| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09143135B2 |
Fractional frequency divider circuit
A fractional frequency divider circuit includes: a frequency divider circuit configured to frequency-divide an input clock at 1/CTSquo, wherein the CTSquo is a quotient of CTS/N; a clock addition circuit configured to add one clock to an output of the frequency divider circuit; a counter that counts the number of cycles of the output of the frequency divider circuit by a carry of the frequency divider circuit or an output of the clock addition circuit; a match detection circuit that determines whether an integer multiple of N/CTSrem matches a value of the counter, wherein the CTSrem is a remainder of CTS/N; and a selector circuit that outputs the output of the clock addition circuit as an output clock when the match is detected by the match detection circuit, and outputs the output of the frequency divider circuit as an output clock when the match is not detected. |
| US09143133B2 |
Output apparatus, output driver, and level shifting system
An output driver for driving a pad includes a pull-up circuit and a pull-down circuit. The pull-up circuit includes first, second and third first-type transistors. The first and second first-type transistors are commonly controlled by a first logic signal. The third first-type transistor is connected in parallel to the second first-type transistor. The pull-down circuit includes first, second and third second-type transistors. The first and second second-type transistors are commonly controlled by a second logic signal. The third second-type transistor is connected in parallel to the second second-type transistor. The pull-up circuit is configured such that a response speed of the first first-type transistor to the first logic signal is lower than that of the second first-type transistor to the first logic signal. |
| US09143118B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with power interruption detection and reset circuit
A control logic unit generates a control signal which is activated while a power supply normally operates. A charge circuit is connected to a first node on a voltage control line supplied with a voltage generated by a voltage generation circuit, so that its capacitive element is charged with electric charge. A first discharge circuit is connected to a charge storage node of the charge circuit and discharges the stored electric charge when the control signal is activated. A second discharge circuit discharges the first node when the charge storage node has a potential exceeding a predetermined potential. |
| US09143115B2 |
Delay compensation circuit
An integrated circuit includes a delay compensation circuit (221, 222) that further includes a terminal for receiving a varying signal from a circuit external to the integrated circuit; a sampler circuit that samples and holds a present value of the varying signal at each occurrence of a transition in a digital signal; an integrator, coupled to the sampler circuit, that integrates a voltage difference between a sample of the varying signal and a reference signal, and that outputs results of the integration, wherein a time constant of the integrator is greater than a period of the varying signal; a waveform generator that generates a decreasing voltage in response to a transition in a second digital signal; and a comparator that has one input terminal for receiving the decreasing voltage, an inverted input terminal for receiving the results, and an output terminal for outputting a signal that generates an output signal. |
| US09143110B2 |
Automatic gain control circuit
An automatic gain control circuit (5a) includes a peak detector circuit (10) that detects the peak voltage of the output signal from a variable gain amplifier (3), an average value detection and output amplitude setting circuit (11) that detects the average voltage of the output signals from the variable gain amplifier (3) and adds a voltage ½ the desired output amplitude of the variable gain amplifier (3) to the average voltage, and a high gain amplifier (12) that amplifies the difference between the output voltage of the peak detector circuit (10) and the output voltage of the average value detection and output amplitude setting circuit (11) and controls the gain of the variable gain amplifier (3) using the amplification result as a gain control signal. The peak detector circuit (10) includes transistors (Q1, Q2, Q3), a current source (I1), and a filter circuit. The filter circuit includes a series connection of a resistor (Ra) and a capacitor (C1). |
| US09143109B2 |
Wideband inductor-less balun-LNA with improved pickup noise rejection
An inductor-less balun low-noise amplifier (LNA) includes a cross-coupled network coupled between first and second input terminals and first and second summing nodes. The cross-coupled network may include: a first non-inverting gain stage coupled between the first input terminal and the first summing node; a first inverting gain stage coupled between the first input terminal and the second summing node; a second non-inverting gain stage coupled between the second input terminal and the second summing node; and a second inverting gain stage coupled between the second input terminal and the first summing node. The cross coupled network may be configurable to provide common-mode rejection when operated in a differential or in a single-ended mode of operation. |
| US09143104B2 |
Audio signal processing circuit, car audio apparatus using the same, audio component apparatus, electronic device and output audio signal generating method
An audio signal processing circuit includes a first amplifier to generate a first analog audio signal; a second amplifier to generate a second analog audio signal; an analog/digital converter to generate a first digital audio signal; a digital signal processing unit to output a second digital audio signal; a digital/analog converter to generate differential third analog audio signals; a third amplifier for inverting a positive signal of the third analog audio signals and adding it to a negative signal to generate a single-ended fourth analog audio signal; and a fourth amplifier to generate an output audio signal. |
| US09143103B2 |
Power amplifying device and transmitter
Certain embodiments provide a power amplifying device including: a distribution line which distributes power; a plurality of power amplifying elements; a connection line; an output line; a filter; a first directional coupler; and a second directional coupler. The power amplifying elements is provided at a stage subsequent to the distribution line. The connection line is provided at a stage subsequent to each of the power amplifying elements and combines outputs of the power amplifying elements. The output line is connected to the connection line. The filter is placed on the connection line or the output line. The first and second directional couplers are provided at a stage subsequent to the filter. The first directional coupler outputs the high frequency signal transmitted to the output line, to a RF monitor terminal. The second directional coupler outputs the high frequency signal transmitted to the output line, to a level detection detector. |
| US09143102B2 |
Operational amplifying circuit and liquid crystal panel drive device using the same
An operational amplifier circuit includes: a first differential amplifier section containing a P-type differential pair of P-type transistors; a second differential amplifier section containing an N-type differential pair of N-type transistors; an intermediate stage connected with outputs of the first and second differential amplifier sections and containing a first current mirror circuit of P-type transistors, and a second current mirror circuit of N-type transistors; and an output stage configured to amplify an output of the intermediate stage in power. The first differential amplifier section includes a first current source and a first capacitance between sources of the P-type transistors of the P-type differential pair and a positive side power supply voltage. The second differential amplifier section includes a second current source and a second capacitance between sources of the N-type transistors of the N-type differential pair and a negative side power supply voltage. |
| US09143100B2 |
Method and circuitry for multi-stage amplification
In an amplifier, a first stage receives a differential input voltage, which is formed by first and second input voltages, and outputs a first differential current in response thereto on first and second lines having respective first and second line voltages. A second stage receives the first and second line voltages and outputs a second differential current in response thereto on third and fourth lines having respective third and fourth line voltages. A transformer includes first and second coils. A first terminal of the first coil is coupled through a first resistor to the first line. A second terminal of the first coil is coupled through a second resistor to the second line. A first terminal of the second coil is coupled through a third resistor to the third line. A second terminal of the second coil is coupled through a fourth resistor to the fourth line. |
| US09143095B2 |
DC-DC converter and audio output unit
A DC-DC converter includes a first capacitor which can be charged by a power-supply voltage; a second capacitor that generates the output voltage using electric charge previously discharged by the first capacitor; a comparator that compares the output voltage with a reference voltage and outputs a comparison signal that shows whether the output voltage is below the reference voltage; multiple switches that switch to allow the first capacitor either to be charged or to discharge its charge to the second capacitor, and a controller that controls the switch timing of the multiple switches on the basis of the comparison signal. |
| US09143092B2 |
Fully capacitive coupled input choppers
A method of differential signal transfer from a differential input Vinp and Vinn having a common mode input voltage that can be higher than the power supply voltage by providing an input chopper having Vinp and Vinn as a differential input, providing an output chopper, capacitively coupling a differential output Voutp and Voutn of the input chopper to a differential input of the output chopper, capacitively coupling a clock to the input chopper and coupling the clock to the output chopper, the clock having a first phase and a second phase opposite from the first phase, the first phase being coupled to the gates of the first and second transistors and the second phase being coupled to the gates of the third and fourth transistors, and providing protection of the gates of the first through fourth transistors from excessive voltages. Various embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09143091B2 |
Distortion compensating apparatus, transmitter, distortion compensating method, and transfer function calculating method
An amplifier module is expressed by a model having a first filter that is a linear time-invariant filter for limiting the bandwidth of an input signal, an amplifier unit that amplifies a signal output from the first filter, and a second filter that is a linear time-invariant filter for limiting the bandwidth of a signal output from the amplifier unit. A memoryless amplifier unit calculates an output from the amplifier module when being memoryless, using AM-to-AM distortion and AM-to-PM distortion of the amplifier unit. A cross-correlation calculating unit calculates a correlation between the signal output from the amplifier module and the output calculated by the memoryless amplifier unit and calculates an estimate of a transfer function of the first filter and the second filter. A distortion compensating unit compensates the input signal based on the estimate of the transfer function and outputs the signal to the amplifier module. |
| US09143085B2 |
Frequency synthesizer architecture in a time-division duplex mode for a wireless device
A dual frequency synthesizer architecture for a wireless device operating in a time division duplex (TDD) mode is disclosed. In an exemplary design, the wireless device includes first and second frequency synthesizers. The first frequency synthesizer generates a first oscillator signal used to generate a first/receive local oscillator (LO) signal at an LO frequency for the receiver. The second frequency synthesizer generates a second oscillator signal used to generate a second/transmit LO signal at the same LO frequency for the transmitter. The two frequency synthesizers generate their oscillator signals to obtain receive and transmit LO signals at the same LO frequency when the wireless device operates in the TDD mode. |
| US09143080B2 |
Synthetic space vector modulation
A synthetic space vector modulation method and device for controlling a voltage source inverter and load is provided. The device and method comprise a variable frequency oscillator (VFO), a center-aligned pulse-train signal generator, a modulo-N counter, and a three-phase time division multiplexer. The VFO outputs a square wave to the modulo-N counter and a triangle wave of the same frequency to the center-aligned pulse-train signal generator, the outputs of the center-aligned pulse-train generator and the modulo-N counter are sent to the three-phase time division multiplexers, and after leaving the multiplexers, and before being sent to the VSI controller's load each positive and each negative output of the multiplexing phase is sent to a turn-on delay. The present innovation makes VSI controller acquisition and repair almost as simple as buying and repairing a transistor radio. |
| US09143076B2 |
Electric power control system and efficiency optimization process for polyphase synchronous machine
A system and process includes continuously determining an applied armature voltage supplied to a polyphase synchronous machine for which a maximum mechanical load is characterized by a pull-out torque. The armature voltage is supplied from a power source via one of many taps of a regulating transformer. The armature voltage being supplied from the power source to the machine is changed by selecting one of the voltage levels from the taps of the regulating transformer. The tap voltage levels are selected based on the determined applied armature voltage to minimize power consumption of the machine while ensuring based on a predetermined confidence level that the pullout torque of the machine will not be exceeded. |
| US09143073B2 |
Position control device for electric motor
Position control device for electric motor inputs deviation signal between angle command and angle detection value to position control section and calculates angular velocity command, inputs deviation signal between this angular velocity command and angular velocity detection value to speed control section and calculates torque current command, and controls, according to this torque current command, the electric motor current control section. The Position control device has disturbance observer section which inputs the torque current command and the angular velocity detection value and estimates signal corresponding to disturbance torque; rate-of-change limitation section which has limiter inputting disturbance observer output value by this disturbance observer section and performing rate-of-change limitation of upper and lower limit values of the angle command; and target value filter section which is configured by control gain equivalent to the speed control section and through which the angular velocity command from the position control section passes. |
| US09143069B2 |
Drive control device
A drive control device having: a storage circuit configured to store a reference rotational speed table; a drive signal generation circuit configured to output a drive signal to the direct current motor; and a control circuit. When an absolute value of a difference between a second rotational speed corresponding to a first rotational direction and a third rotational speed corresponding to a second rotational direction is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold, the control circuit creates separate rotational speed tables for the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction in which each rotational speed table indicates a relation between a rotational speed and an electric power amount per unit time, and determines an amount of electric power that is supplied to the direct current motor which corresponds to a designated rotational speed according to the rotational speed table selected in accordance with a designated rotational rotation. |
| US09143068B2 |
Estimating method for a rotor position of a motor and estimating device for the same
An estimating method for a rotor position of a motor and an estimating device for the same are disclosed herein. The estimating method includes injecting a first high frequency signal to the motor at a first estimating angle, generating a first sensing signal of the motor in a period when the first high frequency signal is injected to the motor, injecting a second high frequency signal to the motor at a second estimating angle, generating a second sensing signal of the motor in a period when the second high frequency signal is injected to the motor, determining a quadrant of an operating angle according to the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and acquiring the rotor position according to the first sensing signal, the second sensing signal, and the quadrant of the operating angle. |
| US09143067B2 |
Motor control device
A motor control device includes a feed-forward control unit configured to detect a change amount of any one of the target voltage, the applied voltage peak value, and the revolution number difference, which are a monitoring target. The control unit is also configured to manipulate an operation amount of a predetermined operation target on the basis of a magnitude of the change amount to correct the number of revolutions of the motor recognized by a controller. |
| US09143066B2 |
Permanent magnet motor with sinusoidal back-EMF waveform and related motor controller for position sensorless drives
A system includes a permanent magnet motor having a rotor and a stator. The rotor and the stator have a configuration that causes the motor to generate a back-electromagnetic force (EMF) waveform that is substantially sinusoidal. The system also includes a motor controller having a sliding-mode observer configured to identify the back-EMF waveform and a position observer configured to estimate at least one characteristic of the motor using the identified back-EMF waveform. The stator may include multiple teeth projecting towards the rotor and multiple conductive windings, where each conductive winding is wound around a single tooth. The rotor may include multiple magnetic poles, where each magnetic pole has a span of about 60° or less. The sliding-mode observer may be configured to receive current measurements associated with three-phase signals and voltage commands generated by the motor controller. The position observer may include a proportional-integral (PI) regulator. |
| US09143059B2 |
Vibration wave motor
Provided is a vibration wave motor including: a vibration member having an elastic body joined with a electric-mechanical energy converter; and a moving member contacting the vibration member, the vibration member and the moving member being annularly formed, the vibration wave motor frictionally driving the moving member by a motion generated at a contacting portion with the moving member of the vibration member upon application of an AC signal to the electric-mechanical energy converter. The vibration wave motor includes a centrifugal fan provided at an outer peripheral portion and/or an inner peripheral portion of a circular ring formed of the vibration member and the moving member, and the centrifugal fan rotates integrally with the moving member. |
| US09143057B1 |
Method and apparatus for controlling Q losses through force distributions
A microelectromechanical (MEMS) package including a compressive system preferentially directs external forces, towards the MEMS sensor in a manner that affects several components of the Quality Factor (Q) of the MEMS system. Relatively rigid materials (force transfer elements) are added or deposited in strategic places along any of the edges, faces or corners of a MEMS sensor, followed by the addition of material, which by virtue of the annealing process, applies a compressive stress to all objects encased therein. As a result, vibrational modes are affected due to changes in the effective mass and spring constants of the total MEMS apparatus system, dampening particular modes and stabilizing the MEMS transducer since such modes cannot be spuriously activated due to environmental changes. By attenuating, or at least causing them to be constant, the spurious modes and their absorption of vibrational energy are predictable over all operating conditions and thus amenable to electronic controls, e.g., electrical compensation. |
| US09143056B2 |
Stacked voltage source inverter with separate DC sources
A stacked voltage source inverter having separate DC sources is described herein. This inverter is applicable to low or medium voltage, low to medium power applications such as photovoltaic utility interface systems, battery storage application such as peak shaving with renewables, motor drive applications and for electric vehicle drive systems. The stacked inverter consists of at least one phase wherein each phase has a plurality of low voltage full bridge inverters equipped with an independent DC source. This inverter develops a near sinusoidal approximation voltage waveform with fast switching and small low pass AC output filter. A system controller controls operating parameters for each inverter. The inverter may have either single-phase or multi-phase embodiments connected in either wye or delta configurations. |
| US09143055B2 |
Cell interface
The present invention related to a cell interface. The cell interface includes four diode D1 to D4. A first terminal connected to a voltage terminal of first cell; a second terminal connected to a voltage terminal of second cell; and a third terminal connected to an external voltage terminal of an external electric circuit, another external voltage terminal connected to another voltage terminal of first cell and second cell. The cell interface can prevent from occurring loop current in parallel cell. |
| US09143054B2 |
Multilevel conversion circuit
In aspects of the invention, a multilevel conversion circuit can include a configuration for linking capacitors, including diodes, reverse-blocking semiconductor switches, and resistors, and a circuit for clamping the capacitor voltage at a specified voltage. Such a configuration can serve to reduce the number of capacitors that need detection of the voltages thereof and appropriate changing-over operation of semiconductor switches to control the capacitor voltage to a desired value. By way of aspects of the invention, desired voltages can be provided to the capacitors. |
| US09143052B2 |
Three-level unit inverter system
In aspects of the invention, each three-level inverter unit has an output current detector. The output from each detector is given to connection wires via a resistor, the connection wires connecting the inverter units. The voltage across the resistor is detected and the deviation, or increment, of the current value of the unit concerned from the average value is determined. The rising up edge of the ON pulses for the IGBT to be controlled is delayed, corresponding to the magnitude of the deviation. Thus, the output current is balanced between the inverter units. |
| US09143050B2 |
Voltage converting circuit and electronic device
A voltage converting circuit includes a plurality of first capacitors that are charged by a power source, a second capacitor, connected in parallel to the plurality of first capacitors, which is able to be charged to a voltage that is supplied to a load circuit, and a plurality of switching circuits, provided in such a way as to correspond to the plurality of first capacitors, each of which switches states of connection between its corresponding first capacitor and the second capacitor. The first capacitors are sequentially connected to the second capacitor through the corresponding switching circuits as charging voltages of the first capacitors reach a predetermined connection voltage that is higher than a charging voltage of the second capacitor so that the first capacitors are not short-circuited with each other. |
| US09143048B2 |
Power supply device and arc machining power supply device
A power supply device that is applicable to both 200 V and 400 V series input power by switching the operation of an auxiliary switching circuit with a switching switch. When a relatively large output is requested, PWM control is performed to adjust the on pulse width of a control pulse signal provided to switching elements of an inverter circuit and an auxiliary switching circuit, which is operated in cooperation with the inverter circuit. When a relatively small output is requested, PSM control is performed to adjusting a phase difference of two control pulse signals provided to the same set of switching elements in the inverter circuit. |
| US09143047B2 |
Loosely regulated feedback control for high efficiency isolated DC-DC converters
The improved DC-DC converter apparatus includes a primary side circuit and a secondary side circuit that is galvanically isolated from the primary. The primary side induces a voltage in the secondary side that provides an output voltage for driving POLs. A flux-control device measures the transformer primary side flux to control the primary side duty cycle, thereby loosely regulating the output voltage of the secondary side circuit. |
| US09143046B2 |
Device for avoiding hard switching in resonant converter and related method
A control device that controls a switching circuit and minimizes hard switching that occurs in the switching circuit of a half-bridge resonant converter having a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor. The control device is configured to turn the high-side and low-side transistor on and, so that a square-wave voltage is applied to a primary winding of a transformer. The controller starts the switching of the half-bridge converter by first turning on the low-side transistor for a first time period useful for pre-charging a bootstrap capacitor couplable to the middle point of the half-bridge, and then turning the low-side transistor and the high-side transistor off for a second time period that immediately follows and is longer than the first time period. |
| US09143038B2 |
Power supply apparatus and printing apparatus
The power supply includes a transformer for generating a first output voltage by a first secondary winding, and a superimposing voltage by a second secondary winding, and a driver. Furthermore, the circuit includes first and second rectifying and smoothing circuits for respectively rectifying and smoothing the first output voltage and superimposing voltage, and an adder for adding the rectified and smoothed superimposing voltage on the rectified and smoothed first output voltage to output a second output voltage. The first and second output voltages are fed back respectively by DC coupling, the fed-back first and second output voltages are respectively adjusted by first and second feedback factors, and the adjusted feedback components are combined and amplified to be applied to the driver for PWM-control. |
| US09143037B2 |
Control of multi-phase power coverters with capacitive energy transfer
An apparatus for power conversion comprises a voltage transformation element, a regulating element, and a controller; wherein, a period of the voltage transformation element is equal to a product of a coefficient and a period of the regulating circuit, and wherein the coefficient is selected from a group consisting of a positive integer and a reciprocal of said integer. |
| US09143034B2 |
DC-DC controller and multi-ramp signal operating method thereof
A DC-DC controller and a multi-ramp signal operating method thereof are provided. The DC-DC controller includes a ramp generating unit, a comparator, a logic circuit and a switch unit. The ramp generating unit generates a first interior-ramp signal and a second interior-ramp signal alternately. The logic circuit generates the first and second control signals according to a comparison signal of the comparator. The switch unit is configured to switch one of the first interior-ramp signal and the second interior-ramp signal alternately to a second terminal of the comparator according to the first and second control signals. When the second interior-ramp signal is switched to the comparator, the first interior-ramp signal is charged to a first voltage level by the ramp generating unit. In another switch procedure, the second interior-ramp signal is charged to a second voltage level by the ramp generating unit. |
| US09143029B2 |
System and method for power distribution
A direct current (DC) power distribution system is provided for an aircraft. The system includes a DC system bus configured to carry electrical power from a source of electrical power to a plurality of electrical loads. The electrical loads are onboard the aircraft. The DC system bus includes a load side. The system includes a plurality of power converter modules that are electrically coupled in series to the DC system bus on the load side of the DC system bus. The power converter modules are configured to be electrically attached to corresponding sub-sets of the electrical loads. At least one of the power converter modules is configured to be short circuited in response to a fault such that the at least one power converter module does not supply electrical power to the corresponding subset of the electrical loads. |
| US09143021B2 |
Dynamo-electric machine
A structure which enables highly accurate detection of the temperature of the stator windings of a dynamo-electric machine. A terminal base (12) integrated with a stator by resin molding is provided with: positioning sections (13, 14, 15) for three-phase stator windings (100, 101, 102); and a positioning section (16) for a thermistor (17). The positioning section (16) is disposed between the positioning sections (14, 15). The thermistor (17) is insert molded on the terminal base (12). |
| US09143019B2 |
Rotating electric machine
The rotating electric machine is configured in such a way that a surface of the heat sink, on which the cooling fins of the heat sink are formed, faces the housing; and a plate, which blocks the surface of the housing facing the heat sink and forms a wind passage between the heat sink and the plate, intervenes between the cooling fins and the surface of the housing facing the heat sink; and outside air is aspirated from an inlet formed on the protective cover, and then, the outside air is passed through the wind passage formed between the heat sink and the plate so as to be passed through a window formed on the housing, and is exhausted, by the cooling fan of the rotor, from an outlet formed on the housing. |
| US09143013B2 |
Rotor and motor
A rotor having an axial direction includes at least a pair of rotor cores arranged in the axial direction, and a field magnet located between the rotor cores and magnetized in the axial direction. Each of the rotor cores includes a plurality of claw poles extending in the axial direction. Each of the rotor cores includes a magnetic flux controlling section, which appropriately causes a magnetic flux to flow to the claw poles. |
| US09143011B2 |
Power receiving device and contactless power feeding system
A power receiving device includes a resonant coil, an electromagnetic coupling coil, a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit, a voltage converter circuit which converts a voltage value of DC power into another voltage value, a control circuit which obtains voltage and current values of the DC power input to the voltage converter circuit, calculates an impedance from the obtained voltage and current values, and generates a pulse width modulation signal for controlling an output voltage and an output current of the voltage converter circuit, and a load to which the output voltage and the output current of the voltage converter circuit are input. The duty ratio of the pulse width modulation signal is determined so that the impedance calculated by the control circuit becomes close to an impedance for the maximum efficiency in transferring the AC power. The power receiving device is included in a contactless power feeding system. |
| US09143010B2 |
Wireless power transmission system for selectively powering one or more of a plurality of receivers
A wireless power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention is a wireless power transmission system performing non-contact power transmission from a wireless power feeder selectively to a plurality of wireless power receivers, and each of the plurality of wireless power receivers comprises a power receive resonance circuit including a power receive coil and a power receive capacitor, and the wireless power feeder comprises a power feed coil and a control circuit supplying AC power to the power feed coil. The control circuit in the wireless power feeder performs power supply selectively to the plurality of wireless power receivers by changing frequency of the AC power on the basis of a magnetic field resonance effect between the power feed coil and the power receive coil. |
| US09143009B2 |
Method and apparatus to facilitate providing power to remote peripheral devices for use with a movable barrier operator system
Operating power (207 and/or 209) is wirelessly transmitted (101) within a movable barrier operator system (200) to at least one remote peripheral device (204) to thereby provide at least a portion of the remote peripheral device's instantaneous power consumption requirements. By these teachings, this remote peripheral device and the movable barrier operator for the movable barrier operator system are able to transmit information there between separate and apart from such wireless transmission of operating power. Such an exchange might comprise, for example, one or more separate wireless transmissions that are distinct and separate from the wireless power transmissions. |
| US09143007B2 |
Active power management architecture and managing method thereof
Disclosed in an active power management architecture, including a remote power management system having a database; a power distribution unit communicated with the remote power management system through an internal network; a plurality of electronic devices each includes a power supply unit; and a plurality of transmission cables respectively connected to the power distribution unit and the power supply units of the electronic devices for outputting power of the power distribution unit to the power supply units. The information of the power supply units is transmitted from the power supply units to the power distribution unit through the transmission cables in compliance with a power line communication protocol, and the power distribution unit is configured to transmit the information to the database, such that the remote power management system gives an instruction to the power distribution unit to control the power distribution unit and the power supply units. |
| US09142994B2 |
Method and circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell
The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a charge pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charging operation, measure a plurality of voltages of the battery which are in response to the first charge pulse, determine a charge pulse voltage (CPV) of the battery, wherein the charge pulse voltage is a peak voltage which is in response to the first charge pulse, determine whether the CPV of the battery is within a predetermined range or greater than a predetermined upper limit value and adapt one or more characteristics of a charge packet if the CPV is outside the predetermined range or is greater than a predetermined upper limit value. |
| US09142992B2 |
Battery with an internal microcontroller that draws different currents from the cells internal to the battery based on the temperature of the battery
A rechargeable battery with an internal microcontroller, a memory and a temperature sensor. The microcontroller draws a current from the cells internal to the battery used to power device to which the battery is attached. Normally, the microcontroller, is in a first operating mode in which the microcontroller draws a relatively low current. During these periods the temperature sensor generates a signal representative of the temperature of the battery. When the signal from the temperature sensor indicates the battery temperature exceeds a threshold temperature, the microcontroller enters a second operating mode in which the microcontroller draws a relatively high current. While in the second operating mode the microcontroller records in the memory data regarding the fact that the battery temperature exceeded the reference temperature and the amount of time the battery was at a temperature above the reference temperature. |
| US09142988B2 |
Workpiece detection mechanism
A workpiece detection mechanism may include a sensor part detecting the workpiece; a sensor amplifier part connected to the sensor part and processing a signal from the sensor part; a battery part supplying electric power to the sensor amplifier part; and a wireless transmitting part transmitting by wireless the signal from the sensor amplifier part to an outside of the vacuum chamber. The sensor part, the sensor amplifier part, the battery part and the wireless transmitting part may be provided in one end effector provided in the workpiece transfer mechanism and are not connected directly to any member other than the end effector. |
| US09142987B2 |
Battery module with converter and decoupling switch
A battery module and an arrangement including a number of battery modules connected in series are disclosed. An energy store has a positive and a negative connection. A boost converter has a first and a second converter output. The energy store is connected at the positive connection of the energy store to a first connection and at the negative connection of the energy store to a second connection. The first converter output is connected to a first compensation connection and the second converter output is connected to a second compensation connection. The converter is designed to draw energy from the energy store and to provide the energy to the converter outputs of the converter in the form of current. |
| US09142986B2 |
Coil unit, non-contact power transmitting apparatus, non-contact power receiving apparatus, vehicle, and non-contact power supply system
A coil unit includes a second resonance coil that has a plurality of unit coils and performs at least one of transmission and reception of electric power to and from a first resonance coil spaced apart from the second resonance coil via electromagnetic resonance with the first resonance coil. The directions of magnetic fields formed by the unit coils are the same. |
| US09142985B2 |
Battery charger for portable electronic equipment
There is offered a battery charger for a portable electronic device that has a simple structure and is capable of detecting that the portable electronic device is connected to the battery charger. A first power supply line is connected to a positive terminal (+) of a rechargeable battery, while a ground line is connected to a negative terminal (−) of the rechargeable battery. An output transistor is connected between the first power supply line and a second power supply line. The output transistor is connected to a Vbus terminal of a USB connector through the second power supply line. A controller outputs a voltage of an H level to the Vbus terminal to detect a change in a voltage at the Vbus terminal, and judges whether the portable electronic device is connected to the USB connector based on a result of the detection. The controller turns the output transistor on when the portable electronic device is judged to be connected to the USB connector. |
| US09142983B2 |
Battery protection IC and battery device
Provided are a battery protection IC and a battery device, which are capable of ensuring safety even when a charger is connected in a reverse direction. The battery protection IC includes a first switch element provided between an overcurrent detection terminal and a VDD terminal so that, when the charger is connected with reverse polarity, the first switch element interrupts a current path between the overcurrent detection terminal and the VDD terminal. The battery protection IC further includes a second switch element provided between a charge control terminal and the VDD terminal so that, when the charger is connected with reverse polarity, the second switch element interrupts a current path between the charge control terminal and the VDD terminal. |
| US09142979B2 |
Active balancing circuit for balancing battery units
A balancing circuit for balancing battery units includes balancing modules. Each of the balancing modules includes a first and a second switch unit, and a first and a second inductive device, wherein the first inductive device is coupled to the second inductive device. The balancing modules include a first and a second balancing module, respectively coupled to a first and a second battery unit of the battery units. The first inductive device of the first balancing module takes away an excess energy of the first battery unit according to a switch state of the first switch unit of the first balancing module, and stores an inductive energy corresponding to the excess energy in the second balancing module. The second inductive device of the second balancing module provides the inductive energy for the second battery unit according to a switch state of the second switch unit of the second balancing module. |
| US09142976B2 |
Wireless power transmission device
A wireless power transmission device includes a main body and a position-limiting plate. The main body includes a triggering button. The triggering button is located at a first side of the main body. The position-limiting plate is located at a second side of the main body and movable relative to the main body. When an electronic device is placed on the main body and contacted with the triggering button, the triggering button issues an enabling signal to the position-limiting plate. In response to the enabling signal, the position-limiting plate is moved toward the main body in order to fix the electronic device on the main body. In a case that an electric current provided to the triggering button is interrupted, the triggering button stops issuing the enabling signal. Consequently, the position-limiting plate is moved away from the main body and separated from the electronic device. |
| US09142971B2 |
Power distribution, management, and monitoring systems and methods
Managing electrical power usage in a power distribution system. Power usage data indicative of electrical current flow through electrical outlets in the system are collected and displayed for a user. The user may select an outlet and issue a command to control current flow through that outlet. Environmental data may also be collected and displayed. Outlets in different Cabinet Power Distribution Units (CDUs) in different locations may be clustered for reporting and control. A database structure provides a “system” table for data descriptive of the system, a “tower” table for data descriptive of outlets and other elements in the system, an “infeed” table for data descriptive of input electrical power, and an “outlet” table for data descriptive of electrical power flowing through the outlets. |
| US09142967B2 |
System for tracking and allocating renewable energy contributions to a modular renewable energy system
A modular photovolataic (PV) array system includes a PV array installed onto a fleet vehicle such as a trailer, bus etc., a host control system into which a plurality of fleet vehicles can connect to collectively generate electricity, and a subscriber system which collectively tracks energy generation and allocates respective contributions to the system. |
| US09142964B2 |
Electrical energy and distribution system
This invention concerns an electrical energy supply and distribution system. The system is able to handle both large centralized electricity generation plants, as well secondary energy sources which are becoming increasingly important. These sources may or may not be connected to deliver electrical energy to a 50 Hz AC power distribution grid. The system comprises a supply side where multiple electrical energy generators are connected via connections ports, involving conditioning circuitry, into a single DC electrical energy source. This energy source may be supplied to a common inverter system to convert it to AC for transmission on over a power grid. A rectifier may take the AC power from the grid and delivers it to loads. Whether an AC grid in involved or not, on the delivery side energy is delivered to multiple loads via connection ports involving conditioning circuitry. Any of the generators or loads may be taken offline or connected back into the system at will. |
| US09142963B2 |
Multilevel converter and a method for controlling multilevel converter including balancing cell voltages
A multilevel converter for controlling a multilevel converter is provided. The multilevel converter is a single phase converter with one phase leg, or a three phase converter with three phase legs, the phase legs of the three phase converter are interconnected in a star-configuration. The single phase converter with one phase leg, or each three phase converter with three phase legs, phase leg includes switching cells, and each switching cell includes semi-conductor switches arranged to selectively provide a connection to a corresponding energy storage element. The converter also includes a controller, which is provided to monitor the DC voltage of the energy storage elements, and the controller is provided to control the switching of each switching cell. The phase leg of the single phase converter, or each phase leg of the three phase converter, includes two parallel branches of switching cells, the branches being configured in a closed circuit. |
