computing means for monitoring and predicting traffic participant objects
An anticipatory monitoring and prediction system can include methods for generating effective, accurate predictions of other traffic objects in the vicinity of an ego-car. The invention proposes to combine approximate probability distributions (ADPs) of agent states with Attractor Functions (AFs) for generating distributed probabilistic representations of the potential future states of the observed traffic objects. AFs are selected based on both the current road context, in which the ego-car is situated, and the current states of all participating objects. The generated predictions can be used to filter incoming sensory information for better object state estimations, rate the nature of the behavior of other traffic objects by comparing generated predictions with actual perceived sensor information, or infer accident likelihoods by comparing the predicted state distributions of objects and the ego-car. Warning and information signals or control commands can be issued in a driving assistance system. |
| US09104961B2 |
Modeling a data generating process using dyadic Bayesian models
There is provided a method and system for modeling a data generating process. The method includes generating a dyadic Bayesian model including a pair of probabilistic functions representing a prior distribution and a sampling distribution, and modeling a data generating process based on the dyadic Bayesian model using observed data. The method includes generating a learner object for the dyadic Bayesian model. The method further includes training the dyadic Bayesian model with the learner object based on the observed data to produce a trained dyadic Bayesian model. The method also includes generating a posterior distribution over parameters based on the trained dyadic Bayesian model. The method also further includes generating a posterior predictive distribution based on the posterior distribution. The method also includes predicting an outcome of observable variables based on the posterior predictive distribution. |
| US09104958B2 |
Printing apparatus
In order for skew relative to the transport direction to be detected in a sheet which is transported to a recording unit, a carriage is initially moved in a scanning direction to a first position and the sheet is transported in this state. Then, when the front edge of the sheet in the transport direction is detected by a second sensor, the carriage is moved in a direction so that the second sensor is no longer able to locate the front edge to a second position, which is separated from the first position by a regulating movement distance. Furthermore, the sheet is transported to where the second sensor locates the front edge of the sheet in the transport direction at the second position and skew in the sheet is detected based on this transport distance and the regulating movement distance. |
| US09104957B2 |
Imaging device having information protection function
Provided is an imaging device having an information protection function, comprising an imaging control unit, an interface control unit, and at least two interfaces, and further comprising a changeover switch unit provided between the interfaces and the interface control unit, configured to change over the physical communication or physical isolation between the interfaces and the interface control unit. The imaging device provided in the solution maintains the physical communication or physical isolation between the interfaces and the interface control unit via the changeover switch unit, reduces the possibility of communicating between the interfaces via the interface control unit, thus avoiding the leakage of user data via the communicated interfaces, and reducing potential network security risk. |
| US09104941B1 |
Method and apparatus for reducing noise in a scanned image while minimizing loss of detail in the scanned image
Methods of filtering random noise and salt and pepper noise that minimize a loss of detail in an image are described. Sample values of an image that are within a tolerance within a sliding window are used to normalize a sample centered in the sliding window to filter random noise and minimize a loss of detail in an image. Sample values of an image in a sliding window are sorted into a sorted array, and mapped to values based on pre-defined regions of the sorted array to filter salt and pepper noise and minimize a loss of detail in an image. |
| US09104940B2 |
Line segmentation method applicable to document images containing handwriting and printed text characters or skewed text lines
A text line segmentation method for a document image containing printed text and handwriting, or document image containing skewed lines or printed text. Connected component (CC) are obtained for the document, and their bounding boxes and centroids are calculated. The CCs are categorized into three categories based on bounding box sizes: small objects, regular text objects, and large objects involving handwriting. The centroids of regular text objects are used in a cluster analysis to find the vertical centers of the N text lines. Then, each CC is classified into one of the N lines based on the vertical distance between its centroid and the vertical centers of text lines, and copied into to a corresponding object board. Extra spaces are removed from the object boards to obtain the line segments. The large object involving handwriting will be classified into one of the lines but absent from other lines. |
| US09104937B2 |
Apparatus and method for recognizing image with increased image recognition rate
An apparatus and methods for recognizing an image with an increased image recognition rate are provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of illuminators for illuminating a surface. The apparatus also includes an image sensor for outputting an image frame obtained by converting an optical image of the surface into an electrical signal. The surface is illuminated one of the plurality of illuminators. The apparatus further includes a switch for selecting any of the plurality of illuminators for illuminating the surface. The apparatus additionally includes a controller for receiving the image frame from the image sensor, determining whether the image frame has a region of reflected light, and controlling the switch to select another of the plurality of illuminators to illuminate the surface when the image frame has the region of reflected light. |
| US09104936B2 |
Machine reading of printed data
A method of reading data represented by characters formed of an x by y array of dots, e.g. as printed by a dot-matrix printer, is described. An image of the character(s) is captured by a digital camera device and transmitted to a computer, and by using analysis software operating in the computer to which the camera image has been sent, dot shapes are identified and their positions within the captured image detected, using the similarity of dots to idealized representations of dots using a combination of covariance, correlation or color data. The position information about the detected dots is then processed to determine the distance between dots and to identify “clusters” of adjacent dots in groups of dots close to one another, and to enable such clusters to be mapped on to a notional x by y grid that defines the intended positions of the dots where grid elements intersect. The image is then analyzed to determine, for each intersection of the grid, whether a dot is present or not, and starting at one corner of the x by y grid, a binary number is generated corresponding to the presence or absence of a dot at each intersection. This binary number is compared with the binary number in a reference table of binary numbers referenced to information corresponding to a dot-matrix printed character, and an output then produced corresponding to the character(s) identified. By using Reed Solomon mathematics, characters which have been misprinted can still be reliably identified. |
