| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09136949B1 |
Circuits and methods for data detection
A circuit includes a phase detector circuit and a data detection circuit. The phase detector circuit generates first and second phase detection signals based on a data signal and a periodic signal. The data detection circuit includes logic circuitry that generates a logic signal based on the first and second phase detection signals. The data detection circuit also includes a plurality of delay elements that generate a series of delayed detection signals based on the logic signal. The data detection circuit generates a data detection signal indicating when the data signal contains data based on the series of delayed detection signals. |
| US09136945B2 |
Vehicle communication system for visible light communication and optical networking and communication method thereof
Provided herein is a communication system and method capable of performing visible light communication and optic networking, the system performing visible light communication with an electronic device inside a vehicle and accessing an optic network inside the vehicle. Accordingly, RF interference and distortion is removed, and thus not effecting use of a wireless device inside the vehicle, thereby reducing malfunction/error of a electronic control device and enabling real time data transceiving in the vehicle. |
| US09136940B2 |
Method for resizing network connection in the optical transport network supporting protection switching
There is provided a method for resizing a network connection in an optical transport network that supports protection switching and receives a flexible Optical channel Data (ODUflex(GFP)) signal. In addition, Hitless Adjustment of ODUflex(GFP) (HAO) procedure includes Suppress Bandwidth Resize (SBR) information that prevents a Bandwidth Resize (BWR) protocol from being initiated. Based on the SBR information, only the LCR protocol is executed at nodes located on a protection path for protection switching, except for the BWR protocol. On the other hand, both the LCR protocol and the BWR protocol are executed at nodes located on a working path. |
| US09136937B1 |
System and method for providing antenna diversity in multiple sub-carrier communication systems
A system and method to provide antenna diversity by switching between antenna feeds to optimize signal quality. Antenna conditions are determined during an OFDM guard interval to minimize disruption of symbol transmission. When the signal quality assessment determines that an improved signal is available on an alternative antenna, an antenna change is performed to switch to the alternative antenna, also during a GI, again minimizing disruption in information transmission. Preferably, the process is continually applied, so that antenna conditions are monitored for changing conditions and the antenna experiencing the best signal is selected. |
| US09136936B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing frequency selectively in satellite communication system
A transmission apparatus and method for implementing frequency selectivity in a multi-beam satellite system that transmits a signal to user equipment through one or more antenna feed groups. The transmission apparatus includes: an antenna feed group selecting unit configured to select one or more antenna feed groups from the one or more antenna feed groups; a cyclic delay offset determining unit configured to determine a cyclic delay offset according to a determination result of the antenna feed group selecting unit; and a transmitting unit configured to apply the cyclic delay offset determined by the cyclic delay offset determining unit to a signal to be transmitted through the one or more antenna feed groups selected by the antenna feed group selecting unit, and to transmit a resultant signal. |
| US09136932B2 |
Method and arrangement for tuning polarizations for orthogonally polarized antennas
The present invention relates to a method and a transceiver device in a wireless communication system that enable tuning of the polarization generated by a cross-polarized transmitting antenna configuration of an eNB. This is addressed by a solution where the polarization is adjusted (320) based on a quality indicator e.g. received (310) from one or more UEs. The quality indicator indicates the quality of the communication between the eNB and the UEs, and is used to determine if the adjustment of the antenna configuration is improving the quality of the communication or not. The tuning is thus an iteration (330) of the steps of adjusting (320) the polarization and of receiving (310) the quality indicator, and when the quality indicator has reached a pre-determined value, the iteration is stopped. |
| US09136931B2 |
Cooperative wireless networks
A cooperative multi-user multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) system coordinates wireless client devices to provide cooperative uplink transmissions. A group of wireless client devices is selected based on their channel state information such that their uplink transmissions are uncorrelated. All of the client devices in the group transmit data on the same set of OFDM subcarriers. Channel state information is also communicated to at least one base transceiver along with the data. The channel state information may be measured by the wireless client devices, or the channel state information may be determined from pilot tones transmitted by the wireless client devices and received by at least one base transceiver. A cooperative-MIMO processing system communicatively coupled to at least one base transceiver processes the received uplink transmissions and the channel state information to separate received interfering signals via subspace de-multiplexing. |
| US09136930B2 |
Method and device for feeding back channel information in wireless communication system supporting multi-input multi-output scheme
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and, more particularly, to a method and device for compressing and feeding back channel information in a wireless communication system supporting a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) scheme. A method for feeding back channel information by a terminal in a wireless communication system supporting a MINO scheme, according to one embodiment of the present invention, can comprise the steps of: calculating a channel matrix on the basis of a reference signal received from a base station; calculating a first valid channel vector by using a reception weight vector and the channel matrix; and calculating a second valid channel vector by setting a coefficient corresponding to each basis vector included in a basis matrix as 0 if the coefficient is equal to or less than a threshold when the first valid channel vector is factored by the basis matrix. |
| US09136922B2 |
Feedback method and mobile terminal apparatus
The present invention makes it possible to feed back PMIs that are required to generate precoding weights, while securing improvement of throughput performance, in downlink MIMO transmission using a plurality of transmitting antennas. With the present invention, in a mode to include a PTI (Precoder Type Indicator) in a PUCCH and feedback the PTI to a radio base station apparatus for downlink MIMO transmission using a plurality of transmitting antennas, the transmission cycle of feedback information corresponding to report 2 and report 3 when the value of the PTI is 0 are made different from the transmission cycle of feedback information corresponding to report 2 and report 3 when PTI=1 and the former feedback information and the latter feedback information are multiplexed, and the multiplexed signal is transmitted to the radio base station apparatus by the PUCCH. |
| US09136920B2 |
Reception apparatus and reception method
A reception apparatus obtains a first channel estimated value from a reference signal of each layer and a known reference signal that are received and multiplies the first channel estimated value by an orthogonal signal sequence in each layer. Subsequently, the reception apparatus synthesizes a signal in each layer and, from the orthogonal signal sequence and the synthesized signal, calculates an adaptive array antenna weight. Next, the reception apparatus carries out antenna synthesis of the data signal and the reference signal by using the above weight for each layer and obtains a second channel estimated value from the reference signal subjected to the synthesis. Then, the reception apparatus carries out MIMO demodulation from a result of the channel estimation for each layer described above. |
| US09136918B2 |
Dynamic clustering for coordinated transmission in wireless communication systems
Systems and methods provide for applying a clustering based assignment algorithm (CbAA) in a telecommunication system. A method includes: receiving strength information for transmission points belonging to an associated Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP)-cell; determining the clustering subsets, wherein the step of determining the clustering subsets includes: applying a k-means algorithm to the strength information to form K clusters; identifying the cluster associated with each UE; associating a cluster to each transmission point in accordance to a pre-defined rule; and selecting the UEs to be serviced; and reporting the clustering formations. |
| US09136915B2 |
Wireless communication device
A wireless communication device includes an antenna, a transceiver, a filter circuit and an attenuation circuit. The transceiver includes a transmission electrode and a receive electrode, and communicates with an external device through the antenna. The filter circuit is coupled between the transmission electrode and the antenna, and includes a harmonic trap circuit that eliminates a harmonic element of a carrier frequency of an outgoing signal provided from the transceiver through the transmission electrode. The attenuation circuit is coupled between the receive electrode and the antenna, and provides an incoming signal received through the antenna to the receive electrode after reducing a voltage of the incoming signal. |
| US09136912B2 |
Transmission lines applied to contact free slip rings
A non-contacting rotary interface has a first core with a first pair of balanced transmission lines coupled to the first core and a second core moveable in relation to the first core with a second pair of balanced transmission lines coupled to the second core and configured to receive signals from the first pair of balanced transmission lines. The first pair of balanced transmission lines has a first transmit wire coupled to a termination point at a first end of the first transmit wire, a first transmitter coupled to the first transmit wire at a second end of the first transmit wire, a second transmit wire coupled to the termination point at a first end of the second transmit wire, and a second transmitter coupled to the second transmit wire at a second end of the second transmit wire. The balanced transmission lines may be electrical traces on a circuit board. |
| US09136909B2 |
Apparatus for MIMO coupling power line signals into a three-conductor power supply network via two channels
The present invention relates to an apparatus for coupling a modem to a power supply network for transmitting data via the power supply network, comprising a mains connection, which is configured to connect the apparatus to a phase conductor, a neutral conductor and a protective earth conductor of the power supply network, with the apparatus comprising a first transformer element comprising a primary side winding, a first secondary side winding and a second secondary side winding, and with the apparatus comprising a second transformer element comprising a primary side winding, a first secondary side winding and a second secondary side winding. |
| US09136908B2 |
Long preamble and duty cycle based coexistence mechanism for power line communication (PLC) networks
Embodiments of methods and systems for supporting coexistence of multiple technologies in a Power Line Communication (PLC) network are disclosed. A long coexistence preamble sequence may be transmitted by a device that has been forced to back off the PLC channel multiple times. The long coexistence sequence provides a way for the device to request channel access from devices on the channel using other technology. The device may transmit a data packet after transmitting the long coexistence preamble sequence. A network duty cycle time may also be defined as a maximum allowed duration for nodes of the same network to access the channel. When the network duty cycle time occurs, all nodes will back off the channel for a duty cycle extended inter frame space before transmitting again. The long coexistence preamble sequence and the network duty cycle time may be used together. |
| US09136904B2 |
High bandwidth equalizer and limiting amplifier
Embodiments of the present disclosure enable bandwidth extension of receiver front-end circuits without the use of inductors. As a result, significantly smaller and cheaper receiver implementations are made possible. In an embodiment, bandwidth extension is achieved by virtue of very small floating capacitors that are coupled around amplifier stages of the receiver front-end circuit. Each of the capacitors is configured to generate a negative capacitance for the preceding stage (e.g., equalizer or amplifier), thus extending the bandwidth of the preceding stage. A capacitively-degenerated cross-coupled transistor pair allows bandwidth extension for the final (e.g., amplifier) stage. Embodiments further enable DC offset compensation with the use of a digital feedback loop. The feedback loop can thus be turned on/off as needed, reducing power consumption. |
| US09136899B2 |
Built in self test and method for RF transceiver systems
Integrated circuit transceiver circuitry (2) includes a first resonant circuit (3A) coupled to a narrowband interface (6,7A,7B,21) between a first amplifier (3,20) and an interfacing circuit (4,8,9,44), including a programmable first reactive element (C) and a second reactive element (L). Amplitude sensing circuitry (42) senses a maximum amplitude of an in-phase signal (I) or a quadrature-phase signal (Q). An on-chip first tone generation circuit (38,38A,38B,38C) generates tones for injection into the in-phase signal and the quadrature-phase signal and operates in response to frequency scanning circuitry (30) and the amplitude sensing circuitry to adjust the first reactive element (C) to calibrate the first resonant circuit to a desired resonant frequency by selectively coupling reactive sub-elements (1,2,4,8 . . . ×Cv) into the first reactive element (C). |
| US09136895B2 |
Arrangement for coupling a mobile phone to an external antenna
The invention relates to an arrangement for coupling an antenna, which is in the form of a transmitting and/or receiving antenna, of a mobile telephone to an external antenna or an arrangement for accommodating a mobile telephone from amongst a large number of different mobile telephones in a vehicle with low levels of loss and interference radiation, and for coupling the respective mobile telephone to devices of the vehicle. |
| US09136894B2 |
Hybrid platform for a software defined radio
A hybrid platform for a software defined radio (SDR) includes a receive/transmit antenna, a radio frequency (RF) frontend, a baseband processor, and a SDR positioned along a signal path that couples the antenna, the RF frontend, and the baseband processor. The SDR includes a transmit processing chain, a receive processing chain, and a FPGA that includes control logic to reduce distortion caused by signal transmission within the SDR. |
| US09136887B2 |
Subtracting linear impairments for non-linear impairment digital pre-distortion error signal
Example embodiment of the systems and methods of linear impairment modeling to improve digital pre-distortion adaptation performance includes a DPD module that is modified during each sample by a DPD adaptation engine. A linear impairment modeling module separates the linear and non-linear errors introduced in the power amplifier. The linear impairment model is adjusted during each sample using inputs from the input signal and from a FB post processing module. The linear impairment modeling module removes the linear errors such that the DPD adaptation engine only adapts the DPD module based on the non-linear errors. This increases system stability and allows for the correction of IQ imbalance inside the linear impairment modeling, simplifying the feedback post-processing. |
| US09136884B2 |
Communication node suitable for receiving and/or transmitting radio communications according to at least one first and one second communications protocol simultaneously
A communication node receiving and/or transmitting radio communications according to a first and a second communication protocol simultaneously. It has a first, second, respectively digital processing stage performing operations specific to the first, second protocol, respectively, operating in parallel. A first, second receiving stage, respectively, operating according to the first, second communication protocol, a transmission stage operating according to the first and second communication protocols, having a digital/analog converter converting a digital signal provided by the first or second digital processing stage into an analog signal, a modulator modulating said analog signal, an amplifier and a radiofrequency transmitter transmitting a radio frequency signal corresponding to the modulated analog signal, and a control module selecting, based on a rule and a detected event, the first or second communication protocol and commanding the transmission stage to operate selectively according to the selected protocol and no longer operate according to the non-selected protocol. |
| US09136879B2 |
Error correction coding over multiple memory pages
A method for data storage includes encoding each of multiple data items individually using a first Error Correction Code (ECC) to produce respective encoded data items. The encoded data items are stored in a memory. The multiple data items are encoded jointly using a second ECC, so as to produce a code word of the second ECC, and only a part of the code word is stored in the memory. The stored encoded data items are recalled from the memory and the first ECC is decoded in order to reconstruct the data items. Upon a failure to reconstruct a given data item from a respective given encoded data item by decoding the first ECC, the given data item is reconstructed based on the part of the code word of the second ECC and on the encoded data items other than the given encoded data item. |
| US09136878B2 |
File download and streaming system
A method of encoding data operates on an ordered set of input symbols and includes generating redundant symbols from the input symbols, and includes generating output symbols from a combined set of symbols including the input symbols and the redundant symbols, wherein the number of possible output symbols is much larger than the number of the combined set of symbols, wherein at least one output symbol is generated from more than one symbol in the combined set of symbols and from less than all of the symbols in the combined set of symbols. The redundant symbols are generated from an ordered set of input symbols in a deterministic process such that a first set of static symbols calculated using a first input symbol has a low common membership with a second set of static symbols calculated using a second input symbol distinct from the first input symbol. |
| US09136875B2 |
Decoding method, memory storage device and rewritable non-volatile memory module
A decoding method, a memory storage device and a rewritable non-volatile memory module are provided. The method includes: reading a plurality of bits from the rewritable non-volatile memory module according to a reading voltage; performing a parity check of a low density parity check (LDPC) algorithm on the bits to obtain syndromes, and each of the bits is corresponding to at least one of the syndromes; determining whether the bits have an error according to the syndromes; if the bits have the error, obtaining a syndrome weight of each of the bits according to the syndromes corresponding to each of the bits; obtaining an initial value of each of the bits according to the syndrome weight of each of the bits; and performing a first iteration decoding of the LDPC algorithm on the bits according to the initial values. Accordingly, the decoding speed is increased. |
| US09136863B2 |
Successive approximation analog-to-digital converter and conversion method
The present invention discloses a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter, comprising: a capacitor array including a designated capacitor and several sampling capacitors to sample an input signal under a sampling mode; a comparator to compare a first voltage from the capacitor array with a second voltage under a comparison mode and thereby generate a comparison result; a switching circuit to determine the charge amount stored in the capacitor array under the sampling mode and the first voltage under the comparison mode according to a control signal; and a control circuit to generate the control signal according to a sampling setting under the sampling mode and generate the control signal according to the comparison result under the comparison mode. Said designated capacitor does no sampling under the sampling mode, but appropriates the charges of the sampling capacitors under the comparison mode, so as to reduce the effective sampling value. |
| US09136862B2 |
Quantizer
In one embodiment the quantizer includes a signal-to-phase converter configured to generate a phase signal according to an input signal and a phase difference digitization block configured to generate a quantization output according to differentiated samples of the phase signal, where the phase signal generated by the signal-to-phase converter has a sinusoidal shape. |
| US09136860B2 |
System and method for setting offset and gain of analog input module
The present disclosure relates to a system for setting offset and gain of an analog input module, the system configured to set the offset and gain of the analog input module by outputting an offset value and a gain value to the analog module, using the analog module formed with a plurality of channels. The system includes a control unit configured to output a control signal for outputting the offset value and the gain value, a setting value providing unit configured to output a setting signal by the control signal from the control unit, wherein the setting signal is in a form of a pulse including the offset value and the gain value, and relay unit configured to be switched for applying the setting signal to the analog input module by the control signal from the control unit. |
| US09136858B2 |
Method and device for digitalizing scintillation pulse
A method for digitalizing scintillation pulses includes: defining n threshold voltages V_th, forming a voltage comparison unit by n low-voltage differential signaling receiving ports, outputting, by the voltage comparison unit, a state-flip and a threshold voltage corresponding to the state-flip when one scintillation pulse to be sampled exceeds any one of the thresholds; and sampling digitally a time when the state-flip in step (2) occurs by a time-to-digit converter and identifying the threshold voltage corresponding to the state-flip, to acquire the voltage and the time for the scintillation pulse. The method can be performed using a device for digitalizing scintillation pulses. |
| US09136854B1 |
Current switching digital-to-analog converter with hybrid current switching circuit having low-memory effect
In one embodiment of the invention, a digital to analog convertor (DAC) is disclosed for converting a digital input signal into an analog output signal. The DAC includes a switch controller coupled to a digital input signal; a bias voltage generator coupled to a first terminal of an analog voltage power supply; and a switched current source array coupled to the switch controller and the bias voltage generator. The bias voltage generator generates a bias voltage. The switch controller generates a plurality of digital enable signals. The switched current source array includes a plurality of hybrid switched current cells coupled to the switch controller and the bias voltage generator. The plurality of hybrid switched current cells are coupled together at an analog output terminal to sum unit currents together, if any, and form the analog output signal in response to the digital input signal. |
| US09136845B2 |
Level shifter with improved operation
A level shifter includes a first branch and a second branch. A trigger of the first branch is coupled to a low voltage input, an inverted high voltage output and a ground. A latch of the first branch is coupled to the inverted high voltage output and a high voltage output. A power gate of the first branch is coupled to an inverted low voltage input, the latch of the first branch and a high voltage supply. A trigger of the second branch is coupled to the inverted low voltage input, the high voltage output and the ground. A latch of the second branch is coupled to the high voltage output and the inverted high voltage output. A power gate of the second branch is coupled to the low voltage input, the latch of the second branch and the high voltage supply. |
| US09136844B2 |
Semiconductor device having level shifter
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device that includes: an internal voltage generator configured to produce an internal voltage in a first mode and stop producing the internal voltage in a second mode; a level shifter configured to receive the internal voltage, a first voltage and a first signal, in order to convert the first signal from a voltage level of internal voltage to a voltage level of the first voltage and output the first signal with the voltage level of the first voltage; and a logic circuit configured to produce the first signal, the logic circuit being supplied with the internal voltage in the first mode and supplied with the first voltage in the second mode. |
| US09136841B2 |
Capacitance difference detecting circuit
A capacitance difference detecting circuit with a control circuit, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a voltage control unit and a computing device. The control circuit generates a control signal according to a first voltage and a second voltage. The voltage control unit cooperates with the first capacitor to be detected and the second capacitor to be detected, according to the control signal, to generate the first voltage and the second voltage. The computing device computes a capacitance difference between the first capacitor to be detected and the second capacitor to be detected according to the first voltage, the second voltage and a parameter of the voltage control unit. |
| US09136839B2 |
Power switch
A switch assembly includes a switch cover and a switch base. The switch cover fixedly couples to the switch base with engagement protrusions integrally defined in the switch cover and corresponding apertures defined within the switch base without fasteners or requiring tools. From a disassembled configuration, the cover couples to the switch base by aligning cover protrusions with corresponding base apertures, pressing the cover against the base, sliding the cover in a first engagement direction, and locking the cover protrusions into the apertures by applying a threshold level of engagement force in an engagement direction. From an assembled configuration, the cover de-couples from the switch base by applying a threshold level of disengagement force in disengagement direction oppositely oriented with respect to the engagement direction, thereby unlocking the cover protrusions from the base apertures. |
| US09136838B2 |
RF switch implementation in CMOS process
A dual pole dual through switch for switching between at least four states. The switch comprises four transistors such as N-channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor transistors, such that at each state at most one transistor is in “on” state, and the others are in “off” state. Each transistor has its own control circuit, which provides zero or negative voltage to the drain of the transistor, positive voltage to the source of the transistor, and control alternating voltage to the gate of the transistor. The switch can be used on-chip for devices. Such devices may include a base station or a handset of a cordless phone. |
| US09136834B2 |
Switching apparatus
A switching apparatus that switches a connection state between two terminals, comprising a switch that switches the connection state between the two terminals according to a control voltage supplied thereto; a first power supply section that generates power supply voltage with a first voltage value; a second power supply section that generates power supply voltage with a second voltage value; and a driving section that, upon receiving switching instructions to switch the switch from a first state to a second state, uses power generated by the first power supply section to change the control voltage to be the first voltage value, and then uses power generated by the second power supply section to further change the control voltage from the first voltage value to the second voltage value, in the same direction and with a rate of change over time that is less than a rate of change over time used when changing to the first voltage value. |
| US09136827B2 |
Power-on reset circuit
A power-on reset circuit includes a first-conductive-type MOS transistor having a first source connected to a first power supply, a first drain, and a first gate connected to a second power supply; a second-conductive-type MOS transistor having a second source connected to the second power supply, a second drain connected to the first drain, and a second gate, to which a bias potential which depends on neither a potential of the first power supply nor a potential of the second power supply is applied; and an output node for outputting a reset signal corresponding to a potential of the first drain, in a process that a voltage between the first power supply and the second power supply increases. |
| US09136823B2 |
Duplexer
A duplexer includes a reception filter that is connected between a reception terminal and an antenna terminal and includes one or a plurality of series resonators that are acoustic wave resonators, and a transmission filter that is connected between a transmission terminal and the antenna terminal and includes one or a plurality of acoustic wave resonators, a resonance frequency of a first series resonator that is one of the one or the plurality of series resonators and is closest to the antenna terminal in the reception filter being higher than an upper limit frequency of a reception band of the reception filter. |
| US09136818B2 |
Stacked acoustic resonator comprising a bridge
In accordance with a representative embodiment, a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator structure, comprises: a first electrode disposed over a substrate; a first piezoelectric layer disposed over the first electrode; a second electrode disposed over the first piezoelectric layer; a second piezoelectric layer disposed over the second electrode; a third electrode disposed over the second piezoelectric layer; and a bridge disposed between the first electrode and the third electrode. |
| US09136815B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for implementing variable bandwidth RF tracking filters for reconfigurable multi-standard radios
A variable bandwidth filter includes a first filter branch in parallel with a second filter branch. The first filter branch includes a first resistance in series with an input and a first output, and N parallel paths across the first output. The second filter branch includes a second resistance in series with the input and a second output, and N parallel paths across the second output. A clock tunes the first and second filter branches to a center frequency. A combiner produces a difference signal including a difference between the output of the first filter branch and the output of the second filter branch to provide a filter output having an adjustable bandwidth with reference to a center frequency. The bandwidth is adjusted by changing a value of at least one resistor or at least one capacitor in one or more of the first filter branch or the second filter branch. |
| US09136811B2 |
Automatic gain control (AGC) for multichannel/wideband communications system
Automatic Gain Control (AGC) system for multi-channel signals attenuates an incoming multi-channel signal by providing a gain. The system further adjusts each individual channel, of the multi-channel signal, by supplying a second gain if needed. The AGC system is designed to ensure a received signal power is at an optimal level for analog to digital conversion or any other form of signal processing. The system also enables elimination of mid-packet gain adjustments. |
| US09136809B2 |
Digital bias adjustment in a variable supply radio frequency power amplifier
An RF power amplifier operates over the range of supply voltages provided by a DC/DC converter whether the range of voltages is intentional or unintentional. A system for digitally adjusting the bias levels relative to the supply voltage includes at least one RF power amplifier stage, a digital control block, and a bias circuit. The RF power amplifier stage has at least one RF input signal, at least one RF output signal, and at least one bias input that controls its bias conditions. The RF Power Amplifier Stage includes one or more active gain elements used to amplify the RF input signals. The RF power amplifier operates in a number of bias states controlled by the digital control block. The digital control block uses information related to the supply voltage and may use other information stored in memory to select the desired bias. |
| US09136805B2 |
Class HD power amplifier
A multi-level amplifier including a converter circuit being supplied with a supply voltage and operable to generate at least two output voltages, a voltage comparator circuit adapted to compare each of the output voltages with the supply voltage to generate a driving signal, and an amplifier circuit being supplied with an analog input signal, the amplifier circuit including an analog-to-digital converter coupled to a power stage driver and power stage, wherein the power stage driver receives the driving signal from the voltage comparator. |
| US09136800B2 |
Methods and devices for improving power amplifier efficiency
Devices and methods to reduce adjacent channel power of an amplifier are described. The adjacent channel power can be reduced by considering the third harmonic output from the amplifier, and minimizing such third harmonic amplitude by implementing a phase shifter feedback circuit to the amplifier. The phase shifter feedback circuit can shift the phase of the feedback signal in order to reduce the third harmonic amplitude, which in turn reduces the adjacent channel power. |
| US09136798B2 |
Method and apparatus for outputting audio signal
An apparatus for outputting an audio signal with improved sound quality is provided. The apparatus includes a modulation and amplification unit for pulse modulation and switching amplification of an input audio signal and generating an amplified signal which corresponds to the input audio signal; and a vacuum tube amplification unit for inputting a vacuum tube signal generated by attenuating the amplified signal and adding harmonics of a vacuum tube to the amplified signal, to the modulation and amplification unit to provide a mellow sound. |
| US09136797B2 |
Adaptive harmonic distortion suppression in an amplifier utilizing negative gain
Techniques are described herein that adaptively suppress harmonic distortion in an amplifier utilizing negative gain. The amplifier includes a first amplifier stage and a second amplifier stage, which are coupled in parallel. The first amplifier stage has a positive gain. The second amplifier stage has a negative gain to suppress total harmonic distortion of a system that includes the amplifier. The amplifier further includes shunt-peaking circuitry coupled to the first amplifier stage and the second amplifier stage to increase a maximum operating frequency at which the amplifier is capable of operating. |
| US09136792B2 |
Mounting system for photovoltaic arrays
A mount system for a photovoltaic (PV) panel array allows for ease of installation, flexibility of movement, and the ability to remove and redeploy the system as needed. The mounting system includes a plurality of standoff mounts which are secured to a substrate in a grid system, elongated mounting rails which are secured onto the standoff mounts in parallel, and attachment rails secured to opposing side edges of the PV panels. The attachment rails and mounting rails include interfitting mating formations which interlock to suspend the PV panels between the mounting rails and above the substrate. |
| US09136788B2 |
Motor controller, air compressor, air conditioner, controller of passenger conveyor and controller of conveyor
Disclosed is a motor control apparatus for controlling a synchronous motor, which includes a receiver section for receiving the value detected by a temperature sensor installed inside the synchronous motor. The synchronous motor is started up with the current fed into it, whose magnitude is changed in accordance with the temperature received by the receiver section at the time of starting up the synchronous motor. In this way, the stable startup of the synchronous motor can be guaranteed and the useful life of the semiconductor elements can also be prolonged. |
| US09136787B2 |
Back EMF monitor for motor control
An integrated circuit includes a motor current input voltage-to-current (VI) converter that receives a motor current sensor voltage from a motor and a reference voltage to generate an output current related to a motor's current. A motor current calibration VI converter compensates for errors in the motor current input VI converter and generates a calibration output current based on the reference voltage, wherein the output current and the calibration output current are combined to form an estimate of the motor's current. |
| US09136785B2 |
Motor control system to compensate for torque ripple
A motor control system is provided. The motor control system includes a motor having plurality of motor harmonics, and a torque ripple compensation controller in communication with the motor. The torque ripple compensation controller is configured to determine a harmonic ripple current for a corresponding one of the plurality of motor harmonics. The harmonic ripple current is based on a reference q-axis current and a reference d-axis current. The torque ripple compensation controller is configured to add the harmonic ripple current for each of the plurality of motor harmonics together to determine the ripple compensating current. |
| US09136784B2 |
Universal control unit for brushed or brushless DC motor
A universal control unit for driving a brushed or a brushless DC motor, such as the type commonly employed in a vehicle fuel pump or other vehicle application. According to exemplary embodiments, a universal control unit includes a processing device and an output stage, and is connected to either a brushed or a brushless DC motor in a manner that accommodates the two different motor types so that a common or universal controller can be used. |
| US09136774B2 |
Power converting apparatus
A power converting apparatus according to an embodiment includes a controller that controls a power converter. The controller includes a first signal generator which generates switch drive signals for AC-to-DC conversion, a second signal generator which generates switch drive signals for DC-to-AC conversion, and a drive signal generator which generates, in accordance with the switch drive signals for AC-to-DC conversion and the switch drive signals for DC-to-AC conversion, switch drive signals for controlling the power converter. The first signal generator and the second signal generator operate in synchronization with each other. |
| US09136770B2 |
Adapter power supply having thermoelectric conversion element
An adapter power supply of the invention comprises a switching element that performs switching of an input voltage obtained by rectifying an input AC voltage to deliver switched voltage to a primary winding of an isolating transformer, a diode that rectifies a voltage obtained across a secondary winding of the isolating transformer to obtain a DC output voltage, and a thermoelectric conversion element that performs thermoelectric conversion to variably set the DC output voltage corresponding to a temperature difference between a heated temperature of the switching element or the diode and an atmospheric temperature. The thermoelectric conversion element is disposed between a heat sink attached to the switching element or the diode and a package for containing a main body of the adapter power supply. |
| US09136767B2 |
Switching power-supply device
A switching power-supply device comprises: a transformer; a switching element connected in series with a primary coil; an output voltage generation circuit to generate an output voltage from a voltage generated in a secondary coil; a control circuit power-supply-voltage generation circuit to generate a power-supply voltage from a voltage generated in an auxiliary coil; a feedback control circuit to control an ON width of the switching element by using the voltage generated in the auxiliary coil; a voltage reduction detection circuit to output a pulse signal to the secondary coil when a reduction of the output voltage is detected; a voltage-reduction-signal detection circuit to detect the voltage reduction signal transmitted to the primary coil from the secondary coil; and a trigger circuit to output a trigger signal to turn on the switching element when the voltage reduction signal is detected by the voltage-reduction-signal detection circuit. |
| US09136766B2 |
Switching power converting apparatus
A switching power converting apparatus is capable of converting an input voltage to an output voltage, and includes a transformer, a primary side control module, and a secondary side control module. The secondary side control module utilizes voltage clamping techniques or current-drawing techniques to stop self-excited conversion from the input voltage to the output voltage when the output voltage is greater than a predetermined target voltage, or utilizes a non-self-excited conversion architecture. |
| US09136763B2 |
Audio frequency deadband system and method for switch mode regulators operating in discontinuous conduction mode
A controller for controlling operation of a switching regulator including a modulator, a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) controller, an audible DCM (ADCM) controller, and a sub-sonic discontinuous conduction mode (SBDCM) controller. The modulator generally operates in a continuous conduction mode. The DCM controller modifies operation to DCM during low loads. The ADCM controller detects when the switching frequency is less than a super-sonic frequency threshold and modifies operation to maintain the switching frequency at a super-sonic frequency level. The SBDCM controller detects a sub-sonic operating condition during ADCM operation and responsively inhibits operation of the ADCM mode controller to allow a SBDCM mode within a sub-sonic switching frequency range. The SBDCM operating mode allows for efficient connected standby operation. The SBDCM controller allows operation to return to other modes when the switching frequency increases above the sub-sonic level. |
| US09136752B1 |
Electrical energy regenerative system, network and method
There is provided a closed-loop electrical energy regenerative system comprising (i) a regenerative electric motor for receiving a load of electrical energy for the purpose of conversion into kinetic energy; (ii) an alternator for generating an output load of electrical energy; (iii) a rotating shaft and at least one flywheel, the rotating shaft being configured to be connected to the regenerative electric motor, to the alternator and to the at least one flywheel for transferring a first portion of the kinetic energy from the regenerative electric motor to the alternator for the purpose of generating the output load of electrical energy and for transferring a second portion of the kinetic energy to the at least one flywheel for storage for the purpose of assisting in rotating the rotating shaft through subsequent cycles; (iv) a first electrical output for directing a first portion of the output load of electrical energy outside the system for consumption by an electric power system; and a second electrical output for directing a second portion of the output load of electrical energy back to the regenerative electric motor for operation through the subsequent cycles. There is also provided a closed-loop electrical energy regenerative network and method. |
| US09136749B1 |
Elevator electrical power system
An electrical power system for generating electrical power in a building is provided. The building has an elevator with the elevator having at least one elevator car and the at least one elevator car within an elevator shaft. The electrical power system comprises at least one magnet counterweight connected to the at least one elevator car and at least one coil mounted within the elevator shaft. The at least one magnet counterweight moves in a downward direction as the at least one elevator car moves in an upward direction and the at least one magnet counterweight moves in an upward direction as the at least one elevator car moves in a downward direction. The magnet counterweight passes through the at least one coil thereby generating electrical current. |
| US09136748B2 |
Variable reluctance resolver
In a variable reluctance resolver having terminal pins at an insulator, a technique for preventing deformation of the terminal pins, shorting between the terminal pins, and contact failure at portions of the terminal pins is provided. A first insulator 300 is formed together with a terminal pin base 311 on which terminal pins 320 are provided. The terminal pins 320 are connected with end portions of windings of a stator coil 500. A cover 330 is mounted on the terminal pin base 311 by covering, and resin is filled inside the cover 330. The resin is also applied to the stator coil 500. The resin filled inside the cover 330 seals the terminal pins 320, and the cover 330 protects the terminal pins 320. |
| US09136746B2 |
Stator for electric rotating machine and method of manufacturing the same
A stator includes a hollow cylindrical stator core comprised of a plurality of stator core segments, a stator coil mounted on the stator core, and an outer cylinder that is fitted on the radially outer surfaces of the stator core segments so as to fasten the stator core segments together. The stator core has a recess formed in the radially outer surface of one of the stator core segments. The outer cylinder has a slit that radially penetrates the outer cylinder to connect the radially outer and inner surfaces of the outer cylinder and an engaging portion that adjoins the slit. The engaging portion of the outer cylinder is plastically deformed radially inward into the recess of the stator core so as to abut and thereby engage with side walls of the recess which face the engaging portion. |
| US09136744B2 |
Electric motor with reduced axial footprint
A motor includes a motor unit, a deceleration unit, and a connector unit. The motor unit outputs rotational drive force and includes a yoke housing, a commutator, a power supply brush, a conductive member, and a brush holder. The yoke housing has an open end in an axial direction. The conductive member is electrically connected to the power supply brush. The brush holder is arranged in the open end to hold the commutator, the power supply brush, and the conductive member. The deceleration unit includes a gear housing coupled to the open end. The connector unit is coupled to the gear housing and including a connection terminal electrically connected to the conductive member. The commutator and the power supply brush are arranged outside the yoke housing. The conductive member and the yoke housing are arranged on opposite sides of the commutator. |
