| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09112459B2 |
Transformer power amplifier
The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to a transformer power amplifier that allows for improved Q values and increased efficiency by reducing the capacitance coupling effect between metal layers and/or sidewalls of the same layer through carefully designed conductor structures in primary and secondary loops. A transformer power amplifier comprises a substrate, a conductor, a circular coil, a first amplifier, and a second amplifier, the conductor and the circular coil disposed on the substrate. A circular coil has a first input terminal and a second input terminal, in which the first input terminal and the second input terminal are spaced apart and opposite each other to form an opening. A first amplifier is connected to a first input terminal for receiving a first signal and a second amplifier is connected to a second input terminal for receiving a second signal, wherein the first signal and the second signal are differential signals. |
| US09112458B2 |
Wideband Doherty amplifier
Embodiments of a low-complexity and potentially physically small wideband impedance transformer that can be used in a combining network of a wideband Doherty amplifier are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wideband Doherty amplifier includes Doherty amplifier circuitry and a wideband combining network. The wideband combining network includes a wideband quarter-wave impedance transformer that includes a quarter-wave impedance transformer and compensation circuitry connected in parallel with the quarter-wave impedance transformer at a low-impedance end of the quarter-wave impedance transformer. The compensation circuitry is configured to reduce a total quality factor of the wideband quarter-wave impedance transformer as compared to a quality factor of the quarter-wave impedance transformer, which in turn increases a bandwidth of the wideband quarter-wave impedance transformer, and thus a bandwidth of the wideband Doherty amplifier. |
| US09112457B1 |
Decompressor
A non-linear digital filtering process is provided whereby slew rate limitation-like phenomena in analog circuitry are compensated. Particularly, a reduction of the signal amplitude with respect to the theoretical size of the signal if linearity had held is avoided. A correct phase is re-established. Customized linear filtering, up-sampling, and down-sampling before and after the non-linear digital processing minimizes the creation of harmonics. The inventive system and method for non-linear processing has few parameters and it is not limited to a polynomial series. A dedicated calibration method is also provided to adapt the value of the parameter for a precise compensation of the right amount of slew rate limitation or other similar compression. Furthermore, a calibration method is shown to adjust existing DSP filtering to accomplish a precise desired filtering even when non-linear corrections may be arbitrarily large. |
| US09112456B2 |
Assembly structure of power amplifier
An assembly structure of a power amplifier is provided. The assembly structure comprises at least two power amplifier modules, each power amplifier module comprises a heat-conducting board, an amplifier tube matching circuit board is assembled on the heat-conducting board; at least one radio frequency power amplifier tube is assembled on the amplifier tube matching circuit board, assembly directions of all the radio frequency power amplifier tubes are parallel to each other; the heat-conducting boards of adjacent two power amplifier modules are connected vertically along a transmission direction of the radio frequency signal. Comparing with the existing plane assembly technology, the application has a character of needing small assembly areas, which is adapted in an assembly environment with a certain height and small assembly areas. |
| US09112444B2 |
Electric machine including a temperature sensing system
An electric machine includes a housing, a stator including stator windings mounted to the housing, a rotor supported in the housing and configured to rotate relative to the stator, a temperature sensing system including one or more resistors mounted to one of the stator and the rotor, and a controller electrically connected to the one or more resistors. The controller is configured and disposed to determine a temperature of the one of the stator and the rotor based on an electrical parameter of the one or more resistors. |
| US09112443B2 |
Current controlled actuator driver with improved accuracy at low current
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a current driver for controlling a current source controlled by an alternating current (AC) signal, including: a current sensor configured to measure an output current from the current source; a threshold detector configured to detect when the measured current is below a threshold value; and a controller configured to control the current source using a duty cycle of the AC signal when the measured current is below the threshold. |
| US09112441B2 |
Turbo charger generator
A turbo charger generator (1) generates power with a generator (7) by driving a gas turbine (3) and a compressor (6) with exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine (2). The generated AC power is supplied to an electric power system (12) via a power conversion unit (8). The power conversion unit (8) has a converter (13) for converting AC power into DC power, a unit (18) for estimating a rotor rotation angle θ based on a rotor magnetic flux, and a control unit (15) for coordinate-converting AC current into DC current by using the rotor rotation angle θ as the reference, and controlling the output DC power of the converter (13) such that the magnitude of the DC current is maintained at a target DC current value. |
| US09112440B2 |
Sensorless dynamic driving method and system for single phase alternating current permanent magnet motor
A sensorless driving method for a single phase alternating current permanent magnet motor is described. The method comprises a starting drive mode and a stable drive mode. The starting drive mode comprises inputting a first current to drive a rotor to rotate to a stable position, the first current comprising a pulse current flowing in a first direction for a first predetermined starting time interval and a constant current flowing in a second direction contrary to the first direction for a second predetermined time interval, terminating the first current, determining generation of a back electromotive force, detecting a first zero crossing point of the back electromotive force, inputting a second current for a first charge time interval, waiting for a first post-charge time interval, detecting a second zero crossing point to define a previous half period between the first zero crossing point and the second crossing point, inputting the second current for a second charge time interval, waiting for a second post-charge time interval, and detecting speed of the rotor to compare the speed to a predetermined value. The second current flows in a direction in which the back electromotive force is generated. |
| US09112439B2 |
Method and circuit arrangement for detecting motor load without sensors and for controlling motor current according to load for a stepper motor
A method and a circuit arrangement are provided in which a mechanical load applied to the motor shaft or a load angle of the motor can be detected without sensors in a stepper motor. This is achieved substantially based on the fact that the load or the load angle creates a mutually induced voltage (back EMF) in the motor coils and the load or the load angle is detected by determining the phase shift of the motor voltage at at least one of the motor coil relative to the coil current at said motor coil connection, the phase shift being caused by the mutually induced voltage. A method and a circuit arrangement are also provided wherein the motor current of a stepper motor can be controlled according to load angle in such a way that the current consumption of the motor is relatively low. |
| US09112436B2 |
System for controlling controlled variable of rotary machine
In a system for controlling a controlled variable of a rotary machine having plural-phase input terminals of the rotary machine in which plural-phase AC power is applied from an AC power applying module to the input terminals, a command-voltage setting module sets, based on a request value for the controlled variable, plural-phase AC command voltages for the plural-phase AC power as a feedforward manipulated variable. A current obtaining module obtains plural-phase AC currents flowing in the respective plural-phase input terminals of the rotary machine. An amplitude correcting module corrects the amplitude of at least one of the plural-phase AC command voltages based on the magnitudes of the plural-phase AC currents. |
| US09112423B2 |
Bidirectional DC-DC converter and power supply system
A bidirectional DC-DC converter comprises: a first low voltage-side input/output terminal and a second low voltage-side input/output terminal; a low voltage-side rectifying circuit connected to the first low voltage-side input/output terminal and the second low voltage-side input/output terminal; a first high voltage-side input/output terminal and a second high voltage-side input/output terminal; a high voltage-side rectifying circuit connected to the first high voltage-side input/output terminal and the second high voltage-side input/output terminal; a transformer connected between the low voltage-side rectifying circuit and the high voltage-side rectifying circuit; and a controlling circuit that controls operations of switching elements in the low voltage-side rectifying circuit and the high voltage-side rectifying circuit. The controlling circuit achieves soft switching of a switching element in the high voltage-side rectifying circuit in a step-down operation. |
| US09112415B2 |
Control of a half resonant converter for avoiding capacitive mode
This invention relates to improved methods of preventing MOSFET damage in a resonant switched mode power converter (1) by preventing or limiting capacitive mode operation. A combination of response actions (respectively delaying MOSFET switch-on, adjusting switching phase, forcing a switch-on, and increasing frequency) is utilized. In the preferred embodiment, the voltage slope at the half-bridge node (5) is monitored, and in alternative embodiments the same or similar set of response actions is triggered by monitoring different signals, including: the resonant current polarity at switch-off or after the non-overlap time; the voltage of the to-be-switched-on” switch; and the voltage of the “just-switched-off” switch. |
| US09112414B2 |
Matrix converter having a plurality of bidirectional switches for a commutation operation and control method therefor
Provided is a matrix converter including a power converter, a commutation controller, and a compensator. The power converter includes a plurality of bidirectional switches. The commutation controller performs one of a three-step commutation operation and a four-step commutation operation by the bidirectional switches as a switch source and the bidirectional switches as a switch destination when an input terminal to be connected to an output terminal is switched by on/off control of the bidirectional switches. The compensator compensates for an output voltage error generated when the input terminal to be connected to the output terminal is switched, based on a potential difference before and after the switching of the input terminal to be connected to the output terminal, an output current of the output terminal, and capacitance between input and output terminals of unidirectional switches. |
| US09112413B2 |
Switched mode assisted linear regulator with AC coupling with capacitive charge control
The disclosed switched mode assisted linear (SMAL) amplifier/regulator architecture may be configured as a SMAL regulator to supply power to a dynamic load, such as an RF power amplifier. Embodiments of a SMAL regulator include configurations in which a linear amplifier and a switched mode converter (switcher) parallel coupled at a supply node, and configured such that the amplifier sets load voltage, while the amplifier and the switched mode converter are cooperatively controlled to supply load current. In one embodiment, the linear amplifier is AC coupled to the supply node, and the switched converter is configured with a capacitive charge control loop that controls the switched converter to effectively control the amplifier to provide capacitive charge control. In another embodiment, the amplifier includes separate feedback loops: an external relatively lower speed feedback loop may be configured for controlling signal path bandwidth, and an internal relatively higher speed feedback loop may be configured for controlling output impedance bandwidth of the linear amplifier. |
| US09112408B2 |
Provision of an output voltage from a wide range variable and low input voltage
A circuit arrangement for providing an output voltage and/or an output current from an input voltage Vin, comprising: a first switching converter (10) having a storage element (120) and a first switching element (110), adapted to charge the storage element (120) from the input voltage Vin up to a threshold voltage and a second switching converter (20) having a second switching element (210) adapted to start with the threshold voltage at the storage element (120) and to provide the output voltage Vout and/or the output current Iout from the input voltage Vin, wherein the first switching element (110) has a minimum driving voltage, at and above which the first switching element (110) can perform switching operations, the second switching element (210) has a minimum driving voltage, at and above which the second switching element (210) can perform switching operations, and wherein the minimum driving voltage of the first switching element is smaller than the minimum driving voltage of the second switching element. |
| US09112405B2 |
Voltage converter with step-down converter circuit and method for converting voltage
A voltage converter comprises a step-down converter circuit (DCDC) with an inductive accumulator (LSW) and a first capacitive accumulator (CDC) and a charge pump circuit (CP) with at least one second capacitive accumulator (CFLY, CFLY1,CFLY2). The step-down converter circuit (DCDC) which can be fed a supply voltage (VBAT) on the input side is designed to charge the first capacitive accumulator (CDC) to a first intermediate voltage in switched mode. The charge pump circuit (CP) is designed to charge the at least one second capacitive accumulator (CFLY, CFLY1,CFLY2) to a second intermediate voltage using the supply voltage (VBAT) and to generate an output voltage from the first and second intermediate voltages. |
| US09112404B2 |
Multiplier-divider circuit and AC-to-DC power converting apparatus incorporating the same
An AC-to-DC power converting apparatus includes a power factor correction circuit generating a DC output voltage based on a rectified voltage obtained through rectifying an AC input voltage and on a PWM signal generated based on an adjustment current and a predetermined ramp signal. A multiplier-divider circuit includes: a ramp generating unit generating a ramp signal based on a clock signal and on a first detection voltage associated with the rectified voltage; a control unit generating a control signal based on the clock signal, the ramp signal, and a detection voltage generated based on the DC output voltage; and an output unit generating an adjustment signal based on an input signal associated with the rectified voltage and the control signal. |
| US09112401B2 |
Coreless permanent magnet motor with surface charged magnet
A coreless permanent motor has a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted to the stator. One of the stator or the rotor has at least one winding disc (28). The other one of the stator or the rotor has at least one surface charged magnet disc (33). The winding disc (28) or the magnet disc (33) is formed by two or more sector shaped units that are mounted to two or more support members (27) respectively. The winding disc (28) or the magnet disc (33) is formed by closing the support member (27) and the closed support members (27) form a cylindrical housing. Thus, the structure of the coreless motor is simplified. |
| US09112400B2 |
Method for forming electrodynamic machine insulated coils
A method for manufacturing electrodynamic machine conductive coils, such as alternating current induction motor stator coils. A continuous strand of insulation coated wire is formed into a generally planar elongated closed loop having a circumference and an outer surface. Thereafter a permanent insulation layer is applied to the closed loop outer surface, preferably by spiral wrapping insulating tape about the circumference of the closed loop with a tape wrapping machine. The insulating tape has a catalytic chemical compound including at least one part of a multi-part epoxy resin. The closed loop is shaped into a rigid conductive coil by application pressure, in order to conform the coil to a desired profile. Application of the permanent insulation layer to the closed loop prior to its final shaping enables machine insulation taping over a larger portion of the coil circumference and reduces need for slower and more expensive hand taping. |
| US09112398B2 |
Nitrogen- and ceramic-surface-treated components for downhole motors and related methods
Downhole motors include a stator, which may be formed from a steel material and comprise a bore. At least one surface of the stator may be treated with a surface treatment. The surface treatment includes a nitrided region comprising nitrogen diffused into the steel material and a ceramic material adjacent to the nitrided region; the ceramic material defining an interior surface of the stator defining the bore. Methods of making downhole motors may include exposing a stator to an elevated temperature to heat the stator in a nitrogen-rich environment. Nitrogen may be diffused into a steel material of the stator and a nitrided region may be formed at one or more surfaces of the stator. The stator may be cooled. The stator may be removed from the nitrogen-rich environment. A ceramic material may be coated on the nitrided region of the stator. |
| US09112395B2 |
Electromagnetically-countered actuator systems and methods
Various electric motor systems are provided to minimize irradiation of harmful (or first) electromagnetic waves. More particularly, an electric motor system is provided with one or more counter units which minimize irradiation of such harmful (or first) waves by suppressing such waves to (or toward) their sources and/or by emitting counter (or second) electromagnetic waves capable of canceling a desired portion of the harmful (or first) waves. Such counter units may then be incorporated into various locations for opposing magnetic poles of basic rotor units and/or basic stator units of the system. Various methods are also provided to minimize irradiation of such harmful (or first) waves by suppressing the harmful (or first) waves toward their sources and/or by canceling such harmful (or first) waves with the counter (or second) waves. |
| US09112391B2 |
Motor cooling device having flow rate adjusting means for a coil end cover
A motor cooling device having good cooling performance, which is adapted to promote heat transfer between a coil end and a coil end cover even if the flowing amount of oil is small. A heat of a stator is withdrawn by the oil flowing around the coil end. For this purpose, the motor cooling device comprises a flow path formed between an outer face of the coil end and an inner face of the coil end cover, and a flow rate adjusting unit for changing a cross-sectional area of the flow path by moving the coil end cover toward the coil end or away from the coil end. The flow rate adjusting unit widens the cross-sectional area of the flow path in case a feeding amount of the oil to the flow path is relatively large, and narrows the cross-sectional area of the flow path in case a feeding amount of the oil to the flow path is relatively small. |
| US09112390B2 |
Dynamo-type lanyard operated event detection and power generators
A generator including: a housing having an opening; a rotatable member having a slot formed for an angular length less than 360 degrees; a cable disposed in the slot and having a free end protruding from the opening in the housing; a cable stop disposed in a predetermined position in the slot; a spring for storing energy as the cable is unwound from the slot by pulling on the free end until the rotatable member rotates relative to the housing and the cable stop aligns with the opening; and an electromagnetic generator operatively connected to the spring such that the stored energy of the spring is transferred to an input side of the electromagnetic generator. |
| US09112387B2 |
Air-cooled electrical machine with automatic clutch
The disclosure relates to an air-cooled electromechanical system having a rotor, a driver element, and a fan impeller, the rotor comprising a rotor shaft and field winding. Said disclosure proposes that the fan impeller is rotatably mounted on the rotor shaft and can be connected to and/or disconnected from the rotor and/or the rotor shaft by an automatic clutch. |
| US09112381B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing the distribution of electrical energy in a power distribution grid
A power distribution grid comprising a plurality of cells configured to be electrically connected to each other and a power management system. A cell in the plurality of cells is configured to distribute electrical energy to an area corresponding to the cell. The cell has a plurality of entry nodes configured to allow the electrical energy to flow into the cell. The power management system is configured to manage a distribution of the electrical energy to the area by the cell independently of the distribution of the electrical energy to other areas by other cells in the plurality of cells. |
| US09112379B2 |
Pairing of components in a direct current distributed power generation system
A method of signaling between a photovoltaic module and an inverter module. The inverter module is connected to the photovoltaic module. In an initial mode of operation an initial code is modulated thereby producing an initial signal. The initial signal is transmitted from the inverter module to the photovoltaic module. The initial signal is received by the photovoltaic module. The operating mode is then changed to a normal mode of power conversion, and during the normal mode of operation a control signal is transmitted from the inverter to the photovoltaic module. A control code is demodulated and received from the control signal. The control code is compared with the initial code producing a comparison. The control command of the control signal is validated as a valid control command from the inverter module with the control command only acted upon when the comparison is a positive comparison. |
| US09112375B2 |
Flywheel and battery-based power supply system
A power supply system includes a flywheel system electrically coupled to a DC bus for supplying electrical power between a power grid and a load. The flywheel system includes a flywheel coupled to rotate with a rotor of a motor/generator. A battery system is electrically coupled to the DC bus concurrently with the flywheel system. |
| US09112373B2 |
Control pilot vehicle interface with non-local return to ground
A vehicle interface is contemplated to be operable with an Electronic Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) system and a vehicle charging system to facilitate vehicle charging related operations. The vehicle interface may include one or more switches and a charger controller configured to facilitate communications between the EVSE system and the vehicle charging system. The vehicle interface may be configured to adapted to common mode interference and other influences resulting from connections between the vehicle interface and EVSE being referenced to earth ground and connections between the vehicle interface and other vehicle electronics being reference to a vehicle chassis ground. |
| US09112372B2 |
Power consumption reduction method for a stored battery
A power consumption reduction method controls a rechargeable battery to enter a sleep mode after the electronic system is shutdown with the output current of the rechargeable battery falling under a first current value or the rechargeable battery is in a non-communication status for over a first delay time. When in the sleep mode, a control unit further controls the rechargeable battery to enter a power saving mode when the output voltage of the rechargeable battery falls under a predefined voltage or the RSOC of the rechargeable battery is lower than a percentage of FCC, and the output current of the rechargeable battery falls under a second current value or the rechargeable battery is in the non-communication status for over a second delay time. The method shuts down all power-consuming circuits and components under long-time idling of the battery, capable of preventing overly discharging and malfunction of the rechargeable battery. |
| US09112370B2 |
Rechargeable battery module and battery charging method
A rechargeable battery module including a plurality of battery cells connected in series, a charging transistor, a balancing circuit and a control chip. The charging transistor is operative to convey a charging current to charge the battery cells. Based on voltage levels of the battery cells, the control chip disables the charging transistor and controls the balancing circuit to perform a first stage battery balance process. After finishing the first stage battery balance process, the control chip enables the charging transistor to charge the battery cells again. After being switched to a constant voltage charging mode, the control chip controls the balancing circuit based on the voltage levels of the battery cells to perform a second stage battery balance process. |
| US09112368B1 |
Charger with strap for securing cord
A supplemental, rechargeable battery device has a housing containing a battery and a cord receiving portion circumscribing the housing. A button is coupled directly to and extending directly from a lateral side of the housing. A flexible strap is coupled to the housing and has a fixed end fixedly attached to a distal end of the housing, and an opposite free end removably couplable to the button. |
| US09112367B2 |
Wireless power transmission system, method and apparatus for tracking resonance frequency in wireless power transmission system
A wireless power transmission system, a method and an apparatus for tracking a resonance frequency in the wireless power transmission system, are provided. A device of the wireless power transmission system includes a resonator configured to receive and output a power from another resonator of another device. The device further includes a power supply unit configured to provide, to a device load, the power output from the resonator. The device further includes a calibration load configured to receive the power output from the resonator in a calibration mode of the device to match resonance frequencies of the resonator and the other resonator. The device further includes a controller configured to selectively connect the resonator to the power supply unit or the calibration load, based on whether the device operates in the calibration mode. |
| US09112366B2 |
Contactless rotary joint with safety function
Inductive rotary joint system with stationary and rotating sides has a one-phase rectifier for receiving one-phase AC-input to generate low-level DC-voltage, and a three-phase rectifier for receiving three-phase input to generate higher-level DC-voltage. An AC-power generator receives DC-voltage and generates AC-power, which is coupled by an inductive rotary joint to a load at the rotating side. Voltage coupled to the load is comparably higher when the one-phase rectifier is connected and comparably lower when the three-phase rectified is connected. A control unit at the secondary side for controlling at least the load is connected to measure the voltage produced for the secondary side, and to distinguish between a comparatively lower voltage and a comparatively higher voltage. When a presence of a comparatively higher voltage is indicated, an x-ray tube is enabled within the load. |
| US09112363B2 |
Intelligent charging of multiple electric or electronic devices with a multi-dimensional inductive charger
A system and method for intelligent charging of multiple electric or electronic devices with a multi-dimensional inductive charger. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a base unit having one or more transmitter coils; one or more receiver coils or receivers associated with one or more mobile device; 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 intelligent charging of multiple mobile devices. In accordance with various embodiments, the base unit can determine the presence of a mobile device in proximity to the base unit, and wherein a receiver coil or receiver thereby activated performs an initiation process whereby its ID, presence, power, voltage or other requirements are communicated to the base unit. |
| US09112348B2 |
Anti-surge over-current protection device
An anti-surge over-current protection device comprises a PTC material layer, first and second conductive layers. The PTC material layer has opposite first and second planar surfaces. The first conductive layer is in physical contact with the first planar surface and comprises a plurality of first conductive members isolated from each other. The second conductive layer is in physical contact with the second planar surface, and comprises a plurality of second conductive members isolated from each other. The first conductive layer, the PTC material layer and the second conductive layer form a circuit containing first and second conductive paths. In the first conductive path, the PTC material layer forms a first series connection resistive component having at least two resistors. In the second conductive path, the PTC material layer forms a second series connection resistive component having at least two resistors. |
| US09112347B2 |
DC grid and a method of limiting the effects of a fault in a DC grid
A DC grid (100) comprising a plurality of AC/DC converters (105) which are interconnected via DC lines (115) is provided, wherein, in order to limit the effects of a fault in the DC grid, the DC grid is divided into at least two zones (200) by means of at least one current limiter (205) in a manner so that a current limiter is connected in each of the DC line(s) (115z) by which two zones are interconnected. A method of limiting the effects of a fault in a DC grid by dividing the DC grid into at least two zones is also provided. |
| US09112344B2 |
Driver for switching element and control system for rotary machine using the same
In a driver, a dissipating unit dissipates, upon a potential difference between input and output terminals of a switching element being lower than a predetermined potential, electrical charge for overcurrent detection between the input and output terminals. The dissipating unit includes a rectifier having a pair of first and second conductive terminals. The first conductive terminal is connected to the input terminal of the switching element. An overcurrent determiner determines that an overcurrent flows between the input and output terminals of the switching element upon determination that electrical charge has not been dissipated by the dissipating unit despite the change of the switching element from the off state to the on state. A failure determiner determines whether there is a failure in the dissipating unit as a function of a potential at a point on the first electrical path from the failure determiner to the second conductive terminal. |
| US09112339B2 |
Electrical harness equipped with a device to space its electrical conductors at the level of a partition passage
The object of the invention is an electrical harness having a plurality of electrically conductive elements held one against another in a braided sheath obtained by braiding strands around the electrical conductor elements, the strands being joined and forming a web around the electrical conductor elements when held against each other, wherein it includes a device to space comprising at least one portion with a peripheral surface at the level of which channels are provided wherein an electrical conductor fits, said portion having a section such that it allows to obtain spaced strands at the level of said device to space when the sheath is being braided around the electrical conductor elements. |
| US09112334B2 |
Spark plug construction
A spark plug is disclosed and comprises: a metal tube which interiorly defines an axis and is externally-threaded for engine block engagement; an insulator having a portion which is disposed inside the tube and extends therebeyond; a positive electrode extending through the insulator and projecting beyond the extending portion of the insulator; and an annular ground electrode coupled to the tube. The electrodes are configured such that a spark gap defined therebetween comprises an elongate channel which opens axially and away from said insulator and is substantially unobstructed in the axial direction. The ground defines a void having: a central portion occupied by the positive electrode in use; an annular channel surrounding the central portion; and a plurality of lobes, each being positioned with respect to the central portion in a manner analogous to the placement of the planet gears with respect to the sun gear in a planetary gear. |
| US09112322B2 |
Electrical connector with multiple interfaces
An electrical connector having a body, first and second female interfaces, a female connector, one to four side interfaces and a connecting pin. The body has a longitudinal axis with a passage extending between the first and second female interfaces. The side interfaces extend from the body and are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The interfaces have a distal end and a bus electrically connected to the female connector. The ends of the connecting pin are adapted to snugly engage louver-type connectors on male interfaces, which are inserted into the first and second female interfaces. The electrical connector is designed to minimize the distance between the first and second ends of the body. The side interfaces of the electrical connector can be designed to accommodate different high voltage connectors. |
| US09112315B2 |
USB power adapter for AC and DC power
A USB power adapter for AC and DC power has a circuit board, a base and a top cover. The base and the top cover receive the circuit board therein. The circuit board has an AC conversion module, a DC conversion module, and a USB connection port. The base has a cigarette lighter electrically connected to the DC conversion module. The top cover has a pair of blades electrically connected to the AC conversion module. The AC power inputted through the pair of blades is converted by the AC conversion and the DC conversion module into the power outputted through the USB connection port. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to prepare a dedicated AC or DC charger depending upon the type of power source or to prepare a charger requiring many replaceable plugs. The inconvenience caused by carrying and operating those chargers or plugs can be resolved. |
| US09112313B2 |
Shielded connector
A shielded connector adapted to be connected to a terminal of a shielded electrical cable provided with an insulator, an outer conductor and a sheath around an inner conductor in this order includes an inner terminal that is connected to the inner conductor, an insulating member that covers the inner terminal, and an outer terminal that is connected to the outer conductor. The outer terminal includes a cylindrical-shaped shield portion that covers the insulating member, a crimping portion, and a connection portion that connects the shield portion with the crimping portion. The connection portion includes a bottom plate part and side wall parts erected from both sides of the bottom plate part, and the side wall parts have upper ends having a height equal to or larger than a center line of the outer terminal. |
| US09112311B2 |
Connector
A connector capable of achieving a height reduction thereof; dealing with connecting a large number of wires; and easily obtaining a shielding effect against external and internal noises is provided. A receptacle used for the connector includes: a receptacle housing of a plate shape having a width direction, a depth direction, and a thickness direction; a plurality of contacts disposed on respective side surfaces of the receptacle housing in the depth direction so as to be parallel to each other in the width direction; and a conductive shield member having an attachment part. The receptacle housing is provided with a plurality of grooves having the same shape into which the plurality of contacts and the attachment part can be inserted. |
| US09112310B2 |
Spark gap for high-speed cable connectors
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide low-capacitance protection from electrostatic discharges. One example protects a circuit in a cable connector that is connected to cable connector contacts. This example may include a number of spark gaps that may be used for electrostatic discharge protection. These spark gaps may be formed using traces a printed circuit board. Signal traces to be protected may be routed such that they pass in close proximity to a ground pad, line, plane, area, or connection. When excessive electrostatic energy builds up on the signal trace, the energy may spark across a gap from the signal trace to the ground pad. The gap and parts of the signal traces and ground may be uncovered such that the electrostatic discharge may dissipate through the air. |
| US09112306B2 |
Connector
A connector includes: at least one of a contact 5; a housing 3 accommodating the contact 5; an insertion opening 4 to which a flat cable 2 can be inserted, the insertion opening 4 being provided in front part of the housing 3 and being defined by upper and lower walls 33 and 32 of the housing 3 at the top and bottom; and a lever 6 which is provided in back part of the housing 3 and includes cam portions 61 which bring the contact 5 into pressure contact with the flat cable 2 and establish electrical continuity therebetween when the lever 6 is turned. The contact 5 includes a contact 5A having a placement surface S1 which is located at a substantially same height position in the vertical direction as a contact surface S2 of the corresponding cam portion 61 in the housing 3. |
| US09112305B2 |
Terminal aligning connector unit
When a male terminal connector (10) and a female terminal connector (50) are engaged with each other, projecting inclined faces (20a) and partition wall inclined faces (59) which are opposed to each other are brought into contact or made opposed to each other, and, fitting projections (61) insert into fitting recesses (21) in such a manner that the fitting projections (61) and the fitting recesses (21) are held with gaps between them. |
| US09112304B2 |
Magnetic connector for electronic device
An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship. |
| US09112303B2 |
Magnetic connector
Embodiments of magnetic connectors are disclosed. Embodiments show the use of magnetic connectors for power and/or signal bus coupling to electronic devices from support bases, stands, or cables. In some embodiments, spherical contacts, such as ball bearings, are pressed into firm contact with an electronic device by the use of conductive springs, which in turn electrically couple the spherical contacts to the bus lines. Contact arrangements are shown which allow rotation of the electronic device against an embodiment of magnetic connector. Arrangements of multiple magnets having differing polarities are shown when alignment of an electronic device in a particular orientation is required. |
| US09112299B2 |
Waterproof electrical connector and method for making the same
A waterproof electrical connector (100) includes a number of terminals (2), a metallic shell (1), and an insulating housing (3) molded outside of the metal shell (1) to thereby define a passageway (10). The insulating housing (1) includes a base portion (33) and a tongue portion (31) extending forwardly from the base portion (33). The base portion (33) includes at least one mold cavity (331) for inserting a mold. The mold cavity (331) and the passageway (10) are spaced apart from each other along the insertion/extraction direction for having better waterproof function. |
| US09112293B2 |
Connector
An intermediate housing (10) has a fitting recess (12) in which ends (91) of intermediate terminals (90) are located. An inner housing (30A) is fit into the fitting recess (12) and has first terminal fittings (110A) connectable to the intermediate terminals (90). A retainer (130) is inserted into the inner housing (30A) to retain the terminal fittings (110A). An outer housing (50) is fit externally onto the fitting recess (12) and includes an outer peripheral wall (53) surrounding the inner housing (30A). A mounting portion (21) projects on the outer surface of the fitting recess (12). The outer peripheral wall (53) is recessed to form an escaping portion (61) into which the mounting portion (21). The retainer (130) includes a confirmation surface (133) exposed to the outside of the inner housing (30A) when being inserted into the inner housing (30A) and visually confirmed from outside through the escaping portion (61). |
| US09112289B1 |
Stackable breadboard
A stackable breadboard includes a plurality of through holes formed therein, including a plurality of first insertion holes that extends through a top surface a bottom surface thereof and a plurality of second insertion holes that extend through the top surface and side surfaces thereof. The first insertion holes extends longitudinally to allow more than one breadboard to connect in a longitudinally stacked arrangement through male and female connection terminals thereby achieving a three-dimensional stacked arrangement that effectively reduce the surface area occupied thereby. Further, the second insertion holes are arranged to extend, at opposite ends thereof, in the longitudinal and transverse directions to allow more than one breadboard to connect to each other sideways by means of the male and female connection terminals to achieve expansion of the functionality thereof. |
| US09112286B2 |
Ultrasonic welding method for conductors
An ultrasonic welding method for conductors is provided that is capable of suppressing occurrence of insufficient weld strength and a separation which may occur when terminals of a wires are ultrasonically welded. In a wire arranging step, wires are arranged in accordance with a predetermined arrangement. In a conductor moving step, conductors (2) are pressed in a predetermined direction by a grinding jaw (12), and thereby relative positions among the conductors (2) are changed. In a first ultrasonic welding step, ultrasonic welding is performed on the conductors (2) in a state of being pressed by the grinding jaw (12). In a second ultrasonic welding step, the pressing applied by the grinding jaw (12) is released, and ultrasonic welding is performed on the conductors (2). |
| US09112285B2 |
Dual frequency antenna
A dual frequency antenna comprises: a helix coil, of which the lower end is provided with a first resonant coil with a first pitch and of which the upper end is provided with a second resonant coil with a second pitch, for resonating at a frequency lower than the resonant frequency of the first resonant coil, wherein, the first pitch is larger than the second one; a first coupling unit, which is installed in the first resonant coil and is electrically isolated from the first resonant coil, for stabilizing resonant frequency performance of the first resonant coil; and a second coupling unit, which is installed outside the helix coil and is electrically isolated from the helix coil, for increasing equivalent electrical length of the first resonant coil and raising resonant frequency gain of the first coil. By the improvement of the two coupling units in the high frequency part of parts of the resonant structure in the present invention, better resonant frequency performance of the first resonant coil is obtained, thus centralizing performance of the first resonant coil to the upper hemisphere, increasing the distribution current of the first resonant coil, and at the same time increasing the electrical length of the first resonant coil. |
| US09112284B2 |
Wireless device capable of multiband MIMO operation
A wireless handheld or portable device includes a communication module with a MIMO system that provides multiband MIMO operation in first and second frequency bands. The MIMO system includes first and second radiating systems, a ground plane common to the two radiating systems, first and second radio frequency systems, and a MIMO module. The first and second radiating systems both operate in the first and second frequency bands and respectively include first and second radiating structures coupled to the ground plane, which respectively have first and second radiation boosters that fit in an imaginary sphere having a diameter smaller than ¼ of a diameter of a radiansphere of a longest wavelength of the first frequency band. The first and second radiofrequency systems respectively modify impedance of the first and second radiating structures to provide impedance matching to the first and second radiating systems within the first and second frequency bands. |
| US09112281B2 |
Reflector array antenna with crossed polarization compensation and method for producing such an antenna
A reflector array antenna with cross-polarization compensation including at least one radiating element having an etched pattern dissymmetric with respect to at least one direction X and/or Y of the plane XY of the radiating element, the dissymmetry of the pattern of the radiating element being calculated individually on the basis of a radiating element of the same symmetric pattern along the two directions X and Y, so as to engender a reflected wave having a controlled depolarization which opposes a depolarization, engendered in a plane normal to a direction of propagation, by the reflector array illuminated by a primary source. |
| US09112277B2 |
Adaptive antenna neutralization network
An adaptive antenna neutralization network (AANN) for neutralizing coupling between a first antenna and a second antenna of a mobile terminal is disclosed. The AANN includes an array of reactive branches. Each of the reactive branches includes a reactive element and an electrically controlled switch with a control input for selectively coupling the reactive element between the first antenna and the second antenna. Also included is a switch driver having an output coupled to the control input of each electrically controlled switch, and a controller having an output for sending control signals to the switch driver to turn on or off individual ones of the electrically controlled switches in response to conditions that indicate a coupling state between the first antenna and the second antenna. |
| US09112276B2 |
Wideband antenna with low passive intermodulation attributes
An antenna assembly with wide bandwidth and low Passive Intermodulation (PIM) characteristics is described for use in Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and other applications which require low PIM levels. The antenna can be configured to cover multiple cellular frequency bands to provide a single antenna solution for use with multiple transceivers. A single conductor radiator design along with features integrated into the ground plane result in low PIM characteristics during high power transmission. One or multiple parasitic elements can be coupled to the driven antenna to enhance bandwidth while still maintaining low PIM characteristics. |
| US09112272B2 |
Antenna modules for dual interface smart cards, booster antenna configurations, and methods