| US09142962B2 |
Wall box device for managing energy
An electronic device for managing energy is described. The electronic device includes a voltage sensor module that monitors a voltage waveform. The voltage sensor module includes discrete components. The electronic device includes a current sensor module that monitors a current waveform. The current sensor module includes discrete components. The electronic device is coupled to the voltage sensor module and to the current sensor module. The computing module determines a phase margin based on the voltage waveform and the current waveform. The electronic device includes a control module coupled to the computing module. The control module controls a load based on the voltage waveform, current waveform and phase margin. The control module includes discrete components. The voltage sensor module, the current sensor module, the computing module and the control module are housed within a wall box. |
| US09142961B1 |
Apparatus and method for communication over power lines
An apparatus and method are provided for communicating over power lines. The apparatus includes a coupling modem that is situated between a power line and a device. The coupling modem is configured to demodulate a signal received from the power line into a sine signal and a cosine signal. The coupling modem is also configured to modulate a communicated bit stream received from the device into a transmitted signal in order to impose the transmitted signal onto the power line. |
| US09142960B2 |
Constraint weighted regulation of DC/DC converters
A converter unit to improve overall recovered power in a photovoltaic array configuration. Each photovoltaic panel in the photovoltaic array may be coupled to a respective converter unit, which may include a controller to sense an output voltage and output current produced by the solar panel, and manage the output voltage of a corresponding power converter to optimize and regulate the resultant bus voltage to a point which reduces overall system losses, maintains a low loss condition, and removes series-string non-idealities when the panels are series connected. The controller may also adapt to output condition constraints. Instead of single-port regulation, a combination of input voltage and output voltage management and regulation may be performed within the converter. The source voltage and current characteristic may be shaped to correspond to an optimized power curve at the desired bus voltage to allow MPPT tracking according to the DC voltage bus. The optimized power curve may be tracked to hold the DC-bus voltage at the desired operating point. |
| US09142956B2 |
Multilevel power converter
Aspects of the invention are directed to a multilevel power converter the includes a DC power supply assembly having a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a zero terminal; a first semiconductor switch series circuit composed of first through sixth semiconductor switches connected in series between the positive terminal and the negative terminal. The converter can include a second semiconductor switch series circuit composed of a first bidirectional switch, seventh and eighth semiconductor switches, and a second bidirectional switch connected in series between the connection point of the first and second semiconductor switches and the connection point of the fifth and sixth semiconductor switches, a first capacitor connected in parallel with a series circuit of the third and fourth semiconductor switches and a second capacitor connected in parallel with the second semiconductor switch series circuit. |
| US09142955B2 |
Method and system for fault protection
Systems and methods for a fault protection are provided that can be implemented in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to limit the magnitude of a current that flows when an AC-to-chassis fault (ACF) occurs between an AC connection and the chassis of the HEV. An electric machine having a winding, an inverter sub-module (ISM) having a first switch and a second switch, and fault protection elements (FPEs), coupled to the ISM, are provided. The winding is coupled to the ISM coupled via the AC connection. The FPEs can include, for example, first and second inductances. To limit the magnitude of the current, the current can be passed along a first current path that includes the second inductance when the first switch is closed, and can be passed along a second current path that includes the first inductance when the second switch is closed. |
| US09142949B2 |
PTC device
The present invention provides a PTC device having a laminate which includes a PTC component having a laminar PTC element defined by main surfaces which are facing each other, laminar electrodes extending on the main surfaces, and a first insulation layer, the PTC component, and a second insulation layer laminated in this listed order. The laminate has a first end and a second end, and a first side electrode and a second side electrode are disposed on the first end and the second end, respectively; one of laminar electrodes of the PTC component extends while being separated from the first side electrode and the second side electrode; the other is separated from the first end, and extends to the second end and is electrically connected to the second side electrode. At least the first side electrode extends at the first end along an entirety of a thickness direction of the laminate and further extends on a first edge portion of one of the insulation layers; and the first edge portion has a through-hole which reaches the one laminar electrode. The through-hole has an electrically conductive element which electrically connects the one laminar electrode and the first side. |
| US09142947B2 |
Switching control circuit and switching power supply apparatus
In a switching control circuit, a length of a soft start period is set in accordance with a time constant of an external circuit connected to a soft start terminal of a switching control IC. A current flowing through a switching element is detected at a current detection terminal. When the value of the current exceeds a first predetermined current value, a second overcurrent protection function is performed, so that a switching operation is stopped. When the value of the current exceeds a second predetermined current value, a second overcurrent protection function is performed, so that the switching element is quickly turned off and a current peak value is limited. On the basis of a voltage at the soft start terminal after the soft start period has elapsed, one of the setting and non-setting of the first overcurrent protection function is selected. |
| US09142945B2 |
Electrical feed-through spacer and connectivity
An insulated glazing unit is provided. The unit includes a spacer frame separating a pair of substrates. The spacer frame has a length and a width transverse to the length. The unit further includes a conductive element passing through the width of the spacer frame. The unit further includes a first conductive component within the spacer frame. The first conductive component is in electrical communication with the conductive element. The conductive element is adapted for electrical communication with a second conductive component on a side of the width of the spacer frame opposite the first conductive component. |
| US09142942B2 |
Method for in situ multiple cable terminations
The method of attaching a pulling head to two or more wires or cables for installation in a conduit, comprising providing a first area for attaching the pulling head, placing two or more wire or cable supply spools on a first side of the first area, placing a receiving spool on the opposite or second side of the first area, feeding a portion of the wires or cables from the wire or cable supply spools onto the receiving spool, placing a terminating table in the first area below the wires or cables, cutting the wires or cables at staggered length from the receiving spool, stripping a portion of the covering from the wires or cables from the outer diameter of the two or more wires or cables, installing a connection onto each of the two or more wires or cables. |
| US09142938B2 |
Apparatus and method of establishing optical communication channels between a steerable array of laser emitters and an array of optical detectors
An array of light beam emitter sections comprises: a substrate having a surface divided into an array of sections; and a grouping of light emitters disposed at each surface section and configured to emit light beams at different emission angles with respect to the surface. Also disclosed is apparatus for establishing optical communication channels between the array of light beam emitter sections and an array of light detectors. Further disclosed is a method of establishing optical communication channels between the array of light emitter sections and the array of light detectors by mapping at least one light emitter of each grouping with a light detector of the detector array to establish optical communication channels between the arrays based on the mappings. |
| US09142934B2 |
Oxygen laser oscillator
The disclosed invention relates to a method of realizing an oxygen laser oscillator. The laser oscillator relating to one aspect of the invention is provided with a laser cavity consisting of a high-reflectivity mirror (108) and a partial-reflectivity output mirror (107), a singlet oxygen generator (105), a focusing optics (109), and a shutter (113). Singlet oxygen (O2(1Δg)) is supplied to the chamber (102A) which is pumped beforehand by a vacuum pump. In order to produce a laser oscillation, the shutter (113) is pulled out so that the radiation from O2(1Δg) goes back and forth inside the laser cavity. This causes a stimulated emission from O2(1Δg), and a pulsed laser is extracted from the output mirror (107). |
| US09142932B2 |
Socket connector with contact terminal having oxidation-retarding preparation adjacent to solder portion perfecting solder joint
An electrical connector having a fusible element for mounting on a substrate includes an insulative housing and a contact terminal retained in the insulative housing. The contact terminal includes a resilient contacting arm extending beyond a mating face of the insulative housing and a soldering portion for mating with the fusible element. A gelatinous flux is deployed on the fusible element, and/or on the soldering portion, and/or between the fusible element and the soldering portion, and then flux is dried to immovably fix the fusible element with respect to the soldering portion. The dried flux will be re-juvenile to clean and remove an oxidized layer originally existed on the soldering portion so as to achieve robust welding quality. Besides, a method for trimming an electrical connector to have robust welding properties is also disclosed. |
| US09142929B2 |
Socket
A socket includes a tubular frame body into which a base part of an electric lamp bulb is to be inserted, the frame body in which a terminal metal fitting to be electrically connected with the base part is to be provided, the frame body having a side wall formed with two slits and formed with an arm piece between the slits, the arm piece which has a first face to be opposed to the terminal metal fitting and a second face opposite to the first face, the side wall formed with a butting face, when the arm piece is deformed outward of the frame body, a part of the second face of the arm piece is in contact with the butting face. |
| US09142925B2 |
D-shaped connector
The present disclosure relates generally to connector plugs and jacks and in particular to an audio connector plug and jack that can be used in place of the a standard low profile plug and electronic devices using low profile plug receptacles. The connector plug has a reduced plug length and thickness, an intuitive insertion orientation and a smooth, consistent feel when inserted and extracted from its corresponding receptacle connector. A portion or all of the plug connector may include a flexible material that allows the connector to bend with respect to an insertion axis along which the plug connector is designed to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector. A corresponding connector jack may be configured to receive the reduced length and thickness connector plug. |
| US09142922B2 |
Connector assembly with improved cooling capability
A connector includes a cage that has two side walls, a top cover and a rear wall that are combined to form a hollow enclosure. The enclosure is separated into two module-receiving bays by at least one spacer with a top and bottom wall that extends between the sidewalls to form a central portion between a top and bottom bay, the central portion acting as an air passage between a front face and the sides of the connectors. Air openings are formed in the sidewalls of the cage assembly and they communicate with the central portion. The bottom wall of the spacer is provided with a large opening that extends a substantial distance of module-receiving bay and provides an air flow path from the air openings to the bottom module-receiving bay. An insert with apertures in communication with the central portion can be positioned. |
| US09142919B2 |
Incomplete fitting prevention connector
An incomplete fitting prevention connector includes a first connector, a second connector that is fitted to the first connector, and a connector position assurance lock that is slidably mounted to an outer side of the second connector. The first connector includes a male beak, a short spring and a terminal. The second connector includes a female lock passing over the male beak and a short-circuit removal plate part inserted between the short spring and the terminal. A draw-in slanted surface is formed at a leading end of the male beak, a restoring force for returning the female lock to its original position serves as a driving force for fitting the connector when the female lock reaches the draw-in slanted surface, and the insertion force of the short-circuit removal plate part applied between the short spring and the terminal is reduced. |
| US09142918B2 |
Card connector with ejector
A card connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a number of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing, a metal shield (3) covering the insulative housing for defining a receiving space (10), an ejector comprising an operating member (4), and an actuating member (5) actuated by the operating member. The actuating member includes a post (51) located in the insulative housing, a pivoting plate (52) pivotedly assembled on the post, and a torsion spring (50). The torsion spring has a helical portion (501) installed around the post, a first flexible beam (5021) retaining with the pivoting plate, and a second flexible beam (5022) secured with the operating member. |
| US09142912B1 |
Magnetic coupling systems
This patent pertains to magnetic coupling systems. One implementation includes magnetic jumper cables, which include magnetic couplers and elongate, insulated, electrically-isolated electric conductors. |
| US09142909B2 |
Weld connection protector cap
A weld cable connector system that includes a first terminal and a terminal protection system. The first terminal includes a first lock feature. The first terminal is configured to couple with a welding component and to conduct a welding power. The terminal protection system includes a cap, a base coupled to the first terminal, and a tether coupled to the base and to the cap. The cap includes a first mating lock feature. The cap is configured to removably couple with the first terminal in a first locking position to separate the first terminal from an external environment. The first mating lock feature is configured to interface with the first lock feature. |
| US09142907B2 |
Electrical connection system
An electrical connection system configured to terminate electrical connectors and to transmit digital electrical signals having a data transfer rate of 5 Gigabits per second (Gb/s) or higher. The system includes a first parallel mirrored pair of terminals having a planar connection portion and a second pair of parallel mirrored terminals having a cantilever beam portion and a contact points configured to contact the first terminals. The cantilever beam portions are generally perpendicular to the planar connection portions. The terminals cooperate to provide consistent characteristic impedance. The connection system further includes an electromagnetic shield that longitudinally surrounds the terminals. The connection system is suited for terminating wire cables transmitting digital signals using data transfer protocols such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) 3.0 and High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 1.3. |
| US09142902B2 |
Electrical terminal assembly
An electrical terminal assembly includes a base having a body including a first end and a second end. First and second opposed base beams extend from the first end of the body in a first direction. A spring clamp has a clamp base and first and second opposed spring beams extending from the clamp base in the first direction and disposed over the first and second base beams biasing the first and second base beams toward one another. The body of the base is configured to permit the spring clamp to be inserted onto the base in a second direction normal the first direction. |
| US09142900B1 |
Operating fuse deflector
Shields or deflectors are supported on fuse barrels and positioned to protect power linemen and other electrical workers on high voltage distribution lines against injuries resulting from the ejection of sparks and fuse debris that occurs when a fuse melts or operates due to excessively high electrical currents, by securing the deflectors on the fuse barrels in a position immediately below the fuse barrels where the deflectors can effectively direct the dangerous materials away from the workers. |
| US09142899B2 |
Apparatus and methods for powering motor control centers using backfeed modules
A power backfeed apparatus includes a housing configured be removably positioned in a compartment of a motor control center (MCC), a contact assembly supported by the housing and comprising at least one contact configured to face a corresponding at least one power conductor of the MCC when the housing is disposed in the compartment and a power cable connector supported by the housing and configured to support connection of an external power cable thereto when the housing is disposed in the compartment, the power cable connector configured to be electrically coupled to the at least one contact of the contact assembly. A contact engagement mechanism forces the at least one contact into contact with the at least one power conductor to electrically couple the at least one contact and the at least one power conductor. |
| US09142897B2 |
Connector
A connector is attachable to an object and connectable to a card inserted rearward. The connector has a predetermined portion which is located at a position same as that of an upper surface of the object. The connector comprises a housing and a contact. The contact has a held portion and a spring portion. The held portion is held by the housing. The spring portion has a contact portion and a guide portion. The contact portion is located forward of the held portion. The guide portion is located forward of the contact portion. When the card is inserted in the connector, the contact portion is brought into contact with the card. In the meantime, the guide portion is moved downward without being brought into contact with any part of the connector, and at least a part of the guide portion is located below the predetermined portion. |
| US09142891B2 |
Man-made composite material and man-made composite material antenna
The present invention relates to a man-made composite material and a man-made composite material antenna. The man-made composite material is disposed in a propagation direction of a plane electromagnetic wave and convert it into a spherical wave. Reverse extensions of the spherical wave intersect at a virtual focus. A line connecting the virtual focus to a point on the second surface of the man-made composite material and a line perpendicular to the man-made composite material form an angle θ therebetween, which uniquely corresponds to a curved surface in the man-made composite material. A set formed by points having the same angle θ forms a boundary of the curved surface to which the angle θ uniquely corresponds. Each point on the curved surface to which the angle θ uniquely corresponds has a same refractive index. Refractive indices of the man-made composite material increase gradually as the angle θ increases. |
| US09142885B2 |
Wireless communication modules with reduced impedance mismatch
A wireless communication module is disclosed. A circuit board includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a third sidewall. The second sidewall is perpendicular to and connected between the first and third sidewalls. Multiple interlayer traces are formed in the circuit board. An antenna integrated circuit is disposed on the second sidewall of the circuit board and is connected to the interlayer traces. An antenna is formed on the first sidewall of the circuit board. One of the interlayer traces is connected between the antenna integrated circuit and the antenna. At least one external solder pad is formed on the third sidewall of the circuit board. Another one of the interlayer traces is connected between the antenna integrated circuit and the external solder pad. |
| US09142883B2 |
Film-like member and attaching method thereof
An attaching method of attaching a film-like member shaped like a plane face to a member having a surface shaped like a curved face including a first step of determining, by an analysis, a region where stress higher than that in a case where the film-like member is shaped like the plane face is generated when the film-like member is attached to the member shaped like the curved face, a second step of forming a slit at the region where the stress higher than that in the case where the film-like member is shaped like the plane face is generated, and a third step of attaching the film-like member having the formed slit to the member having the surface shaped like the curved face. |
| US09142882B2 |
Adjustable spiral antenna for portable use
A spiral, helical antenna is configured to produce a generally circular polarized radiation pattern covering a range of frequencies, over a ground plane. The antenna is comprised of a spring-like spiral conductor that may be held in compression by a size and shape regulating outer nonconductive membrane. The assembly may be compressed and or extended to adjust the antenna for best performance in a particular situation. The assembly may be compressed into a generally flattened state for storage and or transportation, and extended at a later time for use. Accurate antenna dimensions and good performance are afforded by the use of high quality spring materials in conjunction with precise membrane dimensions. |
| US09142881B1 |
RFID tag circuits with floating differential inputs
An Integrated Circuit (IC) for an RFID tag and a tag including such an IC are provided where the IC includes at least two rectifiers and two antenna ports for connecting to two respective antennas with at least three of the four antenna terminals not sharing a reference potential of the IC. According to other embodiments, the antenna ports are also electrically isolated from each other. |
| US09142879B2 |
Wireless electronic devices with a metal perimeter including a plurality of antennas
Wireless electronic devices may include a ground plane and a metal perimeter around the ground plane. The metal perimeter may include a plurality of antennas and may provide a front surface and/or edge surfaces of the wireless electronic devices. |
| US09142878B2 |
Antenna and portable wireless terminal
An antenna includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element. The second antenna element is placed between the first antenna element and the third antenna element. A first connecting end, a second connecting end, and a third connecting end are each placed in a position that is closer to a third apical end than to a first apical end. Thus, even in the case of an antenna including three antenna element that are used for an identical system, the antenna can be provided with a suppressed difference in radiation efficiency among frequency bands to which the antenna elements respectively correspond. |
| US09142875B2 |
Antenna having linear array antenna unit
An antenna may include a linear array antenna unit, a first switch, and a second switch. The linear array antenna unit may be configured to include a plurality of cable elements linearly arranged and coupled to each other. The first switch may include one end coupled to a ground and another end coupled to at least one of the plurality of cable elements of the linear array antenna unit. The second switch may include one end coupled to a power feed point and another end coupled to at least one of the plurality of cable elements. The plurality of cable elements of the linear array antenna unit may form one of a first antenna structure and a second antenna structure according to the switching operations of the first and second switches. |
| US09142874B2 |
Wireless device
The present invention discloses a wireless device. The wireless device includes a housing, formed by a metal material, a wireless module disposed inside the housing, and an antenna, disposed outside the housing, coupled to the wireless module via a external socket interface disposed on the housing, for transmitting and receiving signals corresponding to the wireless module. |
| US09142871B2 |
Inner connecting element of a cavity power divider, cavity power divider and manufacturing method thereof
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an inner connecting element of a cavity power divider, the cavity power divider and a manufacturing method thereof. Two ends of the inner connecting element of the cavity power divider are respectively an input end and an output end, and the inner connecting element of the cavity power divider is in a sheet form. The cavity power divider comprises a cavity and at least three connectors. The cavity is provided with one connector at an input end thereof and with at least two connectors at an output end thereof. The connecting element is included in the cavity, with the input end and the output end of the connecting element being connected respectively with the connectors at the input end and the output end of the cavity. |
| US09142870B2 |
Voltage tuning of microwave magnetic devices using magnetoelectric transducers
Tunable microwave magnetic devices that provide increased performance with reduced size, weight, and cost. The disclosed microwave magnetic devices are voltage-tunable devices that include ferrite substrates. To tune the devices, the magnetic permeability of the respective ferrite substrates is varied by external, voltage-tuned, magnetic fringe fields created by one or more magnetoelectric (ME) transducers. |
| US09142866B2 |
Method for rapid battery exchange in electric vehicles
A system and method for the rapid exchange of batteries in an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle contains a removable battery housed in the vehicle's undercarriage. The electric vehicle moves through the exchange system either by propelling itself or by being propelled by the system. As the vehicle is propelled forward, the removable battery within the vehicle is unlocked from the vehicle and replaced with a charged battery. The charged battery forces the removable battery out of the rear of the vehicle as the vehicle moves forward through the exchange. The vehicle remains powered throughout the exchange process. Once the charged battery is aligned in position under the vehicle and connected to the vehicle through corresponding contacts, the charged battery is located into place in the vehicle's undercarriage and the vehicle is ready for additional driving. |
| US09142862B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly, a nonaqueous electrolyte, and a container. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The negative electrode is opposed to the positive electrode. The separator is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The container houses the electrode assembly and the nonaqueous electrolyte. The container has a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal. The positive electrode terminal is electrically connected to the positive electrode. The negative electrode terminal is electrically connected to the negative electrode. The container further includes a short-circuiting mechanism that short-circuits the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal if the internal pressure rises. The nonaqueous electrolyte contains lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB). |
| US09142857B2 |
Apparatus for harvesting and storing piezoelectric energy and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed are an apparatus for harvesting/storing piezoelectric energy, including: a substrate having a groove at a side thereon; a piezoelectric MEMS cantilever having an end fixed to the substrate and the other end floating above the groove, and configured to convert and store an external vibration into electric energy; and a mass formed at one end of the piezoelectric MEMS cantilever and configured to apply a vibration, and a manufacturing method thereof. |
| US09142849B2 |
Pump assembly for a fuel cell system
A pump assembly including a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes a fluid conduit; an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit; an outlet fluidly coupled to a reaction chamber and the fluid conduit; and a diaphragm, defining a portion of the fluid conduit, that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm preferably includes an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping. The second subassembly is couplable to the first subassembly, and is fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant. The second subassembly includes an actuator that couples to the actuation point, wherein operation of the actuator causes pumping action. |
| US09142848B2 |
Fuel cell vehicle and method of controlling fuel cell and storage battery provided in the fuel cell vehicle
A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell, a storage battery, a fuel-cell-output-controller, and a remaining-capacity-detector. An output of the fuel cell is supplied to a load. An output of the storage battery is supplied to the load. The fuel-cell-output-controller is configured to control the output of the fuel cell. The remaining-capacity-detector is configured to detect a current remaining capacity in the storage battery. The fuel-cell-output-controller is configured to determine and control a reference output value for the output of the fuel cell in accordance with a change in the current remaining capacity in the storage battery, and configured to increase the reference output value as an output of the load becomes higher referring to a state of the output of the load for a specific period of time. |
| US09142846B2 |
Fuel cell system and fuel cell activation method
Whether a gas leakage occurs or not is accurately determined in a simple configuration. When receiving a request for activation of a fuel cell, a control unit opens a main shutoff valve to start hydrogen gas supply from a hydrogen tank to the fuel cell. The control unit thereafter performs gas leakage determination processing for a hydrogen piping system. If it is determined in the gas leakage determination processing that a gas leakage occurs, a gas leakage alert is output to stop the activation of the fuel cell. If it is determined in the gas leakage determination processing that a gas leakage does not occur, a compressor is activated to start oxidant gas supply to the fuel cell, and the fuel cell continues being operated. |
| US09142845B2 |
Solid oxide fuel cell stack heat treatment methods and apparatus
Systems and methods are provided for fuel cell stack heat treatment. An eductor may be used to recycle air into the air inlet stream or to recycle fuel into the fuel inlet stream. An eductor may also be used to exhaust air away from the furnace. The stack heat treatment may include stack sintering or conditioning. The conditioning may be conducted without using externally supplied hydrogen. |
| US09142841B2 |
Micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell arrangement
A micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell arrangement includes two micro-tubular elements having a tubular inner electrode, covered on its outer surface with an electrolyte, the electrolyte being covered on its outer surface with a tubular outer electrode; and a connection element arranged between the micro-tubular elements for connecting one end of one micro-tubular element to one end of the other micro-tubular element, where the micro-tubular element has a first end portion with an inner cone arranged in the tubular inner electrode and a second end portion with an outer cone arranged in the tubular outer electrode, where the connection element comprises a metallic interconnector plate having a first side and an opposite second side, where the plate is provided with at least one hole; a first metallic connector on the first side and arranged around the hole and a second metallic connector on the second side and arranged around the hole. |
| US09142840B2 |
Method of reducing tabbing volume required for external connections
Various embodiments are described herein for an electrode assembly for a stacked-cell battery. The electrode assembly comprises a first active material layer; a first current collector layer adjacent to and in electrical contact with an outer surface of the first active material layer; a tab element having an end lead portion and a second lead portion, the end lead portion being in electrical contact with at least one of the first active material layer and the first current collector layer, and the second lead portion extending away from the end lead portion and being substantially adjacent to a surface of at least one of the first active material layer and the first current collector layer and is adapted to provide an electrical connection to the electrode assembly; and an insulative layer covering an inner contact area of the second lead portion to electrically insulate this portion of the tab element. |
| US09142830B2 |
Phase separated silicon-tin composite as negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries
A composite of silicon and tin is prepared as a negative electrode composition with increased lithium insertion capacity and durability for use with a metal current collector in cells of a lithium-ion battery. This electrode material is formed such that the silicon is present as a distinct amorphous phase in a matrix phase of crystalline tin. While the tin phase provides electron conductivity, both phases accommodate the insertion and extraction of lithium in the operation of the cell and both phases interact in minimizing mechanical damage to the material as the cell experiences repeated charge and discharge cycles. In general, roughly equal atomic proportions of the tin and silicon are used in forming the phase separated composite electrode material. |
| US09142829B2 |
Passive safety device and internal short tested method for energy storage cells and systems
A passive safety device for an energy storage cell for positioning between two electrically conductive layers of the energy storage cell. The safety device also comprising a separator and a non-conductive layer. A first electrically conductive material is provided on the non-conductive layer. A first opening is formed through the separator between the first electrically conductive material and one of the electrically conductive layers of the energy storage device. A second electrically conductive material is provided adjacent the first electrically conductive material on the non-conductive layer, wherein a space is formed on the non-conductive layer between the first and second electrically conductive materials. A second opening is formed through the non-conductive layer between the second electrically conductive material and another of the electrically conductive layers of the energy storage device. The first and second electrically conductive materials combine and exit at least partially through the first and second openings to connect the two electrically conductive layers of the energy storage device at a predetermined temperature. |
| US09142827B2 |
Rechargeable battery having desirable safety performance
The present application provides a rechargeable battery including a battery case and a battery cap coupled to the battery case. The battery cap includes a conductive cap plate; a first electrode electrically connected to the cap plate; a second electrode insulatively connected to the cap plate, the second electrode being in electrical connection with one end of a conductive plate for securing the second electrode to the conductive cap plate; and a conductive turnover component in electrical connection with the conductive cap plate, the turnover component being initially separated from the conductive plate and capable deforming to contact other end of the conductive plate due to high pressure in the battery case, so as to short-circuit the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US09142825B2 |
Electrode lead comprising protection layer for anti-corrosion and secondary battery comprising the same
Provided are an electrode lead of a secondary battery where a protection layer for anti-corrosion is selectively formed at an electrode lead portion at the cell outside and a secondary battery including the same. Since a protection layer for anti-corrosion is selectively formed only on an electrode lead portion at the cell outside, the corrosion of the electrode lead may be prevented from an external environment and the resistance of a cell may be reduced simultaneously. |
| US09142822B2 |
Core pack manufacturing apparatus
A core pack manufacturing apparatus for preventing or substantially preventing an iron from contacting a cell or a protective circuit part in a process of soldering a connection tab of the cell to a connection terminal of the protective circuit part. A core pack manufacturing apparatus for soldering a connection tab connected to a cell to a connection terminal of a protective circuit part includes a cap including a first cover configured to cover the cell, and a second cover extending from a side of the first cover and configured to cover the protective circuit part, the second cover having an opening part configured to expose the connection tab and the connection terminal through the second cover for soldering. |
| US09142811B2 |
Current collector having built-in sealing means, and bipolar battery including such a collector
In lithium bipolar batteries, to improve sealing against electrolytes between adjacent electrochemical cells, mixed current collector-electrode supports are produced, in a form of a metal grate or raised metal sheet housed in a strip made of electrical insulator material, the function of the periphery of which is to constitute a sealing area. |
| US09142807B2 |
Method for manufacturing flexible OLED (organic light emitting display) panel
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an OLED panel. The method is simple and fixes a first substrate and a flexible material layer together by forming a support layer on the first substrate and forming, through etching, a groove in the support layer and coating UV resin in the groove so as to obtain a flexible material layer that is flat, operable, and not prone to deformation. After the formation of an OLED element, the portion outside an area delimited by the groove is trimmed off and the first substrate and the flexible material layer are separated to obtain a flexible OLED panel. This method allows for automation and does not cause damage to the components. |
| US09142806B2 |
Mask and method for forming the same
A mask is disclosed. The mask includes at least one support base having at least one opening formed therein, where at least a portion of the boundary of the opening is tapered. The mask also includes at least one positioning layer disposed on the at least one support base, where at least one through opening corresponding to and aligned with the at least one opening is formed in the at least one positioning layer. In addition, at least a portion of the boundary of the through opening is tapered. |
| US09142805B2 |
Method of manufacturing organic light emitting display panel
A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display panel forming a protective insulating film in a luminescent region without causing defects in a pattern is disclosed. The method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display panel includes forming a substrate having a luminescent region and a pad region, simultaneously forming a light emitting cell in the luminescent region and an organic pattern in the pad region, forming a protective insulating film over the substrate, bonding the substrate provided with the protective insulating film and the sealing substrate using an adhesive film formed in a region corresponding to the luminescent region, cutting the bonded substrate provided with the protective insulating film and the sealing substrate into a plurality of unit panels to expose the pad region, and removing the protective insulating film and the organic pattern in the exposed pad region. |
| US09142802B2 |
Display device
Provided is a display device that even in the case where microlenses are formed to increase the light extraction efficiency, can decrease damage on an OLED caused by the production of the microlenses. The display device includes a first substrate; light emitting elements provided on the first substrate and located in correspondence with pixels arrayed in a matrix; a second substrate; a light collection layer provided on the second substrate and including, on the side facing the light emitting elements, at least one convex lens in correspondence with each of the pixels; and a light-transmissive layer that is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate so as to be in contact with the lens and has a refractive index lower than that of the light collection layer. |
| US09142800B2 |
Substrate glass for LEDs with layer containing scattering particles and method for production thereof
A composite material for LED's is provided. The composite material has a coating comprising scattering particles with an index of refraction greater than 1.6. |
| US09142798B2 |
Package of environmental sensitive electronic element
A package of an environmental sensitive electronic element including a first substrate, a second substrate, an environmental sensitive electronic element, a flexible structure layer and a filler layer is provided. The environmental sensitive electronic element is disposed on the first substrate and located between the first substrate and the second substrate. The environmental sensitive electronic element includes an anode layer, a hole injecting layer, a hole transporting layer, an organic light emitting layer, a cathode layer and an electron injection layer. The flexible structure layer is disposed on the environmental sensitive electronic element and includes a soft layer, a trapping layer and a protective layer. The material of the trapping layer is the same as the material of the electron injection layer. The filler layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and encapsulates the environmental sensitive electronic element and the flexible structure layer. |
| US09142794B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device
Disclosed is a light-emitting element with a good carrier balance and manufacturing method thereof which does not require the formation of the heterostructure. The light-emitting element includes an organic compound film containing a first organic compound as the main component (base material) between an anode and a cathode, wherein the organic compound film is provided in contact with the anode and with the cathode. The first organic compound further includes a light-emitting region to which a light-emitting substance is added and includes a hole-transport region to which a hole-trapping substance is added and/or an electron-transport region to which an electron-trapping substance is added. The hole-transport region is located between the light-emitting region and the anode, and the electron-transport region is located between the light-emitting region and the cathode. |
| US09142792B2 |
Organic electronic devices comprising a layer comprising at least one metal organic compound and at least one metal oxide
The present invention relates to an organic electronic device including a first electrode, a second electrode and a first organic layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first organic layer comprises at least one metal organic compound and at least one metal oxide. The present invention further relates to an apparatus comprising the organic electronic device according to the present invention. |
| US09142788B2 |
Host materials for OLEDs
Novel aryl silicon and aryl germanium host materials, and in particular host materials containing triphenylene and pyrene fragments, are described. These compounds improve OLED device performance when used as hosts in the emissive layer of the OLED. |
| US09142786B2 |
Phosphorescent materials
Phosphorescent materials and devices, having high device efficiency, stability, and processability are disclosed. The compounds are specific embodiments of an iridium complex, having the following structure: In the compounds of Formula I, n is 2, X—Y is acetylacetonate, R1 is hydrogen or alkyl, R2 is hydrogen, and at least one R3 is alkyl. |
| US09142785B2 |
Organic electroluminescent element