| US09136743B2 |
Electric damper
Electric damper for damping the relative movement between first and second masses, comprising a generator driven by the mass movement and having a fixed stator and a rotor rotatable relative thereto, and a gear mechanism coupled to the generator, wherein at least one first gear element, directly connected to a lifting member (13) that is movable by the mass movement, is caused to rotate by the mass movement, which first gear element is dynamically coupled by direct or indirect transmission at least one further gear element, with the second gear element being dynamically coupled to the rotor (6) of the generator (2) such that the rotor (6) is caused to rotate in relation to the stator (5). |
| US09136741B2 |
Method for producing a kinetic energy storage system
A flywheel energy storage system incorporates various embodiments in design and processing to achieve a very high ratio of energy stored per unit cost. The system uses a high-strength steel rotor rotating in a vacuum envelope. The rotor has a geometry that ensures high yield strength throughout its cross-section using various low-cost quenched and tempered alloy steels. Low-cost is also achieved by forging the rotor in a single piece with integral shafts. A high energy density is achieved with adequate safety margins through a pre-conditioning treatment. The bearing and suspension system utilizes an electromagnet that off-loads the rotor allowing for the use of low-cost, conventional rolling contact bearings over an operating lifetime of several years. |
| US09136740B2 |
Controller-integrated electric rotating machine
A controller-integrated electric rotating machine according to the present invention is provided with a heat sink on which a plurality of power modules included in an electric-power conversion circuit are mounted, a power-input/output conductor that is fixed to a bus bar electrically connected with a DC power source and is electrically connected with the DC power source and the bus bar, and a case, made of an insulator, that is fixed to the heat sink and is provided with a terminal that is electrically connected with the bus bar and the plurality of power modules; the bus bar is provided with a single electric connection portion and at least one mechanical connection portion other than the electric connection portion, electrically connected with the terminal by means of the single electric connection portion, and mechanically connected with the heat sink or the bracket through an insulating material by means of the at least one mechanical connection portion. |
| US09136737B2 |
Stator and resolver
Coils are formed into a coil group for a single phase by serially connecting a plurality of coils so that the resulting magnetic flux distribution is a sine wave distribution. The coil group for a single phase is constituted by a plurality of coil sets, formed from two coils that are wound around two adjacent magnetic pole teeth, connected in series. Each coil set includes coils of the two magnetic pole teeth constituting that coil set wound in opposite directions to each other looking from the inside of the stator. An electrical wire extending from an end winding of each coil is turned back so as to run in a direction opposite to an electrical wire connection to a start winding of that coil, and is connected to either a start winding of the next coil or a connection terminal. |
| US09136736B2 |
Motor having spoked outer rotor with spaced apart pole segments
An electric motor is provided. The electric motor comprises a stator and a rotor rotatable about an axis and spaced at least in part radially outside the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of arcuately spaced apart pole segments, a plurality of arcuately spaced apart magnets alternately arranged with the pole segments such that each of the pole segments is positioned between an adjacent pair of the magnets, a rotor can at least in part supporting the pole segments and the magnets, and a plurality of pegs. Each of the pole segments defines an opening therethrough and includes a generally arcuately extending wall structure positioned radially outside of and at least in part defining the opening. Each of the pegs extends through a corresponding one of the openings to secure a corresponding one of the pole segments relative to the can. |
| US09136734B2 |
Transmission-guard system and method for an inductive power supply
A transmission-guard is disclosed for preventing an inductive power outlet from transmitting power in the absence of an inductive power receiver. A transmission lock is associated with an inductive power outlet and a transmission key is associated with an inductive power receiver. The transmission lock is configured to prevent a primary inductor from connecting to the power supply unless triggered by a release signal via the transmission key. |
| US09136733B2 |
System and method for switching between a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage of a load
A system switches between application of a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage to a load. The second supply voltage is a regulated voltage that is generated from the first supply voltage, or is alternatively generated from a reference voltage, such as bandgap. When the load is supplied from the first supply voltage, the regulated voltage is also generated from the first supply voltage. At or after switching the load to the second supply voltage, the regulated voltage is generated instead from the reference voltage. The load is a clock circuit, such as an oscillator. The controlled switching of the supply voltage for the load in the manner described addresses concerns over introducing errors in the output clock signal when the clock circuit's supply voltage is changed. |
| US09136731B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a solar panel output in charging a battery
A control system or module and a method are disclosed to maximize the current flow from a solar panel into the battery connected during the solar panel's operation by first tracking an output of the solar panel in determining a maximum power point of the output at a specific instance, identifying a range about the maximum power point, and adjusting a current level of the output by (i) increasing the current level of the output when a voltage level of the output indicates that the voltage level is above a maximum charge voltage of a battery, and (ii) decreasing the current level of the output when the voltage level of the output indicates that the voltage level is below a minimum charge voltage of the battery. |
| US09136729B2 |
Power tool battery pack wireless charger
A power tool system includes a power tool, a power tool battery pack and a battery pack charger. The power tool battery pack is separable from and attachable to the power tool, and electrically connectable to the power tool electrical terminals when attached to the power tool. The power tool battery pack has at least one battery cell, a receiver coil, and a control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the at least one battery cell. The battery pack charger has at least one transmitter coil for generating a magnetic field which induces a voltage in the receiver coil, and a control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the transmitter coil. |
| US09136725B2 |
Method and apparatus to charge battery of mobile device
A charging method and apparatus, the apparatus including: an adaptor to receive power from a predetermined power source and output a first voltage; a narrow voltage direct current (NVDC) charging unit to convert the first voltage into a second voltage, and supply power to a battery and a system terminal of a mobile device; and a control unit to control the NVDC charging unit to adjust a charging current to be supplied to the battery based on a state of the system terminal, wherein the second voltage is lower than the first voltage. |
| US09136723B2 |
Discharge control device for secondary battery
The object aims to prevent or reduce the deterioration of a secondary battery by charge with an undue pulse. Disclosed is a discharge control device (100) for a secondary battery, which comprises: a detection unit (110) for detecting the charge of the secondary battery with a pulse having a level equal to or higher than a predetermined level; and a discharge control unit (130) for so controlling that at least one pulse having almost the same level as that of the above-mentioned pulse is discharged from the secondary battery when the charge of the secondary battery with the above-mentioned pulse is detected. |
| US09136721B2 |
Power supply device for electric power tool
The present invention is a power supply device for electric power tool that supplies an electric power to an electric power tool. The power supply device includes: an adapter configured to be electrically connected to the electric power tool; and a fuel cell configured to generate an electric power to be supplied to the electric power tool through the adapter, by causing an oxidation reaction between a fuel and an oxidant. |
| US09136717B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A circuit device connected between a neighboring pair of terminals in a semiconductor integrated circuit is protected from electrostatic damage due to a surge voltage when the surge voltage is applied between the neighboring pair of terminals. The semiconductor integrated circuit is formed to include terminals P0-P14, MOS transistors MN0-MN15 in diode connection, protection diode circuits HD0-HD14, MOS transistors T1-T14 for discharging electricity from batteries, a battery voltage detection control circuit and a clamp circuit for overvoltage protection. Each of the MOS transistors T1-T14 for discharging electricity from the batteries is connected between each neighboring pair of the terminals P0-P14 through wirings. Each of the MOS transistors MN1-MN14 in diode connection is connected between each neighboring pair of the terminals. |
| US09136716B2 |
Bottom based balancing in lithium ion system
A method comprises discharging each of a plurality of cells of a battery pack, stopping the discharging of a selected cell of the plurality of cells when the selected cell reaches a predetermined capacity, and charging the plurality of cells after the discharging has stopped for all of the plurality of cells. |
| US09136715B2 |
Rechargeable battery pack and method of charge/discharge equalizing
A rechargeable battery includes two or more series-connected rechargeable battery cells, a balancing rechargeable battery cell, and controllable switches with the same number as the rechargeable battery cells, a drive module for the controllable switches, a voltage detection module for detecting a voltage at two ends of the rechargeable battery cells, and a controller. The balancing rechargeable battery cell is connected in parallel to the rechargeable battery cells. The controllable switches control the turn on/off of the connection in parallel between the balancing rechargeable battery cell and each of the rechargeable battery cells independently. The drive module for the controllable switches and the voltage detection module are connected to the controller. A battery pack including the rechargeable battery and a method for real-time charge/discharge equalizing of the rechargeable battery are also provided. |
| US09136714B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing active balancing control with aid of voltage information sharing
A method for performing active balancing control with aid of voltage information sharing is provided. The method is applied to a power supply device. The method includes the steps of: obtaining first voltage information from a specific battery module of a set of battery modules connected in series within the power supply device, where each battery module includes at least one battery cell; obtaining second voltage information from at least one other battery module of the set of battery modules; and determining whether to enable at least one portion of an active balancing circuit of the specific battery module according to the first voltage information and the second voltage information. An associated apparatus is further provided. |
| US09136712B2 |
High speed feedback adjustment of power charge/discharge from energy storage system
The invention provides systems and methods for control of power charge/discharge from energy storage system. The invention also provides for power monitoring and management. A smart charge system may include a system sensor, one or more energy storage units, and a controller, which may receive information about the power demand, power provided by an electricity provider, and charge/discharge information from an energy storage unit. The information received may all be time synchronized in relation to a time based reference. The controller may provide instructions to an energy storage unit at a rapid rate. |
| US09136705B2 |
Scalable method of proportional active state of charge balancing for managing variations in the state of health of batteries
A method and system for power management among batteries of varying states of health. Two or more battery packs are switched on and off in square wave pulses to energize a multi-winding transformer, and the output of the transformer is used to power a load. As the state of charge of the battery packs decrease at different rates, the duty cycle of each battery pack's switch pulse is made proportional to its state of charge relative to the other battery packs. The battery pack with the greatest state of charge has the longest on-time and provides the most energy to the transformer, yet all battery packs contribute. A baseline duty cycle is computed by a proportional integral control module, based on voltage measurements at the load. Energy contribution is managed so that state of charge does not diverge even when the battery packs have widely varying states of health. |
| US09136697B2 |
Substation automation system with protection functions
A Substation Automation (SA) system is configured to perform protection functions for a bay of an electrical power distribution substation, receive, via a communication link, redundancy protection commands from a remote center, and execute the redundancy protection commands for the bay. The SA system is configured to transmit to a redundant protection server of the remote center, process values measured by measurement equipment of the substation, and to receive, from the redundant protection server, and forward, via the process bus, the received redundancy protection commands directed to operating equipment of the substation. Thus, for multiple SA systems, redundant protection functions are implemented and provided cost-efficiently by one common remote central unit. |
| US09136689B2 |
Protecting electronic devices from electrical supply disturbances
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for monitoring electrical disturbance (e.g., surges, outages, etc.) possibilities, and then automatically isolating electronic devices (also referred to herein as electronics) for the duration of the disturbance (or threat thereof). In a typical embodiment, a probability of an electrical disturbance occurring at a specified location will be determined. Then, a set of device protection profiles will be accessed. The set of device protection profiles comprises a set of thresholds and a corresponding set of device topologies associated with a set of electronic devices positioned. The set of thresholds in the set of device protection profiles will then be compared to the probability to identify a matching device topology from the set of device topologies. According to the matching device topology, at least one electronic device will be isolated from an electrical power source. |
| US09136688B2 |
Method and system for detecting an arc fault in a power circuit
The method of detecting an arc fault in a power circuit includes determining a first signal related to current flowing in the power circuit is determined and analyzing the first signal to determine whether the signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit. In case the first signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit, means for suppressing an electric arc are activated. A second signal related to current flowing in the power circuit is then determined and analyzed. An occurrence of an arc fault in the power circuit is signaled if the second signal does not indicate the presence of an electric arc. The system for detecting an arc fault is designed to perform a corresponding method. |
| US09136687B2 |
Low friction sleeve for cold shrink tube
Provided is an article comprising a flexible tube having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, the inner surface at least partially covered with a low friction material. Also provided is an article comprising a cold shrinkable sleeve disposed on a tubular support core in a stretched condition, at least a portion of the cold shrinkable sleeve folded such that at least one portion of the cold shrinkable sleeve overlaps another portion of the cold shrinkable sleeve, wherein a flexible tube having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, the inner surface at least partially covered with a low friction material, is positioned between the overlapping portions of the cold shrinkable sleeve. |
| US09136685B2 |
Lightning protection structure of blade for wind power generation
A blade for wind power generation includes a lightning receptor configured to form a part of the surface of the blade, and a lightning receiving protrusion that protrudes outward from the surface of the lightning receptor. The lightning receiving protrusion is provided to a surface boundary between the blade and the lightning receptor. The surface boundary configured to protect against the lightning is positioned within a radius of a circle, which is centered on a tip of the lightning receiving protrusion and which has a radius of twice the length of the lightning receiving protrusion. A point where electric field concentration on the surface of the lightning receptor is greatest is moved from the boundary to the tip of the lightning receiving protrusion, so as to significantly reduce a possibility of blade damage associated with lightning striking the boundary when being stroke by the lightning. |
| US09136683B2 |
Adjustable suspension of transmission lines
A support system for supporting one or more transmission lines and for mitigating sagging or swinging of the transmission lines may comprise support lines coupled to the transmission lines by adjustable risers. The adjustable risers may be dynamically adjustable in length to compensate for the sagging or swinging of the transmission lines. Various embodiments of the adjustable risers, support lines, and support system are contemplated. These embodiments may include adjustment mechanisms, sensors, shock absorbers, positioning mechanisms, zero gap connections, guy wires, lateral members, and various different arrangements of the elements. |
| US09136682B2 |
Cable tracing in a datacenter
A cable detection system may be implemented in a datacenter to locate the path of a cable. The cable detection system includes a signal generator and driver circuit having its output in communication with a transformer, wherein the transformer has a first output coupled to a cable shield of an elongated cable and a second output coupled to a dedicated transmission wire extending lengthwise with the cable and exterior to the cable shield. The cable detection system further includes a plurality of detection circuits, wherein each detection circuit includes an electromagnetically-powered receiver coupled to a light emitting diode, and wherein radio frequency signals emitted from the transmission wire activate the light emitting diodes of the detection circuits within a detection distance of the cable. |
| US09136680B2 |
Protective fitting
Protective fittings for tubular conduit are provided herein. An exemplary protective fitting includes a substantially tubular body sized such that an outer peripheral surface of the tubular body is configured to frictionally contact at least a portion of the threaded inner surface of the tubular conduit to releaseably secure the substantially tubular body to the terminal end of the tubular conduit when the substantially tubular body is inserted therein, and a flange extending from the outer peripheral surface of the terminal end of the substantially tubular body. The protective fitting prevents wiring extending from the terminal end of the tubular conduit from contacting the peripheral edge of the terminal end of the tubular conduit. |
| US09136677B2 |
Flush cut tool
A flush cut tool is configured with a support unit operative to hold an armored cable in a desired position. The flush cut tool is further configured with a cutting unit including a hand crank, a blade assembly fixed to the hand crank and a friction assembly. The hand crank is configured to rotate relative to the friction assembly about a pivot axis until the blade assembly is brought in contact with the jacket of the cable. Thereafter, the hand crank, blade assembly and friction unit continue t rotate together about the axis of the cable so that the blade assembly is operative to produce a ring cut. |
| US09136672B2 |
Optical light source
An optical light source is provided. The optical light source includes a waveguide including two reflectors arranged spaced apart from each other to define an optical cavity therebetween, an optical gain medium, and a coupling structure arranged to couple light between the optical cavity and the optical gain medium. |
| US09136671B2 |
Edge emitting semiconductor laser
An edge emitting semiconductor laser includes a semiconductor body including a waveguide region, wherein the waveguide region includes a first waveguide layer, a second waveguide layer and an active layer arranged between the first and second waveguide layers and generates laser radiation, the waveguide region is arranged between first and second cladding layers disposed downstream of the waveguide region in a growth direction of the semiconductor body, a phase structure is formed in the semiconductor body and includes at least one cutout extending from a top side of the semiconductor body into the second cladding layer, at least one first intermediate layer including a semiconductor material different from the semiconductor material of the second cladding layer is embedded into the second cladding layer, and the cutout extends from a top side of the semiconductor body at least partly into the first intermediate layer. |
| US09136669B2 |
Laser light source
An object of the present invention is to provide a laser light source that includes a laser element and an optical element that are optically coupled efficiently and directly. A laser light source includes, a laser element which has a ridge part and emits laser light from a light emission part, an optical element which has a waveguide for guiding the laser light that is incident on an incidence part; and a substrate for joining the laser element and the optical element close so as to be optically coupled directly, and, in this laser light source, the laser element and the optical element are joined to the substrate in a state in which a position of the incidence part is shifted a predetermined distance upward or downward with respect to a position of the light emission part. |
| US09136667B2 |
High peak power optical amplifier
A method and apparatus for providing a high peak power optical beam. The method includes interleaving pulse trains of different wavelengths and spatially and temporally overlapping the different wavelengths to produce an amplified output beam with very high peak power. |
| US09136664B2 |
Method for operating a pump light source having a diode laser
A method is for operating a pump light source having a diode laser, which provides a pump light, in particular for optical pumping of a laser device. The pump light source is activated in a first mode of operation such that the diode laser assumes a predefinable target temperature, which lies in a range of a maximum of the coefficient of absorption of the laser-active solid of the laser device. In a second mode of operation, following the first mode of operation, the pump light source is activated such that it generates pump light to build up a population inversion in the laser-active solid of the laser device. In a third mode of operation, following the second mode of operation, the pump light source is activated such that it generates pump light to activate a laser operation in the laser device. |
| US09136660B2 |
Female terminal
A female terminal includes a terminal connection portion for a male terminal to be inserted and an electric wire connection portion connecting with an electric wire to be electrically connected to the male terminal. The terminal connection portion includes a male terminal entrance for the male terminal to be inserted and a male terminal exit for a tip of the male terminal passing through the male terminal entrance to be inserted. At least one of the male terminal entrance or the male terminal exit includes a support portion configured to contact with the male terminal to support the male terminal. |
| US09136658B2 |
Cable connector with switching structure
Provided is a cable connector with a switching structure, including: a plug with a plug rubber core having a plurality of pin terminals and a rib; and a plug holder having a grip portion with ridges, a switch ring disposed around the grip portion, and a fastening nut abutting against the switch ring, wherein the plug holder is disposed around the plug, and the plug holder is coupled to sockets of different types by means of the switch ring. Therefore, the cable connector is hermetically sealed, fixed in place, prevented from loosening, easy to connect and assemble, convenient to change, repair, and disassemble, easy to operate, and for use in engaging with two different types of cable sockets. |
| US09136653B2 |
Enclosed power outlet
Power outlets adapted for installation within an enclosure are provided. Power outlets are provided having a safety interlock adapted to prevent the creation of a hazardous condition within the enclosure as a result of the continued operation of an electrical device within the enclosed space. The safety interlock may include current limiting circuitry and hardware, hazard sensing devices interconnected with such current limiting circuitry and hardware or other circuit breaker switches, and combinations of such safety interlocks. The power outlets may also be adapted for installation within a movable enclosure, such as, for example, a drawer. |
| US09136652B2 |
Electrical connector assembly
An electrical assembly can include one or more electrical connectors. Each electrical connector can include at least a first connector housing supporting a plurality of electrical power contacts and a second connector housing supporting a plurality of electrical signal contacts. Each of the first and second connector housings can define respective receptacles that are open on respective opposed sides of the first and second connector housings. Each electrical connector can further include at least one, such as a plurality of closure members configured to close the receptacles at respective lateral sides of the first and second connector housings. The closure members of the first and second electrical connectors can comprise at least one or all of end members, interconnect members, and spacer members. |
| US09136651B2 |
Electrical connector having light pipe and LED with over molded opaque layer
An electrical connector (100) includes a mating port (15) for insertion of a plug connector, a first indicating assembly (5) for indicating a communication status of the mating port, and a second indicating assembly (6) for indicating another communication status of the mating port. The first indicating assembly includes a first light pipe (51) extending along the front-to-back direction and a first light emitting diode (52) extending along a top-to-bottom direction. The first LED has a number of first pins for mounting onto an exterior substrate and a first light emitting portion (521). The first light emitting portion has a number of first surrounding walls (5211) over molded with a first opaque layer (71). |
| US09136646B2 |
Connector selectably mateable with a first mating connector having a first interface and a second mating connector having a second interface
A connector is selectably mateable with a first mating connector and a second mating connector. The first mating connector has a first interface and two lock portions. The second mating connector has a second interface. The connector comprises a shell. The shell has a standard portion, a modified portion and two coupling portions. The standard portion corresponds to both the first interface and the second interface. The modified portion and the coupling portions correspond not to the first interface but to the second interface. The modified portion is apart from the standard portion in an up-down direction. The coupling portion couples the standard portion and the modified portion. The shell is formed with two lock holes. The lock hole extends from the standard portion to the coupling portion. The lock holes receive the lock portions when the connector is mated with the first mating connector. |
| US09136643B2 |
Connector device
Electrical connector systems and devices are provided. Included are push-push electrical connectors, as well as push-twist electrical connectors. These electrical connectors are configured to be user friendly, space efficient, and safe. |
| US09136638B2 |
Connection device for a submersible connector
The invention relates to a device (1) for connecting/disconnecting a submersible connector (100) provided with a male portion (101) and a female portion (102), to a related connection/disconnection method, as well as to the various possible uses of said device. The device includes means (11, 12) for moving said male and/or female portions of the connector (100) between a connection position and a disconnection position, and vice versa, and is characterized in that the device further includes a system (16) for injecting a fluid (20) around said male (101) and female (102) portions of the connector (100) when the latter is moved from the connection position to the disconnection position and vice versa, in order to insulate the male and female portion from the water surrounding the connector (100), the injection system (16) being located outside the connector (100). |
| US09136634B2 |
Low-cross-talk electrical connector
In one embodiment, an electrical connector includes a plurality of leadframe assembly assemblies, each having a leadframe housing and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the leadframe housing. At least a pair of adjacent leadframe assemblies includes respective first and second conductive member portions of a conductive bar that reduces cross talk. The first and second portions are each seated in their respective leadframe housings and face each other such that the electrical connector is devoid of electrical contacts between the first and second portions. |
| US09136633B2 |
Terminal retainer for plug or receptacle of modular wiring system
A terminal retainer for a modular wiring system includes a first retainer component made of an electrically insulating material, an internal post protruding from an inner surface of the first retainer component, a terminal made of an electrically conductive material and adapted to be electrically joined to an electrical wire, the terminal having a hole for mounting the terminal on the post, and a second retainer component also made of the electrically insulating material, the second retainer component being adapted to attach to the first retainer component to form the terminal retainer. |
| US09136630B1 |
Electrical connector with spherical contacts with an elastic member in between
An electrical connector for electrically connecting a first electronic element and a second electronic element, includes an insulating body having multiple receiving holes, a conducting assembly and an elastic member respectively received in each receiving hole, and an elastic member. The conducting assembly includes a first conductor, a second conductor and a third conductor electrically connected to the first conductor and the second conductor. The elastic member is used for elastically supporting the first conductor and the second conductor. One end of the first conductor is electrically conducted to the first electronic element, and one end of the second conductor is electrically conducted to the second electronic element. The conductor is spherical, which shortens the conducting path, lowers the height and impedance of the electrical connector, and improves the electrical performance. The elastic member can effectively avoid poor contact and instant disconnection. |
| US09136629B2 |
Moving part coaxial cable connectors
A female F connector incorporates a nose protruding from an end of the connector and the nose is urged to protrude by a spring. |
| US09136626B2 |
Electrical connection system
A photovoltaic module lead foil connection system includes a wire having a fastener. The system can include a cord plate on a surface of the photovoltaic module where a conductive lead is adjacent to the module at the cord plate. The conductive lead provides external electrical access to the photovoltaic module. The system can include a fastener configured to electrically connect an end of a wire to the conductive lead at a junction mount within the cord plate. |
| US09136623B2 |
Connector
A connector includes a housing and terminal fittings attached to a printed circuit board. The terminal fittings form two terminal rows. In the terminal rows, one end parts of the terminal fittings are piled in a fitting plate part of the housing to which a mate side connector is fitted in a mutually parallel state and arranged in parallel with a surface of the printed circuit board. Central parts of the terminal fittings are bent. The other end parts are connected to a conductor pattern of the printed circuit board. In the other end parts of the terminal fittings, outward bent parts are provided which are bent outward in the direction of width of the housing. Tip ends of the other end parts of all the terminal fittings are arranged with spaces left between them along the direction of width of the housing. |
| US09136622B2 |
Extraction device for memory card
An extraction device includes a first housing, a second housing slidable received in the first housing for receiving a memory card, an engaging member, a processor, communicating pins, an identifying pin, an elastic member and a popping delay member. The engaging member engages with the second housing or disengages from the second housing. The communicating pins and the identifying pin respectively connect with communicating pin connecting portions and an identifying pin connecting portion in the second housing. The elastic member drives the second housing away from the first housing when the engaging member is disengaged from the second housing. The popping delay member delays the second housing from popping out of the first housing when the identifying pin disconnects from the identifying pin connecting portion. The processor executes a program when the identifying pin and the identifying pin connecting portion are disconnected. |
| US09136621B1 |
Guides and tab arrangement to retain a card having an edge connector and method of use
An arrangement has guides that define passageways for left and right edges of a card, and a tab located in a path of a connector at a front edge of the card. The tab is elastically deformable out of the path by movement of the connector, as the card is inserted into the arrangement. The tab returns to a space behind the connector when the connector moves past a highest point on the tab. The highest point is located between two surfaces of the tab: a ramp-up surface and a ramp-down surface. During movement along the path, the connector slides on the ramp-up surface to elastically deform the tab out of the path, and on further movement the ramp-down surface pushes on the connector as the connector mates with another external connector. Thereafter, presence of the tab keeps the two connectors mated, until the module is removed from the arrangement. |
| US09136619B2 |
Electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector assembly (100) includes a first electrical connector for connecting a substrate (300) and a second electrical connector for connecting a package (200), the first electrical connector includes a first insulating housing (1) with a plurality of first contacts (3) and second contacts (4) received therein, the second electrical connector includes a second insulating housing with (2) a plurality of third contacts (5) and fourth contacts (6) received therein, the third contact (5) includes a pair of spring arms (51), the first contact (3) includes a first contacting portion (31) contact with the spring arms (51), the second contact (4) includes a spring portion (41) having a second contacting portion (410), the fourth contact (6) includes a press portion (61) contacting the second contacting portion (410) and press the spring portion (41) to be deformed. |
| US09136618B2 |
Alligator clip
An alligator clip has an operating clipping body, a connection clipping body, a pivot and a resilient member. The operating clipping body has a clipping segment and an operating segment. The connection clipping body is pivotally connected with the operating clipping body by the pivot and has a clipping segment, an operating segment and a wire connection segment. The clipping segment corresponds to the clipping segment of the operating clipping body in position. The operating segment corresponds to the operating segment of the operating clipping body in position. The wire connection segment is connected with the operating segment of the connection clipping body and has two squeezing tabs and at least one conducting claw being jagged. The resilient member is mounted around the pivot and between the operating clipping body and the connection clipping body. |
| US09136617B2 |
Battery connector formed of plural materials, and production method
An electrically conductive connecting member which can be used for a battery having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal composed of different metals from each other and which does not undergo electrolytic corrosion and reduction in electric resistance and has excellent mechanical strength. This electrically conductive connecting member is used for a battery in which a pair of output terminals are composed of different metals from each other, and includes an electrode section (a bar-shaped section) connected to one of the output terminals and composed of the same metal as that used for one of the output terminals and a bus bar section (a band-plate-shaped section) connected to the electrode section and composed of the same metal as that used for the other output terminal, wherein the electrode section and the bus bar section are integrated with each other through diffusion bonding. |
| US09136609B2 |
Resonator antenna
A meta-material (110) is constituted by a conductor plane (103) on the lower side, a conductor (102) on the upper side, a repeated (for example, periodic) array of conductor strips (104), and conductor posts (105) which electrically connect each of the conductor strips (104) and the conductor plane (103) on the lower side. A power feed line (106) is connected to the conductor (102). Openings may be repeatedly provided in the conductor plane (103) on the lower side. In this case, an island-shaped electrode is provided within the opening, and the conductor post (105) is connected to the conductor plane (103) through the island-shaped electrode. |
| US09136608B2 |
Slot array antenna
A slot array antenna is provided. In one embodiment, the slot array antenna includes a radiation waveguide having a first conductor plane in which a slot array is two-dimensionally arrayed and a second conductor plane in parallel thereto, and an introduction waveguide formed with a slot array, for introducing electromagnetic waves in a waveguide space of the radiation waveguide. Each slot of the slot array of the introduction waveguide is provided at an ½ wavelength or odd-number multiple of ½ wavelength of a wavelength inside the waveguide with respect to a direction of propagating the electromagnetic waves in the introduction waveguide, and the slots are tilted in the same direction, and thereby exciting electromagnetic waves in a high-order mode of a TE-mode in the radiation waveguide 30. |
| US09136607B2 |
Antenna beam steering through waveguide mode mixing
The present invention relates to a method of, and corresponding apparatus for, electronically steering an antenna beam. Beam steering is accomplished by altering the electric-field distribution at the open-end of one or more overmoded waveguides through the controlled mixing of multiple modes. An example method includes propagating a signal in multiple modes in a waveguide, and controlling the relative phase and amplitude of the respective modes, relative to each other, to steer the beam. A further example includes a common waveguide enabling the propagation of multiple modes, first and second waveguides enabling the propagation of respective first and second modes, a splitter/combiner coupling the first and second waveguides to the common waveguide, and a controller for controlling a propagation characteristic of the modes relative to each other in a least one path to steer the beam. Electronically steering a beam is useful for fine-tuned angle adjustments and tight beam scanning. |
| US09136605B2 |
Antenna device
An antenna device includes antennas, each of which includes antenna elements arranged in a longitudinal direction, arranged side by side in a transverse direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, wherein an interval between the antennas arranged side by side in the transverse direction is approximately 2λ where λ is a free space wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency, and each of the antenna elements includes a horn formed therein. |
| US09136603B2 |
Multi-band dipole antenna assemblies for use with wireless application devices
According to various aspects, antenna elements are provided for multi-band sleeve dipole antenna assemblies for use with wireless application devices. The antenna elements generally include first and second radiating elements. The first radiating elements may be tuned for receiving electrical resonant frequencies within a first frequency bandwidth. The second radiating elements may be tuned for receiving electrical resonant frequencies within a second frequency bandwidth different from the first frequency bandwidth. |
| US09136602B2 |
Wireless communication device
A wireless communication device includes a cover, an antenna, and an adjusting member. The antenna includes a first radiator and a second radiator separate from the first radiator. The adjusting member is slidably mounted to the cover and is made of conductive materials. The adjusting member is positioned between and connecting the first radiator and the second radiator. The adjusting member is slid relative to the cover to change connection positions of the adjusting member relative to the first radiator and the second radiator. |
| US09136601B2 |
Tunable multiband WAN antenna for global applications
An electronic device includes an antenna for a transceiver to operate in a plurality of frequencies. The antenna includes a first portion that is coupled to an elongate element and is configured to enable the transceiver to operate in a first low-band frequency and a first high-band frequency. A second portion is also coupled to the elongate element. The second portion is configured to enable the transceiver to operate in a second high-band frequency. A third portion is coupled to the elongate element and is situated between the first and second portions. The third portion is configured to tune the first and the second high-band frequencies associated with the first and second portions. A tuning element is configured to tune the low-band frequency associated with the first portion such that the first and the second high-band frequencies are not significantly affected by tuning the tuning element. |
| US09136596B2 |
Mobile directional antenna with polarization switching
An antenna with polarization switching comprising a plurality of waveguides fed with radiofrequency signals and perforated with apertures disposed so as to illuminate radiating elements placed on mobile support means in a plane that is distant from the said apertures, it being possible for the said support means to be configured according to at least two distinct configurations. The radiating elements illuminated according to one and the same configuration are adjacent, the support means being adapted for orienting the radiating elements illuminated in a first configuration according to a different direction from the radiating elements illuminated in a second configuration. The antenna applies notably to the switching of antennas onboard objects moving on the ground required to undertake high-speed communications with a satellite, in particular a geostationary satellite. |
| US09136594B2 |
Compact multi-band planar inverted F antenna
A simple, compact multi-band PIFA including two arm portions, where one arm portion is grounded at two points to form a loop, a ground plane, and a plastic carrier and housing. The antenna radiates a same signal from both arm portions, at different efficiencies according to the radiated frequency and the effective length of each arm. The antenna is made from a single standard metal sheet by cutting it and is assembled with the metal ground plane and the other plastic parts. In one embodiment, the antenna is folded into a 3D U-shape to reduce its size for use in mobile communication devices. In another embodiment, the antenna is a penta-band antenna with return loss of −6 B or better and measures 40×8×8 mm or smaller. |
| US09136593B2 |
Compact high-gain antenna
The invention relates to a panel antenna comprising: a ground plane (P); a dielectric substrate (11) having a permittivity (∈1), the substrate (11) being located on the ground plane (P); at least one radiating source (Si), each radiating source consisting of a plurality of antenna elements (Eij), the antenna elements (Eij) being located on the substrate (11) and furthermore consecutively spaced apart, relative to one another, by a distance (de) shorter than one wavelength λ, the wavelength λ corresponding to the antenna operating frequency. The antenna is characterized in that it furthermore comprises a dielectric superstrate (12) having a permittivity (∈2) higher than the permittivity (∈1) of the substrate (11), the superstrate being located above the antenna elements (Eij), and in that the antenna elements (Eij) are all identical and have, in operation, identical radiation characteristics. |
| US09136587B2 |
Antenna configuration for corner placement in portable devices
A portable device providing wireless communication capability with a network using an antenna subsystem. The portable device comprises a housing for supporting components of the portable device including the antenna subsystem, such that the housing includes a first housing corner having a first housing wall, a second housing wall in an opposed spaced apart relationship with the first housing wall, a third housing wall connecting the first housing wall with the second housing wall and a fourth housing wall connecting the first, second and third housing walls to one another. The portable device also has a first antenna of the antenna subsystem having a first non-planar metal layer positioned adjacent to at least three of the first, second, third and fourth housing walls of the first housing corner, such that the first non-planar metal layer extends away from the first housing corner in at least one of a parallel or non-parallel relationship with each of said at least three of the first, second, third and fourth housing walls. |
| US09136586B2 |
Wireless communication device