Winding a module antenna (MA) for an antenna module (AM) on a tubular support structure (SS) having have a lid structure (LD) or a planar tool (PT) disposed at its free end to constrain the windings. Alternatively, winding wire coils for module antennas (MA) on coil winding forms (CWF, FIG. 26) and transferring them to a module tape (MT). Double-sided and single-sided module tapes (MT) having vias and openings (h) are disclosed. Connection bridges (CBR) formed within, between or surrounding the contact pads (CP) are disclosed. Various configurations for components (CA, CC, EA) of booster antenna (BA) are disclosed. A coupler coil (CC) has an inner winding (iw) and an outer winding (ow). Techniques for embedding wire and for bonding wire are disclosed. |
| US09112270B2 |
Planar array feed for satellite communications
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for wireless communications. A planar antenna element is disposed on a surface of a substrate. The planar antenna element comprises an electrically conductive material. The substrate comprises a dielectric material. The planar antenna element may be arranged in a planar antenna array as a feed for a reflector antenna or as an aperture array. The planar antenna element may comprise a slot patch antenna element with a slot in the electrically conductive material of the planar antenna element circumscribing the planar antenna element. The slot exposes the dielectric material of the substrate. A ground plane may be disposed on the surface of the substrate. The ground plane comprises an electrically conductive material. The slot may be disposed between the ground plane and the patch antenna element. The substrate may include electronic components for beam steering, upconversion, downconversion, amplification, or other functions. |
| US09112267B2 |
Method of accessing a wireless network and a wireless device
In one embodiment, this method includes sending, from a terminal, a random access request; and receiving, at the terminal, system information from a base station via a unicast transmission in response to the random access request. The system information includes an identifier, uplink bandwidth information and downlink bandwidth information. The identifier identifies the base station, the uplink bandwidth information indicates a bandwidth to use for uplink transmission, and the downlink bandwidth information indicates a bandwidth used for downlink transmission. |
| US09112265B2 |
Method for manufacturing antenna structure
A method for manufacturing an antenna structure is disclosed. Employing steps of mixing with a catalyst and embedding a metal insert can simplify steps for manufacturing the antenna structure. Further, a non-conductive frame produced by the process disclosed herein can exhibit waterproof effect. The catalyst mentioned above is mixed with a plastic and then injected into a mold to form the non-conductive frame. The metal insert mentioned above is disposed in the mold before the step of injecting the plastic. Alternatively, the metal insert is embedded in the non-conductive frame after the step of injecting the plastic. |
| US09112262B2 |
Planar array feed for satellite communications
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for wireless communications. A planar antenna element is disposed on a surface of a substrate. The planar antenna element comprises an electrically conductive material and has a circular polarization. The substrate comprises a dielectric material. The planar antenna element may be arranged in a planar antenna array as a feed for a reflector antenna or as an aperture array. The planar antenna element may comprise a slot patch antenna element with a slot in the electrically conductive material of the planar antenna element circumscribing the planar antenna element. The slot exposes the dielectric material of the substrate. A ground plane may be disposed on the surface of the substrate. The ground plane comprises an electrically conductive material. The slot may be disposed between the ground plane and the patch antenna element. |
| US09112261B2 |
Antenna structure and wireless communication device using the same
An antenna structure includes a feed portion, a ground portion, a first radiating body, a second radiating body, and a third radiating body. The feed portion is connected to a first shared portion of the first radiating body. The second radiating body further includes a second shared portion connected to the first shared portion. The first and second shared portions are included in a third radiating body together with a combining portion between the second shared portion and the ground portion. The first radiating body receives and sends wireless signals of a first frequency band, the second radiating body uses a second frequency band, and the third radiating body uses a third frequency band. |
| US09112260B2 |
Microstrip antenna
The subject matter described herein relates a microstrip antenna. In one implementation, the microstrip antenna comprises a dielectric substrate, a first metallic layer on a first side of the dielectric substrate and a second metallic layer on a second side, opposite to the first side, of the dielectric substrate. The first metallic layer on the dielectric substrate comprises one or more end-to-end slots to divide the first metallic layer into a plurality of microstrip patches. The microstrip antenna also comprises a feed circuit which is electromagnetically coupled to the plurality of microstrip patches and the second metallic layer. |
| US09112257B2 |
Communication device and method for enhancing impedance bandwidth of antenna thereof
A communication device and a method for enhancing impedance bandwidth of an antenna are provided. The communication device includes at least one ground, at least one antenna, a current-drawing conductor structure, and at least one coupling conductor structure. The antenna is electrically connected to the ground through a source and generates at least one operating frequency band for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic signals of at least one communication band. The current-drawing conductor structure includes a plurality of conductor elements, where there is at least one mutual coupling portion formed between neighboring conductor elements. The coupling conductor structure has a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. One end of the first conductor portion is electrically connected to the ground, and another end thereof is electrically connected to the second conductor portion. There is at least one coupling portion formed between the second conductor portion and the current-drawing conductor structure. |
| US09112252B2 |
Differential transmission circuit, optical module, and information processing system
A differential transmission circuit includes a pair of transmission line conductors and a ground conductor layer, wherein the pair of transmission line conductors include a first straight line region where both the pair of transmission line conductors extend in parallel to each other in a first direction with a first width in a first layer, a first cross region where one of the pair of transmission line conductors is formed in the first layer, the other thereof is formed in a second layer, and the pair of transmission line conductors cross the each other in a three-dimensional manner, the first cross region being disposed on the front side of the first straight line region, and wherein each of the widths of the pair of transmission line conductors in the first cross region is smaller than the first width. |
| US09112248B2 |
Method and system for battery protection
An electrical combination. The combination comprises a hand held power tool, a battery pack and a controller. The battery pack includes a battery pack housing connectable to and supportable by the hand held power tool, a plurality of battery cells supported by the battery pack housing, each of the plurality of battery cells having a lithium-based chemistry, being individually tapped and having an individual state of charge. A communication path is provided by a battery pack sense terminal and a power tool sense terminal. The controller is operable to monitor a state of charge of a number of battery cells less than the plurality of battery cells and to generate a signal based on the monitored state of charge of the number of battery cells less than the plurality of battery cells, the signal being operable to control the operation of the hand held power tool. |
| US09112247B2 |
Battery system
Even if requirements for any scale of system constructions occur, a battery system of flexibly responding to the requirements is provided. The battery system comprising a battery module having a plurality of battery cells being connected, a battery pack having a plurality of battery modules being connected either in series or in parallel or both in series and in parallel, and a battery block having a plurality of battery packs being connected either in series or in parallel or both in series and in parallel. They are mutually layered. In the battery system, the battery module, the battery pack, and the battery block are previously prepared as variations of layered basic units. In response to requirements for any scale of system constructions, the basic units are combined accordingly. |
| US09112243B2 |
Energy storage devices having anodes containing Mg and electrolytes utilized therein
For a metal anode in a battery, the capacity fade is a significant consideration. In energy storage devices having an anode that includes Mg, the cycling stability can be improved by an electrolyte having a first salt, a second salt, and an organic solvent. Examples of the organic solvent include diglyme, triglyme, tetraglyme, or a combination thereof. The first salt can have a magnesium cation and be substantially soluble in the organic solvent. The second salt can enhance the solubility of the first salt and can have a magnesium cation or a lithium cation. The first salt, the second salt, or both have a BH4 anion. |
| US09112241B2 |
Pyrophosphate compound and production process thereof
To provide a positive electrode active material containing a pyrophosphate compound, ensuring that mixing of impurities is easily prevented to facilitate the synthesis and a high capacity battery is obtained, and a lithium ion battery using the positive electrode material. That is, the present invention relates to a pyrophosphate compound represented by the formula: Li2M1-xFexP2O7 (wherein M represents one or more elements selected from Mn, Zr, Mg, Co, Ni, V and Cu, and 0.3≦x≦0.9). |
| US09112239B2 |
Method for modifying cathode material and lithium battery employing the cathode material
The invention provides a lithium battery, including: a cathode plate and an anode plate; a separator disposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate to define a reservoir region; and an electrolyte filled in the reservoir region. A thermal protective film is provided to cover a material of the cathode plate or the anode plate. When a battery temperature rises over an onset temperature of the thermal protective film, it undergoes a crosslinking reaction to inhibit thermal runaway. A method for fabricating the lithium ion battery is also provided. |
| US09112238B2 |
Anode and battery
An anode capable of preventing expansion of an anode active material layer and a battery using it are provided. The anode includes an anode current collector, and an anode active material layer containing silicon (Si) as an element, wherein the anode active material layer therein contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a fluoride of an alkali metal and a fluoride of an alkali earth metal. |
| US09112236B2 |
Lithium secondary batteries and nonaqueous electrolyte for use in the same
A lithium secondary battery comprising: a positive electrode and a negative electrode which each has a specific composition and specific properties; and a nonaqueous electrolyte which contains a cyclic siloxane compound represented by general formula (1), fluorosilane compound represented by general formula (2), compound represented by general formula (3), compound having an S—F bond in the molecule, nitric acid salt, nitrous acid salt, monofluorophosphoric acid salt, difluorophosphoric acid salt, acetic acid salt, or propionic acid salt in an amount of 10 ppm or more of the whole nonaqueous electrolyte. This lithium secondary battery has a high capacity, long life, and high output. [In general formula (1), R1 and R2 are an organic group having 1-12 carbon atoms and n is an integer of 3-10. In general formula (2), R3 to R5 are an organic group having 1-12 carbon atoms; x is an integer of 1-3; and p, q, and r each are an integer of 0-3, provided that 1≦p+q+r≦3. In general formula (3), R6 to R8 are an organic group having 1-12 carbon atoms and symbol A is a group constituted of H, C, N, O, F, S, Si, and/or P.] |
| US09112234B2 |
Cylindrical secondary battery of improved safety
Provided is a cylindrical battery in which an electrode assembly fabricated by rolling a cathode/separator/anode and an electrolyte are provided in a cylindrical can, wherein a cap assembly mounted on the opening top of the cylindrical can comprises: a safety vent provided with a predetermined notch, to allow breakage due to high-pressure gas of the battery, a current interruptive device to interrupt current, welded to the bottom of the safety vent, and a gasket for the current interruptive device to surround the periphery of the current interruptive device, wherein the current interruptive device comprises two or more through holes to allow exhaustion of gas, wherein the through holes have a size of 20 to 50% with respect to the total area of the current interruptive device. |
| US09112232B2 |
Composition, polymer thereof, electrode and electrolyte membrane for fuel cell, and fuel cell including the same
A composition including a compound having a fluorine functional group, a polymer as a polymerization product of the composition, an electrode and an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, which include the composition or the polymer thereof, and a fuel cell including at least one of the electrode and the electrolyte membrane. |
| US09112230B2 |
Ultrapure synthetic carbon materials
The present application is generally directed to ultrapure synthetic carbon materials having both high surface area and high porosity, ultrapure polymer gels and devices containing the same. The disclosed ultrapure synthetic carbon materials find utility in any number of devices, for example, in electric double layer capacitance devices and batteries. Methods for making ultrapure synthetic carbon materials and ultrapure polymer gels are also disclosed. |
| US09112229B2 |
Cathode active material, cathode electrode, and non-aqueous secondary battery
A cathode active material comprising a composition represented by the following general formula (1): LiaM1xM2yM3zPmSinO4 (1) wherein M1 is at least one kind of element selected from the group of Mn, Fe, Co and Ni; M2 is any one kind of element selected from the group of Ti, V and Nb; M3 is at least one kind of element selected from the group of Zr, Sn, Y and Al; “a” satisfies 0 |
| US09112227B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack includes unit cells and holders for sandwiching the unit cells. The holder includes a holding portion which holds the unit cell such that an electrode of the unit cell projects from between the holder and another holder sandwiching the unit cell, and a plurality of projecting portions which project in a direction in which the electrode projects from the holding portion and face each other across the electrode projecting from the holding portion. The projecting portion includes a passage which is formed along a direction, in which the unit cell is sandwiched, and is configured to flow fluid, and an opening which communicates with the passage and is open toward the electrode projecting from the holding portion. |
| US09112225B2 |
Precursor formulation for battery active materials synthesis
Compositions and methods of forming battery active materials are provided. A solution of battery active metal cations and reactive anions may be blended with a fuel to yield a precursor mixture usable for synthesizing a battery active material for deposition onto a substrate. The battery active metal cations include lithium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, iron, vanadium, and the like. Reactive anions include nitrate, acetate, citrate, tartrate, maleate, azide, amide, and other lower carboxylates. Suitable fuels, which may be water miscible, may include amino compounds. Alcohols and sugars may be added to adjust carbon content and fuel combustion characteristics. An exothermic reaction is performed to convert the metals into battery active oxides. |
| US09112224B2 |
Energy storage device and method for manufacturing the same
Provided are an energy storage device including an electrode in which lithium is introduced into a silicon layer and a method for manufacturing the energy storage device. A silicon layer is formed over a current collector, a solution including lithium is applied on the silicon layer, and heat treatment is performed thereon; thus, at least lithium can be introduced into the silicon layer. By using the solution including lithium, even when the silicon layer includes a plurality of silicon microparticles, the solution including lithium can enter a space between the microparticles and lithium can be introduced into the silicon microparticles which are in contact with the solution including lithium. Moreover, even when the silicon layer is a thin silicon film or includes a plurality of whiskers or whisker groups, the solution can be uniformly applied; accordingly, lithium can be included in silicon easily. |
| US09112222B2 |
Lithium ion secondary battery active material, lithium ion secondary battery electrode, lithium ion secondary battery, electronic device, electronic power tool, electric vehicle, and power storage system
A lithium ion secondary battery includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and an electrolytic solution, at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode being capable of storing and releasing lithium ions, and containing an active material that satisfies predetermined conditions. |
| US09112218B2 |
Solid oxide fuel cell stack modular structure
The present invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell stack modular structure, in that, being an integration of a plurality of fuel cell modules, it can determine the amount of fuel cell modules to be stacked in the modular structure according to an actual power output demand while ensuring airtightness in the modular structure, and moreover, with the modularization design, each fuel cell module in the modular structure that is malfunctioning can be detached and removed easily from the stack individually so as to be replaced by another operative fuel cell module. |
| US09112217B2 |
Reverse electrodialysis supported microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells
Systems and methods for microbial processes of generating products such as electrical power, hydrogen gas and methane, are provided according to aspects of the present invention which include a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reaction chamber and an exterior of the reaction chamber; an anode at least partially contained within an anode compartment of the reaction chamber; a plurality of exoelectrogenic microorganisms disposed in the anode compartment; a cathode at least partially contained within a cathode compartment of the reaction chamber; a conductive conduit for electrons in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode; and a reverse electrodialysis stack comprising a plurality of plurality of alternating anion selective barriers and cation selective barriers disposed between the anode and the cathode defining one or more saline material compartments and one or more lower-saline material compartments. |
| US09112214B2 |
Battery separator and method of making same
A battery separator comprises a multi-layered film, individual layers of film having been bonded together by heat and pressure, having a peel strength of greater than or equal to 40 grams per inch (1.6 g/mm) and a thickness of ≦25 microns. A method for making a battery separator comprises the steps of: extruding and winding up a first precursor film, extruding and winding up a second precursor film, unwinding the first and second precursor films, stacking up the first and second precursor films to form a single stacked precursor, laminating the single stacked precursor film, winding up the laminated single stacked precursor film, stacking up a plurality of laminated single stacked precursor films, and making microporous the stacked plurality of laminated single stacked precursor films. |
| US09112208B2 |
Modular battery structure
A module system is provided that includes at least one module support and at least one module support and at least one energy storage module that is connected to the at least one module support. The module support and the energy storage module have cooling fluid connections, electric contacts, and coupling elements that are adapted to each other. |
| US09112202B2 |
Battery module
A battery module includes a first unit cell arranged parallel to a second unit cell and a spacer arranged between the first and second unit cell. Each of the first and second unit cells includes a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode terminal. The spacer includes a main body and a first wall portion extending upward from the main body, and the first wall portion is disposed at and between the first electrode terminal of the first unit cell and the second electrode terminal of the second unit cell. The first electrode terminal of the first unit cell is juxtaposed to the second electrode terminal of the second unit cell. |
| US09112200B2 |
Anode for a cell of a lithium-ion battery, its manufacturing process and the battery incorporating it
An anode usable in a cell of a lithium-ion battery comprising an electrolyte based on a lithium salt and a non-aqueous solvent, to a process for manufacturing this anode and to a lithium-ion battery having one or more cells incorporating this anode. This anode is based on a polymer composition, obtained by melt processing and without solvent evaporation, that is the product of a hot compounding reaction between an active material and additives having a polymer binder and an electrically conductive filler. The binder is based on at least one crosslinked elastomer and the additives furthermore include at least one non-volatile organic compound usable in the electrolyte solvent, the composition advantageously includes the active material in a mass fraction greater than or equal to 85%. |
| US09112196B2 |
Fuel, fuel cell system, fuel cell vehicle and operating method for fuel cell system
A direct type fuel cell (1) is supplied with a fuel comprised of hydrocarbon and antioxidant, to have a maintained durability. |
| US09112191B2 |
Interconnector arrangement for a fuel cell stack
The invention relates to an interconnector arrangement for a fuel cell stack, which can be brought into electrical contact with at least one membrane electrode assembly and which is arranged to separate a cathode flow field of the fuel cell stack from an anode flow field of the fuel cell stack. The invention is characterized in that the interconnector arrangement comprises a hollow space separated from the anode flow field and from the cathode flow field such that a flow of gas through the hollow space may not be more than five percent of flow-off gas through the cathode flow field or the anode flow field. The invention also relates to a fuel cell stack and to a method for manufacturing an interconnector arrangement. |
| US09112185B2 |
El panel, and illumination device and display device using the same
The present invention provides an EL panel, an EL illumination device, and an EL display device in which irregularity of luminance does not easily occur in the in-plane of the EL element by a protection sheet for suppressing conduction of heat on the outermost surface of the EL element. There is an EL panel including: a light-transmissive substrate; an EL element including a light-emitting medium layer interposed between a cathode and an anode, the EL element being provided on one surface of the light-transmissive substrate; and a protection sheet on the other surface of the light-transmissive substrate of the EL element. The protection sheet has a surface opposite to the light-transmissive substrate, the shape of the surface includes rounded convex shapes and prism shapes. Each of the rounded shapes has an apex that is a center point of a cross-section farthest from a bottom surface where the cross-section is parallel to the bottom surface of the unit convex shape and the area becomes smaller in a direction from the bottom surface of the rounded convex shape to a top portion thereof. Irregularity of luminance in the in-plane of the EL element does not easily occur by optimizing the height of the apex and the distance between the apexes. |
| US09112183B2 |
Display panel apparatus and manufacturing method of display panel apparatus
A display panel apparatus includes pixels, each including an organic luminescent layer between first and second electrodes. A glass substrate is above the second electrode. A lens sheet is between the pixels and the glass substrate and includes a lens corresponding to each of the pixels and a base from which the lens protrudes. A first partition is between the glass substrate and the lens sheet on a first side of the base from which the lens protrudes for partitioning, between the glass substrate and the lens sheet, a gap between the lens of each of the pixels. A second partition is between the organic electro-luminescence unit and the lens sheet on a second side of the base opposite the first side from which the lens protrudes for partitioning, between the organic electro-luminescence unit and the lens sheet, the gap between the lens of each of the pixels. |
| US09112180B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and manufacturing method thereof
An OLED display according to an exemplary embodiment includes: a substrate; an organic light emitting diode formed on the substrate; an overcoat covering the organic light emitting diode; and a patterned metal sheet attached on the overcoat and having a plurality of protrusion and depression portions. A plurality of protrusions may be formed in a bottom surface of the patterned metal sheet where the protrusion and depression portions of the patterned metal sheet and the overcoat face each other. |
| US09112169B2 |
Organic electroluminescence illuminating device and method for manufacturing the same
An organic electroluminescence illuminating device (L) has a structure in which an organic electroluminescence element (10) is provided and encapsulated between a pair of substrates (20, 21). A light emitting surface of the organic electroluminescence element (10) has a portion which is not parallel to a light extraction surface of the entire illuminating device. |
| US09112164B2 |
High efficiency organic photovoltaic cells employing hybridized mixed-planar heterojunctions
A device is provided, having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoactive region disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The photoactive region includes a first photoactive organic layer that is a mixture of an organic acceptor material and an organic donor material, wherein the first photoactive organic layer has a thickness not greater than 0.8 characteristic charge transport lengths; a second photoactive organic layer in direct contact with the first organic layer, wherein the second photoactive organic layer is an unmixed layer of the organic acceptor material of the first photoactive organic layer, and the second photoactive organic layer has a thickness not less than about 0.1 optical absorption lengths; and a third photoactive organic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and in direct contact with the first photoactive organic layer. The third photoactive organic layer is an unmixed layer of the organic donor layer of the first photoactive organic layer and has a thickness not less than about 0.1 optical absorption lengths. |
| US09112162B2 |
Electronic device and electronic device manufacturing method
An electronic device including: a substrate; a bank formed on an upper surface of the substrate, surrounding an area of the upper surface of the substrate, and defining an aperture from which the area is exposed; a liquid-philic layer formed on a peripheral portion of the area, and not overlapping a central portion of the area; a semiconductor layer formed within the aperture, and attaching to at least a portion of the central portion and to an upper surface of the liquid-philic layer; and a pair of electrodes that are in contact with an area of the semiconductor layer, the area of the semiconductor layer not overlapping the liquid-philic layer in plan view. The bank has a liquid-phobic lateral surface surrounding the aperture, and the upper surface of the liquid-philic layer has a higher degree of liquid-philicity than the upper surface of the substrate. |
| US09112160B2 |
Field-effect transistor comprising a leakage-current limiter
A field-effect transistor including at least one lower substrate having two electrodes deposited thereon, respectively a source electrode and a drain electrode, a dielectric layer made of a dielectric material, and a gate electrode deposited on the dielectric layer. It includes an intermediate layer, made of a material comprising molecules having a dipole moment complying with specific direction criteria, deposited between the gate electrode and the dielectric layer, said intermediate layer extending at least under the entire surface area taken up by the gate electrode, the intermediate layer being made of an organic compound comprising at least one binding function for the gate electrode. |
| US09112159B2 |
Bipolar hosts for light emitting devices
Some embodiments provide a compound represented by Formula 1: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are independently H, C1-C3 alkyl, or C1-3 perfluoroalkyl; HT is optionally substituted carbazoyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbazolyl, optionally substituted (phenylcarbazolyl)phenyl, optionally substituted phenylnaphthylamine, or optionally substituted diphenylamine; and ET optionally substituted benzimidazol-2-yl, optionally substituted benzothiazol-2-yl, optionally substituted benzoxazol-2-yl, optionally substituted 3,3′-bipyridin-5-yl, optionally substituted quinolin-8-yl, optionally substituted quinolin-5-yl, or optionally substituted quinoxalin-5-yl. Other embodiments provide an organic light-emitting diode device comprising a compound of Formula 1. |
| US09112158B1 |
Asymmetric styrene derivatives having carbazole and aniline and organic light emitting diode using the same
Asymmetric styrene derivatives having carbazole and aniline are provided with main BCzVBi structure but impair the symmetry of BCzVBi so as to increase the solubility and applicability in OLED solution process. An OLED device using the asymmetric styrene derivatives is also herein disclosed. |
| US09112153B2 |
Surface modification
A method of modifying a fluorinated polymer surface comprising the steps of depositing a first layer on at least a portion of the fluorinated polymer surface, the first layer comprising a first polymer, the first polymer being a substantially perfluorinated aromatic polymer; and depositing a second layer on at least a portion of the first layer, the second layer comprising a second polymer, the second polymer being an aromatic polymer having a lower degree of fluorination than said first polymer, whereby the second layer provides a surface on to which a substance having a lower degree of fluorination than the first polymer, e.g. a non-fluorinated substance is depositable. |
| US09112151B2 |
Piezoelectric material, piezoelectric element, and electronic device
There is provided a piezoelectric material not containing any lead component, having stable piezoelectric characteristics in an operating temperature range, a high mechanical quality factor, and satisfactory piezoelectric characteristics. The piezoelectric material according to the present invention includes a main component containing a perovskite-type metal oxide that can be expressed using the following general formula (1), and subcomponents containing Mn, Li, and Bi. When the metal oxide is 100 parts by weight, the content of Mn on a metal basis is not less than 0.04 parts by weight and is not greater than 0.36 parts by weight, content α of Li on a metal basis is equal to or less than 0.0012 parts by weight (including 0 parts by weight), and content β of Bi on a metal basis is not less than 0.042 parts by weight and is not greater than 0.850 parts by weight (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-y-zZrySnz)O3 (1) (in the formula (1), 0.09≦x≦0.30, 0.025≦y≦0.085, 0≦z≦0.02, and 0.986≦a≦1.02). |
| US09112147B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment comprises a semiconductor layer, a variable resistance layer, a sidewall layer, and a buried layer. The semiconductor layer functions as a rectifying device. The variable resistance layer is provided above or below the semiconductor layer and reversibly changes its resistance. The sidewall layer is in contact with a sidewall of the semiconductor layer. The buried layer is embedded in the sidewall layer and is made of material different from that of the sidewall layer. These configurations may adjust the electrical characteristics of the rectifying device to any value. |
| US09112138B2 |
Methods of forming resistive memory elements
A method of forming a resistive memory element comprises forming an oxide material over a first electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a plasma process to form a treated oxide material. A second electrode is formed on the treated oxide material. Additional methods of forming a resistive memory element, as well as related resistive memory elements, resistive memory cells, and resistive memory devices are also described. |
| US09112125B2 |
Light emitting device, method of fabricating the same and lighting system having the same
Disclosed is a light emitting device. The light emitting device includes a substrate including a plurality of lead electrodes; a mold member including a cavity on the substrate; a light emitting chip in the cavity and on at least one of the lead electrodes; a connecting member for electrically connecting at least one of the lead electrodes to the light emitting chip; a resin member in the cavity; a spacer part between the lead electrodes, the spacer part including a material different from materials of the mold member and the resin member; and an adhesive film between the mold member and the substrate. |
| US09112124B2 |
Light emitting device
With a light emitting device of a package formed by two types of molded resins, entry of water from between the molded resins may cause the light emitting device to be incapable of turning on. A light emitting device of the present invention includes: a package that has an opening at an upper surface thereof; a first molded resin that forms a part of the upper surface of the package; a second molded resin that forms an inner wall surface of the opening of the package; a lead frame that is buried in the package so as to be partially exposed at a bottom surface of the opening of the package, the lead frame having an end portion externally projected outside from a side surface of the package; and a light emitting element that is connected to an upper surface of the lead frame being exposed at the bottom surface of the opening. The second molded resin is higher than the first molded resin in light reflectance to light emitted from the light emitting element. The upper surface of the lead frame buried in the package is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the interface between the first molded resin and the second molded resin. |
| US09112123B2 |
Light-emitting device
[Problem] To provide a light-emitting device which does not undergo the deterioration in luminous efficiency associated with the long-term use.[Solution] A light-emitting device (1) comprises a light-emitting element (10) which can emit blue light and a phosphor (2) which is composed of a single kind of single crystal and can emit yellow light upon the irradiation with the light emitted from the light-emitting element (10) which serves as excitation light. Thus, it becomes possible to prevent the deterioration in luminous efficiency associated with the deterioration in a binder or the like compared with a light-emitting device which utilizes multiple kinds of granular phosphors, because any binder for binding phosphors to each other is not required in the light-emitting device (1). |
| US09112117B2 |
High brightness light emitting diode structure
A light-emitting diode structure comprising: a substrate; a light-emitting semiconductor stack on the substrate, wherein the light-emitting semiconductor stack comprises a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer with different polarity from the first semiconductor layer, and a light-emitting layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; a first electrical pad on the substrate, wherein the first electrical pad is apart from the light-emitting semiconductor stack and electrically connects to the first semiconductor layer; and a second electrical pad on the substrate, wherein the second electrical pad is apart from the light-emitting semiconductor stack and electrically connects to the second semiconductor layer, wherein the first electrical pad and the second electrical pad are not higher than the light-emitting semiconductor stack. |
| US09112116B2 |
Contacts for an N-type gallium and nitrogen substrate for optical devices
A method for fabricating LED devices. The method includes providing a gallium and nitrogen containing substrate member (e.g., GaN) comprising a backside surface and a front side surface. The method includes subjecting the backside surface to a polishing process, causing a backside surface to be characterized by a surface roughness, subjecting the backside surface to an anisotropic etching process exposing various crystal planes to form a plurality of pyramid-like structures distributed spatially in a non-periodic manner on the backside surface, treating the backside surface comprising the plurality of pyramid-like structures, to a plasma species, and subjecting the backside surface to a surface treatment. The method further includes forming a contact material comprising an aluminum bearing species or a titanium bearing species overlying the surface-treated backside to form a plurality of LED devices with the contact material. |
| US09112115B2 |
Nitride semiconductor ultraviolet light-emitting element
An active layer including an AlGaN semiconductor layer having a band gap energy of 3.4 eV or higher and a p-type cladding layer configured of a p-type AlGaN semiconductor layer and located above the active layer are formed in a first region on the n-type cladding layer, the first region being in a plane parallel to a surface of the n-cladding layer configured of an n-type AlGaN semiconductor layer. An n-electrode metal layer making Ohmic contact with the n-type cladding layer is formed on an adjacent region to the first region in a second region which is a region other than the first region on the n-type cladding layer. A first reflective metal layer reflecting ultraviolet light emitted from the active layer is formed on a surface of the n-type cladding layer in the second region other than the adjacent region. The n-electrode metal layer is arranged between the first region and a region in which the first reflective metal layer contacts the surface of the n-type cladding layer. |
| US09112113B2 |
Semiconductor element and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor element which can improve productivity and reliability, comprises a step of forming a device structure layer including a semiconductor layer on a first substrate; a step of forming a first metal layer on the device structure layer; a step of forming a second metal layer made of the same material as the first metal layer on a second substrate; a first treatment step of heating and compressing together the first metal layer and the second metal layer placed opposite to each other, thereby bonding them with maintaining a junction interface between the first and second metal layers; and a second treatment step of heating the first and second metal layers to make the junction interface disappear. Either one of the first and second metal layers has a coarse surface having multiple pyramid-shaped protrusions formed at its surface. |
| US09112111B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing semiconductor light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes an n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, and a light emitting layer. The p-type semiconductor layer includes a first p-side layer, a second p-side layer, and a third p-side layer. A concentration profile of Mg of a p-side region includes a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, a fourth portion, a fifth portion, a sixth portion and a seventh portion. The p-side region includes the light emitting layer, the second p-side layer, and the third p-side layer. A Mg concentration of the sixth portion is not less than 1×1020 cm−3 and not more than 3×1020 cm−3. The Al concentration is 1/100 of the maximum value at a second position. A Mg concentration at the second position is not less than 2×1018 cm−3. |
| US09112110B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting element and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting element comprises steps of forming a semiconductor layer composed of a Group III nitride based compound semiconductor on a principal surface of a substrate; forming a transparent conductive metal oxide film on the semiconductor layer; forming an electrode above the transparent conductive metal oxide film; forming a mask layer for covering a part of the transparent conductive metal oxide film; and heat treating the transparent conductive metal oxide film having the mask layer formed thereon in an oxygen-containing atmosphere; wherein, in the heat treatment step, an oxygen concentration of a remaining part of the transparent conductive metal oxide film which is not covered by the mask layer is made higher than an oxygen concentration of a part of the transparent conductive metal oxide film which is covered by the mask layer. |
| US09112109B2 |
Thermoelectric generator assembly and system
A thermoelectric generator assembly may comprise a frame that may include a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member and the second frame member are adapted to retain one or more thermoelectric generator devices in position therebetween for transferring heat energy through the one or more thermoelectric generator devices from a heat source to a heat sink to generate electrical energy. The thermoelectric generator assembly may also include a spacer positioned between the first frame member and the second frame member. A power bus may be included to provide the electrical energy generated by the one or more thermoelectric generator devices for powering an electrical device. |
| US09112107B2 |
Thermogenerator
A thermogenerator including several thermocouples that are electrically connected together. The thermocouples are arranged between one hot side of the thermogenerator receiving a thermal flow and a cold side that is arranged at a distance from the hot side. The thermoelectric generator that at least temporarily uses the fed thermal energy efficiently. The thermoelectric generator can be designed as a module including a collector for a thermal solar system and the thermal carrier medium flowing through the collector is guided, at least temporarily, to a thermoelectric generator by a heat exchanger. |
| US09112106B2 |
Precursor composition for YBCO-based superconductors
A premixed powdery precursor composition suitable as precursor material for obtaining a coating solution for the preparation of, for instance, thin film superconductors based on YBCO 1:2:3 via a coating technique, wherein the powdery precursor composition comprises a mixture of suitable salts of the constituent elements, in particular salts of trifluoroacetate and acetate. |
| US09112104B2 |
Epitaxial devices
Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride. |
| US09112103B1 |
Backside transparent substrate roughening for UV light emitting diode
In the present invention, a fabrication process for epitaxy onto back-side patterned substrate, where the substrate patterns were defined prior to epitaxy and therefore simplify post growth processing. Specifically, for LED devices, said fabrication process reduces the post growth processing steps required to obtain high LEE due to strong scattering of the back-side features defined on the substrate. The features defined on the back-side patterned substrate scatters strongly with light emitted from the LED devices. Methods of obtaining such features include wet and dry etching. |
| US09112098B2 |
Minority carrier based HgCdTe infrared detectors and arrays
Disclosed are minority carrier based mercury-cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) infrared detectors and arrays, and methods of making, are disclosed. The constructions provided by the invention enable the detectors to be used at higher temperatures, and/or be implemented on less expensive semiconductor substrates to lower manufacturing costs. An exemplary embodiment a substrate, a bottom contact layer disposed on the substrate, a first mercury-cadmium telluride layer having a first bandgap energy value disposed on the bottom contact layer, a second mercury-cadmium telluride layer having a second bandgap energy value that is greater than the first bandgap energy value disposed on the first mercury-cadmium telluride layer, and a collector layer disposed on the second mercury-cadmium telluride layer, wherein the first and second mercury-cadmium telluride layers are each doped with an n-type dopant. |
| US09112093B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device is disclosed. The light emitting device includes a first-conductive-type semiconductor layer, a second-conductive-type semiconductor layer, and an active layer interposed between the first-conductive-type semiconductor layer and the second-conductive-type semiconductor layer. The second-conductive-type semiconductor layer includes an electron blocking region closely disposed to the active layer and having a pattern with a plurality of elements spaced apart from each other. |
| US09112090B2 |
UV radiation recovery of image sensor
A method of an embodiment comprises forming a dielectric layer on a first side of an image sensor substrate, and exposing the dielectric layer to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The image sensor substrate comprises a photo diode. A structure of an embodiment comprises a substrate and a charge-less dielectric. The substrate comprises a photo diode. The charge-less dielectric layer is on a first side of the substrate, and a total charge of the charge-less dielectric results in an average voltage drop of less than 0.2 V across the charge-less dielectric layer. |
| US09112087B2 |
Waveguide-based energy converters, and energy conversion cells using same
A layered waveguide stack radiant energy converter array having a plurality of superposed waveguides, each waveguide having a core layer having a radiant energy converter disposed therein, and two cladding layers disposed on opposing sides of the core. In some embodiments the conductive layers are electrically coupled to the converter and act as charge carriers for it, and in other wires are provided for individual converters. Each waveguide has at least one inlet for passage of radiant energy therethrough, the inlet extending between the cladding layers, such that radiant energy entering the waveguide impinges on at least two layers of the waveguide, the inlet further defining a minimum cutoff frequency for the energy to propagate in the waveguide. In some embodiments such as solar panels, energy is harvested. In other embodiments energy is detected such as for example is done in a camera focal plane sensor. In some embodiments the stack is used to emit light. |
| US09112082B2 |
Electrically driven single photon source