| US09104932B2 |
Systems and methods for pattern stitching and decoding using multiple captured images
Systems and methods read machine readable symbols, the systems and methods capture multiple images of the symbol and can locate symbol data region(s) from an image even when the symbol data is corrupted and not decodable. Binary matrices are generated of the symbol data regions obtained from the multiple images and can be accumulated to generate a decodable image. A correspondence can be established among multiple images acquired on the same symbol when the symbol has moved from one image to the next. |
| US09104931B2 |
Accuracy-enhanced scanner
An accuracy-enhanced scanner provides (in response to a first user input) illumination of potential scan targets and scans (in response to a second user input) a selected scan target. The user uses the illumination to aim the scanner at the selected scan target in between providing the first and the second user inputs. The scanner has switches to communicate the user inputs, to specify an operating mode for the scanner, and/or to communicate information codes to a computing device. The scanner has one or more scan engines (such as a barcode reader or an RFID tag reader), and optionally communicates wirelessly with the computing device. A scanning system including the scanner optionally provides feedback to the user based on feedback from a host processor. The scanner is any of a Multi-Mode Ring Scanner (MMRS), a cordless hand scanner, or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with an add-on scanner. |
| US09104930B2 |
Code symbol reading system
An optical code symbol reading system includes a housing having a light transmission aperture, and at least one sound port formed in the housing. The system includes an optical code symbol reading subsystem for optically reading a code symbol in the field external to the light transmission aperture, and generating symbol character data representative of the read code symbol. An electro-acoustic transducer is disposed in the housing for producing sonic energy. Also, an acoustic-waveguide structure is disposed in the housing, for coupling the sonic energy produced from the electro-acoustic transducer, to the at least sound wave port formed the housing, to audibly signal the reading of a code symbol to the operator of the optical code symbol reading system. |
| US09104927B2 |
Using a RFID paging infrastructure
The “RFID Paging Infrastructure” uses RFID technology to provide a low-cost localized message paging system. When a stationary RFID transceiver detects a programmable RFID tag, the transceiver reads an identifier from the RFID tag. The RFID transceiver causes a computer to determine whether a message stored in a database is intended for the RFID tag, and in response to determining that a message is intended for the RFID tag, the RFID transceiver transmits the message to the RFID tag. The message is saved in a memory on the programmable RFID tag. The message in the memory on the RFID tag can be read with a hand-held display device or the RFID tag can be coupled with an integrated display device. |
| US09104925B2 |
Ultra-high-frequency, UHF, radio frequency identification, RFID, reader, RFID network and method for communication in an RFID network
In one embodiment a UHF RFID reader is adapted to operate in either a reader mode or in a tag emulation mode, wherein in the reader mode the UHF RFID reader communicates with at least one RFID tag to access the at least one tag's memory contents and in the tag emulation mode the UHF RFID reader communicates with at least one other UHF RFID reader to share memory content with the at least one other UHF RFID reader. Furthermore, an RFID network and a method for communication in an RFID network are described. |
| US09104922B2 |
Anisotropic magneto-resistance (AMR) gradiometer/magnetometer to read a magnetic track
A solid state magnetic sensor for sensing magnetic information on a magnetic track is provided. The solid state magnetic sensor includes at least one half of a Wheatstone bridge including at least two legs, each of the at least two legs including at least a portion of a strip of magnetic material, and barber pole nonmagnetic shorting bars arranged on the portions of the strip forming the at least two legs of the at least one half of the Wheatstone bridge. An inner gap between parallel and adjacent strips of a respective at least two legs is on the order of a transition length on the magnetic track to be sensed. |
| US09104921B2 |
Spoof detection for biometric authentication
This specification describes technologies relating to biometric authentication based on images of the eye. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include obtaining images of a subject including a view of an eye. The methods may further include determining a behavioral metric based on detected movement of the eye as the eye appears in a plurality of the images, determining a spatial metric based on a distance from a sensor to a landmark that appears in a plurality of the images each having a different respective focus distance, and determining a reflectance metric based on detected changes in surface glare or specular reflection patterns on a surface of the eye. The methods may further include determining a score based on the behavioral, spatial, and reflectance metrics and rejecting or accepting the one or more images based on the score. |
| US09104920B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting obstacle for around view monitoring system
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for detecting an obstacle for an around view monitoring system including a processor configured to store a plurality of images captured through an imaging device, convert a view of the images, generate a plurality of view conversion images corresponding to the images, compare the view conversion images corresponding to a plurality of images captured at a different time interval, extract a plurality of overlapping areas between the view conversion images, calculate a degree of mismatch of the overlapping areas between the view conversion images, detect a mismatch area in the overlapping areas, classify the mismatch area as an obstacle area, and display a position of the obstacle through a display of a vehicle. |
| US09104914B1 |
Object detection with false positive filtering
Embodiments of this invention relate to detecting and blurring images. In an embodiment, a system detects objects in a photographic image. The system includes an object detector module configured to detect regions of the photographic image that include objects of a particular type at least based on the content of the photographic image. The system further includes a false positive detector module configured to determine whether each region detected by the object detector module includes an object of the particular type at least based on information about the context in which the photographic image was taken. |
| US09104913B2 |
Pattern measuring method, pattern measuring apparatus, and program using same