A wireless communication device includes a cover, an antenna, and an adjusting member. The adjusting member is slidably mounted to the cover and is made of non-conductive materials. The antenna includes a radiator, the radiator is mounted on the cover and is shielded by the adjusting member. The adjusting member slides relative to the cover to shield different areas of the radiator. |
| US09136584B2 |
Antenna system
An antenna system includes a dielectrically-loaded loop element electromagnetically coupled to a planar element. The antenna system exhibits uniform, broadband radiation and reception patterns. |
| US09136583B2 |
Automotive window antenna
An automotive window antenna includes: an FM radio main antenna which includes two horizontal strips, and a vertical strip, and which is connected with a main feed point provided on a side of a longitudinal side of the window glass through a strip extending inwardly between the horizontal strips from one end portion or a midpoint portion of one of the horizontal strips; and an FM radio sub antenna which includes one horizontal strip, and which is provided on a side opposite to the feed point, at a substantially central position between the two horizontal strips of the FM radio main antenna so as not to achieve a capacitive coupling with the two horizontal strips, the FM radio main antenna and the FM radio sub antenna being provided in the blank space to achieve a diversity reception, and being connected to a tuner. |
| US09136581B2 |
Wireless terminal apparatus
According to one embodiment, a wireless terminal apparatus includes an antenna unit and a sensor unit in a housing. The sensor unit is disposed so that at least part of the sensor unit overlaps the antenna unit. |
| US09136580B2 |
Quadrature hybrid coupler, amplifier, and wireless communication device
A shunt capacitor includes first and second zigzag wirings having different lengths, formed in a first wiring layer, third and second zigzag wirings having different lengths, formed in a second wiring layer, an induction device and a ground. The first and fourth zigzag wirings are connected to the induction device, and the second and third zigzag wirings are connected to the ground. The first and second zigzag wirings and the third and fourth zigzag wirings cross each other three-dimensionally. |
| US09136575B2 |
Three-dimensional microstructures
An apparatus comprising a first power combiner/divider network and a second power combiner/divider network. The first power combiner/divider network splits a first electromagnetic signal into split signals that are connectable to signal processor(s). The second power combiner/divider network combines processed signals into a second electromagnetic signal. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional coaxial microstructure. |
| US09136573B2 |
Tunable high-frequency transmission line
The invention relates to a high-frequency transmission line including a central conductive strip (6) associated with at least one conductive shielding plane (4), wherein at least a portion of the space between the conductive plane and the conductive strip comprises a ferroelectric material (10). |
| US09136565B2 |
Secondary battery
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate and a separator interposed therebetween; and a battery case in which the electrode assembly is accommodated. The first electrode plate is composed of a first coated portion having a first active material coated on a first substrate and a first non-coated portion. The second electrode plate is composed of a second coated portion having a second active material coated on a second substrate and a second non-coated portion. In the secondary battery, the section of a boundary portion between the first or second coated portion and the first or second non-coated portion is inclined. |
| US09136564B2 |
Battery pack system and liquid leakage detection method thereof
A battery pack system and a liquid leakage detection method thereof are provided. The battery pack system comprises battery cells, a isolated liquid and a battery box containing the isolated liquid. The battery cells are soaked in the isolated liquid. The battery box is formed with a isolated liquid outlet and a isolated liquid inlet. The outlet is connected together with the inlet via a circulation pump and a liquid separation device to form a circulation passage. When electrolyte leakage occurs to any of the battery cells, the electrolyte is separated into the liquid separation device and detected by a detection component. The present disclosure encloses the leaked electrolyte into the fire-retardant isolated liquid to prevent the electrolyte from contacting with the air so as to improve the safety of the battery box body. |
| US09136563B2 |
Rechargeable batteries
A rechargeable battery is disclosed having electrode and separator structures which are made up of fiber-reinforced composite material, thereby allowing the battery itself to serve as an integral structural component. The utilization or efficiency of the rechargeable battery is considerably enhanced by rendering at least part of the matrix material of the electrodes and the separator porous, thereby to facilitate improved access to active sites on the electrodes, with the porosity in the separator allowing improved ion transport, both of which enhance cell operation. The porous structure also provides improved electrolyte containment and retention in the event of damage. |
| US09136558B2 |
Impact resistant battery
An impact resistant battery incorporates one or more improvements that are designed to reduce or eliminate the risk of a fire or explosion caused by a projectile impact, electrical short, or otherwise. The battery is also designed to reduce the amount of structural damage caused by a projectile impact. The battery may have a housing that includes a self-sealing ionomer material. The battery may also be filled with materials that suppress flames and/or prevent the internal temperature from reaching an ignition point. |
| US09136557B2 |
Semi-automatic method for manufacturing an electrochemical Li-ion battery
A semi-automatic method for making a Li-ion electrochemical accumulator according to which a continuous electrolytic separator strip is automatically wound on two-sided electrodes manually and alternately stacked according to their polarity. By the method, it is not necessary to assemble or manually cut out each electrolytic separator inserted between two adjacent electrodes in the stack and of opposite polarity. |
| US09136556B2 |
Electrode assembly of novel structure and process for preparation of the same
Disclosed herein is an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein a plurality of first unit electrodes and a second electrode sheet are wound so that the first unit electrodes are opposite to the second electrode sheet via a separator sheet, and a first electrode and a second electrode have opposite polarities. |
| US09136554B2 |
Fuel cells
This invention provides a redox fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; means for supplying a fuel to the anode region of the cell; means for supplying an oxidant to the cathode region of the cell; means for providing an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode; a non-volatile catholyte solution flowing in fluid communication with the cathode, the catholyte solution comprising a redox mediator which is at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially regenerated by, optionally indirect, reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode, and a transition metal complex of a multidentate N-donor ligand as a redox catalyst catalyzing the regeneration of the mediator. |
| US09136552B2 |
Gas decomposition component, ammonia decomposition component, power generation apparatus, electrochemical reaction apparatus, and method for producing gas decomposition component
Provided are a gas decomposition component in which an electrochemical reaction is used to reduce the running cost and high treatment performance can be achieved; and a method for producing the gas decomposition component. The gas decomposition component includes a cylindrical MEA 7 including an anode 2 on an inner-surface side, a cathode 5 on an outer-surface side, and a solid electrolyte 1 sandwiched between the anode and the cathode; a porous metal body 11s that is inserted on the inner-surface side of the cylindrical MEA and is in contact with the first electrode; and a central conductive rod 11k inserted so as to serve as an electrically conductive shaft of the porous metal body 11s. |
| US09136549B2 |
Fuel cell cooling system with coupling out of heat
A cooling system (1) for a fuel cell system (11), in particular for a vehicle, which comprises a fuel cell cooling circuit (10) for cooling the fuel cell system (11), and a battery cooling circuit (20) for cooling a battery (21), with an exchange of thermal energy between the fuel cell cooling circuit (10) and the battery cooling circuit (20). |
| US09136542B2 |
Catalysts for use in electrochemical applications and electrodes and devices using same
An electrode for reduction of an oxidant including a phosphorus-doped carbon-containing catalyst represented by the chemical formula CNxPy, where x is from 0 to about 10 wt. % and y is from about 1 ppm to about 10 wt. %. A device for producing electricity by facilitating an electrochemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant. The device including a first electrode for oxidizing the fuel to produce protons and electrons. The device further includes a second electrode in electrical communication with the first electrode when electrically connected to the external circuit. The second electrode includes a phosphorus-doped carbon-containing catalyst for reducing the oxidant and is represented by the chemical formula CNxPy, where x is from 0 to about 10 wt. % and y is from about 1 ppm to about 10 wt. %. The device further includes an electrolyte, such as, a membrane, separating the first electrode from the second electrode. |
| US09136540B2 |
Metal air cathode manganese oxide contained in octahedral molecular sieve
An oxygen reduction electrode, e.g., an air cathode, comprising manganese oxides having octahedral molecular sieve structures as active catalyst materials and use of such an electrode as a component of a metal-air cell. |
| US09136537B2 |
Rechargeable lithium battery including heat-treated negative current collector
Disclosed is a rechargeable lithium battery including: a positive electrode; a negative electrode including a negative current collector including a copper foil having elongation of about 5% to about 10% and a particle size of about 1 μm to about 20 μm, and a negative active material layer provided on the negative current collector; and an electrolyte solution. |
| US09136531B2 |
Positive electrode for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing same and rechargeable lithium battery including same
A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a core including a lithiated intercalation compound, and a MgO that is present as an island shape on the core surface and having an average nano-size; a method of manufacturing this positive active material, and a rechargeable lithium battery including this positive active material are provided. |
| US09136530B2 |
Energy storage device and manufacturing method thereof
An energy storage device whose discharge capacity can be improved and a method for manufacturing the energy storage device are provided. A method for manufacturing an energy storage device, in which a metal element is dispersed over a current collector, and a crystalline silicon layer including a whisker is formed as an active material layer over the surface of the current collector on which the metal element is dispersed by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) in which heating is performed using a deposition gas containing silicon. Having whiskers in the active material layer as described above, the surface area of the active material layer is increased; thus, the discharge capacity of the energy storage device can be increased. |
| US09136528B2 |
Magnesium secondary battery, use of electrolytic solution in magnesium secondary battery and electrolytic solution for magnetic secondary battery
A magnesium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator membrane and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution includes nitrogen-containing heterocyclic magnesium halide and an organic ether solvent. |
| US09136527B2 |
Electrode thin film, all-solid lithium battery, and method of manufacturing electrode film
An electrode thin film to be used in an all-solid lithium battery is formed predominantly of lithium cobaltate and has a density larger than or equal to 3.6 g/cm3 and smaller than or equal to 4.9 g/cm3. |
| US09136522B2 |
Protection circuit module and rechargeable battery including the same
A protection circuit module of a rechargeable battery comprises a substrate formed of a flexible insulator and including a circuit supporting unit and a wiring supporting unit extending from the circuit supporting unit; a conductive circuit pattern unit formed on the circuit supporting unit; a conductive wiring unit formed on the wiring supporting unit, wherein the wiring unit is electrically connected to the circuit pattern unit and extends along the wiring supporting unit; circuit elements electrically connected to the circuit pattern unit and formed on one surface of the circuit supporting unit; and a reinforcement unit formed on an opposing surface of the circuit supporting unit and supporting the circuit supporting unit. |
| US09136517B2 |
Microporous film, process for production of the film, and use of the film
The invention relates to microporous polymeric membranes suitable for use as battery separator film. The membrane comprises polyethylene, polypropylene, and polymethylpentene. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a membrane, batteries containing such membranes as battery separators, methods for making such batteries, and methods for using such batteries. |
| US09136516B2 |
Hybrid materials using ionic particles
A separator substrate include a substrate having a bulk portion and a surface portion, the surface portion having at least one porous area with a net charge; and ionic particles coupling to at least a part of the at least one porous area. The ionic particles have a net charge of an opposite sign to the net charge of the at least one porous area. The coupling between the part of the at least one porous area and the ionic particles may result in at least one of a good electrochemical performance, chemical stability, thermal stability, wettability, and mechanical strength of the separator substrate. |
| US09136514B2 |
Power supply device for electric vehicle
A battery pack includes a battery case for accommodating battery cells for mounting to and detaching from an electric vehicle. Male-side terminals are accommodated in a terminal base provided on the vehicle body side with battery side terminals being provided that are connected to the male-side terminals from above. An upper surface of the terminal base is formed with vehicle body side engagement parts with battery case side engagement parts being provided that are engaged with the vehicle body side engagement parts from above. The vehicle body side engagement parts are disposed at positions deviated to one side from the vehicle-width-directional center. The battery case side engagement parts are disposed at positions deviated to vehicle-width-directionally one side of the battery case, and are formed at vehicle-longitudinal-directionally both end portions of the battery case, in order that the battery case side engagement parts can fit the vehicle body side engagement parts. |
| US09136496B2 |
Organic el device
An organic EL device including: a substrate; an anode disposed on the substrate; a functional layer disposed on the anode, the functional layer containing a light-emitting layer; an electron transport layer disposed on the functional layer, the electron transport layer containing organic compound-containing material; and a cathode disposed on the electron transport layer so as to be in contact with the electron transport layer, the cathode being light-transmissive. The electron transport layer has a relative permittivity of no less than 2 and no greater than 10 when supplied with an AC voltage having a frequency of 1 MHz. |
| US09136493B2 |
Organic EL element
A technology having resistance to moisture and oxygen, and in which the occurrence and expansion of non-light-generating portions, such as dark spots, are suppressed is provided. An organic EL element in which an organic functional layer including at least one or more light-emitting layers is arranged between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the organic functional layer includes a bipolar charge generation layer which generates electrons and holes, and one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a hole-receiving electrode. |
| US09136489B2 |
Method for producing organic photoelectric conversion device and organic photoelectric conversion device
The objects are to provide a method for producing a durable organic photoelectric conversion device by a coating process or to produce an organic photoelectric conversion device superior in photoelectric conversion characteristics to the conventional devices. In the production method for an organic photoelectric conversion device including a substrate, a pair of electrodes which are formed on the substrate and at least one of which is transparent, and an active layer formed between the pair of electrodes, the active layer is formed by coating; and the active layer contains a pigment. |
| US09136484B2 |
Compounds for organic electronic material and organic electroluminescent device using the same
The present invention relates to electroluminescent compounds of formula 1 where A and/or B represent fluorene, carbazole, dibenzo[b,d]thiophene or dibenzo[b,d]furan derivatives and L1, X1, Ar1, Ar2, R5, R6 and R7 are as defined herein, and organic electroluminescent devices comprising the same. The compounds according to the present invention have an advantage in manufacturing an organic electroluminescent device which has a high luminous efficiency and a long operational lifetime. |
| US09136478B2 |
Organic light emitting device and display panel using the same method, terminal, and server for implementing fast playout
An organic light emitting device includes an anode, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer and a cathode laminated in this order, wherein the hole injection layer comprises a mixture of an inorganic material comprising at the least of one of an alkali metal oxide, an alkaline earth metal oxide, a halogen compound of an alkali metal, a halogen compound of an alkaline earth metal, and an organic material comprising at least one of compounds represented by Formula 1: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are each independently selected from a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aromatic group and a C5 to C29 heterocyclic group containing N, S, or O, wherein the substituent is selected from a C1 to C6 aliphatic group and a C6 to C12 aromatic group. |
| US09136477B2 |
Light emissive device
An organic light emissive device, which comprises: an anode; a cathode; and an organic light emissive region between the anode and the cathode, which region comprises a polymeric electroluminescent material; wherein the emission from the polymeric electroluminescent material is color shifted by the presence of a color shifting unit in the polymer. |
| US09136476B2 |
Method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display apparatus, and organic light-emitting display apparatus manufactured by the method
A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display apparatus, and an organic light emitting display apparatus manufactured by the method, the method being suitable for mass producing a large substrate, enabling high-definition patterning, and allowing controlling of a distance between a patterning slit sheet and a substrate which are moved relative to each other. |
| US09136472B2 |
Resistive memory and methods of processing resistive memory
Resistive memory and methods of processing resistive memory are described herein. One or more method embodiments of processing resistive memory include forming a resistive memory cell material on an electrode having an access device contact, and forming a heater electrode on the resistive memory cell material after forming the resistive memory cell material on the electrode such that the heater electrode is self-aligned to the resistive memory cell material. |
| US09136467B2 |
Phase change memory cells and methods of forming phase change memory cells
A phase change memory cell has first and second electrodes having phase change material there-between. The phase change memory cell is devoid of heater material as part of either of the first and second electrodes and being devoid of heater material between either of the first and second electrodes and the phase change material. A method of forming a memory cell having first and second electrodes having phase change material there-between includes lining elevationally inner sidewalls of an opening with conductive material to comprise the first electrode of the memory cell. Elevationally outer sidewalls of the opening are lined with dielectric material. Phase change material is formed in the opening laterally inward of and electrically coupled to the conductive material in the opening. Conductive second electrode material is formed that is electrically coupled to the phase change material. Other implementations are disclosed. |
| US09136464B1 |
Apparatus and process for manufacturing ST-MRAM having a metal oxide tunnel barrier
An MRAM device, and a process for manufacturing the device, provides improved breakdown distributions, a reduced number of bits with a low breakdown voltage, and an increased MR, thereby improving reliability, manufacturability, and error-free operation. A tunnel barrier is formed between a free layer and a fixed layer in three repeating steps of forming a metal material, interceded by oxidizing each of the metal materials. The oxidization of the third metal material is greater than the dose of the first metal, but less than the dose of the second metal. The fixed layer may include a discontinuous layer of a metal, for example, Ta, in the fixed layer between two layers of a ferromagnetic material. |
| US09136462B2 |
Method of manufacturing a conductive adhesive bond assembly
A method of manufacturing a conductive adhesive bond assembly consisting of a piezoactuator and a printed circuit board that are connected by at least one adhesive connection, with at least one electrical connection created by an electrically conductive adhesive between a first connection contact on the printed circuit board and between a second connection contact on the piezoactuator, whereby the connection contacts face in the same direction and the adhesive connection takes place through an opening in one of the components. |
| US09136461B2 |
Polymeric piezoelectric material and process for producing the same
A polymeric piezoelectric material having an aliphatic polyester (A) with a weight-average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000 and having optical activity, and a stabilizing agent (B) with a weight-average molecular weight of from 200 to 60,000 having at least one kind of functional group selected from the group consisting of a carbodiimide group, an epoxy group and an isocyanate group, wherein the crystallinity of the material obtained by a DSC method is from 20% to 80%, and a content of the stabilizing agent (B) is from 0.01 part by mass to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the aliphatic polyester (A), as well as a process for producing the same, is provided. |
| US09136460B2 |
Piezoelectric element, method for manufacturing piezoelectric element, and electronic apparatus
A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric material portion. The piezoelectric material portion is made of a piezoelectric ceramic that includes a perovskite-type metal oxide including barium titanate and Mn and that has residual polarization. The piezoelectric material portion has a measurement surface extending in a direction that crosses a direction of the residual polarization of the piezoelectric ceramic, and, after the measurement surface has been polished to have a surface roughness of 200 nm or less, the measurement surface has a (002)/(200) X-ray diffraction intensity ratio of 1.0 or more at room temperature. A ratio c/a of a c-axis lattice constant c to an a-axis lattice constant a of the piezoelectric ceramic at room temperature satisfies 1.004≦c/a≦1.010. A half-width of a (002) diffraction peak of the measurement surface at room temperature is 1.2° or less. |
| US09136459B2 |
Piezoelectric device and method of manufacturing piezoelectric device
A piezoelectric device includes: a substrate; a first electrode which is layered over the substrate; a first piezoelectric film which is layered over the first electrode; a metal oxide film which is layered over the first piezoelectric film; a metal film which is layered over the metal oxide film; a second piezoelectric film which is layered over the metal film; and a second electrode which is layered over the second piezoelectric film. |
| US09136457B2 |
Double-masking technique for increasing fabrication yield in superconducting electronics
An improved microfabrication technique for Josephson junctions in superconducting integrated circuits, based on the use of a double-layer lithographic mask for partial anodization of the side-walls and base electrode of the junctions. The top layer of the mask is a resist material, and the bottom layer is a dielectric material chosen so to maximize adhesion between the resist and the underlying superconducting layer, be etch-compatible with the underlying superconducting layer, and be insoluble in the resist and anodization processing chemistries. The superconductor is preferably niobium, under a silicon dioxide layer, with a conventional photoresist or electron-beam resist as the top layer. This combination results in a substantial increase in the fabrication yield of high-density superconducting integrated circuits, increase in junction uniformity and reduction in defect density. A dry etch more compatible with microlithography may be employed. |
| US09136453B2 |
Light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The light emitting device includes a body, a first electrode installed in the body and a second electrode separated from the first electrode, a light emitting chip formed on one of the first and second electrodes, and electrically connected to the first and second electrodes, and a protective cap projecting between the first and second electrodes. |
| US09136448B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device lamp that emits light at large angles
Embodiments of the invention include a plurality of semiconductor light emitting diodes attached to a mount. A plurality of lenses are disposed over the plurality of semiconductor light emitting diodes. A lens disposed over a semiconductor light emitting diode proximate an edge of the mount is rotationally asymmetrical and is shaped such that for a portion of the lens light emitted at an intensity that is half a maximum intensity is emitted at an angle of at least 70° relative to a normal to a top surface of the semiconductor light emitting diode. |
| US09136446B2 |
Light emitting device and lighting system with the same
Embodiments provide a light emitting device including a light emitting structure having a first conduction type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conduction type semiconductor layer, a metal filter of an irregular pattern on the light emitting structure, and openings between the irregular patterns in the metal filter. |
| US09136439B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, a first interconnection section, a second interconnection section, and a varistor film. The semiconductor layer includes a light emitting layer. The first electrode is provided in a emitting region on the second surface. The second electrode is provided in a non-emitting region on the second surface. The first interconnection section is provided on the first electrode and electrically connected to the first electrode. The second interconnection section is provided on the second electrode and on the first electrode and electrically connected to the second electrode. The varistor film is provided in contact with the first electrode and the second interconnection section between the first electrode and the second interconnection section. |
| US09136438B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting element
A semiconductor light-emitting element includes: an ohmic electrode layer formed on a surface of a semiconductor structure layer including a light-emitting layer; a reflective metal layer containing Ag formed so as to cover at least ends of the ohmic electrode layer; and a covering electrode layer formed so as to bury the reflective metal layer. |
| US09136437B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes, a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, a first interconnection, and a second interconnection. The first semiconductor layer has a first major surface, a second major surface provided on an opposite side to the first major surface, a protrusion selectively provided on the second major surface, and a trench formed from the second major surface to the first major surface. The second semiconductor layer is stacked on the protrusion of the first semiconductor layer and includes a light emitting layer. The first electrode is provided on the second major surface of the first semiconductor layer and a side surface of the trench. The second electrode is provided on a surface of the second semiconductor layer on an opposite side to the first semiconductor layer. |
| US09136433B2 |
Light emitting diode
Disclosed herein is a light emitting diode. The light emitting diode includes a substrate, an n-type semiconductor layer placed on the substrate, an active layer placed on the n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer placed on the active layer, a reflective layer placed on the p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type electrode electrically connected to the n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type electrode placed on the reflective layer; and a first patterned magnetic structure placed on the reflective layer, and separated from the p-type electrode. The light emitting diode can provide improved internal quantum efficiency using the patterned magnetic structure. |
| US09136432B2 |
High efficiency light emitting diode
Disclosed herein is a high efficiency light emitting diode. The light emitting diode includes: a semiconductor stack positioned over a support substrate; a reflective metal layer positioned between the support substrate and the semiconductor stack to ohmic-contact a p-type compound semiconductor layer of the semiconductor stack and having a groove exposing the semiconductor stack; a first electrode pad positioned on an n-type compound semiconductor layer of the semiconductor stack; an electrode extension extending from the first electrode pad and positioned over the groove region; and an upper insulating layer interposed between the first electrode pad and the semiconductor stack. In addition, the n-type compound semiconductor layer includes an n-type contact layer, and the n-type contact layer has a Si doping concentration of 5 to 7×1018/cm3 and a thickness in the range of 5 to 10 um. |
| US09136430B2 |
Semiconductor buffer structure, semiconductor device including the same, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device using semiconductor buffer structure
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a silicon substrate, forming a buffer layer on the silicon substrate, and forming a nitride semiconductor layer on the buffer layer. The buffer layer includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer includes AlxInyGa1-x-yN (0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦x+y≦1) and has a lattice constant LP1 that is smaller than a lattice constant LP0 of the silicon substrate. The second layer is formed on the first layer, includes AlxInyGa1-x-yN (0≦x<1, 0≦y<1, 0≦x+y<1), and has a lattice constant LP2 that is greater than LP1 and smaller than LP0. The third layer is formed on the second layer, includes AlxInyGa1-x-yN (0≦x<1, 0≦y<1, 0≦x+y<1), and has a lattice constant LP3 that is smaller than LP2. |
| US09136428B2 |
Nanocrystals including a group IIIA element and a group VA element, method, composition, device and other products
A population of nanocrystals including a core comprising a first semiconductor material comprising one or more elements of Group IIIA of the Periodic Table of Elements and one or more elements of Group VA of the Periodic Table of Elements, and a shell disposed over at least a portion of the core, the shell comprising a second semiconductor material, wherein the nanocrystal is capable of emitting light having a photoluminescence quantum efficiency of at least about 30% upon excitation. Also disclosed is a nanocrystal comprising a nanocrystal core and a shell comprising a semiconductor material comprising at least three chemical elements and obtainable by a process comprising adding a precursor for at least one of the chemical elements of the semiconductor material from a separate source to a nanocrystal core while simultaneously adding amounts of precursors for the other chemical elements of the semiconductor material. Devices including nanocrystals are disclosed. |
| US09136426B2 |
Method for processing devices including quantum dots and devices
A method of processing quantum dots is disclosed. The method comprises applying energy to excite the quantum dots to emit light and placing the quantum dots under vacuum after excitation of the quantum dots. Also disclosed is a method of processing a component including quantum dots comprising applying energy to the component including quantum dots to excite the quantum dots to emit light; and placing the component including quantum dots under vacuum after excitation. A method for processing a device is further disclosed, the method comprising applying energy to the device to excite the quantum dots to emit light; and placing the device under vacuum after excitation of the quantum dots. A method for preparing a device is also disclosed. Quantum dots, component, and devices of the methods are also disclosed. |
| US09136422B1 |
Texturing a layer in an optoelectronic device for improved angle randomization of light
Embodiments generally relate to optoelectronic devices and more specifically, to textured layers in optoelectronic devices. In one embodiment, a method for providing a textured layer in an optoelectronic device includes depositing a first layer of a first material and depositing an island layer of a second material on the first layer. Depositing the island layer includes forming one or more islands of the second material to provide at least one textured surface of the island layer, where the textured surface is operative to cause scattering of light. |
| US09136419B2 |
Photoconductive device
A semiconductor structure includes a GaAs or InP substrate, an InxGa1-xAs epitaxial layer grown on the substrate, where x is greater than about 0.01 and less than about 0.53, and a wider bandgap epitaxial layer grown as a cap layer on top of the InxGa1-xAs epitaxial layer. |
| US09136415B2 |
Solar battery cell
A solar battery cell that comprises a plurality of grid electrodes and light-receiving-surface lead connection electrodes on a light receiving surface of a semiconductor substrate, and comprises a plurality of back-surface lead connection electrodes that are connected to back-surface lead wires, formed on the second straight lines that are substantially opposite to the first straight lines while sandwiching the semiconductor substrate together with the first straight lines, on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein an edge portion of each of the light-receiving-surface lead connection electrodes is not overlapped with an edge portion of each of the back-surface lead connection electrodes in a width direction. |
| US09136414B2 |
Back sheet for a solar cell module, and solar cell module comprising same
Provided are a back sheet for a solar cell module, and a solar cell module comprising same. The back sheet for a solar cell module comprises: a heat-dissipating metal layer; an upper anticorrosion layer formed on the upper surface of said heat-dissipating metal layer; a lower anticorrosion layer formed on the lower surface of said heat-dissipating metal layer; and a surface layer formed on said upper anticorrosion layer and adhered to a charging sheet of the solar cell module. The back sheet for a solar cell module according to the present invention has superior heat-dissipating properties and thus may efficiently dissipate (discharge) heat generated in a solar cell, thereby increasing the amount of power generation (photoconversion efficiency) of the solar cell. In addition, the back sheet of the present invention is inexpensive and may improve adhesive force and the like. |
| US09136410B2 |
Selective emitter nanowire array and methods of making same
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device including a substrate, having a top surface and a bottom surface; an array of nanowires having a base and a top surface, the base contacting the top surface of the substrate; a contacting structure including the same material as the substrate having a non-nanostructured surface of a dimension suitable for forming an electrical contact, located on the same side of the substrate as the array of silicon nanowires; wherein the contacting structure is doped with a greater impurity concentration than the nanowire array, thereby forming a selective emitter. |
| US09136404B2 |
Solar cell capable of recycling a substrate and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a solar cell that can recycle a substrate, and a manufacturing method thereof. The solar cell includes: i) a plurality of nano-structures distanced from each other and extended in one direction; ii) a first conductive layer covering a first end of at least one of the plurality of nano-structures; iii) a second conductive layer distanced from the first conductive layer and covering a second end of the nano-structure; and iv) a dielectric layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. |
| US09136402B2 |
High efficiency flexible solar cells for consumer electronics
A flexible solar cell comprises an epitaxially grown III-V layer having a first layer grown on a base substrate, at least one intermediate layer grown on the first layer, and a cap layer grown on the at least one intermediate layer, the III-V layer being separated from the base substrate by controllably spalling the first layer from the base substrate; and a flexible substrate coupled to the epitaxially grown III-V layer. The flexible solar cell may be used to provide power to an electronic device. |
| US09136399B2 |
Semiconductor package with gel filled cavity
A semiconductor device package is assembled using a jig that alters the shape of gel material disposed in a cavity in the package. In one embodiment, a jig having a concave bottom surface is inserted onto uncured gel material disposed within a cavity in a housing of the package to change a top surface of the gel from having a concave shape to a convex shape. The gel is then cured with the jig in place. When the jig is subsequently removed, the cured gel retains the convex shape, which helps to avoid any bond wires from being exposed. The re-shaped gel material reduces internal stresses during thermal cycling and can therefore reduce permanent damage to the package otherwise resulting from such thermal cycling. |
| US09136398B2 |
Bipolar magnetic junction transistor with magnetoamplification and applications of same
In one aspect of the present invention, the semiconductor device is a bipolar magnetic junction transistor (MJT), and includes a first non-magnetic semiconductor layer, a second non-magnetic semiconductor layer, and a magnetic semiconductor layer. The first non-magnetic semiconductor layer has majority charge carriers of a first polarity. The second non-magnetic semiconductor layer is disposed adjacent to the first non-magnetic semiconductor layer such that a first junction is formed at a first interface region between the first non-magnetic semiconductor layer and the second non-magnetic semiconductor layer. The magnetic semiconductor layer has majority charge carriers of the first polarity, and is disposed adjacent to the second non-magnetic semiconductor layer such that a second junction is formed at a second interface region between the second non-magnetic semiconductor layer and the magnetic semiconductor layer. |
| US09136397B2 |
Field-effect semiconductor device
A field-effect semiconductor device having a semiconductor body with a main surface is provided. The semiconductor body includes, in a vertical cross-section substantially orthogonal to the main surface, a drift layer of a first conductivity type, a semiconductor mesa of the first conductivity type adjoining the drift layer, substantially extending to the main surface and having two side walls, and two second semiconductor regions of a second conductivity type arranged next to the semiconductor mesa. Each of the two second semiconductor regions forms a pn-junction at least with the drift layer. A rectifying junction is formed at least at one of the two side walls of the mesa. Further, a method for producing a heterojunction semiconductor device is provided. |
| US09136389B2 |
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 field effect mobility of a thin film transistor and to obtain a sufficient on-off ratio with off current suppressed. The oxide semiconductor is represented by InMO3(ZnO)n (M is one or a plurality of elements selected from Ga, Fe, Ni, Mn, Co, and Al, and n is a non-integer number of greater than or equal to 1 and less than 50) and further contains hydrogen. In this case, the concentration of Zn is made to be lower than the concentrations of In and M (M is one or a plurality of elements selected from Ga, Fe, Ni, Mn, Co, and Al). In addition, the oxide semiconductor has an amorphous structure. Here, n is preferably a non-integer number of greater than or equal to 50, more preferably less than 10. |
| US09136386B2 |
SOI substrate, method of manufacturing the SOI substrate, semiconductor device, and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device
An SOI substrate includes a semiconductor base; a semiconductor layer formed over the semiconductor base; and a buried insulating film which is disposed between the semiconductor base and the semiconductor layer, so as to electrically isolate the semiconductor layer from the semiconductor base, where the buried insulating film contains a nitride film. |
| US09136384B2 |
Method for the formation of a FinFET device having partially dielectric isolated Fin structure
A semiconductor material is patterned to define elongated fins insulated from an underlying substrate. A polysilicon semiconductor material is deposited over and in between the elongated fins, and is patterned to define elongated gates extending to perpendicularly cross over the elongated fins at a transistor channel. Sidewall spacers are formed on side walls of the elongated gates. Portions of the elongated fins located between the elongated gates are removed, along with the underlying insulation, to expose the underlying substrate. One or more semiconductor material layers are then epitaxially grown from the underlying substrate at locations between the elongated gates. The one or more semiconductor material layers may include an undoped epi-layer and an overlying doped epi-layer. The epitaxial material defines a source or drain of the transistor. |
| US09136382B2 |
Native devices having improved device characteristics and methods for fabrication
A method for fabricating a native device is presented. The method includes forming a gate structure over a substrate starting at an outer edge of an inner marker region, where the gate structure extends in a longitudinal direction, and performing MDD implants, where each implant is performed using a different orientation with respect to the gate structure, performing pocket implants, where each implant is performed using a different orientation with respect to the gate structure, and concentrations of the pocket implants vary based upon the orientations. A transistor fabricated as a native device, is presented, which includes an inner marker region, an active outer region which surrounds the inner marker region, a gate structure coupled to the inner marker region, and first and second source/drain implants located within the active outer region and interposed between the first source/drain implant and the second source/drain implant. |
| US09136381B1 |
Super junction MOSFET with integrated channel diode
Semiconductor device includes MOSFET having planar cells on an epitaxial semiconductor surface of a first type providing a drain drift region. A first and second epitaxial column formed in the semiconductor surface are doped a second type. A split gate includes planar gates between the epitaxial columns including a MOS gate electrode (MOS gate) and a diode gate electrode (diode gate). A body region of the second type in the drift region abuts the epitaxial columns. A source of the first type in the body region includes a first source portion proximate to the MOS gate and a second source portion proximate to the diode gate. A vertical drift region uses the drift region below the body region to provide a drain. A connector shorts the diode gate to the second source portion to provide an integrated channel diode. The MOS gate is electrically isolated from the first source portion. |
| US09136373B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method for the same
A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method for the same are provided. The semiconductor substrate includes a gate structure, a first doped contact region, a second doped contact region and a well doped region. The gate structure is on the semiconductor substrate, and has a first gate sidewall and a second gate sidewall opposite to the first gate sidewall. The first doped contact region has a first type conductivity and is formed in the semiconductor substrate on the first gate sidewall of the gate structure. The second doped contact region has the first type conductivity and is formed in the semiconductor substrate on the second gate sidewall of the gate structure. The well doped region has the first type conductivity and is under the first doped contact region. |
| US09136371B2 |
Monolithic bidirectional silicon carbide switching devices
A monolithic bidirectional switching device includes a drift layer having a first conductivity type and having an upper surface, and first and second vertical metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) structures at the upper surface of the drift layer. The drift layer provides a common drain for the first and second vertical MOS structures. The first and second vertical MOS structures are protected by respective first and second edge termination structures at the upper surface of the drift layer. A monolithic bidirectional switching device according to further embodiments includes a vertical MOS structure at the upper surface of the drift layer, and a diode at the upper surface of the drift layer. The drift layer provides a drain for the vertical MOS structure and a cathode for the diode, and the vertical MOS structure and the diode are protected by respective first and second edge termination structures. |
| US09136369B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a surface of which is provided with: a source region having a first conductivity type is formed in a body region having a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type; a main electrode connected to the source region and the body region; and a gate electrode, to which a voltage for controlling a current flowing through the main electrode is applied, and the semiconductor device includes: a recess formed in the surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the source region is exposed on an inner surface of the recess and the main electrode is connected to the source region at the inner surface of the recess. |