The present invention relates to a single photon source 1800 comprising a tapered nanowire 1802, where the nanowire 1802 is made of a semiconductor material, a first electrode 1828 and second electrode 1814, where the electrodes are electrically coupled to a photon emitter 1804 embedded in the nanowire 1802 and wherein the photon emitter 1804 is capable of emitting a single photon when an activation voltage is applied between the electrodes. In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the nanowire is encircled by air or vacuum, such that advantage can be taken of the resultant large ratio between a refractive index of the nanowire and the encircling material, air. Another advantageous feature might be that the first and second electrodes are optically transparent, such that they can be used as part of a reflective element or anti-reflective element. |
| US09112076B2 |
Glass substrate manufacturing method and glass thereof
A glass substrate manufacturing method of the present invention comprises forming a multi-porous structure layer which comprises nano-size pores at a surface of a glass substrate by etching the surface of the glass substrate with hydrofluoric (HF) acid or an etchant substituting for fluoride. Unlike related art methods, the glass substrate forms no additional coating layer, uses no harmful chemical material, and is given anti-reflection, anti-fogging, and super-hydrophilic characteristics through a simple process at a relatively low temperature. The glass substrate is effectively applied to various applications requiring high light transmission such as a protective filter for a display device, a solar cell, a mobile communication device, glass of a building structure, and an optical element lens. |
| US09112070B2 |
Solar cell and method of manufacturing the same
A solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed.The solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate doped with a first conductive type impurity through which a via hole passing from a first surface of the semiconductor substrate to a second surface thereof facing the first surface is formed, wherein the first surface is a light receiving surface, upper and lower emitter layers respectively formed on upper and lower surfaces of the semiconductor substrate and doped with a second conductive type impurity that is different from the first conductive type impurity, current collecting layers formed on sidewalls of the via hole and doped with a higher concentration of the first conductive type impurity than that of the semiconductor substrate, a contact electrode extending from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate to the second surface thereof so as to fill the via hole, and upper and lower electrodes respectively contacting the upper and lower emitter layers. |
| US09112069B2 |
Solar cell comprising a p-doped silicon wafer and an aluminum electrode
A solar cell comprising a p-doped silicon wafer, wherein the p-doped silicon wafer comprises a light-receiving side and a back side; and an aluminum electrode formed on the back side of the silicon wafer; wherein the aluminum electrode comprises an aluminum base layer formed adjacently on the back side of the silicon wafer and an aluminum cover layer formed on the aluminum base layer, and wherein the aluminum cover layer comprises aluminum and boron oxide (B2O3). |
| US09112068B2 |
Laser doping of crystalline semiconductors using a dopant-containing amorphous silicon stack for dopant source and passivation
Techniques and structures for laser doping of crystalline semiconductors using a dopant-containing amorphous silicon stack for dopant source and passivation. A structure includes a crystalline semiconductor having at least one surface, a doped crystalline region disposed in at least one selected area of the semiconductor surface, and a dopant-containing amorphous silicon layer stack containing a same dopant as present in the doped crystalline region on at least a portion of the semiconductor surface outside the selected area, wherein the dopant-containing amorphous silicon layer stack passivates the portion of the semiconductor surface on which it is disposed. |
| US09112064B2 |
Floating sheet production apparatus and method
This sheet production apparatus comprises a vessel defining a channel configured to hold a melt. The melt is configured to flow from a first point to a second point of the channel. A cooling plate is disposed proximate the melt and is configured to form a sheet on the melt. A spillway is disposed at the second point of the channel. This spillway is configured to separate the sheet from the melt. |
| US09112061B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device includes an insulating substrate, a semiconductor chip, an insulating layer, and a sealing layer. The insulating substrate has an opening. A semiconductor chip is disposed in the opening. An insulating layer is disposed on a first surface of the insulating substrate. The insulating layer covers the opening. The sealing layer is disposed on a second surface of the insulating substrate. The sealing layer seals the semiconductor chip and the opening. |
| US09112056B1 |
Method for forming a split-gate device
A method of forming a semiconductor device in an NVM region and in a logic region uses a semiconductor substrate and includes forming a first layer of a material that can be used as a gate or a dummy gate. An opening is formed in the first layer in the NVM region. The opening is filled with a charge storage layer and a control gate. A select gate, which may be formed from the first layer or from a metal layer, is formed adjacent to the control gate. If it is a metal from a metal layer, the first layer is used to form a dummy gate. A metal logic gate is formed in the logic region by replacing a dummy gate. |
| US09112055B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes performing pre-halo ion implantation on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first epitaxial layer over the entire upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a second epitaxial layer over the entire surface of the first epitaxial layer, and forming a transistor at an active region of the second epitaxial layer. The first epitaxial layer prevents the ions implanted in the semiconductor substrate in the pre-halo implantation process from diffused into the second epitaxial layer under the effects of a process used to form the transistor. |
| US09112047B2 |
Split gate non-volatile memory (NVM) cell and method therefor
A split gate memory structure includes a pillar of active region having a first source/drain region disposed at a first end of the pillar, a second source/drain region disposed at a second end of the pillar, opposite the first end, and a channel region between the first and second source/drain regions. The pillar has a major surface extending between first and the second ends which exposes the first source/drain region, the channel region, and the second source/drain region. A select gate is adjacent the first source/drain region and a first portion of the channel region, wherein the select gate encircles the major surface the pillar. A charge storage layer is adjacent the second source/drain region and a second portion of the channel region, wherein the charge storage layer encircles the major surface the pillar. A control gate is adjacent the charge storage layer, wherein the control gate encircles the pillar. |
| US09112046B2 |
Memory cells and methods of storing information
Memory cells which have channel-supporting material, dielectric material over the channel-supporting material, carrier-trapping material over the dielectric material and an electrically conductive electrode material over and directly against the carrier-trapping material. The carrier-trapping material includes gallium, indium, zinc and oxygen. Methods of storing utilizing a memory cell which has a channel-supporting material, a dielectric material over the channel-supporting material, a carrier-trapping material over the dielectric material, and an electrically conductive electrode material over and directly against the carrier-trapping material. The carrier-trapping material includes gallium, indium, zinc and oxygen. It is determined if carriers are trapped in the carrier-trapping material to thereby ascertain a memory state of the memory cell. |
| US09112043B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device includes a first wiring functioning as a gate electrode formed over a substrate, a gate insulating film formed over the first wiring, a second wiring and an electrode layer provided over the gate insulating film, and a high-resistance oxide semiconductor layer formed between the second wiring and the electrode layer are included. In the structure, the second wiring is formed using a stack of a low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer and a conductive layer over the low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer, and the electrode layer is formed using a stack of the low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer and the conductive layer which is stacked so that a region functioning as a pixel electrode of the low-resistance oxide semiconductor layer is exposed. |
| US09112042B2 |
Thin film transistor
A thin film transistor suitable for being disposed on a substrate is provided. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, an organic gate dielectric layer, a metal oxide semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode. The gate electrode is disposed on the substrate. The organic gate dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate to cover the gate electrode. The source electrode, the drain electrode and the metal oxide semiconductor layer are disposed above the organic gate dielectric layer, and the metal oxide semiconductor layer contacts with the source electrode and the drain electrode. Because the channel layer of the thin film transistor is a layer of metal oxide semiconductor formed at a lower temperature, thus the thin film transistor can be widely applied into various display applications such as flexible display devices. |
| US09112040B2 |
Amorphous oxide thin film transistor, method for manufacturing the same, and display panel
Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide an amorphous oxide thin film transistor (TFT), a method for preparing an amorphous oxide TFT, and a display panel. The amorphous oxide thin film transistor includes: a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor active layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode. The semiconductor active layer comprises a channel layer and an ohmic contact layer, and the channel layer has a greater content of oxygen than the ohmic contact layer; the channel layer contacts the gate insulating layer, and the ohmic contact layer comprises two separated ohmic contact regions, one of which contacts the source electrode and the other of which contacts the drain electrode. |
| US09112039B2 |
Field-effect transistor, display element, image display device, and system
A field-effect transistor, which contains: a gate electrode configured to apply gate voltage; a source electrode and a drain electrode, which are configured to extract electric current; an active layer formed of a n-type oxide semiconductor, provided in contact with the source electrode and the drain electrode; and a gate insulating layer provided between the gate electrode and the active layer, wherein the n-type oxide semiconductor is a triclinic crystal compound, a monoclinic crystal compound, or a trigonal crystal compound, each of which is substitutionally doped with at least one dopant selected from the group consisting of a divalent cation, a trivalent cation, a tetravalent cation, a pentavalent cation, and a hexavalent cation, and wherein a valence of the dopant is greater than a valence of a metal ion constituting the n-type oxide semiconductor, excluding the dopant. |
| US09112035B2 |
Semiconductor substrate, field-effect transistor, integrated circuit, and method for fabricating semiconductor substrate
A semiconductor substrate includes a substrate, an insulating layer, and a semiconductor layer. The insulating layer is over and in contact with the substrate. The insulating layer includes at least one of an amorphous metal oxide and an amorphous metal nitride. The semiconductor layer is over and in contact with the insulating layer. The semiconductor layer is formed by crystal growth. |
| US09112032B1 |
Methods of forming replacement gate structures on semiconductor devices
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a fin protection layer around a fin, forming a sacrificial gate electrode above a section of the fin protection layer, forming at least one sidewall spacer adjacent the sacrificial gate electrode, removing the sacrificial gate electrode to define a gate cavity that exposes a portion of the fin protection layer, oxidizing at least the exposed portion of the fin protection layer to thereby form an oxidized portion of the fin protection layer, and removing the oxidized portion of the fin protection layer so as to thereby expose a surface of the fin within the gate cavity. |
| US09112026B2 |
Semiconductor devices and method of making the same
In one embodiment, the semiconductor devices relate to using one or more super junction trenches for termination. |
| US09112022B2 |
Super junction structure having a thickness of first and second semiconductor regions which gradually changes from a transistor area into a termination area
A super junction semiconductor device includes a super junction structure including first and second areas alternately arranged along a first lateral direction and extending in parallel along a second lateral direction. Each one of the first areas includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type. Each one of the second areas includes, along the first lateral direction, an inner area between opposite second semiconductor regions of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. A width w1 of the first of the first semiconductor region in a transistor cell area is greater than in an edge termination area, and a width w2 of each one of the second semiconductor regions in the transistor cell area is greater than in the edge termination area. |
| US09112018B2 |
Insulating substrate, method of manufacturing the same, and semiconductor device
An insulating substrate includes: a transparent insulating layer; a first metal layer that is provided on a first face of the transparent insulating layer; and a second metal layer that is provided on a second face of the transparent insulating layer that is opposite from the first face. The first face of the transparent insulating layer is formed with an exposed section that is an area not provided with the first metal layer. The second metal layer includes an area that is overlapped with the exposed section when seen in an orthogonal direction to the first face. |
| US09112015B2 |
Semiconductor devices
In a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same, the semiconductor device includes a gate structure crossing an active region of a silicon substrate. Spacers are provided on both sides of the gate structure, respectively. Silicon patterns fill up recessed portions of the silicon substrate and on both sides of the spacers and has a shape protruding higher than a bottom surface of the gate structure, a lower edge of the protruded portion partially makes contact with a top surface of the isolation region, a first side and a second side of each of the silicon patterns, which are opposite to each other in a channel width direction in the gate structure, are inclined toward an inside of the active region. A highly doped impurity region is provided in the silicon patterns and doped with an N type impurity. The semiconductor device represents superior threshold voltage characteristics. |
| US09112008B2 |
MEMS device and method of forming the same
A MEMS device and a forming method thereof are provided. The MEMS device includes a semiconductor substrate with a well region formed therein. A source region, a drain region and a channel region are formed in the well region. The source region and the drain region are covered by an isolating layer, and the channel region is covered by a gate dielectric layer. The device further includes a gate electrode layer which is disposed above the gate dielectric layer, with a gap disposed therebetween. The width of the gap corresponds to the width of the channel region. The MEMS can work well at high voltages with less leakage current. |
| US09112007B2 |
Through via structure and method
An apparatus comprises a through via formed in a substrate. The through via is coupled between a first side and a second side of the substrate. The through via comprises a bottom portion adjacent to the second side of the substrate, wherein the bottom portion is formed of a conductive material. The through via further comprises sidewall portions formed of the conductive material and a middle portion formed between the sidewall portions, wherein the middle portion is formed of a dielectric material. |
| US09111996B2 |
Semiconductor-on-insulator structure and method of fabricating the same
Methods for forming a layer of semiconductor material are provided. A substrate is provided. An amorphous layer is formed over the substrate, where the amorphous layer includes a semiconductor or a semiconductor alloy. A seed wafer is bonded to the amorphous layer, where the seed wafer includes a crystalline semiconductor structure. A solid-phase epitaxial (SPE) growth process is performed to crystallize the amorphous layer, where the SPE growth process uses the crystalline semiconductor structure of the seed wafer as a crystal template. The seed wafer is debonded from the structure. |
| US09111994B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate in which a multi-depth trench is formed, the multi-depth trench including a shallow trench and a deep trench arranged below the shallow trench, a first dielectric material formed in partial area of the multi-depth trench, the first dielectric material including a slope in the shallow trench that extends upward from a corner where a bottom plane of the shallow trench and a sidewall of the deep trench meets, the slope being inclined with respect to the bottom plane of the shallow trench, and a second dielectric material formed in areas of the multi-depth trench in which the first dielectric material is absent. |
| US09111992B2 |
Semiconductor device including an n-well structure
A device comprising a p-type base region, and a p-type region formed over the p-type base region and in contact with the p-type base region is disclosed. The device also includes an n-well region surrounded by the p-type region, wherein the n-well is formed from an n-type epitaxial layer and the p-type region is formed by counter-doping the same n-type epitaxial layer. |
| US09111991B2 |
Method of thin silicon deposition for enhancement of on current and surface characteristics of semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. A fin portion protruding from a substrate is formed. A sacrificial layer is formed to cover top and side surfaces of the fin portion. A gate dielectric is formed on the fin portion by oxidizing the sacrificial layer. |
| US09111986B2 |
Self-aligned emitter-base-collector bipolar junction transistors with a single crystal raised extrinsic base
Fabrication methods, device structures, and design structures for a bipolar junction transistor. An intrinsic base layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate, an etch stop layer is formed on the intrinsic base layer, and an extrinsic base layer is formed on the etch stop layer. A trench is formed that penetrates through the extrinsic base layer to the etch stop layer. The trench is formed by etching the extrinsic base layer selective to the etch stop layer. The first trench is extended through the etch stop layer to the intrinsic base layer by etching the etch stop layer selective to the intrinsic base layer. After the trench is extended through the etch stop layer, an emitter is formed using the trench. |
| US09111983B1 |
Methods for removing adhesive layers from semiconductor wafers
Various embodiments of semiconductor manufacturing methods include releasing a transparent carrier from a semiconductor wafer assembly that includes a semiconductor wafer in which a plurality of semiconductor devices are formed, an adhesive layer coupled to the semiconductor wafer, a carrier release layer coupled to the adhesive layer, and the transparent carrier coupled to the carrier release layer. The method further includes controlling a laser system to emit a first beam characterized by first laser parameters toward the adhesive layer, where the first laser parameters are selected so that the first beam will compromise a physical integrity of the adhesive layer. The method further includes, after controlling the laser system to emit the first beam toward the adhesive layer, removing the adhesive layer from the semiconductor wafer. |
| US09111981B2 |
Method for reversibly mounting a device wafer to a carrier substrate
New temporary bonding methods and articles formed from those methods are provided. The methods comprise bonding a device wafer to a carrier wafer or substrate only at their outer perimeters in order to assist in protecting the device wafer and its device sites during subsequent processing and handling. The edge bonds formed by this method are chemically and thermally resistant, but can also be softened, dissolved, or mechanically disrupted to allow the wafers to be easily separated with very low forces and at or near room temperature at the appropriate stage in the fabrication process. |
| US09111971B2 |
System and method for temperature control of a semiconductor wafer
A semiconductor wafer is received at a first chamber that is at a first pressure level. The semiconductor wafer is at a first temperature and is heated, by a first heating module, to a second temperature while the pressure level of the first chamber is reduced from the first pressure level to a second pressure level. The semiconductor wafer is then provided to a supporting element of a second chamber which maintains a third pressure level that is closer to the second pressure level than to the first pressure level; the supporting element being at a third temperature that is closer to the second temperature than to the first temperature. |
| US09111966B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
A substrate processing apparatus comprising: a substrate holder which holds a substrate having a pattern formed in a surface of the substrate in a predetermined positional relationship with a reference indicator of the substrate; and a cleaner which abuts an adhesive member on the surface of the substrate which is held by the substrate holder and peels off the adhesive member along the surface of the substrate in a peeling direction which is not at right angle to a direction of the pattern, thereby cleaning the surface of the substrate. |
| US09111962B1 |
Selective dielectric spacer deposition for exposing sidewalls of a finFET
Angled directional ion beams are directed to sidewalls of a gate structure that straddles at least one semiconductor fin. The directions of the angled directional ion beams are contained within a vertical plane that is parallel to the sidewalls of the at least one semiconductor. A pair of gate spacers are formed on sidewalls of the gate structure by accumulation of the deposited dielectric material from the angled directional ion beams and without use of an anisotropic etch, while the sidewalls of the semiconductor fins parallel to the directional ion beams remain physically exposed. A selective epitaxy process can be performed to form raised active regions by growing a semiconductor material from the sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. |
| US09111954B2 |
Power conversion module
A power conversion module includes a circuit carrier board, a semiconductor module and an inductor module. The circuit carrier board has plural bonding pads. The semiconductor module is disposed on a first surface of the circuit carrier board. The inductor module has plural pins. The pins are extended from the inductor module along a first direction and connected with corresponding bonding pads on the circuit carrier board, so that a receptacle is defined between the inductor module and the circuit carrier board for accommodating the semiconductor module. |
| US09111953B2 |
Integrated circuit devices with capacitor and methods of manufacturing the same
An integrated circuit device with capacitors and methods of forming the integrated circuit device are provided. The methods may include forming a first lower capacitor electrode pattern on an inner surface of a hole in a mold layer. The first lower capacitor electrode pattern may have a hollow cylindrical shape and an opening in an upper surface. The method may further include forming a second lower capacitor electrode pattern plugging the opening and an upper surface of the second lower capacitor electrode pattern may be planar. The first and the second lower capacitor electrode patterns may comprise a lower capacitor electrode including a void. Additionally, the method may include removing the mold layer to expose the lower capacitor electrode, forming a dielectric layer on the lower capacitor electrode, and forming an upper capacitor electrode layer on the dielectric layer. |
| US09111947B2 |
Chip arrangement with a recessed chip housing region and a method for manufacturing the same
A chip arrangement may include: a semiconductor chip; an encapsulating structure at least partially encapsulating the semiconductor chip, the encapsulating structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the encapsulating structure including a recess over the first side of the encapsulating structure, the recess having a bottom surface located at a first level; and at least one electrical connector disposed at the first side of the encapsulating structure outside the recess, wherein a surface of the at least one electrical connector facing the encapsulating structure may be disposed at a second level different from the first level. |
| US09111939B2 |
Metallization of fluorocarbon-based dielectric for interconnects
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards metallization of a fluorocarbon-based dielectric material for interconnect applications. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, a device layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, the device layer including one or more transistor devices, and an interconnect layer disposed on the device layer, the interconnect layer comprising a fluorocarbon-based dielectric material, where x represents a stoichiometric quantity of fluorine relative to carbon in the dielectric material, and one or more interconnect structures configured to route electrical signals to or from the one or more transistor devices, the one or more interconnect structures comprising cobalt (Co), or ruthenium (Ru), or combinations thereof. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09111934B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes an electric fuse and first and second large area wirings for applying a voltage to the electric fuse. The electric fuse includes a fuse unit which includes an upper-layer fuse wiring, a lower-layer fuse wiring, and a via connecting the upper-layer fuse wiring and the lower-layer fuse wiring, an upper-layer lead-out wiring which connects the upper-layer fuse wiring and the first large area wiring and has a bent pattern, and a lower-layer lead-out wiring which connects the lower-layer fuse wiring and the second large area wiring and has a bent pattern. |
| US09111933B2 |
Stacked through-silicon via (TSV) transformer structure
A distributed active transformer is provided comprising a primary and a secondary winding. The primary winding comprises a first set of conductive vias extending in a direction between a first surface and a second surface of an element, a first set of first electrically conductive lines extending along the first surface, and a first set of second electrically conductive lines extending along the second surface. The secondary winding comprises a second set of conductive vias extending in a direction between the first surface and the second surface, a second set of first electrically conductive lines extending along the first surface, and a second set of second electrically conductive lines extending along the second surface. When energized, the primary winding generates magnetic flux extending in a direction parallel to the first surface and the second surface. The secondary winding receives energy transferred by the magnetic flux generated by the primary winding. |
| US09111931B2 |
Method of forming an interconnect structure with high process margins
A method of forming an interconnect structure with high process margin. The present invention provides higher aligning margin for the connection of via parts and line parts. The method for forming the interconnect structure includes the steps of: forming a first mask layer with a plurality of first openings over the first insulating layer; forming a second insulating layer over the mask layer; forming a second mask layer with a plurality of second openings over the second insulating layer; performing an etching process by using the second mask layer to form a plurality of cavities penetrating through the second insulating layer, the first mask layer, and the first insulating layer; and filling the plurality of cavities with at least one conductive material. |
| US09111927B2 |
Space and cost efficient incorporation of specialized input-output pins on integrated circuit substrates
In some embodiments an Integrated Circuit package includes a plurality of system functional pins, at least one system functional pin depopulation zone, and at least one non-system functional pin located in the at least one functional pin depopulation zone. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09111923B2 |
Wiring substrate having conductive bumps with resin sealing between bumps and method of making
A wiring substrate may include: a base having a predetermined thickness; a plurality of electrode portions formed to protrude on one surface in a thickness direction of the base; a wiring provided in the base and electrically connected to the electrode portions; and a resin layer formed on the base to fill between the plurality of electrode portions. An upper surface of the resin layer may be formed in a concave shape lower than a maximum height of the electrode portion, and an upper surface of the electrode portion and the upper surface of the resin layer form a continuous curved surface. |
| US09111922B2 |
Semiconductor device with step portion having shear surfaces
A semiconductor device includes a source electrode pad formed to a front surface of a semiconductor chip and a metal clip (metal plate) to which a lead is electrically connected. The metal clip includes a chip-connecting portion electrically connected to the source electrode pad via a conductive bonding material, a lead-connecting portion electrically connected to the lead via a conductive bonding material, and an intermediate portion positioned between the chip-connecting portion and the lead-connecting portion. Further, between the intermediate portion and the chip-connecting portion, a step portion, which has shear surfaces disposed to face each other, is provided interposing a joining portion. |
| US09111916B2 |
In situ-built pin-grid arrays for coreless substrates, and methods of making same
A coreless pin-grid array (PGA) substrate includes PGA pins that are integral to the PGA substrate without the use of solder. A process of making the coreless PGA substrate integrates the PGA pins by forming a build-up layer upon the PGA pins such that vias make direct contact to pin heads of the PGA pins. |
| US09111915B1 |
Thermal conduction cooling
An assembly including a substrate that includes a plurality of conductive plane layers including a first group and a second group of common conductive plane layers, where electrically isolated first and second attach pads are on an edge surface of the substrate and at least thermally coupled to the first and second groups of common conductive plane layers, respectively. A surface mount technology (SMT) component, such as a thermal jumper, mounted on the first and second attach pads such that the SMT component is at least thermally coupled to the first and second groups of common conductive plane layers via the first and second attach pads, respectively. Methods of forming such an assembly also are disclosed. |
| US09111909B2 |
Method of forming a CMOS structure having gate insulation films of different thicknesses
The semiconductor integrated circuit device employs on the same silicon substrate a plurality of kinds of MOS transistors with different magnitudes of tunnel current flowing either between the source and gate or between the drain and gate thereof. These MOS transistors include tunnel-current increased MOS transistors at least one of which is for use in constituting a main circuit of the device. The plurality of kinds of MOS transistors also include tunnel-current reduced or depleted MOS transistors at least one of which is for use with a control circuit. This control circuit is inserted between the main circuit and at least one of the two power supply units. |
| US09111903B2 |
Heat dissipation device with fastener
A heat dissipation device includes a conductive plate and a fastener. The fastener includes a fastening element and an elastic element coiled around the fastening element. The fastening element includes a pole portion and a head portion formed at one end of the pole portion. The conductive plate defines a supporting portion through the conductive plate. The supporting portion defines a hole, an upper groove and a lower groove communicating with one another. The upper groove and the lower groove are coaxial with each other. A flange protrudes from a circumference of the pole portion. The pole portion enters the upper groove. The flange abuts a bottom of the conductive plate and is received in the lower groove. The elastic element elastically abuts the top of the conductive plate. |
| US09111902B2 |
Dielectric trenches, nickel/tantalum oxide structures, and chemical mechanical polishing techniques
A portion of a conductive layer (310, 910) provides a capacitor electrode (310.0, 910.0). Dielectric trenches (410, 414, 510) are formed in the conductive layer to insulate the capacitor electrode from those portions of the conductive layer which are used for conductive paths passing through the electrode but insulated from the electrode. Capacitor dielectric (320) can be formed by anodizing tantalum while a nickel layer (314) protects an underlying copper (310) from the anodizing solution. This protection allows the tantalum layer to be made thin to obtain large capacitance. Chemical mechanical polishing of a layer (610) is made faster, and hence possibly less expensive, by first patterning the layer photolithographically to form, and/or increase in height, upward protrusions of this layer. |
| US09111894B2 |
MOFSET mismatch characterization circuit
A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of transistor mismatch circuits formed on a semiconductor wafer; and a characterization circuit formed on the semiconductor wafer. The characterization circuit is coupled to receive input provided by the absolute value circuits simultaneously which themselves receive inputs from the mismatch circuits simultaneously and is configured to output a standard deviation of mismatch between transistors in the mismatch circuits. |
| US09111893B2 |
Display device
A display device including pixels, in which each of the pixels includes: a positive power supply line and a negative power supply line; a drive transistor that drives a current in a current path according to a gate-source voltage; an organic EL element including an anode and a cathode that are disposed in the current path; an electrostatic storage capacitor that stores the gate-source voltage by having a first electrode connected to a gate of the drive transistor, and a second electrode connected to a source of the drive transistor; a switch transistor that switches a conduction state between the second electrode and a data line; and a switch transistor for applying a negative power supply line voltage to the first electrode. A potential difference between a first power supply line voltage VDDp and a second power line voltage VEEp decreases with proximity to the center of a display unit. |
| US09111892B2 |
Organic electroluminescence display panel and method of manufacturing same
A organic EL display panel includes an inter-layer insulation film, a pixel electrode, auxiliary wiring, a partition layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and a common electrode. The inter-layer insulation film has at least one paired concave portion and non-concave portion disposed in a region over the auxiliary wiring, a top face of the concave portion being concave with respect to a top face of the non-concave portion, and the auxiliary wiring includes a part over the concave portion and a part over the non-concave portion, a top face of the part over the concave portion being concave with respect to a top face of the part over the non-concave portion. |
| US09111891B2 |
EL display apparatus and manufacturing method thereof
EL display device with long lifetime for electrons being injected into a light-emission layer at a high rate, and method of manufacturing the EL display device are provided. The EL display device includes: base; pixel electrode on the base; auxiliary wiring on the base, the auxiliary wiring not overlapping with the pixel electrode; light-emission layer above the pixel electrode; charge transport layer above the auxiliary wiring and the pixel electrode, the charge transport layer continuously extending over the auxiliary wiring and the pixel electrode; and common electrode on the charge transport layer, the common electrode continuously extending over the auxiliary wiring and connected with the auxiliary wiring. The common electrode includes at least one metal selected from a group consisting of alkali metals and alkaline-earth metals. |
| US09111890B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device including: a first emission area including a first organic light emitting diode; a second emission area arranged adjacent to the first emission area and not overlapping with the first emission area, the second emission area including a second organic light emitting diode; a pixel circuit unit electrically connected to the first organic light emitting diode and the second organic light emitting diode; and a transmissive area adjacent to the first and second emission areas and not overlapping with the first and second emission areas, the transmissive area configured to transmit external light therethrough. |
| US09111882B1 |
Organic light emitting device and fabricating method thereof
A fabricating method of an organic light emitting device is provided. First to fourth lower pixel electrodes are respectively formed in first to fourth pixel regions of a substrate. By ink-jet printing processes, an interlayer is formed on the first to fourth lower pixel electrodes, and first to third color patterns are respectively formed on the interlayer in the first to third pixel regions. A fourth color layer is formed to cover the first to third color patterns and the interlayer in the fourth pixel region. Colors of the first to third color patterns and the fourth color layer are different. An upper pixel electrode is formed on the fourth color layer. A color filter arranging over the upper pixel electrode filters out a first color light, a second color light, light of third and fourth colors, and the fourth color light corresponding to the first to fourth pixel regions. |
| US09111880B2 |
Method of forming a pattern in a semiconductor device and method of forming a gate using the same
A method of forming a pattern in a semiconductor device is described. A substrate divided into cell and peripheral regions is provided, and an object layer is formed on a substrate. A buffer pattern is formed on the object layer in the cell region along a first direction. A spacer is formed along a sidewall of the buffer pattern in the cell region, and a hard mask layer remains on the object layer in the peripheral region. The buffer layer is removed, and the spacer is separated along a second direction different from the first direction, thereby forming a cell hard mask pattern. A peripheral hard mask pattern is formed in the peripheral region. A minute pattern is formed using the cell and peripheral hard mask patterns in the substrate. Therefore, a line width variation or an edge line roughness due to the photolithography process is minimized. |
| US09111878B2 |
Method for forming a semiconductor device assembly having a heat spreader
A method includes providing an integrated circuit (IC) die assembly that includes a substrate and an IC die mounted on a portion of a major surface of the substrate, dispensing an interface material on the IC die, positioning a portion of a heat spreader in contact with the interface material, and dispensing an adhesive between one side of the heat spreader facing the IC die assembly and exposed portions of a major surface of an encapsulant on the substrate. |
| US09111876B2 |
Methods for atomic layer etching
Provided are methods of etching a substrate using atomic layer deposition apparatus. Atomic layer deposition apparatus including a gas distribution plate with a thermal element are discussed. The thermal element is capable of locally changing the temperature of a portion of the surface of the substrate to vaporize an etch layer deposited on the substrate. |
| US09111875B2 |
Pattern formation method
According to one embodiment, a pattern formation method includes forming a layer above an underlying layer. The layer includes a block copolymer. The method further includes forming a first phase including a first polymer and a second phase including a second polymer in the layer by phase-separating the block copolymer, and selectively removing the first phase by dry etching the layer using an etching gas including carbon monoxide. |
| US09111874B2 |
Semiconductor structures and fabrication method thereof
A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a to-be-etched layer; and forming a hard mask layer on the to-be-etched layer. The method also includes forming a photoresist layer on the hard mask layer; and forming a patterned photoresist layer having openings exposing the hard mask layer by exposing and developing the photoresist layer. Further, the method includes forming sidewall spacers on side surfaces of the openings; and forming a patterned hard mask layer by etching the hard mask layer using the patterned photoresist layer and the sidewall spacers as an etching mask such that patterns in the hard mask layer have a substantially right angle at edge. Further, the method also includes forming to-be-etched patterns by etching the to-be-etched layer based on the patterned hard mask layer. |
| US09111873B2 |
Low profile magnetic filter
A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber having a plasma processing space therein and a substrate support in the processing chamber at a first end for supporting a substrate. A plasma source is coupled into the processing space and configured to form a plasma at a second end of the processing chamber opposite said first end. The apparatus further includes a magnetic grid having an intensity of a magnetic flux therein, a plurality of passageways penetrating from a first side to a second side, a thickness, a transparency, a passageway aspect ratio, and a position within the processing chamber between the second end and the substrate. The intensity, the thickness, the transparency, the passageway aspect ratio, and the position are configured to cause electrons having energies above an acceptable maximum level to divert from the direction. A method of obtaining low average electron energy flux onto the substrate is also provided. |
| US09111871B2 |
Semiconductor structure and method for forming the same
Various embodiments provide semiconductor structures and methods for forming the same. In an exemplary method, a substrate can be provided. The substrate can have a plurality of isolation structures. A top surface of the plurality of isolation structures can be higher than a surface of the substrate. A device layer can be formed on the substrate and on the plurality of isolation structures. The device layer can be polished using a polishing process, such that the top surface of the plurality of isolation structures are exposed, with residue remaining on the device layer and on the plurality of isolation structures. The residue can be removed from the device layer and from the plurality of isolation structures using a non-polishing-removal process, such that the top surface of the plurality of isolation structures and a top surface of the device layer are substantially leveled and smooth. |
| US09111868B2 |
Semiconductor device with selectively etched surface passivation
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate configured to include a channel, first and second ohmic contacts supported by the semiconductor substrate, in ohmic contact with the semiconductor substrate, and spaced from one another for current flow between the first and second ohmic contacts through the channel, and first and second dielectric layers supported by the semiconductor substrate. At least one of the first and second ohmic contacts extends through respective openings in the first and second dielectric layers. The second dielectric layer is disposed between the first dielectric layer and a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the second dielectric layer includes a wet etchable material having an etch selectivity to a dry etchant of the first dielectric layer. |
| US09111862B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor apparatus and a manufacturing method therefor is described. The semiconductor apparatus comprises a substrate and a gate structure for a N-channel semiconductor device above the substrate. A recess is formed at a lower end portion of at least one of two sides of the gate where it is adjacent to a source region and a drain region, of the N-channel semiconductor. The channel region of the N-channel semiconductor device has enhanced strain. The apparatus can further have a gate structure for a P-channel semiconductor device above the substrate. |
| US09111860B2 |
Ion implantation system and method
An ion implantation system and method, providing cooling of dopant gas in the dopant gas feed line, to combat heating and decomposition of the dopant gas by arc chamber heat generation, e.g., using boron source materials such as B2F4 or other alternatives to BF3. Various arc chamber thermal management arrangements are described, as well as modification of plasma properties, specific flow arrangements, cleaning processes, power management, eqillibrium shifting, optimization of extraction optics, detection of deposits in flow passages, and source life optimization, to achieve efficient operation of the ion implantation system. |
| US09111859B2 |
Non-volatile memory device
According to an embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes a first interconnection extending in a first direction, a plurality of second interconnections provided side by side on the first interconnection and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and a memory layer provided on a side surface of each second interconnection. The device also includes a control element provided between each of the second interconnections and the first interconnection, an element part extending in the second direction, and a control electrode facing a side surface of the element part via a first insulating film. An adjustment part is provided on the first interconnection and adjacent to a control element connected to a second interconnection disposed at an end position of the second interconnections arranged in the first direction, and a first outer electrode provided between the adjustment part and the control element disposed at the end position. |
| US09111858B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing the same
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a cell array layer including a first wire, one or more memory cells stacked on the first wire, and a second wire formed on the memory cell so as to cross the first wire, wherein the memory cell includes a current rectifying element and a variable resistance element, and an atomic composition ratio of nitrogen is higher than that of oxygen in a part of a sidewall of the current rectifying element. |
| US09111846B1 |
Assembly structure for connecting multiple dies into a system-in-package chip and the method thereof