Provided is an organic electroluminescent device (organic EL device) that is improved in luminous efficiency, sufficiently secures driving stability, and has a simple construction. The organic electroluminescent device includes an organic layer including a light-emitting layer between an anode and cathode laminated on a substrate, and at least one layer of the organic layer contains a carbazole compound represented by the following formula (1). It is advantageous to incorporate the carbazole compound as a host material into the light-emitting layer. In the formula (1), A represents a direct bond or an n-valent group, E represents oxygen or sulfur, and n represents an integer of 2 to 4. |
| US09142784B2 |
Highly efficient carbazole-based compound, and organic electroluminescence device comprising same
The present invention relates to a highly efficient carbazole-based compound and to an organic electroluminescence device including the same. According to the present invention, provided are a compound for an organic electroluminescence device and an organic electroluminescence device including the compound, in which a carbazole-based phosphine oxide compound, which is a compound intended for an organic electroluminescence device, is employed to overcome the problems of conventional compounds for organic electroluminescence devices, i.e. those of instable thermal stability and low efficiency, and particularly, the compound of the present invention exhibits superior efficiency in pure-blue phosphorescent devices. |
| US09142783B2 |
Light emitting element and light emitting device
One object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting element that includes an organic compound and an inorganic compound and has low driving voltage. The light emitting element of the invention includes a plurality of layers between a pair of electrodes, wherein the plurality of layers includes a layer that contains a carbazole derivative represented by a general formula (1) and an inorganic compound exhibiting an electron accepting property with respect to the carbazole derivative. By utilizing this structure, electrons are transported between the carbazole derivative and the inorganic compound and carriers are internally generated, and hence, the driving voltage of the light emitting element can be reduced. |
| US09142782B2 |
Organic light-emitting material, device and method
Composition having an organic semiconducting material and a triplet-accepting material of formula (I) with a triplet energy level lower than the triplet energy level of the organic semiconducting material, in which each Ar is optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group, n is 1-3, m is 1-5, q is 0 or 1, each R3 is H or a substituent, and each R4 is H or a substituent. Where R4 is not H, R4 and (Ar)m bound to the same carbon atom may be linked by a direct bond or a divalent group. Where n or m is at least 2, adjacent Ar groups may be linked by a divalent group. Where q=0, R3 is not H and is linked to (Ar)n by a direct bond or a divalent group. |
| US09142781B2 |
Compound for organic electronic device
The present invention relates to new naphthalene carbodiimide (NTCDI) derivatives, and organic electronic device using the same and especially to an organic solar cell. The new NTCDI derivatives are used as acceptor, electron transport material, and doped electron transport materials. |
| US09142780B2 |
Display device and method for manufacturing the same
A display device includes a substrate, a first conductive film pattern including a gate electrode and a first capacitor electrode on the substrate, a gate insulating layer pattern on the first conductive film pattern, a polycrystalline silicon film pattern including an active layer and a second capacitor electrode on the gate insulating layer pattern, an interlayer insulating layer on the polycrystalline silicon film pattern, a plurality of first contact holes through the gate insulating layer pattern and the interlayer insulating layer to expose a portion of the first conductive film pattern, a plurality of second contact holes through the interlayer insulating layer to expose a portion of the polycrystalline silicon film pattern, and a second conductive film pattern including a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a pixel electrode on the interlayer insulating layer. |
| US09142772B2 |
Resistive memory device, method of fabricating the same, and memory apparatus and data processing system having the same
A resistive memory device capable of implementing a multi-level cell, a method of fabricating the same, and a memory apparatus and data processing system including the same are provided. The resistive memory device includes a lower electrode, a first phase-change material layer formed over the lower electrode, a second phase-change material layer formed to surround an outer sidewall of the first phase-change material layer, and an upper electrode formed over the first phase-change material layer and the second phase-change material layer. |
| US09142771B2 |
Superlattice phase change memory device
According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a stacked film stacked in a superlattice structure. The stacked film includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer different in composition. The first layer is provided between the second layer and the third layer. The second layer includes a first atom reversibly moved by application of energy. The third layer includes a second atom reversibly moved by application of energy. The second atom is different from the first atom. |
| US09142770B2 |
Resistive RAM devices and methods
The present disclosure includes a high density resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, as well as methods of fabricating a high density RRAM device. One method of forming an RRAM device includes forming a resistive element having a metal-metal oxide interface. Forming the resistive element includes forming an insulative material over the first electrode, and forming a via in the insulative material. The via is conformally filled with a metal material, and the metal material is planarized to within the via. A portion of the metal material within the via is selectively treated to create a metal-metal oxide interface within the via. A second electrode is formed over the resistive element. |
| US09142766B2 |
Memory cells containing metal oxides
Some embodiments include memory cells which have first and second metal oxides between first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes include metal. The first metal oxide has at least two regions which differ in oxygen concentration relative to one another. One of the regions is a first region and another is a second region. The first region is closer to the first electrode than the second region and has a greater oxygen concentration than the second region. The first metal oxide includes one or both of hafnium oxide and zirconium oxide. The second metal oxide is directly against the first metal oxide and includes a different metal than the first metal oxide. There is a substantially linear continuous oxygen-concentration gradient extending across an entirety of the first metal oxide. |
| US09142764B1 |
Methods of forming embedded resistors for resistive random access memory cells
Provided are memory cells including resistive switching layers having silicon, oxygen, and nitrogen as well as embedded resistor layers having a metal, silicon, and nitrogen. In some embodiments, silicon may be partially or completely replaced with aluminum. The embedded resistor may also have oxygen. A resistive switching layer directly interfaces an embedded resistor layer of the same cell. A portion of each layer forming this interface may be formed substantially of silicon nitride and may be formed in the same deposition chamber without breaking vacuum. For example, these portions may be formed by sequential atomic layer deposition cycles. However, silicon concentrations in these portions may be different. Specifically, the silicon concentration of the embedded resistor portion may be less than the silicon concentration of the resistive switching layer portion. This variation may be achieved by varying one or more process conditions during fabrication of the memory cell. |
| US09142759B2 |
Magnetic memory device and method of magnetic domain wall motion
A magnetic memory device comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a laminated structure comprising plural first magnetic layers being provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, a second magnetic layer comprising different composition elements from that of the first magnetic layer and being provided between plural first magnetic layers, a piezoelectric body provided on a opposite side to a side where the first electrode is provided in the laminated structure, and a third electrode applying voltage to the piezoelectric body and provided on a different position from a position where the first electrode is provided in the piezoelectric body. |
| US09142758B2 |
Method and system for providing a magnetic junction configured for precessional switching using a bias structure
A method and system provide a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device. The magnetic junction includes a first pinned layer having a first pinned layer magnetization, a first nonmagnetic spacer layer, and a free layer having an easy axis. The first nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the first pinned layer and the free layer. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction and such that the free layer employs precessional switching. |
| US09142755B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device with a stable reference cell
A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) element is configured to store a state when electric current flows therethrough. The MRAM element includes a first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) for storing a data bit and a reference bit MTJ for storing a reference bit. The data bit MTJ and reference bit MTJ are preferred to be of identical structure that includes a magnetic free layer (FL) having a switchable magnetization with a direction that is perpendicular to a film plane. The direction of magnetization of the FL is determinative of the data bit stored in the at least one MTJ. The identical structure further includes a magnetic reference layer (RL) having a magnetization with a direction that is perpendicular to the film plane, and a magnetic pinned layer (PL) having a magnetization with a direction that is perpendicular to the film plane. The direction of magnetization of the RL and the PL are anti-parallel relative to each other in the data bit MTJ for storing data bit, wherein when electric current is applied to the first MTJ, the magnetization orientation of the FL switches during a write operation, whereas, the direction of magnetization the RL and the PL remain the same. The direction of magnetization of the FL, the RL and the PL are parallel relative to each other in the reference bit MTJ for storing reference bit, the magnetization orientation of the FL does not switch under normal read operations. |
| US09142754B2 |
Electromechanical polymer-based linear resonant actuator
A linear resonant actuator includes: (a) an electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuator; (b) a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the EMP actuator being mounted on the first surface of the substrate; (c) clamping structure provided on two sides of the substrate so as to allow the substrate to vibrate freely between the two sides of the substrate, in response to an electrical stimulation of the EMP actuator; and (d) an inertial mass element having a contact surface for attaching to the substrate at the second surface of the substrate. The inertial mass element may include contact structures provided to attach to the substrate along thin parallel lines. In one embodiment, the inertial mass element may have a “T” shape, or any suitable shape for stability. |
| US09142746B2 |
Light-emitting diodes on a wafer-level package
A light emitter and methods of constructing the same is disclosed. The light emitter is disclosed as including a jumper chip and one or more light sources, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The light sources are connected to the jumper chip via conductive traces manufactured with semiconductor processing techniques. The jumper chip is disclosed as having a plurality of isolated conductive vias, thereby allowing the jumper chip to present multiple different bonding areas that are electrically isolated from one another. |
| US09142745B2 |
Packaged LED device with castellations
Packaged LED devices include a first lead having a first recess in a bottom surface, a second lead having a second recess in a bottom surface, a LED die located over a top surface of at least one of the leads and electrically connected to the leads, and a package located around the LED die, the first lead and the second lead. The package contains an opening in its upper surface exposing at least the LED die. The package also contains a first castellation and a second castellation in a side surface of the package, such that the first castellation exposes at least one of the first lead and a first platable metal which is electrically connected to the first lead, and the second castellation exposes at least one of the second lead and a second platable metal which is electrically connected to the second lead. |
| US09142744B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes: a semiconductor layer; a first electrode; a first interconnection layer; a second electrode; a second interconnection layer; a support substrate; a bonding layer; a first terminal; and a second terminal. The support substrate has a third face facing the semiconductor layer, the first interconnection layer, and the second interconnection layer and a fourth face opposite to the third face. The support substrate has a first opening extending from the fourth face to the first interconnection layer and a second opening extending from the fourth face to the second interconnection layer. The bonding layer is provided between the support substrate and each of the semiconductor layer, the first interconnection layer, and the second interconnection layer. |
| US09142740B2 |
Optoelectronic element and manufacturing method thereof
An optoelectronic element includes an optoelectronic unit having a first top surface; a first metal layer on the first top surface; a first transparent structure surrounding the optoelectronic unit and exposing the first top surface; and a first contact layer on the first transparent structure, including a connective part electrically connected with the first metal layer. |
| US09142733B2 |
Light source device including a high energy light source and a wavelength conversion member, illuminating device comprising the same, and vehicle
A light source device is provided. The light source device comprises a semiconductor light-emitting element; and a wavelength conversion member for converting a wavelength of a light emitted from the semiconductor light-emitting element. The semiconductor light-emitting element has a light-emitting peak wavelength of not less than 380 nanometers and not more than 420 nanometers. The light emitted from the semiconductor light-emitting element has a light energy density of not less than 0.2 kW/cm2. The wavelength conversion member contains at least one fluorescent substance selected from the group consisting of a (Sr1-x,Bax)3MgSi2O8:Eu2+ (0≦x≦1) fluorescent substance, a (Y1-y,Gdy)3(Al1-z,Gaz)5O12:Ce3+ (0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1) fluorescent substance, and an Eu3+-activated fluorescent substance. The light source device has a high output and a high light-emitting efficiency. |
| US09142731B2 |
Method for producing a luminescence conversion substance layer, a composition therefor and a component comprising such a luminescence conversion substance layer
One embodiment of the invention describes a method for producing a luminescence conversion substance layer on a substrate with a semiconductor element that emits a primary radiation during operation. A composition includes a luminescence conversion substance, a matrix material and a solvent. The composition is applied to a substrate. At least part of the solvent is removed, with the result that the luminescence conversion substance layer is formed on the substrate. |
| US09142726B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device with light extraction structures
Structures are incorporated into a semiconductor light emitting device which may increase the extraction of light emitted at glancing incidence angles. In some embodiments, the device includes a low index material that directs light away from the metal contacts by total internal reflection. In some embodiments, the device includes extraction features such as cavities in the semiconductor structure which may extract glancing angle light directly, or direct the glancing angle light into smaller incidence angles which are more easily extracted from the device. |
| US09142722B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and illumination apparatus including the same
There is provided a light emitting device including a plurality of nanoscale light emitting structures spaced apart from one another on a first conductivity-type semiconductor base layer, the plurality of nanoscale light emitting structures each including a first conductivity-type semiconductor core, an active layer and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and an electrode connected to the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer. The electrode is disposed between a first nanoscale light emitting structure and a second nanoscale light emitting structure among the plurality of nanoscale light emitting structures, and the electrode has a height lower than a height of the plurality of nanoscale light emitting structures. |
| US09142721B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and manufacturing method of the same
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate; a base layer made of a first conductivity-type semiconductor and disposed on the substrate; a plurality of nanoscale light emitting units disposed in a region of an upper surface of the base layer and including a first conductivity-type nano-semiconductor layer protruding from the upper surface of the base layer, a nano-active layer disposed on the first conductivity-type nano-semiconductor layer, and a second conductivity-type nano-semiconductor layer disposed on the nano-active layer; and a light emitting laminate disposed in a different region of the upper surface of the base layer and having a laminated active layer. |
| US09142718B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device including a light emitting structure having a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer disposed under the active layer and a second conductive semiconductor layer disposed under the active layer; a trench formed in a portion of the light emitting structure; a current barrier layer in the trench and configured to hinder current supply to the active layer at a portion where the trench is located and to block the active layer over the trench from emitting light; and a first electrode on the first conductive semiconductor layer above the portion where the trench is located. |
| US09142716B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor component, and method for the manufacture of an optoelectronic semiconductor component
In at least one embodiment, the semiconductor component includes a semiconductor layer sequence with an active layer for generating an electromagnetic radiation. The semiconductor component includes a radiation-permeable element and a connecting element. The connecting element is layered in form and connects the radiation-permeable element and the semiconductor layer sequence to another mechanically. The connecting element is designed to be passed through by at least one part of the radiation generated in the active layer. A refractive index of the connecting means deviates from a refractive index of the semiconductor layer sequence by a maximum of 25%. The connecting element includes at least two principal components, which are solids at a temperature of 300 K. At least one of the principal components has a melting temperature of no more than 750 K. |
| US09142713B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor component
An optoelectronic semiconductor component includes at least one radiation-emitting semiconductor chip including a radiation-outcoupling face through which at least some of electromagnetic radiation generated in the semiconductor chip leaves the semiconductor chip; and at least one radiation-transmissive body arranged at least in places downstream of the semiconductor chip on its radiation-outcoupling face, which body is in at least indirect contact with the semiconductor chip, wherein the radiation-transmissive body is formed with at least one polymer or contains at least one polymer, and one monomer of the polymer is formed with at least one silazane. |
| US09142712B2 |
Method for manufacturing light emitting element
A method for manufacturing a light emitting element, including steps of preparing a wafer that has a substrate with a first main face and a second main face, in which the first main face is provided with a plurality of convex components and valleys that connect these convex components, and a semiconductor structure that is provided on the first main face; and dividing the wafer by laser scribing in which a laser beam is emitted from the second main face side along first dividing lines and second dividing lines to obtain a plurality of light emitting elements. The convex components are in the form of pyramids, prisms, or truncated pyramids, each of which having a polyhedral bottom face with a plurality of apexes, edge lines that extend from the apexes, and side faces that link the edge lines to each other. The convex components are disposed regularly so that a plurality of bounded regions, which are regions defined by virtual boundary between side faces of adjacent convex components in the valleys, are present around the convex components. And the first dividing lines and the second dividing lines are lines that extend in a direction that intersects straight lines that link the centers of the plurality of bounded regions around a single convex component. |
| US09142711B2 |
Tunable colour LED module
A tunable color LED module comprises at least two sub-modules, each comprising an LED, a wavelength converting element (WCE) and a reflector cup. The total light emitted by the module comprises light generated from each LED and WCE and the module is configured to emit a total light having a predefined color chromaticity when activation properties of the LEDs are managed appropriately. The total light may have a broad white emission spectrum. The module combines the benefits of a low cost with uniform chromaticity properties in the far field, and offers long and controlled lifetime at the same time as flexibility and intelligence of tunable color chromaticity, Color Rendering Index (CRI) and intensity, either at manufacture or in an end user lighting application. A controlled LED module system comprises a control system for the managing activation properties of the LEDs in the sub-modules. Also described is a method of manufacture. |
| US09142710B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, display device, electronic device, and lighting device
A light-emitting element which uses a plurality of kinds of light-emitting dopants emitting light in a balanced manner and has high emission efficiency is provided. Further, a light-emitting device, a display device, an electronic device, and a lighting device each having reduced power consumption by using the above light-emitting element are provided. A light-emitting element which includes a plurality of light-emitting layers including different phosphorescent materials is provided. In the light-emitting element, the light-emitting layer which includes a light-emitting material emitting light with a long wavelength includes two kinds of carrier-transport compounds having properties of transporting carriers with different polarities. Further, in the light-emitting element, the triplet excitation energy of a host material included in the light-emitting layer emitting light with a short wavelength is higher than the triplet excitation energy of at least one of the carrier-transport compounds. |
| US09142706B2 |
Method of manufacturing solar cell
A second semiconductor layer is formed to cover a first principle surface of a semiconductor substrate including a insulating layer formed on the first principle surface. A portion of the second semiconductor layer formed on the insulating layer is partially removed by etching using a first etchant whose etching rate is higher for the second semiconductor layer than for the insulating layer. A portion of the insulating layer is removed by etching, through the removed portion of the second semiconductor layer, using a second etchant whose etching rate for the insulating layer is higher than that for the second semiconductor layer, thereby exposing apart of the first semiconductor layer. Electrodes are formed on the exposed part of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, respectively. |
| US09142705B2 |
Method and apparatus for in-line process control of the cigs process
An in-line production apparatus and a method for composition control of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar cells fabricated by a co-evaporation deposition process. The deposition conditions are so that a deposited Cu-excessive overall composition is transformed into to a Cu-deficient overall composition, the final CIGS film. Substrates with a molybdenum layer move through the process chamber with constant speed. The transition from copper rich to copper deficient composition on a substrate is detected by using sensors which detect a physical parameter related to the transition. A preferred embodiment sensors are provided that detect the composition of elements in the deposited layer. A controller connected to the sensors adjusts the fluxes from the evaporant sources in order provide a CIGS layer with uniform composition and thickness over the width of the substrate. |
| US09142701B2 |
Tandem type integrated photovoltaic module and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed is a tandem type integrated photovoltaic module. The tandem type integrated photovoltaic module includes: a first cell and a second cell, all of which are formed respectively by stacking on a substrate a lower electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer including a plurality of unit cell layers, and an upper electrode, wherein the lower electrode of the first cell and the lower electrode of the second cell are separated by a lower electrode separation groove, and wherein a plurality of through holes are formed to be spaced from each other in the photoelectric conversion layer of the second cell in order to connect the upper electrode of the first cell with the lower electrode of the second cell. |
| US09142699B2 |
Solar array of transparent nanoantennas
Implementations and techniques for solar arrays of transparent nanoantennas are generally disclosed. |
| US09142696B2 |
Solar cells with silicon nanoparticles that are coated with nanoparticle passivation film
A laser contact process is employed to form contact holes to emitters of a solar cell. Doped silicon nanoparticles are formed over a substrate of the solar cell. The surface of individual or clusters of silicon nanoparticles is coated with a nanoparticle passivation film. Contact holes to emitters of the solar cell are formed by impinging a laser beam on the passivated silicon nanoparticles. For example, the laser contact process may be a laser ablation process. In that case, the emitters may be formed by diffusing dopants from the silicon nanoparticles prior to forming the contact holes to the emitters. As another example, the laser contact process may be a laser melting process whereby portions of the silicon nanoparticles are melted to form the emitters and contact holes to the emitters. |
| US09142693B2 |
Optoelectronic package and method for making same
An optoelectronic package includes a substrate and a cover element bonded onto the substrate. The cover element defines a cavity for accommodating semiconductor chips and optoelectronic components. The cover element includes a first adhesive bonding area configured for receiving a first adhesive and being bonded with a predetermined region of the substrate by the first adhesive. The engagement of the cover element and the substrate defines a second adhesive bonding area. The second adhesive bonding area is configured for receiving a second adhesive and confining the second adhesive within a localized area. A method for making an optoelectronic package is also provided. |
| US09142692B2 |
Thyristor-based, dual-polarity blocking photo-conductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) for short pulse switching and methods
A system and method utilizing thyristor-based Photo-Conductive Semiconductor Switches (PCSS) for short pulse switching in high power microwave and/or broadband electromagnetic pulse generation is disclosed. The PCSS consists of thyristor-type NPNP structure having multiple emitter regions enclosed by the base region and multiple emitter shorts to divert leakage currents for voltage holding. The PCSS also includes an optical aperture comprised of patterned metallic grids for light illumination and current collection. The device structure is so constructed that there is only one single bevel around the peripheral. The thyristor-based PCSS have dual polarities of voltage blocking and have better efficiency for light requirement to operate at longer pulse duration compared to diode-based and bulk-semiconductor-based PCSS. |
| US09142684B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes a channel, a gate, and a memory layer is interposed between the channel and the gate. The memory layer includes a tunnel insulating layer adjacent to the channel, a charge blocking layer adjacent to the gate, and a charge storing layer interposed between the tunnel insulating layer and the charge blocking layer. The tunnel insulating layer includes a first insulating layer adjacent to the channel and an air layer interposed between the first insulating layer and the charge storing layer. |
| US09142683B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor layer including a channel formation region which includes an oxide semiconductor having a wide band gap and a carrier concentration which is as low as possible, and a source electrode and a drain electrode which include an oxide conductor containing hydrogen and oxygen vacancy, and a barrier layer which prevents diffusion of hydrogen and oxygen between an oxide conductive layer and the oxide semiconductor layer. The oxide conductive layer and the oxide semiconductor layer are electrically connected to each other through the barrier layer. |
| US09142677B2 |
FinFET having gate in place of sacrificial spacer source/drain mask
A FinFET and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises forming a semiconductor fin having trapezoid cross-section. The method also includes forming one of a source region and a drain region. The method also includes forming a sacrificial spacer. The method also includes forming another one of the source region and the drain region using the sacrificial spacer as a mask. The method also includes removing the sacrificial spacer. The method also includes forming a gate stack in place of the sacrificial spacer, the gate stack comprising a gate conductor and a gate dielectric isolating the gate conductor from the semiconductor fin. |
| US09142676B2 |
Semiconductor liner of semiconductor device
The disclosure relates to a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) formed in and on a substrate having a major surface. The FinFET includes a fin structure protruding from the major surface, which fin includes a lower portion, an upper portion, and a middle portion between the lower portion and upper portion, wherein the fin structure includes a first semiconductor material having a first lattice constant; a pair of notches extending into opposite sides of the middle portion; and a semiconductor liner adjoining the lower portion. The semiconductor liner is a second semiconductor material having a second lattice constant greater than the first lattice constant. |
| US09142675B2 |
Fin field effect transistors and fabrication method thereof
A method is provided for fabricating a fin field-effect transistor. The method includes providing a substrate having a first region and a second region; and forming a plurality of fin structures on a surface of the substrate. The method also includes forming a first mask layer having a plurality of first openings exposing the fin structures in the first region near the second region; and removing the fin structures in the first region near the second region. Further, the method includes forming a second mask layer on the fin structures in the second region; and removing the fin structures in the first region. Further, the method also includes forming fins by etching the substrate using the fin structures in the second region as an etching mask; and forming a gate structure and source/drain regions in the fins at both sides of the gate structure. |
| US09142674B2 |
FINFET devices having a body contact and methods of forming the same
Fin field-effect transistor devices and methods of forming the fin field-effect transistor devices are provided herein. In an embodiment, a fin field-effect transistor device includes a semiconductor substrate that has a fin. A gate electrode structure overlies the fin. Source and drain halo and/or extension regions and epitaxially-grown source regions and drain regions are formed in the fin and are disposed adjacent to the gate electrode structure. A body contact is disposed on a contact surface of the fin, and the body contact is spaced separately from the halo and/or extension regions and the epitaxially-grown source regions and drain regions. |
| US09142673B2 |
Devices and methods of forming bulk FinFETS with lateral seg for source and drain on dielectrics
Devices and methods for forming semiconductor devices with FinFETs are provided. One intermediate semiconductor device includes, for instance: a substrate with at least one fin with at least one channel; at least one gate over the channel; at least one hard-mask over the gate; and at least one spacer disposed over the gate and hard-mask. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device; forming at least one recess into the substrate, the recess including a bottom and at least one sidewall exposing a portion of the at least one fin; depositing a dielectric layer into the at least one recess; removing at least a portion of the dielectric layer to form a barrier dielectric layer; and performing selective epitaxial growth in the at least one recess over the barrier dielectric layer. |
| US09142657B2 |
Gated thyristor power device
An improved gated thyristor that utilizes less silicon area than IGBT, BIPOLARs or MOSFETs sized for the same application is provided. Embodiments of the inventive thyristor have a lower gate charge, and a lower forward drop for a given current density. Embodiments of the thyristor once triggered have a latch structure that does not have the same Cgd or Ccb capacitor that must be charged from the gate, and therefore the gated thyristor is cheaper to produce, and requires a smaller gate driver, and takes up less space than standard solutions. Embodiments of the inventive thyristor provide a faster turn off speed than the typical >600 ns using a modified MCT structure which results in the improved tail current turn off profile (<250 ns). Additionally, series resistance of the device is reduced without comprising voltage blocking ability is achieved. Finally, a positive only gate drive means is taught as is a method to module the saturation current using the gate terminal. |
| US09142653B2 |
Method for manufacturing thin-film transistor array substrate
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a thin-film transistor (TFT) array substrate. The TFT array substrate is of a top-gate structure. The method for manufacturing a thin-film transistor array substrate applies three times of masking operation to manufacture the TFT array substrate, wherein IGZO is used to manufacture a TFT of the TFT array substrate so as to greatly increase the charging speed of the TFT with respect to a pixel electrode, improve the response speed of the pixel, and achieve a relatively high refresh rate. Further, the fast response also help improving row scanning rate of pixels to make it possible to achieve ultra-high definition of a TFT LCD. Further, the manufacturing method applies only three times of masking operation so as to significantly reduce the manufacturing steps, shortening the manufacturing time, effectively lowering down the manufacturing cost, and increasing throughput. |
| US09142652B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device and manufacturing apparatus of semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor and an organic resin film is manufactured in the following manner. Heat treatment is performed on a first substrate provided with an organic resin film over a transistor including an oxide semiconductor in a reduced pressure atmosphere; handling of the first substrate is performed in an atmosphere containing moisture as little as possible in an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) atmosphere with a dew point of lower than or equal to −60° C., preferably with a dew point of lower than or equal to −75° C. without exposing the first substrate after the heat treatment to the air; and then, the first substrate is bonded to a second substrate that serves as an opposite substrate. |
| US09142647B1 |
VTFT formation using selective area deposition
A method of producing a vertical transistor includes providing a conductive gate structure having a reentrant profile on a substrate. A conformal insulating material layer is formed on the conductive gate structure. A conformal semiconductor material layer is formed on the insulating material layer. A deposition inhibiting material is deposited over a portion of the substrate and the conductive gate structure including filling the reentrant profile. A portion of the deposition inhibiting material is removed without removing all of the deposition inhibiting material from the reentrant profile. A plurality of electrodes is formed by depositing an electrically conductive material layer on portions of the semiconductor material layer using a selective area deposition process in which the electrically conductive material layer is not deposited on the deposition inhibiting material remaining in the reentrant profile. |
| US09142639B2 |
Graphene electronic devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A graphene electronic device includes: a first conductive layer and a semiconductor layer on a first region of an intermediate layer; a second conductive layer on a second region of the intermediate layer; a graphene layer on the intermediate layer, the semiconductor layer, and the second conductive layer; and a first gate structure and a second gate structure on the graphene layer. |
| US09142634B2 |
Versatile spin-polarized electron source
One or more embodiments relate generally to the field of photoelectron spin and, more specifically, to a method and system for creating a controllable spin-polarized electron source. One preferred embodiment of the invention generally comprises: method for creating a controllable spin-polarized electron source comprising the following steps: providing one or more materials, the one or more materials having at least one surface and a material layer adjacent to said surface, wherein said surface comprises highly spin-polarized surface electrons, wherein the direction and spin of the surface electrons are locked together; providing at least one incident light capable of stimulating photoemission of said surface electrons; wherein the photon polarization of said incident light is tunable; and inducing photoemission of the surface electron states. |
| US09142630B2 |
Device performance enhancement
Among other things, one or more techniques for enhancing device (e.g., transistor) performance are provided herein. In one embodiment, device performance is enhanced by forming an extended dummy region at an edge of a region of a device and forming an active region at a non-edge of the region. Limitations associated with semiconductor fabrication processing present in the extended dummy region more so than in non-edge regions. Accordingly, a device exhibiting enhanced performance is formed by connecting a gate to the active region, where the active region has a desired profile because it is comprised within a non-edge of the region. A dummy device (e.g., that may be less responsive) may be formed to include the extended dummy region, where the extended dummy region has a less than desired profile due to limitations associated with semiconductor fabrication processing, for example. |
| US09142629B2 |
Semiconductor device having shared diffusion layer between transistors
A device includes a first transistor including a first gate electrode including first and second parallel electrode portions each extending in a first direction, and a first connecting electrode portion extending in a second direction approximately orthogonal to the first direction and connecting one ends of the first and second parallel electrode portions to each other, and first and second diffusion layers separated from each other by a channel region under the first gate electrode, a first output line connected to the first diffusion layer of the first transistor, and a second transistor comprising a second gate electrode extending in the second direction, and the second transistor being configured to use the second diffusion layer of the first transistor as one of two diffusion layers that are separated from each other by a channel region under the second gate electrode. |
| US09142627B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first layer of a first conductivity type between a first and a second electrode. A second layer of the first conductivity type is between the first layer and the second electrode. A pair of third layers of a second conductivity type has a first portion in the first layer and a second portion contacting the second layer. A fourth layer is between the second layer and the second electrode and between the third layers and the second electrode. A fifth layer is between the fourth layer and the second electrode. A third electrode is adjacent to the second layer via a first insulating film. A fourth electrode is between the second electrode and the third electrode and adjacent to the fourth semiconductor layer via a second insulating film. The second insulating film is thinner than the first insulating film. |
| US09142619B2 |
Group III nitride semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
[Problem] To provide a group III nitride semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same in which dislocation density in a semiconductor layer can be precisely reduced.[Solution] In manufacturing a group III nitride semiconductor device 1, a mask layer 40 is formed on a substrate 20, followed by selectively growing nanocolumns 50 made of a group III nitride semiconductor through a pattern 44 of the mask layer 40 in order to grow a group III nitride semiconductor layer 10 on the mask layer 40. |
| US09142617B2 |
Wide bandgap device having a buffer layer disposed over a diamond substrate
A high power, wide-bandgap device is disclosed that exhibits reduced junction temperature and higher power density during operation and improved reliability at a rated power density. The device includes a diamond substrate for providing a heat sink with a thermal conductivity greater than silicon carbide, a single crystal silicon carbide layer on the diamond substrate for providing a supporting crystal lattice match for wide-bandgap material structures that is better than the crystal lattice match of diamond, and a Group III nitride heterostructure on the single crystal silicon carbide layer for providing device characteristics. |
| US09142615B2 |
Methods and apparatus for identifying and reducing semiconductor failures
The present disclosure provides multi-junction solar cell structures and fabrication methods thereof that improve electrical testing capability and reduce chip failure rates. In the present invention a special masking pattern is used in the layout such that all or some of the epitaxial layers are etched away in the corner areas of each solar cell. Consequently, the semiconductor substrate or one or more of the interconnections between junctions become accessible from the top (the side facing the sun) to make electrical connections. |
| US09142610B2 |
Semiconductor device including supporters on a lower electrode thereof and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, the device including a substrate having a transistor formed thereon; a plurality of lower electrodes formed on the substrate; a first supporter and a second supporter on the plurality of lower electrodes; a dielectric film formed on the lower electrode, the first supporter, and the second supporter; and an upper electrode formed on the dielectric film, wherein the first and second supporters are positioned between the lower electrodes, and the first and second supporters include a first material and a second material. |
| US09142602B2 |
Display device having anisotropic conductive film and manufacturing method thereof