| US09136368B2 |
Trench gate trench field plate semi-vertical semi-lateral MOSFET
A semiconductor device has a vertical drain extended MOS transistor with deep trench structures to define a vertical drift region and at least one vertical drain contact region, separated from the vertical drift region by at least one instance of the deep trench structures. Dopants are implanted into the vertical drain contact regions and the semiconductor device is annealed so that the implanted dopants diffuse proximate to a bottom of the deep trench structures. The vertical drain contact regions make electrical contact to the proximate vertical drift region at the bottom of the intervening deep trench structure. At least one gate, body region and source region are formed above the drift region at, or proximate to, a top surface of a substrate of the semiconductor device. The deep trench structures are spaced so as to form RESURF regions for the drift region. |
| US09136366B2 |
Transistor with coupled gate and ground plane
An integrated circuit includes a silicon substrate, a ground plane above the substrate, a buried insulator layer above the ground plane, a silicon layer above the buried insulator layer and separated from the ground plane by the buried insulator layer, and an FDSOI transistor. The transistor has a channel adapted for being formed in the silicon layer, a source and drain in and/or on the silicon layer, and a gate covering an upper face of the channel and having a lateral portion covering a lateral face of the channel and above the ground plane. A distance between the lateral portion and the ground plane is not more than three nanometers and at least five times less than a thickness of the buried insulator layer between the ground plane and the silicon layer. The ground plane is separated from the gate by the buried insulator layer. |
| US09136365B2 |
Power devices and method for manufacturing the same
A power device includes a substrate, a silicon carbide (SixC1-x) layer on one surface of the substrate, wherein 0 |
| US09136355B2 |
Methods for forming amorphous silicon thin film transistors
Embodiments described herein provide amorphous silicon thin-film transistors (a-Si TFTs) and methods for forming a-Si TFTs. A substrate is provided. A gate electrode is formed above the substrate. An a-Si channel layer is formed above the gate electrode. A contact layer is formed above the a-Si channel layer. The contact layer includes titanium, zinc, arsenic, or a combination thereof. A source electrode and a drain electrode are formed above the contact layer. |
| US09136354B2 |
Methods for manufacturing passivation layer and thin film transistor array substrate
The present invention provides methods for manufacturing a passivation layer and a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate. The method for manufacturing the passivation layer comprises the following steps: placing a substrate in a vacuum process chamber; providing an ammonia gas and a nitrogen gas into the vacuum process chamber; forming plasma and evaporating water vapor; and forming the passivation layer on the substrate. The method for manufacturing the passivation layer can be applicable to the method for manufacturing the TFT array substrate. The present invention can enhance the quality of the passivation layer. |
| US09136353B2 |
Polysilicon-based thin film transistor
A method of forming polysilicon, a thin film transistor (TFT) using the polysilicon, and a method of fabricating the TFT are disclosed. The method of forming the polysilicon comprises: forming an insulating layer on a substrate; forming a first electrode and a second electrode on the insulating layer; forming at least one heater layer on the insulating layer so as to connect the first electrode and the second electrode; forming an amorphous material layer containing silicon on the heater layer(s); forming a through-hole under the heater layer(s) by etching the insulating layer; and crystallizing the amorphous material layer into a polysilicon layer by applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode so as to heat the heater layer(s). |
| US09136351B2 |
Electric power semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
A manufacturing method of an electric power semiconductor device includes following processes. A plurality of first second conductivity type impurity implantation layers are formed in a surface of a second semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type. A first trench is formed between a first non-implantation region and one of the plurality of first second conductivity type impurity implantation layers. An epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type is formed and covers the plurality of first second conductivity type impurity implantation layers. A plurality of second second conductivity type impurity implantation layers are formed in a surface of the epitaxial layer. A second trench is formed between a second non-implantation region and one of the plurality of second second conductivity type impurity implantation layers. A third semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type is formed and covers the plurality of second second conductivity type impurity implantation layers. |
| US09136350B2 |
RF LDMOS device and fabrication method thereof
A radio frequency (RF) laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) device is disclosed which additionally includes a lightly-doped P-type buried layer under a P-type channel region and a moderately-dope P-type buried layer in the lightly-doped P-type buried layer. The two buried layers result in a lower base resistance for an equivalent parasitic NPN transistor, thereby impeding the occurrence of snapback in the device. Additionally, an equivalent reverse-biased diode formed between the channel region and the buried layers is capable of clamping the drain-source voltage of the device and sinking redundant currents to a substrate thereof. Furthermore, the design of a gate oxide layer of the RF LDMOS device to have a greater thickness at a proximal end to a drain region can help to reduce the hot-carrier effect, and having a smaller thickness at a proximal end to the source region can improve the transconductance of the RF LDMOS device. |
| US09136349B2 |
Dummy gate structure for semiconductor devices
A structure and method for fabricating a spacer structure for semiconductor devices, such as a multi-gate structure, is provided. The dummy gate structure is formed by depositing a dielectric layer, forming a mask over the dielectric layer, and patterning the dielectric layer. The mask is formed to have a tapered edge. In an embodiment, the tapered edge is formed in a post-patterning process, such as a baking process. In another embodiment, a relatively thick mask layer is utilized such that during patterning a tapered results. The profile of the tapered mask is transferred to the dielectric layer, thereby providing a tapered edge on the dielectric layer. |
| US09136344B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device, semiconductor device, and semiconductor crystal growth substrate
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes grinding a back side of a substrate; and forming a nitride semiconductor layer on a front side of the substrate after the grinding. Compressive stress is generated in the nitride semiconductor layer that is formed. |
| US09136341B2 |
High voltage field effect transistor finger terminations
A field effect transistor having at least one structure configured to redistribute and/or reduce an electric field from gate finger ends is disclosed. Embodiments of the field effect transistor include a substrate, an active region disposed on the substrate, at least one source finger in contact with the active region, at least one drain finger in contact with the active region, and at least one gate finger in rectifying contact with the active region. One embodiment has at least one end of the at least one gate finger extending outside of the active region. Another embodiment includes at least one source field plate integral with the at least one source finger. The at least one source field plate extends over the at least one gate finger that includes a portion outside of the active region. Either embodiment can also include a sloped gate foot to further improve high voltage operation. |
| US09136336B2 |
Inverter logic devices including graphene field effect transistor having tunable barrier
Inverter logic devices include a gate oxide on a back substrate, a first graphene layer and a second graphene layer separated from each other on the gate oxide, a first electrode layer and a first semiconductor layer separated from each other on the first graphene layer, a second electrode layer and a second semiconductor layer separated from each other on the second graphene layer, and an output electrode on the first and second semiconductor layers and configured to output an output signal. The first semiconductor layer is doped with a different type of impurities selected from n-type impurities and p-type impurities than the second semiconductor layer. |
| US09136332B2 |
Method for forming a nanowire field effect transistor device having a replacement gate
A transistor device and method for forming a field effect transistor device are provided. An example transistor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a device layer. The device layer includes a source region and a drain region that are connected by a channel region that comprises a portion of a nanowire. The channel region is formed by providing a sacrificial layer over the semiconductor substrate. The nanowire is formed over the sacrificial layer, and the sacrificial layer is etched. The etching is selective to the sacrificial layer to prevent the removal of the nanowire, and the etching causes the portion of the nanowire to be suspended over the semiconductor substrate. A gate region is formed that surrounds at least the portion of the nanowire. The gate region is deposited in a conformal manner over all sides of the portion, and the portion is no longer suspended over the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09136325B2 |
Device structure for reducing leakage current of semiconductor devices with floating buried layer
A device structure is provided to reduce the leakage current of semiconductor devices with a floating buried layer (FBL), includes a substrate, a first epitaxial layer, a split floating buried layer, a second epitaxial layer, a doped trench, a protected device, a surface junction termination extension (S-JTE) and a scribe street. The device and the S-JTE are designed at the second epitaxial layer and the split floating buried layer at the joint of the first and second epitaxial layers. The doped trench is penetrated through the second epitaxial layer and connected to the split floating buried layer. The substrate, the first and second epitaxial layers feature the same typed doping which is opposite to that of split floating buried layer and doped trench. |
| US09136324B2 |
Power semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A power semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a first drift layer, and a second drift layer. The first drift layer includes a first epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type, a plurality of first first-conductivity-type pillar layers, and a plurality of first second-conductivity-type pillar layers. The second drift layer is formed on the first drift layer and includes a second epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type, a plurality of second second-conductivity-type pillar layers, a plurality of second first-conductivity-type pillar layers, a plurality of third second-conductivity-type pillar layers, and a plurality of third first-conductivity-type pillar layers. The plurality of second second-conductivity-type pillar layers are connected to the first second-conductivity-type pillar layers. The plurality of second first-conductivity-type pillar layers are connected to the first first-conductivity-type pillar layers. The plurality of third second-conductivity-type pillar layers are arranged on the first epitaxial layer. |
| US09136323B2 |
Drain-end drift diminution in semiconductor devices
A method of fabricating a transistor includes forming a field isolation region in a substrate. After forming the field isolation region, dopant is implanted in a first region of a substrate for formation of a drift region. A drain region is formed in a second region of the substrate. The first and second regions laterally overlap to define a conduction path for the transistor. The first region does not extend laterally across the second region. |
| US09136319B2 |
Method of making capacitor with a sealing liner and semiconductor device comprising same
Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to various methods of making a capacitor with a sealing liner and a semiconductor device including such a capacitor. In one example, the method includes forming a layer of insulating material, forming a capacitor opening in the layer of insulating material, forming a sealing liner on the sidewalls of the capacitor opening and forming a first metal layer in the capacitor opening and on the sealing liner by performing a process using a precursor having a minimum particle size, wherein the sealing liner is made of a material having an opening size that is less than the minimum particle size of the precursor. |
| US09136318B2 |
Capacitor in post-passivation structures and methods of forming the same
A device includes a metal pad and a passivation layer having a portion overlapping the metal pad. A capacitor includes a bottom capacitor electrode underlying the passivation layer, wherein the bottom capacitor includes the metal pad. The capacitor further includes a top capacitor electrode over the portion of the passivation layer; and a capacitor insulator including the portion of the passivation layer. |
| US09136310B2 |
Thin film deposition apparatus, method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display device by using the apparatus, and organic light-emitting display device manufactured by using the method
Each of thin film deposition assemblies of a thin film deposition apparatus includes: a deposition source that includes a deposition material; a deposition source nozzle unit arranged at a side of the deposition source and including a plurality of deposition source nozzles arranged in a first direction; a patterning slit sheet arranged opposite to the deposition source nozzle unit and having a plurality of patterning slits arranged in the first direction; and a barrier plate assembly including a plurality of barrier plates arranged in the first direction, the barrier plate assembly being arranged between the deposition source nozzle unit and the patterning slit sheet. The thin film deposition apparatus and the substrate are separated from each other and are movable relative to each other. The deposition material includes a material to produce the thin film of a red (R), green (G) or blue (B) emission layer, or an auxiliary layer. |
| US09136308B2 |
Illumination device with power source
The invention relates to an illumination device (1000) comprising an at least partially transparent solar cell (200) that is arranged at the back side of an at least partially transparent light source (100). Preferably, the light source (100) is an OLED that is structured into a plurality of electroluminescent zones (131) and inactive zones (132). The electroluminescent zones are preferably aligned with reflective zones (311) of a mirror layer (310) that is disposed between the light source (100) and the solar cell (200). |
| US09136305B2 |
Method of producing an image sensor having multiple output channels
A method for producing an image sensor includes providing a horizontal shift register electrically connected to a pixel array for receiving charge packets from the pixel array. A non-destructive sense node is provided that is connected to an output of the horizontal shift register. A charge directing switch is provided that is electrically connected to the non-destructive sense node. The charge directing switch includes first and second outputs. A charge multiplying horizontal shift register is provided that is electrically connected to the first output of the charge directing switch. A bypass horizontal shift register or an amplifier is provided that is connected to the second output of the charge directing switch. |
| US09136304B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, semiconductor device, manufacturing methods thereof, and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes an imaging element and a logic element. The imaging element includes a first semiconductor substrate, a first wiring layer, and a first metal layer, in which a pixel region which is a light sensing surface is formed. The logic element includes a second semiconductor substrate, a second wiring layer, and a second metal layer, in which a signal processing circuit that processes a pixel signal obtained at the pixel region is formed. The logic element is laminated to the imaging element so that the first metal layer and the second metal layer are bonded to each other, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer are formed on a region excluding a region in which a penetrating electrode layer penetrating a bonding surface of the imaging element and the logic element is formed. |
| US09136303B2 |
CMOS protection during germanium photodetector processing
A method of protecting a CMOS device within an integrated photonic semiconductor structure is provided. The method may include depositing a conformal layer of germanium over the CMOS device and an adjacent area to the CMOS device, depositing a conformal layer of dielectric hardmask over the germanium, and forming, using a mask level, a patterned layer of photoresist for covering the CMOS device and a photonic device formation region within the adjacent area. Openings are etched into areas of the deposited layer of silicon nitride not covered by the patterned photoresist, such that the areas are adjacent to the photonic device formation region. The germanium material is then etched from the conformal layer of germanium at a location underlying the etched openings for forming the photonic device at the photonic device formation region. The conformal layer of germanium deposited over the CMOS device protects the CMOS device. |
| US09136299B2 |
Color image sampling and reconstruction
An image capture apparatus that includes an array of color filters for green, red, and magenta colors arranged over a semiconductor substrate in the manner of a primary color Bayer pattern except a magenta color replaces the blue color. Light passing through the magenta color filter is integrated separately in a magenta pixel for a shallow photodiode signal and a deep photodiode signal in a first photodiode and a deeper second photodiode in the substrate, respectively. A mezzanine photodiode may be disposed between the first and second photodiodes and held at a fixed voltage level or reset multiple times during charge integration. A red pixel value for the magenta pixel is a function of the deep photodiode signal and an adjacent red pixel's red pixel signal. A minimum exists in its derivative with respect to the former at a value of the former that varies with the latter. |
| US09136295B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
There are provided a first waveguide member in an imaging region and a peripheral region of a semiconductor substrate and a via plug penetrating the first waveguide member. |
| US09136291B2 |
Solid-state imaging device having penetration electrode formed in semiconductor substrate
A solid-state imaging device includes an imaging element, an external terminal, an insulating film, a penetration electrode, a first insulating interlayer, a first electrode, and a first contact plug. The imaging element is formed on a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate. The external terminal is formed on a second main surface facing the first main surface of the substrate. The insulating film is formed in a through-hole formed in the substrate. The penetration electrode is formed on the insulating film in the through-hole and electrically connected to the external terminal. The first insulating interlayer is formed on the first main surface of the substrate and the penetration electrode. The first electrode is formed on the first insulating interlayer. The first contact plug is formed in the first insulating interlayer between the penetration electrode and the first electrode to electrically connect the penetration electrode and the first electrode. |
| US09136289B2 |
Camera module housing having built-in conductive traces to accommodate stacked dies using flip chip connections
A camera module including a housing with embedded conductive traces that allow for an increase in usable surface area of a corresponding printed circuit board (PCB) or multi-layer substrate, a reduced overall thickness of the module, a reduction in tilt management of a lens element of the module, and a facilitation in alignment of the lens element relative to the image sensor. An image sensor is electrically interconnected to first portions of the conductive traces by way of a flip chip process, and then the housing may be mounted over the PCB so that second portions of the conductive traces interconnect with corresponding conductive pads on the PCB to electrically interconnect the image sensor die to the PCB. In one arrangement, another die may be electrically interconnected to the PCB so that as assembled, the die is disposed between the image sensor and the PCB. |
| US09136285B2 |
Display device, method for driving the same, and electronic apparatus
A display device including a pixel array unit having a matrix of pixels each configured such that an anode electrode of an organic electroluminescent element is connected to a source electrode of a drive transistor, a gate electrode of the drive transistor is connected to a source or drain electrode of a writing transistor, and a storage capacitor is connected between the gate and source electrodes of the drive transistor, scanning lines and power supply lines for individual pixel rows, and signal lines for individual pixel columns. A video signal reference potential is supplied to the signal lines for a period during which a scanning signal is supplied to the scanning lines during driving of pixels in a preceding row. During threshold correction for the drive transistor in a current pixel, the video signal reference potential and a potential of the cathode electrode of the organic electroluminescent element are equal. |
| US09136284B2 |
Thin film transistor panel and method for manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor array panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an insulation substrate; a thin film transistor disposed on the insulation substrate, wherein the thin film transistor includes a first electrode; a first contact hole pattern having a first width, wherein the first contact hole pattern exposes a portion of the first electrode, and a first contact hole to expose the portion of the first electrode, wherein an inner sidewall of the first contact hole pattern constitutes a first portion of the first contact hole. |
| US09136283B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel
A thin film transistor array panel includes: a data line which extends in a column direction and transfers a data voltage; a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode connected to the data line and adjacent in a row direction; a first thin film transistor connected to the first pixel electrode and the data line, and including a first source electrode and a first drain electrode; and a second thin film transistor connected to the second pixel electrode and the data line, and including a second source electrode and a second drain electrode. The first pixel electrode is at the right of the data line, the second pixel electrode is at the left of the data line, and relative positions of the first source electrode and the first drain electrode are the same as relative positions of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode. |
| US09136278B2 |
Methods of forming vertically-stacked memory cells
Some embodiments include a method of fabricating integrated structures. A metal-containing material is formed over a stack of alternating first and second levels. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the stack. Repeating vertically-stacked electrical components are formed along the stack at sidewalls of the opening. Some embodiments include a method of forming vertically-stacked memory cells. Metal-containing material is formed over a stack of alternating silicon dioxide levels and conductively-doped silicon levels. A first opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the stack. Cavities are formed to extend into the conductively-doped silicon levels along sidewalls of the first opening. Charge-blocking dielectric and charge-storage structures are formed within the cavities to leave a second opening. Sidewalls of the second opening are lined with gate dielectric and then channel material is formed within the second opening. |
| US09136274B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a plurality of active regions divided by a plurality of trenches, a plurality of tunnel insulating layer patterns formed over the active regions, a plurality of conductive film patterns formed over the tunnel insulating film patterns, a plurality of first isolation layers formed on sidewalls and bottom surfaces of the trenches, and a plurality of second isolation layers formed between the conductive film patterns. |
| US09136273B1 |
Flash gate air gap
Flash memory cells and methods of formation are described for flash memory cells having air gaps through which electrons may pass to alter the charge state of the floating gate. A dummy gate is initially deposited and a polysilicon gate is deposited on the dummy gate. A silicon oxide film is then deposited on the sides of the active area, the dummy gate and the polysilicon. The silicon oxide film holds the polysilicon in place while the dummy gate is selectively etched away. The dummy gate may be doped to increase etch rate. Formerly, silicon oxide was used as a dielectric barrier through which electrons were passed to charge and discharge the floating gate (polysilicon). Eliminating material in the dielectric barrier reduces the tendency to accumulate trapped charges during use and increase the lifespan of flash memory devices. |
| US09136271B2 |
Semiconductor device with one-time programmable memory cell including anti-fuse with metal/polycide gate
A one-time programmable (OTP) memory cell includes a dual date transistor and, in some embodiments, two transistors. The dual gate transistor is formed using the same processing operations used to form floating gate transistors in other areas of the semiconductor device. The dual gate transistor includes an upper gate isolated from a floating gate by a floating gate oxide, the combination of which produces an anti-fuse. The nonvolatile memory device may include a plurality of such OTP memory cells and one or more OTP memory cells are selected and programmed by applying a voltage sufficient to blow the anti-fuse by causing the floating gate oxide layer to break down and the upper gate to become shorted to the floating gate. |
| US09136267B2 |
Standard cell global routing channels over active regions
An integrated circuit chip includes CMOS integrated circuit cells arranged in a semiconductor layer, each including first and second active regions, having first and second polarities, respectively. A first power rail is routed along boundaries of the CMOS integrated circuit cells proximate to the first active regions. A second power rail is routed over second active regions. Global routing channels are routed over the second active regions such that the second power rail is disposed between the global routing channels and the first power rail. The global routing channels are coupled between the CMOS integrated circuit cells to couple the CMOS integrated circuit cells together globally in the integrated circuit chip. |
| US09136265B2 |
Radio frequency and microwave devices and methods of use
Radio frequency and microwave devices and methods of use are provided herein. According to some embodiments, the present technology may comprise an ohmic layer for use in a field effect transistor that includes a plurality of strips disposed on a substrate, the plurality of strips comprising alternating source strips and drain strips, with adjacent strips being spaced apart from one another to form a series of channels, a gate finger segment disposed in each of the series of channels, and a plurality of gate finger pads disposed in an alternating pattern around a periphery of the plurality of strips such that each gate finger segment is associated with two gate finger pads. |
| US09136264B2 |
MOS transistors having low offset values, electronic devices including the same, and methods of fabricating the same
A MOS transistor includes a gate electrode disposed over an active region without overlapping with an isolation region, the active region including a channel region, the isolation region defining the active region, a source region and a drain region disposed in first and second portions of the active region, respectively, the first and second portions being disposed at first and second sides of the gate electrode, respectively, the first side opposing the second side, a first blocking region disposed in a third portion of the active region between a third side of the gate electrode and the isolation region and between the source and the drain region, and a second blocking region disposed in a fourth portion of the active region between a fourth side of the gate electrode and the isolation region and between the source and the drain region, the fourth side opposing the third side. |
| US09136263B2 |
Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device which uses a comb-like N-type MOS transistor as an ESD protection element and is capable of uniformly operating the entire comb-like N-type MOS transistor. By adjusting a length L of a gate electrode of the N-type MOS transistor used as the ESD protection element in accordance with the distance from a contact for fixing a substrate potential, which is provided on a guard ring around an outer periphery, respective portion of N-type MOS transistor represented as a comb teeth uniformly enter snap-back operation, permitting avoidance of local concentration of current and obtainment of a desired ESD tolerance. |
| US09136262B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a transistor having a gate electrode, a first electrode, and a second electrode and first and second protection circuits each having one end commonly connected to the gate electrode and the other end connected to the first and second electrodes, respectively. The first and second protection circuits are formed in first and second polysilicon layers, respectively, formed separately on a single field insulating film. |
| US09136258B1 |
Stacked LED for optical sensor devices
An optical sensor device, system, and method are described that include a substrate, an electronic device disposed on the substrate, a molding layer, a lens, and a light-emitting diode (LED) package disposed on the substrate and at least partially over the sensor and molding layer. The LED package can include an LED substrate, an LED, a lens disposed on the LED, and electrical interconnections for coupling the LED to the substrate. In implementations, a process for fabricating the optical sensor device includes backgrinding a sensor die to a slim profile; attaching the sensor die onto a substrate; placing a molding layer on the sensor die; forming a lens on the molding layer; and placing an assembled light-emitting diode package on the substrate and at least partially over the sensor die and molding layer, where the assembled light-emitting diode package includes a 3D substrate. |
| US09136254B2 |
Microelectronic package having wire bond vias and stiffening layer
Microelectronic components and methods forming such microelectronic components are disclosed herein. The microelectronic components may include a plurality of electrically conductive vias in the form of wire bonds extending from a bonding surface of a substrate, such as surfaces of electrically conductive elements at a surface of the substrate. |
| US09136251B2 |
Method to enable controlled side chip interconnection for 3D integrated packaging system
Semiconductor multi-die structures having intermediate vertical side chips, and packages housing such semiconductor multi-die structures, are described. In an example, a multi-die semiconductor structure includes a first main stacked dies (MSD) structure having a first substantially horizontal arrangement of semiconductor dies. A second MSD structure having a second substantially horizontal arrangement of semiconductor dies is also included. An intermediate vertical side chip (i-VSC) is disposed between and electrically coupled to the first and second MSD structures. |
| US09136249B2 |
Stacked semiconductor package
A stacked semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor chip having one surface, and an other surface which faces away from the one surface, and first through electrodes which pass through the one surface and the other surface and project out of the other surface; a second semiconductor chip stacked over the one surface of the first semiconductor chip and having second through electrodes which are connected with the first through electrodes; a heat dissipation member disposed over the second semiconductor chip; and a first heat absorbing member disposed to face the other surface of the first semiconductor chip and defined with through holes into which projecting portions of the first through electrodes are inserted. |
| US09136245B2 |
Moisture barrier for a wire bond
An electronic device comprising a bond pad on a substrate and a wire bonded to the bond pad. The device further comprises an intermetallic compound interface located between the bond pad and the wire and a silicon nitride or silicon carbonyl layer covering the intermetallic compound interface. |
| US09136243B2 |
Systems and methods for determining and adjusting a level of parallelism related to bonding of semiconductor elements
A bonding machine for bonding semiconductor elements, the bonding machine including: a support structure configured to support a substrate; a bond head assembly, the bond head assembly including a bonding tool configured to bond a plurality of semiconductor elements to the substrate; and a calibration tool including a contact portion configured to be positioned between the bonding tool and the support structure, the contact portion configured to be contacted by each of the bonding tool and the support structure simultaneously during a calibration operation. |
| US09136240B2 |
Systems and methods for bonding semiconductor elements
A method of ultrasonically bonding semiconductor elements includes the steps of: (a) aligning surfaces of a plurality of first conductive structures of a first semiconductor element to respective surfaces of a plurality of second conductive structures of a second semiconductor element, wherein the surfaces of each of the plurality of first conductive structures and the plurality of second conductive structures include aluminum; and (b) ultrasonically bonding ones of the first conductive structures to respective ones of the second conductive structures. |
| US09136239B2 |
Interconnection designs and materials having improved strength and fatigue life
Methods and designs for increasing interconnect areas for interconnect bumps are disclosed. An interconnect bump may be formed on a substrate such that the interconnect bump extends beyond a contact pad onto a substrate. An interconnect bump may be formed on a larger contact pad, the bump having a large diameter. |
| US09136238B2 |
Low-noise flip-chip packages and flip chips thereof
A low-noise flip-chip package, comprising: a carrier substrate having first and second opposing main faces; and a flip-chip substrate connected in a face-down manner onto the first main face of the carrier substrate via a connection array, wherein: the flip-chip substrate comprises at least first and second circuitry portions spaced apart from one another; the flip-chip substrate comprises a substrate-contact boundary located between the first and second circuitry portions; and each of the first circuitry portion, the second circuitry portion and the substrate-contact boundary has its own separate signal-reference connection extending via a respective connection of the connection array through the carrier substrate to a respective electrical contact at the second main face of the carrier substrate for connection to a common signal-reference element in an external circuit. |
| US09136234B2 |
Semiconductor device with improved metal pillar configuration
When forming sophisticated semiconductor devices including metal pillars arranged on contact pads, which may comprise aluminum, device performance and reliability may be improved by avoiding exposure of the contact pad material to the ambient atmosphere, in particular during and between dicing and packaging processes. To this end, the contact pad material may be covered by a protection layer or may be protected by the metal pillars itself, thereby concurrently improving mechanical stress distribution in the device. |
| US09136229B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protective device
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device is provided. A proper trigger voltage is determined by providing an ESD doped injection layer into a PNPN structure and adjusting the injection energy and dosage of the ESD doped injection layer; a proper holding voltage is obtained by adjusting the size of the ESD doped injection layer, thus preventing the latch-up. The self-isolation effect of the electrostatic discharge protection device is formed on the basis of an epitaxial wafer high voltage process or a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer high voltage process, the ESD protective device of the present invention can prevent the device from being falsely triggered due to noise interference. Compared with other known ESD protection devices, the device has the same electrostatic protection ability, much smaller area, and much lower cost. |
| US09136225B2 |
Semiconductor device manufacturing method
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes the steps of passing a control terminal through an opening of a resin case to partially expose the control terminal and covering a patterned insulating substrate with the resin case; inserting a resin block in the opening of the resin case; fitting a convex step portion formed on a side surface of the resin block into a valley formed between two projections of the control terminal; fitting a projection formed on the side surface of the resin block into a concave portion formed on a sidewall of the opening of the resin case; and fitting a projection formed on a bottom surface of the resin block into a concave portion formed in a beam portion at a bottom portion of the opening of the resin case to position and fix the control terminal. |
| US09136222B2 |
Chip identification pattern and method of forming
Various embodiments disclosed include methods of performing a double exposure process on a level of an integrated circuit (IC) chip to form an IC chip having an embedded electrically measurable identifier. In some cases, the method includes: exposing a level of an integrated circuit (IC) chip using a first mask orientation; subsequently exposing the level of the IC chip using a second mask orientation distinct from the first mask orientation; and developing the level of the IC chip to form an electrically measurable identifier on the IC chip. |
| US09136218B2 |
Semiconductor device including a protective film
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having a wire and a passivation film formed on the outermost surface with an opening partially exposing the wire. A resin layer is stacked on the semiconductor chip and provided with a through-hole in a position opposed to a portion of the wire facing the opening. A pad is formed on a peripheral portion of the through-hole in the resin layer and in the through-hole so that an external connection terminal is arranged on the surface thereof. The peripheral portion of the resin layer is formed more thickly than the remaining portion of the resin layer other than the peripheral portion. |
| US09136214B2 |
Method for manufacturing multilayer wiring board
A multilayer wiring board has a high degree of freedom of wiring design and can realize high-density wiring, and a method to simply manufacture the multilayer wiring board. A core substrate with two or more wiring layers provided thereon through an electrical insulating layer. The core substrate has a plurality of throughholes filled with an electroconductive material, and the front side and back side of the core substrate have been electrically conducted to each other by the electroconductive material. The throughholes have an opening diameter in the range of 10 to 100 μm. An insulation layer and an electroconductive material diffusion barrier layer are also provided, and the electroconductive material is filled into the throughholes through the insulation layer. A first wiring layer provided through an electrical insulating layer on the core substrate is connected to the electroconductive material filled into the throughhole through via. |
| US09136211B2 |
Protected solder ball joints in wafer level chip-scale packaging
Protection of a solder ball joint is disclosed in which the solder ball joint is located below the surface level of the encapsulating buffer layer. The buffering layer is etched to expose one or more electrode posts, each of which may be made up of a single column or multiple columns. A top layer resulting either from a top conductive cap or a plating layer around the electrode posts also lies below the buffer layer. When the solder ball is placed onto the posts, the solder/ball joint is protected in a position below the surface of the buffer layer, while still maintaining an electrical connection between the various solder balls and their associated or capping/plating material, electrode posts, wiring layers, and circuit layers. Therefore, the entire ball joint is protected from direct stress. |
| US09136208B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device has an encapsulating resin for covering a semiconductor chip and an outer lead extending from a side surface of the encapsulating resin. An inclined portion is formed in a bottom surface of the outer lead. A through recessed portion is formed in an end surface of the outer lead so as to vertically pass through the outer lead from an upper surface of the outer lead to the inclined portion. A thick plated layer covers the inclined portion and an inner surface of the through recessed portion. A thin plated layer covers the end surface of the outer lead. |
| US09136207B2 |
Chip packaging structure of a plurality of assemblies
Disclosed herein are chip packaging structures for packaging multiple assemblies therein. In one embodiment, a chip packaging structure can include: (i) a first assembly located at a bottom layer of the chip packaging structure; (ii) at least one second assembly located above the first assembly, where the second assembly is electrically connected to the first assembly by a plurality of first protruding structures located under the second assembly; (iii) at least one third assembly located above the second assembly, where the third assembly is electrically connected to the first assembly by a plurality of second protruding structures located outside of the second assembly; and (iv) where a first portion of the third assembly and the plurality of second protruding structures form a bent structure substantially perpendicular to a second portion of the third assembly. |
| US09136205B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer, an active region defined in the semiconductor layer, first fingers provided on the active region and arranged in parallel with respect to a first direction, second fingers provided on the active region and interleaved with the first fingers, a bus line that is provided on an outside of the active region and interconnects the first fingers, first air bridges that are provided on the outside of the active region and are extended over the bus line, and that are connected to the second fingers, and second air bridges that are provided on the outside of the active region and are arranged in a second direction which crosses to the first direction, and that interconnect the first air bridges. |
| US09136201B2 |
Hybrid heat sink and hybrid heat sink assembly for power module
Disclosed are a hybrid heat sink and a hybrid heat sink assembly for a power module. The hybrid heat sink comprises a base provided with at least one power module on one side thereof, a first heat dissipation unit being a first heat dissipation fin group which is composed of a plurality of heat dissipation fins intervally arranged and is located on the other side of the base, and a second heat dissipation unit comprising a plurality of heat pipes and a second heat dissipation fin group. Each of the heat pipes comprises an evaporating section provided in the base and close to the power module, a condensing section, and an adiabatic section located between the evaporating section and the condensing section and comprises an extension portion and a folding portion, the second heat dissipation fin group is provided on the condensing sections. |
| US09136200B2 |
Heat radiating component and method of producing same
A heat radiating component includes a base including a first metal, a first plating layer formed on the base and including a second metal and carbon material structures dispersed in the second metal, and a second plating layer formed on the first plating layer. The first plating layer includes protruding parts that are parts of the carbon material structures protruding from a surface of the second metal. The second plating layer is formed on the first plating layer to cover surfaces of the protruding parts and the surface of the second metal without filling spaces between the protruding parts. |
| US09136195B2 |
Oxygen barrier compositions and related methods
Oxygen barrier compositions for electrical devices and their related methods are provided. In certain embodiments, the oxygen barrier compositions comprise a meta-substituted aromatic resin and an additional aromatic epoxy resin. In some embodiments, the compositions have a chlorine content of less than approximately 1000 ppm. The compositions may have an oxygen permeability of less than approximately 0.4 cm3·mm/m2·atm·day at approximately 0% relative humidity and approximately 23° C. In certain embodiments, methods of curing the oxygen barrier compositions comprise partially curing the composition where, the partial cure is achieved through ultraviolet radiation or heat. |
| US09136193B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a package 1, a block-module 2, and a control board 3 for controlling power semiconductor elements 11a. The block-module 2 has embedded power semiconductor elements 11a and second leads 4b and first leads 4a that are drawn from the block-module 2. The package 1 has external connection terminals 6a in contact with the first leads 4a of the block-module 2. The second leads 4b are connected to the control board 3 while the first leads 4a are joined to the external connection terminals 6a. |
| US09136191B2 |
Measuring method for width of color filter unit and manufacturing method for liquid crystal panel
The present invention provides a method of measuring a width of a color filter unit of a liquid crystal panel. The method includes providing a bottom glass substrate having a TFT array thereon; forming the color filter plate locating within an effective region of the liquid crystal panel by photo-etching process, and forming one or more measure modules locating of the liquid crystal panel and on the TFT array by the photo-etching process; and measuring widths of the one or more measure modules out of the effective region to obtain the width of the filter units within the effective region. The method provided is capable of effectively controlling widths of the color filter units formed in process of manufacturing the liquid crystal panel, thus quality of the liquid crystal panel is raised. |