The present invention discloses an efficient way to connect multiple integrated circuit dies using redistribution layers (RDL) for making wire connections. Antenna diodes are used to create ground paths so as to remove non-sticking pads on the RDL to ensure the integrity of the wire connections before packaging the multiple integrated circuit dies into a system-in-package (SIP) chip, thereby eliminating unnecessary yield loss in a functional test caused by the non-sticking pads. In another aspect, electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection can be provided through the antenna diodes across two different power domains by disposing a diode in one integrated circuit die for ESD protection of a terminal in another integrated circuit die. |
| US09111843B2 |
LED display apparatus having active devices and fabrication method thereof
An active matrix LED display apparatus and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The active matrix LED display apparatus enables to miniaturize pixel by a formation of wiring on bottom layer and an assembly of each block through each eutectic layer into each transistor block receptor and/or each LED block receptor formed according to each color element unit, and to be embodied with high luminance, low power consumption, high reliability and superior optical property by assembling a transistor block having high electron mobility. And the fabricating method of the present invention enables to make efficiently an AM-LED display apparatus at room temperature in a short time by using different shapes of receptor and block depending on the function of a transistor and/or on the color of an LED. |
| US09111842B2 |
Display device
A display device having a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode whose areas are different from each other is provided. In the display device, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are electrically connected to a first transistor and a second transistor, respectively. Gates of the first transistor and the second transistor are electrically connected to each other. A potential is supplied to the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode through a wiring electrically connected to the first transistor and the second transistor. |
| US09111837B2 |
Image sensor
The present invention relates to an image sensor capable of obtaining a good-quality image with a simple configuration.A pixel accumulates a charge by performing photoelectric conversion on incident light, and outputs a pixel signal corresponding to the charge. A vertical scanning circuit controls the pixel to cause the pixel to perform a shutter process of discharging an unnecessary charge accumulated in the pixel, a charge accumulation process of accumulating a charge generated through photoelectric conversion in a predetermined exposure time in the pixel, and a read process of outputting a pixel signal corresponding to the charge accumulated in the pixel in the charge accumulation process. Also, the control means causes the charge generated through photoelectric conversion in the pixel to be discharged in a non-accumulation period, which is a period other than a period when the shutter process is being performed, a period when the charge accumulation process is being performed, and a period when the read process is being performed. The present invention can be applied to a CMOS sensor, for example. |
| US09111834B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel region in which shared pixels which share pixel transistors in a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions are two-dimensionally arranged. The shared pixel transistors are divisionally arranged in a column direction of the shared pixels, the pixel transistors shared between neighboring shared pixels are arranged so as to be horizontally reversed or/and vertically crossed, and connection wirings connected to a floating diffusion portion, a source of a reset transistor and a gate of an amplification transistor in the shared pixels are arranged along the column direction. |
| US09111833B2 |
Method of manufacturing solid-state imaging device and solid-state imaging device
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a solid-state imaging device includes a trench forming process, a concave portion forming process, a coating process, and a burying process. In the trench forming process, a trench is formed at the position to isolate a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. In the concave portion forming process, a concave portion is formed at the position to form a light shielding film of shielding at least part of subject light incident on an adjustment photoelectric conversion element used for an image quality adjustment of an imaged image. In the coating process, inner circumferential surfaces of the trench and the concave portion are coated with an insulating film. In the burying process, a light shielding member is buried inside the trench and the concave portion whose inner circumferential surface are coated with the insulating film. |
| US09111828B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method for manufacturing solid-state imaging device, and electronic apparatus
The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device having good focusing properties, a method for manufacturing such a solid-state imaging device, and an electronic apparatus. The solid-state imaging device has a semiconductor substrate 11 and a photoelectric conversion part formed in the semiconductor substrate 11. In the solid-state imaging device, a laminate including an organic material layer and an inorganic material layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate with at least one stress relaxation layer 22 interposed between the organic and inorganic material layers. This technology is applicable to, for example, solid-state imaging devices having pixels and microlenses placed thereon. |
| US09111827B2 |
Manufacturing method of solid-state imaging apparatus, solid-state imaging apparatus, and electronic imaging apparatus
A manufacturing method of a solid-state imaging apparatus includes the steps of: preparing a solid-state imaging device having a light receiving region at a main surface thereof; preparing a light transmitting member having an extending portion extending from the solid-state imaging device; preparing a holding member having a space for holding the solid-state imaging device therein, and having a positioning portion for positioning the solid-state imaging device; fixing the light transmitting member to the main surface of the solid-state imaging device in parallel to each other to keep a constant interval therebetween; bringing a side of the solid-state imaging device to meet the positioning portion of the holding member; and fixing the extending portion of the light transmitting member to the holding member. |
| US09111826B2 |
Image pickup device, image pickup module, and camera
An image pickup device includes a transparent member, an image pickup element chip including a photodiode, and a fixing member arranged around the image pickup element chip, a space being surrounded by the transparent member, the image pickup element chip, and the fixing member. The image pickup element chip includes a semiconductor substrate including a penetrating electrode penetrating through a first main face of the semiconductor substrate on a side of the transparent member and a second main face of the semiconductor substrate opposite the first main face. In an orthogonal projection with respect to the transparent member, the penetrating electrode is arranged in a fixing area corresponding to the fixing member, and a boundary with an area where the thickness of the semiconductor substrate is smaller than that of the semiconductor substrate in a first area corresponding to the space is arranged within the fixing area. |
| US09111820B2 |
Embedded package and method for manufacturing the same
An embedded package includes a semiconductor chip divided into a cell region and a peripheral region, having a first surface and a second surface which faces away from the first surface, and including an integrated circuit which is formed in the cell region on the first surface, a bonding pad which is formed in the peripheral region on the first surface and a bump which is formed over the bonding pad; a core layer attached to the second surface of the to semiconductor chip; an insulation component formed over the core layer including the semiconductor chip and having an opening which exposes the bump; and a circuit wiring line formed over the insulation component and the bump and electrically connected to the bump, wherein the insulation component formed in the cell region has a thickness larger than a height of the bump. |
| US09111818B2 |
Packaging substrate
A packaging substrate is provided, including a substrate body having a plurality of conductive pads, an insulating protective layer formed on the substrate body for the conductive pads to be exposed therefrom, and a plurality of conductive pillars disposed on the conductive pads. Each of the conductive pillars has a bottom end and a top end narrower than the bottom end, thereby forming a cone-shaped structure that does not have a wing structure. Therefore, the distance between contact points is reduced and the demands for fine-pitch and multi-joints are satisfied. |
| US09111815B2 |
Pixel structure, LCD panel, and manufacturing method thereof
An embodiment of the disclosed technology provides a pixel structure, comprising a TFT, a reflective region and a transmissive region, wherein the reflective region comprises a reflective region insulation layer, a reflection layer on the reflective region insulation layer and a reflective region pixel electrode on the reflection layer, and the transmissive region comprises a transmissive region pixel electrode, wherein the reflective region pixel electrode and the transmissive region pixel electrode form an integral structure, and the integral structure of the pixel electrodes is connected with the drain electrode of the TFT, wherein the organic layer in the reflective region is formed on an array substrate prior to a gate electrode of the TFT, and the reflection layer in the reflective region and the gate electrode of the TFT are formed in a same patterning process by using a same metal layer. |
| US09111810B2 |
Circuit board and display device including first and second channel layers made of different semiconductor materials
A circuit board (1) includes a plurality of transistor elements on an insulating substrate (2). At least one of the plurality of transistor elements is an oxide TFT (10) including, as a channel layer (11), an oxide semiconductor. At least one of the plurality of transistor elements is an a-SiTFT (20) (i) being different from the oxide TFT (10) in functions as circuit components and (ii) including, as a channel layer (21), an amorphous silicon semiconductor. The oxide TFT (10) is a top gate transistor, and the a-SiTFT (20) is a bottom gate transistor. This provides: a configuration that can (a) enhance the performance of the circuit board equipped with the TFTs differing in their respective functions as circuit components and (b) reduce the area necessary for mounting the TFTs; and a method for producing the circuit board. |
| US09111809B2 |
Circuit substrate, method for manufacturing the same, and electrooptical device
A circuit substrate includes, on an insulating substrate, a plurality of devices, a plurality of conductive layers connected in one-to-one correspondence with the devices, and an insulating layer provided between the devices and the conductive layers. The insulating layer includes a first insulating layer covering the devices, a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer, and a plurality of contact holes each passing through the first and second insulating layers in a thickness direction thereof. Side surfaces of the first and second insulating layers contact each other in at least part of the inside of each contact hole. Each conductive layer extends along an upper surface of the second insulating layer, at least a part of a side surface of the contact hole in which the side surfaces of the first and second insulating layers contact each other, and a bottom surface of the contact hole. |
| US09111806B2 |
Oxide semiconductor, thin film transistor, and display device
An object is to control composition and a defect of an oxide semiconductor, another object is to increase a field effect mobility of a thin film transistor and to obtain a sufficient on-off ratio with a reduced off current. A solution is to employ an oxide semiconductor whose composition is represented by InMO3(ZnO)m, where M is one or a plurality of elements selected from Ga, Fe, Ni, Mn, Co, and Al, and m is preferably a non-integer number of greater than 0 and less than 1. The concentration of Zn is lower than the concentrations of In and M. The oxide semiconductor has an amorphous structure. Oxide and nitride layers can be provided to prevent pollution and degradation of the oxide semiconductor. |
| US09111805B2 |
Thin film transistor panel having an etch stopper on semiconductor
A thin film transistor panel includes an insulating substrate, a gate insulating layer disposed on the insulating substrate, an oxide semiconductor layer disposed on the gate insulating layer, an etch stopper disposed on the oxide semiconductor layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed on the etch stopper. |
| US09111801B2 |
Integrated circuit devices and fabrication techniques
Integrated circuit devices and fabrication techniques. A semiconductor device fabrication method may include doping, in a same processing step, first and second portions of a substrate of an integrated circuit. The first portion corresponds to a doped region of a semiconductor device. The second portion corresponds to a via contact. The method may further include, after the doping, forming the gate of the semiconductor device. |
| US09111797B2 |
3-D nonvolatile memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A three-dimensional (3-D) nonvolatile memory device includes a support protruded from a surface of a substrate and configured to have an inclined sidewall; channel structures each configured to comprise interlayer insulating layers and channel layers which are alternately stacked over the substrate including the support, bent along the inclined sidewall of the support, wherein each of the channel structures comprises a cell region and a contact region, and the channel layers are exposed in the contact region; select lines formed over the channel structures; and a pillar type channels coupled to respective channel layers at the contact region and penetrating the select lines. |
| US09111796B2 |
Semiconductor structure and layout structure for memory devices
A layout structure for memory devices includes a plurality of first gate patterns, a plurality of first landing pad patterns, a plurality of dummy patterns, a plurality of second landing pad patterns, and a plurality of second gate patterns. The first landing pad patterns are parallel with each other and electrically connected to the first gate patterns. The dummy patterns and the first landing pad patterns are alternately arranged, and the second landing pad patterns are respectively positioned in between one first landing pad pattern and one dummy pattern. The second gate patterns are electrically connected to the second landing pad patterns. |
| US09111795B2 |
Semiconductor device with capacitor connected to memory element through oxide semiconductor film
Provided is a semiconductor device which has low power consumption and can operate at high speed. The semiconductor device includes a memory element including a first transistor including crystalline silicon in a channel formation region, a capacitor for storing data of the memory element, and a second transistor which is a switching element for controlling supply, storage, and release of charge in the capacitor. The second transistor is provided over an insulating film covering the first transistor. The first and second transistors have a source electrode or a drain electrode in common. |
| US09111788B2 |
Memory device constructions, memory cell forming methods, and semiconductor construction forming methods
Memory device constructions include a first column line extending parallel to a second column line, the first column line being above the second column line; a row line above the second column line and extending perpendicular to the first column line and the second column line; memory material disposed to be selectively and reversibly configured in one of two or more different resistive states; a first diode configured to conduct a first current between the first column line and the row line via the memory material; and a second diode configured to conduct a second current between the second column line and the row line via the memory material. In some embodiments, the first diode is a Schottky diode having a semiconductor anode and a metal cathode and the second diode is a Schottky diode having a metal anode and a semiconductor cathode. |
| US09111787B2 |
Arrangement of two substrates having an SLID bond and method for producing such an arrangement
An arrangement having a first and a second substrate is disclosed, wherein the two substrates are connected to one another by means of an SLID (Solid Liquid InterDiffusion) bond. The SLID bond exhibits a first metallic material and a second metallic material, wherein the SLID bond comprises the intermetallic Al/Sn-phase. |
| US09111781B2 |
Trench capacitors and methods of forming the same
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming an opening having a sidewall in a substrate and forming a first epitaxial layer in the opening. The first epitaxial layer is formed in a first portion of the sidewall without growing in a second portion of the sidewall. A second epitaxial layer is formed in the opening after forming the first epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer is formed in the second portion of the sidewall. The first epitaxial layer is removed after forming the second epitaxial layer. |
| US09111780B2 |
Structure and method for vertical tunneling field effect transistor with leveled source and drain
The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; a first semiconductor mesa formed on the semiconductor substrate within the first region; a second semiconductor mesa formed on the semiconductor substrate within the second region; and a field effect transistor (FET) formed on the semiconductor substrate. The FET includes a first doped feature of a first conductivity type formed in a top portion of the first semiconductor mesa; a second doped feature of a second conductivity type formed in a bottom portion of the first semiconductor mesa, the second semiconductor mesa, and a portion of the semiconductor substrate between the first and second semiconductor mesas; a channel in a middle portion of the first semiconductor mesa and interposed between the source and drain; and a gate formed on sidewall of the first semiconductor mesa. |
| US09111779B2 |
IC resistor formed with integral heatsinking structure
A resistor is formed on field oxide with a portion of the resistor body configured to overlap an active region in an integrated circuit (IC) substrate to provide heatsinking for the resistor body. In one embodiment, cooling fingers extend from the resistor body beyond the field oxide to overlap the active region. In another embodiment, minor areas of the resistor body overlap the active region. The resistor body may be formed of polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon), silicided polysilicon, or metal. An oxide having greater thermal conductance than the field oxide is formed between the overlapping parts of the resistor body and the active region. |
| US09111777B2 |
Light emitting device and light unit using the same
Provided is a light emitting device and light unit using the same. The light emitting device comprises: a body that includes a horizontal surface; an electrode at least partially disposed in the body; two or more mounting parts protruding from the horizontal surface, wherein the two or more mounting parts are separated from each other by a space, and wherein each of the at least two or more mounting parts includes a surface that is inclined relative to the horizontal surface; and two or more light emitting diodes, each mounted on the inclined surface of a corresponding one of the two or more mounting parts and electrically connected to the electrode. |
| US09111775B2 |
Silicon structure and manufacturing methods thereof and of capacitor including silicon structure
Provided is a silicon structure with a three-dimensionally complex shape. Further provided is a simple and easy method for manufacturing the silicon structure with the use of a phenomenon in which an ordered pattern is formed spontaneously to form a nano-structure. Plasma treatment under hydrogen atmosphere is performed on an amorphous silicon layer and the following processes are performed at the same time: a reaction process for growing microcrystalline silicon on a surface of the silicon layer and a reaction process for etching the amorphous silicon layer which is exposed, so that a nano-structure including an upper structure in a microcrystalline state and a lower structure in an amorphous state, over the silicon layer is formed; accordingly, a silicon structure with a three-dimensionally complex shape can be provided. |
| US09111771B2 |
Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: a first region including: a first semiconductor layer; a first semiconductor region; a second semiconductor region; a third semiconductor region having higher impurity concentration than the first semiconductor region; a first electrode; a second electrode; an insulating film; a third electrode; a fourth electrode, a second region including a pad electrode, and the third region including: the first semiconductor layer; the first semiconductor region; a third semiconductor region; the first electrode; the second electrode; and a first insulating layer. |
| US09111770B2 |
Power semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof
A power semiconductor device includes a cell region on a semiconductor substrate, at least a transistor device in the cell region, a peripheral termination region encompassing the cell region, a plurality of epitaxial islands arranged around the cell region, and a grid type epitaxial layer in the peripheral termination region. The grid type epitaxial layer separates the plurality of epitaxial islands from one another. |
| US09111767B2 |
Semiconductor device and driver circuit with source and isolation structure interconnected through a diode circuit, and method of manufacture thereof
Embodiments of semiconductor devices and driver circuits include a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type, an isolation structure (including a sinker region and a buried layer), an active device within area of the substrate contained by the isolation structure, and a diode circuit. The buried layer is positioned below the top substrate surface, and has a second conductivity type. The sinker region extends between the top substrate surface and the buried layer, and has the second conductivity type. The active device includes a source region of the first conductivity type, and the diode circuit is connected between the isolation structure and the source region. The diode circuit may include one or more Schottky diodes and/or PN junction diodes. In further embodiments, the diode circuit may include one or more resistive networks in series and/or parallel with the Schottky and/or PN diode(s). |
| US09111756B2 |
Integrated circuits with protected resistors and methods for fabricating the same
Methods and apparatus are provided for an integrated circuit with a transistor and a resistor. The method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over the transistor and the resistor, followed by an amorphous silicon layer. The amorphous silicon layer is implanted over the resistor to produce an etch mask, and the amorphous silicon layer and first dielectric layer are removed over the transistor. A contact location on the transistor is then silicided. |
| US09111753B2 |
Backside stress compensation method for making gallium nitride or other nitride-based semiconductor devices
A method includes forming a stress compensation layer over a first side of a semiconductor substrate and forming a Group III-nitride layer over a second side of the substrate. Stress created on the substrate by the Group III-nitride layer is at least partially reduced by stress created on the substrate by the stress compensation layer. Forming the stress compensation layer could include forming a stress compensation layer from amorphous or microcrystalline material. Also, the method could include crystallizing the amorphous or microcrystalline material during subsequent formation of one or more layers over the second side of the substrate. Crystallizing the amorphous or microcrystalline material could occur during subsequent formation of the Group III-nitride layer and/or during an annealing process. The amorphous or microcrystalline material could create no or a smaller amount of stress on the substrate, and the crystallized material could create a larger amount of stress on the substrate. |
| US09111746B2 |
Method for reducing damage to low-k gate spacer during etching
A method for performing a spacer etch process is described. The method includes providing a gate structure on a substrate having a low-k spacer material conformally applied over the gate structure, and performing a spacer etch process sequence to partially remove the spacer material from the gate structure and the substrate, while retaining a sidewall spacer positioned along a sidewall of the gate structure. The spacer etch process sequence may include depositing a spacer protection layer on an exposed surface of said spacer material, and performing one or more etching processes to selectively and anisotropically remove the spacer protection layer and the spacer material to leave behind the sidewall spacer on the sidewall of the gate structure, wherein, while being partly or fully consumed by the one or more etching processes, the spacer protection layer exhibits a reduced variation in composition and/or dielectric constant. |
| US09111740B2 |
Electron transfer dissociation device
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an Electron Transfer Dissociation device comprising an ion guide. A control system determines the degree of fragmentation and charge reduction of precursor ions within the ion guide and varies the speed at which ions are transmitted through the ion guide in order to optimize the fragmentation and charge reduction process. |
| US09111732B2 |
Sputtering method and apparatus
The sputtering apparatus includes a vacuum vessel, a sputter electrode placed within the vacuum vessel to hold a target material to be sputtered, a radio frequency power source for applying radio frequency waves to the electrode, a substrate holder which is spaced from the electrode and on which a substrate is held, a thin film being to be deposited on the substrate from components of the target material, and an impedance adjusting circuit for adjusting a first impedance of the substrate holder. The impedance adjusting circuit has a first end directly set at a ground potential and has an impedance circuit which is adjustable for adjusting the first impedance, a second impedance of the impedance circuit is adjusted to thereby adjust the first impedance and, hence, a potential of the substrate. |
| US09111721B2 |
Ion beam device and machining method
Provided are a device and method capable of machining a machining target such as a sample, a probe, or a sample table without requiring a high degree of device operation skill. First, a shape generation process of determining a shape of a machining target on the basis of an ion beam scanning signal and an absorption current of the machining target is performed. Next, a machining pattern positioning process of positioning a machining pattern over an image of the machining target is performed. Further, an ion beam stopping process of stopping ion beam irradiation is performed from a result of comparison between the image of the machining target and the machining pattern while the machining target is machined through the ion beam irradiation. |
| US09111717B2 |
Ion beam apparatus
An ion beam apparatus includes an ion source configured to emit an ion beam, a condenser lens electrode that condenses the ion beam, and a condenser lens power source configured to apply a voltage to the condenser lens electrode. A storage portion stores a first voltage value, a second voltage value, a third voltage value, and a fourth voltage value. A control portion retrieves the third voltage value from the storage portion and sets the retrieved third voltage value to the condenser lens power source when an observation mode is switched to a wide-range observation mode, and retrieves the fourth voltage value from the storage portion and sets the retrieved fourth voltage value to the condenser lens power source when a processing mode is switched to the wide-range observation mode. |
| US09111716B2 |
Charged particle microscope
The ionized gas supplied to the emitter tip of a gas field ionization ion source is cooled and purified to enable supplying a reliable and stable ion beam. Impurities contained in the ionized gas destabilize the field ionization ion source. The invention is configured to include a first heat exchanger thermally connected to a part of the field ionization ion source, a cryocooler capable of cooling a second gas line and a cold head, the second gas line being connected to the first heat exchanger and circulating a refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger that cools the first and second gas lines and is connected to the cold head. |
| US09111710B2 |
Socketed high pressure gas discharge lamp
A socketed high pressure gas discharge lamp having a lamp vessel comprising a space sealed by at least one seal. The discharge lamp further comprising a socket in which the lamp vessel is mounted with its seal and fixed with cement. A lamp axis extending through the socket and through the space of the lamp vessel. The socket is provided with at least one opening extending axially through the socket from its base side to its front side. The opening has an annular wall which is either formed only by the socket or by a combination of both the socket and the seal of the lamp vessel. Preferably, the opening is located on either side of the seal. |
| US09111707B2 |
Installation switching device with a current sensing unit
An exemplary installation switching device includes such as a circuit breaker, residual current circuit breaker or motor circuit breaker, a housing, and at least one current path that passes through an internal conductor between at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal. The installation switching device also includes a current sensing unit inside the housing having an interface with at least two data connections and at least two power connections. The housing has an interface opening that is capable of accepting a connecting fixture for connecting the current sensing unit to a bus located outside the installation switching device and containing data and power lines such that the current sensing unit is electrically isolated from the current path and is supplied with power from outside the installation switching device. |
| US09111701B2 |
Rubber key
A rubber key comprising: a key top portion having a rectangular shape in planar view; a skirt portion formed along a perimeter of the key top portion; and a contact portion projecting within the skirt portion from the key top portion on a same side of the skirt portion in a convex state in a length direction of the key top portion, wherein a shortest distance from the contact portion to a virtual plane defined by a ring of an edge of the skirt portion is longer as measured at a portion closer to a center of the key top portion in the length direction than at a portion closer to an end of the key top portion in the length direction. |
| US09111698B2 |
Method for cutting off an electric arc, method and device for protecting an installation against voltage surges
The method comprising displacing the formed electric arc towards an electrode located in an intermediate position between both main electrodes; a separating the formed electric arc into two secondary electric arcs, a semiconductor switch, normally open, connecting the intermediate electrode to one of the main electrodes; closing the semiconductor switch in order to extinguish the secondary electric arc between both electrodes connected by the semiconductor switch; opening the semiconductor switch in order to extinguish the other secondary electric arc. The disclosure further relates to a protection method and a protection device, notably a protection device specially designed for applying the method. |
| US09111696B1 |
Electrical switching apparatus, and trip unit and interface assembly therefor
An interface assembly is for a trip unit of an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The trip unit cooperates with the operating mechanism and includes an enclosure, a controller, and a cover member having a plurality of indicia. The interface assembly includes at least one adjustment knob assembly having a post member and a ring member, which includes a cutout. The post member has first and second opposing ends. The ring member is disposed on the second end. The adjustment knob assembly pivots among a plurality of positions to adjust the controller. Each position corresponds to a predetermined setting of the trip unit. The ring member substantially overlays all but one of the indicia, which is exposed by the cutout to indicate the adjustment knob assembly position and corresponding trip unit setting. |
| US09111688B2 |
Method for producing reconstituted wafers with support of the chips during their encapsulation
A method for collectively fabricating a reconstituted wafer comprising chips exhibiting connection pads on a front face of the chip, comprises: positioning the chips on an initial adhesive support, front face on the support, vapor deposition at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature, of an electrically insulating layer on the initial support and the chips, having a mechanical role of holding the chips, transfer of the chips covered with the mineral layer onto a provisional adhesive support, rear face of the chips toward this provisional adhesive support, removal of the initial adhesive support, overlaying the chips onto a support of “chuck” type, front faces of the chips toward this support, removal of the provisional adhesive support, deposition of a resin on the support of “chuck” type to encapsulate the chips, and then polymerization of the resin, removal of the support of “chuck” type, production of an RDL layer active face side. |
| US09111686B2 |
Flexible supercapacitor and preparation method thereof
A flexible supercapacitor and a preparation method thereof are provided. The flexible supercapacitor includes a polymer-based solid electrolyte layer, two active layers respectively disposed on opposite surfaces of the polymer-based solid electrolyte layer, and two electron conducting layers disposed on outer exposed surfaces of the two active layers. |
| US09111682B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component
In a multilayer ceramic electronic component, internal electrodes arranged inside a ceramic body include exposed ends that are connected to end surfaces of the ceramic body. External electrodes, which are arranged on the end surfaces so as to be electrically connected to the internal electrodes, include first conductive portions that are arranged on the end surfaces so as to cover the exposed ends but so as not to wrap around onto the side surfaces, and include second conductive portions that are arranged on the end surfaces so as to cover the first conductive portions and so as to wrap around onto the principal surfaces and the side surfaces. In each external electrode, protruding portions are arranged on the end surface adjacent to the first conductive portion to stabilize the posture of the ceramic body when the second conductive portions are being formed. |
| US09111681B2 |
Thin film capacitor
A thin film capacitor includes a lower electrode layer, a dielectric layer that is provided on said lower electrode layer, and an upper electrode layer that is formed on the dielectric layer. Wherein, the lower electrode layer contains at least a Ni electrode layer, the upper electrode layer configured with at least two layers of a Ni electrode layer and a Cu electrode layer, and the dielectric layer is in contact with both the Ni electrode layer of the lower electrode layer and the Ni electrode layer of the upper electrode layer. |
| US09111680B2 |
Process for producing electrolytic capacitors with a polymeric outer layer
The invention relates to a process for producing electrolytic capacitors with low equivalent series resistance, low residual current and high thermal stability, which consist of a solid electrolyte and an outer layer comprising conjugated polymers, to electrolytic capacitors produced by this process and to the use of such electrolylic capacitors. |
| US09111677B2 |
Method of manufacturing a dry-type open wound transformer having disc windings
Method of manufacturing a dry-type open wound transformer having disc windings is provided. The transformer has one or more high voltage windings, each of which includes a plurality serially connected discs. Each disc has two or more sections, wherein the sections are separated from each other by spaces arranged in a circumferential configuration. |
| US09111674B2 |
R-T-B based permanent magnet
The present invention provides a permanent magnet whose magnetic properties will not be significantly decreased and which is excellent in the temperature properties compared to the existing R-T-B based permanent magnet. In the R-T-B based structure, a stack structure of R1-T-B based crystallizing layer and (Y,Ce)-T-B based crystallizing layer can be formed by alternatively stacking R1-T-B and (Y,Ce)-T-B. In this way, a high magnetic anisotropy field of the R1-T-B based crystallizing layer can be maintained while an improved temperature coefficient of the (Y,Ce)-T-B based crystallizing layer can be obtained. Further, a high coercivity can be obtained by adding the Ce-T-B based crystallizing layer with a low lattice distortion to the Y-T-B based crystallizing layer. |
| US09111672B2 |
Multilevel correlated magnetic system
A multilevel magnetic system described herein includes first and second magnetic structures that produce a net force that transitions from an attract force to a repel force as a separation distance between the first and second magnetic structures increases. The multi-level magnetic system is configured to maintain a minimum separation distance between a transition distance where the net force is zero and a separation distance at which a peak repel force is produced. |
| US09111671B2 |
On-chip impedance network with digital coarse and analog fine tuning
System and method for providing precision a self calibrating resistance circuit is described that provides for matching a reference resistor using dynamically configurable resistance networks. The resistor network is coupled to the connection, wherein the resistor network provides a configurable resistance across the connection. In addition, the resistor network comprises a digital resistor network and an analog resistor network. Also, the circuit includes control circuitry for configuring the configurable resistance based on a reference resistance of the reference resistor. The configurable resistance is configured by coarsely tuning the resistor network through the digital resistor network and fine tuning the resistor network through the analog resistor network. |
| US09111668B2 |
Method for production of an electrical winding, and electrical conductor
A method is specified for production of an electrical winding for an electrical appliance, in which the winding is embedded in a liquid which is used for cooling. A conductor is first of all produced, in which a multiplicity of insulated electrical individual conductors having a rectangular cross section are arranged in at least one stack, with their flat faces resting on one another. Winding material composed of insulating material is wound around the stack in order to produce common insulation, and the conductor is then shaped to form a single-part winding. A winding material in the form of ribbon or strip and composed of a plastic with impressed shape memory is used for winding around, and has a greater length than its original length, with this greater length being produced by stretching. The finishing winding is heated to a temperature at which the winding material becomes shorter in the winding direction. |
| US09111667B2 |
Graphene transfer method
A graphene transfer method comprising: attaching a first end of a first stacked structure, including a catalyst metal, graphene, and a supporting body stacked in the order stated, to a point of a target film that is transported in a roll-to-roll manner in a first direction; forming a second stacked structure by removing the catalyst metal of the first stacked structure, the second stacked structure having a surface whereon the graphene is exposed; and transferring the exposed graphene to a transfer surface of the target film by transporting the target film in a roll-to-roll manner and the second stacked structure in the first direction. |
| US09111663B2 |
Sintered composite oxide, manufacturing method therefor, sputtering target, transparent conductive oxide film, and manufacturing method therefor
A sintered composite oxide 2 composed mainly of zinc, aluminum, titanium and oxygen, the atomic ratio of the elements satisfying the following equations (1) to (3), the sintered composite oxide 2 comprising particles having a hexagonal wurtzite structure containing zinc oxide as the major component and having a mean particle size of no greater than 20 μm, and particles having a ZnTiO3-like structure and/or Zn2Ti3O8-like structure containing aluminum and titanium and having a mean particle size of no greater than 5 μm, and containing no particles with a spinel oxide structure of zinc aluminate with zinc and aluminum in solid solution, and a manufacturing method for the same. (Al+Ti)/(Zn+Al+Ti)=0.004-0.055 (1) Al/(Zn+Al+Ti)=0.002-0.025 (2) Ti/(Zn+Al+Ti)=0.002-0.048 (3) [In the equations, Al, Ti and Zn represent the contents (atomic percents) of aluminum, titanium and zinc, respectively.] |
| US09111656B2 |
Radiation beam collimation system and method
The invention provides a method for collimating a radiation beam, the method comprising subjecting the beam to a collimator that yaws and pitches, either separately or simultaneously relative to the incident angle of the beam. Also provided is a system for collimating radiation beams, the system comprising a collimator body, and a stage for pitching and yawing the body. A feature of the invention is that a single, compact mask body defines one or a plurality of collimators having no moving surfaces relative to each other, whereby the entire mask body is moved about a point in space to provide various collimator opening dimensions to oncoming radiation beams. |
| US09111655B2 |
Radiation generating apparatus and radiation imaging system
Provided is a radiation generating apparatus, including: a radiation generating unit for emitting radiation; and a movable diaphragm unit including a light projecting/sighting system for making a simulation display of a radiation field with visible light. The light projecting/sighting system includes: a light source of the visible light; a light guiding plate that is provided across a radiation axis, and causes the visible light from the light source to exit from a front surface of the light guiding plate; and a louver that gives directivity to the visible light exiting from the front surface of the light guiding plate. |
| US09111653B2 |
Boiling water nuclear plant and method of reducing dose in turbine system
An adsorbing substance made of a material having an acid center in its molecular frame is installed in a passage for steam generated in a reactor pressure vessel 1. The adsorbing substance adsorbs and holds N-16 compound for decay. Therefore, the amount of N-16 entering into a turbine system is decreased and dose in the turbine system can be reduced. |
| US09111651B2 |
Heat exchanger for passive residual heat removal system
Disclosed is a heat exchanger for a passive residual heat removal system, which improves heat transfer efficiency by expanding a heat transfer area. A heat exchange tube includes a first member connected to a steam pipe through which steam generated from a steam generator of a nuclear reactor circulates, and a second member connected to both of the first member and a feed water pipe used to supply water to the steam generator provided in the nuclear reactor, and the first member has the shape different from that of the second member, thereby expanding the heat transfer area so that the heat transfer efficiency is improved. |
| US09111648B2 |
Redundancy schemes for non-volatile memory based on physical memory layout
A method includes, for a memory die including at least first and second memory planes, each including multiple physical memory blocks, holding a definition of a redundancy mapping between first memory blocks in the first memory plane and respective second memory blocks in the second memory plane, such that a physical separation on the die between each first physical memory block and a corresponding second physical memory block meets a predefined criterion. Data is stored in one or more first physical memory blocks in the first memory plane. Redundancy information is stored relating to the data in one or more second physical memory blocks in the second memory plane that are mapped by the redundancy mapping to the one or more first physical memory blocks. |
| US09111645B2 |
Request-command encoding for reduced-data-rate testing
Embodiments of a memory device are described. This memory device includes a signal connector which is electrically coupled to a command/address (CA) link, and an interface circuit, which is electrically coupled to the signal connector, and which receives CA packets via the CA link. A given CA packet includes an address field having address information corresponding to one or more storage locations in the memory device. Moreover, the memory device includes control logic having two operating modes, where, during a first operating mode, the control logic decodes address information in the CA packets using full-field sampling, and, during the second operating mode, the control logic decodes a portion of the address information in the CA packets using sub-field sampling. |
| US09111639B2 |
Biasing split gate memory cell during power-off mode
A non-volatile memory (NVM) system has a normal mode, a standby mode and an off mode that uses less power than the standby mode. The NVM system includes an NVM array that includes NVM cells and NVM peripheral circuitry. Each NVM cell includes a control gate. A controller is coupled to the NVM array, applies a voltage to the control gates and power to the peripheral circuitry during the standby mode, and applies an off-mode voltage to the control gates and removes power from the NVM peripheral circuitry during the off mode. |
| US09111638B2 |
SRAM bit cell with reduced bit line pre-charge voltage
An SRAM bit cell comprises a first inverter including a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor, and a second inverter including a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor. The first and second inverters are cross-coupled to each other. A plurality of pass transistors couple the inverters to bit lines. Approximately one-half of a supply voltage is provided to the bit lines during pre-charge operations. |
| US09111634B2 |
Methods and structures for multiport memory devices
A memory device includes a storage unit formed using a substrate, a true bit line BL0 for carrying a bit of data, and a complementary bit line for carrying the bit of data carried by the first true bit line in complementary form. The true bit line is coupled to the storage unit and runs laterally over the substrate. The true bit line and the complementary bit line are adjacent to each other and are vertically stacked above the substrate. |
| US09111629B2 |
Smart charge pump configuration for non-volatile memories