A display device includes a substrate including a wiring portion, a pad unit provided on the substrate and extended from the wiring portion, an integrated circuit chip electrically connected to the pad unit and mounted on the substrate, and an anisotropic conductive film configured to electrically connect the pad unit and the integrated chip to each other. The anisotropic conductive film includes an adhesive layer provided between the pad unit and the integrated circuit chip and at least one conductive ball scattered in the adhesive layer. A heat generator is also provided on the substrate. The heat generator is configured to come into contact with the anisotropic conductive film to supply heat to the anisotropic conductive film. |
| US09142601B2 |
Organic light emitting display
An organic light emitting display is disclosed. According to some aspects, the display includes a substrate having a display region and a peripheral region that surrounds the display region. The display further includes a pixel in the display region, and a contact unit in the peripheral region. The contact unit is configured to receive a common power signal from an external power source. A wiring line unit on the substrate provides a driving signal to the pixel. The pixel includes a first electrode provided on the substrate, an organic light emitting layer provided on the first electrode, and a second electrode that protrudes toward the contact unit on a plane to be electrically coupled to the contact unit. As a result, the area in which the second electrode overlaps the wiring line unit in the peripheral region is reduced and the parasitic capacitance that may be generated between the second electrode and the wiring line may be reduced. |
| US09142600B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device
An organic light-emitting display device includes a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes which shares a cathode, a plurality of switching elements which is connected to the cathode, a plurality of capacitors, each comprising a first electrode which is connected to each of the switching elements, respectively, and a second electrode and a power bus line which is connected to the second electrode, wherein each of the plurality of switching elements controls a connection between the cathode and the first electrode. |
| US09142594B2 |
Imaging device and method for manufacturing imaging device
An imaging device includes a substrate, lower electrodes formed on the substrate, an organic layer formed on the lower electrodes and generating electric charges in response to irradiation with light, an upper electrode formed on the organic layer and transmitting the light, a protective film formed on the upper electrode, and a patterned organic film formed on the protective film. The protective film is composed of at least one layer and has a total thickness of 30 to 500 nm. The protective film of a single layer type has an internal stress of −50 MPa to +60 MPa in the whole of the protective film. |
| US09142593B2 |
Display device
To suppress a loss of data in a semiconductor device. To provide a display device including a capacitor storing data, a display element performing display in accordance with the data, and switching elements connected to electrodes of the capacitor. In the display device, the voltage is held between the electrodes of the capacitor by turning the switching elements off; thus, the data can be stored even when supplying the power supply is stopped. |
| US09142592B2 |
Integrated circuit including ESD device
An integrated circuit including ESD device is disclosed. One embodiment includes a semiconductor region being electrically isolated from adjacent semiconductor regions by an isolating region. Both an ESD device and a device configured to emit radiation are formed within the semiconductor region. |
| US09142589B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method of manufacturing the same, and imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion section which is disposed on a semiconductor substrate and which photoelectrically converts incident light into signal charges, a pixel transistor section which is disposed on the semiconductor substrate and which converts signal charges read out from the photoelectric conversion section into a voltage, and an element isolation region which is disposed on the semiconductor substrate and which isolates the photoelectric conversion section from an active region in which the pixel transistor section is disposed. The pixel transistor section includes a plurality of transistors. Among the plurality of transistors, in at least one transistor in which the gate width direction of its gate electrode is oriented toward the photoelectric conversion section, at least a photoelectric conversion section side portion of the gate electrode is disposed within and on the active region with a gate insulating film therebetween. |
| US09142588B2 |
Backside illumination image sensor chips and methods for forming the same
A die includes a first plurality of edges, and a semiconductor substrate in the die. The semiconductor substrate includes a first portion including a second plurality of edges misaligned with respective ones of the first plurality of edges. The semiconductor substrate further includes a second portion extending from one of the second plurality of edges to one of the first plurality of edges of the die. The second portion includes a first end connected to the one of the second plurality of edges, and a second end having an edge aligned to the one of the first plurality of edges of the die. |
| US09142587B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, members for the same, and imaging system
The present invention provides a solid-state imaging device including a pad capable of reducing inferior connection with an external terminal. The solid-state imaging device includes a first substrate provided, on its front face, with photoelectric conversion elements, a first wiring structure, a second substrate provided, on its front face, with at least a part of peripheral circuits, and a second wiring structure. The first substrate, the first wiring structure, the second wiring structure, and the second substrate are provided in this order. The first wiring structure includes a wiring layer including wirings made mainly of copper. The second wiring structure includes a wiring layer including wirings made mainly of copper. Wirings made mainly of copper in the first wiring structure are bonded with wirings made mainly of copper in the second wiring structure. The solid-state imaging device includes a pad formed of a conductive element made mainly of aluminum. |
| US09142586B2 |
Pad design for backside illuminated image sensor
A semiconductor image sensor device includes first and second semiconductor substrates. A pixel array and a control circuit are formed in a first surface of the first substrate. An interconnect layer is formed over the first surface of the first substrate and electrically connects the control circuit to the pixel array. A top conducting layer is formed over the interconnect layer to have electrical connectivity with at least one of the control circuit or the pixel array via the interconnect layer. A surface of a second substrate is bonded to the top conducting layer. A conductive through-silicon-via (TSV) passes through the second substrate, and has electrical connectivity with the top conducting layer. A terminal is formed on an opposite surface of the second substrate, and electrically connected to the TSV. |
| US09142583B2 |
Light sensor
Provided is a light sensor including a substrate, a dielectric layer, a plurality of pixels, a plurality of spacers, and a plurality of metal interconnects. The dielectric layer is located on the substrate. The pixels are located in the dielectric layer. The spacers are located on the sidewall of openings between adjacent pixels. The metal interconnects are located in the openings and cover the spacers so as to be electrically connected to the corresponding pixels. |
| US09142582B2 |
Imaging device and imaging system
An imaging apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a lens optical system having first to third regions, the first region transmitting light of a first wavelength band, the second region transmitting light of the first wavelength band and having optical characteristics for providing a different focusing characteristic from a focusing characteristic associated with rays transmitted through the first region, and the third region transmitting light of a second wavelength band; an imaging device on which light having passed through the lens optical system is incident, the imaging device having a plurality of first to third pixels; and a microlens array causing light having passed through the first region to enter the plurality of first pixels, light having passed through the second region to enter the plurality of second pixels, and light having passed through the third region to enter the plurality of third pixels. |
| US09142578B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit device having pixel regions in a photodiode array region and having, in each of the pixel regions, a waveguide holding hole having a substantially perpendicular sidewall above the photodiode and embedded with a silicon oxide-based sidewall insulating film reaching the bottom surface of the hole and two or more silicon nitride-based insulating films having a higher refractive index on the inner side of the hole. This structure makes it possible to prevent deterioration of pixel characteristics of an imaging device, such as CMOS sensor, which is rapidly decreasing in size. |
| US09142577B2 |
Photodetector and image sensor including the same
A photodetector may have a structure including conductive patterns and an intermediate layer interposed between the conductive patterns. A length L of at least one side of the second conductive pattern that overlaps the first conductive pattern and the intermediate layer satisfies the equation L=λ/2neff, wherein the neff is an effective refractive index of a surface plasmon waveguide formed of the first conductive pattern, the intermediate layer, and the second conductive pattern during a surface plasmon resonance. Heat generated in the intermediate layer when the electromagnetic wave having the wavelength λ is incident thereon generates a current variation. |
| US09142572B1 |
Array substrate
An array substrate includes a plurality of gate lines, first data line segments, second data line segments, first thin film transistors and second thin film transistors. Each first thin film transistor includes a first gate electrode, a first source electrode and a first drain electrode, and each second thin film transistor includes a second gate electrode, a second source electrode and a second drain electrode. The first data line segment, the second data line segment and the next first data line segment arranged sequentially in a first direction define a first gap and a second gap, where the second gap is greater than the first gap. The first source electrode, the second source electrode and the next first source electrode arranged sequentially in the first direction define a third gap and a fourth gap, where the third gap is greater than the first gap, and the fourth gap is smaller than the second gap. |
| US09142564B2 |
Pseudo butted junction structure for back plane connection
Butted p-n junctions interconnecting back gates in an SOI process, methods for making butted p-n junctions, and design structures. The butted junction includes an overlapping region formed in the bulk substrate by overlapping the mask windows of the ion-implantation masks used to form the back gates. A damaged region may be selectively formed to introduce mid-gap energy levels in the semiconductor material of the overlapping region employing one of the implantation masks used to form the back gates. The damage region causes the butted junction to be leaky and conductively couples the overlapped back gates to each other and to the substrate. Other back gates may be formed that are floating and not coupled to the substrate. |
| US09142556B2 |
Dummy gate cell, cell-based IC, and portable device
A dummy gate cell includes an nMOS transistor and a pMOS transistor, wherein a drain electrode of the nMOS transistor is not connected to a drain electrode of the pMOS transistor and the dummy gate cell is disposed in an unused area not occupied by a basic cell in a cell-based IC. |
| US09142555B2 |
Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device having improved performance. A semiconductor substrate is formed with unit LDMOSFET elements. The unit LDMOSFET elements have respective source regions electrically coupled to each other via a first source interconnect line and a second source interconnect line. The unit LDMOSFET elements have respective gate electrodes electrically coupled to each other via a first gate interconnect line and also electrically coupled to a second gate interconnect line in the same layer as that of the second source interconnect line via the first gate interconnect line. The unit LDMOSFET elements have respective drain regions electrically coupled to a back surface electrode via a conductive plug embedded in a trench of the semiconductor substrate. Each of the first source interconnect line and the first gate interconnect line has a thickness smaller than that of the second source interconnect line. Over the plug, the first gate interconnect line extends. |
| US09142554B2 |
Semiconductor device and driver circuit with an active device and isolation structure interconnected through a diode circuit, and method of manufacture thereof
Embodiments of semiconductor devices and driver circuits include a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type, an isolation structure (including a sinker region and a buried layer), an active device within area of the substrate contained by the isolation structure, and a diode circuit. The buried layer is positioned below the top substrate surface, and has a second conductivity type. The sinker region extends between the top substrate surface and the buried layer, and has the second conductivity type. The active device includes a body region of the second conductivity type, and the diode circuit is connected between the isolation structure and the body region. The diode circuit may include one or more Schottky diodes and/or PN junction diodes. In further embodiments, the diode circuit may include one or more resistive networks in series and/or parallel with the Schottky and/or PN diode(s). |
| US09142553B2 |
Semiconductor device and structure
A 3D device, including: a first layer including first transistors, the first transistors interconnected by a first layer of interconnection; a second layer including second transistors, the second transistors overlaying the first layer of interconnection, where the first layer includes a first clock distribution structure, where the second layer includes a second clock distribution structure and a second clock origin, where the second clock origin is connected to the first clock distribution structure with a plurality of through layer vias, and where the second layer thickness is less than 1 micrometer. |
| US09142539B2 |
Semiconductor device
A standard cell has gate patterns extending in Y direction and arranged at an equal pitch in X direction. End portions of the gate patterns are located at the same position in Y direction, and have an equal width in X direction. A diode cell is located next to the standard cell in Y direction, and includes a plurality of opposite end portions formed of gate patterns that are opposed to the end portions, in addition to a diffusion layer which functions as a diode. |
| US09142537B2 |
Integrated circuit device and method for manufacturing same
An integrated circuit device includes a plurality of fins on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate and extending in a first direction, a device isolation insulating film placed between the fins, a gate electrode extending in a second direction crossing the first direction on the insulating film; and an insulating film insulating the fin from the gate electrode. In a first region where a plurality of the fins are consecutively arranged, an upper surface of the device isolation insulating film is located at a first position below an upper end of the fin. In a second region located in the second direction as viewed from the first region, the upper surface of the device isolation insulating film is located at a second position above the upper end of the fin. In the second region, the device isolation insulating film covers entirely a side surface of the fin. |
| US09142535B2 |
Vertically printing LEDs in series
A first layer of first vertical light emitting diodes (VLEDs) is printed on a conductor surface. A first transparent conductor layer is deposited over the first VLEDs to electrically contact top electrodes of the first VLEDs. A second layer of second VLEDs is printed on the first transparent conductor layer. Since the VLEDs are printed as an ink, the second VLEDs are not vertically aligned with the first VLEDs, so light from the first VLEDs is not substantially blocked by the second VLEDs when the VLEDs are turned on. A second transparent conductor layer is deposited over the second VLEDs to electrically contact top electrodes of the second VLEDs. By this structure, the first VLEDs are connected in parallel, the second VLEDs are connected in parallel, and the first layer of first VLEDs and the second layer of second VLEDs are connected in series by the first transparent conductor layer. |
| US09142533B2 |
Substrate interconnections having different sizes
A bump structure that may be used to interconnect one substrate to another substrate is provided. A conductive pillar is formed on a first substrate such that the conductive pillar has a width different than a contact surface on a second substrate. In an embodiment the conductive pillar of the first substrate has a trapezoidal shape or a shape having tapered sidewalls, thereby providing a conductive pillar having base portion wider than a tip portion. The substrates may each be an integrated circuit die, an interposer, a printed circuit board, a high-density interconnect, or the like. |
| US09142531B1 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with plated leads and method of manufacture thereof
An integrated circuit packaging system and method of manufacture thereof includes: an L-plated lead; a die conductively connected to the L-plated lead; and an encapsulant encapsulating the L-plated lead and the die. |
| US09142520B2 |
Methods of fabricating semiconductor chip solder structures
Various semiconductor chip solder bump and underbump metallization (UBM) structures and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method is provided that includes depositing a layer of a first metallic material on a semiconductor chip. The first layer has a first physical quantity. A layer of a second metallic material is deposited on the layer of the first metallic material. The second layer has a second physical quantity. The first and second layers are reflowed to form a solder structure with a desired ratio of the first metallic material to the second metallic material. |
| US09142515B2 |
Semiconductor device with protective layer over exposed surfaces of semiconductor die
A semiconductor wafer has a plurality of first semiconductor die. A second semiconductor die is mounted to the first semiconductor die. A shielding layer is formed between the first and second semiconductor die. An electrical interconnect, such as conductive pillar, bump, or bond wire, is formed between the first and second semiconductor die. A conductive TSV can be formed through the first and second semiconductor die. An encapsulant is deposited over the first and second semiconductor die and electrical interconnect. A heat sink is formed over the second semiconductor die. An interconnect structure, such as a bump, can be formed over the second semiconductor die. A portion of a backside of the first semiconductor die is removed. A protective layer is formed over exposed surfaces of the first semiconductor die. The protective layer covers the exposed backside and sidewalls of the first semiconductor die. |
| US09142511B2 |
Structures with through vias passing through a substrate comprising a planar insulating layer between semiconductor layers
A through via contains a conductor (244, 262) passing through a substrate (140). The substrate can be SOI or some other substrate containing two semiconductor layers (140.1, 140.2) on opposite sides of an insulating layer (140B). The through via includes two constituent vias (144.1, 144.2) formed from respective different sides of the substrate by processes stopping on the insulating layer (140B). Due to the insulating layer acting as a stop layer, high control over the constituent vias' depths is achieved. Each constituent via is shorter than the through via, so via formation is facilitated. The conductor is formed by separate depositions of conductive material into the constituent vias from each side of the substrate. From each side, the conductor is deposited to a shallower depth than the through-via depth, so the deposition is facilitated. Other embodiments are also provided. |
| US09142510B2 |
3D interconnect structure comprising through-silicon vias combined with fine pitch backside metal redistribution lines fabricated using a dual damascene type approach
A 3D interconnect structure and method of manufacture are described in which a through-silicon vias (TSVs) and metal redistribution layers (RDLs) are formed using a dual damascene type process flow. A silicon nitride or silicon carbide passivation layer may be provided between the thinned device wafer back side and the RDLs to provide a hermetic barrier and etch stop layer during the process flow. |
| US09142500B2 |
Apparatus for lead free solder interconnections for integrated circuits
An apparatus includes an integrated circuit having at least one input/output terminal comprising copper formed thereon. A metal cap layer overlies an upper surface of the at least one input/output terminal. A substrate includes at least one conductive trace formed on a first surface, and a metal finish layer overlies a portion of the at least one conductive trace. A lead free solder connection is disposed between the metal cap layer and the metal finish layer, and a first intermetallic compound is disposed at an interface between the metal cap layer and the lead free solder connection. The lead free solder connection has a copper content of less than 0.5 wt. %, and the first intermetallic compound is substantially free of copper. |
| US09142499B2 |
Lead pin for package substrate
A lead pin for a package substrate includes: a connection pin being inserted into a hole formed in an external substrate; a head part formed on one end of the connection pin; and a barrier part formed on one surface of the head part in order to block the path of a solder paste so that the solder paste is prevented from flowing so as to cover the upper portion of the head part when the head part is mounted on the package substrate. |
| US09142492B2 |
Leadframe package with integrated partial waveguide interface
A MMIC package is disclosed comprising: a leadframe based overmolded package, a die positioned within the overmolded package; and a partial waveguide interface, wherein the partial waveguide interface is integral with the overmolded package facilitating low cost and reliable assembly. Also disclosed is an overmolded package where the die sits on a metal portion exposed on the bottom of the package and the package is configured for attachment to a chassis of a transceiver such that heat from the die is easily dissipated to the chassis with a direct thermal path. The disclosure facilitates parallel assembly of MMIC packages and use of pick and place/surface mounting technology for attaching the MMIC packages to the chassis of transceivers. This facilitates reliable and low cost transceivers. |
| US09142490B2 |
Integrated circuit device having through-silicon-via structure and method of manufacturing the integrated circuit device
Provided is an integrated circuit device including a through-silicon-via (TSV) structure and a method of manufacturing the integrated circuit device. The integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor structure including a substrate and an interlayer insulating film, a TSV structure passing through the substrate and the interlayer insulating film, a via insulating film substantially surrounding the TSV structure, and an insulating spacer disposed between the interlayer insulating film and the via insulating film. |
| US09142480B2 |
Microelectronic package with high temperature thermal interface material
A microelectronic package is provided. The microelectronic package includes a substrate, a die coupled to a top surface of the substrate and a integrated heat spreader thermally coupled to the die, wherein the integrated heat spreader comprises integrated heat spreader walls. The microelectronic package also includes a thermal interface material disposed between the die and the integrated heat spreader and an underfill material disposed between the integrated heat spreader and the substrate, wherein the underfill material is disposed within gaps between the integrated heat spreader walls, the die and the thermal interface material. |
| US09142478B2 |
Semiconductor package stack having a heat slug
A semiconductor package stack may include a lower semiconductor package and an upper semiconductor package stacked on a lower package board. The upper semiconductor package may include an upper semiconductor chip mounted on an upper package board with an opening configured to expose a lower surface of the upper semiconductor chip and a first heat slug disposed within the opening, contacting the lower surface of the upper semiconductor chip, and contacting an upper surface of a lower semiconductor chip. |
| US09142477B2 |
Semiconductor module
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor module includes a substrate, which has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a controller device and a memory device formed on the first surface, and a metal plate bonded on the second surface. The metal plate is formed at least at a portion of the second surface corresponding to the controller device so that heat generated at the controller device conducts away from the memory device. |
| US09142476B2 |
Semiconductor package, cooling mechanism and method for manufacturing semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes a substrate with a first surface on which a semiconductor device is mounted and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a loop heat pipe including an evaporator and attached to the second surface of the substrate, wherein the substrate has a groove structure in the second surface, the groove structure being in contact with a porous wick provided in the evaporator. |
| US09142468B2 |
Structures and methods for testing printable integrated circuits
A substrate includes an anchor area (30) physically secured to a surface of the substrate (10) and at least one printable electronic component (20). The at least one printable electronic component includes an active layer (14) having one or more active elements thereon, and is suspended over the surface of the substrate by electrically conductive breakable tethers (40). The electrically conductive breakable tethers include an insulating layer and a conductive layer thereon that physically secure and electrically connect the at least one printable electronic component to the anchor area, and are configured to be preferentially fractured responsive to pressure applied thereto. Related methods of fabrication and testing are also discussed. |
| US09142464B1 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor apparatus
A method for fabricating a semiconductor apparatus includes forming a diffusion barrier film on a semiconductor substrate, forming a semiconductor film on the semiconductor substrate in which the diffusion barrier film is formed, forming a silicide film on the semiconductor film, forming a conductive film on the silicide film, forming an upper portion of a pillar structure in a first region of the semiconductor substrate by patterning the conductive film, the silicide film, and the semiconductor film, forming a lower portion of the pillar structure by patterning the diffusion barrier film and the semiconductor substrate in the first region, and forming a gate electrode on an outer side of a patterned semiconductor substrate. |
| US09142463B2 |
Semiconductor device
By connecting a protection diode (71) wherein p-anode layers (21) and n-cathode layers (22) are alternately formed in a polysilicon layer, and p-n junctions (74) that are in a reverse blocking state when there is a forward bias are alternately short circuited with a metal film (53), to a power semiconductor element (IGBT (72)), it is possible to achieve a balance between a high breakdown capability and a smaller chip area, a rise of breakdown voltage is suppressed even when a clamping voltage is repeatedly applied, and furthermore, it is possible to prevent destruction caused by a negative surge voltage input into a gate terminal (G). |
| US09142461B2 |
Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices
A substrate including an NMOS transistor region and a PMOS transistor region is prepared. A silicon-germanium layer is formed on the PMOS transistor region. Nitrogen atoms are injected in an upper portion of the silicon-germanium layer. A first gate dielectric layer is formed on the NMOS transistor region and the PMOS transistor region. The nitrogen atoms are injected into the upper portion of the silicon-germanium layer before forming the first gate dielectric layer. |
| US09142457B2 |
Dicing die bond film and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The present invention provides a dicing die bond film in which yielding and breaking of the dicing film are prevented and in which the die bond film can be suitably broken with a tensile force. In the dicing die bond film of the present invention, the tensile strength of the contact part in which the outer circumference of the push-up jig contacts the dicing film at 25° C. is 15 N or more and 80 N or less and the yield point elongation is 80% or more, the tensile strength of the wafer bonding part of the dicing film at 25° C. is 10 N or more and 70 N or less and the yield point elongation is 30% or more, [(the tensile strength of the contact part)−(the tensile strength of the wafer bonding part)] is 0 N or more and 60 N or less, and the breaking elongation rate of the die bond film at 25° C. is more than 40% and 500% or less. |
| US09142456B2 |
Method for capping copper interconnect lines
A method of forming a capping layer over copper containing contacts in a dielectric layer with a liner comprising a noble metal liner around the copper containing contacts is provided. An electroless deposition is provided to deposit a deposition comprising copper on the noble metal liner and the copper containing contacts. A capping layer is formed over the deposition comprising copper. |
| US09142455B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. An etch-target layer is formed on a substrate. A photoresist layer is formed on the etch-target layer. A first exposure process is performed using a first photo mask to form a plurality of first-irradiated patterns in the photoresist layer. The first photo mask includes a plurality of first transmission regions. Each first transmission region has different optical transmittance. A second exposure process is performed using a second photo mask to form a plurality of second-irradiated patterns in the photoresist layer. The second photo mask includes a plurality of second transmission regions. Each second transmission region has different optical transmittance. A photoresist pattern is formed from the photoresist layer by removing the plurality of first-irradiated and second-irradiated patterns from the photoresist layer. A lower structure is formed from the etch-target layer by etching the etch-target layer using the photoresist pattern. |
| US09142454B1 |
Semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first conductive structure, a second conductive structure, a dielectric structure, a dielectric layer, a first conductive plug, and a second conductive plug. The first conductive plug passes through only an upper dielectric portion of the dielectric structure, the dielectric layer and a lower dielectric portion of the dielectric structure to physically and electrically contact with the first conductive structure. The second conductive plug passes through the upper dielectric portion, the dielectric layer and the lower dielectric portion to physically and electrically contact with the second conductive structure. |
| US09142447B2 |
Semiconductor having optimized insulation structure and process for producing the semiconductor
A semiconductor having an optimized insulation structure which is simple and inexpensive to produce and can be made smaller than LOCOS insulation structures is disclosed. An implantation mask on a surface of a semiconductor substrate is used to implant elements into the semiconductor substrate, which elements, on thermal activation, form an insulation region together with the further elements of the semiconductor substrate. The thermal activation is effected by means of laser irradiation, during which the semiconductor substrate is briefly melted and then recrystallizes during the subsequent cooling, so that the implanted elements form the insulation region together with the further elements of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09142445B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming shallow trench isolation structures having rounded corners
Methods for rounding the bottom corners of a shallow trench isolation structure are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method comprising forming a first masking layer on a sidewall of an opening in a substrate, removing, to a first depth, a first portion of the substrate at a bottom surface of the opening having the first masking layer therein, forming a second masking layer on the first masking layer in the opening, and removing, to a second depth, a second portion of the substrate at the bottom surface of the opening having the first and second masking layers therein. Other embodiments also are described. |
| US09142442B2 |
Apparatus for transferring substrates
The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring a substrate. The apparatus includes a supporting member; an elevating and rotating member; a transferring unit; a first arm whose one end is supported by the elevating and rotating member to be rotatable; a second arm whose one end is supported by the transferring unit to be rotatable and whose the other end is supported by the other end of the first arm to be rotatable; and an arm driving part, installed on the first arm, which drives the other end of the second arm to pivot on the other end of the first arm to allow the first arm and the second arm to be folded or unfolded and thus removes the state of singularity by rotating the other end of the second arm based on the other end of the first arm. |
| US09142441B2 |
Method of mounting a semiconductor wafer with a support board on a supporting adhesive tape joined to a ring frame
A resin sealing sheet is cut into an adhesive sheet piece having an outer shape smaller than that of a wafer. The adhesive sheet piece is joined to a supporting adhesive tape together with a ring frame. The adhesive tape between the ring frame and the adhesive sheet piece is sandwiched by upper and lower housings to form a chamber. The wafer with a support board placed on a wafer holding table within the chamber faces to the adhesive sheet piece closely. The chamber is divided into two spaces by the adhesive tape. Differential pressure generated within the two spaces causes the adhesive tape and the adhesive sheet piece to cave and bend toward the wafer, whereby the adhesive sheet piece is joined to the wafer. |
| US09142440B2 |
Carrier structure for stacked-type semiconductor device, method of producing the same, and method of fabricating stacked-type semiconductor device
A method of producing a carrier structure for fabricating a stacked-type semiconductor device includes laminating thin plates for a lower carrier associated with an upper carrier. The method includes forming openings in the thin plates by etching or electric discharge machining. The lower carrier includes a magnet that is buried therein and the magnet maintains contact between the lower carrier and the upper carrier. A thin plate of the laminated thin plates is provided on each opposing surface of the magnet. The lower carrier further includes multiple magnets arranged around a periphery of the lower carrier and through a center region of the lower carrier that is between magnets on the periphery. |
| US09142438B2 |
Techniques for clamping and declamping a substrate
Methods of clamping and declamping a wafer from a platen are disclosed. The platen comprises one or more electrodes, which are electrically biased to electrostatically clamp the wafer to the platen. The electrode is biased to a first voltage where the wafer may be processed. Thereafter, one or more voltages are subsequently applied to the electrodes. In some embodiments, each subsequent voltage is less than the previously applied voltage. In other embodiments, one or more of the subsequent voltages may be greater than the previously applied voltage. This sequence of voltage may reduce the likelihood that the wafer will stick or adhere to the platen during the removal process. |
| US09142435B2 |
Substrate stage of substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing apparatus
Provided is a substrate processing apparatus including a partitioned susceptor and configured to heat a substrate uniformly for improving process quality and yield. The substrate stage comprises a plurality of susceptor segments embedded with heating units, a substrate stage unit comprising the plurality of susceptor segments arranged in a flat configuration to define a substrate placement surface, and a uniform heating part mounted at the substrate placement surface. |
| US09142433B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
In a substrate processing apparatus, an anti-static liquid supply part supplies the anti-static liquid having electrical resistivity higher than that of an SPM liquid onto a substrate to puddle an entire upper surface of the substrate with the anti-static liquid, to thereby gradually remove static electricity from the substrate. Then, the processing liquid supply part supplies the SPM liquid onto the substrate to thereby perform an SPM process. In the SPM process, it is thereby possible to prevent a large amount of electric charges from rapidly moving from the substrate to the SPM liquid and prevent any damage to the substrate. Further, by maintaining the electrical resistivity of the anti-static liquid at the target electrical resistivity, it is possible to increase the static elimination efficiency of the substrate and shorten the time required for the static elimination process within the limits of causing no damage to the substrate. |
| US09142431B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming base substrate with cavities formed through etch-resistant conductive layer for bump locking
A semiconductor device has a base substrate with first and second etch-resistant conductive layers formed over opposing surfaces of the base substrate. First cavities are etched in the base substrate through an opening in the first conductive layer. The first cavities have a width greater than a width of the opening in the first conductive layer. Second cavities are etched in the base substrate between portions of the first or second conductive layer. A semiconductor die is mounted over the base substrate with bumps disposed over the first conductive layer. The bumps are reflowed to electrically connect to the first conductive layer and cause bump material to flow into the first cavities. An encapsulant is deposited over the die and base substrate. A portion of the base substrate is removed down to the second cavities to form electrically isolated base leads between the first and second conductive layers. |
| US09142427B2 |
Methods of making an interposer structure with embedded capacitor structure
A device is disclosed which includes an interposer, at least one capacitor formed at least partially within an opening formed in the interposer and an integrated circuit that is operatively coupled to the interposer. A method is disclosed which includes obtaining an interposer having at least one capacitor formed at least partially within an opening in the interposer and operatively coupling an integrated circuit to the interposer. A method is also disclosed which includes obtaining an interposer comprising a dielectric material, forming an opening in the interposer and forming a capacitor that is positioned at least partially within the opening. |
| US09142426B2 |
Stack frame for electrical connections and the method to fabricate thereof
A method of forming a conductive pattern on a metallic frame for manufacturing a stack frame for electrical connections is disclosed. In one embodiment, a recess is formed in the metallic frame and a conductive element is bonded in the recess to make a stack frame for electrical connections. In another embodiment, the process can be performed on both top surface and bottom surface of metallic frame to make another stack frame for electrical connections. In yet another embodiment, a package structure and a manufacturing method of forming a conductive pattern on a lead frame for electrical connections are disclosed. |
| US09142421B2 |
Double patterning lithography techniques
Techniques are disclosed for double patterning of a lithographic feature using a barrier layer between the pattern layers. In some cases, the techniques may be implemented with double patterning of a one- or two-dimensional photolithographic feature, for example. In some embodiments, the barrier layer is deposited to protect a first photoresist pattern prior to application of a second photoresist pattern thereon and/or to tailor (e.g., shrink) one or more of the critical dimensions of a trench, hole, or other etchable geometric feature to be formed in a substrate or other suitable surface via lithographic processes. In some embodiments, the techniques may be implemented to generate/print small features (e.g., less than or equal to about 100 nm) including one- and two-dimensional features/structures of varying complexity. |
| US09142420B2 |
Extensions of self-assembled structures to increased dimensions via a “bootstrap” self-templating method
Methods for fabricating sublithographic, nanoscale arrays of openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. Embodiments of the invention use a self-templating or multilayer approach to induce ordering of a self-assembling block copolymer film to an underlying base film to produce a multilayered film having an ordered array of nanostructures that can be removed to provide openings in the film which, in some embodiments, can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer. |
| US09142419B2 |
Semiconductor device manufacturing method
In a semiconductor device manufacturing method, on a film to be processed, a mask material film is formed which has pattern openings for a plurality of contact patterns and connection openings for connecting adjacent pattern openings in such a manner that the connection between them is constricted in the middle. Then, a sidewall film is formed on the sidewalls of the individual openings in the mask material film, thereby not only making the diameter of the pattern openings smaller but also separating adjacent pattern openings. Then, the film to be processed is selectively etched with the mask material film and sidewall film as a mask, thereby making contact holes. |
| US09142416B1 |
Process to reduce nodule formation in electroless plating
A method for providing electroless deposition of a metal layer on a plurality of metal patterns, wherein a dielectric surface is between some of the plurality of metal patterns and metal residue is on the dielectric surface is provided. The dielectric surface is pretreated with an alkaline solution with a pH of at least 8 comprising at least one complexing agent, wherein the complexing agent forms a metal complex with the metal residue and wherein some metal oxide residue remains. The dielectric surface is pretreated with an acidic solution, wherein the acidic solution dissolves metal oxide residue. Metal is electrolessly deposited on the plurality of metal patterns. |
| US09142415B2 |
Deposition apparatus, method of forming thin film using the deposition apparatus, and method of manufacturing organic light emitting display apparatus using the deposition apparatus
A deposition apparatus for performing a deposition process on a substrate includes: an injection unit including a plasma generating member which receives a raw material gas and converts the raw material gas to a deposition source material in a radical form; and a plasma processor disposed adjacent to the injection unit and facing a side of the injection unit, wherein the plasma processor performs a plasma process in a direction facing the substrate. |
| US09142411B2 |
Method for producing semiconductor device
A method for producing a semiconductor device includes: an arranging process of arranging a plurality of silicon carbide wafers having opposed first and surfaces so that the first surface and the second surface of adjacent silicon carbide wafers face each other and are separated in parallel; and a heat treatment process of heating the arranged plurality of silicon carbide wafers so that the first surface of each silicon carbide wafer becomes higher in temperature than the second surface thereof, and, in the adjacent silicon carbide wafers, the second surface of one silicon carbide wafer becomes higher in temperature than the first surface of the other silicon carbide wafer that faces the second surface. |
| US09142410B2 |
Semiconductor nano layer structure and manufacturing method thereof