| US09136189B2 |
Surface observation apparatus and surface observation method
A surface observation apparatus is achieved, which enables even a beginner to easily select an optimal evaluation indicator for each of various patterns to be evaluated without a trial and error approach. A plurality of images to be evaluated are input from an image processing unit (114) to an evaluation image input unit (113a) (in step 901). The input images to be evaluated are displayed on a display (115). A user rearranges the images in accordance with an evaluation criterion of the user while referencing the display (115), and defines an evaluation criterion (in step 902). Evaluation values are calculated for the input images (to be evaluated) using a plurality of evaluation indicators (in step 903). The evaluation values for each of the evaluation indicators are compared with the evaluation criterion defined by the user, and correlation coefficients are then calculated (in step 904). An evaluation indicator having the maximum absolute value of a correlation coefficient is automatically selected as an evaluation criterion that is closest to the evaluation criterion defined by the user (in step 905). The images are rearranged in order of correlation coefficient and a list of the images is displayed on the display (115) so that the images are arranged in order of evaluation value (in step 906). |
| US09136186B2 |
Method and apparatus for making a semiconductor device
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for yield enhancement of making a semiconductor device. The apparatus for yield enhancement of making a semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor device comprising an epitaxial layer in which a defect is included, and a photo-resistor on the epitaxial layer and covering the defect; an image recognition system to detect and identify a location of the defect; and an exposing module comprising a first light source to expose a part of the photo-resistor substantially corresponding to the detected defect identified by the image recognition system. |
| US09136182B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device may include forming a gate structure that includes a dummy gate member on a substrate. The method may further include forming two first-type spacers such that the dummy gate member is positioned between the first-type spacers. The method may further include forming two second-type spacers such that the first-type spacers are positioned between the second-type spacers. The method may further include forming two third-type spacers such that the second-type spacers are positioned between the third-type spacers. The method may further include performing etch to remove the third-type spacers and to at least partially remove the second-type spacers. The method may further include removing at least a portion of the dummy gate member to form a space between remaining portions of the first-type spacers. The method may further include providing a metal material in the space for forming a metal gate member. |
| US09136181B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising: defining an active region on the semiconductor substrate; forming an interfacial oxide layer on a surface of the semiconductor substrate; forming a high-K gate dielectric on the interfacial oxide layer; forming a first metal gate layer on the high-K gate dielectric; forming a dummy gate layer on the first metal gate layer; patterning the dummy gate layer, the first metal gate layer, the high-K gate dielectric and the interfacial oxide layer to form a gate stack structure; forming a gate spacer surrounding the gate stack structure; forming S/D regions for NMOS and PMOS respectively; depositing interlayer dielectric and planarization by CMP to expose the surface of dummy gate layer; removing the dummy gate layer so as to form a gate opening; implanting dopant ions into the first metal gate layer; forming a second metal gate layer on the first metal gate layer so as to fill the gate opening; and performing annealing, so that the dopant ions diffuse and accumulate at an upper interface between the high-K gate dielectric and the first metal gate layer and at a lower interface between the high-K gate dielectric and the interfacial oxide layer, and electric dipoles are generated by interfacial reaction at the lower interface between the high-K gate dielectric and the interfacial oxide layer. |
| US09136179B2 |
High gain device
A method of forming a device is disclosed. A substrate having a high gain (HG) device region for a HG transistor is provided. A HG gate is formed on the substrate in the HG device region. The HG gate includes sidewall spacers on its sidewalls. Heavily doped regions are formed adjacent to the HG gate. Inner edges of the heavily doped regions are aligned with about outer edges of the sidewall spacers of the HG gate. The heavily doped regions serve as HG source/drain (S/D) regions of the HG gate. The HG S/D regions do not include lightly doped drain (LDD) regions or halo regions. |
| US09136178B2 |
Method for fabricating a finFET in a large scale integrated circuit
Systems and methods of fabricating a FinFET in large scale integrated circuit are disclosed. One illustrative method relates to a dummy gate process, wherein the fin structure is only formed in the gate electrode region by performing a photolithography process and an etching of a first dummy gate on a flat STI surface using chemical mechanical polishing, forming drain and source regions, depositing a medium dielectric layer, polishing the medium dielectric layer till the top of the first dummy gate is exposed through the chemical mechanical polishing process again, removing the dummy gate material via a dry etching and a wet etching, and continuously etching the STI dielectric layer with the hard mask formed by the medium dielectric layer, thereafter performing the deposition of real gate dielectric and gate electrode material to complete the device structure. |
| US09136175B2 |
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits
Methods are provided for fabricating integrated circuits. One method includes etching a plurality of trenches into a silicon substrate and filling the trenches with an insulating material to delineate a plurality of spaced apart silicon fins. A layer of undoped silicon is epitaxially grown to form an upper, undoped region of the fins. Dummy gate structures are formed overlying and transverse to the plurality of fins and a back fill material fills between the dummy gate structures. The dummy gate structures are removed to expose a portion of the fins and a high-k dielectric material and a work function determining gate electrode material are deposited overlying the portion of the fins. The back fill material is removed to expose a second portion and metal silicide contacts are formed on the second portion. Conductive contacts are then formed to the work function determining material and to the metal silicide. |
| US09136174B2 |
Resin sealing type semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same, and lead frame
The invention is directed to firm bonding between semiconductor dies etc bonded to a lead frame and wire-bonding portions of the lead frame by ultrasonic Al wire bonding, and the prevention of shortcircuit between the semiconductor dies etc due to a remaining portion of the outer frame of the lead frame after the outer frame is cut. By extending the wire-bonding portion etc on the lead frame in a wire-bonding direction and connecting the wire-bonding portion etc to the outer frame of the lead frame through a connection lead etc, the ultrasonic vibration force in the ultrasonic Al wire bonding is prevented from dispersing and the Al wire and the wire-bonding portion etc are firmly bonded. The outer frame is cut after a resin sealing process is completed. Even when a portion of the outer frame remains on the side surface of the resin package, connection between the connection lead etc and other hanging lead etc are prevented by providing a notch etc in the outer frame between the connection lead etc and the hanging lead etc. |
| US09136169B2 |
Method for producing an electrical feedthrough in a substrate, and substrate having an electrical feedthrough
A method is described for producing an electrical feedthrough in a substrate, and a substrate having an electrical feedthrough. The method has the following operations of forming the electrical feedthrough so that it extends through the substrate from the front side to the back side of the substrate, forming a first closing layer on a front side of the substrate, forming an annular isolation trench in the substrate which encloses the electrical feedthrough, using an etching process starting from the back side of the substrate, the etching process terminating at the first closing layer, and closing off the annular isolation trench in the substrate by forming a second closing layer on the back side of the substrate. |
| US09136168B2 |
Conductive line patterning
A method includes placing two conductive lines in a layout. Two cut lines are placed over at least a part of the two conductive lines in the layout. The cut lines designate cut sections of the two conductive lines and the cut lines are spaced from each other within a fabrication process limit. The two cut lines are connected in the layout. The two conductive lines are patterned over a substrate in a physical integrated circuit using the two connected parallel cut lines. The two conductive lines are electrically conductive. |
| US09136167B2 |
Method of making a pillar structure having a non-metal sidewall protection structure
A method of making a pillar structure includes forming a first under-bump-metallurgy (UBM) layer formed on a pad region of a substrate, wherein the first UBM layer includes sidewalls. The method further includes forming a second UBM layer on the first UBM layer, wherein the second UBM layer includes a sidewall surface, an area of the first UBM layer is greater than an area of the second UBM layer. The method further includes forming a copper-containing pillar on the second UBM layer, wherein the copper-containing pillar includes a sidewall surface and a top surface. The method further includes forming a protection structure on the sidewall surface of the copper-containing pillar and on an entirety of the sidewall surface of the second UBM layer, wherein the protection structure does not cover the sidewalls of the first UBM layer, and the protection structure is a non-metal material. |
| US09136166B2 |
Interconnect structure and methods of making same
A method for forming a semiconductor interconnect structure comprises forming a dielectric layer on a substrate and patterning the dielectric layer to form an opening therein. The opening is filled and the dielectric layer is covered with a metal layer having a first etch rate. The metal layer is thereafter planarized so that the metal layer is co-planar with the top of the dielectric layer. The metal layer is annealed to change the first etch rate into a second etch rate, the second etch rate being lower than the first etch rate. A copper-containing layer is formed over the annealed metal layer and the dielectric layer. The copper-containing layer has an etch rate greater than the second etch rate of the annealed metal layer. The copper-containing layer is etched to form interconnect features, wherein the etching stops at the top of the annealed metal layer and does not etch thereunder. |
| US09136158B2 |
Lateral MOSFET with dielectric isolation trench
A lateral trench MOSFET comprises a dielectric isolation trench formed over a silicon-on-insulator substrate. The lateral trench MOSFET further comprises a first drift region formed between a drain/source region and an insulator, and a second drift region formed between the dielectric isolation trench and the insulator. The dielectric trench and the insulator help to fully deplete the drift regions. The depleted regions can improve the breakdown voltage as well as the on-resistance of the lateral trench MOSFET. |
| US09136156B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and film deposition apparatus
A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing chamber; process areas each of which supplies a reaction gas; a turntable that rotates to cause a substrate to pass through the process areas; a gas nozzle provided in one of the process areas; a separating area that supplies a separation gas to separate atmospheres of the process areas; and a cover part configured to cover the gas nozzle and cause the reaction gas supplied from the gas nozzle to remain around the gas nozzle. The cover part includes an upstream side wall, a downstream side wall, and an upper wall. The cover part also includes a guide surface configured to guide the separation gas to flow over a lower part of the upstream side wall to a space above the upper wall. The distance between the gas nozzle and the upstream side wall is greater than or equal to 8 mm. |
| US09136152B2 |
Substrate transport apparatus, substrate transport method, and recording medium
A substrate transport apparatus includes a first fork which is disposed to be movable in a forward/backward direction to a substrate holding part to transport a stacked member to or receive the stacked member from the substrate holding part. A second fork is arranged to be reversible and disposed above the first fork to be movable in a forward/backward direction to an accommodating part that accommodates substrates and spacer members to transport a substrate or a spacer member between the accommodating part and the first fork. A first grip module is disposed on a first surface of the second fork to hold and support the substrate from an upward direction. A second grip module is disposed on the first surface of the second fork on the same side as the first grip module to hold and support the spacer member from an upward direction. |
| US09136150B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus, substrate processing method and non-transitory storage medium
There is provided a technique which can prevent poor processing of successive substrates in the event of a failure of a module or a transport mechanism for transporting a substrate between modules. A substrate processing apparatus includes: a plurality of modules from which a substrate holder of a substrate transport mechanism receives a substrate; a sensor section for detecting a displacement of the holding position of a substrate, held by the substrate holder, from a reference position preset in the substrate holder; and a storage section for storing the displacement, detected when the substrate holder receives a substrate from each of the modules, in a chronological manner for each module. A failure of one of the modules or the substrate transport mechanism is estimated based on the chronological data on the displacement for each module, stored in the storage section. This enables an early detection of a failure or abnormality. |
| US09136148B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus, control device thereof, and control method thereof
A process gas supply cycle pattern that will adversely affect the result of processing is changed beforehand. Based on information supplied from a setting input section, a pattern computation section obtains the result of computation of a process gas supply cycle pattern that includes a rotation cycle of a substrate rotation mechanism, a supply cycle of a process gas, a supply time of the process gas, and a supply count of the process gas. Based on information supplied from the setting input section, a simulator simulates the shape of a supply region of the process gas to be supplied onto a substrate. A comparison section compares the result of computation of the process gas supply cycle pattern determined by the pattern computation section against the result of referencing of a process gas supply cycle pattern that adversely affects the result of processing and is obtained from a storage section. |
| US09136145B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit device having flexible pin arrangement. A semiconductor integrated circuit is bonded to a die pad with an insulating paste, and the potential of the die pad is fixed through a bonding wire from an Al pad provided on the surface of the semiconductor integrated circuit. In the case of a P-type semiconductor substrate, the die pad is set as a terminal other than a terminal having a minimum operating potential of the semiconductor integrated circuit. |
| US09136142B2 |
Semiconductor packages and methods of packaging semiconductor devices
A device is disclosed. The device includes a carrier substrate having first and second major surfaces. The first surface includes a die region and contact pads and the second surface includes package contacts. The carrier substrate includes a patterned lead frame which defines a line level with conductive traces and a via level with via contacts. The patterned lead frame provides interconnections between the contact pads and package contacts. The carrier substrate further includes a dielectric layer isolating the conductive traces and via contacts. The device includes a die mounted on the die region of the first surface. |
| US09136140B2 |
Patterning method
A patterning method is provided. First, a material layer is formed over a substrate. Thereafter, a plurality of directed self-assembly (DSA) patterns are formed on the material layer. Afterwards, a patterned photoresist layer is formed by using a single lithography process. The patterned photoresist layer covers a first portion of the DSA patterns and exposes a second portion of the DSA patterns. Further, the material layer is patterned by an etching process, using the patterned photoresist layer and the second portion of the DSA patterns as a mask. |
| US09136136B2 |
Method and structure for creating cavities with extreme aspect ratios
Embodiments relate to structures, systems and methods for more efficiently and effectively etching sacrificial and other layers in substrates and other structures. In embodiments, a substrate in which a sacrificial layer is to be removed to, e.g., form a cavity comprises an etch dispersion system comprising a trench, channel or other structure in which etch gas or another suitable gas, fluid or substance can flow to penetrate the substrate and remove the sacrificial layer. The trench, channel or other structure can be implemented along with openings or other apertures formed in the substrate, such as proximate one or more edges of the substrate, to even more quickly disperse etch gas or some other substance within the substrate. |
| US09136132B2 |
Manganese metal film forming method, processing system, electronic device manufacturing method and electronic device
A manganese metal film forming method includes: degassing an underlying layer formed on a processing target by thermally treating the processing target, the underlying layer containing silicon and oxygen; and forming a manganese metal film on the degassed underlying layer by chemical deposition using a gas containing a manganese compound. Forming a manganese metal film includes introducing a gas containing an oxidizing agent to form a partially-oxidized manganese metal film. |
| US09136130B1 |
Three dimensional NAND string with discrete charge trap segments
A method of making a monolithic three dimensional NAND string includes forming a stack of alternating layers of a first material and a second material different from the first material over a substrate, etching the stack to form at least one opening in the stack, forming a buffer layer over a sidewall of the at least one opening, forming a charge storage material layer over the buffer layer, forming a tunnel dielectric layer over the charge storage material layer in the at least one opening, and forming a semiconductor channel material over the tunnel dielectric layer in the at least one opening. The method also includes selectively removing the second material layers without removing the first material layers and etching the buffer layer using the first material layers as a mask to form a plurality of separate discrete buffer segments and to expose portions of the charge storage material layer. |
| US09136128B2 |
Methods and apparatuses including memory cells with air gaps and other low dielectric constant materials
Various embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the same. One such apparatus can include a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, and a conductive material between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material. A charge storage element, such as a floating gate or charge trap, is between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material and adjacent to the conductive material. The charge storage element has a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surfaces are substantially separated from the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material, respectively, by a first air gap and a second air gap. Additional apparatuses and methods are disclosed. |
| US09136123B2 |
Hardmask surface treatment
Compositions suitable for forming oxymetal hardmask layers are provided. Methods of forming oxymetal hardmask layers using such compositions are also provided, where the surface of the oxymetal hardmask layer formed has a water contact angle substantially matched to that of subsequently applied organic coatings. |
| US09136122B2 |
Underlayer film-forming composition and pattern forming process
In lithography, a composition comprising a novolak resin comprising recurring units derived from a naphtholphthalein is used to form a photoresist underlayer film. The underlayer film is strippable in alkaline water, without causing damage to ion-implanted Si substrates or SiO2 substrates. |
| US09136120B2 |
Compositions for etching and methods of forming a semiconductor device using the same
Etching compositions are provided. The etching composition includes a phosphoric acid, ammonium ions and a silicon compound. The silicon compound includes a silicon atom, an atomic group having an amino group combined with the silicon atom, and at least two oxygen atoms combined with the silicon atom. Methods utilizing the etching compositions are also provided. |
| US09136119B2 |
Non-polar substrate having hetero-structure and method for manufacturing the same, and nitride-based light emitting device using the same
Disclosed are a non-polar hetero substrate, a method for manufacturing the same, and a nitride-based light emitting device using the same. The non-polar hetero substrate includes a non-polar base substrate, a nitride base layer disposed on the substrate, a defect reduction layer disposed on the nitride base layer, the defect reduction layer including a plurality of air gaps, and a nitride semiconductor layer disposed on the defect reduction layer. |
| US09136118B2 |
Iridium-doped carbon nanotube and electrode and sensor containing the same
An iridium-doped carbon nanotube has an atomic ratio of iridium to carbon on a surface thereof ranging from 1×10−4 to 3.5×10−4 as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A working electrode including the aforesaid iridium-doped carbon nanotube and a sensor including the working electrode are also disclosed in the present invention. |
| US09136113B2 |
Process to dissolve the oxide layer in the peripheral ring of a structure of semiconductor-on-insulator type
A process for avoiding formation of an Si—SiO2—H2 environment during a dissolution treatment of a semiconductor-on-insulator structure that includes a carrier substrate, an oxide layer, a thin layer of a semiconductor material and a peripheral ring in which the oxide layer is exposed. This process includes encapsulating at least the exposed oxide layer of the peripheral ring with semiconductor material by performing a creep thermal treatment; and performing an oxide dissolution treatment to reduce part of the thickness of the oxide layer. In this process, the semiconductor material that encapsulates the oxide layer has a thickness before the oxide dissolution that is at least twice that of the oxide that is to be dissolved, thus avoiding formation of an Si—SiO2—H2 environment on the peripheral ring where the oxide layer would otherwise be exposed. |
| US09136109B2 |
Sacrificial oxide with uniform thickness
A semiconductor device includes a silicon-based substrate, a gate structure and a laminated sacrificial oxide layer. The gate structure is on the silicon-based substrate. The laminated sacrificial oxide layer has a first portion on the silicon-based substrate and a second portion conformal to the gate structure, in which a first thickness of the first portion is substantially the same as a second thickness of the second portion. The laminated sacrificial oxide layer includes a native oxide layer and a silicon oxy-nitride layer. The native oxide layer is on the silicon-based substrate and conformal to the gate structure. The silicon oxy-nitride layer is conformal to the native oxide layer. |
| US09136104B2 |
Method for cleaning silicon wafer and apparatus for cleaning silicon wafer
A silicon wafer after being cleaned by using a cleaning liquid is rinsed by using carbonic water. According to such a silicon wafer cleaning method, generation of static due to a rinsing treatment is not caused, so that an electrostatic breakdown is not caused, adhesion of dirt to a cleaned silicon wafer surface due to the static is not caused, adhesion of metal impurities can be prevented in the rinsing treatment of the silicon wafer and, while giving consideration to the cost, furthermore, a rinsing treatment using a clean rinsing liquid free from causing any residue can be performed. |
| US09136102B2 |
Multi-reflection mass spectrometer
A multi-reflection mass spectrometer comprising two ion-optical mirrors, each mirror elongated generally along a drift direction (Y), each mirror opposing the other in an X direction and having a space therebetween, the X direction being orthogonal to Y; the mass spectrometer further comprising one or more compensation electrodes each electrode being located in or adjacent the space extending between the opposing mirrors; the compensation electrodes being configured and electrically biased in use so as to produce, in at least a portion of the space extending between the mirrors, an electrical potential offset which: (i) varies as a function of the distance along the drift length, and/or; (ii) has a different extent in the X direction as a function of the distance along the drift length. In a preferred embodiment the period of ion oscillation between the mirrors is not substantially constant along the whole of the drift length. |
| US09136101B2 |
Multi-reflection mass spectrometer
A multi-reflection mass spectrometer is provided comprising two ion-optical mirrors, each mirror elongated generally along a drift direction (Y), each mirror opposing the other in an X direction, the X direction being orthogonal to Y, characterized in that the mirrors are not a constant distance from each other in the X direction along at least a portion of their lengths in the drift direction. In use, ions are reflected from one opposing mirror to the other a plurality of times while drifting along the drift direction so as to follow a generally zigzag path within the mass spectrometer. The motion of ions along the drift direction is opposed by an electric field resulting from the non-constant distance of the mirrors from each other along at least a portion of their lengths in the drift direction that causes the ions to reverse their direction. |
| US09136100B2 |
ToF mass analyser with improved resolving power
A time of flight analyzer that comprises a pulsed ion source; a non-linear ion mirror having a turn-around point; and a detector. The pulsed ion source is configured to produce an ion pulse travelling along an ion flight axis, the ion pulse comprising an ion group consisting of ions of a single m/z value, the ion group having a lateral spread. The non-linear ion mirror is configured to reflect the ion group, at the turn-around point, along the ion flight axis towards the detector, the passage of the ion group through the non-linear ion mirror causing a spatial spread of the ion group. The time of flight mass analyzer has at least one lens positioned between the ion source and the ion mirror, wherein the or each lens is configured to reduce said lateral spread so as to provide a local minimum of lateral spread within the ion mirror. |
| US09136096B2 |
Three dimensional metal deposition technique
A plasma processing apparatus is disclosed. The plasma processing apparatus includes a source configured to generate a plasma in a process chamber having a plasma sheath adjacent to the front surface of a workpiece, and a plasma sheath modifier. The plasma sheath modifier controls a shape of a boundary between the plasma and the plasma sheath so a portion of the shape of the boundary is not parallel to a plane defined by a front surface of the workpiece facing the plasma. A metal target is affixed to the back surface of the plasma sheath modifier so as to be electrically insulated from the plasma sheath modifier and is electrically biased such that ions exiting the plasma and passing through an aperture in the plasma sheath modifier are attracted toward the metal target. These ions cause sputtering of the metal target, allowing three dimensional metal deposition of the workpiece. |
| US09136095B2 |
Method for controlling plasma processing apparatus
There is provided a method for controlling a plasma processing apparatus that eliminates a preliminary study on a resonance point while maintaining a low contamination and a high uniformity even in multi-step etching. In a method for controlling a plasma processing apparatus including the step of adjusting a radio frequency bias current carried to a counter antenna electrode, the method includes the steps of: setting a reactance of a variable element to an initial value; detecting a bias current carried to the counter antenna electrode; searching for a maximum value of the detected electric current; and adjusting a value of the reactance of the variable element from the maximum value to the set value and then fixing the value. |
| US09136090B2 |
Method and apparatus for scanning a surface of an object using a particle beam
A method of scanning a surface of an object using a particle beam comprises: determining a surface portion of the surface of the object, wherein the surface portion is to be scanned; determining initial positions of a set of raster points within the surface portion; changing the positions of at least some raster points of the set of raster points; and then scanning the surface portion by directing the particle beam to the positions of the raster points. |
| US09136089B2 |
Pattern dimension measuring device, charged particle beam apparatus, and computer program
The present invention aims at providing a pattern dimension measuring device that realizes the measurement of a dimension of a pattern difficult to set up a measurement box, or between patterns away from each other with high precision. In order to achieve the above object, a pattern dimension measuring device is proposed which moves a field of view with reference to a first pattern formed on the specimen on the basis of predetermined first distance information, acquires a first image, executes template matching with the use of the first image and a matching template, and calculates a distance between a second pattern included in the first image and the first pattern on the basis of second distance information obtained by the template matching, and the first distance information. |
| US09136087B2 |
Method of investigating and correcting aberrations in a charged-particle lens system
A system of investigating aberrations in a charged particle lens system, wherein a charged particle beam is directed from a multitude of directions through a pivot point on a sample stage. An image figure is recorded for each of multiple focus settings at each beam direction setting, creating a set of registered images. This set of images is compared to reference images to derive aberrations present in the lens system without the use of an amorphous sample present. |
| US09136083B2 |
Enclosed bus bar fuse holder
There is provided a bus bar fuse holder configured to receive a fuse link and couple each end of the fuse link to a line conductor and a load conductor within the holder. The bus bar holder includes a housing that defines a space in the housing proximate one of a line terminal and load terminal. A clamp unit is configured to receive a portion of a bus bar with the lineup clamp unit disposed in the space defined in the housing. The space configured in the housing also encloses a substantial portion of the bus bar within the housing in a space defined between U-shaped members of the clamp unit. |
| US09136079B2 |
Electronic trip unit, circuit interrupter including the same, and method of setting trip unit settings
An electronic trip unit having a number of trip unit settings includes: a first input member; a second input member; a multi-position selector configured to select one of plurality of positions corresponding to values of the trip unit settings; a plurality of indicators each corresponding to one of the plurality of trip unit settings; and a processor having a routine, wherein the routine of the processor is structured to, in response to actuation of the first input member, increment a ring counter value and selectively activate one of the indicators corresponding to the ring counter value; and wherein the routine of the processor is further structured to, in response to actuation of the second input member, set a value of the trip unit setting corresponding to the activated indicator based on the selected position of the multi-position selector. |
| US09136077B2 |
Three-phase, multi-way vacuum interrupter switchgear with internal ground switches
A three-phase vacuum interrupter switch assembly for power distribution systems comprises an outer case having at least one window and containing a plurality of component assemblies. The case interior is preferably free of oil and/or SF6 gas. Each component assembly comprises three internal disconnect switch assemblies, three vacuum interrupter bottle switch assemblies and three ground switch assemblies. Each vacuum interrupter bottle switch is coupled in electrical series with a corresponding internal disconnect switch assembly. Because the open/closed state of a bottle switch is not directly observable owing to its sealed interior, a direct visible indication of the state of the three-phase vacuum interrupter switch assembly is provided by a visually detectable contact rod of the corresponding internal disconnect switch that is visible through the case window. To prevent potentially serious damage caused by arcing between the contacts of the internal disconnect switch, the internal disconnect switch is prevented from opening or closing when the bottle switches are closed.When the component assembly is deactivated, some residual current may still remain. The ground switch assembly associated with the component assembly grounds such residual current as part of the deactivation process so that it is safe to have maintenance work performed. An interlocking mechanism ensures that the disconnect switch assembly, vacuum interrupter bottle switch assembly and ground switch assembly of each component assembly are opened and closed in a sequence that ensures proper and safe operation. |
| US09136074B2 |
Residual-current circuit breaker
A residual current circuit breaker having a core-balance current transformer for detecting a residual current, wherein a secondary winding is arranged on a core of the core-balance element transformer, wherein the residual current circuit breaker has an AC measurement arrangement and a DC measurement arrangement, wherein the AC and DC measurement arrangements are designed to operate simultaneously and in parallel. |
| US09136071B2 |
Overlay for an electrical switch
A flexible resilient member at least partially overlying an electrical switch, and attached to an external surface of the switch, comprises at least one signalling component operable on operation of the underlying switch. The member may be in the form of a membrane, for example, formed of an elastomeric material. The signalling component may emit wireless signals which may be received by a monitoring component. |
| US09136070B2 |
High security switch device
A high security switch for use with an alarm includes a switch assembly for mounting to a fixed structural member. The switch assembly includes a pressure sensitive switch; a magnetic attractive movable body; a cavity having a first end and second end, the cavity confining, directing, limiting and defining the travel of the movable body; and a biasing element near the first end of the cavity to position the moveable body adjacent the first end of the cavity. The switch also includes an actuating element coupled to a movable structural member. In response to moving the actuating element away from the switch assembly the moveable body is magnetically acted upon by the biasing and moved from the second end to the first end of the cavity. The electrical state of the pressure sensitive switch is changed and an alarm activated. |
| US09136068B2 |
Electrical contactor
An electrical contactor has a first terminal having an electrically-conductive fixed member with fixed contacts on opposite faces thereof, and a second terminal having a terminal body and an odd-number of electrically-conductive movable arms extending from the terminal body. Each movable arm has a movable contact thereon remote from the terminal body. The movable arms are arranged to oppose each other such that their movable contacts are on either side of the fixed member and aligned with the fixed contacts. The arrangement of the fixed member and the movable arms is such that, when the contacts close, current flowing through the movable arms produces a force which urges the movable arms towards each other thereby increasing a force between the fixed and movable contacts. The number of movable arms at each side of the fixed member is different. |
| US09136065B2 |
Diatomaceous energy storage devices
A printed energy storage device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first and the second electrode. At least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator includes frustules, for example of diatoms. The frustules may have a uniform or substantially uniform property or attribute such as shape, dimension, and/or porosity. A property or attribute of the frustules can also be modified by applying or forming a surface modifying structure and/or material to a surface of the frustules. A membrane for an energy storage device includes frustules. An ink for a printed film includes frustules. |
| US09136062B2 |
Method for sealing an impregnation opening of an energy storage assembly
A method for sealing an impregnation orifice of an energy storage assembly including a case. The orifice is provided in one of the walls of the case and has an outer mouth and an inner mouth. At least one end portion of a head of a tool driven in rotation is inserted into the orifice through the outer mouth, in a direction corresponding to the axis of the orifice in order to heat an area of the case in the vicinity of the orifice. The head has at least a first transverse section, and a second transverse section that is smaller than the first transverse section. Once the area is heated, a translation of the tool in the direction of the inner mouth moves the material forming the walls of the orifice in the direction of the inner mouth, and the orifice is sealed by readhesion of the material. |
| US09136059B2 |
Multilayer ceramic capacitor and board for mounting the same
There is provided a multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a ceramic body including dielectric layers and having first and second main surfaces facing each other, first and second side surfaces facing each other, and first and second end surfaces facing each other; a capacitor part formed in the ceramic body and including a first internal electrode having a lead exposed to the first side surface and a second internal electrode exposed to the second end surface; first to third internal connecting conductors formed in the ceramic body and having at least one polarity; and first to fourth external electrodes electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes and the first to third internal connecting conductors, wherein the first and second internal connecting conductors and the third internal connecting conductor are connected in parallel, and the first to third internal connecting conductors and the capacitor part are connected in series. |
| US09136055B2 |
Tap changer having a vacuum interrupter assembly with an improved damper
An on-load tap changer is provided having a vacuum interrupter that is actuated by a shaft of an actuation assembly. A damper dampens the movement of the shaft. The damper provides more dampening when the shaft is closing the vacuum interrupter than when the shaft is opening the vacuum interrupter. The damper includes a housing at least partially defining an interior chamber into which the shaft extends. A piston with openings extending therethrough is disposed in the interior chamber and is secured to the shaft so as to be movable therewith. A blocking structure is operable to block the openings in the piston when the shaft is closing the vacuum interrupter and to un-block the openings in the piston when the shaft is opening the vacuum interrupter. |
| US09136054B1 |
Reduced leakage inductance transformer and winding methods
A transformer apparatus provides a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding is divided into multiple primary winding layers. Each primary winding layer includes a number of primary layer turns. The secondary winding includes several secondary winding layers. In some embodiments, the transformer includes alternating primary and secondary winding layers wound around a bobbin structure. At least one secondary winding layer is positioned adjacent a primary winding layer. In some embodiments, the number of primary layer turns in each primary winding layer is equal to the total number of primary winding turns divided by the number of primary winding layers. A method of winding a transformer is also provided. |
| US09136053B2 |
Solenoid device
A solenoid device includes: a first electromagnetic coil; first and second plungers movable according to energization to the first electromagnetic coil; first and second fixed cores facing the first and second plungers, respectively; and a yoke. When the first electromagnetic coil is not energized, first and second gaps are formed between the first and second plungers and the first and second fixed cores, respectively. When the first electromagnetic coil is energized, the magnetic flux flows in a first magnetic circuit, provided by the first plunger, the first fixed core and the yoke, via the first gap, and a second magnetic circuit, provided by the first and second plungers, the first and second fixed cores and the yoke, via the first and second gaps, so that the first and second plungers are attracted toward the first and second fixed cores. |
| US09136048B2 |
Wire harness protector
A protector includes a trunk wire insertion portion and a branch wire insertion portion that projects from a peripheral edge of a branch wire outlet provided to one or two side walls in a center length direction of the trunk wire insertion portion. Cuts are provided from upper end side to the two side walls of the peripheral edge of the branch wire outlet of the branch wire insertion portion. Engagement tabs project from the upper end of one side wall of the opposing two side walls of the trunk wire insertion portion, and engagement holes are provided to the other side wall of the opposing two side walls so as to engage with the engagement tabs. After a trunk wire and a branch wire are inserted, the engagement tabs are inserted to and engaged with the engagement holes to close the upper end of the two side walls. |
| US09136045B2 |
Composite communications cable
A communications cable that has a core that includes a dielectric separator. The separator has a spline that extends longitudinally in the core, thereby dividing the core into at least two quadrants. The separator also has at least one compartment. At least one pair of twisted insulated conductors is received in at least one of the quadrants and at least one optical fiber is received in the compartment of the dielectric separator. An outer jacket substantially surrounds the core. |
| US09136044B2 |
Shielded pair cable and a method for producing such a cable
The present invention concerns a cable for signal transmission and a method for producing such a cable. The cable comprises one or more wire pairs extending in a longitudinal direction, each of said wire pairs including two conductors each separately surrounded by a dielectric layer. At least one of said one or more wire pairs comprises a conductive shield being wrapped in a rotational direction along and about the longitudinal axis of the wire pair such that a longitudinal side of a wrap overlaps a preceding wrap. The conductive shield is applied with an angle (θ) that differs between different wraps such that the conductive shield lay length (L) varies along the length of said cable. |
| US09136041B2 |
Flame retardant composition for thermoplastic polyurethane polymers
The present invention relates to a formulation comprising at least one thermoplastic polyurethane polymer and a flame retardant composition, the flame retardant composition comprising i) at least one metal or metalloid oxide particle selected from magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, silicon oxide, or aluminium oxide; ii) at least one phosphate component selected from the group comprising ammonium polyphosphate (APP), melamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate and melamine polyphosphate or mixture thereof, and iii) at least one oligomeric phosphate ester. |
| US09136039B2 |
Cell connector
A cell connector for the electrically conductive connection of a first cell terminal of a first electrochemical cell and a second cell terminal of a second electrochemical cell of an electrochemical device is provided, the cell connector including a first contact region for connection to the first cell terminal and a second contact region for connection to the second cell terminal, where the cell connector allows a large relative displacement between the first contact region and the second contact region even under the influence of only small deformation forces. The cell connector can include a base body made of two or more material layers, at least two material layers being connected to one another in one piece along a fold line. |
| US09136038B2 |
Moisture-proof and insulating coating material and uses thereof
The invention relates to a moisture-proof and insulating coating material comprising a block copolymer or hydrogenated copolymer thereof (A), an adhesive resin (B) and a solvent (C). The block copolymer or hydride (A) comprises at least two vinyl aromatic polymer blocks and at least one conjugated diene polymer block, and in the moisture-proof and insulating coating material, the content of residual vinyl aromatic monomer is less than 300 ppm, and the content of vinyl aromatic oligomer is less than 300 ppm. The moisture-proof and insulating coating material according to the invention has good reworkability. A moisture-proof and insulating film and a method for producing the same and an electrical component comprising the moisture-proof and insulating film and a method for producing the same are also provided in the invention. |
| US09136024B2 |
Tie plate with variable orifice and methods for selective control of fuel assembly coolant flow