A semiconductor memory device includes a non-volatile memory, a memory controller, and a charge pump system. The memory controller establishes first parameters for a first programming cycle of a first plurality of memory cells of the non-volatile memory prior to the first programming cycle being performed. The charge pump system includes a plurality of charge pumps and provides a first programming pulse for use in performing the first program cycle. The first programming pulse is provided by selecting, according to the first parameters, which of the plurality of charge pumps are to be enabled during the first program cycle and which are to be disabled during the first program cycle. |
| US09111625B2 |
Adaptive dual voltage write driver with dummy resistive path tracking
An adaptive dual voltage memory write driver system can include an adaptive write voltage generator circuit to provide a first adjustable write voltage and to provide a second adjustable write voltage. The adaptive dual voltage memory write driver system can include an array of dummy memory cells coupled to the adaptive write voltage generator circuit and configured to provide resistive path tracking information to the adaptive write voltage generator circuit. The adjustable write voltages can be automatically increased or decreased responsive to the resistive path tracking information. A tri-state write driver circuit can provide a first adjustable write voltage source for writing “0”s and a second adjustable write voltage source for writing “1”s. A method for generating adjustable memory write voltages using dummy resistive path tracking may include receiving resistive path tracking information from a dummy section, and generating adjustable write voltages based on the resistive path tracking information. |
| US09111624B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes first word lines connected to a memory cell array, second word lines connected to a redundancy area, a first row decoder configured to perform selecting from the first word lines based on a row address, a judgment circuit configured to determine whether or not a replacement operation with the redundancy area is needed based on a redundancy address included in the row address, and a second row decoder configured to perform selecting from the second word lines. The row address includes a first row address and a second row address input in order in a time-sharing method. The first row address includes all of the redundancy address. |
| US09111619B2 |
Semiconductor memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a bit line, a first cell string and a second cell string. The first cell string includes a first selecting transistor connected to the bit line in series and having a threshold voltage greater than a first reference voltage, a second selecting transistor having a threshold voltage smaller than a second reference voltage, cell transistors and a ground selecting transistor. The second cell string includes a third selecting transistor connected to the bit line in series and having a threshold voltage smaller than the first reference voltage, a fourth selecting transistor having a threshold voltage greater than the second reference voltage, cell transistors and a ground selecting transistor. A channel region of the first selecting transistor has an enhancement mode and a first conductive type. A channel region of the third selecting transistor has a depletion mode and a second conductive type. |
| US09111614B2 |
Resistive switching memory device and method for operating the same
A resistive switching memory device and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The device includes a plurality of resistive switching memory units arranged in a matrix, each of which includes a switching element and a resistive switching device, and the switching element being connected to a word line at its control terminal, to the resistive switching device at one terminal, and to a bit line at the other terminal; a word line decoder adapted to decode an input address signal to switch on the switching element in at least one of resistive switching memory units; and a driving circuit adapted to apply a voltage pulse whose front edge changes slowly across the resistive switching device by the bit line synchronously with the switching-on of the switching element. Using the scheme of the above embodiments, the durability characteristic of the resistive switching device can be improved, such as degradation of high-low resistance value window and the failure of the device with transition times can be reduced. |
| US09111605B2 |
Semiconductor storage apparatus or semiconductor memory module
A semiconductor storage apparatus provides a large capacity phase-change memory possessing high speed operation, low electrical current, and high-reliability. During the period that a read-out start signal is activated in the memory region control circuit and the block of pairs of sense-latch and write driver is performing the verify read in the upper section memory region; the write enable signals in the memory region control circuit are activated and the block of pairs of sense-latch and write driver perform rewrite operation of the data in the lower section memory region. This type of operation allows cancelling out the time required for the verify read and the time required for the time-division write operation by performing the verify read in one memory region, while performing time-division rewrite in other memory region, to achieve both higher reliability rewrite operation along with suppressing the rewrite operation peak electrical current. |
| US09111604B2 |
Software and method that enables selection of on-line content from one of a plurality of network content service providers in a single action
Methods, systems, and computer program products for using a transport function to provide and receive identifications of content available over a network and to provide and receive user-selected content over the network. |
| US09111600B2 |
Memory cell with improved write margin
Described is an apparatus and system for improving write margin in memory cells. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a first circuit to provide a pulse signal with a width; and a second circuit to receive the pulse signal and to generate a power supply for the memory cell, wherein the second circuit to reduce a level of the power supply below a data retention voltage level of the memory cell for a time period corresponding to the width of the pulse signal. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a column of memory cells having a high supply node and a low supply node; and a charge sharing circuit positioned in the column of memory cells, the charge sharing circuit coupled to the high and low supply nodes, the charge sharing circuit operable to reduce direct-current (DC) power consumption. |
| US09111596B2 |
Memory access control in a memory device
A memory device comprises an array of bitcells arranged as a plurality of rows of bitcells and a plurality of columns of bitcells, and has a plurality of wordlines and a plurality of readout channels. A control unit is configured to control access to the array of bitcells, wherein in response to a memory access request specifying a memory address the control unit is configured to activate a selected wordline and to activate the plurality of readout channels, and to access a row of bitcells in said array storing a data word and addressed by the memory address. The data word consists of a number of data bits given by a number of bitcells in each row of bitcells. The control unit is further configured to be responsive to a masking signal and, when the masking signal is asserted when said memory access request is received, the control unit is configured to activate only a portion of the selected wordline and a portion of the plurality of readout channels, such that only a portion of the data word is accessed. |
| US09111593B2 |
Differential sense amplifier without dedicated precharge transistors
The invention relates to a differential sense amplifier for sensing data stored in a plurality of memory cells of a memory cell array, including a first CMOS inverter having an output connected to a first bit line and an input connected to a second bit line complementary to the first bit line, and a second CMOS inverter having an output connected to the second bit line and an input connected to the first bit line (BL). Each CMOS inverter includes a pull-up transistor and a pull-down transistor, with the sense amplifier having a pair of precharge transistors arranged to be respectively coupled to the first and second bit lines, to precharge the first and second bit lines to a precharge voltage. The precharge transistors are constituted by the pull-up transistors or by the pull-down transistors. |
| US09111591B2 |
Interconnections for 3D memory
Apparatuses and methods for interconnections for 3D memory are provided. One example apparatus can include a stack of materials including a plurality of pairs of materials, each pair of materials including a conductive line formed over an insulation material. The stack of materials has a stair step structure formed at one edge extending in a first direction. Each stair step includes one of the pairs of materials. A first interconnection is coupled to the conductive line of a stair step, the first interconnection extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to a first surface of the stair step. |
| US09111587B2 |
Stacked memory with redundancy
A stacked memory is disclosed including a first integrated circuit memory chip having first storage locations and a second integrated circuit memory chip disposed in a stacked relationship with the first integrated circuit memory chip. The second integrated circuit memory chip has second storage locations. Redundant storage is provided including a first storage area dedicated to storing failure address information of failure address locations in the first or second integrated circuit memory chips. The redundant storage includes a second storage area dedicated to storing data corresponding to the failure address locations. Matching logic matches incoming data transfer addresses to the stored failure address information. |
| US09111582B2 |
Methods and systems for previewing content with a dynamic tag cloud
A video tapestry comprising a plurality of blended frames of a media presentation can be presented, with the frames comprising two or more frames displayed simultaneously. A dynamic tag cloud can be presented based on data identifying different portions of the tapestry for use in navigation or understanding the video content. A method can comprise obtaining a plurality of keywords for content of a media presentation, associating a first keyword with a first tag cloud and associating a second keyword with a second tag cloud, and generating a program component for providing a dynamic tag cloud using the first and second tag clouds. The program component can display the first tag cloud when the first portion of the video tapestry is referenced and the second tag cloud when the second portion of the video tapestry is referenced. The portions may be referenced by user input, a play head, or other activity. |
| US09111581B2 |
Recording medium, reproducing apparatus, and reproducing method
In a recording medium on which is recorded a multiplexed stream including a plurality of first packets (V_main) constituting a first I-picture in a first video stream and a plurality of second packets (V_sub) constituting a second I-picture in a second video stream, information for identifying the first I-picture and information for identifying the second I-picture are recorded on the medium. A recording medium can thereby be obtained that enables the rapid detection, from a small amount of information, of a particular picture included in a stream such as a TS in which multiple content streams are multiplexed. |
| US09111580B2 |
Time alignment of recorded audio signals
Systems and methods for time-aligning a first and second media signals. The first and second media signals may be audio signals recorded for combining as one audio performance or as an audio portion of an audio-video recording. The system retrieves the audio signals as digital samples generated using a common sampling rate. The system includes at least one coarse alignment function for reducing an initial misalignment between the first and second signal. The coarse alignment function may be configured to generate a coarse-shifted second signal. A fine alignment function determines an aligning time shift between the coarse-shifted second signal and the first signal by performing a cross-correlation between the first signal and the coarse-shifted second signal. |
| US09111578B1 |
Recording density variation of data tracks
Systems and methods are disclosed for recording density variation of data tracks. In some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a circuit configured to record data to a first track of a data zone at a first recording density, and record data to a second track of the data zone at second recording density different from the first recording density. Recording density may be measured as a bits per inch (BPI) value for a data track. Different recording densities may be applied based on a width of the target track. In some embodiments, such as for shingled magnetic recording (SMR), data may be recorded to partially overlapped tracks at a first density, and to non-overlapped tracks at a second density. |
| US09111569B2 |
Randomly accessible visual information recording medium and recording method, and reproducing device and reproducing method
Access point pictures designated as randomly accessible positions are I pictures or P pictures. Information indicating the decoding sequence (I1, P1, B1, B2, B3, B4, P2, . . . ) of pictures functioning as access points and attribute information (picture_type) indicating whether a picture functions as an access point or is necessary for decoding of the access point following a given access point are recorded on the video information recording medium. Random access is possible even if the GOP interval is lengthened. |
| US09111568B2 |
Bulk data erase utilizing an encryption technique
Disclosed is a method for eliminating access to data on removable storage media of a removable storage media cartridge. A key is stored on the removable storage media cartridge, such that data on the removable storage media is accessible with the key. Upon receiving a command to eliminate access to data on the removable storage media the key is shredded such that access to data on the removable storage media is eliminated. |
| US09111567B1 |
Disk drive
A disk drive includes an insertion detection unit disposed at a position deviating from a transport center line in a first direction, a transport roller, and an opposing member that holds a disk together with the transport roller. The opposing member has a second guiding recess located in a second direction relative to the transport center line. The recess of the opposing member and the transport roller define a space therebetween to receive the disk inserted from a position deviating from the transport center line in the second direction. |
| US09111565B2 |
Data storage device with both bit patterned and continuous media
Embodiments of a single data storage device with multiple different data recording media surfaces are disclosed. In one embodiment, at least one of the data recording media surfaces is conventional, such as a continuous or discrete track recording media. Another of the data recording media surfaces is a relatively high areal density, high data rate recording media, such as a bit patterned media (BPM) recording media. |
| US09111564B1 |
Magnetic recording writer having a main pole with multiple flare angles
A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic transducer includes a main pole and at least one coil for energizing the main pole. The main pole includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a pole tip and at least one side surface. The pole tip has an ABS facing surface at the ABS. The first portion has a first flare angle between the ABS and a side surface. The second portion is on the first portion and recessed from the ABS. The second portion has a second flare angle greater than the first flare angle. The first portion is wider in a cross track direction than the second portion. |
| US09111563B2 |
Vibration control in data storage devices
A storage device has a device body and a read/write head for reading and writing data in a data track of a storage medium. An actuator system is mounted on the device body for effecting movement of the read/write head relative to the data track to align the head with the data track. The actuator system has a plurality of degrees of freedom, and a controller controls the actuator system to effect the movement. A body vibration sensor provided on the device body generates a signal indicative of vibration of the body. An actuator vibration sensor generates a signal indicative of vibration of the actuator system. The controller is adapted to process the signals from the sensors to derive a coupling signal indicative of vibration coupling between the degrees of freedom, and to control the actuator system dependent on the coupling signal and the signal from the body vibration sensor. |
| US09111559B1 |
Gimbal based DSA suspension with microactuator attached from load beam side of flexure
A gimbal dual stage actuated suspension has a microactuator attached at its distal end to the gimbal in order to effect fine movements of the head slider. The microactuator is mounted on the side of the flexure that is opposite the disk platter and the head slider, and extends in height through an aperture in the load beam. The driving voltage for the microactuator is provided through an aperture in the insulating layer of the flexure to a signal conducting layer in the flexure's electrical circuit. The electrical connection from the signal conducting layer to the microactuator can comprise an electrically conductive adhesive, or an electrically conductive adhesive that contacts an isolated island of the stainless steel support layer in the flexure which is in electrical contact with the conducting layer, which is plated all the way to the stainless steel layer or which is otherwise extended thereto. |
| US09111557B2 |
Electrically insulating magnetic material for a read head
An apparatus such as a magnetic recording head with at least two separately addressable read transducers that are coplanar in a cross track direction. The apparatus includes first coplanar electrical contacts respectively disposed on and in electrical contact with first surfaces of the at least two read transducers and an electrically insulating magnetic material disposed between the electrical contacts. |
| US09111555B2 |
Optical recording medium
An optical recording medium includes a recording layer including a reflective layer, two dielectric layers, and a phase-change recording layer. The phase-change recording layer-side dielectric layer of the two dielectric layers contains tantalum oxide or a composite oxide composed of silicon oxide, indium oxide, and zirconium oxide. The reflective layer-side dielectric layer of the two dielectric layers contains a composite oxide composed of silicon oxide, indium oxide, and zirconium oxide, a composite oxide composed of indium oxide and gallium oxide, or a composite oxide composed of zinc oxide and aluminum oxide. |
| US09111553B2 |
Optical information recording medium, reproduction apparatus, and reproduction method
The reliability of a super-resolution optical information recording medium whose capacity can be increased is increased. On an optical information recording medium (11) according to the present invention, a content is recorded as a pit group formed such that an average length Tm [nm] of a minimum mark length and a minimum space length becomes shorter than an optical system resolution limit, and reading speed information designating a reading speed in a range from 2×(4.92×Tm/149) [m/s] to less than (10000/60)×2×π×(24/1000) [m/s] is recorded as a reading speed for reproducing the content. |
| US09111551B2 |
Recording head structure
Implementations disclosed herein provide a transducer head including a writer feature extending to a transducer head surface, the transducer head surface being configured to face a storage medium surface; and a bumper structure configured on the transducer head surface, the bumper structure configured to be proximal to the writer feature and to protrude beyond the writer feature in response to energy. |
| US09111547B2 |
Audio signal semantic concept classification method
A method for determining a semantic concept associated with an audio signal captured using an audio sensor. A data processor is used to automatically analyze the audio signal using a plurality of semantic concept detectors to determine corresponding preliminary semantic concept detection values, each semantic concept detector being adapted to detect a particular semantic concept. The preliminary semantic concept detection values are analyzed using a joint likelihood model based on predetermined pair-wise likelihoods that particular pairs of semantic concepts co-occur to determine updated semantic concept detection values. One or more semantic concepts are determined based on the updated semantic concept detection values. The semantic concept detectors and the joint likelihood model are trained together with a joint training process using training audio signals, at least some of which are known to be associated with a plurality of semantic concepts. |
| US09111546B2 |
Speech recognition and interpretation system
A method of providing a task assistant comprising starting to receive speech input from a user, and identifying a format associated with a destination for speech input based on a flag associated with the destination field. When the format comprises dictation, converting the speech to text, and inserting it into the destination location, and when the format comprises an intent, determining a meaning of the input, and sending a formatted query to an application. The method further comprising receiving data from the application in response to the intent and providing a response to the user through multimodal output. |
| US09111542B1 |
Audio signal transmission techniques
A voice interaction architecture that compiles multiple audio signals captured at different locations within an environment, determines a time offset between a primary audio signal and other captured audio signals and identifies differences between the primary signal and the other signal(s). Thereafter, the architecture may provide the primary audio signal, an indication of the determined time offset(s) and the identified differences to remote computing resources for further processing. For instance, the architecture may send this information to a network-accessible distributed computing platform that performs beamforming and/or automatic speech recognition (ASR) on the received audio. The distributed computing platform may in turn determine a response to provide based upon the beamforming and/or ASR. |
| US09111541B1 |
Client-server speech recognition with processing level based on value received from client
Methods and systems for handling speech recognition processing in effectively real-time, via the Internet, in order that users do not experience noticeable delays from the start until they receive responsive feedback. A user uses a client to access the Internet and a server supporting speech recognition processing. The user inputs speech to the client, which transmits the user speech to the server in approximate real-time. The server evaluates the user speech using processing level based on the value received from each client. |
| US09111539B1 |
Editing voice input
A computer-implemented method of generating a voice command to perform an action includes receiving a voice request to perform the action, wherein the voice request comprises first audio information for one or more first data fields associated with the action; generating a GUI that when rendered on a display device comprises a prompt message prompting a user to speak second audio information for one or more second data fields associated with the action; and inserting into the one or more second data fields data indicative of one or more of (i) the first audio information, and (ii) the second audio information. |
| US09111538B2 |
Genius button secondary commands
Methods, systems and articles for receiving, by a telecommunication device, audio input through a unified audio interface are disclosed herein. The telecommunication device is further configured to perform at least one of a dictation action, an incoming message processing action, a navigation action, a content lookup action, or a contact lookup action while continuously or substantially continuously receiving voice commands from a user. In some aspects, the telecommunications device may continuously receive and process voice command while operating in a driving mode, which may be initiated by the telecommunications device. |
| US09111537B1 |
Real-time audio recognition protocol
An audio recognition service recognizes an audio sample across multiple content types. At least a partial set of results generated by the service are returned to a client while the audio sample is still being recorded and/or transmitted. The client additionally displays the results in real-time or near real-time to the user. The audio sample can be sent over a first HTTP connection and the results can be returned over a second HTTP connection. The audio recognition service further processes check-in selections received from the client for content items indicated by the results. Responsive to receiving the check-in selections, the service determines whether a user is eligible for a reward. If the user is eligible, the service provides the reward. |
| US09111536B2 |
Method and system to play background music along with voice on a CDMA network
A method and system for compressing an audio signal. The method includes receiving a segment of an audio signal and selectively disabling noise suppression for the received segment. The segment is filtered in a noise-suppression module if noise suppression is not disabled. The method also includes calculating an autocorrelation coefficient and an LSP coefficient, predicting a short-term coefficient and long-term coefficients according to the LSP coefficient and calculating one or more bandwidth-expanded correlation coefficients. Further, the method includes determining the type of packet in which to encode the segment. An encoding rate is selected from among a full rate encode, a half-rate encode, and an eight-rate encode if noise suppression is not disabled. An encoding rate is selected from among a full rate encode and a half-rate encode if noise suppression is disabled. Furthermore, the segment is formed into a packet of the determined type and selected rate. |
| US09111529B2 |
Method for encoding/decoding an improved stereo digital stream and associated encoding/decoding device
A method for encoding and decoding a digital audio signal composed of an original right-hand signal (SDO) and an original left-hand signal (SGO). The method combines the original right-hand signal (SDO) and the original left-hand signal (SGO) to obtain a single combined signal (SC), encodes the combined signal (SC) using a standard encoder to obtain a compressed combined signal (SCC), and decodes the compressed combined signal (SCC) using a standard decoder (8) to obtain a decompressed combined signal (SCD). After decoding, the method generates a reconstructed right-hand signal (SDR) and a reconstructed left-hand signal (SGR) from the decompressed combined signal (SCD), which are de-correlated from each other. Also, a treble-generating module enables the high-frequency component (SHF) of the right-hand (SDR) or left-hand (SGR) signals to be recreated, which signals had been deleted as a result of the compression. |
| US09111528B2 |
Matrix decoder for surround sound
A decoder and decoding method for use in surround sound system wherein at least four audio input signals representing an original sound field are encoded into two channel signals and said encoded signals are decoded into at least four audio output signals corresponding to the four audio input signals and have an amplitude ratio and a phase relationship. The decoder and method including means for: compensating the said encoded signals for variations in perceived loudness relative to frequency associated with the encoded two channel signals due to non linearity in human hearing response at least at some frequencies; producing steering signals in responsive to the phase relationship of the said compensated signals; decoding said encoded signals to produce audio output signals corresponding to audio input signals by varying at least the amplitude ratio of said encoded signals contained in each of the output signals in response to said steering signals. |
| US09111523B2 |
Device for and a method of processing a signal
A device (100) for processing a signal, wherein the device (100) comprises a processing unit (101) comprising an input terminal and two output terminals, wherein the processing unit is adapted for receiving a signal (104) at the input terminal, and wherein the processing unit is adapted for generating a reduction, signal based on the signal, wherein the reduction signal is adapted for reducing the signal. The device comprises further a first reproduction unit (102) coupled to the first output terminal of the processing unit, wherein the first reproduction unit is adapted for receiving and reproducing the signal, and a second reproduction unit (103) coupled to the second output terminal of the processing unit, wherein the second reproduction unit is adapted for receiving and reproducing the reduction signal. |
| US09111522B1 |
Selective audio canceling
The implementations described include an audio canceling device that receives and audio signal from within an environment, identifies desired and undesired audio from the received audio signal and generates an attenuation-signal for use in canceling out or reducing the volume of the undesired audio at a canceling location. In addition, the audio canceling device, may determine a time delay before the attenuation-signal should be transmitted from an output based on a distance between the undesired audio source location and the canceling location and a distance between the output and the canceling location. |
| US09111511B2 |
Guitar back plate
A back plate attachable to the back of a guitar is provided. The plate includes screw holes and string ferrule holes. The screw holes of the plate align with the screw holes on a guitar, and the string ferrule holes of the plate align with the string ferrule holes of the guitar. The plate may be bolted or screwed to the back of the guitar via the screw holes. Guitar strings may run through the string ferrule holes of the plate and guitar and attach to the pegs of the guitar. |
| US09111510B2 |
Display apparatus and method for rotating displayed content
A display apparatus includes a detector to detect an angle of a center line of the display apparatus relative to a horizontal line of the south geomagnetic pole when in the horizontal plane. The apparatus stores a reference angle. The apparatus determines the rotation angle of the display apparatus by subtracting the reference angle from the angle of the center line of the display apparatus relative to the horizontal line of the south geomagnetic pole; and rotates display content according to the rotation angle. A related method is also disclosed. |
| US09111508B2 |
Display device
Each of a plurality of timing controllers has a synchronization reference signal output terminal from which a synchronization reference signal is output and a synchronization reference signal input terminal to which the synchronization reference signal is input. A master timing controller outputs a predetermined signal of display signals which are input from an external device, from the synchronization reference signal output terminal of the master timing controller as the synchronization reference signal, and the synchronization reference signal is input to the synchronization reference signal input terminals of the master timing controller and a slave timing controller. Accordingly, a luminance difference can be prevented from occurring between divided regions of a display panel due to asynchronization between display signals input to respective timing controllers in a display device in which a plurality of timing controllers are used and the display panel is divided into a plurality of regions. |
| US09111503B2 |
Display device and method for driving same
In each pixel formation portion of a display device, an amplification electrode is provided which is connected to a drain electrode of a thin-film transistor whose gate electrode is connected to a gate bus line and whose source electrode is connected to a source bus line. A second-capacitor is formed by the amplification electrode and a pixel electrode. A selection period is constituted by a precharge period and an amplification period. In the precharge period, a video signal potential is applied to the pixel electrode and a potential of a control wire is applied to the amplification electrode. In the amplification period, a video signal potential is applied to the amplification electrode with the pixel electrode being in a floating state. |
| US09111502B2 |
Driving circuit and LCD device having data monitoring module
A driving method of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel comprises a scan driving process and a data driving process. In the scan driving process, overlapping time regions are formed simultaneously between a positive edge and a negative edge of the scan lines when a drive of a last row of a scan line is switched to drive of a next row of the scan line. In the data driving process, when a time of data signal corresponding to the last row of the scan line overlaps a time of the overlapping time regions, the data signal corresponding to the next row of the scan line are outputted. |
| US09111501B2 |
Display device
The present invention aims to provide a display device capable of displaying an image in a color maintaining a hue and a tone expected from an input signal.In a field-sequential liquid crystal display device, when a red image is displayed, red light is transmitted in the first subframe period, and further, green light and blue light are transmitted in the second and third subframe periods, respectively. Therefore, the blue component of an input signal is adjusted such that the transmittance of the liquid crystal panel is at a predetermined value even in the third subframe period. As a result, the hue of an image displayed on the liquid crystal panel is the same as or almost the same as the hue of red expected from the input signal. Moreover, the color of red displayed on the liquid crystal panel maintains the tone value of the color expected from the input signal. |
| US09111496B2 |
Electro-optic device and electronic apparatus with a control signal including a precharge period
A signal supply circuit supplies, to a control line, a control signal which is set so as to have a precharge potential during a precharge period before start of a writing period and which is set so as to have a gray scale potential corresponding to a designated gray scale of each pixel in a time division manner during the writing period. A plurality of switches controls connection between the signal lines and the control line. A control circuit controls the plurality of switches so as to be concurrently turned on during a precharge period and controls the plurality of switches so as to be turned on sequentially during a plurality of unit periods of the writing period. The control circuit sets an initial unit period after elapse of the precharge period among the plurality of unit periods so as to be longer than the other unit periods. |
| US09111495B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, backlight used for same display device, method for driving same backlight and method for manufacturing same backlight
A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a backlight used for the LCD and a method for producing the LCD and the backlight are provided which are capable of inhibiting an increase in component counts and in assembling processes and of reducing them, thereby achieving low costs. A display image is obtained by arranging a backlight section being able to perform scanning as a single unit in a manner that it positionally matches a liquid crystal displaying section. The backlight section is provided with a plurality of scanning electrodes and light emitting layers each providing a different luminescent color, and being spatially separated from each other on a principal face of the backlight and scanning is performed on a plurality of light emitting layers providing a different luminescent color. |
| US09111490B2 |
Gate driving circuit and organic electroluminescent display apparatus using the same
A gate driving circuit generates a gate driving signal for a P-type transistor and a gate driving signal for an N-type transistor, a scanning signal and a light emission control signal, and the gate driving circuit provides a pulse width control function and a concurrent light emitting function. |
| US09111484B2 |
Electronic device for scene evaluation and image projection onto non-planar screens
An electronic device may have one or more imaging sensors. The imaging sensors may be used in combination with an optional mechanical gesture to analyze the lighting conditions of the environment around the electronic device. The electronic device may set auto-exposure, auto-white balance, and auto-focus settings based on the analysis. The electronic device may include a shaped display. The imaging sensors may be used in calibration of a projector for the shaped display and may be used in sending touch inputs associated with the shaped display. The electronic device may be able to capture a photograph during video capture. The electronic device may generate a display screen that identifies which portions of the scene being imaged correspond to the video and which portions correspond to the photograph. |
| US09111480B2 |
Liquid crystal display and a method of driving the same by converting three color input image signals based on a hue shift of yellow
A liquid crystal display that includes a plurality of pixels configured to display four colors, and a color gamut mapping unit configured to convert three color input image signals into four color image signals, wherein when the three color input image signals include yellow, the color gamut mapping unit converts the three color input image signals based on a hue shift of the yellow. |
| US09111478B2 |
Method of compensating color gamut of display
A method of compensating the color gamut of a display includes establishing a plurality of color gamut boundaries of four color hues, generating m sets of original luminance, chrominance and hue values according to m sets of tricolor grey level values, adjusting the chrominance of n sets of luminance, chrominance and hue values of the m sets of luminance, chrominance and hue values exceeding the plurality of color gamut boundaries with four color hues to generate n sets of corrected luminance, chrominance and hue values, generating m sets of four color grey levels according to the n sets of corrected luminance, chrominance and hue values and (m−n) sets of uncorrected luminance, chrominance and hue values, and displaying images on the display according to the m sets of four color grey levels. |
| US09111477B2 |
Language-based color calibration of displays
Described herein is a method of calibrating displays (or printers) using Natural Language-based commands. The exemplary method provides an easy-to-use solution to the common methods of color calibrating a display. Instead of using sliders or manual controls for the individual dimensions of a three-dimensional color problem, the user is able to make adjustments via natural language commands, such as “make reference patch less purple.” The method does not require the user to understand color mixing technology when making separate R, G, and B adjustments to match a specified patch. A user can easily express the necessary color adjustment in natural language terms, making the process simpler and faster. |
| US09111472B2 |
Light-emitting diode module, backlight assembly having the LED module and display device having the backlight assembly
A backlight assembly includes a light-emitting diode (LED) module and a bottom chassis. The LED module includes an LED package in which at least one LED chip is mounted, and first and second wire sockets respectively making contact with lead frames formed at two sides of the LED package. The bottom chassis has a coupling hole formed through a bottom portion for receiving a coupling hook of the LED module. Thus, a wire socket is configured to make contact with a lead frame formed at a side portion of an LED package and power is received through a wire inserted through the wire socket, so that an additional printed circuit board (PCB) or an additional flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) for providing the LED package with power may be omitted. |
| US09111470B2 |
Retractable electroluminescent display system
A portable display system having a portable housing including a base for supporting the housing on a flat surface and including an electroluminescent display panel which is flexible and provided in a first extended orientation wherein the display panel is visible to a bystander and a second rolled orientation with the display panel returned into a housing interior. An elongated frame supports the display panel in the first extended orientation, with the frame including a first end which engages the housing and a second end that engages the display panel. A return mechanism, such as a spring return, is provided within the housing for retracting the display panel from the first extended orientation into the second retracted orientation. |
| US09111469B2 |
Advertising display and method
A poster clamp comprising first and second members, the members comprising first and second gripping surfaces, respectively, for gripping opposing sides of a poster or a like, and a poster mounting system comprising a hoarding and a plurality of such clamps, and a wire on which the clamps are to be mounted for tightening a poster within the frame of the hoarding. |
| US09111468B2 |
Overhead support apparatus
A support component comprises a tab configured to be coupled to a bar (as comprises a part of an item to be suspended), the tab including a plurality of openings disposed therethrough and configured to receive an overhead support interface (such as a corresponding flexible link) to thereby provide overhead support to the bar. These openings can be laterally offset from one another to facilitate selecting a particular pitch orientation for the bar. The tab can have a non-circular hole disposed therethrough sized and configured to receive the bar. This hole can include a surface that is configured to key with respect to a corresponding bar surface to thereby prevent the bar from rotating. |
| US09111466B2 |
Efficient access to connectivity information using cable identification
Communication apparatus includes a memory and a communication interface, configured to send and receive messages to and from respective management agents in multiple items of communication equipment having ports that are interconnected by cables in a network, each of the cables having a unique identifier. A processor is configured to communicate with the management agents via the communication interface so as to collect physical connectivity information with respect to the cables and the ports, to store the physical connectivity information in the memory, and to provide the physical connectivity information to a user of the apparatus. |
| US09111462B2 |
Comparing display data to user interactions
A workstation system produces a display presentation responsive to composition data and responsive to input variables and/or a selected operating mode. A selection subsystem determines a selected operating mode and display format. A controller, responsive to the selection subsystem, provides means for selectively controlling the storing of display data in memory and selectively processing (e.g. altering) the stored display data responsive to the selected operating mode and the input variables to produce a particular one of a plurality of processed results, such as external communications, operating, mode, transformation, etc. The workstation can coordinate communications, or be a slave device, with one or more external devices, such as other workstations, a master workstation, a controller, etc. |
| US09111454B2 |
Associating diverse content
Diverse content items from within a network of federated systems is managed to allow automatic access of related content items from within the network based on access of a first content item. The related content items are ranked according to various criteria for relatedness and/or quality. |
| US09111451B2 |
Apparatus and method for driving guide of vehicle
An apparatus and method for a driving guide of a vehicle are provided and include a sensor unit that has at least one sensor mounted within the vehicle. In addition, a controller is configured to sense obstacles positioned at a front and side of the vehicle using sensing information received from the sensor unit and arrange data for the obstacles based on an angle to determine whether a passage is present in front of the vehicle. In addition, the controller is configured to provide the driving guide of the checked passage. |
| US09111449B2 |
Method and system for determining the state of occupation of a plurality of scheduled areas by vehicles
A method for determining the state of occupation of a plurality of scheduled areas by vehicles, comprising the steps of: associating with each area to be monitored a transmitter which periodically transmits a signal of fixed power; receiving in a concentrator the plurality of signals emitted by said plurality of transmitters; examining said plurality of signals and determining the occupied/vacant state of each area to be monitored; periodically transmitting a signal comprising information on the occupied/vacant state of each monitored area to an operating center; generating information indicative of the state of occupation of a plurality of areas. |
| US09111448B2 |
Warning system for a motor vehicle determining an estimated intersection control
A warning system for a motor vehicle includes a control system for estimating the type of intersection control for two or more roadways. The method of estimating the type of intersection control includes steps of classifying each roadway at an intersection and estimating the type of intersection control used for each roadway. Roadways can be classified by size, traveling speed, number of lanes as well as any other roadway characteristics. The warning system can be operated using the estimated intersection control device for each roadway. In some cases, information from a target vehicle can be used to determine a potential violation of an intersection control device. |
| US09111447B2 |
Emergency vehicle warning system and method
An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a warning system for use in an emergency vehicle. The system comprises a tone generator, configured for generating an output alert signal, and a radio wave generator. The radio wave generator is configured for receiving the output alert signal and encoding the output alert signal into an electrical signal, and for converting the electrical signal into an electromagnetic wave configured for being received by a radio and/or a cellular communication device within a desired distance from the emergency vehicle, thus enabling the receiving radio and/or cellular communication device to convert the electromagnetic wave to an audio signal that can be emitted by the radio and/or cellular communication device to warn a user of a proximity of the emergency vehicle. |
| US09111446B2 |
Method for the output of text information via a display
Method for the output of text information via a display in a driver information system in a motor vehicle is provided, the display having a predetermined display capacity, the extent of the information to be output being adapted to the capacity of the display, and the text information or the information elements to be output being divided into at least two components each. The information or information elements are output to the full extent if allowed by the display capacity, and an abbreviation is output for at least one component of an item of information or an information element to be output if the capacity of the display is not sufficient for output of the complete information or a complete unit of information. |