In measuring pattern with large process fluctuation, correct measurement cannot be carried out if noises, such as pattern that is not the subject to be measured, and dirt, are present in periphery of pattern to be measured in previously registered measurement region. Among the image data of sample, predetermined region aligned by pattern matching is set as region not to be measured that is excluded from subjects of pattern measurement. For example, in measuring pattern with large process fluctuation, only region including pattern with small process fluctuation is used in pattern matching, while in measuring the pattern, predetermined region, which was used in pattern matching and aligned, is set as region not to be measured. Stable pattern measurement can be easily carried out with respect to pattern with large process fluctuation, without being affected by region where measurement region and region not to be measured overlap with each other. |
| US09104912B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring electromagnetic wave
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for transforming a time waveform of an electromagnetic wave into a time waveform suited for signal processing and the like so as to measure the time waveform.A wavelet transform is performed on a first time waveform of an electromagnetic wave, such as a terahertz wave, measured in advance, and a second time waveform suited for signal processing and having a high correlation with a mother wavelet used in the wavelet transform is formed by controlling a wavelet expansion coefficient. In a second measurement process and onward of a target object, a transforming unit, such as a bias voltage controller, is used to transform the electromagnetic wave into a transformed time waveform so as to measure the time waveform. |
| US09104911B2 |
Object classification
A method and apparatus for processing an observation of an object to be classified, the method comprising using a particle filter in which an observation of an object to be classified is used to weight particles on a plurality of models for the object. The method may further comprise performing at least one further iteration of using the particle filter to weight the particles on the plurality of models for the object using a further observation of the object to be classified. The method may further comprise providing respective classification probabilities that each respective model corresponds to the object based on the weightings of the particles of the respective model. Each of the respective particles may be divided into a respective plurality of sub-particles. |
| US09104910B2 |
Device and method for determining gesture and operation method of gesture determining device
A device for determining a gesture includes a light emitting unit, an image sensing device and a processing circuit. The light emitting unit emits a light beam. The image sensing device captures an image of a hand reflecting the light beam. The processing circuit obtains the image and determine a gesture of the hand by performing an operation on the image; wherein the operation includes: selecting pixels in the image having a brightness greater than or equal to a brightness threshold; sorting the selected pixels; selecting a first predetermined percentage of pixels from the sorted pixels; dividing the adjacent pixels in the first predetermined percentage of pixels into a same group; and determining the gesture of the hand according to the number of groups of pixels. A method for determining a gesture and an operation method of the aforementioned device are also provided. |
| US09104909B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of processing image
An image processing apparatus includes a first detecting unit configured to detect an object in an image; a determining unit configured to determine a moving direction of the object detected by the first detecting unit; and a second detecting unit configured to perform detection processing of detecting whether the object detected by the first detecting unit is a specific object on the basis of the moving direction of the object determined by the first determining unit. |
| US09104908B1 |
Building systems for adaptive tracking of facial features across individuals and groups
Computer implemented methods for generating a non-transient record of feature locations and/or facial expression parameters characterizing a person's face. A video sequence of a specified individual person is received and a feature locator update model is applied to the video sequence. The feature locator update model is derived by defining a set of training images, generating a set of facial feature displacements for each training image with associated image sample vectors, and training a regularized linear regression which maps from image sample vectors to displacement vectors, wherein the regularization includes a spatial smoothness term within the shape-free sample space. A feature location and/or a facial expression parameter is then extracted, based on the feature update model, characterizing the location, and/or the expression, of a selected set of features of the face of the specified individual person that correspond to an adaptive set of feature locations. |
| US09104907B2 |
Head-pose invariant recognition of facial expressions
A system facilitates automatic recognition of facial expressions. The system includes a data access module and an expression engine. The expression engine further includes a set of specialized expression engines, a pose detection module, and a combiner module. The data access module accesses a facial image of a head. The set of specialized expression engines generates a set of specialized expression metrics, where each specialized expression metric is an indication of a facial expression of the facial image assuming a specific orientation of the head. The pose detection module determines the orientation of the head from the facial image. Based on the determined orientation of the head and the assumed orientations of each of the specialized expression metrics, the combiner module combines the set of specialized expression metrics to determine a facial expression metric for the facial image that is substantially invariant to the head orientation. |
| US09104899B2 |
Multiple transceivers operable as a single transceiver
A communication system including a first transceiver having a user identification; and a second transceiver having the same user identification as the first transceiver, wherein the first and second transceivers operate in tandem. |
| US09104896B2 |
System and method for remotely initiating lost mode on a computing device
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for remotely initiating lost mode on a computing device. A request that lost mode be initiated can include a message and contact information provided by the requesting user. Once authenticated, a command to initiate lost mode is sent to the lost device. Initiating lost mode includes locking the lost device and suppressing select functionality. The message and contact information are displayed and the lost device is enabled to contact the requesting user using the contact information. The lost device can also collect and transmit location data to the requesting user. The location data can be presented on a map indicating the lost devices location and the time the lost device was at the location. The location data can be scheduled to be resent to the user based on numerous factors such as a set schedule, rules or heuristic. |
| US09104892B2 |
Social sharing of multilayered document