In a nuclear reactor core, a lower tie plate assembly is provided with asymmetric features designed to control or vary a loss coefficient as a function of rotation of the associated fuel assembly. An associated method is provided to control the flow of coolant through the associated fuel assembly via rotation of the fuel assembly relative to the fuel support member. Control of the flow can be used to adjust assembly flow rate, assembly power and flow quality within the fuel assembly, among other assembly operational characteristics. Such flow control will impact the flow through other assemblies as well, since core flow remains generally fixed. On a core-wide basis, such flow control can be used to optimize core wide parameters. Optimization parameters of particular interest are the fuel cycle cost and moisture carryover. |
| US09136023B2 |
Zirconium alloys for a nuclear fuel cladding having a superior corrosion resistance by reducing an amount of alloying elements and methods of preparing a zirconium alloy nuclear fuel cladding using thereof
Disclosed are a zirconium alloy for a nuclear fuel cladding having a good corrosion resistance by reducing an amount of alloying elements and a method of preparing a zirconium alloy nuclear fuel cladding using thereof. The zirconium alloy includes 0.2 to 0.5 wt % of niobium (Nb); 0.2 to 0.6 wt % of iron (Fe); 0.3 to 0.5 wt % of chromium (Cr); 0.1 to 0.15 wt % of oxygen (O); 0.008 to 0.012 wt % of silicon (Si) and a remaining amount of zirconium (Zr). The total amount of the niobium, the iron and the chromium is 1.1 to 1.2 wt %. A good oxidation resistance of the nuclear fuel cladding may be confirmed under accident conditions as well as normal operating conditions of a reactor, thereby improving economic feasibility and safety. |
| US09136013B2 |
Shift register, gate driver, and display device
The present invention relates to a display device field, and provides a shift register, a gate driver, and a display device. The shift register comprises an input programming unit, a latch unit, an output programming unit and an inverting output unit; the input programming unit is connected to the input end of the latch unit to program the input end of the latch unit; the latch unit is used for latching the output signal, and a non-inverting output end and an inverting output end of the latch unit are connected through the output programming unit; the output programming unit is connected to the output end of the latch unit to program the output end of the latch unit; the inverting output unit is connected to the inverting output end of the latch unit and is used for generating a inverting output signal of the shift register. |
| US09136010B2 |
Method for generating physical identifier in storage device and machine-readable storage medium
A method and system for generating a physical identifier in a storage device that includes a plurality of storage regions is provided. The method includes determining a number of reference storage regions for uniquely identifying the storage device; comparing the number of reference storage regions to a threshold; generating auxiliary storage regions for uniquely identifying the storage device, such that a number of the auxiliary storage regions corresponds to a result of the comparison; generating location distribution information of the reference storage regions and auxiliary storage regions; and storing the location distribution information in the storage device. |
| US09136009B1 |
Method to improve accuracy of a low voltage state in flash memory cells
A method to improve accuracy of a low voltage state in flash memory cells and the memory therewith is proposed. In the method, at least one memory cell is selected from among a plurality of memory cells in the non-volatile memory according to a first voltage and a second voltage. The first voltage is less than the second voltage and greater than or equal to an erase state voltage level of the flash memory, and the second voltage is less than or equal to a read voltage level of the flash memory. A recovery erase operation is applied to the at least one selected memory cell, thereby erasing electrical charges of the at least one selected memory cell to lower a threshold voltage of the at least one selected memory cell. |
| US09136001B2 |
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) estimation in analog memory cells based on optimal read thresholds
A method includes programming a group of analog memory cells by writing respective analog values into the memory cells in the group. After programming the group, the analog values are read from the memory cells in the group using a set of read thresholds so as to produce readout results. Respective optimal positions for the read thresholds in the set are identified based on the readout results. A noise level in the readout results is estimated based on the identified optimal positions of the read thresholds. |
| US09135997B2 |
System and method for filtering addresses
A method includes determining addresses, determining masks, and storing the masks in a ternary content-addressable-memory for matching a candidate address to the masks to determine matches to the addresses. The addresses include an address width and positions, the address width equal to the number of positions. Each mask matches one or more addresses, includes a mask width equal to the address width, and includes matching criteria for determining whether to filter a given address. The matching criteria includes a matching component specifying that an identified position in the address includes a particular value or a wildcard component specifying that an identified position in the address is to be ignored. The masks include at least one mask with a wildcard component. The number of masks is less than the number of the addresses. The number of possible addresses corresponding to the masks is equal to the number of the addresses. |
| US09135996B2 |
Variable resistance memory device and related method of operation
A variable resistance memory device includes a variable resistance memory cell, a switch that selectively passes a write voltage to an input terminal of the variable resistance memory cell, and a trigger circuit that controls the switch to cut off the write voltage from the input terminal upon determining that the variable resistance memory cell is programmed to a target state by detecting voltage fluctuation of the one side of variable resistance memory cell. |
| US09135989B2 |
Write data preservation for non-volatile storage
Methods and non-volatile storage systems are provided for recovering data during a programming of non-volatile storage. Program data that was originally stored in one set of latches may be preserved with a combination of two sets of latches. These two sets of latches may also be used to store verify status during programming of that program data. The original program data may be recovered by performing a logical operation on the data in the two sets of latches. For example, upper page data could be initially stored in one set of latches. While the upper page data is being programmed, that set of latches and another set of latches are used to store verify status with respect to the upper page data. If a program error occurs while the upper page data is being preserved, it may be recovered by performing a logical operation on the two sets of latches. |
| US09135988B2 |
Semiconductor device and control method of the same
A semiconductor device includes non-volatile registers, each including a holding circuit to hold data in a volatile manner and a non-volatile element. An address is allocated to each of the non-volatile registers. A non-volatile register control circuit performs control such that, in response to a write instruction, data held in the holding circuit is written to the non-volatile element in the non-volatile register having the address specified by the instruction and in response to a load instruction, data held in the non-volatile element is held in the holding circuit in the non-volatile register having the address specified by the instruction. |
| US09135983B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and control method thereof
When a voltage monitoring circuit detects that a supplied voltage is in a state of being less than a certain voltage at a time of performing writing of data with respect to a memory cell of a memory core having a refresh function, a flag is set in a register circuit, an address at which the writing is performed is held, and the memory core is made to execute rewriting by a refresh operation with respect to the held address, in accordance with the flag set in the register circuit, thereby enabling an increase in speed of operation while securing a retention life of memory data, and enabling a reduction in power consumption without lowering a processing capability even if the supplied voltage is lowered. |
| US09135979B2 |
Semiconductor device outputting read data in synchronization with clock signal
A method for outputting data in a semiconductor device includes receiving an external clock signal, synchronizing, in a delay locked loop of the semiconductor device, a first internal clock signal to the external clock signal during a read period, synchronizing, in the delay locked loop, a second internal clock signal to the external clock signal during an active period, the second internal clock signal having a period longer than the first internal clock signal, and outputting data synchronized with the first internal clock signal during the read period. |
| US09135977B2 |
Random access memories with an increased stability of the MOS memory cell
In deep submicron memory arrays there is noted a relatively steady on current value and, therefore, threshold values of the transistors comprising the memory cell are reduced. This, in turn, results in an increase in the leakage current of the memory cell. With the use of an ever increasing number of memory cells leakage current must be controlled. Random access memories with a dynamic threshold voltage control scheme implemented with no more than minor changes to the existing MOS process technology is disclosed. The disclosed invention controls the threshold voltage of MOS transistors. Methods for enhancing the impact of the dynamic threshold control technology using this apparatus are also included. The invention is particularly useful for SRAM, DRAM and NVM devices. |
| US09135976B2 |
Method and apparatus of probabilistic programming multi-level memory in cluster states of bi-stable elements
A probabilistic programming current is injected into a cluster of bi-stable probabilistic switching elements, the probabilistic programming current having parameters set to result in a less than unity probability of any given bi-stable switching element switching, and a resistance of the cluster of bi-stable switching elements is detected. The probabilistic programming current is injected and the resistance of the cluster state detected until a termination condition is met. Optionally the termination condition is detecting the resistance of the cluster of bi-stable switching elements at a value representing a multi-bit data. |
| US09135972B2 |
Readout of interfering memory cells using estimated interference to other memory cells
A method includes storing data in a memory that includes multiple analog memory cells. After storing the data, an interference caused by a first group of the analog memory cells to a second group of the analog memory cells is estimated. The data stored in the first group is reconstructed based on the estimated interference caused by the first group to the second group. |
| US09135969B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device may include a nonvolatile storage unit, a select signal generation unit suitable for generating a plurality of select signals using a clock, a plurality of storage units suitable for storing data transmitted from the nonvolatile storage unit in response to the plurality of select signals, respectively, and a clock blocking unit suitable for blocking the clock inputted to the select signal generation unit when the data transmitted from the nonvolatile storage unit is the same as the data stored in the plurality of storage units. |
| US09135968B2 |
Method of operating a semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device is operated by, inter alia, selecting an even bit line or an odd bit line in response to a read command, and precharging the selected bit line by applying a precharge voltage to the selected bit line; changing potential of the selected bit line in response to a threshold voltage of a selected memory cell coupled to the selected bit line; precharging a non-selected bit line by applying a precharge voltage to the non-selected bit line; and sensing read data in accordance with the potential of the selected bit line. |
| US09135966B2 |
Semiconductor device including memory capable of reducing power consumption
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of memory arrays and a plurality of memory array control circuits. Each of the plurality of memory array control circuits includes a read/write control circuit for controlling a read/write operation for the memory array, and a selection circuit for selecting and activating the memory array based on a clock signal and an output signal from the read/write control circuit. |
| US09135965B2 |
Memory controller and method for interleaving DRAM and MRAM accesses
A memory controller and method for interleaving volatile and non-volatile memory different latencies and page sizes are described wherein a single DDR3 memory controller communicates with a number of memory modules comprising of at least non-volatile memory, e.g., spin torque magnetic random access memory, integrated in a different Rank or Channel with a volatile memory, e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM). |
| US09135960B2 |
Signal receiver circuit
The signal receiver circuit includes a selection signal generator generating first and second selection signals in response to at least one of an electrical open/short state of a fuse and test mode signals, an internal reference voltage generator amplifying an external reference voltage signal after reducing static electricity created by the external reference voltage signal to generate a plurality of internal voltage signals and generating an internal reference voltage signal using the plurality of internal voltage signals in response to the first and second selection signals, and a buffer buffering an internal signal in response to the internal reference voltage signal to generate a control signal for controlling an internal circuit. |
| US09135957B2 |
Electronic storage device mounts
In one example, a mounting device includes a single piece screwless cradle for mounting an electronic storage device to a mounting plane. A method for tool-less installation of an electronic storage device is also provided. The method includes placing an electronic storage device into a single piece screwless cradle and pressing engagement features of the cradle into receptive features of the electronic storage device to join the cradle to the electronic storage device. The cradle and electronic storage device are slid over a mounting plane such the electronic storage device is disposed on a first surface of the mounting plane and an arm of the cradle is disposed on an opposite second surface of the mounting plane. |
| US09135954B2 |
Image tracking and substitution system and methodology for audio-visual presentations
The present invention relates to a system and method for processing a video input signal providing for tracking a selected portion in a predefined audiovisual presentation and integrating selected user images into the selected portion of the predefined audiovisual presentation. |
| US09135951B2 |
System and method for dynamic audio buffer management
An audio data processing circuit comprises a memory and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to store audio data in the memory in at least one buffer, each buffer having a size. The processor is configured to detect a type of application providing the audio data and, based on the type of application detected, to change at least one of the size and number of buffers in which the processing circuit stores audio data. |
| US09135949B2 |
Linear recording executing optimum writing upon receipt of series of commands including mixed read and write commands
A method is provided according to one embodiment, which executes an optimum writing method even when overwrite is intervened between mixed read and write operations. In response to receiving an overwrite command while executing the mixed operations, which writes to a predetermined tape position, when a tape position to overwrite on is encountered before the append-written data ending position of the tape (tape EOD), the overwritten tape position is regarded as the append-written data ending position of the tape (tape EOD) to update the tape EOD by the overwritten tape position. When a tape position to overwrite is encountered after the append-written data ending position of the tape (tape EOD), the overwritten tape position is updated by the append-written data ending position of a non-volatile memory (non-volatile EOD). The updating the EODs enhances the performance of the mixed read and write operations even when an overwrite command is intervening. |
| US09135948B2 |
Optical medium with added descriptor to reduce counterfeiting
Functionality is described for reducing the unauthorized reproduction of optical media, such as optical discs of various types. The functionality operates by adding a physical descriptor to an optical medium, forming reference descriptor information based on the descriptor, signing the reference descriptor information to produce authenticity information, and adding the authenticity information to the optical medium. At a point of consumption, the functionality operates by reading the authenticity information and reading the descriptor. Based on the information that is read, the functionality performs cryptographic analysis and descriptor-based analysis to validate the optical medium. The functionality includes various provisions to reduce the impact of wear and tear on the above-summarized analysis. The functionality can be applied to stamped or recordable optical media. |
| US09135947B2 |
Spindle motor having sealing cap with curved part and hard disk drive including the same
There are provided a spindle motor and a hard disk drive including the same. The spindle motor includes a shaft fixedly installed on a base member and including an upper thrust member, a sleeve rotatably supported by the shaft, a hub extended from the sleeve in an outer diameter direction, and a sealing cap mounted on the hub, wherein the upper thrust member and the sleeve or the hub include a liquid-vapor interface formed therebetween, wherein a gap between facing surfaces of the sealing cap and the upper thrust member in the axial direction is narrow enough to form a labyrinth seal, and wherein the sealing cap includes a curved part curved so that a gap between the sealing cap and the upper thrust member at a portion of the sealing cap facing the upper thrust member in the axial direction is varied in a radial direction. |
| US09135944B2 |
Systems and methods for ejecting removable modules from electronic devices
An electronic device may be provided with an ejector mechanism for at least partially ejecting a removable module (e.g., a SIM card tray) from the device. The ejector mechanism may include a user interface portion and a tray interface portion, and each interface portion may include a first end fixed to the device and a second end coupled to the second end of the other interface portion. Tension between the fixed first ends may bias the ejector mechanism to alternate between two ejector mechanism states when the ejector mechanism receives either a user input force to eject the removable module from the connector or a tray input force to insert the removable module into the connector. |
| US09135938B2 |
Contact detection
A method of detecting a contact between a transducing head and a storage medium is provided. The method applies an input signal, having a select power level and known frequency, to an actuator for actuating the head. An output signal is obtained in response to the input signal. At least one signal component is extracted from the output signal at the same or a harmonic of the same known frequency as the input signal applied to the actuator. Whether the at least one extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the medium is determined. The power level of the applied wave pattern is increased incrementally until the extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the storage medium. |
| US09135936B1 |
Microactuated suspension with spring bias acting on conductive adhesive bond for improved reliability
In an electrical connection to a microactuator in a disk drive suspension, an electrical lead is adhered to a microactuator using conductive adhesive and is also mechanically pressed up against the microactuator using a bias mechanism. The bias mechanism may be a spring finger that is welded to the suspension, or it may be a stainless steel finger that is formed integrally with the trace gimbal assembly. The resulting bias force that presses the contact against the microactuator surface reduces the small failure rate that can occur when the conductive adhesive separates from the microactuator's surface as a result of stress such as induced by thermal cycling. |
| US09135933B2 |
Tapered write head for MAMR
Embodiments described herein provide an MAMR head structure which provides a magnetic recording device equipped with a high density recording magnetic head. Characteristic variations caused by misalignment of a main pole and a STO may be reduced because the STO may be aligned with a position on the main pole where the field intensity is enhanced. The enhanced field intensity may be provided by an angle of inclination θ1 of an inclined surface on which the STO may be formed when compared to an angle of inclination θ2 around the main pole in the region of the ABS. Further embodiments provide a method for producing an MAMR head in which an exposed surface of the main pole has an angle of inclination θ2 which is less than the angle of inclination θ1 for the inclined surface of the main pole where the STO is mounted. |
| US09135931B2 |
Filled-gap magnetic recording head and method of making
A filled-gap magnetic recording head is provided comprising a flat or cylindrical contour head having a row of magnetic transducers in a gap region disposed between a rowbar substrate and a closure. The gap region is intentionally recessed to have a predetermined recess profile below a tape support surface. An electrical insulation layer is deposited on the tape support surface and on the recess profile of the gap region. The insulation layer prevents electrical shorting between the magnetic transducers and other conductive elements in the gap due to accumulations of conductive debris from the magnetic recording tape. A method of making the filled-gap magnetic recording head by intentionally recessing the gap region, cleaning the recessed profile and depositing an insulator layer is provided. |
| US09135930B1 |
Method for fabricating a magnetic write pole using vacuum deposition
A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) and an intermediate layer. A trench having a shape and location corresponding to a main pole is formed in the intermediate layer. The main pole is provided. At least a portion of the main pole is in the trench. Providing the main pole further includes vacuum depositing a first main pole material layer. The first main pole material layer is thin enough to preclude filling of the trench. The first main pole material layer is then ion beam etched. A second main pole layer is vacuum deposited on the first main pole layer. The second main pole material layer is also thin enough to preclude filling of the trench. An additional main pole layer is also deposited. |
| US09135929B2 |
Efficient content classification and loudness estimation
Efficient Context Classification and Gated Loudness Estimation The present document relates to methods and systems for encoding an audio signal. The method comprises determining a spectral representation of the audio signal. The determining a spectral representation step may comprise determining modified discrete cosine transform, MDCT, coefficients, or a Quadrature Mirror Filter, QMF, filter bank representation of the audio signal. The method further comprises encoding the audio signal using the determined spectral representation; and classifying parts of the audio signal to be speech or non-speech based on the determined spectral representation. Finally, a loudness measure for the audio signal based on the speech parts is determined. |
| US09135928B2 |
Audio transmission channel quality assessment
A device, system and method for audio transmission quality assessment that occurs during the transmission. A transmission channel such as the internet is used to transmit speech that is spoken by a human speaker, captured at a first end, and transmitted over the transmission channel for reproduction at a second end. The processors at each end of the transmission channel are configured to determine one or more characteristics of the speech such as phonemes. The phonemes are transmitted over a backchannel of the transmission channel to a processor that compares the speech characteristics that were determined at both ends of the call. The participants are notified of a transmission problem that has had an effect on the intelligibility of the speech that was reproduced at the far end if the comparison does not meet a predetermined quality metric. |
| US09135927B2 |
Methods and apparatus for audio processing
Systems and techniques for determining characteristics to be exhibited by a sound phrase. A user draws traces on an input device indicating characteristics, such as duration and direction, of sounds such as sounds to be captured by a microphone array. In response to the user inputs, signals from the microphone array are processed to produce a signal exhibiting the characteristics. The signal is stored to create a sound phrase, and the sound phrase may later be played. Additional inputs may be received specifying a direction from which the sound phrase is to be played, or playback may come from a default direction. Further inputs may be received during playback to control characteristics of the playback. In addition to specifying characteristics to be imparted to recorded or stored phrases, user inputs may specify characteristics for generated sounds or may specify characteristics to be exhibited by sounds being played. |
| US09135923B1 |
Pitch synchronous speech coding based on timbre vectors
A pitch-synchronous method and system for speech coding using timbre vectors is disclosed. On the encoder side, speech signal is segmented into pitch-synchronous frames without overlap, then converted into a pitch-synchronous amplitude spectrum using FFT. Using Laguerre functions, the amplitude spectrum is transformed into a timbre vector. Using vector quantization, each timbre vector is converted to a timbre index based on a timbre codebook. The intensity and pitch are also converted into indices respectively using scalar quantization. Those indices are transmitted as encoded speech. On the decoder side, by looking up the same codebooks, pitch, intensity and the timbre vector are recovered. Using Laguerre functions, the amplitude spectrum is recovered. Using Kramers-Kronig relations, the phase spectrum is recovered. Using FFT, the elementary waves are regenerated, and superposed to become the speech signal. |
| US09135920B2 |
System for perceived enhancement and restoration of compressed audio signals
A system for processing compressed audio includes a signal enhancer module configured to generate one or more signal treatments. The one or more signal treatments may be generated by the signal enhancer module based on analysis of the incoming audio signal. Alternatively, or in addition, characteristics of the incoming audio signal may be provided to the signal enhancer module for use in generating the one or more signal treatments. The one or more signal treatments may be added to the audio signals. |
| US09135912B1 |
Updating phonetic dictionaries
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for updating phonetic dictionaries. In one aspect, a method includes accessing a phonetic dictionary that identifies terms and one or more phonetic representations associated with each term, determining that a particular term that is identified in the phonetic dictionary is a spelling correction for another term that is identified in the phonetic dictionary, and storing, in the phonetic dictionary, one or more of the phonetic representations associated with the other term, with the particular term that is a spelling correction for the other term. |
| US09135911B2 |
Automated generation of phonemic lexicon for voice activated cockpit management systems
A system, method and program for acquiring from an input text a character string set and generating the pronunciation thereof which should be recognized as a word is disclosed. The system selects from an input text, plural candidate character strings which are phonemic character candidates or allophones to be recognized as a word; generates plural pronunciation candidates of the selected candidate character string and outputs the optimum pronunciation candidate to be recognized as a word; generates phonemic dictionary by combining data in which the pronunciation candidate with optimal recognition is respectively associated with the character strings; generates recognition data in which character strings respectively indicating plural words contained in the input speech are associated with pronunciations; and outputs a combination contained in the recognition data, out of combinations each consisting of one of the candidate character strings and the one of the pronunciations candidates with the optimum recognition. |
| US09135908B2 |
Dual resonator chamber with variable volume
The dual resonator chamber with variable volume includes first and second housings. The second housing is slidably mounted within the first housing such that a second inner neck portion of the second housing is slidably mounted about the first inner neck portion of the first housing and forms a fluid-tight seal therewith. A sliding wall is slidably mounted within the second housing, dividing the interior thereof into upper and lower resonator chambers. At least one first actuator selectively adjusts the height of the sliding wall with respect to the second lower end of the second housing to selectively adjust volumes of the upper and lower resonator chambers. At least one second actuator selectively adjusts the height of the second housing with respect to the first housing to selectively adjust the neck length of the lower resonator chamber. |
| US09135906B2 |
Ultrasonic generator
An ultrasonic generator that includes an ultrasonic generating element and a first acoustic path. The ultrasonic generating element includes a frame including a through hole in its central portion, a first transducer being flat-shaped and bonded to a first principal surface of the frame, and a second transducer being flat-shaped and bonded to a second principal surface of the frame and is configured to generate ultrasonic waves in a buckling tuning-fork vibration mode where the first transducer and the second transducer vibrate in mutually opposite phases. The first acoustic path is disposed so as to be adjacent to at least one of both principal surfaces of the ultrasonic generating element and configured to compress the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic generating element and to allow the ultrasonic waves to propagate therethrough in a direction along the principal surface of the ultrasonic generating element. |
| US09135901B2 |
Using recognition-segments to find and act-upon a composition
A method, apparatus and system that enables a user to find and act-upon a sound-containing composition, in a group of compositions. One or more sound-segments, which are intended to prompt a user's memory, may be associated with each composition in a group of compositions. A recognition sound-segment may include a portion of its associated composition, which is more recognizable to users than the beginning part of its associated composition. A recognition-segment may contain one or more highly recognizable portion(s) of a composition. When the user is trying to locate or select a particular composition, the recognition-segments are navigated and played-back to the user, based upon a user-device context/mode. When a user recognizes the desired composition from its recognition-segment, the user may initiate a control action to playback; arrange; and/or act-upon, the composition that is associated with the currently playing recognition-segment. |
| US09135900B2 |
Holder for musical instruments and/or accessories
The invention provides for a simple and inexpensive holder for musical instruments. Unlike existing instrument holders, the present invention mounts without any tools or clamps onto the shaft of a stand such as a microphone stand, music stand, or similar stand and and is easily installed or repositioned or removed. The object of this invention is to hold various musical instruments or a plurality of various instruments and/or accessories when not in use in a convenient place during a performance or rehearsal and display for easy selection of use when desired. It utilizes a stand that is most likely to be already in use therefore eliminating the need for another stand while providing the convenience of the holder. |
| US09135897B2 |
Magnetic guitar pick ring and material for use therewith
An improved apparatus for retaining a guitar pick is provided, which includes a ring with a magnetic component being attached, by a chain for example, to a guitar pick also including a magnetic component. The apparatus allows a performer to release or drop the guitar pick, either intentionally or unintentionally, and have the guitar pick be maintained in the performer's hand by its attraction to the magnetic component of the ring. The guitar pick may be made from a magnetic material, including for example stainless steel or a magnetic plastic. |
| US09135895B2 |
Fallboard arrangement for keyboard instrument
A fallboard arrangement for a keyboard instrument, including a slide-type fallboard and enabling enhancing the degree of freedom of design while ensuring good appearance and smooth opening and closing operation of the fallboard, to improve marketability. A fallboard opens and closes a performance section. Arms have respective guide grooves for guiding sliding of the fallboard in a front-rear direction. Left and right side plates are provided for left and right ends of a front portion of the fallboard, and have shield walls for shielding areas around left and right end faces of the fallboard, respectively. Left and right guide bushes protrude outward from the side plates, for engagement with the guide grooves of the respective arms. The guide bushes are guided by the guide grooves of the respective arms during sliding of the fallboard in the front-rear direction. |
| US09135889B2 |
Color correction of electronic displays
A method for adjusting the characteristics of a display. The method for adjusting the characteristics of the display may include constructing color models as a function of a parameter such as temperature. Furthermore, the color model may be used to determine adjustment values to be applied to a display. The adjustment values may be organized in a table as a function of temperature and color values. The adjustment values may be determined from measurements. |
| US09135888B2 |
System and method for converting an image to an intensity based colormap
The systems and methods described herein disclose creating an Intensity Based Colormap by interweaving different Hues between two end points (e.g., black and white) with increasing Luminance. An Intensity Based Colormap may be used to convert Computer Input image data using a Computer Machine encoded with an Intensity Based Colormap. |
| US09135885B2 |
Resolution independent client side rendering
Exemplary embodiments involve a viewer application receiving input modifying a rendering attribute of electronic content. The viewer application modifies a view-to-image transformation matrix based on the input. The view-to-image transformation matrix is capable of converting resolution-based coordinates of the electronic content to a corresponding resolution-independent coordinates of the electronic content. The viewer application generates a view-to-resolution transformation matrix based on the view-to-image transformation matrix as modified. The viewer application renders updated electronic content generated by applying the view-to-resolution transformation matrix to the electronic content. |
| US09135880B2 |
Control circuit of liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal display device, and electronic device including liquid crystal display device
A current that flows through a common source amplifier circuit provided in a current amplifier circuit of an operational amplifier in displaying a moving image is made to be different from that in displaying a still image. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, current source circuits which are provided in the current amplifier circuit in the operational amplifier operate by switching the current source circuit used for displaying a moving image and the current source circuit used for displaying a still image. The current amplitude in the common source amplifier circuit is controlled by switching the current source circuits, whereby low power consumption in the power supply circuit is achieved. The switching of the current source circuit in the operational amplifier is performed by a display control circuit for controlling a liquid crystal display panel in order to switch moving image display and still image display. |
| US09135875B2 |
Method for charging pixel points on TFT-LCD substrate, device for the same, and source driver
Disclosed are a method, a device and a source driver for charging pixel points on a TFT-LCD substrate, which are capable of charging electrodes on an upper substrate and pixel points on a lower substrate. The charging method includes: switching on a first, second, third and fourth switches, switching off a fifth, sixth and seventh switches, and charging a first, second, third and fourth capacitors; switching off the first, second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh switches, and charging a fifth capacitor; switching off the fifth switch, switching on the first, second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh switches, so that the first capacitor stores positive six-bit pixel voltage and the fourth capacitor stores negative six-bit pixel voltage; and charging the pixel points on the lower substrate by the first and fourth capacitors, and charging the electrodes on the upper substrate by the fifth capacitor. |
| US09135871B2 |
Integrated circuit design method for improved testability
A display device is provided with a display panel; and a display panel driver driving the display panel in response to externally-provided image data. The display panel driver includes a display memory for storing the image data, and is configured to perform overdrive processing on the image data read from the display memory. The display panel driver includes an overdrive processing control circuit detecting writing of the image data into the display memory to control operation and halt of a circuit used for the overdrive processing. |
| US09135870B2 |
Source driver, controller, and method for driving source driver
A source driver, a controller, and a method for driving a source drive are provided. The source driver includes a controller configured to receive a start pulse signal, and generate and output one of a new start pulse signal if the start pulse signal is received, and an internal start pulse signal if the start pulse signal is not received, a shift register configured to receive video data, store the video data, and output the video data if the outputted start pulse signal is received by the shift register, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to convert the video data output from the shift register into an analog voltage signal, and output the analog voltage signal, and an output buffer configured to buffer the analog voltage signal output from the DAC, and output the buffered analog voltage signal. |
| US09135861B2 |
Organic light emitting device and method of configuring gamma set of the same
An organic light emitting device having an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel that displays an image corresponding to a data signal, a data driver that receives image data and a gamma voltage and generates the data signal, and a gamma voltage generator that generates a gamma voltage corresponding to one selected from a plurality of gamma sets corresponding to a plurality of coordinates on the color coordinate system, wherein when a first gamma set corresponding to a first coordinate on the color coordinate system and the image data corresponds to the first coordinate, and the OLED panel displays an image corresponding to a second coordinate different from the first coordinate, the gamma voltage generator generates the gamma voltage corresponding to a second gamma set corresponding to a third coordinate symmetrical to the second coordinate with respect to the first coordinate. |
| US09135860B2 |
Array substrate for gate-in-panel-type organic light-emitting diode display device
An array substrate for a gate-in-panel (GIP)-type organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display device is provided. A plurality of circuit blocks are formed on gate circuit units and separated into pixel lines in which respective gate lines are disposed, and a plurality of clock lines formed in each of signal input units. Each of the signal input units includes at least one group. Each of the groups includes the plurality of clock lines. Each of the circuit blocks includes one or two partial circuit blocks, which are sequentially disposed in a row in a lengthwise direction of the gate line in each of the pixel lines. Each of the partial circuit blocks is included in a signal input unit disposed most adjacent thereto, and connected to a clock line formed in one group disposed most adjacent thereto through a plurality of first connection lines. |
| US09135858B2 |
Image display device
Provided is an image display device, which includes: a display area including a plurality of pixels each of which includes a self light-emitting element; and a plurality of signal lines for inputting an image voltage to each of the plurality of pixels, in which: each of the plurality of pixels includes a field-effect transistor for driving the self light-emitting element based on the image voltage which is input through each of the plurality of signal lines to each of the plurality of pixels; the display area is divided into at least two regions including a first region and a second region; and a (channel width-to-channel length) ratio of the field-effect transistor in the first region is smaller than the ratio of any field-effect transistor in the second region. |
| US09135857B2 |
Pixel circuit and display device, and a method of manufacturing pixel circuit
The display device including a pixel circuit has a first line, a transistor, a light emitting element, and a second line. The transistor is located between the second line and an electrode of the light emitting element. Either the first line or the second line is wired in a region that overlaps a light emitting region of the light emitting element in a lamination direction of layers. The second line intersects the first line outside of the light emitting region and overlaps a non-light emitting region of the light emitting element. |
| US09135856B2 |
EL display panel, power supply line drive apparatus, and electronic device
Disclosed herein is an electroluminescence display panel including a pixel circuit, a signal line, a scan line, a drive power supply line, a common power supply line, a power supply line drive circuit, a high-potential power supply line, and a low-potential power supply line. |
| US09135845B2 |
Display apparatus including barrier panel and touch sensing part
A display apparatus includes a display panel that displays a second image in a 3D mode, a barrier panel that forms a barrier pattern that separates the second image into a left-eye image and a right-eye image, a touch sensing part that includes third electrodes capacitively coupled to a portion of the electrodes included in the barrier panel, and a coordinate calculator. The coordinate calculator measures a variation of capacitance between the portion of the electrodes included in the barrier panel and the third electrodes. |
| US09135839B2 |
Scrolling backlit display with superimposed background and foregoing graphics, multi-color LED backlit panel, and illuminated housing
A unique scrolling backlit display used for advertising or the like features two sets of spools carrying separate webs thereon that respectively contain background and foreground imagery, whereby scrolling of one web relative the other increases the number of distinct visuals that can be attained with the device, and also allows dynamic animation-like displays in which foreground images change over a maintained background, or vice-versa. Multi-color LED light sources in the backlighting device are operable to create vibrant, dynamic lighting effects, while illumination of the display housing further increases the visual appeal of the display. |
| US09135838B2 |
Large scale LED display
A large scale LED display has a cable and rigid link support structure for a number of LED modules. The cable and rigid link support structure is flexible but has sufficient structural integrity to prevent misalignment of the pixel modules. The LED modules are removable from the support structure individually and as a group so as to facilitate repair of the display. The LED modules are rugged so as to withstand harsh outdoor conditions and they provide sufficient luminescence for use in sunlight. |
| US09135834B2 |
Apparatus and method to prevent side channel power attacks in advanced encryption standard using floating point operation
Apparatus and method for obscuring round 1 power consumption of hardware implementation of the AES algorithm. By simultaneously executing a processor floating point operation while executing round 1 of the AES algorithm power consumption of the AddRoundKey transformation is obscured. This prevents the opportunity to determine the AES key value during a side channel power attack. |
| US09135831B2 |
System and method for demonstrating a path of a projectile
A system for demonstrating a path of a projectile comprises a flexible wire, a first attachment device connected to a first end of the flexible wire, a second attachment device connected to a second end of the flexible wire, a coupling assembly comprising a trajectory rod attachment device configured to attach to a trajectory rod and a wire attachment device movably connected to the trajectory rod attachment device and configured to attach to the flexible wire. |
| US09135828B2 |
Providing a description of aircraft intent
The present invention provides a computer-implemented method of generating an aircraft intent description expressed in a formal language that provides an unambiguous four-dimensional description of an aircraft's intended motion and configuration during a period of flight. A flight intent description is parsed to provide instances of flight intent that span a flight segment, the flight segments together spanning the period of flight. The parsed flight intent is enriched with objectives and constraints according to user preferences, operational context and aircraft performance. The resulting enriched flight intent is converted into a parametric aircraft intent description by ensuring that each flight segment closes all associated degrees of freedom of motion and of configuration of the aircraft. At least some instances of aircraft intent contain a parameter range, and the method further comprises optimizing the parametric aircraft intent by determining an optimal value for the parameter of each parameter range. |
| US09135825B2 |
Risk degree calculation device