| US09111444B2 |
Video and lidar target detection and tracking system and method for segmenting moving targets
Embodiments of video and LIDAR target detection and tracking system and method for segmenting targets are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the system may perform moving target detection using three-frame difference processing on frames of LIDAR range images of a scene to identify a moving target and determine an initial position estimate for the moving target. The system may also perform segmentation of the moving target using a single frame of the LIDAR range images to generate a segmented target that may include a target mask and target centroid position. After segmentation, moving target registration including motion compensation may be performed by registering the segmented target in multiple LIDAR frames to determine a target position, a target orientation and a target heading. In some embodiments, a three-dimensional model of the moving target may be generated and added to a sequence of video frames. |
| US09111441B2 |
Control device, control system and control method
A control device which controls an operation of a controlled device, includes: an operation information storage unit to store operation information about an acceptable operation; a control information acquisition unit to acquire control information about the controlled device; and an association table generation unit to generate an association table for storing the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit associated with the control information acquired by the control information acquisition unit. |
| US09111433B2 |
Security and tracking system
A security and tracking apparatus includes at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein the apparatus is adapted for transmitting the location of each signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance. A method to locate a person, animal, or object, includes providing in contact with or at least in close proximity to the person, the animal, or the object, at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein each respective signaling unit is adapted for identifying the location of the signaling units and for transmitting the location of the signaling units when the first and second signaling units are separated more than a preselected distance; and activating the signaling units to transmit the location of the signaling units. |
| US09111429B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing alarms of system
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for managing alarms based on state information received from systems. The method includes receiving alarms including state information of a remote control system; displaying an alarm queue including at least one of the received alarms; setting important alarms from among the alarms displayed in the alarm queue; and deleting the important alarm from the alarm queue when a user confirms the important alarm or a signal notifying a recovery to a normal state of a system corresponding to the important alarm is received. |
| US09111428B2 |
Merchandise security device including strain relief block
A merchandise security device for displaying an electronic item of merchandise includes a strain relief block configured for attachment to the merchandise and an alarming power cable configured for being electrically coupled to a power input port provided on the merchandise. The alarming power cable is routed through the strain relief block for reducing strain applied to the alarming power cable, which may prevent damaging the power input port or the portion of the alarming power cable extending between the strain relief block and the power input port. |
| US09111405B2 |
Protected communications vending machine system
Vending Machines (VMs) employ a series of physical locks to prevent unauthorized access and/or control of the machine. In addition to the lock on the front door, in one embodiment of the invention an electrical door switch is employed that is used to enable a set of protected commands to the Vending Machine Controller Card (VMCC) only when the door has been opened. An electronic override of this switch, via remote control of a telemetry device (VIU) coupled to the VM, allows the VMCC to accept protected-mode commands from a central command server via a wireless network regardless of whether the door was actually opened. Other embodiments are described herein. |
| US09111404B2 |
Vending apparatus and method for providing training for a medicinal product or medical device or combination product
The present invention relates to a vending apparatus for at least one medicinal product, comprising of a housing, storage means adapted to store the at least one medicinal product, an input means adapted to process a costumer request for a medicinal product, processing means adapted to process the costumer request and being adapted to execute an interactive product-related training procedure to the customer, and delivery means for handing out the medicinal product to the costumer after passing the training procedure, wherein access to the medicinal product is only approved by the processing means if the customer successfully passes the training procedure. |
| US09111403B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking device control and report
Systems and methods for systems and method for tracking device control and reporting are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving first location information from a vehicle tracking device associated with a vehicle, the first location information indicating a location of a vehicle at a first location. The method also includes receiving second location information from the vehicle tracking device, the second location information indicating a location of the vehicle at a second location and a distance traveled by the vehicle from the first location. The method further includes determining based on the second location information, an actual distance traveled by the vehicle from the first location to the second location. The method also includes determining, based on the first location information and the second location information, an expected distance between the first location and the second location and comparing the actual distance traveled by the vehicle to the expected distance. |
| US09111402B1 |
Systems and methods for capturing employee time for time and attendance management
Systems and techniques to capture employee time for time and attendance management are disclosed. In general, in one implementation, a technique includes using a multi-touch tablet style device as a Cloud Clock for capturing employee time. Employees will punch in and out at the device by standing in front of the Cloud Clock with a personal ID card. The Cloud Clock device will use its front-facing video camera to identify the employee and log the time in a web-based application that tracks employee work hours. Such a Cloud Clock can also be used as a self-service station where employees can access their schedules, request time-off, and trade shifts. Such Cloud Clocks can be loaded with management software that allows the clocks to be remotely monitored for anomalies. The Cloud Clocks can also be updated remotely without requiring user intervention at the clock. |
| US09111401B2 |
Interactive reader commander
An access control system and a method of operating the same are provided. The access control system includes an interactive reader commander that intercepts commands transmitted from a computing device to a reader and determines if the intercepted commands are security-relevant. Security-relevant commands and possibly other commands are stored unless and until a valid user input is received at the interactive reader commander. |
| US09111400B2 |
System for detecting abnormal driving behavior
In an abnormal driving behavior detection system for a vehicle, an obtainer repeatedly obtains an observed value indicative of at least one of a running condition of the vehicle and a driver's driving operation of the vehicle. A mode-probability calculator calculates, each time an observed value is obtained at a given obtaining timing as a target obtained value, a mode probability for each of driving modes as a function of one or more previous observed values. A deviation calculator obtains a predicted observed value for each driving mode using a driver's normal behavior model defined therefor, and calculates a deviation of the target observed value from the predicted observed value for each driving mode. An abnormality determiner determines whether there is at least one driver's abnormal behavior based on the mode probability for each driving mode and the deviation calculated for each driving mode. |
| US09111391B2 |
Image generating device, image generating method, and non-transitory information storage medium
An image generating device includes: a gravity parameter changing section for changing a parameter relating to gravity of each of a plurality of rigid bodies which are constrained to one another and included in a first object based on a positional relationship between each of the plurality of rigid bodies and a second object; a physical calculation section for physically calculating a motion of each of the plurality of rigid bodies included in the first object based on the changed parameter; and an image rendering section for rendering an image representing a surface of the first object based on the motions of the plurality of rigid bodies included in the first object. |
| US09111389B2 |
Image generation apparatus and image generation method
An image generation apparatus includes: a pixel-shifted image generation unit which generates a first pixel-shifted image resulting from a process of shifting, based on an input image and a depth map, a pixel in the input image by a shift amount corresponding to the new viewpoint, and a second pixel-shifted image resulting from a process of shifting, by the same shift amount as for the first pixel-shifted image, a pixel in a background edge image included in the input image and containing a pixel located in a background region around an edge of a foreground object; an image fusion unit which fuses the second pixel-shifted image and the first pixel-shifted image to include a background region in the second pixel-shifted image into a hole; and a hole filling unit which fills the hole with pixel information based on the fused pixel-shifted image. |
| US09111386B2 |
Image viewing application and method for orientationally sensitive display devices
A system and method for presenting three-dimensional image volume data utilizing an orientationally-sensitive display device whereby the image volume is navigable simply by tilting, raising and lowering the display device. Doing so presents an image on the screen that relates to the angle and position of the display device such that the user gets the impression that the device itself is useable as a window into the image volume, especially when the device is placed on or near the source of the image data, such as a patient. |
| US09111383B2 |
Systems and methods for obtaining and using augmentation data and for sharing usage data
Computationally implemented methods and systems include receiving augmentation data associated with one or more first augmentations, the one or more first augmentations having been included in a first augmented view of a first actual scene that was remotely displayed at a remote augmented reality (AR) device, displaying one or more second augmentations in a second augmented view of a second actual scene, the displaying of the one or more second augmentations being in response, at least in part, to the augmentation data, and transmitting to the remote AR device usage data that indicates usage information related at least to usage or non-usage of the received augmentation data. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. |
| US09111381B2 |
Shift-varying line projection using graphics hardware
Line segments are classified according to orientation to improve list mode reconstruction of tomography data using graphics processing units (GPUs). The new approach addresses challenges which include compute thread divergence and random memory access by exploiting GPU capabilities such as shared memory and atomic operations. The benefits of the GPU implementation are compared with a reference CPU-based code. When applied to positron emission tomography (PET) image reconstruction, the GPU implementation is 43× faster, and images are virtually identical. In particular, the deviation between the GPU and the CPU implementation is less than 0.08% (RMS) after five iterations of the reconstruction algorithm, which is of negligible consequence in typical clinical applications. |
| US09111374B2 |
Mobile terminal, method for controlling the same, and non-transitory storage medium storing program to be executed by mobile terminal
A non-transitory storage medium storing a program readable by a computer of a mobile terminal including: a storage configured to store an image data set containing image data having order numbers; and a display. The program causes the computer to function as a display controller that controls displays a first image based on image data that is a selected one of the image data. The display controller, where images respectively based on the image data have a two-page-spread relationship, displays the first image and a second image consecutive to the first image in a two-page spread layout in which the first image and the second image are arranged respectively on one and the other of the right and left pages; and where the images do not have the two-page-spread relationship, displays the first image in a layout that differs from the two-page spread layout. |
| US09111372B2 |
System and method for object identification and anomaly detection
A system for identifying dental objects, visualizing a dental image, and method for identifying dental anomalies are described. The system for identifying dental objects comprises a 3-D dental image, a database, a digital processing component, and an interactive graphical user interface is described. The 3-D dental image is generated by a medical imaging device. The database has data fields that include locations for teeth, locations for each section of tooth, standard shapes associated with individual teeth, standard shapes associated with each of the sections of tooth, and bone density data for each section of tooth. The digital processing component is configured to process the 3-D image and is in operative communication with the database. The digital processing component is configured to identify an object by combining a plurality of voxels having a common density and tagging the object. The interactive graphical user interface (GUI) permits the user to interact with the object. |
| US09111371B2 |
Workflow system for 3D model creation
A 3D modeling workflow system is disclosed that allows the user to create multiple 2D planes or paint canvases in the 3D scene each having a position and orientation. These 2D planes can be arbitrarily positioned in the 3D scene and can contain a combination of paint and model construction geometry. The construction geometry can span multiple 2D planes. The user is allowed to sketch on the planes using paint and create curve geometry in and between the planes using the sketches as a reference. Collectively the 2D planes allow a 3D object to be represented with different types of input where portions of the object are drawn in by paint and other or the same portions are composed of geometry. The user can swap between painting on the 2D planes and creating model geometry as needed. |
| US09111369B2 |
Graphics accelerator
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a graphics accelerator, which may include an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may include a local memory; a direct memory access (DMA) engine; a processor; and one or more processing pipelines. The local memory stores graphics data that includes a plurality of pixels. The DMA engine transfers the graphics data between the local memory and an external memory. The processor performs at least one operation, in parallel, on components of at least a portion of the pixels. The one or more processing pipelines process the graphics data. The graphics accelerator works on operands and produces outputs for one set of pixels while the DMA engine is bringing in operands for a future set of pixel operations, and transfers data from the external memory to the one or more processing pipelines by directing data to the one or more pipelines. |
| US09111367B2 |
Nonlocality based super resolution reconstruction method and device
The present invention relates to the field of digital image enhancement technologies, and more particularly to a non-locality-based super-resolution reconstruction method and device, so as to solve the problem of relatively low resolution of an image after non-locality-based super-resolution reconstruction in the prior art. The method in the embodiment of the present invention comprises: determining a position of a search window where a current macro-block is mapped in each of other image frames; determining a search window where the current pixel block is mapped in the each of the image frames, according to the position of the search window where the macro-block, where the pixel corresponding to the current pixel block is located, is mapped in the each of the image frames, and determining a similarity value of each determined pixel block in the determined search window relative to the current pixel block respectively; and determining an optimized central pixel value of each pixel block according to the determined similarity value. By use of the embodiments of the present invention, the resolution of an image subjected to non-locality-based super-resolution reconstruction is enhanced. |
| US09111366B2 |
Superresolution optical fluctuation imaging (SOFI)
Statistical analysis techniques based on auto- and cross-correlations/cumulants, of image stacks of fluctuating objects are used to improve resolution beyond the classical diffraction limit and to reduce the background. The time trajectory of every pixel in the image frame is correlated with itself and/or with the time trajectory of an adjacent pixel. The amplitude of these auto- or cross-correlations/cumulants of each pixel, at a given time lag or averaged or integrated over an interval of time lags, is used as the intensity value of that pixel in the generated superresolved optical fluctuation image. |
| US09111365B2 |
Edge-adaptive interpolation and noise filtering method, computer-readable recording medium, and portable terminal
An edge-adaptive interpolation and noise filtering method is provided including performing primary interpolation on a first color, based on a first preset number of directions, with respect to a first color window obtained from an input image window, estimating an edge direction within a primary interpolated first color window obtained by the primary interpolation, based on a second preset number of directions, the second preset number of directions being larger than the first preset number, with respect to the primary interpolated first color window, performing secondary interpolation on the first color, based on the estimated edge direction, with respect to the primary interpolated first color window, and performing interpolation on a second color, based on the estimated edge direction, with respect to a second color window obtained from the input image window. |
| US09111364B2 |
Method of content aware image resizing
Audiovisual content presentation to users has evolved from users receiving hardcopy printed materials to their searching and retrieving information by accessing any of hundreds of millions of web sites and billions of web pages. User retrieval being performed on a wide variety of platforms from high performance PCs to low performance cellular telephones. Accordingly substantial limitations exist in initially displaying this audiovisual content as well as when users dynamically manipulate browser dimensions or move through the content. Further additional limitations exist for those authoring both online and traditional content to manipulate sourced content to provide the published content. As such a requirement exists for dynamically resizing images that respects the information content within the audiovisual content. Embodiments of the invention provide for content aware resizing of audiovisual content both within authoring and user environments, and in dependence upon device characteristics such as display, processor, power, etc. |
| US09111360B2 |
Technique for improving the performance of a tessellation pipeline
A tessellation pipeline includes an alpha phase and a beta phase. The alpha phase includes pre-tessellation processing stages, while the beta phase includes post-tessellation processing stages. A processing unit configured to implement a processing stage in the alpha phase stores input graphics data within a buffer and then copies over that buffer with output graphics data, thereby conserving memory resources. The processing unit may also copy output graphics data directly to a level 2 (L2) cache for beta phase processing by other tessellation pipelines, thereby avoiding the need for fixed function copy-out hardware. |
| US09111358B2 |
Digital-watermark embedding device, digital-watermark embedding method, and digital-watermark detecting device
A digital-watermark embedding device includes a content obtaining unit that obtains content; a watermark-information obtaining unit that obtains digital-watermark information; a generating unit that generates a synchronization flag on a basis of the digital-watermark information; and an embedding unit that embeds the digital-watermark information and the synchronization flag into the content. |
| US09111356B2 |
Image segmentation method using higher-order clustering, system for processing the same and recording medium for storing the same
Disclosed herein is a method of processing images based on image segmentation using higher-order correlation clustering. In an image segmentation method according to an embodiment of the present invention, an input image is segmented into superpixels. A hypergraph is constructed by connecting two or more adjacent superpixels, among the superpixels, to one another. A joint feature map is created by extracting feature vectors from respective edges of the hypergraph, and partitioning the hypergraph based on higher-order correlation clustering in consideration of specific constraints. |
| US09111355B1 |
Selective color processing for vision systems that enables optimal detection and recognition
Described is a system for selective color processing for vision systems. The system receives a multi-band image as input. As an optional step, the multi-band image is preprocessed, and a transformation is performed to transform the multi-band image into a color space. A metric function is applied to the transformed image to generate a distance map comprising intensities which vary based on a similarity between an intensity of a pixel color and an intensity of a target color. A contrast enhancement process is applied to the distance map to normalize the distance map to a range of values. The range of values is expanded near the intensity of the target color. Finally, an output response map for the target color of interest is generated, such that the output response map has high responses in regions which are similar to the target color to aid in detection and recognition processes. |
| US09111354B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a first error diffusion unit, a second error diffusion unit, and a first determining unit, wherein the second error diffusion unit performs error diffusion processing in parallel with the first error diffusion unit and has an operating unit and a calculation unit, and the first determining unit determines whether quantized data for the second pixel of interest is fixed by the second error diffusion unit on the basis of whether the total of value is equal to or lower than a first reference value and whether the total of value is equal to or higher than a second reference value that is higher than the first reference value. |
| US09111353B2 |
Adaptive illuminance filter in a video analysis system
Techniques are disclosed for removing false-positive foreground pixels resulting from environmental illumination effects. The techniques include receiving a foreground image and a background model, and determining an approximated reflectance component of the foreground image based on the foreground image itself and a background model image which is used as a proxy for an illuminance component of the foreground image. Pixels of the foreground image having approximated reflectance values less than a threshold value may be classified as false-positive foreground pixels and removed from the foreground image. Further, the threshold value used may be adjusted based on various factors to account for, e.g., different illumination conditions indoors and outdoors. |
| US09111348B2 |
Computer-based method and system of dynamic category object recognition
A computer-based method/system of dynamic category object recognition for estimating pose and/or positioning of target objects and target object's parts. The method/system may recognize a target object and the target object's parts. The method/system may segment and extract data corresponding to the target object and the target object's parts, and estimate the pose and positioning of the target object and the target object's parts using a plurality of stored object models. The dynamic method/system may supplement or modify the parameters of the plurality of stored object models and/or store learned object models. The learned object models assist in recognizing and estimating pose and/or positioning of newly encountered objects more accurately and with fewer processing steps. The method and system may include a processor, a sensor, an external device, a communications unit, and a database. |
| US09111347B2 |
Method for determining the pose of a camera with respect to at least one real object
A method for determining the pose of a camera with respect to at least one real object, the method comprises the following steps: operating the camera (1) for capturing a 2-dimensional (or 3-dimensional) image (4) including at least a part of the real object (3), providing a transformation matrix (T) which includes information regarding a correspondence between 3-dimensional points (Pi*) associated with the real object (3) and corresponding 2-dimensional points (or 3-dimensional points) (p,) of the real object (5) as included in the 2-dimensional (or 3-dimensional) image (4), and determining an initial estimate of the transformation matrix (Tl) as an initial basis for an iterative minimization process used for iteratively refining the transformation matrix, determining a Jacobian matrix (J) which includes information regarding the initial estimate of the transformation matrix (Tl) and reference values of 3-dimensional points (Pi*) associated with the real object (3). Further, in the iterative minimization process, in each one of multiple iteration loops determining a respective updated version of the transformation matrix (T) based on a respective previous version of the transformation matrix (T) and based on the Jacobian matrix (J), wherein the Jacobian matrix is not updated during the iterative minimization process, and determining the pose of the camera (1) with respect to the real object (3) using the transformation matrix (T) determined at the end of the iterative minimization process. As a result, the camera pose can be calculated with rather low computational time. |
| US09111337B2 |
Low dose cardiac CT imaging with time-adaptive filtration
A system and method for reducing image noise and artifacts in coronary computed tomography angiography includes acquisition of CT images at multiplicity of CT slices arranged in such a fashion throughout the phases of the cardiac cycle as to utilize the majority of the X-ray radiation to which the myocardium exposed during the cycle. The acquired imaging data is processed with the use of a TAF filter to reduce the amount of noise and artifacts associated with the CT's system operating at low tube current. The TAF filter is configured to adapt the filtering strength in time domain according to temporal variations of the same anatomical location as identified in its corresponding CT slices. |
| US09111336B2 |
Method and apparatus for image filtering
A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, partitioning the image into a group of blocks, calculating principle bilateral filtered image components for a first subset of the group of blocks where the principle bilateral filtered image components are not calculated for a second subset of the group of blocks, and applying an infinite impulse response filter to the image using the principle bilateral filtered image components. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09111333B2 |
Predictive position encoding
A method and apparatus for position coding of three dimensional mesh models are described including estimating a symbol probability of a non-empty-child-cell Cl,k, where Ql,k denotes the kth cell at layer l, wherein the symbol probability is estimated based on an accuracy of a fitted plane P, sub-dividing the non-empty-child-cell to produce a sub-cell, if the non-empty-child-cell has more than one vertex, determining if there are more unprocessed non-empty-child-cells at layer l, if there are no more unprocessed non-empty-child-cells at layer l, determining if all non-empty-child-cells at layer l have only one vertex and a distance between the center of the sub-cell and a point inside the sub-cell is less than or equal to a first threshold and entropy coding symbols representing a position of the non-empty-child-cells, if all non-empty-child-cells at layer l have only one vertex and the distance between the center of the sub-cell and the point inside the sub-cell is less than or equal to the first threshold. |
| US09111332B2 |
Method and apparatus for hardness tester
A hardness tester has an indentation former forming an indentation by pressing an indenter against a surface of a sample; an image capture controller controlling a CCD camera to capture an image of the surface of the sample and obtain image data; an indentation area extractor extracting an indentation area based on the obtained image data; and a hardness calculator calculating hardness of the sample based on the extracted indentation area. The indentation area extractor has a reduced image generator reducing the image obtained from the image data of the surface of the sample at a scale ratio selected from a plurality of predetermined scale ratios and generating a reduced image; and a pattern matcher performing pattern matching with respect to the generated reduced image and extracting the indentation area. |
| US09111326B1 |
Designation of zones of interest within an augmented reality environment
An augmented reality system is configured to identify and track user gestures, sounds, and interaction with physical objects to designate active zones. These active zones may be allocated additional processing and functional resources. Gestures may include particular hand or body motions, orientation of a user's head, and so forth. Sounds may include clapping, clicks, whistles, taps, footfalls, humming, singing, speech, and so forth. Active areas as well as inactive areas of lesser or no interest may be designated as well. |
| US09111323B2 |
Methods for predictive consumer item ordering and devices thereof
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus that generates preorder information identifying a plurality of consumer items to be prepared at designated begin times, based at least in part on historical purchase information. At each of the designated begin times a ticket is generated identifying a consumer item, wherein the consumer item has an associated duration such that the consumer item will be ready at a finished time. Each ticket is provided to a client computing device, wherein the tickets further include at least a remaining amount of time until the identified consumer item reaches the finished time. A request is received from the client computing device to claim one of the consumer items identified by one of the provided tickets. Each of the claimed consumer items is associated with a claimed status. The historical purchase information is updated based on the request. |
| US09111319B2 |
System, computer program product and computer-implemented method for sharing academic user profiles and ranking academic users
A system for sharing academic articles and credential information for a plurality of academic users is described herein. Embodiments of the system, computer program product and computer-implemented method perform a process for gathering data related to the academic user and a process for determining a reputation ranking for the academic user by executing the steps of: creating a user profile for the academic user from attribute information gathered from a user profile prompt, enabling the user profile from the academic user to be viewed by academic and non-academic users and selected for ranking by other academic users, enabling the other academic users to provide a rank selection for the user profile for the academic user according to at least one of research quality, credentials, research articles, and user activity, and determining a reputation ranking for the user profile from the rank selection of the other academic users. |
| US09111318B1 |
Providing social context to calendar events
A daily connection facility is available to the user either through a webpage or by e-mail in the form of a synopsis of connection identifiers between the user and their contacts. The web-based version presents connection information in the form of an agenda view, an engage view, and a reminder view. Each view type is selectable by corresponding tab on the webpage. The daily connected e-mail presents an agenda of meetings and events by location, title, and time. The daily connected e-mail also presents interesting profile and connection information about the attendees such as their communications in blogs and postings, recent communications with user, including messages and meetings, as well as contact information and a list of other contacts in common. |
| US09111317B2 |
Tagging posted content in a social networking system with media information
A social networking system allows a user to insert media information into content posted by the user, where the media information identifies a media item that the user is consuming while composing the posted content. When a user of a social networking system composes content via a composer interface, the user may select an option on the composer interface to record audio using a microphone on the user's device. A media item is identified from the recorded audio and information about the identified media item is added to the user's posted content. The system may also update information about the identified media item and the composing user. |
| US09111316B2 |
System and method to provide event data on a map display
A system and method are disclosed herein to determine an insurance premium discount based on telematics data. The system includes a computer memory and a processor in communication with the computer memory. The computer memory stores data indicative telematics data received from a sensor within a vehicle, including at least one of geo-position information of the vehicle and vehicle kinematics data. The processor is configured to identify safety events and associated safety event locations based on the telematics data. The processor is further configured to display to the driver indications of the safety events on a map display along with indications of safety events associated with other drivers. |
| US09111308B2 |
System and method for calculating and displaying price distributions based on analysis of transactions
Embodiments of systems and methods for the aggregation, analysis, display and monetization of pricing data for commodities in general, and which may be particularly useful applied to vehicles are disclosed. Specifically, in certain embodiments, historical transaction data associated with a particular vehicle configuration may be obtained and processed to determine pricing data associated with the vehicle configuration. The historical transaction data or determined pricing data may then be presented in an intuitive manner. |
| US09111307B1 |
Marketplace product catalog layering
A merchant system is disclosed that can provide multiple online marketplaces that utilize marketplace product catalog layering. Product catalogs associated with each marketplace may be defined and layered such that products sold by one marketplace may be displayed on and purchased by way of another marketplace. The merchant system might also provide a unified electronic shopping cart for storing purchases made at multiple marketplaces, a unified checkout user interface for completing the purchase of items from multiple marketplaces, and a unified order management user interface for managing purchases made from multiple marketplaces. |
| US09111300B2 |
Method and system for automated online college scholarship donations
In one example, we describe methods and systems for automated online merchant charity donations. In one embodiment, a donation agent interacting with a merchant website can offer an online user an option to allocate at least a portion of a payment for or price of a purchase, associated with a transaction made by the user via the merchant website, to be donated by a merchant corresponding to the merchant website on behalf of the user to a charity of the user's choosing. If the online user exercises the option, the donation agent can calculate an amount of the donation to be made and store the calculated donation amount in a database. The donation agent can disburse the calculated donation amount to the charity selected by the customer. The method also works for the off-line model. The points earned can be combined with a college scholarship award mechanism. The system and method describe authentication and the way the charity funding is distributed, with respect to the college tuition and scholarship award. |
| US09111298B2 |
System and method for concept development
A framework is provided for building a visual representation of a product concept including a textual component and/or a graphical component. A first element within one of the textual component and the graphical components is designated as a first dynamic element. A second element within one of the textual component and the graphical component is designated as a second dynamic element. The first dynamic element is associated with a first variant list. The second dynamic element is associated with a second variant list. A constraint is associated between at least a first element variant and at least a second element variant. A selection of a first element variant from the first variant list and a second element variant from the second variant list are received. A first instantiation of the visual representation is generated including the first element variant and the second element variant based upon the constraint. |
| US09111297B2 |
Providing supplemental content to wireless communication devices based on device status
A wireless communication system monitors device status of a wireless communication device to generate device status data. The system associates a device identifier with the device status data and an anonymous key. The system receives a content request from the wireless communication device and transfers the anonymous key and the device status data to an advertising system. The transferred device status data does not identify the wireless communication device. The system receives the anonymous key and advertising data transferred from the advertising system and associates the advertising data with the wireless communication device based on the anonymous key. The system transfers the content and the advertising data to the wireless communication device. |
| US09111296B2 |
Methods and systems for context-aware car diagnostics and commerce
Digital signage systems and methods are provided for advertising and vehicle maintenance-related content based on vehicle telematics data. Example method steps include receiving vehicle telematics data from an in-vehicle telematics device, creating a content production request based on the vehicle telematics data, retrieving context-aware information based on the content production request from a local database or a remote networked resource, creating a digital signage message based at least in part on the context-aware information and at least one predetermined rule, and causing display of the digital signage message on one or more displays. |
| US09111295B2 |
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 community programs, whereby the merchant may provide incentives to customers in relation to community programs. The present invention may track community programs, as well as both online and offline customer transactions between participants that make use of the incentive. The present invention may include as participants, customers, merchants, community organizations, intermediaries, and other groups or individuals. Participants may have participant identifiers, which may be linked to a payment source. Data may be collected about all participants, either expressly, or from offline or online transactions between participants utilizing a participant identifier, and said data may be stored in a data storage area. All data in the data storage area may be utilized by logic tool, which may provide information, such as details of consumer behavior and analytic reporting. Matches between transactions and members and/or member activities may be identified by the system, and a level of certainty that the match is accurate may be determined. |
| US09111294B2 |
Keyword determinations from voice data
Topics of potential interest to a user, useful for purposes such as targeted advertising and product recommendations, can be extracted from voice content produced by a user. A computing device can capture voice content, such as when a user speaks into or near the device. One or more sniffer algorithms or processes can attempt to identify trigger words in the voice content, which can indicate a level of interest of the user. For each identified potential trigger word, the device can capture adjacent audio that can be analyzed, on the device or remotely, to attempt to determine one or more keywords associated with that trigger word. The identified keywords can be stored and/or transmitted to an appropriate location accessible to entities such as advertisers or content providers who can use the keywords to attempt to select or customize content that is likely relevant to the user. |
| US09111293B2 |
Mobile location and time sensitive messaging platform
We hereby report a location specific mobile messaging system. These messages could be displayed (by way of example but not by limitation) in a location viewable by a variety of people. The contents of these messages could be programmed to display messages specific to a location. |
| US09111291B2 |
System and method for providing sponsored applications in email
A method and system for providing targeted applications within an electronic message interface. The method comprises retrieving content from a user's electronic message in the electronic message interface, parsing and interpreting the user's context from the content, and accepting bidding on the user's interpreted context from one or more applications, the one or more applications including triggering conditions related to the user's interpreted context. The one or more applications are ranked based on the bidding. The method further comprises loading the one or more applications into the electronic message interface based on the ranking, and providing one or more follow-up transactions associated with the one or more loaded applications based on the user's interpreted context. |
| US09111288B2 |
Method and system for providing real time communications services by a service provider in collaboration with a communications service provider
The present invention provides a method and a system for providing at least one communications service to one or more service providers by a communications service provider. Communications capabilities of the communications service provider are sliced into a plurality of virtual slices and each of the plurality of virtual slices is configured for a different service provider from among the one or more service providers. At least one communications service is provided to each of the one or more service providers through a respective configured virtual slice by the communications service provider. Each of the one or more service providers further provides the communications service to a user through the respective configured virtual slice in collaboration with the communications service provider. |
| US09111284B2 |
Maintaining a history of query results
A method and system for maintaining history of query results is provided. In one aspect, a query and corresponding results retrieved for providing to the requestor are intercepted and saved. Related information about the query and the results are gathered and saved with the query and the results. The saved information may be filtered, consolidated, or otherwise processed and stored in a query storage. The saved information may be queried and be the basis of information from which results to other queries are obtained. |
| US09111280B2 |
General purpose messaging
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for enabling entities, such as issuers, merchants, payment processing networks, and mobile-network operators, to send account-related messages and marketing messages to a user's mobile device in response to a message request sent from the user's mobile device. According to some embodiments, the account-related messages and the marketing messages are sent to the user's mobile device in accordance with message parameters that are defined by the user and that are embedded in the message request. |
| US09111274B2 |
Payment processing
A system may include a communication interface configured to communicate with a mobile device and processing logic. The processing logic may be configured to receive authorization from the mobile device, when the mobile device is located proximate to the system, for a first payment for a good or service, and transmit a communication to the mobile device subsequent to receiving the authorization from the mobile device, where the communication is transmitted when the mobile device is not located proximate to the system. The processing logic may further be configured to receive authorization from the mobile device for a second payment in response to the communication. |
| US09111271B2 |
System and method for controlling financial transactions over a wireless network
A system and method for controlling financial transactions is disclosed. A customer, using a wireless device, identifies a point of sale and the amount of a transaction at that point of sale is first communicated to a central service and then transmitted to the wireless device for display at the wireless device. The customer can either accept the transaction amount to complete the transaction or reject the amount to cancel the transaction. The customer may have to enter a password or personal identification number to verify the authorization to use the wireless financial system. The customer is billed for the transaction via credit, debit, ATM or other methods, such as the wireless carrier or an internet provider. |
| US09111267B2 |
Digital media content location and purchasing system
Systems and methods for locating digital media content. The systems and methods include receiving search terms from a client device through a single interface, searching a plurality of digital media content providers for digital media content using the search terms to obtain search results, sorting and organizing the search results, and returning the search results to the client device through the single interface. |
| US09111263B2 |
Adaptive meeting management