A method for sharing multilayered electronic content among users of a social network within a digital education platform is provided. In one embodiment, the digital education platform allows a user to create user-generated content associated with a multilayered document and share the content with other users in an education social network. The user can specify which users to share the user-generated content and assign an access right to each of those users that may access the user-generated content. When the digital education platform receives a request to access the user-generated content from a certain user, an access right associated with that user for the user-generated content is determined and access is granted according to the access right. |
| US09104890B2 |
Data processing device and a secure memory device including the same
A data processing device includes a first register unit, a second register unit and a data handling unit. The first register unit generates an address signal based on a first control signal. The address signal points to a region in an external storage device where first data is stored. The second register unit receives the first data output from the external storage device, generates second data based on the first data and a second control signal, and selectively generates a detectable error in the second data according to an operating mode when a fault is injected into the first data. A bit number of the detectable error in the second data is larger than a bit number of the fault injected into the first data. The data handling unit selectively processes the second data depending on whether the detectable error is generated. |
| US09104887B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer program products for interfacing multiple service provider trusted service managers and secure elements
System, methods, and computer program products are provided for interfacing between one of a plurality of service provider (SP) trusted service managers (TSM) and one of a plurality of secure elements (SE). A first request including a mobile subscription identifier (MSI) is received from an SP TSM over a communications network. At least one memory is queried for SE data including an SE identifier corresponding to the MSI. The SE data is transmitted to the SP TSM over the communications network. A second request based on the SE data is received from the SP TSM over the communications network. A third request, based on the second request, is transmitted, over a mobile network, to an SE corresponding to the SE data. The mobile network is selected from multiple mobile networks, and is determined based on the SE data queried from the memory. |
| US09104885B1 |
Providing access to application data
Disclosed are various embodiments for providing access to application data stored by multiple applications across multiple devices of a user. A request to store application data is obtained by a data storage service from an application associated with a user. The application is executed in a client computing device, and the request specifies a security credential and is obtained by way of a network. The application data is stored by the data storage service in response to the request to store. The data storage service may be configured to store data for multiple applications associated with the user, and each of the applications may be associated with a different security credential. |
| US09104883B2 |
Secure data exchange technique
Techniques utilizing common encryption approaches for data from multiple parties enable those parties to discover information that is held in common by the parties without disclosing to any party information that is not held in common by the parties. Encrypted information for each party can be compared to determine which encrypted values match, and those encrypted values can be returned to any of the parties such that a party can determine which corresponding data the parties have in common without having access to any other data of any other parties. |
| US09104882B2 |
Reconfigurable access network encryption architecture
An access platform or other network elements can include multiple line cards configured to encrypt data. The platform and/or each of the line cards may receive encryption management data that conforms to a predefined encryption management data interface. The encryption management data received by a particular line card may be generated by a conditional access system device and converted to conform to the encryption management data interface by an encryption manager. Line cards may alternatively be configured for connection to separate encryption hardware components. Line cards may include a block of field programmable gate arrays or other type of programmable hardware that can be configured to execute an encryption module. |
| US09104881B2 |
Identifying unauthorized content presentation within media collaborations
Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying unauthorized presentation of protected content by one or more participants in a media collaboration. In one implementation, a processing device receives one or more content elements, each of the one or more content elements being provided within a media collaboration and associated with one or more users. The processing device identifies an unauthorized presentation of at least one of the one or more content elements within the media collaboration. Based on an identification of the unauthorized presentation, the processing device initiates one or more actions with respect to one or more of the users associated with the at least one of the one or more content elements. |
| US09104880B2 |
Apparatus for E-learning and method therefor
A method or apparatus for assisting a user to access a plurality of eBooks is provided. When a user accesses an eBook, the method or apparatus can assist the user to seek assistance from the Internet, or prepare homework, while at the same time, prevent plagiarisms of homework. |
| US09104873B1 |
Systems and methods for determining whether graphics processing units are executing potentially malicious processes
A computer-implemented method for determining whether GPUs are executing potentially malicious processes may include (1) identifying at least one GPU associated with a computing device, (2) analyzing the behavior of the GPU associated with the computing device, (3) determining that the analyzed behavior of the GPU indicates that the GPU is executing at least one potentially malicious process, and then (4) performing at least one security action on the GPU in response to determining that the analyzed behavior indicates that the GPU is executing the potentially malicious process. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09104871B2 |
Malware detection system and method for mobile platforms
A system and method for detecting malware optimized for mobile platforms. The system and method compares hashed portions of one or more malware signatures to hashes hashed from a suspect application, to determine whether the suspect application is malware-free. A second stage robust hash and splatter set of pseudorandomly selected blocks of the malware signatures reduce false positives allowing for improved detection of malware. |
| US09104869B2 |
Systems and methods for defeating malware with polymorphic software
Systems and methods for defeating malware with polymorphic software are described. The system generates randomized relocatable image information by randomizing a plurality of function information that is included in relocatable image information. The plurality of function information includes a first function information. The first function information includes a first location that is used to enter the first function information. The randomizing further includes updating instruction information in the randomized relocatable image information. Updating the instruction information further includes updating relative address information utilized to enter the first function via the first location based on a new location of the first function in the randomized relocatable image information. The system further applies a base address to the randomized relocatable image information to generate randomized executable image information, loads the randomized executable image information into the memory, and executes the randomized executable image information. |