A risk degree estimation device of a driving assistance device calculates the potential risk degree at a plurality of intersection points in a mesh set around a host vehicle. The risk degree estimation device changes the amount of information relating to the potential risk degree calculated for the entire region of the mesh in which the intersection points are set in accordance with at least one of the environment and state of the host vehicle. For this reason, it becomes possible to calculate the potential risk degree around the host vehicle depending on the situation. |
| US09135822B2 |
Monitoring system for monitoring the surrounding area, in particular the area behind motor vehicles
A system for monitoring the area surrounding a vehicle, especially behind the vehicle and/or a connected trailer. The system includes distance sensors, which are arranged in a main plane and in at least one additional plane, for detecting objects in the respective monitoring region that pose a risk of collision and/or that limit passage height and/or width. The system also includes a device that evaluates the distance sensor signals to ascertain the current distance of the vehicle from the detected object and to compare the current distance against a predefinable, vehicle-specific setpoint distance value and to output a warning signal if a predefinable difference value therebetween is not reached. To cover the monitoring region both in area and height, additional distance sensors are arranged in at least one additional plane such that objects that cannot be identified by the sensors in the main plane can be detected over the entire width of the vehicle. |
| US09135820B2 |
Communication system, vehicle-mounted terminal, roadside device
There is a need to reduce the certificate verification time in a communication system.A communication system (10) includes a certificate authority (100) for performing authentication, a roadside device (110), a vehicle-mounted terminal (120), a first server (130), and a second server (140). The vehicle-mounted terminal transmits its own position information to the first server. The certificate authority acquires information about a vehicle-mounted terminal highly likely to appear according to place and time from the first server. The certificate authority allows the second server to verify validity of a certificate for a vehicle-mounted terminal acquired from the first server. The certificate authority generates a first list of vehicle-mounted terminals having valid certificates and a second list of vehicle-mounted terminals having invalid certificates according to place and time based on a verification result. The certificate authority transmits the first list and the second list to the roadside device and the vehicle-mounted terminal. The roadside device and the vehicle-mounted terminal verify a certificate using the received first and second lists. Thus, the certificate verification time is reduced. |
| US09135815B2 |
Methods and systems for rating road segments
A method and system to obtain taxi location data for a plurality of taxis located in a geographic region; obtain street data for a plurality of streets operating in the geographic region, the street data defining a location of the plurality of streets; store the taxi location data and the street data in an in-memory database management system; generate a rating for the plurality of streets associated with at least one currently active taxi, the rating providing an indication of a likelihood the at least one currently active taxi is available for a fare; and provide an output of the rating. |
| US09135811B2 |
Two way communication between an appliance and a remote control
A method for storing and using information received from a controllable appliance in a controlling device. In response to a detected activation of a key of the controlling device the controlling device transmits a request signal to the controlled appliance for the purpose of retrieving from the controlled appliance data associated with a media tuning state of the controlled appliance, such as a tuned-to channel, CD or DVD track being played, or the like, The controlling device receives from the controlled appliance the media tuning state data and stores the media tuning state data in memory. The media tuning state data stored in the memory of the controlling device may then be used to transmit from the controlling device to the controlled appliance a media tuning command to cause the controlled appliance to replicate the previously captured media tuning state. |
| US09135808B2 |
Systems, devices and methods to communicate public safety information
Systems, devices and/or methods include communication of information, such as real-time rich media (e.g., video and audio) to, from and/or between a mobile first responder, such as remote public safety field personnel for public safety applications. Sensor data may be captured, stored, or transmitted and disseminated in real-time or on a schedule from field officers or their vehicles, based on one or more defined rules. In some examples, communication priority may be determined in response to detecting one or more events at a location of a mobile first responder. |
| US09135807B2 |
Mobile wireless device with location-dependent capability
A system for controlling a plurality of surveillance, monitoring and security devices within a prescribed area, including a mobile transmitter device configured to transmit a wireless signal to a remote device. Where the remote device controls the area-specific systems in response to the wireless signal. The devices able to be controlled depend on the location of the mobile transmitter device and information carried by the signal. Also, a method for controlling devices within prescribed areas of a building, including monitoring a location of a mobile transmitter device within the building, receiving a wireless signal from the mobile transmitter device, and controlling specific functions of the systems based on a location of the mobile transmitter device and the information carried by the transmitted signal. |
| US09135806B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for security services
Methods, systems, and products notify of alarms in security systems. Sensor data is received from an alarm sensor, and an alarm condition is determined by an alarm controller. Video data associated with the alarm sensor is retrieved. An alarm message may be sent over a wireless network connection, while the video data may be sent over wireline broadband connection. |
| US09135805B2 |
Methods and systems for encouraging and enforcing hand hygiene
A method of and system for monitoring an instance and a duration of hand-washing activity using a lightweight, wearable device including a radio frequency identification tag reader; an external communication device; an alarm device that is adapted to generate at least one of a visual, an audible, and a haptic signal; data storing device(s) having multi-dimensional movement, acceleration, and/or moment data representative of hand-washing activity; an accelerometer to measure multi-dimensional movement and acceleration of the device; a gyroscope to measure multi-dimensional movement and moment of the device; and a processing device that uses measured multi-dimensional movement, acceleration, and/or moment data to evaluate hand-washing activity by determining when hand-washing activity has begun and ended and by comparing the duration of hand-washing activity to a pre-determined minimum hand-washing requirement, to determine whether or not said hand-washing activity complies with the minimum hand-washing requirements. |
| US09135801B2 |
Fully mechanical pneumatic excessive heat or/and fire line-type detector, and system, methods, applications thereof
A fully mechanical pneumatic line-type excessive heat or/and fire detector, and, system, methods, and applications thereof, for detecting and warning of conditions of excessive heat or/and fire. The detector includes a detector testing switch apparatus for testing operable condition and status of the excessive heat or/and fire detector, and is operatively connectable to an externally located system control device, as an overall detection system. The detector is automatically or manually activated. The system includes the excessive heat or/and fire detector. Detector and system are configured and operable according to rate of temperature rise or/and fixed temperature type detection modes. Applicable in a wide variety of environments, such as of vehicle engines or machine, which may involve generation of excessive heat or/and fire, where there is need to detect and warn of a condition of excessive heat or/and fire, in a practical, reliable, robust, and cost effective manner. |
| US09135800B2 |
Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise
A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermine period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations. |
| US09135797B2 |
Audio detection using distributed mobile computing
A method of identifying incidents using mobile devices can include receiving a communication from each of a plurality of mobile devices. Each communication can specify information about a detected sound. Spatial and temporal information can be identified from each communication as well as an indication of a sound signature matching the detected sound. The communications can be compared with a policy specifying spatial and temporal requirements relating to the sound signature indicated by the communications. A notification can be selectively sent according to the comparison. |
| US09135794B1 |
Modular emergency exit route illumination system and methods
A system and method that helps evacuees exit a residential structure in the event of an emergency such as a fire, earthquake, security breach or the like, by providing emergency illumination around the periphery of an exit door and/or an alternative safe exit portal together with floor/ground level illumination along the path to the portal, and by providing an audible tone or voice recording to guide occupants to the exit portal. Various forms of linear illuminators parallel to and near the floor of an interior room or hallway provide the floor-level identification and illumination of the exit route to be used in the event of emergency, with some linear illuminators having directional aspects along hallways to lead evacuees toward an exit, and other illuminators outlining the perimeter of portals that are safe to exit through, the illuminators normally being hardly noticeable but having controllers and energizers to light up the planned exit route when emergency conditions are detected. |
| US09135790B2 |
Handheld device and method for determining the location of physical objects stored in storage containers
The invention relates to a handheld device (1) for determining the location of a physical object (21) stored in a storage container (31). A reader system reads on the storage container (31) a visual code (31.1) which comprises a unique container identifier (31.2). A data entry system is configured to store object data (21.2) identifying the physical object (21) in a data store (1.4) linked to the container identifier (31.2). The data entry system is further configured to capture query data which defines the physical object (21). A query module is configured to determine the container identifier (31.2) by comparing the query data to the object data (21.2) in the data store (1.4), and to indicate the location of the physical object (21) by showing on a display the container identifier (31.2) of the storage container (31) containing the physical object (21). |
| US09135788B2 |
Check cashing banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine is operable to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that can read from cards, user data that corresponds to financial accounts. The machine can operate responsive to the read card data to carry out transactions that transfer and/or allocate funds between accounts. The machine can provide a transaction receipt. The machine includes a cash dispenser to dispense cash to machine users. Value of dispensed cash can be assessed to an account which corresponds to read card data. The machine also includes a check acceptor device that can receive checks from users. The machine can image a received check and then read check data from the check image. An account determined from read card data can be credited the amount of the check. |
| US09135786B2 |
Financial device
Provided is a financial device. The financial device comprise a registered medium storage box storing a medium to be registered and withdrawn, a discrimination part recognizing information of the registered medium withdrawn from the registered medium storage box, a display unit displaying a screen on which the registered medium to be withdrawn is registered, and a control part controlling the display unit. The control part acquires information of at least one registered medium stored in the registered medium storage box by using the discrimination part, and a screen for registering the registered medium to be withdrawn on which the acquired registered medium information is reflected is displayed on the display unit. |
| US09135784B2 |
Electronic amusement device and method for operating a game offering continuous reels
A gaming device and method for controlling operating the gaming device is disclosed. The gaming device initiates a paid play, and determines an outcome of the play. The outcome is visually displayed using at least two graphical displays. The graphical displays comprise a first and second visual continuum, without discrete reel stops. The outcome is represented by the relative positions of the first and second visual continuums. The outcome may also be based on the relative position of the first and second continuums to a payline. A payout corresponding to the outcome is determined by the device, and is awarded to the player. |
| US09135779B2 |
Managing limitation rules for wagering accounts
A gaming system configured to perform operations that include detecting an activation of a graphical user interface control of a wagering game machine during a wagering game session. A first monetary value is assigned to the graphical user interface control. The graphical user interface control is linked to a credit account. The operations further include requesting a transfer of a second monetary value that is at least equal to the first monetary value from the credit account to a wagering game player account. The credit account is a third-party financial account from which the wagering game player account is authorized to borrow funds up to a credit limit. The operations further include providing at least a portion of the second monetary value from the wagering game player account to place one or more wagers on one or more casino wagering games presented via the wagering game machine. |
| US09135778B2 |
License management system
The license manager provides an automated process that reduces the need for human interaction associated with licensing components, distribution of the same, product distribution, debugging, product building, assembly, installation, configuration and maintenance. In addition, there is an interface for use by regulators that allows the regulators to test and to receive notifications from the license manager. Finally, there is a third party interface to facilitate equipment add-ons to the system. The license management system provides enablement/disablement of software products, generation and maintenance of accounting records, and logs for licenses that are generated and distributed throughout the system. An audit trail is also created that includes who authorized the purchase of the license, as well as audit trails relating to different system levels to verify system security. Finally, a change notification system provides for the control of any changes to the system and monitors these changes on a multi-tiered level within the system. |
| US09135756B2 |
Providing communications between a vehicle control device and a user device via a head unit
A vehicle head unit may receive a request, from a user device and by the head unit, to establish communication with a control device of a vehicle. The control device may be in communication with the head unit via a vehicle communication network associated with the vehicle. The head unit may establish communication between the user device and the control device based on the received request. The head unit may forward a message between the user device and the control device based on the established communication. The message may be forwarded between the user device and the control device via the head unit. |
| US09135754B2 |
Method to generate virtual display surfaces from video imagery of road based scenery
Generating a virtual model of environment in front of a vehicle based on images captured using an image capturing. The Images captured on an image capturing device of a vehicle are processed to extract features of interest. Based on the extracted features, a virtual model of the environment is constructed. The virtual model includes one or more surfaces. Each of the surfaces may be used as a reference surface to attach and move graphical elements generated to implement augmented reality (AR). As the vehicle moves, the graphical elements move as if the graphical elements are affixed to the one of the surfaces. By presenting the graphical elements to move together with real objects in front of the vehicle, a driver perceives the graphical elements as being part of the actual environment and reduces distraction or confusion associated with the graphical elements. |
| US09135750B2 |
Technique for filling holes in a three-dimensional model
A mesh repair engine is configured to repair a hole in a three-dimensional (3D) model by (i) filling the hole with a rough mesh, (ii) refining the rough mesh, (iii) collapsing the refined mesh, (iv) refining the collapsed mesh, (v) flattening the refined, collapsed mesh, and then (vi) deforming the flattened mesh into a 3D surface that smoothly fills the hole in the 3D model. One advantage of the disclosed repair engine and associated hole repair technique is that the mesh repair engine is capable of generating polygons that fill regions of a 3D model that are not defined. Consequently, an end-user of the mesh repair tool is able to generate watertight 3D models from previously incomplete and non-watertight 3D models. |
| US09135749B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing three-dimensional model data
Apparatus and method for the network transmission and displaying of the computer graphics. The method and apparatus for processing three-dimensional model data includes: obtaining the mesh data for an original mesh model; constructing a derivative mesh model from the vertex data for the original mesh model by using a pre-defined mesh model construction algorithm; comparing the mesh data for the original mesh model with the mesh data for the derivative mesh model to obtain the error data for the derivative mesh model; transmitting the vertex data related to the original mesh model; and transmitting the error data for the derivative mesh model. |
| US09135744B2 |
Method for filling hole-region and three-dimensional video system using the same
Method for filling a hole-region and a three-dimensional (3D) video system using the same. In order to synthesize an image, a plurality of images each having a different viewpoint may be obtained. By using depth maps of the obtained plurality of images, an intermediate virtual viewpoint image may be synthesized. After synthesizing, a hole-region in the intermediate virtual viewpoint image may be filled using a color image of the intermediate virtual viewpoint image, a mask image indicating the hole-region in the intermediate virtual viewpoint image, and a depth image of the intermediate virtual viewpoint image. |
| US09135737B2 |
Concurrent display systems and methods for aerial roof estimation
User interface systems and methods for roof estimation are described. Example embodiments include a roof estimation system that provides a user interface configured to facilitate roof model generation based on one or more aerial images of a building roof. In one embodiment, roof model generation includes image registration, image lean correction, roof section pitch determination, wire frame model construction, and/or roof model review. The described user interface provides user interface controls that may be manipulated by an operator to perform at least some of the functions of roof model generation. The user interface is further configured to concurrently display roof features onto multiple images of a roof. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US09135734B2 |
Recursive application of group effects
A method for rendering a page including: obtaining an electronic document (ED) having: a container object with a first member and a second member; multiple shadow parameters defining a shadow of the container object; and multiple shadow parameters defining a shadow of solely the first member; determining a main bounding box surrounding the container object on the page but excluding the shadow of the first member; creating a main brush having the container object but excluding the shadow of the first member; calculating a shadow bounding box based on the main bounding box surrounding the container; creating a shadow brush by applying a shadow transformation matrix to the main brush having the container object; outputting the shadow of the first container object to a framebuffer for the page; and outputting, by processing the first member, the first member and the shadow of the first member to the framebuffer. |
| US09135733B2 |
Image editing method, image editing apparatus, program for implementing image editing method, and recording medium recording program
To provide an image editing technique that enables a user to perform movement and magnification of an image with a single operation, and to perform trimming while grasping image composition in printing, the image editing method includes a step of instructing to move an arbitrary point of an image displayed in an image display area among image data; a step of calculating an image movement amount and a magnification ratio in response to the instruction to move the arbitrary point; and a step displaying a predetermined area of the image data in the image display area on the basis of the image movement amount and the magnification ratio, which are calculated in the calculating step. |
| US09135730B2 |
Curve chain connections under surface, distance, and shape constraints
Product data management systems, methods, and mediums. A method includes receiving a graphic model having a plurality of curves forming a curve chain and defining a distance threshold and angle threshold corresponding to the model. The method includes optimizing the curve chain under shape constraints, identifying a surface associated with the curve chain and optimizing the curve chain with under surface and distance constraints with respect to the identified surface. The method includes storing the graphic model with the optimized curve chain. |
| US09135729B2 |
Method and tomography apparatus for reconstruction of a 3D volume
A method for reconstruction of a 3D volume from a set of projection images recorded by a tomography apparatus using penetrating radiation in the field of dental medical applications takes into account a given value of at least one parameter. Simulated projection images are generated which correspond to at least a subset of the recorded projection images by simulating a projection of the penetrating radiation through the reconstructed 3D volume taking into account said given value of the at least one parameter. A re-projection error is determined by comparing the simulated projection images (with the corresponding recorded projection images. The re-projection error is then minimized by changing the value of the at least one parameter and by iterating over the above steps. |
| US09135726B2 |
Image generation apparatus, image generation method, and recording medium
An image generation apparatus includes: an extracting section to extract characteristic information of a hair region in a face image; an image specifying section to specify a hairstyle image on the basis of the characteristic information extracted by the extracting section; and a first generating section to generate a portrait image of a face in the face image by using the hairstyle image specified by the image specifying section. |
| US09135725B2 |
Generic media covers
Generic media covers can be generated for digital media items submitted by publishers without a personalized media cover. A generic media cover can be generated for a media item by hashing a unique identifier of the media item that remains consistent throughout the life cycle of the media item. Bytes of the hashed value can be translated into graphic parameters which are used to generate the generic graphic. The graphic parameters can be attached to the generic graphic, thus allowing a user to regenerate the generic graphic at a desired resolution at a later point in time. Also disclosed are techniques for ensuring that generic media covers for a bundle of media items appear substantially similar. |
| US09135723B1 |
Efficient visually lossless compression
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with efficient visually lossless compression are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a transform logic configured to receive image data divided into segments and generate a matrix of transform coefficients corresponding to a segment. The apparatus also includes a rate control logic configured to select (i) a set of quantization levels from a plurality of sets of quantization levels and (ii) a quantization level from the selected set of quantization levels based, at least in part, on a desired visual quality. Each set of quantization levels corresponds to a different target compression ratio for the image data. The apparatus further includes a quantization logic configured to quantize the matrix of transform coefficients according to the selected quantization level to produce an array of integers. The apparatus also includes an encoding logic configured to encode the array of integers as a bit stream. |
| US09135718B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method therefor
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires a statistical value of pixel values for each divided region; a determination unit that compares for each divided region the statistical value of the divided region acquired by the acquisition unit with a first threshold and determines whether the divided region is as color region or a monochrome region; and a re-determination unit that compares a statistical value of an adjacent divided region with a second threshold, by which a divided region is more likely determined as a color region than by the first threshold, for each adjacent divided region, and re-determines whether the adjacent divided region is a color region or a monochrome region. |
| US09135713B2 |
Cranial suture snake algorithm
The invention is directed toward methods for assisting in interpreting medical images, especially useful for segmenting images produced by computed tomography or micro-computed tomography. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to method comprising initially identifying the images of the bones from a medical image, estimating a preliminary boundary of the bones, and subsequently segmenting the bones using a snake algorithm initialized by the preliminary boundary of the bones. The results can then be used to establish morphometric measurements from the medical images based on the segmented bone boundaries. In one embodiment of the present invention, the snake algorithm used is a continuous parametric Fourier series representation to fit and optimize the preliminary boundary of the bones to a more accurate representation of the segmented bone boundary from the data included in the image. |
| US09135711B2 |
Video segmentation apparatus and method for controlling the same
A method for controlling a video segmentation apparatus is provided. The method includes receiving an image corresponding to a frame of a video; estimating a motion of an object in the received image to be extracted from the received image, determining a plurality of positions of windows corresponding to the object; adjusting at least one of a size and a spacing of at least one window located at a position of the plurality of determined positions of the windows based on an image characteristic; and extracting the object from the received image based on the at least one window of which the at least one of the size and the spacing is adjusted. |
| US09135709B2 |
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance calculation apparatus and method
The distance to a target vehicle is calculated comparatively accurately. To achieve this, a target vehicle traveling ahead of one's own vehicle is imaged by a camera and it is determined to what vehicle group the image of the target vehicle belongs. A first distance from one's own vehicle to the target vehicle is calculated by a circuit using the representative vehicle width of the vehicle group decided. A vanishing point is detected from the captured image by a vanishing point detection circuit and a second distance from one's own vehicle to the target vehicle is calculated utilizing the vanishing point. The distance to the target vehicle is decided from the first and second distances by a distance decision circuit, wherein the shorter the distance to the vanishing point, the more the value of a weighting coefficient of the second distance is reduced. |
| US09135708B2 |
Gaze point detection method and gaze point detection device
A gaze point detection device 1 comprises two stereo cameras 2a, 2b for acquiring a face image of a subject A, light sources 3a, 3b disposed on the outside of apertures 9a, 9b, a control circuit 4, 5, 6, and an image processor 7. The image processor 7 calculates a vector r from a corneal reflection point to a pupil on a plane perpendicular to reference lines of the stereo cameras 2a, 2b, computes an angle θ of lines of sight of the subject A with respect to the respective reference lines by using a function f1, corrects the function f1 such that directions of lines of sight are closer to each other, and calculates the line of sight directions to detect a gaze point Q on a display screen. |
| US09135706B2 |
Features-based 2D-3D image registration
An image registration apparatus comprises: a features detector (34) configured to extract a two-dimensional set of features (36) from a two-dimensional image (30) and to extract a three-dimensional set of features (38) from a three-dimensional image (32); a projection processor (40) configured to project three-dimensional data into two-dimensional projection data; and a registration processor (46, 52) configured to (i) adjust parameters to register the two-dimensional set of features and the three-dimensional set of features projected by the projection processor using a projection geometry (42), and to (ii) use the adjusted parameters to register the two-dimensional image and the three-dimensional image projected by the projection processor using the projection geometry. |
| US09135701B2 |
Medical image processing
A method of image processing, including: (a) calculating at least one pixel color feature (PCF) value for each pixel in a color medical image to generate a set of PCF data; and (b) filtering the PCF data with at least one spatial adaptive bandpass filter (ABPF) to sort the pixels into physiologically significant regions; wherein the at least one PCF value for at least one pixel depends on at least 2 color components of the medical image. |
| US09135700B2 |
Method and apparatus for image scoring and analysis
Methods and systems for image scoring and analysis are provided. Scored and analyzed images may include digital pathology images. Image scoring and analysis methods may include techniques to identify nuclei and determine membrane staining extent through the use of a priori models. Image scoring and analysis methods may include techniques for membrane intensity determination. Images may be scored based on an extent of membrane staining and membrane intensity. |
| US09135699B2 |
Method and system for hemodynamic assessment of aortic coarctation from medical image data
A method and system for non-invasive hemodynamic assessment of aortic coarctation from medical image data, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data is disclosed. Patient-specific lumen anatomy of the aorta and supra-aortic arteries is estimated from medical image data of a patient, such as contrast enhanced MRI. Patient-specific aortic blood flow rates are estimated from the medical image data of the patient, such as velocity encoded phase-contrasted MRI cine images. Patient-specific inlet and outlet boundary conditions for a computational model of aortic blood flow are calculated based on the patient-specific lumen anatomy, the patient-specific aortic blood flow rates, and non-invasive clinical measurements of the patient. Aortic blood flow and pressure are computed over the patient-specific lumen anatomy using the computational model of aortic blood flow and the patient-specific inlet and outlet boundary conditions. |
| US09135698B2 |
System and method for medical image intensity standardization
Intensity standardization of MRI data sets aims at correcting scanner-dependent intensity variations. An automatic technique, called STI, which shares the simplicity and robustness of histogram-matching techniques, but also incorporates tissue spatial intensity information, has been discovered. The method comprises registering a medical image to a standard image; applying one or more masks to the medical and standard images for isolating certain specific image components; determining the most common intensity data pair between the medical and standard images for each isolated image component; calculating a formula that joins the most common intensity data pair of each image component; and interpolating an intensity data adjustment using the formula and applying it to the medical image data to generate a standardized version of the medical image. |
| US09135696B2 |
Implant pose determination in medical imaging
The pose of an implant represented in a medical image is determined from the medical image. The x-ray image of the implant is compared to a database of the implant viewed at different poses (e.g., viewed from different directions). The implant pose associated with the best match indicates the pose of the implant in the x-ray image. |
| US09135695B2 |
Method for creating attenuation correction maps for PET image reconstruction
A method (100) that generates attenuation correction maps for the reconstruction of PET data using MR images, such as, MR ultra-fast TE (UTE) images, Dixon MR images, as well as MR images obtained using other MR imaging methods. |
| US09135694B2 |
Systems and methods for using an immunostaining mask to selectively refine ISH analysis results
A computer-implemented method of processing image data representing biological units in a tissue sample includes receiving a first image of the tissue sample containing signals from an immunofluorescent (IF) morphological marker, wherein the tissue sample is stained with the IF morphological marker, and receiving a second image of the same tissue sample containing signals from a fluorescent probe, wherein the tissue sample is hybridized in situ with the fluorescent probe. The method further includes classifying each biological unit in the tissue sample into one of at least two classes based on a mean intensity of the signals from the IF morphological marker in the first image, performing a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of the tissue sample in the second image to obtain results therefrom, and filtering the results of the FISH analysis to produce a subset of the results pertaining to biological units classified in one class. |
| US09135692B2 |
Electronic device and method for analyzing image noise
Analyzation of image noise using an electronic device. The electronic device and method operating thereon can obtain an initial image captured by an image capturing device of an image measuring machine using an image capturing card of the electronic device when a lighting device of the image measuring machine is shut down, and magnifies an initial gray value of each pixel in the initial image to obtain an updated image. The electronic device and method operating thereon can further determine whether image noise in the updated image complies with a preset condition by analyzing an updated gray value of each pixel in the updated image, and displays the updated image and analysis results on a display device of the electronic device. |
| US09135691B2 |
Metallographic method for accurate measurement of pore sizes and distributions in metal castings
A quantitative metallographic method to measure pore sizes and pore distributions in cast aluminum components. An image of a location of interest in a cast component sample is first obtained using an image analyzer. Spacing criteria, such as a measure of the secondary dendrite arm spacing, may be used with the received image to provide evidence of pore clustering. This allows the system to performing calculations to determine if multiple pores can be clustered or grouped together as a single pore in three-dimensional space. From this, the total area of the pores in each of these groups or clusters is calculated and used as a representation of the pore area for that cluster. In general, pore size and pore distribution measurements in cast components achieved by the present invention show accurate predictions of pore size and spacing, and in particular evidence a reduced tendency to under-predict the size and distribution of actual pores. |
| US09135690B2 |
Perceptual rating of digital image retouching
A method is provided for automatically providing a digital image rating of photo retouching. The method includes the step of receiving at a computer, including a processor, a first set of pixel data of an original image and a second set of pixel data of a retouched image. The method also includes using the processor to determine a plurality of geometric statistics and a plurality of photometric statistics from the first and second sets of pixel data. The method further includes the step of using the processor to quantify a rating of the retouched image based upon the geometric statistics and photometric statistics to indicate deviation of the retouched image from the original image. A system is also provided to perform the steps. |
| US09135686B2 |
Distorting feature compensating
Certain aspects can relate to obtaining at least one image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from an at least a portion of at least one distorting feature. Certain aspects can relate to determining the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. Certain aspects can relate to computationally compensating at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information as based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. |
| US09135683B2 |
System and method for temporal video image enhancement
A method for improving quality of low light video images including: receiving a current video frame; temporally enhancing it by applying a first weight matrix including higher weight factors for stationary regions and lower weight factors for moving regions to the received frame and a reference frame to generate an enhanced temporal video frame; spatially enhancing the enhanced temporal video frame by applying a second weight matrix including higher weight factors for stationary regions and lower weight factors for moving regions to generate an enhanced spatial video frame; and motion enhancing the enhanced temporal video frame by extracting matched rigid moving objects in a previous or future frame and processing each of the extracted matched rigid moving objects with a corresponding rigid object in the enhanced temporal or spatial or raw current video frame. |
| US09135679B2 |
Apparatus and method for color restoration
Provided is a method and apparatus for restoring color of an input image. The method includes: separating multiple band information of a near infrared (NIR) channel from information of the input image by using a correlation between a color channel and the NIR channel in the input image; obtaining estimated invisible light band information of the NIR channel from the multiple band information of the NIR channel and estimated multiple band information of the NIR channel which is estimated from the color channel; estimating invisible light band information of the color channel based on the estimated invisible light band information of the NIR channel; and restoring a visible light band image of the color channel by removing the estimated invisible light band information of the color channel from multiple band information of the color channel included in the information of the input image. |
| US09135678B2 |
Methods and apparatus for interfacing panoramic image stitching with post-processors
Methods and apparatus for describing a projection model, used by a panoramic image stitching module to generate panoramic images and for communicating the projection model to other processes. A post-processing module may access and use the projection model provided by the panoramic image stitching module to perform one or more post-processing methods on the panoramic image, rather than requiring the user to input the projection model via a user interface or requiring the post-processing module to estimate the projection model according to a mathematical analysis of the panoramic image. |
| US09135675B2 |
Multiple graphics processing unit display synchronization system and method
Systems and methods for utilizing multiple graphics processing units for controlling presentations on a display are presented. In one embodiment, a dual graphics processing system includes a first graphics processing unit for processing graphics information; a second graphics processing unit for processing graphics information; a component for synchronizing transmission of display component information from the first graphics processing unit and the second graphics processing unit and a component for controlling switching between said first graphics processing unit and said second graphics processing unit. In one embodiment, the component for synchronizing transmission of display component information adjusts (e.g., delays, speeds up, etc.) the occurrence or duration of a corresponding graphics presentation characteristic (e.g., end of frame, end of line, vertical blanking period, horizontal blanking period, etc.) in signals from multiple graphics processing units. |
| US09135673B2 |
Digital watermarking
System(s) and method(s) for embedding and extracting a watermark from a digital media are described. The method may include generating a plurality of random patterns where the plurality of random patterns includes at least a primary random pattern and a secondary random pattern. The random patterns are indicative of patterns to be embedded to the digital media. The method may further include converting at least the primary random pattern and the secondary random pattern to a bipolar form. The primary random pattern and the secondary random pattern thereof are converted to a primary bipolar random pattern and a secondary bipolar random pattern. The method may also include embedding one or more of the primary bipolar random pattern and the secondary bipolar random pattern in the digital media as the watermark based on a watermark ID, where the watermark ID is a random pattern. |
| US09135671B2 |
Secured computer based assessment
System and methods for secured computer based assessment are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a question paper from an assessment conduction center, wherein the question paper contains dummy content having structure similar to an actual content of the question paper. A question paper metadata template containing metadata of the actual content that is generated based on the dummy content is created, and provided to the assessment conduction center for loading the actual content of the question paper in the question paper metadata template to generate an examination paper for distribution to one or more exam centers. A response of each of a plurality of aspirants corresponding to the examination paper is obtained from the one or more exam centers and said response is evaluated based on the metadata of the actual content, to generate a result for each of the plurality of aspirants. |
| US09135668B2 |
Contact center routing using characteristic mapping
An apparatus for selecting contact center resources is provided. The apparatus includes a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The memory includes computer code executable with the processor. The computer code is configured to obtain one or more user characteristics; map a user point on a spatial map that includes a first resource spatial point for a first contact center resource, the user point being located at a point that spatially defines the one or more user characteristics; and determine a first distance between the user point and the first resource spatial point. |
| US09135666B2 |
Generation of advertising targeting information based upon affinity information obtained from an online social network
Systems and methods for automatically generating targeting information for presentation of an offer in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes indexing member profiles within one or more social networks for affinity to keywords using a targeting system that retrieves data concerning member profiles and activities from servers within an online social network, identifying member profiles that have affinity for at least one offer keyword using the targeting system and the index, identifying additional keywords for which the identified member profiles have affinity using the targeting system and the index, determining a set of keywords that target a desired audience based upon the identified additional keywords using the targeting server, and targeting presentation of advertisements for the specific offer to members of an online social network using the online social network and the targeting keywords determined by the targeting server. |
| US09135665B2 |
Recommendation widgets for a social marketplace
A method and system are disclosed for providing syndicated commerce recommendations. A widget is configured to display a recommendation and is then embedded within a user interface (UI) window. Social data associated with a user is then processed to generate a recommendation object (e.g., a product, an offer, a deal, an advertisement, text, a video, an image, a URI, etc.), which is then displayed within the widget. |
| US09135664B2 |
Method and apparatus for granting rights for content on a network service
Techniques for granting rights for content on a social network to multiple users include determining first data. It is also determined to associate a first user identifier and at least a second user identifier with the first data. It is further determined to grant a right for the first data to a first user identified by the first user identifier and at least a second user identified by the second user identifier. |
| US09135658B2 |
Generating data clusters
Techniques are disclosed for prioritizing a plurality of clusters. Prioritizing clusters may generally include identifying a scoring strategy for prioritizing the plurality of clusters. Each cluster is generated from a seed and stores a collection of data retrieved using the seed. For each cluster, elements of the collection of data stored by the cluster are evaluated according to the scoring strategy and a score is assigned to the cluster based on the evaluation. The clusters may be ranked according to the respective scores assigned to the plurality of clusters. The collection of data stored by each cluster may include financial data evaluated by the scoring strategy for a risk of fraud. The score assigned to each cluster may correspond to an amount at risk. |
| US09135657B2 |
Rewarding independent influencers