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor nano layer structure includes: two substrates are provided; a plurality of semiconductor nanowires are formed on one of the substrates; an absorption surface is formed on the other substrate; one of the substrates is fixed on a cylindrical roller, the cylindrical roller is brought into contact with a surface of the substrate which is stationary and is not fixed on the cylindrical roller, and rolled with a constant velocity and pressure so that the semiconductor nanowires are break, detached, transferred and absorbed, and a semiconductor nano layer structure is formed on the stationary substrate; a de-laminating process is performed to separate the semiconductor nano layer structure from the second substrate; an electric Joule heat welding process is locally performed to bond each of the semiconductor nanowires of the semiconductor nano layer structure or each semiconductor nano layer structure. |
| US09142409B2 |
Polysilicon thin film and manufacturing method thereof, array substrate and display device
A polysilicon thin film and a manufacturing method thereof, an array substrate and a display device are disclosed. The manufacturing method of the polysilicon thin film comprises the following steps: forming a graphene layer and an amorphous silicon layer which are adjacent; forming polysilicon by way of crystallizing amorphous silicon so as to obtain the polysilicon thin film. The polysilicon thin film manufactured by the method possesses good characteristics. |
| US09142408B2 |
Liquid precursor for deposition of indium selenide and method of preparing the same
Liquid precursors containing indium and selenium suitable for deposition on a substrate to form thin films suitable for semiconductor applications are disclosed. Methods of preparing such liquid precursors and method of depositing a liquid precursor on a substrate are also disclosed. |
| US09142406B1 |
III-N material grown on ErAlN buffer on Si substrate
III-N material grown on a buffer on a substrate that includes one of a single crystal silicon or a single crystal sapphire. A buffer of single crystal alloy, including one of ErxAl1-xN or (RE1yRE21-y)xAl1-xN, is positioned on the substrate. A layer of single crystal III-N material is positioned on the surface of the buffer and the single crystal alloy has a lattice constant substantially crystal lattice matched to the layer of single crystal III-N material. When the III-N material is GaN, the x in the formula for the alloy varies from less than 1 adjacent the substrate to greater than or equal to 0.249 adjacent the layer of single crystal GaN. |
| US09142405B2 |
Thin film transistor, method of manufacturing active layers of the thin film transistor, and display device
A thin film transistor including a first polycrystalline semiconductor layer disposed on a substrate, a second polycrystalline semiconductor layer disposed on the first polycrystalline semiconductor layer, and metal catalysts configured to adjoin the first polycrystalline semiconductor layer and spaced apart from one another at specific intervals. |
| US09142404B2 |
Systems and methods for annealing semiconductor device structures using microwave radiation
Systems and methods are provided for annealing a semiconductor device structure using microwave radiation. For example, a semiconductor device structure is provided. An interfacial layer is formed on the semiconductor device structure. A high-k dielectric layer is formed on the interfacial layer. Microwave radiation is applied to anneal the semiconductor device structure for fabricating semiconductor devices. |
| US09142401B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with a continuous silicate glass structure
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a continuous silicate glass structure over a first surface of a semiconductor body, including a first part of the continuous glass structure over an active area of the semiconductor body and a second part of the continuous glass structure over an area of the semiconductor body outside of the active area. A first composition of dopants included in the first part of continuous glass structure differs from a second composition of dopants of the second part of the continuous glass structure. |
| US09142400B1 |
Method of making a heteroepitaxial layer on a seed area
A method for making a heteroepitaxial layer. The method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate. A seed area delineated with a selective growth mask is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The seed area comprises a first material and has a linear surface dimension of less than 100 nm. A heteroepitaxial layer is grown on the seed area, the heteroepitaxial layer comprising a second material that is different from the first material. Devices made by the method are also disclosed. |
| US09142398B2 |
Substrate processing method
A substrate processing method includes rotating a substrate about a central axis thereof; starting irradiation of a surface of the substrate with soft X-rays; simultaneously with or after starting the irradiation of the surface of the substrate with the soft X-rays, starting supply of pure water onto the surface of the substrate; stopping the supply of the pure water onto the surface of the substrate; and then stopping the irradiation of the surface of the substrate with the soft X-rays. |
| US09142397B2 |
High color rendering index fluorescent lamp with multi-layer phosphor coating
Described are methods and apparatus for providing fluorescent lamps having a two-layer phosphor coating that includes a base coating and a top coating that economically provides a high color rendering index (CRI) of at least 87 with improved brightness. In an embodiment, a low-pressure discharge lamp includes a light transmissive envelope having a basecoat phosphor layer disposed on an inner surface, wherein the basecoat phosphor layer includes less than ten percent weight of a rare earth phosphor. Also included is a topcoat phosphor layer on a surface of the base coat phosphor layer that includes a blend of at least red, green, green-blue and blue emitting rare earth phosphors, and a fill gas composition within the light transmissive envelope. |
| US09142396B2 |
Ceramic metal halide lamp with feedthrough comprising an iridium wire
The invention relates to a ceramic metal halide lamp having a ceramic discharge vessel, characterized in that the discharge vessel encloses a discharge space which comprises an electrode, which electrode is electrically connected to a conductor outside the discharge vessel by means of a feedthrough comprising an Ir wire, the feedthrough being gas-tight mounted in an extended plug, also referred to as vup, of the discharge vessel, the feedthrough comprising an electrode—feedthrough combination made up of at least three parts with a W or W—Re rod or a Mo or Mo alloy wire extending out of the vup for burner mounting, which W or W—Re or MO or MO alloy wire is welded to the Ir wire. |
| US09142392B2 |
Self-cleaning radio frequency plasma source
A self-cleaning radio frequency (RF) plasma source for a semiconductor manufacturing process is described. Various examples provide an RF plasma source comprising an RF antenna and a rotatable dielectric sleeve disposed around the RF antenna. The dielectric is positioned between a process chamber and cleaning chamber such that portions of the surface of the dielectric may be exposed to either the process chamber or the cleaning chamber. As material is deposited on the outer surface of the dielectric in the process chamber, the dielectric sleeve is rotated so that the portion containing the buildup is exposed to the cleaning chamber. A sputtering process in the cleaning chamber removes the buildup from the surface of the sleeve. The dielectric sleeve is then rotated so that it exposed to the process chamber. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US09142389B2 |
Microwave power delivery system for plasma reactors
A microwave power delivery system for supplying microwave power to a plurality of microwave plasma reactors (8), the microwave power delivery system comprising: a tuner (14) configured to be coupled to a microwave source (4) and configured to match impedance of the plurality of microwave plasma reactors to that of the microwave source; and a waveguide junction (18) coupled to the tuner and configured to guide microwaves to and from the plurality of microwave plasma reactors, wherein the waveguide junction comprises four waveguide ports including a first port coupled to the tuner, second and third ports configured to be coupled to respective microwave plasma reactors, and a fourth port coupled to a microwave sink (20), wherein the waveguide junction is configured to evenly split microwave power input from the tuner through the first port between the second and third ports for providing microwave power to respective microwave plasma reactors, wherein the waveguide junction is configured to decouple the second and third ports thereby preventing any reflected microwaves from one of the microwave plasma reactors from feeding across the waveguide junction directly into another microwave plasma reactor causing an imbalance, wherein the waveguide junction is further configured to feed reflected microwaves received back through the second and third ports which are balanced in terms of magnitude and phase to the tuner such that they can be reflected by the tuner and re-used, and wherein the waveguide junction is further configured to feed excess reflected power which is not balanced through the fourth port into the microwave sink. |
| US09142388B2 |
Capacitively coupled remote plasma source
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for capacitively coupling energy into a plasma to ignite and sustain the plasma within a remote plasma source. The power is provided by a first electrode that at least partially surrounds or is surrounded by a second electrode. The second electrode can be grounded or floating. First and second dielectric components can be arranged to separate one or both of the electrodes from the plasma and thereby DC isolate the plasma from one or both of the electrodes. |
| US09142386B2 |
Ion beam line
In some aspects, an ion implantation system is disclosed that includes an ion source for generating a ribbon ion beam and at least one corrector device for adjusting the current density of the ribbon ion beam along its longitudinal dimension to ensure that the current density profile exhibits a desired uniformity. The ion implantation system can further include other components, such as an analyzer magnet, and electrostatic bend and focusing lenses, to shape and steer the ion beam to an end station for impingement on a substrate. In some embodiments, the present teachings allows the generation of a nominally one-dimensional ribbon beam with a longitudinal size greater than the diameter of a substrate in which ions are implanted with a high degree of longitudinal profile uniformity. |
| US09142377B2 |
Cathode housing suspension of an electron beam device
A cathode-housing suspension of an electron beam device having a tubular body of elongate shape with an exit window extending in the longitudinal direction and a connector end in one end of the tubular body is disclosed. The electron beam device further comprises a cathode housing having an elongate shape and comprising a free end and an attachment end remote to the free end, and the attachment end comprises an outwardly extending flange provided with threaded openings for set screws and non-threaded openings for attachment bolts, for attaching the attachment end to a corresponding socket of the tubular body, wherein a mechanism configured to bias the attachment end away from the socket are arranged in the tubular body. |
| US09142376B2 |
Method for fabricating field emission cathode, field emission cathode thereof, and field emission lighting source using the same
A method for fabricating field emission cathode, a field emission cathode, and a field emission lighting source are provided. The method includes: forming a catalyst crystallite nucleus layer on the surface of cathode substrate by self-assembly of a noble metal catalyst, growing a composited nano carbon material on the cathode substrate by using a TCVD process, in which the composited nano carbon material includes coil carbon nano tubes and coil carbon nano fibers. The measured quantity of total coil carbon nano tubes and coil carbon nano fibers is higher than 40%. The field emission cathode is fabricated by the aforementioned method, and the field emission lighting source includes the aforementioned field emission cathode. |
| US09142365B2 |
Solenoid-driven automatic transfer switch
A solenoid-driven automatic bus transfer switch may automatically transfer one or more electrical loads from a first power source to a second power source, or vice versa, in the event of a power failure or other casualty that affects either power source. The transfer switch may be operated in response to the energization of a solenoid coil, which causes a main shaft having a transfer element to rotate from being in contact with the first power source to being in contact with the second power source. The transfer element may be spring-mounted to the shaft, which ensures that a sufficient electrical contact exists between the surfaces of the transfer element and the respective leads of the first and second power sources, regardless of any wear or degradation that may be experienced at any of the surfaces. |
| US09142364B2 |
Contactor mounting panel with improved thermal characteristics
An electrical contactor assembly is provided including an electrical contactor, an electrical bus bar, and a single panel formed of one more layers of an electrically insulating, thermally conductive material. A plurality of posts protrude through and directly contact the panel. Each of the posts is constructed from an electrically and thermally conductive material. Each post has a first end configured to electrically and thermally connect to the electrical contactor and a second end configured to electrically and thermally connect to the bus bar. |
| US09142362B2 |
Fabric pressure switch
A fabric pressure switch includes a first resilient conductive tissue, a second resilient conductive tissue, and a support tissue. The support tissue is arranged between and connects the first resilient conductive tissue and the second resilient conductive tissue. The first resilient conductive tissue, the second resilient conductive tissue, and the support tissue are unitarily combined through knitting to form the fabric pressure switch. |
| US09142358B2 |
Power storage device and electric device
Provided is a power storage device having a high discharge capacitance and a light-transmitting property. The power storage device includes a first current collector having a net-like planar shape; a first active material layer over the first current collector; a solid electrolyte layer over the first active material layer; a second active material layer over the solid electrolyte layer; and a second current collector over the second active material layer. |
| US09142353B2 |
Discharge capacitor
A discharge capacitor for use in electronic circuits is described. The discharge capacitor has first internal electrodes in electrical contact with a first external termination and second internal electrodes parallel to and interleaved with the first internal electrodes wherein the second internal electrodes are in electrical contact with a second external termination. A dielectric is between the first internal electrodes and adjacent second internal electrodes. A first discharge gap is between at least one first internal electrode of said first internal electrodes and said second external termination. |
| US09142352B2 |
Capacitor for high g-force applications
An electrolytic capacitor capable of operating at 75 g or greater is provided having a case with a base and a lid, with a wound capacitor element positioned on its side, lengthwise along the bottom of the base and with the underside of the lid pressed against the length of the capacitor element, to frictionally engage the capacitor element. The case is provided with inwardly projecting surfaces, including a bulkhead at one end of the capacitor element and ridges on the lid, which function as barriers to restrict movement of the capacitor element within the case. A compartment is created at one end of the case, to allow space for terminals, which are embedded in a non-conductive support matrix. |
| US09142350B2 |
Synthesis of ordered L10-type FeNi nanoparticles
Particles of iron and nickel are added to a flowing plasma stream which does not chemically alter the iron or nickel. The iron and nickel are heated and vaporized in the stream, and then a cryogenic fluid is added to the stream to rapidly cause the formation of nanometer size particles of iron and nickel. The particles are separated from the stream. The particles are preferably formed as single crystals in which the iron and nickel atoms are organized in a tetragonal L10 crystal structure which displays magnetic anisotropy. A minor portion of an additive, such as titanium, vanadium, aluminum, boron, carbon, phosphorous, or sulfur, may be added to the plasma stream with the iron and nickel to enhance formation of the desired crystal structure. |
| US09142347B2 |
Semiconductor package with air core inductor (ACI) having a metal-density layer unit of fractal geometry
Semiconductor packages with air core inductors (ACIs) having metal-density layer units of fractal geometry are described. In an example, an inductor structure includes a stack of metal loops. One or more input terminals is coupled to the stack of metal loops. One or more output terminals is coupled to the stack of metal loops. One or more metal-density layer units is disposed above and over the stack of metal loops. At least one of the metal-density layer units has a fractal geometry. |
| US09142340B2 |
Chip varistor
An element body has first and second faces opposed to each other. A first conductor has one end exposed in a first face and the other end located in the element body. The second conductor has one end exposed in a second face and the other end located in the element body. The element body has a first element body section having the nonlinear voltage-current characteristics and a second element body section in which an electric current is more likely to flow than in the first element body section. The first element body section is located at least in part between the first conductor and the second conductor, in a direction in which the first conductor and the second conductor are separated from each other. The other end of the first conductor and the other end of the second conductor are located in the second element body section. |
| US09142338B2 |
Oil transformer insulation module
An exemplary oil transformer insulation module includes at least a first flat layer and a second layer adjacent and substantially and parallel to the first layer. The first and second layers include planar first insulation material and are connected to and spaced apart from a third corrugated layer that is arranged between the first and second layers. The third layer includes planar second insulation material, has lateral edges, and is corrugated such that all the cavities formed by the corrugated form can be flooded with a liquid via the lateral edges. |
| US09142337B2 |
Electric fence insulator assembly
An electric fence insulator assembly configured for attaching to tree trunks, pipes, posts and t-posts of various size, shape and materials is disclosed. The electric fence insulator assembly comprises two panels disposed at an obtuse angle and connected by a connecting member containing a clamp. Attached to the rear of each panel is a cord gripping member. The electric fence insulator assembly is fitted between the two panels and an elasticized cord wraps around the tree trunk, pipe or post, then wedged into the first gripping member at one end and wedged into the second gripping member at its other end. This configuration minimizes the contact area of the electric fence insulator assembly with the tree trunk. The shape of the insulator is designed to maximize stability and provide a secure attachment to trees, pipes and posts. A stretchable cord allows for expansion and adjustability as the tree grows. |
| US09142336B2 |
Method of manufacturing electrical cable, and resulting product, with reduced required installation pulling force
Disclosed is type THHN cable having a reduced surface coefficient of friction, and the method of manufacture thereof, in which the central conductor core and insulating layer are surrounded by a nylon sheath. A high viscosity, high molecular weight silicone based pulling lubricant for THHN cable, or alternatively, erucamide or stearyl erucamide for small THHN gauge wire, is incorporated, by alternate methods, with the nylon material from which the outer sheath is extruded, and is effective to reduce the required pulling force on the cable during installation. |
| US09142331B2 |
Elastomer composite with improved dielectric properties and production method thereof
Disclosed is an elastomer-conductive filler composite with improved dielectric properties. The composite includes conductive fillers and an ionic liquid dispersing the conductive fillers. The ionic liquid is used as a dispersant to effectively enhance the dispersion of the conductive fillers, achieving a high dielectric constant and a low dielectric loss of the composite without deteriorating the physical properties of the conductive fillers. The use of the ionic liquid can reduce the number of processing steps and the presence of the conductive fillers at a low concentration in the composite can minimize deterioration of the physical properties of the elastomer. Further disclosed is a method for producing the composite. |
| US09142319B2 |
Semiconductor device employing fuse programming
A semiconductor device includes a fuse unit connected to a detection node and configured to be programmed in response to a first voltage supplied through the detection node, an output unit connected to the detection node and configured to output a fuse information signal indicating whether the fuse unit is programmed or not, and a blocking unit configured to block the first voltage supplied through the detection node in response to the fuse information signal. |
| US09142315B2 |
Methods and systems for adjusting NVM cell bias conditions for read/verify operations to compensate for performance degradation
Methods and systems are disclosed for adjusting read/verify bias conditions for non-volatile memory (NVM) cells to improve performance and product lifetime of NVM systems. System embodiments include integrated NVM systems having a NVM controller, a bias voltage generator, and an NVM cell array. Further, the NVM systems can store performance degradation information and read/verify bias condition information within storage circuitry. The disclosed embodiments adjust read/verify bias conditions for the NVM cells based upon performance degradation determinations, for example, temperature-based performance degradation determinations. |
| US09142314B2 |
Limiting flash memory over programming
Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to programming an at least one flash memory cell using an at least one programming pulse with a new programming voltage having a level. The level is maintained in at least one page in a block of a flash memory controller memory, wherein the level varies as a function of a number of programming cycles applied to the at least one flash memory cell. |
| US09142310B1 |
Nonvolatile memory device and merthod of operating the same
A nonvolatile memory device includes a control circuit that generates an integrated activation signal based on a read command signal for instructing start of an read operation and a ready/busy signal, and simultaneously generates a voltage control signal and a path control signal in response to the integrated activation signal, a voltage providing circuit that generates voltages used to perform the read operation in response to the voltage control signal, and path control circuits that control electrical path connection to a memory cell array in which the read operation is performed in response to the path control signal. |
| US09142305B2 |
System to reduce stress on word line select transistor during erase operation
A system for erasing a non-volatile storage system that reduces the voltage across the word line select transistors which interface between the word lines and global control lines. The use of the lower voltage across the word line select transistors allows for the word line select transistors to be made smaller. The use of smaller components allows the non-volatile storage system to include more memory cells, thereby providing the ability to store more data. |
| US09142301B2 |
Data writing method and system
A data writing method for writing data to a flash memory includes writing an initial value to the data storage area, determining whether or not the writing of the initial value is performed normally based on a write flag, writing data to the data storage area when the writing is performed normally, and erasing a block including the data storage area when the writing is not performed normally. An initial value is written to the data storage area before writing data, so that whether or not an error correction code storage area contains the initial value may be confirmed. An erase operation of the block is performed only when the error correction code storage area does not contain the initial value, so that the number of times of erasure of the block may be reduced and the life of the product may be increased. |
| US09142298B2 |
Efficient smart verify method for programming 3D non-volatile memory
In a programming operation of a 3D stacked non-volatile memory device, an initial set of memory cells on a selected word line layer, involving fewer than all memory cells on a selected word line layer, are programmed first as a test case to determine optimal conditions for programming the remaining memory cells on the selected word line layer. For example, a number of program-verify iterations or loops which are needed to program the initial set of memory cells an initial amount is determined. This loop count is then stored, e.g., within the initial set of memory cells, within the remaining memory cells, within memory cells on a remaining word line layer, or in a data register, and programming of the initial set of memory cells continues to completion. Subsequently, the loop count is retrieved and used to determine an optimal starting program voltage for programming the remaining memory cells. |
| US09142295B2 |
Content addressable memory
A content addressable memory includes a memory array having a plurality of match lines extending in a first direction, a plurality of search lines extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a plurality of memory cells, each disposed at points where the match lines and the search lines intersect. The content addressable memory also includes a plurality of search line drivers, each of the search line drivers being provided to drive the search lines based on search data; a search control circuit generating a search line enable signal, and including a first and a second transistor, the first transistor) for output the search line enable signal and the second transistor for receiving the search line enable signal; and a control signal wiring coupled to the search control circuit and transmitting the search line enable signal to each of the search line drivers. |
| US09142294B2 |
Nonvolatile resistive memory device and writing method
A writing method for a resistive nonvolatile memory device includes writing data to a resistive nonvolatile memory cell using an up/down write pulse signal when the data is first data type, and writing data to the resistive nonvolatile memory cell using only one of an up write pulse signal and a down write pulse signal when the data is second data type. |
| US09142292B2 |
Method for reading data from nonvolatile storage element, and nonvolatile storage device
Provided is a method for reading data from a variable resistance nonvolatile storage element, where the operation for reading data is less susceptible to a fluctuation phenomenon of resistance values in reading the data. The method includes: detecting a current value Iread that flows through the nonvolatile storage element that can be in a low resistance state RL and a high resistance state RH, with application of a fixed voltage; and determining that (i) the nonvolatile storage element is in a high resistance state when the current value Iread detected in the detecting is smaller than a current reference level Iref, and (ii) the nonvolatile storage element is in a low resistance state when the current value Iread detected in the detecting is larger than the reference level Iref, the current reference level Iref being defined by (IRL+IRH)/2 |
| US09142287B2 |
Coding for crossbar architecture
A method for encoding bits to be stored within a crossbar memory architecture performed by a physical computing system includes designating, with the physical computing system, a subset of crosspoints within a crossbar matrix, the crossbar matrix comprising a number of disjointed intersecting wire segments, the subset corresponding to a predetermined path through the crossbar matrix; and encoding, with the physical computing system, a number of data bits to be placed along the predetermined path; in which the encoding causes bits pertaining to at least one of the wire segments to be subject to a constraint when the data bits are placed along the predetermined path. |
| US09142285B2 |
Multi-port SRAM with shared write bit-line architecture and selective read path for low power operation
A multi-port SRAM with shared write bit-line architecture and selective read path for low power operation includes a first memory cell, a second memory cell, and a common switch set. The second memory cell makes use of the common switch set to share the A-port write bit-line and the B-port write bit-line with the first memory cell so as to reduce half write bit-line number and reduce the write current consumption caused by pre-charging the bit-line to VDD. It also provides a selective read path structure for read operation. Replacing the ground connection in the read port with a virtual VSS controlled by a Y-select signal reduces read-port current consumption. |
| US09142282B2 |
Power supply scheme for small swing data line and method of operating the same
A circuit includes a plurality of buffers configured to provide data on a corresponding signal line. Each of the plurality of buffers may be coupled to a power supply voltage through a corresponding diode. A plurality of receiving circuits may be coupled to receive the data provided on a corresponding one of the plurality of signal lines. The plurality of receiving circuits may be directly powered by the power supply voltage. |
| US09142276B2 |
Semiconductor device including latency counter
For example, a semiconductor device includes a first latency counter, which selects whether to give an odd-cycle latency to an internal command signal; and a second latency counter, which gives a latency to an internal command signal at intervals of two cycles. The latency counters are connected in series. Since the number of bits in control information, which is used to set a latency, is smaller than the types of settable latency as a result, it is possible to reduce wiring density. |
| US09142275B2 |
Wordline tracking for boosted-wordline timing scheme
Some aspects of the present disclosure a method. In this method, a wordline voltage is provided to a wordline, which is coupled to a plurality of memory cells. A boost enable signal is provided. The state of the boost enable signal is indicative of whether the wordline voltage at a predetermined position on the wordline has reached a non-zero, predetermined wordline voltage. The wordline voltage is selectively boosted to a boosted wordline voltage level based on the boost enable signal. |
| US09142272B2 |
Dual asynchronous and synchronous memory system
Embodiments relate to a dual asynchronous and synchronous memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a memory controller and a memory buffer chip coupled to the memory controller via a synchronous channel. The memory buffer chip includes a memory buffer unit configured to synchronously communicate with the memory controller in a nest domain, and a memory buffer adaptor configured to communicate with at least one memory interface port in a memory domain. The at least one memory interface port is operable to access at least one memory device. A boundary layer is connected to the nest domain and the memory domain, where the boundary layer is configurable to operate in a synchronous transfer mode between the nest and memory domains and to operate in an asynchronous transfer mode between the nest and memory domains. |
| US09142268B2 |
Dual-voltage domain memory buffers, and related systems and methods
Dual-voltage domain memory buffers, and related systems and methods are disclosed. To reduce area needed for voltage level shifters for voltage level shifting, latch banks are provided in a voltage domain of memory buffer read circuitry, separate from the voltage domain of a write data input to the latch banks. A write data input voltage level shifter is disposed between the write data input and the latch banks to voltage level shift write data on the write data input to the voltage domain of the latch banks. In this manner, voltage level shifters are not required to voltage level shill the latch bank outputs, because the latch banks are in the voltage domain of the memory buffer read circuitry. In this manner, semiconductor area that would otherwise be needed for the voltage level shifters to voltage level shift latch bank outputs is not required. |
| US09142267B1 |
Power generator for data line of memory apparatus
The invention provides the power generator includes a bias voltage generator and a voltage clamping circuit. The bias voltage generator receives a reference voltage and generates a bias voltage according to the reference voltage. The voltage clamping circuit is coupled to the bias voltage generator. The voltage clamping circuit receives a supply voltage and the bias voltage and respectively outputs a plurality of data line power to the data transporting buffers by clamping the supply voltage according to the bias voltage. Wherein, the supply voltage is varied between a voltage range, and voltage levels of the data line powers are all constant. |
| US09142266B2 |
Memory circuitry using write assist voltage boost
Within a memory 2 comprising an array 4 of bit cells 6 write driver circuitry 14 uses a boosted write signal which is boosted to a lower than normal level during a write operation. Column select transistors 16 are driven by column select circuitry 12. The column select signal is boosted to a lower than normal level when a column is unselected and to higher than a normal level when a column is selected. Voltage boost circuitry, such as charge pumps 20, 22 are employed within the column select circuitry 12 to achieve these boosted levels for the columns select signal. |
| US09142262B2 |
Stacked semiconductor device
A stacked semiconductor device is disclosed that includes a plurality of semiconductor dies. Each die has oppositely disposed first and second surfaces, with pads formed on each of the surfaces. A plurality of through-vias connect respective pads on the first surface to respective pads on the second surface. The through-vias include a first group of through-vias coupled to respective I/O circuitry on the semiconductor die and a second group of through-vias not coupled to I/O circuitry on the semiconductor die. The plurality of semiconductor dies are stacked such that the first group of through-vias in a first one of the plurality of semiconductor dies are aligned with respective ones of at least a portion of the second group of through-vias in a second one of the plurality of semiconductor dies. |
| US09142254B2 |
Capturing frames from an external source
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for designating a memory region for receiving image frames from an image frame server, the image frames are from a first sequence of image frames. Each image frame in the first sequence of image frames is associated with a time position on a first timeline. A needed image frame is selected, the needed image frame associated with a second time position on a second timeline. The second time position is mapped on the second timeline to a first time position on the first timeline. The image frame server is requested to provide an image frame from the first sequence of image frames at the first time position on the first timeline. |
| US09142252B2 |
Magnetic disk drive and data rewrite methods
In one embodiment, a magnetic disk drive includes a magnetic disk having data tracks, a magnetic head, a motion mechanism for moving the magnetic head, and a controller. The controller adds a value to a rewrite parameter for a rewrite region based on a number of writes to data tracks related to the rewrite region, the value is chosen to reflect a degree of influence the number of writes have on the rewrite region, and the magnetic head rewrites data of the rewrite region when the rewrite parameter is greater than a threshold. In another embodiment, a method includes writing data tracks in a rewrite region, defining values reflecting a degree(s) of influence on the rewrite region, adding the values to a rewrite parameter upon writing data to the data tracks, determining that the rewrite parameter has reached or exceeded a threshold and rewriting data in the rewrite region. |
| US09142251B2 |
Systems and methods for end of fragment marker based data alignment
Systems and method relating generally to data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for data synchronization and detection. |
| US09142245B2 |
Tension transients suppression during acceleration and/or deceleration for storage tape drive
A method according to one embodiment includes receiving or determining primary velocity based on at least one of reading information encoded on a magnetic tape and a parameter associated with a motor of a drive mechanism. At a switching point, a reference velocity is made about equal to the primary velocity. After the switching point, the reference velocity is determined at various intervals. Also after the switching point, a value representative of a difference between the reference velocity and the primary velocity is determined, and a speed of the motor of the drive mechanism is adjusted for minimizing the difference between the reference velocity and the primary velocity. A system according to one embodiment includes a controller for controlling a drive mechanism, the controller being configured to perform the foregoing method. |
| US09142240B2 |
Apparatus including a perpendicular magnetic recording layer having a convex magnetic anisotropy profile
An apparatus may include a first magnetic layer, a first exchange break layer formed on the first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer formed on the first exchange break layer, a second exchange break layer formed on the second magnetic layer, and a third magnetic layer formed on the second exchange break layer. The first magnetic layer has a first magnetic anisotropy energy, Hk1, the second magnetic layer has a second magnetic anisotropy energy, Hk2, and the third magnetic layer has a third magnetic anisotropy energy, Hk3. In some embodiments, Hk1−Hk2 is less than Hk2−Hk3. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be a perpendicular magnetic recording medium. |
| US09142236B1 |
H-bridge power amplifier for optical recording head actuator
A recording head unit is described that can use a pulsed drive signal. The head unit can include a recording head to interact with a storage media, an actuator connected to the recording head and configured to move the recording head relative to the storage media, and control circuitry to send a control signal to the actuator, wherein the control circuitry includes a pulse driven switching circuitry to control current flow to the actuator. An H-bridge can be used to drive the actuator and move the read head. |
| US09142231B2 |
Method of making a transducer head
A method of making a transducer head disclosed herein includes depositing a spacer layer on an NFT layer of the transducer head, forming an etch stop layer on a spacer layer of a transducer, depositing a cladding layer on the etch stop layer, and milling the cladding layer at a sloped angle such that the milling stops at the etch stop layer. |
| US09142229B2 |
Heat assisted magnetic recording head having thermal sensor with high-TCR transparent conducting oxide
A head transducer includes a thermal sensor comprising a conducting ceramic material having a temperature coefficient of resistance. The thermal sensor can comprise a transparent conducting oxide having a temperature coefficient of resistance. The thermal sensor can be situated proximate a near-field transducer of the heat-assisted magnetic recording head transducer. |
| US09142228B2 |
Magnetic recording head having narrow write gap, and disk device provided with the same
A recording head of a disk device includes a main magnetic pole, a write shield which faces the main magnetic pole with a write gap interposed therebetween, a coil configured to generate a magnetic field in the main magnetic pole, and a spin torque oscillator which is arranged in the write gap. The spin torque oscillator includes an intermediate layer formed on the main magnetic pole, a field generation layer formed on the intermediate layer, a spin injection layer, and an interface magnetic layer. The field generation layer and the spin injection layer are arranged in parallel to each other in the direction which intersects with the gap length direction of the write gap, and the spin injection layer is electrically connected with the write shield. |
| US09142227B1 |
Microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) write head and system
A microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) write head includes a yoke structure with a main pole, a flux return pole, and a trailing magnetic shield. The main pole includes a write pole with a tip at the disk-facing surface, a sub pole with an end recessed from the disk-facing surface and an electrically insulating layer between the write pole and the sub pole. The spin-torque oscillator (STO) is located at the disk-facing surface between the trailing shield and the write pole tip. The insulating layer assures that the STO current is not shorted between the return pole and the write pole. The insulating layer between the write pole and the sub pole increases the area of the junction between the return pole and write pole, which reduces the magnetic reluctance of the yoke structure. |
| US09142225B1 |
Electronic system with actuator control mechanism and method of operation thereof
An apparatus includes: a media; a head over the media; a primary-actuator coupled to the head; and control circuitry, coupled to the primary-actuator and a secondary-actuator, configured to limit a secondary-actuator slew rate. |
| US09142223B2 |
Sound processing to produce target volume level
A sound process apparatus includes a processor. The processor may execute instructions, which are stored on a memory, and when executed cause the sound process apparatus to perform operations. An obtaining operation may obtain sound data in a remote site. A first determining operation may determine volume levels of voice and noise in the remote site based on the sound data. A second determining operation may determine a volume level of noise in a local site based on the sound in the local site. A third determining operation may determine a target volume level based on the volume level of the voice in the remote site, the volume level of the noise in the remote site, and the volume level of the noise in the local site. A notifying operation may notify a user of the target volume level. |
| US09142220B2 |
Systems and methods for reconstructing an audio signal from transformed audio information
A system and method may be configured to reconstruct an audio signal from transformed audio information. The audio signal may be resynthesized based on individual harmonics and corresponding pitches determined from the transformed audio information. Noise may be subtracted from the transformed audio information by interpolating across peak points and across trough points of harmonic pitch paths through the transformed audio information, and subtracting values associated with the trough point interpolations from values associated with the peak point interpolations. Noise between harmonics of the sound may be suppressed in the transformed audio information by centering functions at individual harmonics in the transformed audio information, the functions serving to suppress noise between the harmonics. |
| US09142217B2 |
Speech recognition and transcription among users having heterogeneous protocols
A system for facilitating free form dictation, including directed dictation and constrained recognition and/or structured transcription among users having heterogeneous protocols for generating, transcribing, and exchanging recognized and transcribed speech. The system includes a system transaction manager having a “system protocol,” to receive a speech information request from an authorized user. The speech information request is generated using a user interface capable of bi-directional communication with the system transaction manager and supporting dictation applications. A speech recognition and/or transcription engine (ASR), in communication with the system transaction manager, receives the speech information request, generates a transcribed response, and transmits the response to the system transaction manager. The system transaction manager routes the response to one or more of the users. In another embodiment, the system employs a virtual sound driver for streaming free form dictation to any ASR. |
| US09142211B2 |
Speech recognition apparatus, speech recognition method, and computer-readable recording medium