| US09104868B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for detecting unwanted data based on scanning associated with a payload execution and a behavioral analysis
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for detecting unwanted data based on scanning associated with a payload execution and a behavioral analysis. In use, an execution of a payload is detected, utilizing interface monitoring. Additionally, process memory associated with the execution of the payload is scanned. Further, a behavioral analysis is performed. Still yet, unwanted data is detected based on the scanning and the performance of the behavioral analysis. |
| US09104866B2 |
Pattern matching engine, terminal apparatus using the same, and method thereof
Provided is a pattern matching engine. The pattern matching engine calculates an error detection sign of target data and compares the calculated error detection sign with an error detection sign of a malware pattern DB. When the error detection sign of the target data and the error detection sign of the malware pattern DB are identical to each other, the pattern matching engine compares the target data with the malware pattern. |
| US09104859B1 |
Systems and methods for scanning data stored on cloud computing platforms
A computer-implemented method for scanning data stored on cloud computing platforms may include (1) identifying a cloud computing service that hosts a plurality of cloud computing instances and a plurality of data volumes that store data for the plurality of cloud computing instances, (2) determining that a data volume within the plurality of data volumes that stores data for a cloud computing instance within the plurality of cloud computing instances is subject to a security scan, (3) detecting a computing system that is external to the cloud computing instance, and (4) performing the security scan on the data volume from the computing system that is external to the cloud computing instance instead of performing the security scan from within the cloud computing instance. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09104849B2 |
Network application security utilizing network-provided identities
A network security system that correlates security-related events to individual users, as identified by a user identifier and an identity provider. The user identifier may be associated in one or more implicit or explicit social networks. |
| US09104844B2 |
Platform and method for dynamic software license
A platform and a method for dynamic software license are disclosed. The dynamic software license platform comprises a license pool, a register manager, a user configure unit and a license manager. The register manager receives a software application from a user end. The user configure unit grants a setting permission to the user end in response to the software application, and allows the user end to submit a license setting according to the setting permission. The license manager adds the software license provided by the software supplier to the license pool, and dynamically provides the software license from the license pool unit according to the license setting. |
| US09104842B2 |
Data protection method and device
An apparatus and method for encoding and decoding additional information into a digital information in an integral manner. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and device for data protection. |
| US09104841B2 |
Methods and systems for executing protected content
Various embodiments for enabling and protecting execution of encrypted electronic content in a client system. In various embodiments, there is a method for managing the state of the cache memory of the client system. In various embodiments, there is a method for protocol stack validation to confirm readiness of the client system to execute encrypted electronic content. In various embodiments, there is a method for protocol stack execution. |
| US09104835B2 |
Systems and methods for determining effective capacitance to facilitate a timing analysis
A method for timing analysis includes using the processor to determine an impedance profile of a coupling between at least a first inter-level via (ILV) and a second ILV or a device, as a function of at least different frequency values. The impedance profile includes a plurality of impedance values corresponding to respective frequency values. An effective capacitance value corresponding to each respective impedance value is determined. At least one table is provided with respective impedance values and respective effective capacitance values for each respective frequency value. An RC extraction of a design layout of an ILV circuit is conducted using the populated table and based on determined effective capacitance values. |
| US09104834B2 |
Systems and methods for single cell product path delay analysis
Methods and systems for qualifying a single cell with product path delay analysis are provided. A method includes designing a product using a model from an initial test site. The method also includes creating performance path tests for one or more paths on the product. The method further includes measuring performance path parameters of the product. The method includes determining that the measured performance path parameters match predicted performance path parameters. |
| US09104830B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for assigning track patterns to regions of an electronic design
Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for assigning track patterns to regions of an electronic design in one or more embodiments. One aspect tessellates an area on a layer of an electronic design that is subject to one or more track pattern requirements and dynamically maintains the tessellation structure from the tessellation process for early stages of the design process such as floorplanning, placement, or routing. Another aspect identifies or creates multiple strips or multiple regions for an area on a layer of an electronic design and assigns or associates a track pattern or a track pattern group to each of the multiple strips or multiple regions. In this latter aspect, a track pattern or a track pattern group is no longer required to apply to the entire layer. |
| US09104828B2 |
State grouping for element utilization
Embodiments of a system and method for generating an image configured to program a parallel machine from source code are disclosed. One such parallel machine includes a plurality of state machine elements (SMEs) grouped into pairs, such that SMEs in a pair have a common output. One such method includes converting source code into an automaton comprising a plurality of interconnected states, and converting the automaton into a netlist comprising instances corresponding to states in the automaton, wherein converting includes pairing states corresponding to pairs of SMEs based on the fact that SMEs in a pair have a common output. The netlist can be converted into the image and published. |
| US09104826B2 |
Monitoring coverage for static modelling of an electronic device