A template and/or knowledge associated with a synchronous meeting are obtained by a computing device. The computing device then adaptively manages the synchronous meeting based at least in part on the template and/or knowledge. |
| US09111262B2 |
Email message association
A method and computer program product for email message association is described. A method may comprise detecting an indication of an email target of an email message. The method may further comprise determining if the email target is an intended recipient of at least a portion of the email message. The method may also comprise associating the at least a portion of the email message with the email target by adding metadata to the email message. |
| US09111260B2 |
Facilitating retrieval of information within a messaging environment
Techniques and mechanisms are provided that allow participants in an electronic messaging conversation (e.g. email or instant message) to retrieve information related to words and phrases in the electronic messaging conversation without leaving the electronic messaging environment. An electronic messaging environment is provided that includes user interface tools that allow a user to (1) select text within the EM conversation, (2) submit the text to an information retrieval service, such as a search engine, and (3) display the results generated by the information retrieval service. To facilitate the selection of relevant text, certain “suggested words” within the conversation may automatically be highlighted by the instant messaging client. Various techniques are provided for customizing which words are suggested, which sources are searched, and which search terms are used. |
| US09111259B2 |
Affinity list generation
The present invention relates to analyzing communications involving a given user and determining a ranked list of the most relevant contacts for the user based on the analysis. As subsequent communications are analyzed, the list may be updated in a systematic fashion to provide a dynamic and up-to-date ranking of the most relevant contacts for the user at any given time. By having access to an up-to-date, ranked list of their most relevant contacts, the user can more readily initiate communications with others and avoid searching or sorting through more traditional contact listings. |
| US09111258B2 |
Connecting to meetings with barcodes or other watermarks on meeting content
Methods and Systems for connecting to online meetings are provided. In order to connect to an online meeting, coordinates for the meeting can be discoverable by an image or audio watermark overlaid onto content being shared by the online meeting. A person attending a physical meeting in which at least one attendee device or meeting facilitation device is connected to an online meeting can discover the coordinates for the online meeting by capturing and decoding an image or audio watermark overlaid on the content of the online meeting. The image or audio watermark may include a barcode superimposed on a content screen that can be captured and decoded by the person's computing device. A meetings application client on the computing device can be used to navigate to the coordinates discovered by the person's computing device to enable the person to join the meeting. |
| US09111256B2 |
Selection information system and method for ingestible product preparation system and method
A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically receiving user status information regarding a particular individual living being including living being identification associated with the particular individual living being to at least in part electronically generate, based at least in part upon the user status information, one or more selection menus electronically identifying at least in part one or more candidate ingestible products, the electronically generated one or more selection menus to be electronically outputted to provide, via electronically enabled input in response thereto, selection opportunity of the one or more candidate ingestible products subject to ingestion by the particular individual living being prior to selection of at least one candidate ingestible product as at least one selected ingestible products via the electronically enabled input in response to the electronically outputted one or more selection menus. |
| US09111254B2 |
System and method to manage electronic data related to a legal matter
A method includes receiving input at an online electronic data discovery system from a source device via a private network. The input indicates that data related to a legal matter is to be preserved, and identifies a custodian associated with the data. The method includes automatically accessing a directory via the private network and receiving information from the directory indicating a location of the identified custodian. The method includes sending a preservation notice to the identified custodian when the information received from the directory indicates that the custodian is accessible via the private network. The preservation notice indicates that data related to the legal matter is not to be discarded. The method includes sending the preservation notice to another custodian when the information received from the directory indicates that the identified custodian is not accessible. |
| US09111253B2 |
Groupware time tracking
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses enabling groupware to track time associated with a workflow task. A workflow object representing a workflow task is provided. The workflow object is associating with a time period, a project code, and an identifier of a groupware client user participating in the workflow task. In response to an event indicating completion of the workflow task, the time period, the project code, and the identifier is automatically transmitted to a backend application. |
| US09111252B1 |
Product information update apparatus
An ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification reader-writer wirelessly sends a product information signal to an ultra-high frequency antenna. The ultra-high frequency antenna sends the product information signal to an ultra-high frequency side dual interface memory unit. The ultra-high frequency side dual interface memory unit utilizes an energy of the product information signal to update a product data corresponding to the product information signal. When a processing unit and a high frequency side dual interface memory unit are driven, the processing unit fetches the product information signal from the ultra-high frequency side dual interface memory unit. The processing unit sends the product information signal to the high frequency side dual interface memory unit. The high frequency side dual interface memory unit updates the product data corresponding to the product information signal. |
| US09111247B2 |
System and methods for excess capacity in dynamic production systems
The present application presents a new and improved system and method of enhanced Lean Document Production (LDP), which employs cellular manufacturing concepts. The LDP process utilizes a processor to compute a dynamic production algorithm to generate an indication of a manufacturing or print shop excess capacity level. |
| US09111246B2 |
Multiple simultaneous session support by a remote technician using preliminary queues
In a remote technical support system, a technical support controller receives an indication of a maximum number of support sessions to be serviced by a remote technician. Thereafter, the technical support controller receives a service request for a user device, which service request is classified into a category and added to a preliminary queue corresponding to the category. The technical support controller determines if handling of the service request by the remote technician would cause the number of support sessions currently being handled by the remote technician to exceed the previously-indicated maximum number of support sessions. If not, the service request is added to a work queue for the remote technician and removed from the preliminary queue. |
| US09111243B2 |
Global process template and adaptation of global process to local country to facilitate migration to shared service center
A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for creating a Global Process Template (GPT) that describes standardized aspects of a business process used by clients of multiple Shared Service Centers (SSCs), wherein the GPT defines uniform business processes, core business processes, and local business processes. |
| US09111241B2 |
Creation of a social network of members of a virtualization infrastructure
A computer-implemented method for creating a social network of members of a virtualization infrastructure. At a virtualization infrastructure manager, at least a portion of the members of the virtualization infrastructure are identified. Parent/child relationships of identified members of the virtualization infrastructure are identified. A social network of the identified members of the virtualization infrastructure is generated based on the identified parent/child relationships. Affiliation relationships between parent members and child members of the virtualization infrastructure are established, wherein the child members can access shared message streams corresponding to the parent members, such that a child member can establish an association of a message from a shared message stream with an indication that the child member identifies with content of the message. |
| US09111240B2 |
System and method for transmitting pollution information over an integrated wireless network
A pollution information message system provides a system and method for generating and transmitting pollution information messages. In one embodiment, the pollution information message system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to monitoring devices. Control room operators receive a pollution information message from an identifiable transceiver. The transceiver, identified by an identification code, indicates a location and the nature of the detected pollution. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. |
| US09111239B2 |
Activity recording of contact handling system agents
Methods and apparatus for recording agent activity and display information optionally redacting sensitive information from the recorded imagery prior to review by the agent's supervisor in a contact handling system are disclosed. The method can include recording image data displayed to the agent on a visual display during interaction by the agent with the contact media. The method can include audio recordings of what the agent heard and spoke that are combined with the recorded image data to simultaneously display the video and audio to a supervisor for quality assurance in the contact handling system. The method can further include modifying one or more selected pixels of the recorded image data to automatically exclude information from the recorded image data thereby creating redacted image data. |
| US09111237B2 |
Evaluating an effectiveness of a monitoring system
An approach that evaluates an effectiveness of a monitoring system is provided. In one embodiment, there is a performance evaluation tool, including an evaluation component configured to receive visual media at a monitoring system monitored by a set of users, and evaluate a monitoring performance of the set of users in response to a simulated alert within the visual media. The performance evaluation tool further comprises an analysis component configured to predict an effectiveness of the monitoring system based on the performance of the set of users in response to the simulated alert within the visual media. |
| US09111235B2 |
Method and system to evaluate risk of configuration changes in an information system
A system and method to manage configuration of an information system comprises an automated risk evaluation for a requested change of a configuration item in an information system. Change history information indicative of the effects of multiple historical changes to respective configuration items may accessed, and the automated risk evaluation may be based at least in part on the change history information. The requested change may be authorized or as part based on an assessment of a risk value which is calculated in the automated risk evaluation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described. |
| US09111234B2 |
Enabling notifications pertaining to an asset
A method for enabling notifications pertaining to an asset is disclosed. The method receives information from a first reporting source about an asset. In addition, information from a second reporting source about the asset is also received. A database is then populated with the information from the first reporting source and the information from the second reporting source such that information from the first reporting source and information from the second reporting source can be accessed from the database. A state machine for the asset is maintained based on the received information which enables providing notifications pertaining to the asset. |
| US09111231B2 |
Associating a web session with a household member
A method for associating a web session with a particular member of a group of users includes: receiving a plurality of training web sessions, each training web session including one or more web events generated by a respective known user having one or more demographic attributes; training one or more binary classifiers using the training web sessions and the demographic attributes of the users; receiving a plurality of target web sessions, each target web session including one or more web events that are generated by a respective unknown member of a group of users, wherein each user has one or more demographic attributes; and applying one or more of the binary classifiers to the target web sessions such that a respective target web session is uniquely associated with a member based on, at least in part, the demographic attributes of the member. |
| US09111228B2 |
System and method for combining segmentation data
Systems and methods are provided for combining multiple segmentations into a single unique segmentation that contains attributes of the original segmentations. This new segmentation forms an ensemble or combination segmentation that has a unique set of attributes from the original segmentations without enumerating every possible set of combinations. In one example, two or more segments are combined into a single segmentation using a technique such as k-means clustering or Self-Organizing Map Neural Networks. After the first combination phase is performed, a Bayesian technique is then applied in a second phase to adjust or further alter the ensemble combination of segments. |
| US09111221B1 |
Detector devices for presenting notifications and supporting context inferences
Techniques can relate to generating inferences based on network devices' measuring of environmental data points and generating notifications or controlling devices based on the inferences. One or more environmental data points can be accessed. Each environmental data point in the one or more environmental data points can include one measured by a detector device and that characterizes a corresponding environmental stimulus. At least one of the environmental data points can be indicative of a light intensity or power usage measured by a first device. An inference can be generated based on the one or more environmental data points. A notification or device control can be identified based on the inference. A communication can be generated and transmitted to a second device. Receipt of the communication can cause the second device to present the notification or to be controlled in accordance with the device control. |
| US09111219B1 |
Performance based recommendations
Systems and associated processes are disclosed for generating recommendations for users based on the computing device likely to be utilized by the user to execute an application, among other things. These systems and processes are described in the context of an interactive computing system that enables users to download applications for mobile devices or for other computing devices. The performance of applications running on the user's computing device can be monitored with the performance data being collected and provided to the interactive computing system. The interactive computing system can include a recommendation system or service that processes the performance data and using the performance data, among possibly other data, the recommendation system can recommend alternative applications to the user for download. Further, in some cases, the interactive computing system can recommend modifications to the user's computing device to improve the performance of the application running on the user's computing device. |
| US09111216B2 |
Information processing systems, reasoning modules, and reasoning system design methods
Information processing systems, reasoning modules, and reasoning system design methods are described. According to one aspect, an information processing system includes working memory comprising a semantic graph which comprises a plurality of abstractions, wherein the abstractions individually include an individual which is defined according to an ontology and a reasoning system comprising a plurality of reasoning modules which are configured to process different abstractions of the semantic graph, wherein a first of the reasoning modules is configured to process a plurality of abstractions which include individuals of a first classification type of the ontology and a second of the reasoning modules is configured to process a plurality of abstractions which include individuals of a second classification type of the ontology, wherein the first and second classification types are different. |
| US09111215B2 |
Conditional plasticity spiking neuron network apparatus and methods
Apparatus and methods for conditional plasticity in a neural network. In one approach, conditional plasticity mechanism is configured to select alternate plasticity rules when performing connection updates. The selection mechanism is adapted based on a comparison of actual connection efficiency and target efficiency. For instance, when actual efficiency is below the target value, the STDP rule may be modulated to increase long term potentiation. Similarly, when actual efficiency is above the target value, the STDP rule may be modulated to increase long term connection depression. The conditional plasticity mechanism dynamically adjusts connection efficacy, and prevents uncontrolled increase of connection weights, thereby improving network operation when processing information of a varying nature. |
| US09111214B1 |
Virtual assistant system to remotely control external services and selectively share control
A virtual assistant system includes a mobile device, an assistant server and devices and services included within the virtual assistant system desired to be controlled. The virtual assistant system can control any such devices and services by receiving an input to perform a function at the devices and services, translate the input into a language sharable by all of the external devices and services through a respective plugin so that such inputs can be understood between the plurality of devices and services, and functions can be performed at the desired device(s) or service(s) either remotely or locally. This control is sharable with other users as instructed. |
| US09111213B2 |
Method for constructing a tree of linear classifiers to predict a quantitative variable
A method is provided for predictive modeling of a physical process in order to determine and implement a solution to the physical process. The method includes storing representations of relevant physical relationships, observations, and outcome probabilities related to the physical process in a memory of a computer, recursively analyzing the stored representations by the computer, and generating at least one tree structure that models the physical process, the tree structure including at least one root node, a plurality of decision nodes, and a plurality of end nodes. The method also includes determining a solution to the physical process based on criterion variables, by the computer using the tree structure of the physical process to arrive at an end node, and implementing a physical solution to the physical process, the physical solution being based on the determined solution. |
| US09111210B2 |
Information processing apparatus and job setting method
In an information processing apparatus, if the number of specific items of a plurality of setting items included in pre-registration information selected by a selection portion is equal to or less than a threshold, a change portion changes a setting content of the specific item to a content within a range of use authority. A setting screen display portion displays a setting screen for setting the specific item whose setting content has been changed by the change portion. A second display control portion displays an authentication screen if the setting content of the specific item is set on the setting screen so as to be outside the range of the use authority. |
| US09111201B1 |
Hand-held printing device and method for tuning ink jet color for printing on colored paper
A hand-held printer is disclosed. The hand-held printer includes an image sensor configured to determine a color having plurality of color components associated with a print medium, an image processing module configured to process image data into a plurality of color layers; and a print module configured to receive information related to the plurality of color components from the image sensor and information related to the plurality of color layers from the image processing module. The print module being configured to enhance at least one of the plurality of color layers based on at least one of the corresponding plurality of color components associated with the print medium. |
| US09111196B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
A device for controlling an image forming apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire image data, and pixel piece insertion/extraction information indicating whether a pixel piece needs to be inserted into or extracted from each pixel of the image data, a generation unit configured to generate an exposure signal according to a pixel value indicating a pixel of interest in the image data and to pixel piece insertion/extraction information on the pixel of interest, and a control unit configured to control exposure by the apparatus according to the exposure signal. The generation unit causes the pixel of interest to be formed by a plurality of pixel pieces arranged in a direction in which the apparatus scans, presets at least one of the pixel pieces as an adjustment blank pixel piece, and deletes the piece when the width of the pixel of interest in the scanning direction is reduced. |
| US09111194B2 |
Contactless data transmission device, security and/or valuable document including the same and method for manufacturing the contactless data transmission device
This present invention serves to simplify manufacture of a contactless data transmission device (50). This device (50) has an electrically insulating carrier (1), a circuit element arranged on the carrier (1) made from a continuous antenna conductor track (2) in the form of at least one spiral winding (4, 5, 6) and respectively one terminal contact (15, 16) at the ends thereof as well as an electronic component (3) with at least two contact points (11, 12) electrically connected with the circuit element. The electronic component (3) is placed in a mounting region (10) above the at least one spiral winding (4, 5, 6). The at least two contact points (11, 12) of the component (3) are electrically connected with a respective terminal contact (15, 16) of the antenna conductor track (2). At least one spiral winding (4, 5, 6) is branched outside the mounting region (10) between two respective branching points (7′, 7″; 8′, 8″; 9′, 9″) into at least two spiral winding branches (4′, 4″; 5′, 5″; 6′, 6″). The data transmission device (50) is a component part of a valuable and/or security document (100). |
| US09111190B2 |
System for and method of locating radio frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with items in a controlled area
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reading system having a phased antenna array accurately locates RFID tags in a controlled area, by steering an interrogating beam over the controlled area to interrogate the tags and generate return modulated RF signals. A primary receiver steers a primary receive beam at a primary steering angle that is fixed during each tag interrogation. A primary demodulator demodulates and reconstructs the received return modulated signals. A secondary receiver, independently of the primary receiver, steers a secondary receive beam at a plurality of secondary steering angles. A secondary correlator/demodulator demodulates the combined return modulated signals, and utilizes the reconstructed signal reconstructed by the primary demodulator at each of the secondary steering angles. Both the primary and the secondary receivers cooperate to accurately locate the same tag. |
| US09111184B2 |
Entrance ticket with lighting effect
A apparatus having an embedded processor in a substrate for creating a synchronous lighting effect at a controlled access venue and a method for creating a lighting effect at a controlled access venue while controlling access to the venue simultaneously using a apparatus that coordinates with the performance allowing a holder of the apparatus to perform with the performance. |
| US09111181B2 |
Detecting and flagging likely confidential content in photographs to prevent automated dissemination
Automatic distribution of image data, such as a digital photographs, is prevented or delayed if the photograph is determined to likely contain confidential data. Online photo streaming services, albums, social media accounts, and backup services can be a source of inadvertent disclosure of confidential information due to these automatic dissemination functions of modern photo capturing devices. Detection criteria to trigger the blocking of dissemination may include recognition of faces of co-workers and clients, recognition of business furnishings such as whiteboards and conference room equipment, as well as geotags where the image was captured, the time, day of week, and date at which it was captured, and network identifiers associated with the network on which the capturing device is connected. |
| US09111175B2 |
Method and a system for registering a 3D pre-acquired image coordinate system with a medical positioning system coordinate system and with a 2D image coordinate system
Method for registering a three dimensional (3D) pre acquired image coordinates system with a Medical Positioning System (MPS) coordinate system and a two dimensional (2D) image coordinate system, the method comprising acquiring a 2D image of a volume of interest, the volume including an organ, the 2D image being associated with the 2D coordinate system, acquiring MPS points within the organ, the MPS points being associated with the MPS coordinate system, the MPS coordinate system being registered with the 2D coordinate system, extracting a 3D image model of the organ from a pre acquired 3D image of the volume of interest, estimating a volumetric model of the organ from the acquired MPS points, and registering the 3D coordinate system with the MPS coordinate system by matching the extracted 3D image model and the estimated volumetric model of the organ. |
| US09111174B2 |
Machine learnng techniques for pectoral muscle equalization and segmentation in digital mammograms
Image analysis techniques applicable to mammograms and other types of images may include image normalization, image segmentation, forming a prediction bias image, and creating an equalized image based on the prediction bias image. Creation of the equalized image may include subtraction of the prediction bias image from the original image. Forming the prediction bias image may involve the use of trained predictors. |
| US09111170B2 |
Methods and apparatus relating to text items in images
A method and an electronic device are provided for obtaining an image or a video frame, including applying to the image or the video frame, at least one image processing technique, scanning the image or the video frame, to identify a text item, determining an item type for the identified text item, and determining an action, corresponding to the item type. |
| US09111168B2 |
Method and system for resolution conversion of magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) content
A method and a system for resolution conversion of Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) content in an image are provided. The method is implemented in a computer system comprising one or more processors configured to execute one or more computer program modules. The method includes receiving image data of the image, the image data having a plurality of image planes in which one plane is a MICR image plane, wherein the plurality of image planes have essentially the same resolution; and converting the resolution of the MICR image plane to a resolution of a MICR print engine different from the remaining image planes. |
| US09111166B2 |
Cluster computing of bar code data
A reading system including: a primary reader for reading an information bearing device (IBD) having encoded IBD data provided therein for packetizing the encoded data and processing a first data packet of the packetized encoded data and transmitting a second data packet of the packetized encoded data; at least one auxiliary reader for receiving and processing the second data packet and the transmitting the processed second data packet; and wherein the processed first and second data packets are combined to produce decoded IBD data. |
| US09111165B2 |
Method and system for filtering detection patterns in a QR code
A method and system for filtering detection patterns in a QR code is provided in this invention. When multiple detection patterns get into a QR code image due to interference or other reasons, first of all, an side length is determined for each pattern to be detected, and then an average value of the side lengths of multiple patterns to be detected is determined, after which through comparing with a predetermined reference value, patterns to be detected meeting a predetermined condition are determined as detection patterns. An effective solution is provided to fill the gap in the prior art of unable to remove detection patterns caused by interference appropriately when more than three detection patterns are found. |
| US09111164B1 |
Custom functional patterns for optical barcodes
Systems and methods for custom functional patterns for optical barcodes are provided. In example embodiments, image data of an image is received from a user device. A candidate shape feature of the image is extracted from the image data. A determination is made that the shape feature satisfies a shape feature rule. In response to the candidate shape feature satisfying the shape feature rule, a custom graphic in the image is identified by comparing the candidate shape feature with a reference shape feature of the custom graphic. In response to identifying the custom graphic, data encoded in a portion of the image is decoded. |
| US09111158B2 |
Illumination apparatus for a camera-based code reader
An illumination apparatus (10) is provided for a camera-based code reader (100) having a plurality of light transmitters (16) arranged in ring shape and in a fixed position with respect to a base housing part (12) and having a plurality of optical transmission systems (20) associated with the light transmitters (20) in a front housing (14) supported rotationally movably with respect to the base housing part (12), wherein the optical transmission systems (20) can be set to adapt the illumination by rotation of the front housing (14). The front housing (14) has a plurality of front lenses (20) and the front housing (14) is supported in a thread (15) with respect to the base housing part (12) so that front lenses (20) can be associated with the light transmitters (16) at a changed spacing by a rotational movement of the front housing (14). |
| US09111156B2 |
Systems and methods for compressive sensing ranging evaluation
RFID systems for locating RFID tags utilizing phased array antennas and compressed sensing processing techniques in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, an RFID system includes at least one exciter that includes at least one transmit antenna, a phased antenna array that includes a plurality of receive antennas, and an RFID receiver system configured to communicate with the at least one exciter and connected to the phased antenna array, where the RFID receiver system is configured to locate an RFID tag by performing reads of the RFD tag at multiple frequencies, generating a measurement matrix, and determining a line of sight (LOS) distance between the activated RFID tag and each of the plurality of receive antennas by eliminating bases from the measurement matrix. |
| US09111153B2 |
Alerting a smart card reader of probable wireless communication
A wireless device may alert a wireless smart card reader that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is probably imminent by sending an activation alert. Upon receipt of the activation alert, if the wireless smart card reader is in a low-power state, the wireless smart card reader may enter a higher-power state. If the wireless smart card reader is in the higher-power state upon receipt of the activation alert, the wireless smart card reader may remain in the higher-power state until a timeout period has expired. The wireless device may instruct the wireless smart card reader to enter the low-power state by sending a deactivation alert if the wireless device detects that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is not likely to occur within a specified period of time. |
| US09111152B2 |
Verification object specifying apparatus, verification object specifying program, and verification object specifying method
In a verification object specifying apparatus that specifies a verification object for biometric authentication, a biometric information acquisition unit acquires biometric information from a biometric information source part. An abnormality detection unit detects an abnormal portion in the biometric information source part based on the biometric information. A verification object specifying unit determines whether biometric information located in the abnormal portion is to be included in a verification object, and specifies biometric information to be used as the verification object based on the determination result. The verification object specifying apparatus causes a registration unit to register the biometric information as registration information when serving as a registration apparatus, and causes a verification unit to verify the biometric information against registration information when serving as a verification apparatus. |
| US09111151B2 |
Network on chip processor with multiple cores and routing method thereof
An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrates a network on chip processor including multiple cores and a Kautz NoC. Each of the cores is assigned with an addressing string with L based-D words, and the addressing string does not have two neighboring identical words, wherein L present of an addressing string length is an integer larger than 1, D present of a word selection is an integer larger than 2. Each of the cores is unidirectionally link to other (D−1) cores through the Kautz NoC, and in the two connected cores, the last (L−1) words associated with the addressing string of one core are same as the first (L−1) words associated with the addressing string of the other core. |
| US09111150B2 |
Authentication system, and method for registering and matching authentication information
A certain amount of unique data of a target is extracted from image information that was read, and it is determined whether or not the target is valid on the basis of the extracted unique data. Processes are executed by means of an image reading unit which extracts an image by scanning a target, an individual difference data calculating unit which calculates individual difference data from the obtained image, an individual difference data comparing unit which compares the calculated individual difference data, and a determination unit which determines whether or not to grant validation. |
| US09111145B2 |
Parking lot information system using image technology for identifying available parking spaces
A parking lot information system comprising a digital camera for obtaining an image of parking spaces in the parking lot where each parking space is marked with a visual identifier, a computer coupled to the digital camera for identifying available parking spaces by recognizing the identifiers marking the available parking spaces, and a display coupled to the computer for displaying information on the available parking spaces. |
| US09111144B2 |
Eye color paternity test
A method, system, and apparatus for determining paternity based on eye color. Determining paternity may include accessing a color digital image of at least one of a male parental candidate, a female parental candidate, and a child candidate. An eye color of each of the male parental candidate, the female parental candidate, and the child candidate may be determined, wherein the eye color of at least one of the male parental candidate, the female parental candidate, and the child candidate is determined based on the accessed color digital image. A paternity likelihood of the male parental candidate with regard to the child candidate may be determined based on the determined eye color of the male parental candidate, the female parental candidate, and the child candidate. |
| US09111140B2 |
Identification and separation of form and feature elements from handwritten and other user supplied elements
A system and methods for progressive feature evaluation of an electronic document image to identify user supplied elements is disclosed. The system includes a controller in communication with a storage device configured to receive and accessibly store a generated plurality of candidate images. The controller is operable to analyze the electronic document image to identify a first feature set and a second feature set, wherein each of the first and second feature sets represents a different form feature, compare the first feature set to the second feature set, and define a third feature set based on the intersection of the first and second feature sets, wherein the third feature set represents the user provided elements. |
| US09111139B2 |
Method and apparatus for on-top writing
A handwriting recognition apparatus facilitates user entry of strokes one on top of another. The apparatus, which includes a processor and a display integrated with a touch sensitive screen, receives a series of strokes via the screen. Each stroke is defined by contact, trace, and lift occurrences. Each stroke appears on the display until occurrence of a prescribed event, and then disappears. The apparatus accumulates strokes into a buffer and interprets all accumulated strokes collectively against a character database and optionally a linguistic database, to identify multiple candidate strings that could be represented by the accumulated strokes. The apparatus displays candidate strings for user selection after all strokes have faded, or after receiving a user submitted delimiter, or after a given delay has elapsed following user entry of the latest stroke. Alternatively, candidate strings are displayed after each stroke without waiting for timeout or explicit delimiter. |
| US09111138B2 |
System and method for gesture interface control
A method is provided in one example and includes generating a histogram associated with at least one object; receiving image data; comparing the image data to the histogram in order to determine if at least a portion of the image data corresponds to the histogram; identifying a pose associated with the object; and triggering an electronic command associated with the pose. In more particular embodiments, the image data is evaluated in order to analyze sequences of poses associated with a gesture that signals the electronic command to be performed. |
| US09111133B2 |
Use of unknown user data for identifying known users
A device may receive an image of a user. The device may compare the image to an image of a known user and an image of an unknown user. The device may select, based comparing the image to the image of a known user and the image of an unknown user, one of: the image of the known user, or the image of the unknown user. The device may identify, when the image of the known user is selected, the user as the known user. The device may not identify the user when the image of the unknown user is selected. |
| US09111131B2 |
Human head detection in depth images
Systems, devices and methods are described including receiving a depth image and applying a template to pixels of the depth image to determine a location of a human head in the depth image. The template includes a circular shaped region and a first annular shaped region surrounding the circular shaped region. The circular shaped region specifies a first range of depth values. The first annular shaped region specifies a second range of depth values that are larger than depth values of the first range of depth values. |
| US09111121B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing a programmable device using a kill switch
A kill switch is provided that, when triggered, may cause the programmable logic device (PLD) to become at least partially reset, disabled, or both. The kill switch may be implemented as a fuse or a volatile battery-backed memory bit. When, for example, a security threat is detected, the switch may be blown, and a reconfiguration of the device initiated in order to zero or clear some or all of the memory and programmable logic of the PLD. |
| US09111115B2 |
Oblivious transfer with hidden access control lists
A method, apparatus, and a computer readable storage medium having computer readable instructions to carry out the steps of the method for anonymous access to a database. Each record of the database has different access control permissions (e.g. attributes, roles, or rights). The method allows users to access the database record while the database does not learn who queries a record. The database does not know which record is being queried: (i) the access control list of that record or (ii) whether a user's attempt to access a record had been successful. The user can only obtain a single record per query and only those records for which he has the correct permissions. The user does not learn any other information about the database structure and the access control lists other than whether he was granted access to the queried record, and if so, the content of the record. |
| US09111114B1 |
Method of transforming database system privileges to object privileges
Coarse-grained system-wide database privileges are transformed into new finer-grained database object privileges that are user-centric and specific to particular objects by creating an object class defining certain generic operations on objects, and defining within the object class a new object that embodies permissible actions on a particular database object. The new object is stored in a catalog table that comprises an object privilege table and is associated in the object privilege table with a consolidated grouping of object privileges of users relative to the new object. |
| US09111113B2 |
Trusted online advertising
Online advertisements are delivered to one or more users. An authorization to access one or more data streams for a given user is received. The authorization is explicitly granted by the user. The data streams are stored within a user data repository. Upon the user conducting an online action that initiates a dynamic advertisement (DA) request, the authorized data streams for the user are used to generate a customized DA that is optimally relevant to the user. The customized DA is then delivered to the user. The customized DA is also monetized. |
| US09111104B2 |
Entitlements determination via access control lists
Entitlements to resources can be determined by using access rules that are organized as respective ranges in an entitlement space. An access rule can represent a range between two rational numbers in the entitlement space; the range can be represented by a single rational number. Due to the way the rational numbers are chosen, a child rule is completely covered by its parent, and a parent has remaining room in the entitlement space for unlimited additional children. Entitlement checking for a large batch of resources can be performed quickly based on reusing calculated permitted ranges in the entitlement space. Implied permissions can be supported. Content can easily be added, and the access rules can be modified without unduly impacting the underlying tree structure, if at all. |
| US09111101B2 |
Information processing apparatus capable of enabling selection of user data erase method, data processing method, and storage medium
A mechanism which makes it possible to automatically and appropriately select an erase method of erasing user data in a shorter time such that the user data can by no means be reproduced, according to the type of a connected nonvolatile storage device. An information processing apparatus determines an erase method of erasing an erase area of the nonvolatile storage device according to a management table generated based on attribute information acquired from the nonvolatile storage device. Then, the image forming apparatus erases information stored in the erase area according to the determined erase method. |
| US09111097B2 |
Secure execution architecture
The present invention relates to circuitry and a method for providing data security, which circuitry contains at least one processor and at least one storage circuit. The invention is based on the idea that circuitry is provided in which a processor is operable in at least two different modes, one first secure operating mode and one second unsecure operating mode. In the secure mode, the processor has access to security related data located in various memories located within the circuitry. The access to these security data and the processing of them need to be restricted, since an intruder with access to security data could manipulate the circuitry. When testing and/or debugging the circuitry, access to security information is not allowed. For this reason, the processor is placed in the unsecure operating mode, in which mode it is no longer given access to the protected data. |
| US09111094B2 |
Malware detection
First data relating to a selected file is obtained. Based upon the first data it is determined if malware detection processing can be selected. Malware detection processing of the file is selected based upon said first data if it is determined that malware detection processing can be selected based upon the first data. If it is determined that, based upon the first data, malware detection processing cannot be selected based upon the first data, second data relating to the selected file is obtained and malware detection processing of the file is selected based upon said first and second obtained data. The selected malware detection processing is applied to said selected file. In an exemplary embodiment the first data is metadata and represents a faster scan of the file, and the second data is content of the file's header and represents a more in-depth scan of the file. |
| US09111089B1 |
Systems and methods for safely executing programs
A computer-implemented method for safely executing programs may include identifying an attempt to launch an executable file. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying a reputation associated with the executable file. The computer-implemented method may further include determining, based on the reputation, that the executable file is not trusted. The computer-implemented method may additionally include, in response to determining that the executable file is not trusted, fulfilling the attempt by sandboxing a process instantiated from the executable file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09111085B1 |
Computer-implemented system and method for electronic personal identity verification