A speech recognition apparatus 20 includes: an identification language model creation unit 21 that selects, from learning texts 27 for various fields for generating language models 26 for the fields, a phrase that includes a word whose appearance frequency satisfies a set condition on a field-by-field basis, and generates an identification language model 25 for identifying the field of speech using the selected phrases; a speech recognition unit 22 that executes speech recognition on the speech using the identification language model 25, and outputs text data and word confidences as a recognition result; and a field determination unit 23 that specifies a field that includes the most words whose confidences are greater than or equal to a set value based on the text data, the word confidences, and the words in the learning texts for the fields, and determines that the specified field is the field of the speech. |
| US09142210B2 |
Method and device for speaker recognition
A method and device for speaker recognition are provided. In the present invention, identifiability re-estimation is performed on a first vector (namely, a weight vector) in a score function by adopting a support vector machine (SVM), so that a recognition result of a characteristic parameter of a test voice is more accurate, thereby improving identifiability of speaker recognition. |
| US09142206B2 |
System for interchangeable mounting options for a sonar transducer
Systems and apparatuses for interchangeable mounting options for a transducer housing are provided herein. Such a system may provide for easy change of mounting to a watercraft, such as between transom mounting, portable mounting, trolling motor mounting, and thru-hull mounting. A system for interchangeable mounting options of a sonar transducer to a watercraft may comprise at least one transducer, a transducer housing configured to house the at least one transducer, and a mount adapter. The transducer housing may comprise at least one upper engagement surface configured to adjacently engage the mount adapter to facilitate mounting. The at least one upper engagement surface may be configured to releasably engage the mount adapter to allow the mount adapter to be detached and removed without damaging or altering the transducer housing. |
| US09142204B2 |
Siren
A preferred siren including a base having a central axis and a peripheral wall circumscribed about the central axis to define an internal chamber. The peripheral wall includes a plurality of apertures in communication with the internal chamber. A rotor is disposed within the chamber and centrally aligned with the axis. The rotor includes a plurality of spaced apart fins radially disposed about the axis, each of the plurality of fins having an outermost portion at a peripheral edge of the rotor and an innermost portion located between the axis and the peripheral edge. An external housing cooperates with the base to enclose the rotor within the internal chamber, the external housing including a first plurality of ports and a second plurality of ports, the first and second plurality of ports being in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the base. A driver is coupled to the rotor and is powered by a supply of carbon-dioxide gas to rotate the rotor about the axis at a rotational speed such that external air is drawn through the first plurality of ports, into the chamber and out the second plurality of ports so as to generate an alarm sound having an intensity greater than 100 decibels (100 dB). |
| US09142202B2 |
Electronic percussion pad and method of manufacturing electronic percussion pad
An electronic percussion pad includes a pad layer and a holding layer that holds this pad layer from a back surface thereof, in which the pad layer is formed of polyurethane foam laminated on a front surface of the holding layer. This pad layer is directly bonded to the holding layer by allowing a polyurethane foam composition, which is supplied to one surface of the holding layer, to foam and be cured. |
| US09142201B2 |
Distribution of audio sheet music within an electronic book
A method of providing synchronized content to a user including: (i) an audio recording of a voice reading written language text and an audio recording of one or more pieces of music; (ii) written language text and music notation content, having elements that can be identified, displayed, and highlighted, the elements representing discrete segments of the written language and music notation content, each of the discrete segments having a beginning and end; and (iii) synchronization data marking beginning and end points in the audio recordings for each element. The method is implemented such that a user may play the audio recording of a voice reading the written language text, and the audio recording of the one or more pieces of music according to the EPUB format, and display the written language text and music notation content according to the EPUB format with synchronization. |
| US09142194B2 |
Transmission method for display device
A transmission method for a display device is provided. The display device includes a one-to-many timing controller and a plurality of source drivers. The transmission method includes determining whether the plurality of source drivers being operated in different operational modes are switched on or off according to a command signal, to receive a display information of the one-to-many timing controller. The display information comprises at least a first control triggering signal, a first control signal, a first display information triggering signal, a first display signal, a second display information triggering signal and a second display signal, and the command signal is an internal setting signal or an external setting signal. |
| US09142186B2 |
Assistance for color recognition
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for processing a color image for a color blind person to perceive color variation within the color image. Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a color image is received from an image capture device or other means. Each area of the color image having one of a specific color or color combination is determined. A pattern is generated based on the one of the specific color or color combination. A pattern overlay of the generated pattern is rendered on a display device. |
| US09142185B2 |
Method and apparatus for selectively presenting content
A machine-implemented method includes obtaining input data and generating output data. The status of at least one contextual factor is determined and compared with a standard. If the status meets the standard, a transformation is applied to the output data. The output data is then outputted to the viewer. Through design and/or selection of contextual factors, standards, and transformations, output data may be selectively outputted to viewers in a context-suitable fashion, e.g. on a head mounted display the viewer's central vision may be left unobstructed while the viewer walks, drives, etc. An apparatus includes at least one sensor that senses a contextual factor. A processor determines the status of the contextual factor, determines if the status meets a standard, generates output data, and applies a transformation to the output data if the status meets the standard. A display outputs the output data to the viewer. |
| US09142183B2 |
Display management system
The display management system includes an operation display apparatus, a master display apparatus, and a management server. The management server has a selection unit that causes the user to select image processing that is executed by the master display apparatus when the image edited by the user by using the operation display apparatus is checked using the master display apparatus, and an instruction unit that instructs the operation display apparatus to execute the image processing selected by the selection unit in a case where this image processing can be executed by the operation display apparatus. The operation display apparatus has an image processing unit that subjects the inputted image to the image processing performed under instruction by the instruction unit and a display unit that displays on a display unit the image subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit. |
| US09142181B2 |
Display driver and display diving method
A display driver, which comprises: a first predetermined voltage level providing apparatus, for providing a first predetermined voltage level group comprising at least one first predetermined voltage level; a first image data providing apparatus, for outputting a first image data; and a detection controlling circuit, for determining if an output terminal of the first image data providing apparatus is pre-charged to the first predetermined voltage level according to a relation between an absolute value of a voltage level of the first image data and an absolute value of the first predetermined voltage level. |
| US09142180B2 |
Display apparatus for adjusting a gray value of an image signal
A display apparatus having improved display quality is disclosed. According to one aspect, the display apparatus includes a display panel including first to Mth data lines extending in a first direction, where M is an integer greater than 2, first to Nth scan lines extending in a second direction, where N is an integer greater than 2, and a plurality of pixel regions defined by one or more of the data lines and one or more of the scan lines. An image data processor is configured to process input image signals and output corrected input image signals, and a data driver is configured to receive the corrected input image signals and supply the same to the first to Mth data lines. The plurality of pixel regions include first to Mth pixel arrays extending in parallel, and the image data signal processor is configured to output the corrected input image signals to adjust a gray value applied to at least one of the first pixel array and the Mth pixel array. |
| US09142177B2 |
Electrooptical display apparatus that performs voltage sampling outside of a noise settling period, and electronic device
The electrooptical display apparatus includes pixels, and scan lines and data lines arranged in a matrix. The apparatus further includes pixel switching elements each enabling, in response to application of a selection voltage to one scan line, application of a pixel voltage to one pixel in a pixel row corresponding to the one scan line through one data line, a voltage producing part producing a sampling voltage that is to be supplied to the data lines and that monotonously changes while the selection voltage is applied to the scan line, a voltage sampling part sampling the pixel voltage from the sampling voltage, a sampling number detecting part detecting number of pixels for which a same voltage is sampled, and a controller lowering a frequency of sampling of the pixel voltage when the detected number is a predetermined number. |
| US09142165B2 |
Field sequential color display and driving method thereof
A field sequential color display having a display panel and a backlight module is provided. The panel includes a plurality of unit regions, each having a first color unit region and a white color unit region. The panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a filter layer and a display medium. The first substrate has a pixel array. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. The filter layer is disposed on the second substrate and has a first color filter pattern disposed within the first color unit regions and a white color filter pattern disposed within the white color unit regions. The display medium is between the first and second substrate. The backlight module is disposed at a side of the display panel and has a white light source, a second color light source and a third color light source which are switched in sequence. |
| US09142164B2 |
Video display device
The present invention causes noise in a low-luminance portion to become less prominent when a backlight is divided into a plurality of regions and the luminance of the backlight is controlled in accordance with a video signal corresponding to each of the regions. An area active control portion (2) divides a video signal into a plurality of regions and outputs a first feature amount for every region. An LED control portion (3) determines a first luminance for each of the divided regions of an LED backlight (5) in accordance with the first feature amount of every region. Within a range where the total value of an LED drive current is no greater than a predetermined allowable current value, a magnification constant is uniformly multiplied by the first luminance to determine a second luminance. The second luminance and a threshold value are compared, and, only with respect to those regions where the second luminance is lower than the threshold value, the second luminance is again lowered to make a third luminance. The third luminance and also the second luminance of the regions where the second luminance has not been lowered are used to control the LED light emission in each of the divided regions. |
| US09142163B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device includes a pixel unit including a plurality of pixels formed in regions where a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines cross each other, a first scan driving unit detecting a defect of the plurality of pixels by sequentially applying a first test signal to the plurality of scan lines, and a second scan driving unit detecting a defect of the plurality of pixels by simultaneously applying a second test signal to the plurality of scan lines. |
| US09142162B2 |
Flexible display apparatus that adjusts image size and resolution according to folding thereof
A flexible display apparatus includes a substrate that is flexible and is foldable according to an intention of a user, the substrate including a display area, wherein a size of the substrate is variable according to a folding thereof, a deformation sensing unit that is in an overlapping relationship with the display area and that senses deformation of the substrate, a control unit obtaining information from the deformation sensing unit, and a resolution adjusting unit that is controlled by the control unit and adjusts a resolution of an image displayed on the display area. |
| US09142158B2 |
Control of video signal power variations in self light emitting display device
There is provided a self light emitting display device, including a variation detection unit configured to detect a variation of a video signal equal to, or greater than a predetermined threshold, a correction unit configured to correct an output level of the video signal based on the detection of the variation by the variation detection unit, and a video processing unit configured to perform a process with a predetermined time delay on the video signal supplied from the variation detection unit and configured to output the processed video signal to the correction unit. |
| US09142156B2 |
Control device, display device, electronic apparatus and control method
A control device includes: a first storage device storing a dither matrix of two-dimensionally arranged dither values; a second storage device storing data of a-gradation levels; a first correction device that performs a first correction processing of calculating a first correction value for correcting gradation blurring-out from the target pixel to an adjacent pixel; a second correction device that performs a second correction processing of calculating a second correction value for correcting gradation blurring-in from the adjacent pixel to the target pixel; and a gradation value deciding device that decides a gradation value of the target pixel expressed in the b-gradation levels by using a value obtained by adding a corresponding one of the dither values stored in the first storage device, a corresponding one of the gradation values stored in the second storage device and at least one of the first correction value and the second correction value. |
| US09142153B2 |
Two side display device and manufacturing method thereof
A two side display device includes: a flexible substrate including a first substrate part, a second substrate part under the first substrate part, and a bending part coupling the first substrate part to the second substrate part; a first display panel on the first substrate part and configured to display a first image in a first direction; a second display panel under the second substrate part and configured to display a second image in a second direction opposite the first direction; and a driving chip coupled to the first substrate part.According to exemplary embodiments, first and second display panels are positioned on the same surface of a flexible substrate and configured to display images in opposing directions by bending the flexible substrate, which may reduce the thickness and manufacturing cost of the two side display device. |
| US09142152B2 |
Display diagnostics using two-dimensional barcodes
Techniques for performing diagnostics on an electronic display are described in various implementations. In one example implementation, a method may include receiving image data that depicts a test protocol being displayed on an electronic display, the test protocol comprising a two-dimensional barcode. The method may also include processing the image data to determine whether a message encoded in the two-dimensional barcode is corrupted. The method may also include generating a diagnostic result for the electronic display based on the determination. |
| US09142150B2 |
Sign holder assembly and associated method
A sign holder assembly includes a support member and a cover member. The support member includes a substantially planar panel and a plurality of rails. The panel extends between a first end and a second end and between a top edge and a bottom edge and has a front surface and a rear surface. The plurality of rails rearwardly extend from the rear surface of the panel and are spaced vertically from one another to define at least two reception tracks each extending between two adjacent ones of the plurality of rails. The cover member is substantially transparent and has a bottom longitudinal edge and a top longitudinal edge. The cover member is angled from the bottom longitudinal edge toward the front surface of the support member such that the sign holder assembly is configured to maintain a sign between the cover member and the front surface of the panel. |
| US09142149B2 |
Image display device
An attachable display device that promotes brand awareness is provided. The device includes a display part having a display area to display an image and a securing portion and a mounting part having an upper portion disposed and secured inside the display part and a lower portion having at least one hole defined therein. The mounting part wraps around an object such that the securing portion engages the at least one hole to secure the display device to the object. |
| US09142148B2 |
Adjustable reminder label
The disclosure is directed to a reminder label, specifically to a thermoplastic adjustable reminder label that is configured to indicate removal of content from a bottle to which the thermoplastic reminder label is coupled. The label has a flanged thermoplastic knob extending above a rectangular flange with a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A pair of resilient units is coupled to the flange along transverse sides and extends beyond the transverse sides. Each resilient member terminates in protrusions to engage parallel grooves etched internally in each of longitudinal parallel walls (101, 102) of a housing (130). A flap (110) is hingedly coupled to a housing base frame (140) to frictionally engage the housing and form a floor. |
| US09142147B2 |
Map database generating systems, methods, and programs
Systems, methods, and programs store feature information relating to features existing on a road and on the periphery of the road, each piece of feature information being associated with a unique identification symbol, each piece of feature information including disposition information expressing a spatial disposition of each feature independently of the road network, form information expressing a form of each feature, accuracy information expressing an accuracy of the information, and acquisition timing information expressing an acquisition timing of the information. The systems, methods, and programs (1) output the feature information stored in the feature database and input map information constituting the map database, the map information being generated based on the output feature information, or (2) generate map information constituting the map database on the basis of the feature information stored in the feature database. |
| US09142138B2 |
Development monitoring system
A development monitoring system for monitoring the development of one or more subjects includes an administrative module. A client module and the administrative modules are configured to communicate with each other. The administrative module is configured to generate an interface and send the interface to the client module for rendering such that the interface permits the input of at least one of observation data and program data. The data input is written to a database. At least one of the observation data and the program data are retrieved from the database on receipt of a request from the client machine and a visual record representing said observation and image data is generated. |
| US09142132B2 |
Collision avoidance system and method for vehicles
A collision avoidance system is configured to be installed in a vehicle, and includes a speed sensing unit to sense a speed of the vehicle, a distance sensing unit to sense a distance between the vehicle and a nearby object, an EPB unit to decelerate the vehicle, and a control unit to compute a length of collision time after which the vehicle is predicted to collide with the object according to the speed of the vehicle and the distance between the vehicle and the object, and to control the EPB unit to decelerate the vehicle when the collision time is not longer than a brake time length. |
| US09142129B2 |
Vehicle surroundings monitoring device
A virtual-screen setup unit sets up a virtual screen in a seam of images captured by an image capturing unit, the virtual screen being orthogonal to a road surface and extending in a direction from a near side to a far side of the vehicle. A virtual-screen projection image generation unit performs conversion of the images captured by the image capturing unit for projection onto the virtual screen, and thereby generates a virtual-screen projection image. The virtual-screen projection image is displayed on the image display unit. |
| US09142126B2 |
Emergency traffic light system
An emergency traffic system is provided. The emergency traffic system may include a power source, a battery, an emergency traffic light, a light sensor, a mounting assemblage, a computer and an existing traffic light system. The emergency traffic system may be mounted on a traffic light system, whereby the light sensor may be secured to at least one traffic light thereof. The computer may receive electrical signals from the light sensor so as to learn and record the history of the traffic light patterns of the traffic light system. In the next step, the computer compares the instant traffic light pattern to the history of traffic light patterns during the operation of the traffic light system being monitored. If the instant traffic light pattern is not found in the history, then the computer transmits the on signal to the emergency traffic light. If the instant traffic pattern is found in the history then the computer continues to monitor the step comparison. If the on signal has been transmitted to the emergency traffic light, then the computer continues to look for the return of a signal from the light sensor, it then reacts to traffic light system working again, and then the computer transmits the off signal to the emergency traffic light. |
| US09142123B2 |
Low-power and battery-free transmitter for remote control
A transmitter for remote control, the transmitter includes a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to receive a first audio signal from a electronic device and convert the first audio signal to a first direct-current (DC) signal, a first boost circuit electrically connected to the first ADC to receive and amplify the first DC signal, and a transmission module electrically connected to the first boost circuit to receive the amplified first DC signal, wherein the amplified first DC signal is configured to modulate a carrier signal generated by the transmission module and the first audio signal is one of a left channel audio signal and a right channel audio signal output from the electronic device through an audio connector. |
| US09142122B2 |
Communication device for performing wireless communication with an external server based on information received via near field communication
A mobile device includes a position sensing unit, a remote control information obtainment unit, and a storage unit. Position information obtained by the position sensing unit is stored in the storage unit in association with remote control information. The mobile device further includes a directional space obtainment unit and an apparatus specification unit. The mobile device recognizes a direction pointed by a user using the mobile device, and enables operation of a terminal apparatus existing in the pointing direction. |
| US09142121B2 |
Information processing method and user equipment
An apparatus and method for processing an information processing request in a mobile device. In one embodiment, the method includes: receiving an information processing request message; collecting at least one type of environmental state information associated with the mobile device if the information processing request message is not processed by the mobile device within a predetermined time; generating prompt information according to the collected environmental state information, wherein the prompting information is used to prompt a user to process the unprocessed information processing request message. Therefore, a user can timely perceive the information processing request message that has been received but not processed by the mobile device in time, thus effectively increasing the usability of the mobile device. |
| US09142116B2 |
Smart caregiver platform methods, apparatuses and media
A SCGP may provide a smart location guide (e.g., via GPS) to help keep the user from wandering off and getting lost. The SCGP may help the user travel independently via bus, car, and on foot. The SCGP may also notify the caregiver if the user wanders off or gets lost and may generate reports (e.g., via text, charts, graphs) showing the caregiver situations in which the user is likely to wander off or get lost. The SCGP may facilitate staying in touch with the user by allowing the caregiver to send the user reminders and important information, and to share pictures, videos, text messages, and voice messages with the user. |
| US09142115B2 |
Method and device for detecting fatigue
A method for detecting fatigue is provided herein. The present invention includes the following steps: measuring a plurality of physiological feature data from a user in continuous time to generate a feature sequence; computing the rate of drop and/or calculating the difference of the rate of drop based on the feature sequence; and determining the fatigue level of the user by analyzing the rate of drop and the difference of the rate of drop. A fatigue detecting device is also disclosed here. The present invention can be utilized to effectively monitor the fatigue level of the user. |
| US09142114B2 |
Tracking group members' proximity
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for tracking group members' proximity include associating a plurality of sensors with an application installed on each of a plurality of user devices and assigning each of the sensors to a corresponding one of the user devices. Assignments received on one of the user devices are wirelessly communicated to at least one other of the user devices, and proximity of each of the sensors to the corresponding user device is monitored. Status information is communicated between two or more of the user devices, and the status information indicates proximity of sensors to the corresponding user device and/or sensor assignments. |
| US09142110B2 |
Panic device with local alarm and distal signaling capability
A panic device operable in conjunction with a local device is configured to unlock a locking mechanism. The panic device can take the form of an electronic key fob, a key shaft, or a key holder. A first trigger on the panic device triggers a local alarm that is on-board or off-board the panic device. A second trigger on the panic device can activate an alarm circuitry that utilizes a local device to provide position information to a distant dispatch station. The local device uses a GPS-aware circuitry or other non-GPS means such as triangulation to determine the position information. The position information can then be sent to the distant dispatch station with or without the aid of the local device. |
| US09142109B2 |
Panic device with local alarm and distal signaling capability
A panic device operable in conjunction with a local device is configured to unlock a locking mechanism. The panic device can take the form of an electronic key fob, a key shaft, or a key holder. A first trigger on the panic device triggers a local alarm that is on-board or off-board the panic device. A second trigger on the panic device can activate an alarm circuitry that utilizes a local device to provide position information to a distant dispatch station. The local device uses a GPS-aware circuitry or other non-GPS means such as triangulation to determine the position information. The position information can then be sent to the distant dispatch station with or without the aid of the local device. |
| US09142105B1 |
Haptic device capable of managing distributed force
A haptic device operated alone or interacts with other physical or virtual devices of similar design that enable users to remotely image, analyze, or manipulate objects, either manually and or with the assistance of computer programs. The device extends and retracts “pins” in reaction to messages from a processor, and to external pressure applied to the pins' topical surface. A support structure provides a constant geometric plane. An operating system is provided that is capable of interaction for any one of a collection of devices of varying size and function. Multiple devices that are paired or otherwise positioned relative to one another, or scaled in size relative to one another, can be controlled to operate in cooperation with one another. |
| US09142100B2 |
Video slot gaming machine
A gaming machine and method are provided which provide a video slot game to a player. The video slot game includes a plurality of cells arranged in a grid. The grid has a plurality of rows and columns. The machine and method display a first instance of the video slot game and in response to occurrence of a triggering event, video slot game is split and second and third instances of the video slot game are displayed and played. |
| US09142085B2 |
Random switching game engine for wagering games
A random switching game engine for wagering games provides the advantage of switching between game engines in response to a triggering event. The switch engine controls which game engine will present a wagering game to the player. The different game engines may have different odds for presenting a winning outcome to a player. After a triggering event has occurred the switch game engine may utilize a random number generator to randomly determine whether a switch between game engines should occur. The triggering event may comprise the start of a game or any other event. A switch game engine may perform the switch by activating one of multiple game engines. The wagering game may be presented according to the same rules, but with different odds of receiving a winning outcome, to prevent a player from noticing that a switch between game engines has occurred, or different games may be presented. |
| US09142082B2 |
Multi-action switch for a gaming device
A gaming machine that includes a multi-action switch that is held in an initial position when the multi-action switch is not being pressed, and a position detection device for detecting whether the multi-action switch is in a first position, a second position, or a third position. The gaming machine further includes a controller for controlling operations of the gaming machine in accordance with the position of the multi-action switch, such that the gaming machine carries out a first operation when the position detecting device detects that the multi-action switch has reached the first position, a second operation when the position detecting device detects that the multi-action switch has reached the second position, and a third operation when the position detecting device detects that the multi-action switch has reached the third position. |
| US09142081B1 |
Dynamic awarding of prizes in chance-based contests
Techniques are described for facilitating the awarding of prizes in chance-based contests in various ways, such as chance-based contests which are part of promotional advertising, etc. In at least some embodiments, the techniques include facilitating the awarding of prizes at the time a contestant enter or plays the contests, while awarding a selected number of prizes, which may be determined before the contest starts. In at least some embodiments, the techniques include employing an award counter to control awarding of prizes in a chance-based contest. For example, an award counter may be incremented at random or pseudo-random times. In at least some embodiments, the contest is associated with a location-based virtual group of users that has one or more associated geographical areas. |
| US09142078B2 |
Vending machine, and operating system and operating method thereof
A vending machine, and an operating system and an operating method thereof are provided. The vending machine includes a cabinet and a transparent touch display. The cabinet accommodates a plurality of physical commodities for vending. The transparent touch display is configured in the cabinet and located in front of the physical commodities. The transparent touch display has a transparent area for revealing the physical commodities. A user selects the physical commodities by touching a position corresponding to each of the physical commodities at the transparent area. The transparent touch display is adapted for displaying corresponding commodity information according to touch information applied by the user on the transparent touch display. |
| US09142070B2 |
Ensuring the provenance of passengers at a transportation facility
The provenance of passengers intending to depart on a vehicle from a transportation facility, is ensured by providing biometric reading devices at both a check-in station and a departure area station of the facility. The name and/or other information concerning a passenger arriving at the facility is also entered for assessment into a background check system. A biometric template of the passenger is acquired by the reading device at the check-in station and forwarded to the departure area station. When the passenger appears at the latter station, a second biometric template is acquired by the reading device there. The second template is compared with each of a number of templates that were forwarded from the check-in station. If no match exists, or if the background check system returns an unsatisfactory assessment, the passenger is refused boarding onto the vehicle. |
| US09142069B2 |
Systems and methods for access control
The disclosure describes various systems and methods for access control. One such method includes providing an access control module that is capable of operating at least a first frequency and a second frequency. The method further includes interacting with a first credential utilizing the first frequency and granting access via an access point based at least in part on the interaction with the first credential, and interacting with a second credential utilizing the second frequency and granting access via the access point based at least in part on the interaction with the second credential. |
| US09142068B2 |
Airbag control unit
An airbag ECU includes a voltage detection section that detects a voltage in a power supply supplied to other control units (for example, front passenger seat occupancy sensing ECU). In addition, the airbag ECU includes a timer that measures an elapsed time after the voltage detected by the voltage detection section falls in a preset voltage range and a recording section that records the elapsed time measured by the timer on a memory when a failure of the other control units is detected. |
| US09142067B2 |
System and method for axle measurement of a motor vehicle
A method for axle measurement of a motor vehicle, including the steps of initiating a first axle measurement operation, using a first selection signal; outputting a first control signal to an electronic brake control system of the motor vehicle as a function of the first selection signal; activating a first brake configuration of electronically operable brakes of the motor vehicle as a function of the first control signal, using the electronic brake control system; and carrying out the first axle measurement operation while the first brake configuration is activated. |
| US09142062B2 |
Selective hand occlusion over virtual projections onto physical surfaces using skeletal tracking
A head mounted device provides an immersive virtual or augmented reality experience for viewing data and enabling collaboration among multiple users. Rendering images in a virtual or augmented reality system may include performing operations for capturing an image of a scene in which a virtual object is to be displayed, recognizing a body part present in the captured image, and adjusting a display of the virtual object based upon the recognized body part. The rendering operations may also include capturing an image with a body mounted camera, capturing spatial data with a body mounted sensor array, recognizing objects within the captured image, determining distances to the recognized objects within the captured image, and displaying the virtual object on a head mounted display. |
| US09142061B2 |
Fluid flow analysis for cardiovascular diagnostics
This invention presents a method to simulate how blood flows through the heart, using the reconstructed 4D motion of the endocardial surface of the left ventricle. The reconstruction, utilizing a computing device, captures the motion of the full 3D surfaces of the complex features, such as the papillary muscles and the ventricular trabeculae. By visualizing the flow field, the capability of viewing the interactions between the blood and the trabeculae in far more detail has been achieved. |
| US09142060B2 |
Computation reduced tessellation
Systems and methods for a tessellation are described. The tessellation unit is configured to determine a number of points that reside along a first edge of a first ring within a domain, determine a first set of coordinates for a first portion of the points that reside along the first edge of the first ring within the domain, and determine a second set of coordinates for a second portion of the points that reside along the first edge of the first ring within the domain based on the first set of coordinates for the first portion. The tessellation unit is also configured to stitch points that reside along the first edge of the first ring with points that reside along a second edge of a second ring to divide the domain into a plurality of primitives that are mapped to a patch. |
| US09142059B1 |
Systems and methods for coordinated editing of seismic data in dual model
A system and method may model physical geological structures. Seismic and geologic data may be accepted. A three-dimensional (3D) transformation may be generated between a 3D present day model having points representing present locations of the physical geological structures and a 3D past depositional model having points representing locations where the physical geological structures were originally deposited. An indication may be accepted to locally change the 3D transformation for a subset of sampling points in a first model of the models. The 3D transformation may be locally changed to fit the updated subset of sampling points. A locally altered or updated version of the first model and, e.g., second model, may be displayed where local changes to the first model are defined by the locally changed 3D transformation. The transformation may also be used to extract geobodies in the past depositional model. |
| US09142056B1 |
Mixed-order compositing for images having three-dimensional painting effects
Rendering 3D paintings can be done by compositing brush strokes embedded in space. Image elements are rendered into an image representable by a pixel array wherein at least some of the image elements correspond to simulated painting strokes. A method may include determining stroke positions in a 3D space, determining stroke orders, and for each pixel to be addressed, determining a pixel color value by determining strokes intersections with a view ray for that pixel, determining a depth order and a stroke order for intersecting fragments, each fragment having a color, alpha value, depth, and stroke order, assigning an intermediate color to each of the fragments, corresponding to a compositing of nearby fragments in stroke order, and assigning a color to the pixel that corresponds to a compositing of the fragments using the intermediate colors assigned to the fragments. The compositing may be done in depth order. |
| US09142055B1 |
Refraction determination for animating 3D objects
This disclosure describes technology, which can be implemented as a method, apparatus, and/or computer software embodied in a computer-readable medium, capable of deforming internal geometry within an outer geometry to account for light bending due to refraction, for example, for real-time modeling of a gaze direction of a 3D computer generated character's eyes. In some implementations, internal eye geometry can be deformed to capture the effect of refraction in real-time such that the gaze direction of a 3D character's eyes can be modeled during an animation phase prior to a rendering phase in the production of a computer generated motion picture. |
| US09142051B2 |
Method for generating digital interior map
Disclosed herein is a method of generating a digital interior map. The method includes applying a coordinate system for a drawing of an interior of a structure using an electronic device, extracting center coordinate information of each sectional space of the interior of the structure and entrance coordinate information of entrances between floors and from an outside, generating, in the drawing, a circulation path in the interior of the structure, extracting interest points at preset intervals along the circulation path in the interior of the structure, and setting coordinate information and attribute information of each of the interest points. |
| US09142047B2 |
Visualizing data transfers in distributed file system
Data transfers within and between nodes in a distributed computing environment are visualized. In one aspect, the nodes are represented as geometrical shapes. The first part of the geometrical shape represents logic of the corresponding node. The second part of the geometrical shape represents storage of the corresponding node. A line connecting the first part and the second part represents data transfer between logic of a node and storage of a node. Both inter-node and intra-node transfers may be shown. |
| US09142046B2 |
Effective arrangement of data elements
A plurality of data elements are analyzed, in one or more computers, to optimize an arrangement of slices in a pie chart, wherein a value for each of the data elements represents an area of a corresponding one of the slices in the pie chart, and the data elements are ordered by their values, so that labels and lines on placed on the pie chart without overlap. |
| US09142040B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for processing graphics data associated with shading
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for processing graphics data associated with shading. In operation, a first fragment is received. Further, the first fragment is shaded. While the first fragment is being shaded, a second fragment is received and it is determined whether at least one aspect of the second fragment conflicts with the first fragment. If it is determined that the at least one aspect of the second fragment does not conflict with the first fragment, the second fragment is shaded. If it is determined that the at least one aspect of the second fragment conflicts with the first fragment, information associated with the second fragment is stored, a third fragment is received, and the third fragment is shaded, if it is determined that at least one aspect of the third fragment does not conflict with the first fragment. |
| US09142033B2 |
Real time processing of video frames
A method and system for real time processing of a sequence of video frames. A current frame in the sequence and at least one frame in the sequence occurring prior to the current frame is analyzed. The sequence of video frames is received in synchronization with a recording of the video frames in real time. The analyzing includes performing a background subtraction on the at least one frame, which determines a background image and a static region mask associated with a static region consisting of a contiguous distribution of pixels in the current frame, which includes executing a mixture of 3 to 5 Gaussians algorithm coupled together in a linear combination by Gaussian weight coefficients to generate the background model, a foreground image, and the static region. The static region mask identifies each pixel in the static region upon the static region mask being superimposed on the current frame. |