A design verification system automatically identifies coverage of different constraints for a static model of an electronic device. The static model can be employed by a tool, referred to as a solver, that identifies whether the mathematical relationships of the static model can be reconciled, given a set of user-defined constraints that indicate a desired configuration, or range of configurations, of the electronic device. After a solution for a particular set of user-defined constraints has been identified, a constraints adjustment module can identify, based on coverage information generated by the solver, if other sets of user-defined constraints were implicitly solved by the solver. If such other sets were implicitly solved, the adjustments module can mark the sets as solved, such that they will omitted from constraints used for subsequent solutions of the solver. |
| US09104825B1 |
Method of reducing current leakage in a product variant of a semiconductor device
A method of reducing current leakage in product variants of a semiconductor device, during the fabrication of the semiconductor device. The method involves using a semiconductor process technique for reducing current leakage in semiconductor product variants having unused circuits. A semiconductor device or integrated circuit fabricated by this method has reduced current leakage upon powering as well as during operation. The method involves semiconductor process technique that substantially increases the Vt (threshold voltage) of all transistors of a given type, such as all N-type transistors or all P-type transistors. The semiconductor process technique is also suitable for controlling other transistor parameters, such as transistor channel length, as well as other active elements, such as N-type resistors or P-type resistors, in unused circuits which affect leakage current as well as for unused circuits having previously applied semiconductor process techniques, such as a high Vt circuit, a standard Vt circuit, a low Vt circuit, and an SRAM cell Vt circuit. |
| US09104824B1 |
Power aware retention flop list analysis and modification
A register transfer level (RTL) design is received which models a digital circuit in terms of the flow of digital signals. A power intent description is received which may include a description of power domains, identification of retention flops for each power domain, a list of isolation signals, and power switch definitions. A transformed RTL is produced accounting for functionality described in the power intent description. The transformed RTL includes flops designated as retention flops and non-retention flops. A retention flop module analyzes the flops to ensure that flops are properly designated as retention or non-retention flops. A verification module performs power aware sequential equivalence checking on various RTL and power intent descriptions to verify that RTL and power intent description outputs behave the same when accounting for power states. |
| US09104819B2 |
Multi-master bus architecture for system-on-chip
A system on chip and associated method facilitates transfer of data between two or more master blocks through a bus on chip. The system creates a direct path for data transferring from a master port of a bus to another master port of the same bus. The bus includes a plurality of signals used to transfer data, address or control information between two or several blocks on chip. The behavior of bus connector block is controlled according to the destination of data coming from a master port. The system includes a master-connector-slave arrangement that enables the direct data communication between two or several master blocks, without taking any slave blocks as the data buffer. A bus connector block is configured to manage bus arbitrating and address decoding, and particularly to create the direct data path between master blocks. |
| US09104814B1 |
System and method for integrated testing of a virtual space
A system and method for performing integrated testing of a virtual space are disclosed. For performing the integrated testing, test inputs simulating virtual space actions by users may be obtained for one or more test cases. Responsive to such test inputs being obtained, one or more test commands may be generated for testing virtual space functionalities implemented on client computing platforms and for testing server components being executed on one or more virtual space servers to facilitate user participation of the virtual space. The generated test commands may be executed and test results may be obtained. The obtained test results may be compared with expected results corresponding to the test cases for verification. |
| US09104811B1 |
Utilizing testing data collected from different organizations to generate test scenario templates that suit a user profile
System, method, and non-transitory medium for generating a test scenario template based on a user profile, includes steps of identifying runs of test scenarios run by users belonging to different organizations on software systems of the different organizations; clustering the runs to clusters that include similar runs of test scenarios; receiving a profile of a user; selecting from the clusters a certain cluster that suits the profile; the certain cluster includes a first run of a first test scenario associated with a first organization, and a second run of a second test scenario associated with a second organization, in addition, the first run is not identical to the second run, and the first organization is not the second organization; removing from the first run proprietary data associated with the first organization; and generating a test scenario template based on the first and second runs. |
| US09104810B2 |
Creating a test case
A method for creating as test case for a client can include identifying an object in the client using a parser module. A list of potential test case tasks for testing the client can be populated from the parser module into a test case task window. A test case flow can be built by placing a desired task from the list of potential test case tasks in a test case development window. The method can continue by assigning the object to the desired task in the test case development window. The test case can be generated from the test case flow. |
| US09104808B2 |
Debugging visual and embedded programs
SMAPs are generated for use in debugging visual paradigms. A system can debug a non-Java source, or a visual paradigm, embedded inside another distinct paradigm. The system may include a visual object ordering system that determines an order number for each of a plurality of visual objects in the visual paradigm, and a mapping system that maps the order number of each visual object to a set of line numbers in the associated code output. |
| US09104806B2 |
Tracking of code base and defect diagnostic coupling with automated triage
In response to a test case error generated by execution of a test case against a code build, a source code segment that caused the test case error is identified by a defect monitor. The identified source code segment is linked to the test case that generated the test case error. The linked source code segment is monitored for code changes. A determination is made as to whether a test case re-execution criterion associated with the test case has been satisfied based upon a detected code change of the linked source code segment. An indication to re-execute the test case is generated in response to determining that the test case re-execution criterion associated with the test case has been satisfied. |
| US09104805B1 |
Method for using a graphical debugging tool