A method embodiment includes receiving data indicative of a person accessing at least one of a first network-available electronic content or a second network-available electronic content. Also, receiving data indicative of an involvement with respect to possible matters of interest between the person and a third-party. The involvement being independent of the person activating a link to a site owned by the third-party that is included in the first network-available electronic content or in the second network available electronic content. Further, assessing a behavioral influence by the first network-available electronic content and/or the second network-available electronic content on the indicated involvement with respect to the possible matters of interest between the person and a third-party. Also, facilitating delivery of a benefit to an owner of the first network-available electronic content and/or an owner of the second network-available electronic content in response to the assessed behavioral influence. |
| US09135655B2 |
Systems and methods for using server side cookies by a demand side platform
The present disclosure is directed to methods for identifying a user by a demand side platform (DSP) across advertiser exchanges. The method includes establishing, by a DSP, a cookie mapping for a user. The cookie mapping includes a mapping of user identifiers for the user from advertisement exchanges to a user identifier assigned by the DSP for the user. The DSP stores to the cookie mapping a first mapping to the user identifier of the DSP, comprising a first user id received by a bidder from a first exchange and a first exchange id for the first exchange. A bidder inserts a pixel into a bid for an impression opportunity to a second exchange. The pixel includes a key to the cookie mapping and a second user id for the user and a second exchange id. The second user id is received by the bidder from a second exchange. |
| US09135649B2 |
Mobile retail unit for on-site coating application, associated network and method of use
A mobile retail unit and associated network and method of use, where the mobile retail unit includes one or more of a customized-tint station and a climate-control system. The mobile retail unit also includes a computer-based system for storing inventory and order information, and which may include a network adapter configured to relay the inventory information and the order information over a wireless network between the computer-based system and a remote network center. |
| US09135648B2 |
Method, terminal, server, and system for providing a service
A method, terminal, server, and a system for providing a service are provided. In a method of providing a plurality of applications pursuant to identifying a tag by a user terminal, the user terminal identifies the tag to obtain tag information and transmits a request for a service to a service providing server, which then obtains a plurality of application identification information corresponding to the tag information and generates and provides to the user terminal an applications list corresponding to the plurality of application identification information. |
| US09135646B2 |
Associating advertising content with a channel
The disclosure includes a system and method for identifying advertising content and providing a user of a mobile device with a channel related to the advertising content. A recognition application receives advertising content comprising a series of frames, identifies images corresponding to the frames within the advertising content, identifies a first set of feature points from a first image of the advertising content, determines whether the first set of feature points matches a second set of feature points stored in a database, and in response to determining that the first set of feature points fails to match the second set of feature points, identifies the first image as being unique, indexes the first image and the first set of feature points and associates the first image with a channel. |
| US09135644B1 |
Orientation of panoramas and panorama selection based on Ad bidding
Systems, methods, and computer storage mediums for orienting a panoramic image of a geolocation to display an advertiser's location are provided. An exemplary method includes, first, determining a geolocation of a point on a map, where the point is based on a user action. A panoramic image associated with the geolocation is retrieved. An orientation bid is also retrieved from a collection of orientation bids, where the orientation bid is associated with an advertiser and includes an image orientation direction and a geographical boundary that encompasses the geolocation. The panoramic image is displayed with the image's initial orientation is determined by the image orientation direction. |
| US09135642B1 |
System and method for device-based eCare
There is disclosed a device-based eCare solution that facilitates computerized consumer service on consumer devices. The system may include an end device, a back-end server eCare system, and a communications technology. One or more consumer eCare applications, such as balance and pricing applications, consumer assistance applications, diagnostic applications, and anticipatory applications, may be resident on the device. The end device may be configured to monitor the consumer's activity and collect and store a set of data regarding the consumer's activity. The end device may be further programmed to proactively offer the consumer a consumer eCare application based on the set of data and execute the consumer eCare application in accordance with the consumer's instructions. The system may create a collaborative environment between the device, other devices, and the back-end server eCare system. The device may intermittently communicate with other devices, the back-end server eCare system, or both, to synchronize information. |
| US09135641B2 |
Content recommendation using third party profiles
A method for personalizing content for a particular user in a computing system comprising a user interface configured to display content. The method comprises identifying one or more features of a short term profile of a user that are not included in a long term profile of the user, using the one or more features to identify one or more third party profiles having features that substantially match the one or more features of the user's short term profile, accessing the identified one or more third party profiles, and providing one or more content items included in the third party profile to the user, the one or more content items having associated features that match the one or more features of the short term profile. An alternative method comprises accessing one or more third party profiles that are not a profile of the user, and using the accessed third party profile to identify a plurality of content items for recommendation to the user based on a feature set of the third party profile. |
| US09135637B1 |
Systems and methods for electronically managing content
Systems and methods are provided for electronically managing content. In one embodiment, information identifying content items found on a page is received from a client system through code embedded on the page. Systems and methods for associating advertisement data with content items are also disclosed. |
| US09135629B2 |
User targeting management, monitoring and enforcement
A scalable architecture for managing, monitoring and enforcing user ad targeting operates across a distributed network. The architecture enables defining and enforcement of policy related to targeting across various domains, platforms, devices, protocols, interactions, content and media types. Targeting decisions utilize user policy as well as profile information. A user policy or portions thereof may be discovered and accessed without requiring direct interactions. The architecture provides a simple and extensible notion of policy scoping, provides an abstract processing model for determining actions related to interactions involving multiple policies, provides for time-limited in addition to use-limited ways to use policy and profile information, provides a set of discovery services that automate policy and profile discovery within and without the context of a targeting interaction, provides a coherent set of monitoring and enforcement strategies for policies, profiles and targeting, provides for easy integration with privacy-safe targeting, and provides scalable behavioral targeting opt-out. |
| US09135628B2 |
Method for providing advertisement inducing active participation from targeted customers and system therefor
A method for providing advertisement inducing active participation from targeted customers and a system therefore includes providing a high advertising effect to advertisers through active participation of customers and offering a predetermined compensation to customers participated in consultation. The method for providing advertisement inducing active participation from targeted customers comprises: (a) receiving consultation advertisement registering information from advertisers; (b) outputting consultation advertisement depending on the input registering information; (c) receiving consultation requesting information from customers about the consultation advertisement; and (d) providing a predetermined compensation to customers who input the consultation requesting information. |
| US09135618B1 |
Decoding systems with a decoding engine running on a mobile device and using financial transaction card information to create a send funds application on the mobile device
A decoding system has a decoding engine running on a mobile device. The decoding engine decodes signals produced from a read of a first party's financial transaction card. The decoding engine accepts and initializes incoming signals from a read of the first party's financial transaction card. A transaction engine runs on the mobile device and is coupled to the decoding engine. The transaction engine receives as its input decoded first party's financial transaction card information from the decoding engine. At least a portion of a first party's financial card information or information relative to a first party's financial account is used to create a mobile device payment application on the mobile device. |
| US09135608B2 |
Systems and methods for constructing a local electronic medical record data store using a remote personal health record server
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for managing medical information. Certain embodiments provide a local electronic medical record system including a local personal health record (PHR) client, the PHR client downloading encrypted patient documents from a remote PHR server and parsing the downloaded encrypted patient documents to form a local PHR database. The example system also includes an interface receiving user input including an encryption key to decrypt the downloaded encrypted patient documents and displaying patient medical information to the user based on the downloaded decrypted patient documents. |
| US09135605B2 |
Instant electronic meeting from within a current computer application
Real time communication is discussed that may be initiated and maintained from within an web-based application without leaving the context of the underlying application. Within the web-based application, a web frame or portlet is displayed that can maintain a separate and independent communication channel with a data resource and other external resources. When activated by a user of the web application, the web frame or portlet establishes a communication link with an external resource and another party that will take part in a communication exchange. The interaction between the user and the other participant are displayed from within and/or processed by the web frame or portlet without affecting the state of the underlying web application. |
| US09135604B2 |
Synchronizing real and virtual software development
Synchronizing real and virtual software environments. A first input of an entity identifier that identifies a software development entity and a second input of an operation identifier that identifies a software development operation that has been performed on the entity in a physical environment are received. The entity identifier and the operation identifier are on a first and second physical medium, respectively. The entity and the operation are identified in response to receiving the inputs. A virtual software development environment is updated to reflect that the operation has been performed on the entity in the physical environment. The entity and the operation are associated with a software development model that is also associated with the virtual environment. |
| US09135602B2 |
Management of building plan documents utilizing comments and a correction list
Systems and methods for managing and processing building plan documents. An electronic building plan document including a plurality of plan sheets is received. A first plan sheet is provided for display. A user interface is provided via which a user can select or enter a first comment associated with the first plan sheet. A user interface is provided via which the user can associate metadata, including a project type or discipline, with the first comment. A first plurality of comments, including the first comment, is stored in association with respective metadata. A user interface via which the user can select, by category and/or subcategory a plurality of comments to be included in a plan correction list, and a correction list is generated including a plurality of comments specified by a plurality of users. |
| US09135601B2 |
Verification-based access to features in a business context-based social network
Access to features in a business context-based social network is provided based on verification of a provided association between a user's social network account and a verified social network account of an organizational entity. The association represents a relationship between the user and the organizational entity outside of the business context-based social network. Based on verification of the account of the organizational entity and on the provided association, access is enabled for the account of the user to one or more features offered by a social network account of another organizational entity in the business context-based social network. The access provided for the account of the user to the one or more features is authorized based on the provided association between the verified account of the organizational entity and the account of the user. |
| US09135597B2 |
Second site control of article transport processing
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system and methodology for sorting and/or distributing items and articles being shipped to a receiving party through private and/or commercial delivery systems. Various characteristics of an article being shipped are obtained and assembled in a database. In an exemplary embodiment, the descriptive characteristics of the article are acquired at a first site and the processing and desired disposition of the article is determined at a second site which is physically separate from the first site. The descriptive characteristics of the article being shipped are displayed at the second site and are sufficient to identify the article to a processing individual located at the second site. The processing individual is then enabled to indicate a desired disposal of the article from the second site without being exposed to the physical article located at the first site. In an exemplary embodiment, the descriptive characteristics of the article may include one or more images of the article along with various other descriptive physical characteristics of the article such as the size and weight of the article. In one example, the processing individual is enabled to authorize the opening of an article in which case, descriptive characteristics of the contents of the article are acquired at the first site and displayed to the processing individual at the second site for use in determining an appropriate disposition of the article. |
| US09135596B2 |
System and method to allocate resources in service organizations with non-linear workflows
A method can include determining a number of cases received (e.g., a case load), a number of cases processed (e.g., a case rate), and dividing the case load by the case rate. The resource demand can be compared to a resource allocation, and the resource allocation can be changed based upon the resource demand. A information handling system can include a processor and a memory. The memory can have code stored therein, wherein the code can include instructions, which, when executed by the processor, allows the information handling system to perform part or substantially all of the method. |
| US09135591B1 |
Analysis and assessment of software library projects
The disclosed embodiments provide a method, system, and apparatus for facilitating use of a software library project. During operation, the system obtains a set of data associated with use of the software library project, wherein the data comprises a set of dependencies of calls and objects associated with the software library project. Next, the system applies a set of business rules to the data to assess one or more characteristics associated with the software library project. The system then enables use of the data and the one or more characteristics in assessing a health of the software library project. |
| US09135583B2 |
Systems and methods to create continuous queries associated with push-type and pull-type data
A system, method, means, and/or computer program code may be provided to facilitate query creation and a presentation of information to a user. According to some embodiments, continuous query definition parameters are received from a user via a graphical user interface. Moreover, semantic layer information associated with an event processing engine may be retrieved, the event processing engine being adapted to receive an event stream. Based on the continuous query definition parameters, a pre-fetch query may be automatically created to pre-fetch historical data from a database. An event processing language statement may also be created based on (i) the continuous query definition parameters and (ii) the semantic layer information. The event processing language statement may be provided to the complex event processing engine so as to establish a continuous query. A response to the query may be output based on both the pre-fetched historical data and events in the event stream. |
| US09135579B2 |
Method and system for ordering, loading and using admission tickets
Method and system for ordering, loading and using tickets ordered from a reservation center through transmission of order data that includes a number assigned to a mobile communications terminal. The ordered ticket is received via a mobile radio network at the mobile communications terminal, and the ticket is stored. A reading device receives ticket information contactlessly from the mobile communications terminal, and an authorization of a user of the mobile communications terminal is decided based on the ticket information. |
| US09135576B2 |
System for and method of generating and visualizing sharing event cascade structures associated with content sharing events that occur across a network
A system for and method of generating and visualizing one or more sharing event cascade structures associated with one or more content sharing events that occur across a network may include generating a plurality of sharing event nodes in the one or more sharing event cascade structures based on data associated with at least one of a system log and a database, wherein each sharing event cascade structure graphically represents a history of one or more content items being shared among a plurality of users of the network, and presenting, on a display device, a content sharing visualization diagram that illustrates the one or more sharing event cascade structures and enables a user to analyze sharing patterns associated with the plurality of users of the network. |
| US09135575B2 |
Systems and methods for routing and scheduling visits to delivery locations
The present invention provides systems, methods and computer program-product for calculating and storing time and distance information in an economical and efficient manner. The time and distance information may be used in the development of traversable networks for the delivery and retrieval of items from multiple locations in a timely and efficient manner. |
| US09135573B1 |
Estimating reputation scores in reputation systems
The disclosed embodiments provide a reputation system. The reputation system includes a statistical model associated with a set of items and a set of dimensions of the items in the reputation system, wherein the statistical model is trained using a positive class and a negative class. The reputation system also includes a scoring apparatus that applies the statistical model to a set of features for each of the items to estimate a set of reputation scores for the items. Finally, the reputation system includes a ranking apparatus that enables use of the set of reputation scores in the reputation system. |
| US09135572B2 |
Method and arrangement for processing data
A method and arrangement for processing data when training a data model involving multiple iterations of data records in a dataset (400c, 606) stored in a database (400, 600). Memory space (400d, 608) is allocated in the database for maintaining the data model during the training operation. The data records in the dataset are read (4:3) directly from the database for each iteration, and the data model is trained (4:4) inside the database by repeatedly applying the read data records in the training operation and updating (4:5) the data model. It is also checked (4:6) whether the updated data model has converged according to a predefined convergence condition. The data model is eventually saved (4:7) once the data model has converged. |
| US09135569B2 |
Navigation system with anomaly detection mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: determining a classification model for a target field for assessing a point of interest; determining a cluster for the target field for assessing the point of interest; and determining an anomaly based on the classification model and the cluster for displaying on a device. |
| US09135563B2 |
Using cyclic Markov decision process to determine optimum policy
A method for determining an optimum policy by using a Markov decision process in which T subspaces each have at least one state having a cyclic structure includes identifying, with a processor, subspaces that are part of a state space; selecting a t-th (t is a natural number, t≦T) subspace among the identified subspaces; computing a probability of, and an expected value of a cost of, reaching from one or more states in the selected t-th subspace to one or more states in the t-th subspace in a following cycle; and recursively computing a value and an expected value of a cost based on the computed probability and expected value of the cost, in a sequential manner starting from a (t−1)-th subspace. |
| US09135562B2 |
Method for gender verification of individuals based on multimodal data analysis utilizing an individual's expression prompted by a greeting
The system and method of the present invention are described for automatic detection of error in the entry of particular category of individuals, especially referring to gender and age classification either real time while creating a database of such information or on an existing database on the record of individuals by analyzing their biometric characteristics like speech, image or face and other related demographic information like name of the individual in order to accord each individual with a unique identification. |
| US09135561B2 |
Inferring procedural knowledge from data sources
A procedural inference system is described herein that infers procedural knowledge from various data sources to help a user complete one or more tasks for which the data sources provide information. The system understands users' queries, identifies a task at hand, provides recommendations on the steps to take and the agents to use based on a knowledge base of tasks and agents, and provides the fabric to determine which different agents can work together to help the user accomplish a task. Tasks can be started on one device and completed on another seamlessly. Users are able to finish complex, multi-step tasks efficiently, without trial and error or data reentry. Thus, the procedural inference system provides a generalized framework that helps users to complete tasks using already available data and does not ask each data provider to invest in infrastructure to build dedicated task information systems. |
| US09135558B1 |
Generating models based on response rates of users/experts using probabilities, and random numbers
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving aggregate user data, the aggregate user data corresponding to response rate of one or more answering users responding to requests, processing the aggregate user data to generate an analytical model, the analytical model describing a probability that an average answering user will respond to a request based on response rates of one or more time intervals, receiving a request, identifying a plurality of answering users, processing the analytical model to identify a sub-set of answering users of the plurality of answering users, and transmitting the request to each answering user of the sub-set of answering users. |
| US09135554B2 |
Robot controller learning system
A threshold learning control system for learning a controller of a robot. The system includes a threshold learning module, a regime classifier, and an exploratory controller, each receiving sensory inputs from a sensor system of the robot. The regime classifier determines a control regime based on the received sensor inputs and communicates the control regime to the threshold learning module. The exploratory controller also receives control parameters from the threshold learning module. A control arbiter receives commands from the exploratory controller and limits from the threshold learning module. The control arbiter issues modified commands based on the received limits to the robot controller. |
| US09135550B2 |
Wireless IC device
A wireless IC device includes a radiating plate, a wireless IC chip, and a feeder circuit board, on which the wireless IC chip is mounted. The feeder circuit board includes a resonant circuit with an inductance element, and the resonant circuit is electromagnetically coupled with the radiating plate. The wireless IC chip is interposed between the radiating plate and the feeder circuit board. |
| US09135549B2 |
Smart card module, smart card and method for producing a smart card module
A smart card module includes a carrier; a chip arrangement arranged over a first side of the carrier; and an antenna arranged over a second side of the carrier, wherein the second side of the carrier is opposite the first side of the carrier. The antenna is electrically conductively connected to the chip arrangement in order to transmit electrical signals. The smart card module further includes a display module arranged over the first side of the carrier; and at least one electrical line structure arranged on the first side of the carrier, which electrical line structure electrically conductively connects the chip arrangement and the display module to one another. |
| US09135548B2 |
Portable mechanical switch for selective deactivation of radio frequency identification circuits
Systems and methods for providing security for authentication devices—such as electronically readable cards or ID badges with embedded RFID chips or NFC capability—may include an envelope or pocket-like case for carrying an electronically readable card, having an electrically conductive, non-opaque sleeve that can be moved to cover or expose the electronically readable card and that prevents information on the card from being electronically read when covered yet still allows the card to be seen when covered. In one or more embodiments, the sleeve may be a wire mesh that is flexible enough to be compressed to expose the card yet stiff (or rigid) enough to be extended to cover the card and that is transparent enough to allow reading visual information on the surface of the card when covering the card. Protection can be switched off by a mechanical switch that leaves the protection normally on. |
| US09135547B2 |
Optical control of RFID chips
A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID chip and a photo-active material disposed in proximity to the RFID chip. The photo-active material provides energy—in the form of optical frequency radiation—to the RFID chip that affects (e.g., enhances or inhibits) the performance of the RFID chip and its sensitivity to a reader signal. An infrared (IR) light illuminating a polished backside of an RFID chip enhances or inhibits a read rate of the RFID chip according to an intensity of the IR light. A method for controlling operation of RFID devices includes illuminating a number of RFID devices by a radio frequency (RF) reader field, the reader field being below an operational threshold of the RFID devices, and optically illuminating a selected one of the RFID devices so that the selected RFID device becomes operational and communicates to the RFID reader. |
| US09135544B2 |
System and method for quality management utilizing barcode indicators
A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of bar coded quality indicators each operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter, a barcode indicator reader operative to read the barcoded quality indicators and to provide output indications, the barcoded quality indicators being readable by the barcode indicator reader at all times after first becoming readable, including times prior to, during and immediately following exceedance of the at least one threshold by the at least one product quality affecting parameter, and a product type responsive indication interpreter operative to receive the output indications and to provide human sensible, product quality status outputs. |
| US09135538B2 |
Image forming apparatus with measuring section which measures a height position of a sheet surface
An image forming apparatus includes: a measuring section which measures a height position of a surface of a sheet at a reading position at which a reference image for image quality adjustment is read; a control section which determines a planar region of the sheet according to the height position, and determines a forming position of the reference image within the planar region; an image forming section which forms the reference image at a position of a sheet corresponding to the forming position, the sheet being newly fed after determination of the forming position; and a reading section which reads the reference image at the reading position, wherein the control section adjusts image quality by using a read value obtained from the reference image by the reading section. |
| US09135535B1 |
Method and system for prorating trapping parameters globally with respect to object size
The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method, device, and computer-readable storage medium used to determine the prorating of trap color radius with respect to an object (text or graphics) size. The prorating of trap color radius allows for the problem of overpowering the trapping filter over the object size. |
| US09135532B2 |
Processing image data strips
An apparatus and methods for processing image data in multi-row strips to generate print data for colorizers of a printer. |
| US09135524B2 |
Recognition apparatus, recognition method, and storage medium
A recognition apparatus includes a calculation unit configured to calculate likelihood of each feature quantity based on the weighted distribution of the feature quantity extracted from a plurality of learning images, a correction unit configured, if a ratio of a learning image to a specific feature quantity is equal to or smaller than a predetermined ratio and a weight for the specific feature quantity is greater than a predetermined value, to correct the value of likelihood of the specific feature quantity to lower the value based on the distribution, a setting unit configured to set the likelihood corrected by the correction unit in association with a feature quantity, and a discrimination unit to extract a feature quantity from an input image and discriminate whether the input image includes a predetermined object based on the likelihood associated with the feature quantity. |
| US09135523B2 |
Apparatus, method of controlling the same and storage medium
The present invention provides an apparatus for processing image data obtained by reading a document and a background image outside the document, and method of controlling the apparatus. The apparatus determines a degree of similarity between a color of the background image and a color of a marginal region of the document from the image data, sets a region extraction parameter based on the determined degree of similarity, and determines a document region by using the region extraction parameter from the image data. |
| US09135519B2 |
Pattern matching method and pattern matching apparatus
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pattern matching method of detecting an image of a detection target from a search image, comprising: obtaining a reference image of the detection target; generating the model edge image on a basis of the reference image; generating the edge extraction domain that is specified as a portion where the model edge image can exist by overlying a plurality of the model edge images obtained with at least one of rotating the model edge image within a predetermined range around a rotation center of the model edge image and translating the model edge image within a predetermined range; and performing pattern matching between the model edge image and the search edge image. |
| US09135518B2 |
Robust and efficient image identification
Apparatus for matching a query image against a catalog of images, comprises: a feature extraction unit operative for extracting principle features from said query image; a relationship unit operative for establishing relationships between a given principle feature and other features in the image, and adding said relationships as relationship information alongside said principle features; and a first comparison unit operative for comparing principle features and associated relationship information of said query image with principle features and associated relationship information of images of said catalog to find candidate matches. |
| US09135516B2 |
User body angle, curvature and average extremity positions extraction using depth images
Embodiments described herein use depth images to extract user behavior, wherein each depth image specifies that a plurality of pixels correspond to a user. In certain embodiments, information indicative of an angle and/or curvature of a user's body is extracted from a depth image. This can be accomplished by fitting a curve to a portion of a plurality of pixels (of the depth image) that correspond to the user, and determining the information indicative of the angle and/or curvature of the user's body based on the fitted curve. An application is then updated based on the information indicative of the angle and/or curvature of the user's body. In certain embodiments, one or more average extremity positions of a user, which can also be referred to as average positions of extremity blobs, are extracted from a depth image. An application is then updated based on the average positions of extremity blobs. |
| US09135515B2 |
Automated pelletized sample vision inspection apparatus and methods
A method for visually inspecting pelletized samples. The method generates an inspection image of the bottom of a sample tube holder. The sample tube holder has a number of sample tube locations, and each sample tube location is configured to receive a sample tube in it. The inspection image is evaluated to determine whether a tube image exists for each sample tube location, and each sample tube image is evaluated to determine whether a pellet is located in each sample tube. |
| US09135513B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for obtaining position and orientation of imaging apparatus
An image processing apparatus obtains location information of each image feature in a captured image based on image coordinates of the image feature in the captured image. The image processing apparatus selects location information usable to calculate a position and an orientation of the imaging apparatus among the obtained location information. The image processing apparatus obtains the position and the orientation of the imaging apparatus based on the selected location information and an image feature corresponding to the selected location information among the image features included in the captured image. |
| US09135510B2 |
Method of processing sensor data for navigating a vehicle
Apparatus for and method of processing sensor data for the purpose of navigating a vehicle (for example an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle), the sensor data being from a sensor (for example a camera) mounted on the vehicle. The method can include can include: for a number of time-steps, measuring a value of a parameter of a scene using the sensor to produce a sequence of images of the scene; determining a value of one or more image quality metrics (for example, spatial entropy and spatial information) in each image in the sequence; and identifying as either valid or invalid, a sub-sequence of images in the sequence based on the determined metric values. |
| US09135508B2 |
Enhanced user eye gaze estimation
Systems, methods, and computer media for estimating user eye gaze are provided. A plurality of images of a user's eye are acquired. At least one image of at least part of the user's field of view is acquired. At least one gaze target area in the user's field of view is determined based on the plurality of images of the user's eye. An enhanced user eye gaze is then estimated by narrowing a database of eye information and corresponding known gaze lines to a subset of the eye information having gaze lines corresponding to a gaze target area. User eye information derived from the images of the user's eye is then compared with the narrowed subset of the eye information, and an enhanced estimated user eye gaze is identified as the known gaze line of a matching eye image. |
| US09135504B2 |
Method and system using two parallel optical character recognition processes
A method and a system for providing a text-based representation of a portion of a working area to a user are provided. The method includes acquiring an image of the entire working area and performing a fast OCR process on at least a region of interest of the image corresponding to the portion of the working area, thereby rapidly obtaining an initial machine-encoded representation of the portion of the working area and immediately presenting it to the user as the text-based representation. Parallelly to the fast OCR process, a high-precision OCR process is performed on at least the region of interest of the image, thereby obtaining a high-precision machine-encoded representation of the portion of the working area. Upon completing the high-precision OCR process, the high-precision machine-encoded representation of the portion of the working area is presented to the user as the text-based representation, in replacement of the initial machine-encoded representation. |
| US09135496B2 |
Efficient texture comparison
A scannable object is sensed and scanned. A map is constructed based on the scan results. The map is compared to one or more stored templates. Results of the comparison are provided. In some implementations, a secured processor may construct the map and may provide reduced resolution (and/or other versions that contain less information) versions of the map and/or the stored templates to one or more other processors. The one or more other processors may determine a match-set based on matching between the reduced resolution map and stored templates. The secured processor may then identify whether or not a match exists between the map and any stored template based on the match-set. |
| US09135493B2 |
Graphic data alteration to enhance online privacy
A computer alters at least one recognizable metric or text in a digitally-encoded photographic image by operating an alteration algorithm in response to user input data while preserving an overall aesthetic quality of the image and obscuring an identity of at least one individual or geographic location appearing in the image. An altered digitally-encoded photographic image prepared by the altering of the at least one recognizable metric or text in the image is stored in a computer memory. User feedback and/or automatic analysis may be performed to define parameter values of the alteration algorithm such that the alteration process achieves preservation of aesthetic qualities while obscuring an identity of interest. |
| US09135490B1 |
Communication system, image pickup device, program, and communication method
A projector includes: a storage unit which stores data; a dividing unit which divides the data; an encoding unit which encodes each of the divided data and order information indicating an order of the data and thus generates a plurality of code images; and a projection unit which displays the plurality of code images at a first frame rate. A tablet terminal includes: an image pickup unit which sequentially picks up images of the plurality of code images displayed by the projection unit, at a second frame rate that is higher than the first frame rate; a decoding unit which extracts and decodes the code images from pickup images; and a combining unit which combines the data decoded by the decoding unit. |
| US09135489B2 |
System for decoding two dimensional code and method thereof
Method and system for decoding a two dimensional code is disclosed. In the binarization process of a two dimensional code image, through performing a dividing operation on the two dimensional code image, each block region has a different grayscale threshold. For each block region, whether a pixel in the block region is determined as black or white is not solely based on the grayscale value of the pixel itself, but also an average grayscale value of a predetermined area set for the block region where the pixel locates. When the predetermined area in which the block region locates has a larger grayscale value as a whole, the grayscale threshold corresponding to the block region may become larger, and vice versa. |
| US09135488B2 |
Customer facing imaging systems and methods for obtaining images
An imaging system for obtaining an image of a display of an electronic device presented by a presenter holding the electronic device includes a housing having an imaging subsystem disposed in the housing. The imaging subsystem includes an image sensor array and an imaging assembly operative for focusing an image of the display on the electronic device onto the image sensor array. A support includes a support surface and is operable for allowing the presenter to hold the electronic device against the support surface so that the display on the electronic device is positioned towards the imaging system while the image of the display is obtained. |
| US09135485B1 |
Barcode reader which obtains a RAM image from a remote server
A barcode reader for providing decoded data to a remote computing system includes barcode reading hardware, including an image sensor which captures an image of a barcode within a field of view and a communication interface for output of the decoded data to a remote computing system. The barcode reader also includes volatile memory, non-volatile memory comprising start-up instructions, and a processor. The processor is configured to, upon power-up of the barcode reader, execute the start-up instructions to obtain firmware for operating the barcode reader from a remote configuration server, load the firmware to the volatile memory, and commence execution of the firmware to commence barcode reading functions of the barcode reader without performing a re-boot operation. |
| US09135477B2 |
Radio frequency identification reader with illuminated field of view
A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for, and method of, reading an RFID tag to obtain data, includes an RFID module supported by a housing and including an antenna for propagating an electromagnetic field over a field of view, as well as an illuminator supported by the housing for visibly illuminating the field of view to enable an operator to see the illuminated field of view and whether the RFID tag is within the illuminated field of view. |
| US09135476B2 |
Method for producing an RFID transponder by etching
A method for producing a radio frequency identification transponder includes providing a conductive sheet covered by a mask layer, processing the mask layer by a laser beam so as to form an exposed portion of the conductive sheet, wherein the processing is carried out after a radio frequency identification chip has been attached to the conductive sheet, and etching the exposed portion so as to form a groove in the conductive sheet, wherein the groove defines an edge of an antenna element of the transponder. |
| US09135475B2 |
System and method for performing downhole stimulation operations
A system and method for performing stimulation operations at a wellsite having a subterranean formation with of a reservoir therein is provided. The method involves generating a plurality of quality indicators from a plurality of logs, and combining the plurality of quality indicators to form a composite quality indicator. The plurality of stress blocks may then be merged using diversion criterion. The composite quality indicator may be combined with the merged stress blocks to form a combined stress and composite quality indicator, the combined stress and composite quality indicator comprising a plurality of blocks with boundaries therebetween. The method may further comprise defining stages along the combined stress and composite quality indicator based on the diverter-assisted stage classifications; and selectively positioning perforations in select stages based on the diverter-assisted stage classifications thereon. |
| US09135472B2 |
Systems and methods for secure processing with embedded cryptographic unit
Processor system with a general purpose processor and a cryptographic processor dedicated to performing cryptographic operations and enforcing the security of critical security parameters. The cryptographic processor prevents exposure of critical security parameters outside the cryptographic processor itself, and instead implements a limited scripting engine, which can be used by the general purpose processor to execute operations that require the critical security parameters. |
| US09135470B2 |
Data security
In one embodiment, a method is provided that may include one or more operations. One of these operations may include, in response, at least in part, to a request to store input data in storage, encrypting, based least in part upon one or more keys, the input data to generate output data to store in the storage. The one or more keys may be authorized by a remote authority. Alternatively or additionally, another of these operations may include, in response, at least in part, to a request to retrieve the input data from the storage, decrypting, based at least in part upon the at least one key, the output data. Many modifications, variations, and alternatives are possible without departing from this embodiment. |
| US09135469B2 |
Information protection system
A method and a system to protect information are provided. For example, a system comprises a parser to parse user interface information to be included within a user interface to be displayed to a user by an information display application. The parser also identifies at least one field, within the user interface, to receive user information from a user. A detection module is provided to determine whether the user interface information is associated with fraudulent activity. A form fill module, in response to determining that the user interface is associated with fraudulent activity, provides a warning indicia in or over the at least one field, when the user interface is presented to a user by the display application. The form fill module may also disable the functionality of a user display application to automatically form fill the identified fields. |