| US09142027B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program
An image processing apparatus groups distance measurement areas for every group of distances close to each other based on a photographing distance obtained for each distance measurement area and assigns the same distance number to the distance measurement areas belonging to the same group. The image processing apparatus further divides a photographed image into a plurality of blocks to calculate an average value of hue of each block and sets a plurality of blocks having similar average values of hue among the blocks that are adjacent to one another as the same (one) color area. The image processing apparatus then divides the color area based on the distance number overlapping with the color area. |
| US09142025B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining depth information using optical pattern
Provided is an apparatus and method for obtaining depth information using an optical pattern. The apparatus for obtaining depth information using the optical pattern may include: a pattern projector to generate the optical pattern using a light source and an optical pattern projection element (OPPE), and to project the optical pattern towards an object area, the OPPE comprising a pattern that includes a plurality of pattern descriptors; an image obtaining unit to obtain an input image by photographing the object area; and a depth information obtaining unit to measure a change in a position of at least one of the plurality of pattern descriptors in the input image, and to obtain depth information of the input image based on the change in the position. |
| US09142023B2 |
Maintaining registration of spatially synchronized data for web products
Techniques are described for maintaining synchronization of inspection data when a web roll is converted into intermediate smaller rolls prior to cutting the web into individual parts. A system comprises a database that stores anomaly data acquired from a manufactured web. The anomaly data specifies positions anomalies within a manufactured web relative to a set of fiducial marks on the manufactured web. A conversion processing line comprises a fiducial mark reader to output position information for the set of fiducial marks on the manufactured web, a slitter that cuts the manufactured web into slit rolls, and a fiducial mark printer to print a set of fiducial marks on each slit roll. A position monitoring system maintains spatial synchronization of the anomaly data by computing an updated position for the anomalies relative to the set of fiducial marks printed on the slit rolls. |
| US09142022B2 |
3D object tracking
Embodiments relate to tracking a pose of a 3D object. In embodiments, a 3D computer model, consisting of geometry and joints, matching the 3D real-world object may be used for the tracking process. Processing the 3D model may be done using collision constraints generated from interpenetrating geometry detected in the 3D model, and by angular motion constraints generated by the joints describing the connections between pieces/segments/bones of the model. The depth data in its 3D (point cloud) form, supplied by a depth camera, may be used to create additional constraints on the surface of the 3D model thus limiting its motion. Combined together, all the constraints, using linear equation processing, may be satisfied to determine a plausible pose of the 3D model that matches the real-world pose of the object in front of the 3D camera. |
| US09142019B2 |
System for 2D/3D spatial feature processing
An electronic device (100) includes a first processor (802) and a second processor (804) coupled to the first processor. The first processor (802) is to receive image data from a first imaging camera (114, 116) and to determine two-dimensional (2D) spatial feature data representing one or more 2D spatial features identified from the image data. The second processor (804) is to determine three-dimensional (3D) spatial feature data representing one or more 3D spatial features identified based on the 2D spatial feature data. Further, the first processor (802) can initiate detection of one or more 2D spatial features from a portion of an image frame prior to receiving the entire image frame. |
| US09142017B2 |
TNM classification using image overlays
A tumor of interest is classified based on 3-dimensional image data for visualizing the tumor. The system includes an overlay data structure (OL) for computing a TNM (Tumor-Node-Metastasis) overlay for displaying in a tumor image computed from the image data. The TNM overlay includes TNM information for determining the stage of the tumor. An overlay unit (U10) computes the TNM overlay based on the overlay data structure, and positions the TNM overlay on the tumor image. The size of the TNM overlay is based on the scale of the computed tumor image. By making the size of the TNM overlay dependent on the scale of the tumor image, the ratio of the distance between two locations on the positioned TNM overlay to the distance between two locations in the computed tumor image is substantially constant, i.e., substantially independent of the visualization of the image data. |
| US09142014B2 |
System and method for identifying systematic defects in wafer inspection using hierarchical grouping and filtering
A number of wafers of a same semiconductor device are inspected to generate a plurality of candidate defect lists for identifying systematic defects. Each candidate defect list comprises a plurality of candidate defects obtained from inspecting one of the wafers. Each candidate defect is represented by a plurality of defect attributes including a defect location. The candidate defects in every one or more candidate defect lists are processed as a set by stage one grouping and filtering to generate a stage one defect list for each set. The candidate defects in all the stage one defect lists are then processed together by stage two grouping and filtering to generate a final defect lists for systematic defects. The defect attributes of each defect and a design pattern clip extracted from a design database based on the defect location are used in the hierarchical grouping and filtering. |
| US09142004B2 |
Dynamic allocation of physical graphics processing units to virtual machines
Methods, techniques, and systems for dynamically allocating graphics processing units among virtual machines are provided. Example embodiments provide a dynamic GPU allocation system (“DGAS”), which enables the efficient allocation of physical GPU resources to one or more virtual machines. In one embodiment, the DGAS comprises virtualization logic running on a server computing system that computes GPU benefit factors for the virtual machines on a dynamic basis, and combines the computed GBFs with static priorities to determine a ranked ordering of virtual machines. The available GPU resources are then allocated to some subset of these ranked virtual machines as physical GPU capacity is matched with the requirements of the subset. Physical GPU resources are then allocated to the subset of virtual machines that have the highest promise of GPU utilization. |
| US09142000B2 |
Media rights management using melody identification
A content recognition system operates in conjunction with a media hosting service to identify hosted media content and ownership rights associated with the hosted content. By applying melody recognition, the content recognition system can identify compositions embodied in hosted media content even when these compositions do not precisely match any known sound recording. Thus, the content recognition system is beneficially able to detect, for example, recorded cover performances and recorded live performances embodied in hosted media content. Once identified, ownership information is determined and the media hosting service can carry out appropriate rights management policies associated with the content such as monetizing or blocking the protected content. |
| US09141999B2 |
Electronic floor plan server and method
A new and useful concept in electronic presentation and operation with a floor plan is provided, that is designed to enhance the ability of a buyer/renter to view or otherwise understand many of the attributes of a building A user (e.g. a building buyer/renter or prospective building buyer/renter) is enabled to access, and work with a floor plan that is electronically stored at a floor plan server, via interaction between the floor plan server and a client that can be placed in circuit communication with the floor plan server (e.g. over the interne via a web browser). The user is enabled to (a) electronically work with the selected floor plan to produce a modified floor plan, and (b) save an instance of the modified floor plan at the floor plan server so that the user (or someone to whom the user emails a link to the saved instance) can revisit and work with the saved instance. |
| US09141998B2 |
Unlocking coupon offers
In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving an indication that a user selected social network data that is displayed, on a client device, concurrently with offer data that indicates a coupon offer; wherein prior to receiving the indication, the user of the client device is incapable of accessing the coupon offer; in response to receiving the indication that the user selected the social network data, allowing the user to access the coupon offer, and causing a message to be sent to each user of a plurality of users that are identified, in a social network, as connected to the user, wherein the message includes data about the coupon offer or a coupon provider that initiated the coupon offer; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices. |
| US09141995B1 |
Driving trip and pattern analysis
A driving analysis server may be configured to receive vehicle location data and/or operation data from one or more vehicle systems, identify driving trips and/or driving patterns based on the vehicle data, determine risk assessment values corresponding to the driving trips and driving patterns, and calculate driver scores based on the analyzed driving trip and driving pattern data. Destination locations may be identified for a vehicle's driving trips, and information relating to the destination locations may be retrieved and analyzed to determine risk factors and risk assessment values associated with driving to and from the destination, as well as parking at the destination. Specific driving trip types or purposes may be identified, and driving scores may be calculated based on the vehicle location and time data, including the risk factors, risk assessment values, and the determined trip types or purposes. |
| US09141985B1 |
Simplified seller listing service
Disclosed are various embodiments of a method and system for providing a simplified listing process for sellers. A computing device obtains contact information for a seller and a representation of an item that may be purchased through an electronic marketplace. This information is obtained without requiring the seller to register with the electronic marketplace. Using the representation of the item, a seller listing for the item in the electronic marketplace is generated. The seller is notified through the contact information when a buyer purchases the item from the seller through the generated seller listing. |
| US09141980B2 |
Method and apparatus for offering digital content for sale over a communications network
Content in digital form like pictures, music files, videos, software etc. from a plurality of content providers (110) is sold to a plurality of users (130) over a communication network like the internet. The content provider submits to a service provider (100) information about the content to be sold and the service provider provides controlled user access to the content for sale under the conditions defined by the information submitted by the content provider. Purchase data about sold items are stored and the user authentification and payment process for all content providers is carried out centrally through a payment system (120) thus offering low transaction costs. |
| US09141976B2 |
Detection of exit behavior of an internet user
Use action in the form of movement of a tracking device on a webpage, represented by cursor gestures on the webpage, is used to detect it a user intends to leave the webpage. Upon detection of an intent to leave the webpage, an advertisement may be displayed to a use. The advertisement may be targeted to the user and/or based on the content the user was viewing on the webpage. |
| US09141973B2 |
System and method for license plate frame advertising verification and validation
Advertisement is a multi-billion dollar business in US (per year). Here, we use license plate frames for the advertisement. One example of the application describes a license-plate-frame-based advertisement verification system. In order to validate and verify the correct placement/mounting of a license plate frame advertisement at a given location over time, it is necessary to validate that both (a) the ad is correctly placed on the vehicle, and (b) to verify that the ad is at a given location at that time. The method required to verify these includes some control systems and components. Different variations and examples are also presented here. |
| US09141969B1 |
Monitoring content item expansion events across multiple content item providers
This specification describes methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage device, for determining expansion rates for events related to expandable content items. |
| US09141967B2 |
Method and system for managing reward reversal after posting
A system for managing reward reversal is provided. The system includes a device that is capable of adjusting the accumulation and redemption levels of rewards after a purchase or return transaction. |
| US09141966B2 |
Opinion aggregation system
A system is disclosed for obtaining and aggregating opinions generated by multiple sources with respect to one or more objects. The disclosed system uses observed variables associated with an opinion and a probabilistic model to estimate latent properties of that opinion. With those latent properties, the disclosed system may enable publishers to reliably and comprehensively present object information to interested users. |
| US09141964B1 |
Method and system for automatically creating an image advertisement
A system and method for generating an electronic document are provided. A request to generate an electronic document associated with a concept is received. Content for the electronic document is suggested based on the concept. A selection of the suggested content is received. An electronic document is automatically generated using the selected suggested content. |
| US09141962B2 |
Method and system for determining a best price for multimedia content
A method and system for determining a best price to rent a multimedia content being offered for viewing by at least one service provider to a plurality of users through a communication network is provided. The service provider offers the multimedia content to the plurality of users at a base price. The method includes receiving a first price from the user that he/she is willing to pay for the multimedia content. The first price is lesser than the base price. The method further includes calculating a number of commercials that need to be shown the user to recover a cost to show the multimedia content at the first price. Furthermore, the method includes calculating a best price that the service provider can offer to the user when the service provider does not have enough commercials to offer the multimedia content at the first price. |
| US09141960B2 |
Venue and event recommendations for a user of a portable media player device
A method and system for generating by a server, a recommendation for a venue or an event of interest proximally located to an inferred current location of a user of a portable media player devise. In an embodiment, a server may determine one or more media preferences for a user based at least in part on media stored on or accessed using the portable media player devise of the user. The server may generate information related to the current location or a recommendation for a venue or an event of interest to the user based at least in part on the one or more media preferences and the inferred current location of the user. Once generated, the server then may communicate the recommendation (or the information) to the user, e.g. the portable media player devise. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed. |
| US09141958B2 |
Method for providing data to a user
An example method for providing a user with service technical data is provided. A server stores original service technical data and annotated data in a server where the annotated data is associated with the original service technical data. The server determines an access level of the user such where the access level of the user determines what service technical data may be sent. A portion of the service technical data is sent from the server to a device associated with the user, based at least in part on the access level of the user. The server also receives additional annotated data generated by the user where the additional annotated data is associated with the original service technical data. |
| US09141957B2 |
System and method for filtering advertising in a networking device
A network appliance configured to optimize advertising content displayed on an internal network. The appliance includes a network appliance input connected at least indirectly to an internal network and configured to receive a plurality of data packets including a request for advertising content, a data packet analyzer configured to monitor the plurality of data packets and to detect the request for advertising content, an advertisement profile generator configured to generate a user profile and to modify the request for advertising content based on the user profile, and a network appliance output connected at least indirectly to an external network and configured to transmit the plurality of data packets including the modified request for advertising content. |
| US09141956B2 |
Using biometric tokens to pre-stage and complete transactions
A system that supports multi-stage transactions through the use of biometric tokens, such as fingerprint images or iris scans. A user pre-stages a transaction by providing transaction details that can be used a later time to complete the transaction, and the system stores the transaction details in a transaction record that is identified by a biometric token captured from the user. In some systems, the biometric token is captured as part of the pre-staging process. In other systems, the biometric token is retrieved from a data store after the user has provided authentication information, such as a bank card or user-identification code coupled with a secret PIN code. When the user is ready to complete the pre-staged transaction, the system captures a second biometric token from the user and matches the second token to the one identifying the user's transaction record. The transaction details contained in that transaction record are then used to complete the user's transaction. |
| US09141955B2 |
Biometrically secured user input for forms
Systems and methods for collecting biometrically secured financial form data from a user are described. A user input device may receive biometric data from the user. The user may be presented with a visual medium. The visual medium may contain a plurality of fields for information necessary to conduct a financial transaction. Handwriting data may be received from the user. At least a portion of the handwriting may represent information corresponding to the plurality of fields for information necessary to conduct the financial transaction. At least a portion of the information corresponding to the plurality of fields for information necessary to conduct the financial transaction may be transmitted from the user input device to a computer system. |
| US09141954B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing a transaction
A system and method for performing a transaction can allow a user to perform a multi-step process on a single web page. The system can receive an initiate-application command from a user at an application server and, in response, initiate an application for facilitating a transaction. The system can present a parameter-request panel, including a set of parameter-request fields, to the user at a client. The system can receive transaction parameters from the user via the set of parameter-request fields. In response to receiving the transaction parameters, the system can present a transaction-options panel, including a set of transaction options associated with the transaction parameters, to the user without obscuring the parameter-request panel. The system can receive from the user a transaction-option selection associated with the set of transaction options and, in response, present a transaction-completion panel to the user without obscuring the parameter-request panel or the transaction-options panel. The transaction-completion panel can include a set of transaction-completion fields associated with the transaction-option selection. The system can receive from the user transaction-completion information via the transaction-completion fields and, in response, complete the transaction. |
| US09141953B2 |
Personal token read system and method
A system for facilitating secure transactions between a purchaser and a vendor is provided. The system might include a purchaser token data capture device for reading token data into the system, an encryption module for encrypting the token data and a network based vendor input form for communicating the encrypted token data to the vendor. The system might further include a purchaser terminal for routing the encrypted token data to a transaction processing network or a vendor for providing payment and confirmation to the vendor of an authorized token. |
| US09141951B2 |
Electronic transaction verification system with biometric authentication
An electronic transaction verification system for use with transaction tokens such as checks, credit cards, debit cards, and smart cards that gathers and transmits information about the transaction token and biometric data. Customers can be enrolled in the system by receiving customer information that includes at least a biometric datum, associating the received customer information with a transaction instrument issued to the customers and storing the received customer information and the issued transaction instrument information in a database for future reference. |
| US09141950B2 |
Audio signaling training for bidirectional communications
Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a card reader for receiving payment card information at a mobile point-of-sale terminal. In some implementations, a reader of the subject technology can include a memory, a conditioning module and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Implementations of the subject technology also include a microprocessor configured to perform operations for tuning communication parameters. That is, upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the devices can engage in an exchange of carrier waves which the devices exchange can used to not only determine and negotiate operational parameters for the devices that support a highest possible connection speed with acceptable connection quality. |
| US09141949B1 |
Point of sale transaction device
A point of sale transaction device facilitates secure point of sale transactions. The device includes a housing. A processor and display are each coupled to the housing. A female universal serial bus port and camera are each coupled to the housing and operationally coupled to the processor. A power source is electrically coupled to the processor, the display, and the camera. A data storage device extrinsic to the housing has account data for processing a payment transaction. A male universal serial bus port on the data storage device selectively engages to the female universal serial bus port for providing access to the account data by the processor. A router is operationally coupled to the processor for processing a payment transaction with an extrinsic funds account. |
| US09141947B1 |
Differential bandwidth metering for networks with direct peerings
Methods and apparatus for differential bandwidth metering in a network implementing direct peerings. A system includes a plurality of resource collections and a billing manager. The billing manager obtains a first metric of network traffic transmitted on behalf of a client to obtain one or more services from one or more resource collections. The billing manager also obtains a second metric of network traffic transmitted on behalf of the client over one or more private links, where each private link is set up to establish a network path between a respective client network of the client and a respective resource collection of the plurality of resource collections. The billing manager provides composite billing information to the client comprising a differential billing amount dependent upon a difference between the first metric and the second metric. |
| US09141943B2 |
Providing merged presence calculation information based on analogous multi-utility events
Methods and systems are disclosed for collecting presence information from multiple utilities associated with a user and creating merged presence calculation information where events are determined to be analogous in content. The analogous content may relate to one or more of timing, context, user information, location, and the like. More specifically, email out-of-office and calendar events may be treated as analogous events. From the analogous events, merged presence calculation information is created and then provided to a presence server for an efficient aggregate presence calculation. |
| US09141939B2 |
Image processing system, image processing apparatus, document management server, control method and storage medium thereof
The present image processing apparatus externally receives document data, obtains attribute information that indicates information on matters from a matter management server, and transmits the received document data and the obtained attribute information on individual matter data to a document management server. The document management server presents, in accordance with a request from an external apparatus, the transmitted document data and attribute information on matters to the external apparatus, and receives, from the external apparatus, association information that is selected in accordance with the presented information and associates the document data with the matter data, and registers, together with the association information, the corresponding document data in the matter management server. |
| US09141936B2 |
Systems and methods for simulating a resource constrained process
Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for simulation of a resource constrained process. Controlling entity definition data is received, wherein a controlling entity is configured to control resources using a control hierarchy. Resource definition data is received and populated into a resource data structure, wherein the resource is configured to control other resources using the control hierarchy. The resource constrained process is simulated, wherein simulating the resource constrained process includes propagating the controlling entity through the simulation of the resource constrained process, wherein the resource constrained process contains a plurality of stages, at a stage, associating a first resource with the controlling entity using the control hierarchy when the first resource is not allocated to another entity and the first resource fulfills the one or more resource rules, and generating simulation metrics as the controlling entity propagates through the simulation of the resource constrained process. |
| US09141930B2 |
Method and apparatus for making changes to a quantity for a time interval within a time series
A method is described that involves providing a persisted quantity for a time series time interval to a first transaction, then, providing the same persisted quantity to a second transaction that operates in parallel with the first transaction. The second transaction is not permitted to change the persisted quantity. The method also involves replacing the persisted quantity with a second persisted quantity within the time series. The second persisted quantity is determined by the first transaction. The method also involves writing a persisted quantity change for the time series time interval. The persisted quantity change is determined by the second transaction. |
| US09141914B2 |
System and method for ranking anomalies
Probable anomalies associated with at least one data metric may be detected across a series of windows of time series data by comparison of data to a threshold. An estimated probability of anomalies for each of the windows of time series data may be determined based on the detected probable anomalies and the threshold. The windows of time series data may be ranked based on the estimated probabilities. Probable anomalies associated with highest ranked windows of time series data may be output to a user. |
| US09141912B2 |
Building analytic device
An information analytic system including an information gathering unit configured to gather at least one piece of information from at least one of a plurality of devices connected to a network, an information analysis unit configured to analyze the gathered information, and a rule generation unit configured to generate at least one rule based on the analysis performed by the information analysis unit. The rule analysis unit is configured to analyze each generated rule to identify the rules that can be applied to the corresponding piece information, and to apply applies the identified rule to the corresponding piece of information. The rule analysis unit is also configured to analyze unapplied rules and to determine what additional information is required to apply each unapplied rule to at least one piece of information. |
| US09141910B2 |
Inner passage relevancy layer for large intake cases in a deep question answering system
System, computer-implemented method, and computer program product to receive a case by a deep question answering system, identify a policy relevant in generating a response to the case, the policy containing a set of criteria used in generating the response to the case, produce, by a first annotator, of a set of annotators, one or more relevant passages of the case, compute a criteria score for a first criterion, of the set of criteria, based on the one or more relevant passages of the case, an determine that the first criterion is met by the case when the criteria score for the first criterion exceeds a predefined threshold. |
| US09141909B2 |
Turning probability prediction apparatus and method
A turning probability prediction apparatus for predicting a turning probability at an intersection at an end of a new road is disclosed. The turning probability prediction apparatus includes a route search device and a prediction device. The route search device retrieves a route that, while extending along a prestored road, leads from the intersection at one end of the new road to the intersection at the other end of the new road. The prediction device predicts the turning probability at the intersection at the end of the new road, based on the probabilities that the turns are made at first to n-th intermediate intersections, wherein the first to n-th intermediate intersections are defined as intersections arranged in the route retrieved by the route search device. |
| US09141904B2 |
RFID device, host, RFID-embedded apparatus, and method of controlling RFID device
A radio frequency identification (RFID) device includes: a contact interface for wired communication with a host; a contactless interface for contactless communication with a reader/writer; a command processing unit that obtains a command from the reader/writer in the contactless communication and process the command, the command instructing a data access; and a memory that holds data. The command processing unit determines a communication mode, and (i) executes the data access instructed in the command between the reader/writer and the memory, when the communication mode is determined as a first communication mode, and (ii) executes the data access instructed in the command between the reader/writer and the host, when the communication mode is determined as a second communication mode. |
| US09141898B2 |
Printing control apparatus controlling a printing unit to print an image corresponding to print medium size
A printing control apparatus prints an image in a size corresponding to a print medium size candidate if a candidate of a print medium size acquired by detecting a print medium size with a sensor is included in a plurality of sizes acceptable for printing in print setting. |
| US09141894B2 |
Image formation apparatus, image formation system and image formation method
An image processing method includes a page layout adjustment step of converting image data to create print data having a page layout such that, when printed sheets each of which has a specified number of pages are discharged from an image formation apparatus thereby forming a stack of the printed sheets in the discharged order and in a case where the stack of the printed sheets are cut into the specified number of separated stacks corresponding to the page layout, the stack order of the cut printed sheets in each of the separated stacks corresponds to a sequence page order. |
| US09141892B2 |
Adjusting one side print data to avoid overlap with the other side print data in two-sided printing
A print data processing method can generate print data for duplex printing so that the scanning accuracy of a barcode printed on one side of a receipt is not reduced by a logo or other graphic that is printed on the other side of the receipt. Whether or not a linear barcode or other code data B is contained in the front print data D1 that is printed on the front of the receipt is determined, and whether graphic data G is contained in the back print data D2 that is printed on the other side of the receipt is determined. If graphic data G is contained, the back print data D2 is adjusted so that the graphic data G is not printed to a position overlapping the code data B on the opposite side of the receipt. |
| US09141889B2 |
Color processing method used in printing systems, involves acquiring a color value which corresponds to color patch selected as representing the color and shape of a target mark that is close to designated color to be reproduced, from within printed color chart
The shape of a target mark extracted from within a print sample and to be reproduced on a print is entered. A color chart is printed comprising multiple color patches in which the shape of the target mark is simulated. |
| US09141887B2 |
Rendering permissions for rendering content
A print request is received via network connection from a registered user. Content from the print request is rendered according to the registered user's rendering permissions. The rendered content is then provided to a device associated with the registered user. |
| US09141886B2 |
Method for the automated extraction of a planogram from images of shelving
A method for automatically constructing a planogram from photographs of shelving, replacing laborious manual construction includes the following steps: a step (1) in which the images are received, a step (2) in which the images are assembled, a step (3) in which the structure is automatically constructed, a step (4) in which the products are automatically detected, and a step (5) in which the products are positioned in the structure. The product detection step (4) enhances traditional image recognition techniques, using artificial learning techniques to incorporate characteristics specific to the planograms. This product detection step (4) also includes at least two successive classification steps, namely: an initialization step (41) with detection of product categories; and a classification step (42) with the classification of the products themselves, each of these steps including a first image recognition step, followed by a statistical filtering step based on the characteristics specific to the planograms. |
| US09141883B1 |
Method, hard negative proposer, and classifier for supporting to collect hard negative images using a similarity map
A method for supporting to collect hard negative image is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) a classifier receiving from a hard negative proposer, and classifying, hard negative image candidate corresponding to a certain label candidate or a specific label candidate judged to have semantic or visual relationship with a target object; and (b) the classifier (i) allowing the hard negative proposer to select an additional label candidate whose similarity to the certain label candidate or the specific label candidate exceeds a preset degree of similarity, if a percentage or a number of the hard negative image candidate mistaken for having the target object is judged to satisfy a prefixed condition, (ii) receiving at least one additional hard negative image candidate corresponding to the selected additional label candidate and (iii) classifying the additional hard negative image candidate. |
| US09141881B2 |
Method and apparatus of classification and object detection, image pickup and processing device
A maximum hypersphere is created in the feature space according to support vectors, wherein the support vectors are one or more feature vectors in a feature space. A center of the created maximum hypersphere is calculated according to the support vector(s). A decision hyper sphere is created with the same center as the calculated center of the created maximum hypersphere. Feature vector(s) are classified within the decision hypersphere, as positive feature vector(s). False positive rate is kept to a predetermined level to provide effective object detection. |
| US09141875B2 |
Method and system for correcting gaze offset
A method of correcting gaze offset in an image of at least one individual having eyes is disclosed. The method comprises: processing the image to extract location of at least one eye over the image, processing the image to replace imagery data associated with each location of each eye with replacement data thereby providing a corrected image, and transmitting the corrected image to a display device. The replacement data are preferably previously-recorded imagery data which respectively correspond to the same eye but a different gaze. |
| US09141862B2 |
Unattended surveillance device and associated methods
The unattended surveillance device may include a housing to be positioned for unattended surveillance, a video camera associated with or carried by the housing to capture video, and an image processor carried by the housing and cooperating with the video camera. The image processor extracts moving objects in the foreground of the captured video, generates a profile image or sequence of profile images of the extracted moving objects, compresses the sequence of profile images, and generates a surveillance information packet based upon the compressed sequence of profile images. Also, a wireless transmitter or transceiver may be associated with the image processor to transmit the surveillance information packet to a surveillance monitoring station. |
| US09141861B2 |
Video image feature generation system and video image feature generation method
A video image feature generation system includes a processor; and a memory which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute, extracting a frame feature value featuring a frame, which is a unit of an input video image, based on a pixel value of the frame; and generating a phase of each frequency as a video image feature based on at least two frequencies, the frame feature value obtained in the extracting, and generation information for generating phases of the frequencies according to the frequencies and the frame feature value. |
| US09141857B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, computer program and computer-readable recording medium
There is provided an image processing device including an image quality configuring part configured to configure image quality on a per-recognizable scene of an image basis according to an instruction from a user, an image quality storage configured to store the image quality configured for each scene, an image recognition part configured to recognize a scene of an image to be acquired, and an image processing part configured to perform image processing on the image based on the image quality configured for the recognized scene by the image quality configuring part. |
| US09141854B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating structure of table included in image
A method of recognizing and generating a structure of a table included in an image is provided. The method includes extracting lines forming the table from among connection components forming an image, determining line intersections by using crossing functions matched with the lines, determining one of a plurality of crossing models identified based on a plurality of crossing shapes, in correspondence with each of the line intersections, and generating data about the table, which includes at least one cell determined using the determined crossing model. |
| US09141853B1 |
System and method for extracting information from documents
Various embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for extracting information from digital documents, including physical documents that have been converted to digital documents. For example, some embodiments are configured to extract information from a field in a digital document by identifying a block of tokens before (i.e., a prior block) and a block of tokens after (i.e., a post block) the field from which the information is to be extracted, where both the prior block and post block are known to be associated with the field type of the field (e.g., name, address, phone number, etc.). |
| US09141851B2 |
Deformable expression detector
A method for deformable expression detection is disclosed. For each pixel in a preprocessed image, a sign of a first directional gradient component and a sign of a second directional gradient component are combined to produce a combined sign. Each combined sign is coded into a coded value. An expression in an input image is detected based on the coded values. |
| US09141848B2 |
Automatic media distribution
In accordance with some embodiments, wireless devices may automatically form ad hoc networks to enable more efficient sharing of media between the devices and in some cases more efficient facial recognition of captured media. In some embodiments, automatic story development may be implemented at the local level without involving backend servers. |
| US09141847B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying fake fingerprint
An apparatus for identifying a fake fingerprint, the apparatus comprising: a prism having a fingerprint contact surface with which a fingerprint comes in contacted; an internal light source configured to irradiate light from the inside of the prism; an external light source configured to irradiate light from the outside of the prism; an image sensor configured to acquire diffused light image by the internal light source and transmitted light image by the external light source; and a controller configured to compare the diffused light image and the transmitted light image acquired by the image sensor to determine whether the fingerprint is a fake fingerprint or not. |
| US09141846B2 |
Image processing device, image processing system, image processing method, and recording medium
An image processing device includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: acquire, for each of different entrance positions, each of captured images generated by changing the luminance of pixels within a given distance from an entrance position indicating a location at which light is incident to a photographic subject, the pixels being in an image obtained by illuminating the photographic subject with the light from a light source and capturing the light reflected from the photographic subject, generate a composite image by adding together each of the captured images, and generate an output image by performing image restoration on the composite image by using a model having the shape of the reflected light. |
| US09141843B2 |
Personal authentication device
A compact authentication device that prevents user from feeling pressure and is strong against external light, when capturing an image of a finger blood vessel pattern with transmitted light. The device includes a guidance part for determining the finger position, a light source disposed on at least one side of the guidance part to emit light to be transmitted though the finger, an image capture part for capturing the transmitted light, a shading unit for limiting an irradiation region of the light, a finger thickness measuring unit, a unit for controlling a light amount of the light source based on a result of the measurement, a unit for recording registered image patterns of the finger, a unit for collating a captured image pattern from the image capture part with the registered patterns, and a unit for controlling different processing according to the collation result. |
| US09141842B2 |
Time division exposure of a data reader
Disclosed systems and methods generate a sequence of images using a data reader having an imager exposed to multiple fields of view that are alternately illuminated to coincide with exposure periods forming an image capture rate. In one configuration, a first illumination source illuminates a first field of view of the data reader with a first series of illumination pulses at a first pulse repetition rate. The imager captures in an alternating manner a first set of images of the first field of view and a second set of images of a second field of view. The first pulse repetition rate and the image capture rate are set such that the imager captures the first set of images at approximately the same time as the first illumination source illuminates the first field of view with an illumination pulse. |