A system and method of exposing debugging information in a graphical modeling and execution environment is disclosed. The present invention allows a user to view debugging information in the same window as the graphical view of the model being executed. Debugging data is associated with relevant components of the model displayed in the graphical view. A separate execution list view shows the methods called during the execution of the block diagram in the current time step up until the current point in execution. User-set breakpoints and conditional breakpoints may be set in both the model view and the execution list view. Values may be obtained for all of the displayed methods. The debugging tool may be implemented by using it in conjunction with a graphical modeling and execution environment, such as a block diagram environment or state diagram environment. |
| US09104802B2 |
Stack overflow protection device, method, and related compiler and computing device
The present disclosure relates to a stack overflow protection device and a stack protection method. According to the present disclosure, a stack overflow protection device is provided, which includes a dividing unit configured to divide at least one function in the input codes into a code region with a string operation and a code region without a string operation. The device also includes a stack protection unit configured to set up stack protection in the code region with a string operation. The present disclosure further provides a stack protection method. |
| US09104801B2 |
Analyzing concurrent debugging sessions
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for analyzing concurrent debugging sessions are provided. Embodiments include a first debugger initiating a conditional breakpoint in a first debug session of a first application. The conditional breakpoint stops execution of the first application based on a condition of a value of a variable of a second application. Embodiments also include the first debugger requesting and receiving the value of the variable from a second debugger. Embodiments also include the first debugger evaluating the condition of the conditional breakpoint based on the received value of the variable. |
| US09104800B2 |
Distributed debugging of an application in a distributed computing environment
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program product for distributed debugging of an application in a distributed computing environment are provided. Embodiments include a first debug module on a first host receiving a set breakpoint message from a management debug module of a management system. In response to receiving the set breakpoint message, the first debug module sets a breakpoint for executing a first service on the first host, for the application. Upon hitting the breakpoint while executing the first service for the application, the first debug module sends a breakpoint condition of the first service to the management debug module. In response to receiving the breakpoint condition, the management debug module sends to a second debug module of a second host, an instruction to pause execution of the second service of the second host. |
| US09104789B2 |
Patient monitoring with automatic resizing of display sectors
A patient monitoring station includes a display that displays a plurality of sectors. A controller displays the patient data received from one or more remote medical devices in a corresponding sector of the display. The controller is programmed to collapse one or more sector in response to one of (1) not receiving patient data from the corresponding remote patient monitor or (2) receiving patient data not indicative of a pending patient event or alarm condition; and expand at least sectors that receive patient data indicative of a pending patient event or alarm condition. |
| US09104787B2 |
Augmenting search results with relevant third-party application content
Methods, computer systems, and computer-storage media are provided for augmenting Web-based search results with relevant content received from third-party applications. Each of a plurality of third-party applications is registered to obtain an indication of entity types associated with the each registered third-party application. An annotated search query is received that includes the original inputted search query and at least an entity type associated with the search query. The annotated search query is communicated to those third-party applications having an indicated entity type that matches the entity type associated with the inputted search query. Search results that are relevant to the annotated search query are received from the applications and presented on a results page. |
| US09104780B2 |
System and method for natural language processing
According to embodiments described in the specification, systems and methods are provided for natural language processing. A method in a server includes receiving, at the network interface device, an input for response from an electronic device, parsing the input to identify one or more entity data values and one or more relationship data values, populating a graph data structure with the identified entity data values, and the relationship data values, wherein the populating includes applying evaluation criteria-rating pair values, traversing the graph data structure to identify one or more problems indicated by the evaluation criteria-rating pair values, in response to the traversing, determining one or more changes to the graph data structure to satisfy one or more identified problems, if the determination is affirmative, populating a solution graph data structure that satisfies one or more identified problems, and transmitting, to the electronic device, a response to the input. |
| US09104778B2 |
Cookie derivatives
Cookie derivatives and methods for generating cookie derivatives are provided. A cookie derivative comprises a transformation of at least one portion of data associated with a cookie (e.g., a name and/or data value). The cookie derivative may comprise a persistent or non-persistent cookie derivative that may be stored on a user's computing device (e.g., within a browser). The cookie derivative may alternatively comprise a virtual cookie derivative that is stored on a server (e.g., in a log file, a cache, or other data storage of the server). |
| US09104777B2 |
Method for improving accessibility to rich internet applications through collaborative crawling and computer program for the same
A method and article of manufacture of making dynamic content more accessible to screen readers and web spiders. The method applies to a server connected to a client via a network. The method includes receiving from the client an action event indicative of an action performed by a user on content displayed on the client and a change event indicative of a change in the content. The method further includes generating metadata for improving accessibility to the content based on the action event and the change event. |
| US09104770B2 |
Methods for query processing of topological relationships among complex spatial objects
An optimized method of processing queries requesting a description of a spatial relationship between a test geometry and a query geometry, such as points, lines, polygons, and collections thereof, is disclosed. A first part of the method finds a first spatial relationship between a minimum bounding rectangle (MBR) of the test geometry and an In-Memory R-tree (IMR-tree) built to describe the query geometry. If the first relationship does not specify the requested description, then a second part of the method uses the IMR-tree of the query geometry to find a second spatial relationship between the test geometry itself and the query geometry. Optimizations are applied to the first part and to the second part. Optimizations in the second part depend on the test geometry. |
| US09104764B1 |
Session-based query suggestions