A system and method for electronic personal identity verification is provided. A user is registered with an authentication service, which includes providing to the service a biometric signature associated with the user and information personally known to the user. Identification data that includes the biometric signature is sent from an identification device worn by the user to a user device associated with the user. An input personally known to the user is received into the user device. Encrypted credentials are sent from the user device to the authentication service. The received encrypted credentials are compared to the biometric signature and the information provided to the authentication service. A claims token is sent from the authentication service to the user device upon the encrypted credentials matching the biometric signature and the information provided to the authentication service. An application is accessed via a third party provider using the claims token. |
| US09111084B2 |
Authentication platform and related method of operation
An authentication platform comprises an authentication unit configured to authenticate the user based on received input data, and a control unit configured to enable communication between a client device and an authentication host as a consequence of successful authentication of the user by the authentication unit. |
| US09111082B2 |
Secure electronic identification device
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a secure electronic identification device is presented. The secure electronic identification device includes a display mode for displaying government furnished information, a display mode for displaying user furnished information, and a public display mode for displaying public information. |
| US09111081B2 |
Remote direct memory access authentication of a device
An approach is provided in which a server receives a first request from a client over a command port connection. The server, in turn, sends a first phase authentication token to the client over the command port and receives a second request from the client over a management port connection. In response, the server sends a second phase authentication token to the client over the management port connection, which the server receives back from the client over the command port connection. In turn, the server authenticates the client to utilize the command port connection accordingly. |
| US09111079B2 |
Trustworthy device claims as a service
Embodiments of the invention make the issuance of trustworthy device claims available to client devices as a service, so that a client device to which device claims are issued may use the device claims in relation to an attempt to access a network application. The service may conduct an assessment of the device's characteristics and/or state, characterize the results of this assessment in device claims, and issue the device claims to the device. The service may be accessible to a client device from outside administrative boundaries of an entity that makes a network application accessible, and thus may be useful to entities making network applications accessible in business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) topologies, such as over the publicly accessible Internet. |
| US09111078B2 |
Package manager service in gaming system
A slot management system includes a download and configuration server-based sub-system and method for use with game devices, systems, and methods. The slot machine management system is provided to enable users to monitor, control, and modify game devices and other related activities. |
| US09111076B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication; a touch screen display unit configured to switch between an inactivated state in which illumination is not applied to the display unit and an activated state in which illumination is applied to the display unit; and a controller configured to: sense a plurality of touch inputs on the display unit when the display unit is in the deactivated state and no illumination is applied to the display unit, and release a locked state of the mobile terminal and switch the display unit to the activated state in which illumination is applied to the display unit, when the plurality of touch inputs match a predetermined pattern. |
| US09111074B1 |
Login synchronization for related websites
Methods for or providing stored authentication information of one website for a related website are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a first request to provide, for display, a webpage includes at least one authentication field, and receiving an identification of an absolute domain name for the webpage. The method also includes identifying a parent domain name from the absolute domain name, and determining whether stored authentication information for a user is available for the parent domain name. The method further includes providing, for display, a first notification to populate the stored authentication information for the user in the at least one authentication field when the stored authentication information is available for the parent domain name. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided. |
| US09111063B2 |
Semiconductor device and layout design system
In a semiconductor device including a seal ring area containing multiple seal rings are coupled to each other at equal intervals via bridge patterns, improper local relocation of bridge patterns may reduce the reliability of the semiconductor device. A semiconductor device has a first group containing a predetermined number of the bridge patterns spaced at a first interval and a second group containing a predetermined number of the bridge patterns spaced at the first interval, the second group being located at a second interval from the first group. The second interval is larger than the first interval. |
| US09111061B2 |
Transistor characteristic calculation apparatus using large signal equivalent circuit model
A transistor characteristic calculation apparatus using a large signal equivalent circuit model has a buffer trap circuit provided between a drain terminal and a source terminal such that a parallel circuit including a resistor and a capacitor, a diode, and another parallel circuit including a resistor and a capacitor are in turn connected in series. |
| US09111059B2 |
System and methods for dynamic management of hardware resources
A dynamically reconfigurable framework manages processing applications in order to meet time-varying constraints to select an optimal hardware architecture. The optimal architecture satisfies time-varying constraints including for example, supplied power, required performance, accuracy levels, available bandwidth, and quality of output such as image reconstruction. The process of determining an optimal solution is defined in terms of multi-objective optimization using Pareto-optimal realizations. |
| US09111058B1 |
Solving a hierarchical circuit network using a barycenter compact model
Any primitive cells or blocks can be represented physically by a Barycenter compact model (or Barycenter model), and any black box model can also be physically represented by a Barycenter compact model physically. A hierarchical boundary condition between blocks is formulated by the Barycenter compact model. Hierarchical boundary condition problems between blocks can be limited within two levels only if using the Barycenter compact model. |
| US09111055B2 |
Virtual mass emulator
The present invention is directed to a system and method for emulating smart grid devices in a smart grid for demand-response program analysis and optimization. Smart grid devices may be emulated in a virtual environment on a server, and can also be emulated individually on smart grid devices themselves. Demand-response programs can be simulated in a virtual environment with virtual emulated smart grid devices, or they can be simulated in a hybrid real-virtual environment with both real smart grid devices and virtual emulated smart grid devices. Demand-response programs can be simulated serially or in parallel. Additionally, such hybrid demand-response program simulations can be enhanced and optimized by including data obtained from the real smart grid devices into the simulation feed-back loop. |
| US09111054B2 |
Data center design tool
A data center design tool is described herein. The tool receives a number of design specifications for a proposed facility of the data center. The tool determines requirements of the data center based on the design specifications. Further, the tool receives an equipment component input and attributes of the equipment component input for the data center. The tool determines additional equipment component inputs and additional attributes based on the received design specifications, the determined requirements, and the received equipment component inputs and attributes. |
| US09111047B1 |
Method, system, and computer program product for implementing firmware-driven, dynamically configurable pulse-density modulation audio intellectual property
A programmable intellectual property block includes a PWM processor core to perform audio processing on input audio signals with firmware-driven modules to generate PWM output samples without using digital-analog converters or application processors. PWM processor core directly writes PWM output samples to queues of PWM peripherals to generate and transmit PWM digital pulses used by power stage(s) to drive electroacoustic transducers. Audio processing module(s) and PWM processing module(s) are implemented as a part of the firmware stored on the programmable processor core and are co-optimized by accessing the firmware. PWM processor core is dynamically configurable by identifying appropriate modules or information from the firmware based at least in part upon optimization objectives. The programmable intellectual property block allows users to introduce custom-defined modules or changing the sequence of execution along the PWM path and may be configured based on user profile(s), system variable(s), and/or sensing different acoustic conditions. |
| US09111046B2 |
Implementing capacity and user-based resource allocation for a shared adapter in a virtualized system
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing capacity and user-based resource allocation for a hardware I/O adapter, such as, a Single Root Input/Output Virtualization (SRIOV) adapter in a virtualized system. Configuring a virtual function (VF) is provided by supplying a capacity value of a port. The capacity value represents a percentage of the available performance of the port. The adapter driver configures multiple adapter parameters to provide the available performance for the port. A user is enabled to specify a level of performance assigned to each protocol of the port. |
| US09111045B2 |
Intelligent controller system and method for smart card memory modules
A storage device contains a smart-card device and a memory device, both of which are accessed though a controller. The storage device may be used in the same manner as a conventional smart-card device, or it may be used to store a relatively large amount of data in various partitions corresponding to the protection level of the data stored therein. The smart-card device stores critical security parameters that are provided to the controller to protect access to some or all of the partitions of the memory device. A host connected to the controller issues commands, and the controller analyzes the commands and responds to them in various ways depending upon the nature of the command. In particular, depending upon the nature of the command, the controller may either pass the command to the smart-card device, or ignore the command either indefinitely or until a predetermined event has occurred. |
| US09111044B2 |
Automated network triggering-forwarding device
An automated network triggering-forwarding device connected with a control computer and an information input equipment by a network or a cable, respectively, is provided, which comprises a static output module, a dynamic forwarding module, and an information feedback module. A preset trigger signal is output by touching a key or combination of keys of a key output module, the output information of the information input equipment is forwarded to the control computer by the dynamic forwarding module, and the information fed back by the control computer is displayed on the feedback display module and a voice prompt is provided through the voice output module by the information feedback module. The buttons are imparted with different output definitions according to different service requirements, and tart triggering other recognizing devices to operate when needed according to operator demand. The dynamic output function can be externally connected with a plurality of non-network equipment. |
| US09111042B1 |
1588 deterministic latency with gearbox
Systems and methods are disclosed for precisely determining the delay between data being received at the pins of a circuit and being processed by gearbox circuitry, to being processed by a time-stamp unit of the circuit. In an exemplary embodiment, the gearbox circuitry may output a data valid signal which may be monitored by the time-stamp unit. By monitoring the data valid signal, the time-stamp unit may synchronize a local state machine with the internal state of the gearbox circuitry and thus determine the total delay through the combined processing circuitry with high accuracy. |
| US09111040B2 |
Integration of a software content space with test planning and test case generation
A computer-implemented method for test planning and test case generation, includes collecting, by a processor, a plurality of requirements, creating, by the processor, a plurality of content space specification files that includes the plurality of requirements, processing, by the processor, the plurality of content space specification files to generate a plurality of user stories, outputting, by the processor, the plurality of user stories and integrating, by the processor, the user stories into test planning and test case generation. |
| US09111039B2 |
Limiting bandwidth for write transactions across networks of components in computer systems
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates use of a network of components in a computer system. The system includes a bandwidth-allocation apparatus that provides a write transaction limit for a component on the network. The system also includes a transaction-management apparatus that compares the write transaction limit to a set of outstanding write transactions for the component upon detecting a write transaction from the component to the network. If the write transaction causes the set of outstanding write transactions to exceed the write transaction limit, the transaction-management apparatus restricts transmission of the write transaction over the network. |
| US09111027B2 |
Similar case search apparatus and similar case search method
A similar case search apparatus includes: a keyword extracting unit which extracts a keyword from an image interpretation report; a diagnosis tree analyzing unit which extracts, based on the keyword, one or more target diagnosis flows corresponding to the image interpretation report, by referring to a diagnosis tree storage unit storing diagnosis trees; a similar diagnosis flow extracting unit which extracts one or more diagnosis flows similar to the one or more target diagnosis flows from among the plurality of diagnosis flows included in the diagnosis trees stored in the diagnosis tree storage unit, based on the degree of difficulty regarding a diagnosis item or the degree of difficulty regarding a disease name; and a similar case searching unit which searches out one or more case data sets corresponding to the similar diagnosis flows from among a plurality of case data sets stored in a case data storage unit. |
| US09111025B2 |
Providing automated performance test execution
A mechanism for automated performance test execution is disclosed. A method includes generating, by a computing device at periodic intervals, actual values of a performance test of a tested system. The method also includes computing a current value based on the generated actual values and computing a difference between the current value and another current value associated with a prior time. The another current value associated with the prior time is computed based on the generated actual values of the performance test at the prior time. When the computed difference is greater than a pre-determined threshold, the method further includes detecting a beginning of a warm-up period of the tested system. |
| US09111023B2 |
Bridge apparatus for coupling a medical network with a non-medical network
A bridge apparatus for coupling a medical network with a non-medical network includes a storage unit to store data from the medical network, a first interface device for coupling the storage unit with the medical network, and a second interface device for coupling the storage unit with the non-medical network. The bridge apparatus is configured to execute write-only access requests on the storage unit via the first interface device or to execute read-only access requests on the storage unit via the second interface device. |
| US09111020B2 |
Architecture and methods for sophisticated distributed information systems
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for distributed information systems and architectures. Certain embodiments provide a distributed healthcare information system. The distributed information system includes a back-end subsystem providing content including services, applications, and workflows for healthcare execution. The content is configured for generally application to a plurality of domains. The system also includes a platform subsystem providing domain specific extensions to customize the content of the back-end subsystem for particular domains. The platform subsystem is in communication with the back-end subsystem to access the content. The system further includes a front-end subsystem providing a graphical user interface for a user to access functionality and information based on the content as customized by the domain specific extensions. The front-end subsystem is in communication with the platform subsystem to access the content. |
| US09111013B2 |
Hierarchical associative memory-based classification system
A system and method for efficiently searching long strings of data, such as network messages, is described. The system preferably includes an associative memory structure, having a plurality of content addressable memories (CAMs). The CAMs are hierarchically arranged such the output of at least one CAM is used as the input to a second CAM. Preferably, a top-level CAM receives only a selected portion of the data string or network message as its input. The output of the top-level CAM is then joined with some or all of the remaining portions of the data string to form a new output that is provided to the CAM at the next lower level. The top-level CAM is programmed such that its output is substantially smaller (e.g., has fewer bits) than the selected data string portion that is input to the top-level CAM. The system can thus search data strings that are on the whole far longer than the widths of the respective CAMs forming the memory structure. |
| US09111009B2 |
Self-parsing XML documents to improve XML processing
A method, computer program product, and system for pre-parsing a large XML document to enable faster processing, comprising providing an XML document that is idle or is being generated, pre-parsing the XML document to generate one or more indices associated with the XML document, storing the indices in the XML document, and storing the XML document in a storage area. At the time of processing the XML document, an XML consumer is able to process the XML document more quickly than normal by using the one or more indices. |
| US09111008B2 |
Document information management system
A document information management system in which a search-engine-compatible interface unit makes a word in a document displayed on the screen to be specified, transfers the specified word to a search engine as a keyword to be used in the search engine, receives a search result from the search engine, and displays the search result on the screen, while a browser-compatible interface unit performs a search (a keyword search and/or global search) by using the keyword transferred from a browser and transfers a search result to the browser. |
| US09111004B2 |
Temporal scope translation of meta-models using semantic web technologies
Implementation of a meta-model service of a service oriented architecture industry model repository into a web ontology language representation of at least one topic map meta-model into a plurality of temporal scope topic map meta-models representing states of the at least one topic map meta-model at different times. The implementation includes assigning topics, occurrences, and attributes from the meta-model service to the at least one topic map meta-model. The topics, occurrences, and attributes are assigned from the at least one topic map meta-model to plurality of temporal scope topic map meta-models. The topics, occurrences, and attributes from the plurality of temporal scope topic map meta-models are converted into resource description framework triples; and the resource description framework triples are persisted into the resource description framework repository. |
| US09111003B2 |
Scalable derivative services
An efficient method for parsing HTML pages identifies pages containing a mix of static and dynamic content. The pages are parsed to form abstract syntax trees (ASTs), which are then cached along with the pages. When a later version of a page is retrieved, it is compared against the cached version, and only those portions of the AST that contain different content are reparsed. |
| US09110999B2 |
Virtual data sharing user application
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of retrieving a plurality of data memory containers from a database. One example method of operation may include displaying the plurality of data memory containers on a graphical user interface, receiving a selection of one or more of the data memory containers, and displaying a moving array of the plurality of data objects included in the selected one or more data memory containers. The objects may be images or other user defined data files that are distributed to a virtual house application. |
| US09110997B2 |
Updating weights of edges of a social graph based on sharing activity of users of the open web
A social graph is built which includes interactions, sharing activity, and connections between the users of the open Web and can be used to improve ad targeting and content personalization. Sharing activity between two users will affect ads or content that both users will be presented while surfing the Web. This sharing activity includes sending of links, sending of videos, sending of files, cutting and pasting of content, sending text messages, and sending of e-mails. The system includes receiving activity information, identifying nodes in a social graph related to the activity information, and updating weights of edges based on the activity information. |
| US09110992B2 |
Context-based selection of calls-to-action associated with search results
In one embodiment, access a search query provided by a user of a social-networking system; identify a set of search results in response to the search query; associate one or more call-to-action elements with one or more search results in the set of search results based on one or more factors associated with the social-networking system; and present the set of search results, including the one or more call-to-action elements, to the user. |
| US09110989B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for recalling and retrieving documentary evidence
Methods, systems, and products help users recall memories and search for content of those memories. When a user cannot recall a memory, the user is prompted with questions to help recall the memory. As the user answers the questions, a virtual recollection of the memory is synthesized from the answers to the questions. When the user is satisfied with the virtual recollection of the memory, a database of content may be searched for the virtual recollection of the memory. Video data, for example, may be retrieved that matches the virtual recollection of the memory. The video data is thus historical data documenting past events. |
| US09110984B1 |
Methods and systems for constructing a taxonomy based on hierarchical clustering
Methods and systems for constructing a taxonomy based on hierarchical clustering are provided. The taxonomy is generated by first constructing a hierarchy of clusters using a clustering algorithm. A first level of the hierarchy of clusters is generated by providing a plurality of content files to a clustering algorithm. Subsequent levels of the hierarchy are generated by providing the clusters of the preceding levels to the clustering algorithm. Labels that characterize each cluster within the hierarchy are assigned to corresponding clusters. Labels and clusters are combined to form the taxonomy. |
| US09110980B2 |
Searching and matching of data
Described herein is a technology for facilitating searching and matching of data. In accordance with one implementation, first and second feature sets are extracted. The first feature set is associated with an input data string including one or more first ideographic elements, while the second feature set is associated with a candidate string including one or more second ideographic elements. A match score of the candidate string is determined based on the first and second feature sets. |
| US09110979B2 |
Search of sources and targets based on relative expertise of the sources
A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to provide a ranking of citied objects and citing subjects identified as results of a search, where the relative expertise of subjects or sources of citations to said targets or objects is considered. The relative expertise is a function of the share of the subject's citations matching the query term or search criteria relative to the share of all subjects' citations matching the query term, weighted by the influence of the subjects. This allows the identification of “experts” on “topics” without any pre-defined categorization of topics or pre-computation of expertise. Under this novel approach, expertise can be determined on any query term in real-time. |
| US09110976B2 |
Supporting compliance in a cloud environment
Gathering auditable data concerning actions in a cloud computing environment is automated by determining that one or more auditable data items are available associated with a requester and with at least one application program; responsive to determining that data items are available, transmitting a list of the available auditable data items to a requesting cloud client computer; subsequent to transmitting the list, receiving a data request from the cloud client computer for one or more particular auditable data items from the list; preparing the requested particular auditable data items for transmission according to a predetermined format; and transmitting the prepared requested particular auditable data items to the cloud client computer. Optionally, in some embodiments, the requesting cloud client computer may negotiate a data exchange format with the cloud service provider for receipt of the requested auditable information. |
| US09110970B2 |
Destructuring and restructuring relational data
A computer system selects a first database corresponding to a first schema and a second database corresponding to a second schema. The computer system then generates a schema table based upon the selected databases. Next, the computer system destructures the schema table, which includes a first entry corresponding to the first database and a second entry corresponding to the second database. The computer system then selects a property map that links the first entry to the second entry, and restructures the destructured schema table using the selected property map, resulting in a restructured schema table. In turn, the computer system processes a user query using the restructured schema table. |
| US09110964B1 |
Metadata optimization for network replication using differential encoding
According to one embodiment, in response to a list of fingerprints representing data chunks of a first batch for replication, a second batch previously transmitted to the target storage system is identified based on at least a portion of the fingerprints of the first batch. Differential encoding information is generated representing a difference between fingerprints of the first batch and the second batch. The differential encoding information is transmitted to the target storage system, without transmitting all full fingerprints of the first batch, to allow the target storage system to determine which of the data chunks are missing at the target storage system. In response to information received from the target storage system indicating one or more data chunks that are missing at the target storage system, the missing data chunks are then transmitted to the target storage system. |
| US09110963B2 |
Transparent adaptive file transform
Embodiments of methods, systems, and services for transparent adaptive file transform are described. In one embodiment a method for transparent adaptive file transform is performed by a data processing device. The method may include automatically detecting a data transfer addressed to an external data storage. The method may also include redirecting data associated with the data transfer to a data transformer. Additionally, the method may include applying one or more data transforms to the data associated with the data transfer to generate a transformed data set. In an embodiment, the method may also include transferring the transformed data set to the external data storage. In one embodiment, the external data storage is a cloud storage facility. |
| US09110962B2 |
Data providing apparatus for implementing script, electronic apparatus for implementing script, data processing system for implementing script, and method of data processing for implementing script
A data processing system includes an electronic apparatus including a script implementation unit which receives a Web page including a script via a network, and sends a request for obtaining data based on the script to a data providing apparatus which is connected via a network, the request for obtaining data including identification data of target data to obtain, and attribute data of the electronic apparatus; and the data providing apparatus including a conversion unit which converts a data format of target data stored in a data storing unit identified by the identification data included in the request for obtaining data sent from the electronic apparatus to another data format based on the attribute data of the electronic apparatus included in the request for obtaining data, and a sending unit which sends the target data with the other data format to the electronic apparatus. |
| US09110960B2 |
Data staging
A set of inbound data is received in a computer. At least one attribute of the inbound data is determined. The inbound data is parsed. A set of staging records is generated in the computer that include at least some of the inbound data in one or more fields included in each of the staging records. It is determined that at least some of the staging records are ready for migration to a target environment. The staging records are migrated to the target environment in the computer. |
| US09110959B2 |
System and method for geo-location data type searching in an on demand environment
Methods and systems are provided for retrieving, from a database containing a list of records, a subset of the list of records located within a user defined distance from a target point, each record in the list of records having a compound geo-location data type including a first data field and a second data field. The method involves generating a circle around the target point; identifying records having a geo-location within the circle; including the identified records in a result set; and presenting the result set to a user on a display screen. The method further includes treating the first data field and the second data field as a single data element. |
| US09110951B2 |
Method and apparatus for isolating a fault in a controller area network
A controller area network (CAN) on a mobile system has a plurality of CAN elements including a communication bus and nodes. A method for monitoring the CAN includes detecting inactive nodes of the CAN and employing an off-board controller to identify a candidate fault in the CAN based upon the inactive nodes of the CAN and a network topology for the CAN. A fault is isolated in the CAN based upon the candidate fault. |
| US09110950B2 |
Expert locator based on user polling
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for locating experts is provided. The method includes receiving a first query from a first user requesting the identity of persons having desired skills. The names of persons in a database having the desired skills are then identified. A second query is sent to a plurality of additional users requesting the verification of the information relating to the skills of the identified persons. Responses from the plurality of users are used to amend the information relating to skills of the identified persons. |
| US09110943B2 |
Identifying an image for an entity
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying an image for an entity. In one aspect, a method includes identifying a set of resources. Each resource can include at least one image and reference at least one entity. Each image is assigned to a particular entity based on an overall entity scores for the image relative to the entities. The overall entity score for an image and an entity can specify a measure of topical relatedness between the image and the entity. For each individual entity referenced by at least one of the resources, a group of images that have been assigned to the individual entity is identified. An image evocative of each individual entity is selected from the group based on image rank scores. The image rank score for an image can be determined based on visual characteristics of the image. |
| US09110931B2 |
Fuzzy database retrieval
A method for querying metadata associated with media, such as multimedia and/or streaming media, on a computer network includes separating the metadata into keywords. The keywords are compared with valid keywords. A score is calculated in accordance with the degree of similarity between the keywords and valid keywords. If the degree of similarity is above a threshold, the metadata is qualified as valid metadata. Valid metadata is available for comparison and correction of other (invalid) metadata. |
| US09110930B2 |
Parallel application checkpoint image compression
Parallel application checkpoint image compression may be carried out in a parallel computer. The parallel computer may include a plurality of compute nodes, where each node is configured to execute one or more parallel tasks of the parallel application. The parallel tasks may be organized into an operational group for collective communications. In such a parallel computer, checkpoint image compression may include: generating, by each task of the parallel application, an image for checkpointing the parallel application; selecting, by an image management task, one of the images as a base template image; constructing, by the image management task, a binary radix tree, including storing differences between each task's image and the base template image in the binary radix tree; and storing, by the image management task as a checkpoint for the parallel application, the binary radix tree and the base template image, without storing every task's image. |
| US09110926B1 |
Skew detection for vertical text
A method for detecting and correcting skew in scanned vertical text includes identifying an image of vertically oriented characters, and identifying a plurality of vertical lines corresponding to character positions of the vertically oriented characters in the image. The method further includes generating an average slope of a subset of the plurality of lines, and causing the image to be deskewed based on the average slope. |
| US09110924B2 |
User targeted medical imaging and information packaging, compression and distribution system
A computer-based method and system of distributing biological sample data acquired as a digital image of a subject biological sample. The acquired digital image and image capture data are processed according to at least one user. This results in processed image data and capture metadata. The processed image data represents biological sample data of the subject biological sample. A package processing combines the processed image data and capture metadata into a working Package. The method and system enables simultaneous electronic access to the working Package by multiple users, across multiple sectors, in addition to the one user. |
| US09110922B2 |
Joint embedding for item association
Methods and systems to associate semantically-related items of a plurality of item types using a joint embedding space are disclosed. The disclosed methods and systems are scalable to large, web-scale training data sets. According to an embodiment, a method for associating semantically-related items of a plurality of item types includes embedding training items of a plurality of item types in a joint embedding space configured in a memory coupled to at least one processor, learning one or more mappings into the joint embedding space for each of the item types to create a trained joint embedding space and one or more learned mappings, and associating one or more embedded training items with a first item based upon a distance in the trained joint embedding space from the first item to each said associated embedded training items. Exemplary item types that may be embedded in the joint embedding space include images, annotations, audio and video. |
| US09110913B2 |
Systems and methods for transformation of logical data objects for storage
Systems and methods for transforming a logical data object for storage in a storage device operable with at least one storage protocol, creating, reading, writing, optimization and restoring thereof. Transforming the logical data object comprises creating in the storage device a transformed logical data object comprising one or more allocated storage sections with a predefined size; transforming one or more sequentially obtained chunks of obtained data corresponding to the transforming logical data object; and sequentially storing the processed data chunks into said storage sections in accordance with a receive order of said chunks, wherein said storage sections serve as atomic elements of transformation/de-transformation operations during input/output transactions on the logical data object. The processing may comprise two or more data transformation techniques coordinated in time, concurrently executing autonomous sets of instructions, and provided in a manner preserving the sequence of processing and storing the processed data chunks. |
| US09110912B2 |
Storage systems and methods
Systems and methods for extent reference count updates are presented. In one embodiment; a reference count update method includes: receiving a plurality of data files associated with various modalities; performing an analysis on the data files including examining an impact of the plurality of data files on storage based upon a type of the modality; and forwarding resulting analysis information for presentation in a convenient user interface, including an indication of the impact of the plurality of data files on the storage based upon the type of the modality. In one embodiment the analysis includes resource consumption analysis of the storage associated with the type of modality. The analysis can include a cost analysis of the storage associated with the type of modality. The storage can be included in a cloud environment. |
| US09110911B2 |
System and method for the synchronization of a file in a cache
The present invention provides a system and method for file synchronization. One embodiment of the system of this invention includes a software program stored on a computer readable medium. The software program can be executed by a computer processor to receive a file from a server; store the file as a cached file in a cache; determine if the cached file has been modified; and if the cached file has been modified, communicate the cached file directly to the database. |
| US09110906B2 |
File converting method for computer system
A file converting method for a computer system includes utilizing software for converting a full-virtualized file into a para-virtualized file when the computer system receives a click signal; and activating a virtual machine, and uploading the para-virtualized file to a cloud server. |
| US09110905B2 |
System and method for assigning network blocks to sensors
A system includes a processor device. The processor device is configured to detect a physical topology of a network comprising hosts and sensors in the network. The processor device is also configured to generate a sensor policy for assignment of the sensors to network blocks of the hosts, that balances a processing load and accuracy of the sensors in the network based on physical closeness of the sensors to different divisions of hosts within a same network block. |
| US09110902B1 |
Application-driven playback of offline encrypted content with unaware DRM module
Application-driven interceptor module enables offline playback of Digital Rights Management (DRM) protected content to work in a same way as online playback. Communications with the DRM module are intercepted by the application-driven interceptor that is aware of the client device's network connection status. When the interceptor application determines that the client device is offline, requests for the protected content, and license/key to the protected content may then be managed by the interceptor application. In one embodiment, the interceptor application may retrieve requests for the key/license from a locally protected data store, and provide the key/license to the DRM module. In this manner, the DRM module may be unaware that its messages are being intercepted, and may then operate the same, unaware of whether or not the client device is online or offline. |
| US09110900B2 |
Generating simulated containment reports of dynamically assembled components in a content management system
A content management system (CMS) uses a simulated containment report generation mechanism to generate a simulated containment report for elements in the repository based on logged properties that represent potential use of the element during dynamic content delivery that are not represented in formal relationships in the content management system. Properties such as probability, popularity, and recent usage that are not explicit relationships between parent documents and child elements are logged and used to determine which document maps may potentially reuse a selected element. In this manner a simulated containment report can be created for an element that allows the user to see the document maps that are most likely to include the element. |
| US09110899B2 |
Multi-tenancy in database namespace
Methods for processing a query in a multi-tenancy environment utilizing an electronic computing device are presented, the methods including: causing the electronic computing device to receive the query to a database, where the query includes a number of objects; causing the electronic computing device to determine whether any of the number of objects correspond with the set of tenant database objects; if any of the number of objects correspond with the set of tenant database objects, causing the electronic computing device to process the number of objects from the tenant production table; and if any of the number of objects correspond with the set of instance database objects, causing the electronic computing device to process the number of objects from the instance production table. |
| US09110896B2 |
Active air flap apparatus for vehicle and defect diagnosis method thereof
An active air flap apparatus for a vehicle may include a drive flap positional sensor connected with a drive shaft connecting an actuator and a drive flap and detecting a rotational angle of the drive flap, a driven flap pivotally connected with the drive flap through a link mechanism, a driven flap positional sensor connected with a driven shaft pivotally connected with the link member and detecting a rotational angle of the driven flap, and a controller determining whether the drive flap positional sensor, the driven flap positional sensor, a motor of the actuator, and the link member may be defective by monitoring a feedback voltage value of the drive flap positional sensor, a feedback voltage value of the driven flap positional sensor, and a current applied to the motor of the actuator. |
| US09110894B2 |
Systems and methods for determining related places
Techniques for providing location-based recommendations are described. Some embodiments provide a Location-Based Recommendation System (“LRBS”) that provides recommendations regarding physical places based on content items, such as Web pages, user reviews, directory listings, or the like, that describe or otherwise reference those places. In one embodiment, the LBRS is configured to, in response to an indication of a first place, determine one or more other places that are similar to the first place, and then provide indications of the determined places as recommendations to a user or other entity. In another embodiment, the LBRS is configured to, in response to an indication of a user, determine one or more places that may be of interest to the user, and then provide indications of the determined places as recommendations. In some embodiments, the LBRS may determine recommendations based on content vectors associated with places and/or users. |
| US09110891B2 |
Auto-translation for multi user audio and video
The disclosed subject matter provides a system, computer readable storage medium, and a method providing an audio and textual transcript of a communication. A conferencing services may receive audio or audio visual signals from a plurality of different devices that receive voice communications from participants in a communication, such as a chat or teleconference. The audio signals representing voice (speech) communications input into respective different devices by the participants. A translation services server may receive over a separate communication channel the audio signals for translation into a second language. As managed by the translation services server, the audio signals may be converted into textual data. The textual data may be translated into text of different languages based the language preferences of the end user devices in the teleconference. The translated text may be further translated into audio signals. |
| US09110890B2 |
Selecting a language encoding of a static communication in a virtual universe
A static communication can be presented efficiently in different languages to facilitate propagation of the static communication across language boundaries. A static communication object that represents a static communication can be loaded with different language encodings of the static communication. When a trigger occurs (e.g., an avatar accesses the static communication object), a language encoding of the static communication that can be understood by the avatar is presented to the avatar. As the static communication propagates throughout the virtual universe, additional language encodings can be added to the static communication object. |
| US09110884B2 |
Message publishing and subscribing method and apparatus
A message publishing and subscribing method and apparatus, which relate to the information processing field and provide higher information transmission efficiency and better flexibility mainly by providing a corresponding dummy topic in a message broker for a publisher and a subscriber or by performing semantic recognition in the message broker for the publisher and the subscriber. |
| US09110881B2 |
Character input device and character input program
The object of the present invention is to provide a character input device that facilities the input of an added value in inputting text including numeric values. In a character input device that adopts a predictive conversion method, a preset mathematical operation is performed when a numeric value is inputted, and the result of the mathematical operation is displayed as a conversion candidate. |