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which one or more search query suggestions are made for a current search session. Similar previous search sessions which include search queries common to the current search session are identified. Based upon the similar previous search sessions, one or more suggested search queries are derived and provided to a search engine interface for serving to a user or a client. |
| US09104763B2 |
System, method, circuit and associated software for locating and/or uploading data objects
The present invention includes methods, circuits, systems and corresponding executable code for locating and managing data files/objects such as image files, audio files, etc. According to some embodiments of the present invention, there may be provided a Dynamic Search and Linking Module (DSLM), which DSLM may be functionally associated with an Uploader (an application or module adapted to upload files) of an application or of an operating system. The DSLM may provide an Uploader with search engine querying (e.g. web searching) and search engine result (e.g results of a web search) linking functionality. |
| US09104757B2 |
Interactive search monitoring in a virtual machine environment
A method and system for providing up-to-date monitoring results in a virtual machine environment are described. In one embodiment, a control server executes a query pertaining to one or more objects in a virtual machine system, and provides a result of the query to a client for presentation to a user in a graphical user interface (GUI). The control server then periodically re-executes the query to obtain up-to-date information for the objects in the virtual machine system. Upon each re-execution of the query, the control server compares a new result of the query with a previous result of the query to determine whether the up-to-date information for the objects in the virtual machine system has changed. If so, the control server provides the new result of the query to the client. If not, the control server refrains from providing the new result of the query to the client. |
| US09104756B2 |
Creating HTML/CSS representations of a geometric symbol
The invention relates to the creation of a HTML/CSS representation of a geometric symbol by processing (1000) a symbol definition from a file and by creating a web browser specific shape CSS class for each geometric shape (1080) comprised in the symbol definition. The generated HTML/CSS representation (1150) comprises the one or more created web browser specific CSS classes (1080, 1130). |
| US09104754B2 |
Object selection based on natural language queries
A method of selecting an object out of a group of objects. The object may belong to a category. The method may include receiving, object-related information indicative of properties of objects of the category by using network connected databases. The method may further include generating, an extended profile for at least one of the objects based on the received object-related information and object-specific information. The method may additionally include determining, a data structure of weighted keywords based on the natural language input using at least one out of the group consisting of a predefined dictionary, a predefined ontology, predefined system rules, and a predefined regular expression, and selecting, the object out of the group of objects based on a mapping of the extended profile and the data structure of weighted keywords resulting in a preference fit score for the selected object. |
| US09104752B2 |
Data sharing among conditionally independent parallel filters
A method for data sharing between conditionally independent filters is provided. The method comprises initializing a plurality of conditionally independent filters operating in parallel, processing data measurements in each of the conditionally independent filters, sharing conditioning node estimates among the conditionally independent filters, merging the shared conditioning node estimates in each of the conditionally independent filters, and performing a conditional update in each of the conditionally independent filters. |
| US09104751B2 |
Supplemental search results having social connection endorsement data on a SERP
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for presenting supplemental search results having indications that identified documents have been endorsed by the user and/or social network connections of the user are provided. A search query is received and it is determined that the user's social networking data is available. Documents that have been endorsed by the user and/or social network connections of the user are searched to identify those that satisfy the input search query. The satisfying documents are assigned a relevance score to determine whether each satisfying document is relevant enough to be shown and to determine placement of the document on the SERP relative to standard search results. Upon rendering of the SERP, a supplemental search result identifying documents that were endorsed by the user and/or social network connections of the user is presented, as is an indication about which social network connection(s) of the user endorsed the document. |
| US09104744B2 |
Cluster-based language detection
Techniques for determining one or more preferred languages for a user are provided. The preferred languages may be determined based upon a set of language indicators. The language indicators are analyzed using, for example, rules-based techniques, clustering, language classifiers, and the like, or combinations thereof. Language indicators can include or be derived from information about the user's behavior, location, preferences, social connections, or other data related to the user. |
| US09104741B2 |
Method and apparatus for seamless management for disaster recovery
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system are presented for establishing redundant computer resources. According to one embodiment, in a system including a plurality of processor devices and a plurality of storage devices, the processor devices, the storage devices and the management server being connected via a network, the method comprises storing device information relating to the processor devices and the storage devices and topology information relating to topology of the network, identifying at least one primary computer resource, selecting at least one secondary computer resource suitable to serve as a redundant resource corresponding to the at least one primary computer resource based on the device information and the topology information, and assigning the at least one secondary computer resource as a redundant resource corresponding to the at least one primary computer resource. |
| US09104739B2 |
Capturing and restoring database session state
Techniques are described herein for capturing and restoring database session state. Production database server components save the session state of each of a plurality of database sessions. The components store workload units that are processed in these sessions. The components store updated session states in response to certain events. Thus, the components may capture multiple session states, pertaining to various different points in time, for each session. The captured session states and the captured workload are moved to a test database server. A user selects, from among the time points represented by the session states, a point in time at which the user would like workload replay to begin. Sessions are re-created on the test database server. Session states of these sessions are set to reflect the session states as they existed at the user-selected time point. Workload units are replayed in the sessions relative to the test database server. |