| US09141841B2 |
Methods, system and apparatus for conducting a point of sale transaction
A method, system, and apparatus to scan coupons are described. A first visual code of a plurality of visual codes to be scanned may be displayed on an electronic screen. A scan signal indicating that the first visual code was scanned may be detected. Another of the plurality of visual codes may be displayed on the electronic screen in response to detecting the scan signal. |
| US09141840B2 |
Apparatus for deflecting and for widening a visible range
An apparatus (10) for deflecting and for widening a visible range of a camera (24) is provided, wherein the apparatus (10) has a first mirror element (12) which is tilted with respect to the optical axis of the camera (24) in a longitudinal direction in order to supply light to the camera (24) from a visible range lying laterally with respect to the optical axis. In this connection the first mirror element (12) is additionally tilted in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the apparatus has a second mirror element (14) besides the first mirror element (12) which is tilted in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction with respect to the first mirror element (12). |
| US09141839B2 |
System and method for reading code symbols at long range using source power control
A system and method are presented for improving the performance of code scanners in the extended and far ranges. At these distances, the intensity of the laser beam reflected off the code symbol can be markedly decreased, thereby decreasing the likelihood of a successful reading of the code symbol by the code scanner. The system provides for dynamic power increases to the laser source to generate a greater dynamic range. |
| US09141838B2 |
Optoelectronic sensor and method for the detection of object information
An optoelectronic sensor (100) for the detection of object information from a monitored zone (108) is provided, wherein the sensor (100) comprises a light transmitter (12) having an associated transmission optics (14) for the beam formation of a transmitted light beam (102, 20, 24) and for a limitation of its beam cross-section to a predefined diameter in a depth of field range; a light receiver (116) for the generation of a received signal from the reflected light beam (112); and a control and evaluation unit (118) for extracting object information from the received signal. In this connection, the transmission optics (14) has at least two optical part regions (18a-b) having different beam-forming properties and the optical part region (18a-b) which acts in a beam-forming manner with respect to the transmitted light beam (20, 24) can be set in order to vary the depth of field range. |
| US09141835B1 |
Card reader for providing swipe feedback
A card reader includes a body including a slot that is configured to receive a swipe of a card along a first axis with an edge of the card abutting a bottom surface of the slot, the slot including at least one region that is configured to increase frictional drag on the card in response to a longitudinal axis of the card varying from parallel to the bottom surface of the slot; and a reader interface positioned in the body and configured to read a magnetic stripe on the card as the card is swiped through the slot along the first axis. |
| US09141833B2 |
Compact aiming light assembly and imaging module for, and method of, generating an aiming light spot with increased brightness and uniformity from a light-emitting diode over an extended working distance range in an imaging reader
An aiming light assembly generates an aiming light spot with increased brightness and uniformity over a range of working distances in which targets are electro-optically read by image capture. The assembly includes a light emitting diode (LED) for emitting an aiming light beam, a field stop through which the aiming light beam passes, an aiming lens for optically modifying the aiming light beam passing through the field stop to form the aiming light spot over the range of working distances, and a field lens located in the vicinity of the field stop and operative for imaging the LED downstream of the field stop and in the vicinity of a lens aperture of the aiming lens. |
| US09141830B2 |
Avionics gateway interface, systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for FAA-certified avionics devices to safely interface with non-certified mobile telecommunications devices before, during, and after flight. Data transmitted to the certified devices do not affect functionality of the certified device unless and until a user acknowledges and/or confirms the data on the certified device. Thus, the integrity of the certified device is maintained. |
| US09141827B2 |
Computer-aided learning system and method
A computer-aided learning method and apparatus based on a super-recommendation generator, which is configured to assess a user's or a student's understanding in a subject, reward the user who has reached one or more milestones in the subject, further the user's understanding in the subject through relationship learning, reinforce the user's understanding in the subject through reviews, and restrict the user from enjoying entertainment materials under certain condition, with the entertainment materials requiring a device to fulfill its entertainment purpose. The generator does not have to be configured to perform all of the above functions. |
| US09141824B2 |
Dynamic database update in multi-server private information retrieval scheme
A system and methods to provide updates of an oblivious database that is based on an original database without compromising privacy guarantees, and without requiring a periodic downtime to re-initialize the database. According to embodiments of the present invention, update caches are provided at the random servers that are not emptied or sent to the oblivious database after every update in a predictable fashion. Instead, updates are made incrementally to the oblivious database in an order that is independent of how the original database is updated. Hence there is no way for the server to learn which record of the oblivious database corresponds to an updated block from the original database. |
| US09141817B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
This invention provides an image processing apparatus capable of allowing a user to easily confirm the display contents of a bulletin board without reducing operability if the user should confirm a message by the bulletin board function in authentication processing; a method of controlling the same; and a program. To accomplish this, in the image processing apparatus, an authentication processing unit acquires message information from a storage unit. When the message information is acquired, an authentication screen to execute authentication processing is displayed on a display unit together with the message information. If no message information is acquired, the authentication screen to execute authentication processing is displayed on the display unit. |
| US09141816B2 |
Authenticating a replaceable printer component
A replaceable printer component includes a first memory device and a communication link. The first memory device is configured to store a first secret. The communication link is configured to communicatively link the first memory device to a printer controller when the replaceable printer component is installed in a printing system. The printing system comprises a second memory device storing a second secret. The second memory device is communicatively linked to the printer controller. The printer controller is configured to determine an authenticity of the replaceable printer component based on the first secret and the second secret. |
| US09141813B2 |
Ordered deletion of content in storage systems
A computer-implemented method for storing an object includes providing an object, an ordering vector of the object, the ordering vector being associated to a lexicographic order having at least one dimension, and base keys associated to each dimension of the lexicographic order; deriving a key by retrieving the base key associated to the first dimension of the lexicographic order for which the ordering vector has a value different from the smallest value, and applying a one-way function a number of times corresponding to the value of the ordering vector for the last dimension of the lexicographic order; encrypting the object with the key; and storing the object as encrypted. |
| US09141811B2 |
Coerced encryption on connected devices
Techniques for coercing users to encrypt synchronized content stored at their personal computing devices. In some aspects, one or more computing devices receive, from a personal computing device, an indication of whether data stored in at least a portion of a storage device of the personal computing device is protected by disk encryption. In response to determining, based on the indication, that the portion of the storage device is not protected by encryption, synchronization data for synchronizing a copy of one or more synchronized content items stored in the portion of the storage device with another copy of the synchronized content items stored at one or more server computing devices is withheld from the personal computing device until disk encryption on the personal computing device is enabled so as to coerce the user to enable disk encryption on the personal computing device. |
| US09141810B2 |
Architecture for virtual security module
A device supports the processing of multiple active applications in a processor through a mapping system that securely identifies and differentiates commands issued by clients. An entity selection signal is generated by the mapping system to signal the processor to process an algorithm and provide services for a specific client using the commands identified for that client and data permitted by a client tracking system for that client. Other data accesses and commands identified for other clients are restricted when processing the algorithm. |
| US09141809B2 |
Method and apparatus for deterring a timing-based glitch attack during a secure boot process
Disclosed is a method for deterring a timing-based glitch attack during a secure boot process of a device having a device-specific number. In the method, the device generates a pseudorandom number specific to a particular execution of a secure boot process. The device combines the device-specific number and the pseudorandom number to generate a diversity value. The device may change a timing of at least one process step of the secure boot process based on the diversity value. Also, the device may change an order of process steps of the secure boot process based on the diversity value. |
| US09141803B2 |
Self-healing of operating system components
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to operating system technology. In aspects, a mechanism is described that allows self-healing actions to correct operating system problems. The self-healing actions may be performed at virtually any time during the loading and executing of operating system components. Earlier placement of the self-healing actions may allow correction of more operating system component problems than later placement. In one implementation, while self-healing actions are occurring, the instantiating of additional operating system components is not allowed. After the self-healing actions have completed, the instantiating of additional operating system components may continue. |
| US09141802B2 |
Computing device boot software authentication
Various embodiments are generally directed to authenticating a chain of components of boot software of a computing device. An apparatus comprises a processor circuit and storage storing an initial boot software component comprising instructions operative on the processor circuit to select a first set of boot software components of multiple sets of boot software components, each set of boot software components defines a pathway that branches from the initial boot software component and that rejoins at a latter boot software component; authenticate a first boot software component of the first set of boot software components; and execute a sequence of instructions of the first boot software component to authenticate a second boot software component of the first set of boot software components to form a chain of authentication through a first pathway defined by the first set of boot software components. Other embodiments are described and claimed herein. |
| US09141801B2 |
Apparatus and method for analyzing permission of application for mobile devices and detecting risk
An apparatus for analyzing a permission of an application for a mobile device, the apparatus comprising: an executable file acquisition unit; a file extraction module; and an execution permission analyzing module configured to detect a security risk which can be caused by the permission on the basis of the permission described in the extracted file, wherein the information related to the permission of the application includes information on permission that is declared in the application, permission that the application uses and a function that uses the permission of the application. |
| US09141790B2 |
Systems and methods for using event-correlation graphs to detect attacks on computing systems
A computer-implemented method for using event-correlation graphs to detect attacks on computing systems may include (1) detecting a suspicious event involving a first actor within a computing system, (2) constructing an event-correlation graph that includes a first node that represents the first actor, a second node that represents a second actor, and an edge that interconnects the first node and the second node and represents a suspicious event involving the first actor and the second actor, (3) calculating, based at least in part on the additional suspicious event, an attack score for the event-correlation graph, (4) determining that the attack score is greater than a predetermined threshold, and (5) determining, based at least in part on the attack score being greater than the predetermined threshold, that the suspicious event may be part of an attack on the computing system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09141776B2 |
Method and apparatus for secure hardware analysis
A Hardware Analysis Module (“HAM”) embedded in an integrated circuit (IC) implements a dedicated hardware-controlled access control procedure. The secure hardware analysis features are unlocked by a key unit subject to successful completion of an access control procedure. The access control procedure prevents unlocking of the secure hardware analysis features by an unauthorized or compromised key unit by including an embedded control command in an authentication challenge sent by the HAM to the key unit during the access control procedure. |
| US09141767B2 |
Software configuration based on entitlement records
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to software license management and provide a method, system and computer program product for authorizing customer managed software installation. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for authorizing customer managed software installation based on entitlement records can be provided. The method can include in response to a request to transfer a registered software product from an existing platform to a new platform, validating both an entitlement record and also a maintenance record for the registered software product and transferring the registered software product to the new platform only if both the entitlement record and the maintenance record validate. |
| US09141764B2 |
System and method for online integrated multiple tablet ordering
A system and method for ordering a plurality of tablets is described. The system comprises a server accessible via a network by at least one client. An online application is hosted on the server and accessible by the client. The online application comprises a user interface configured to receive a first input associated with a first tablet. The first input comprises a first schedule for consumption of the first tablet. The user interface is also configured to receive a second input associated with a second tablet. The second input comprises a second schedule for consumption of the second tablet. The user interface is further configured to display an integrated schedule comprising the schedule for consumption of the first tablet and the schedule for consumption of the second tablet. |
| US09141758B2 |
System and method for encrypting provider identifiers on medical service claim transactions
The present invention relates to a method and a system for collecting and providing reports of activities of medical service providers, while encrypting confidential information. Specifically, the present invention provides systems and methods for collecting and providing information from medical claim transactions without information for specifically identifying the particular medical service provider. The present invention also allows for correlation of medical claim transactions with providers' information without using information that can be used to specifically identify the particular medical service provider (provider identifier). |
| US09141757B2 |
Performance data user interface
A user interface and methods for providing a user interface comprising graphical representations of data, metrics, and other information specific to a particular user. The data, metrics, and other information may be derived from publically available information, private information, or both. |
| US09141756B1 |
Multi-scale complex systems transdisciplinary analysis of response to therapy
Described herein are methods and systems to measure dynamics of disease progression, including cancer growth and response, at multiple scales by multiple techniques on the same biologic system. Methods and systems according to the invention permit personalized virtual disease models. Moreover, the invention allows for the integration of previously unconnected data points into an in silico disease model, providing for the prediction of disease progression with and without therapeutic intervention. |
| US09141755B2 |
Device and method for selecting genes and proteins
The present invention provides a device, method and program for selecting genes or proteins from a set of candidate genes or proteins so that the selected genes or proteins have a stronger relevance to a specific subject. The device of the present invention contains a storage device, an input device and a processor. The storage device stores a data warehouse that contains a data about a collection of genes or proteins, with which annotations are associated. The input device receives an input of the set of candidate genes or proteins. The processor (a) gathers annotations that are associated with the candidate genes or proteins, (b) chooses annotations that are associated with the candidate genes or proteins more than a threshold number of times or frequencies, and (c) selects genes or proteins, with which at least one of the chosen annotations is associated. |
| US09141753B2 |
Method for placing operational cells in a semiconductor device
There is provided a method of placing a plurality of operational cells of a semiconductor device within a semiconductor layout, comprising determining timing data for each of the plurality of operational cells, determining switching activity from RTL or design constraints for each of the plurality of operational cells, determining power grid switch locations relative to each of the plurality of operational cells, deriving a cost function based upon the determined timing data, determined switching activity from RTL/design constraints and determined relative power grid switch locations and initially placing the plurality of operational cells according to the derived cost function. |
| US09141748B2 |
Method and system for the modular design and layout of integrated circuits
An integrated circuit (IC) and fabrication method thereof is provided that include the steps of specifying a plurality of required tile modules suitable for a particular end application, each of the modular tiles being configured to perform a predetermined function and constructed to have approximately the same length and width dimensions. The modular tiles are used to form the IC in a standard IC fabrication process. In many implementations, physical layout of the IC does not include the step of routing. Capabilities also include configuring the modular tiles to have programmable performance parameters and configuring the modular tiles to cooperate usefully with one another based on a programmable parameter. |
| US09141746B1 |
System and method to drag instance master physical shell
A system and method for enabling the display and movement of a boundary box of an instance master inclusive of specific predetermined geometric figures, including master pins, master halo and master boundary edges, is provided. The system and method provides for improved utilization of computer resources and enables users of the present invention to be able to drag and use instance master in their designs more efficiently and rapidly. |
| US09141738B2 |
Sequential non-deterministic detection in hardware design
The use of X's in RTL design is widely common for improving synthesis results and, in some cases, verification effectiveness. However, it has certain implications on verification completeness. Human design error or flawed synthesis may lead to undesirable non-determinism on design outputs, not always detected consistently by simulators. This disclosure presents a framework for formalizing observable behavior on digital design output, and a proof methodology for detecting non-determinism or proving correctness with respect to observable X, using a model checker. |
| US09141734B2 |
System and method of refining a topological indexed mesh
A method of refining a mesh includes selecting an existing coarse element having existing nodes and existing indices, inputting a quantity of refined elements to be created along an element edge, and generating a parametric grid on the existing coarse element. The method may further include placing refined nodes at parametric grid locations wherein the refined nodes have subindices linked to the existing indices. The method may additionally include deleting the existing coarse element, and creating refined elements having subindices linked to the existing indices of the existing coarse element. |
| US09141731B2 |
Symmetry of discovered geometric relationships in a three dimensional model
Systems and methods for identifying symmetry relationships in product data management (PDM) systems. A method includes receiving a 3D model including a plurality of components and identifying a plurality of target components from the plurality of components. The method includes identifying a symmetry plane in the 3D model and determining the location of each of the target components with respect to the symmetry plane. The method includes adding the target components to respective groups according to the determined locations, and creating an equivalence class for each group of target components. The method includes storing a symmetry relationship between the created equivalence classes. |
| US09141729B2 |
Display-data generating apparatus and display-data generating method
A display-data generating apparatus obtains reputation information indicative of reputation of a subject and extracted from a text accessible via a network, and linkage information indicative of a linkage between texts, and couples the reputation information and the linkage information to obtain the linkage between the texts associated with the reputation information specified from each of the texts. The display-data generating apparatus determines a display mode of a first mark that symbolizes the text and a second mark that symbolizes the linkage based on the reputation information corresponding to the text, and generates a display data to display the first mark and the second mark in the determined display mode. |
| US09141728B2 |
Methods and systems for creating and using an adaptive thesaurus
Methods and systems are provided for creating an adaptive thesaurus. A term pair including an index term and an expansion term is received. A recall gain, an expansion independence, and a semantic similarity of the term pair are calculated using a processor. Whether to store the term pair is determined based on the recall gain, the expansion independence, and the semantic similarity. The term pair is stored based on the determination. Methods and systems are provided for searching using an adaptive thesaurus. A search query including a query term is received. An expansion term stored in association with an index term matching the query term in the adaptive thesaurus is retrieved. Using a processor, the search query is expanded using the expansion term based on a recall gain, an expansion independence, and a semantic similarity. |
| US09141724B2 |
Transcoder hinting
A transcoding system (1) comprises a mobile communication device (2) that retrieves a web resource from a web server (6) using a mobile communication network (3) and the internet (4) via a transcoder (5). The transcoder (5) transcodes the web resource before delivering it to the mobile communication device (2). The process of transcoding the web page is carried out based on style sheet classes and/or meta tags in the web page. This allows a web site owner (7) to control the actions of the transcoder (5) in transcoding the web page. |
| US09141720B2 |
System and method for managing content on a network interface
The disclosed invention is a system and method (collectively the “system”) for the automated management of content on a network interface. The network interface can be a web site on the World Wide Web, an Internet location, an intranet location, an extranet location, or some other form of network interface (collectively “web site”). The system can automatically create applications and links to those applications without human intervention. Examples of automated applications include newsroom applications, calendar of events, employment opportunities, project portfolio, biographies, frequently asked questions, document library, category management, product catalogs, e-mail broadcasts, surveys, and newsletters. Fully normalized hierarchies of business rules and user profiles can be supported by the system to facilitate automation and configurability. Multiple content providers can manage a single web site in a simultaneous or substantially simultaneous manner. In ASP embodiments, multiple organizations can use the system to manage multiple web sites in a substantially simultaneous manner. |
| US09141718B2 |
Clipview applications
An implementation allows a user to select an area of interest in a content source and to clip content from the area of interest. A variety of content types may be clipped and presented to a user, and the clipped content may be refreshed from the selected area of interest. Various configuration parameters, as well as the clipped content, may be stored for future retrieval by a clipping application that presents the clipped content. Methods, computer program products, systems, and data structures are provided. One method includes identifying one or more content sources, identifying a portion of a content source to be included in each of a first and second view, storing information associated with the identified content source for each view including a name and identifying information for designating a respective portion of a content source, and displaying both the first and second view in an aggregate view. |
| US09141717B2 |
Methods, systems, products, and devices for processing DNS friendly identifiers
When a request having a keyword is received, a domain name having the keyword can be generated and a network resource corresponding to the domain name can be requested wherein the network resource is adapted to extract the keyword from the domain name. In turn, when a request having a first domain name is received, a second domain name having the first domain name can be generated and a network resource corresponding to the second domain name can be requested wherein the network resource is adapted to extract the first domain name from the second domain name. |
| US09141712B2 |
Sequential website moving system using voice guide message
A sequential website moving system using a voice guide message comprises: a web server management module which receives registered information on a web page operated on a web server in a web server DB; a web server keyword management module which is provided with a keyword of the web page, in a keyword DB; a web browser analysis module which recognizes the content of the web page displayed on a web browser of a client terminal, selects a word or the context of the web page as a representative word in a representative word DB; a voice guide message generation module which compares the representative word with the keyword, links the web page registered on the web server with the corresponding keyword if the matched keyword exists, and generates the linked page as a voice guide message of the displayed web page; and a voice guide message display module. |
| US09141706B2 |
Region-of-interest extraction apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, a region-of-interest extraction apparatus includes following units. The acquisition unit acquires a structured document including elements. The first extraction unit extracts block regions including specific elements, from the structured document. The second extraction unit extracts, as a display region, parts of the elements being displayed on a display screen, from the structured document. The third extraction unit extracts a region of interest, in which a user is interested, from the structured document, based on relations between the block regions and the display region. |
| US09141705B2 |
Method and system for search string entry and refinement on a mobile device
A hardware and/or software facility facilitates search string entry and refinement on a mobile device. A user enters a search string on a mobile device via one or more input methods. The facility searches the user's device and/or one or more remote data areas and returns search results that match the entered search string. Search results include, for example, information, links, files, and other results that correspond to the search string. Before and/or after the search is performed, the facility applies one or more filters that produce refined search results. Filters may relate to location, category, synonyms, data type, social-network, and other groupings—including user-defined groupings—that may refine the search results. Filters may be applied automatically and/or in response to user selection of a filter. |
| US09141702B2 |
Method for dynamically displaying a personalized home screen on a device
A method for dynamically generating and displaying a home screen on a display of a user device comprises receiving a user query input by a user of the device; receiving at least one environmental variable; determining an intent of a user based in part on the at least one environmental variable and the user query; selecting at least one resource of information from a plurality of resources of information respective of at least the intent, wherein each selected resource has a representative icon; generating a new home screen comprising an at least one icon corresponding to the at least one selected resource of information; and causing the user device to replace a current home screen with the new generated home screen. |
| US09141699B2 |
Determining data feed usage
A data feed server configured for tracking usage of a data feed includes a data feed server configured to respond to polls from client computers and transmit a data feed in response to a poll from a client computer. The data feed server is further configured to received usage data from a client computer that indicates usage of the data feed at the client computer. A client computer for accessing a data feed includes a client computer configured to communicate with at least one data feed server that publishes a data feed. The client computer selectively polls the data feed server for the data feed. The client computer is further configured to record usage data indicating usage of the data feed at the client computer and, in a subsequent polling of the data feed sever, report the usage data for the data feed to the data feed server. A method of determining usage of a data feed includes collecting information with a data server that indicates whether a data feed provided by the data server was accessed by a user at a client computer to which the data server had transmitted the data feed. |
| US09141696B2 |
Communication device
A communication device may be configured to be connected with an information display device in a communicable manner. The communication device may store address information of summarized content information, wherein the summarized content information includes, for each of a plurality of contents, at least address information of the content and a title of the content. The communication device may acquire the summarized content information from the address information, display the titles of the plurality of contents included in the summarized content information, allow a user to select at least one title from the titles of the plurality of contents, and send information concerning a content corresponding to the selected title. |
| US09141694B2 |
Method and apparatus for user-steerable recommendations
Method and apparatus for transparent, steerable recommendations. A steerable recommender uses tag clouds including descriptive tags and associated weights to generate recommendations. Users may dynamically interact with the recommender via a user interface to steer the recommendations. A tag cloud for an item is displayed, items for which associated tag clouds are most similar to the displayed tag cloud are identified, and the items are displayed as recommendations. The strength of similarity of the items to the displayed tag cloud may be displayed. The user may modify a tag cloud, for example by changing the weight of a tag or by adding or removing a tag, and the recommendations may be automatically updated to reflect the modification. A recommended item may be selected to display the tag cloud corresponding to the item. A user may select a user interface element to request information on why a particular item was recommended. |
| US09141693B2 |
Within an electronic book environment, retrieving and displaying content associated with images or text in the electronic book
[Object] To lead a user to various types of information easily with an electronic book as a starting point. [Solving Means] A server apparatus includes a storage, a communication section, and a controller. The storage stores an electronic book obtained by digitizing a book having at least one page in which at least one information item is represented, and associated information that is associated with the information item. The communication section communicates with an external electronic apparatus. The controller generates, when the electronic book is displayed by the external electronic apparatus and the information item of the electronic book is designated, an electronic book unit by adding first metadata to the information item so that display processing of the associated information is executed on the external electronic apparatus, and controls the communication section to transmit the generated electronic book unit to the external electronic apparatus. |
| US09141692B2 |
Inferring sensitive information from tags
A set of tags can be identified from a first set of tagged documents in a first repository. A set of tags can be identified from a second set of tagged documents in a second repository. Access to documents in the second repository can be more restrictive than access to documents in the first repository. For each of a subset tags in the first set and/or the second set, a number of steps can occur. A ratio can be determined of tag instances in the second repository compared to tag instances in the first repository. It can be determined whether the ratio exceeds a previously determined threshold. When the threshold is exceeded, an indicator of at least one tagged document associated with the tag can be changed to indicate that the tagged document is likely to contain sensitive content. |
| US09141691B2 |
Method for automatically indexing documents
Methods and Systems for automatically indexing a set of base documents. Data defining all elements respectively contained within the base documents is indexed. The elements comprise an element to be checked and surrounding elements that surround the element to be checked. The received data is evaluated as to whether the element to be checked has the corresponding meaning, wherein training has been performed based on a training sample generated for base documents in which the element to be checked is surrounded by the surrounding elements and has the corresponding meaning. For those base documents where elements have been found to have the corresponding meaning, building an index indexing the base documents, the index comprising the elements having the corresponding meaning with a corresponding reference to the document in which each element is contained. |
| US09141690B2 |
Methods and systems for categorizing data in an on-demand database environment
Categorizing data in an on-demand database environment is provided. The categorized data is accessed to provide results based on statistical likelihood that records provide a desired result of a query. The categorization of the data includes organizing queries based on semantic terms, with categorization based on a multidimensional categorization of data in the database environment. The generating of results includes accessing relationship metadata both for individual records and for categories. Relationships along the same category, or among categories can provide records that may answer the query. The relationships and statistics are updated based on usage of the results data. Records and relationships identified as being used to solve the query, or being a desired solution to the query, can be weighted more heavily, thus increasing the likelihood of providing the most relevant data for subsequent queries. |
| US09141687B2 |
Identification of data objects within a computer database
Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for identifying matching objects in a computer database. In one representative technique, a set of attribute-value pairs corresponding to a query data object are input, with individual ones of the attribute-value pairs including an identified attribute and a value for the identified attribute; multiple characteristic fingerprints are assigned to individual ones of the attribute-value pairs in the set, the characteristic fingerprints having been selected from an attribute-specific field of available characteristic fingerprints based on the value for the identified attribute; a subset of at least one characteristic fingerprint is selected from across the characteristic fingerprints for the query data object, based on a selection criterion, and a database is queried using the subset of at least one characteristic fingerprint to identify any matches. |
| US09141683B1 |
Distributed computer system snapshot instantiation with variable depth
Distributed computer systems prepare and instantiate snapshots by processing sets of nodes representing computer resources that are portions of a larger system. A user may choose to prepare or instantiate a snapshot containing all or only a portion of the data within the distributed computer system, such as a template of the distributed computer system. A template snapshot may be available in an electronic marketplace for other users to purchase and instantiate into a replica of the distributed computer system. |
| US09141681B2 |
Creating a column family in a database
A mechanism for providing messages for Java message service (JMS). A method includes receiving, by a Java message service (JMS) server executed by a processing device, key-value data pair. The key-value data pair is sent by a client. The method also includes extracting, by the processing device, destination information of a JMS message from the value data of the key-value data pair. The destination information is either a JMS queue or a JMS topic. The method further includes storing, by the processing device, the key-value data pair in a column family of not only structured query language (NoSQL) database when one of the JMS queue or the JMS topic associated with the received key-value data pair exists in the column family of the NoSQL database. The column family includes a plurality of stored key-value data pairs. |
| US09141680B2 |
Data consistency and rollback for cloud analytics
An extract-transform-load (ETL) platform fetches consistent datasets in a batch for a given period of time and provides the ability to rollback that batch. The batch may be fetched for an interval of time, and the ETL platform may fetch new or changed data from different cloud/on-premise applications. It will store this data in the cloud or on-premise to build data history. As the ETL platform fetches new data, the system will not overwrite existing data, but rather will create new versions so that change history is preserved. For any reason, if businesses would like to rollback data, they could rollback to any previous batch. |
| US09141677B2 |
Apparatus and method for arranging query
An arrangement device includes an acquisition unit, a specifying unit, and a determination unit. The acquisition unit acquires information representing the number of times of communication between queries executed in a plurality of devices in which the plurality of queries are arranged, the query being used for performing processes when data meets set conditions. The specifying unit specifies a set of queries based on the number of times of communication that is represented by the information acquired by the acquisition unit. The determination unit determines to arrange the set of queries specified by the specifying unit in a same device. |
| US09141674B2 |
Prominent display of selective results of book search queries
A system is configured to receive a search query for books; identify a set of books that are relevant to the search query, where the set of books may be associated with relevance scores that represent a relevance of the set of books to the search query and that are based on book quality information that is independent of the search query; determine that a reference to a first book should be prominently presented in a search results document, that includes references to the set of books based on a relationship between a highest relevance score, associated with the first book, and a second highest relevance score associated with a second book; generate the search results document, which may be formatted to prominently present the reference to the first book in relation to the references to one or more of the set of books; and transmit the search results document. |
| US09141673B2 |
Cloud-based phone system with methodologies for suggesting account configuration settings
A cloud-based phone system with methodologies for suggesting account configuration settings is provided. In one embodiment, for example, techniques are provided for suggesting how a particular user should configure a particular account configuration parameter of a plurality of account configuration parameters available to the particular user. One or more parameters of the plurality of account configuration parameters that are related to the particular parameter are identified. One or more other users are identified that have configured the one or more parameters similar to how the particular user has configured the one or more parameters. A suggestion of how the particular user should configure the particular parameter is made based on settings for the particular parameter made by the one or more other users. |
| US09141672B1 |
Click or skip evaluation of query term optionalization rule
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for click or skip evaluation of optionalization rules. In one aspect, a method includes accessing query log data that identifies, for an initial search query, one or more revised search queries that were identified by designating a query term of the initial search query as optional according to one or more optionalization rules, and a particular search result selected by the user. A determination is made, using the query log data, that the particular search result corresponds to the one or more revised search queries that were identified by designating the query term of the initial search query as optional according to one or more optionalization rules. In response to this determination, a click count is incremented for the one or more optionalization rules that corresponds to the particular search result. |
| US09141671B2 |
System and method for presenting filter options to a user based on ongoing monitoring of filter selections
Various embodiments are presented which comprise an electronic catalog of products, wherein the catalog comprises a taxonomy of product categories and products within the categories, wherein various users input filter parameters and these are monitored, whereupon the information about which filter parameters have been selected is used to change which values of attributes relevant to the products are displayed for the user when they are making their selections. |
| US09141666B2 |
Incremental maintenance of range-partitioned statistics for query optimization
A database management system that manages data in a database includes a query optimizer that performs query optimization based on statistics related to data in the database. The query optimizer incrementally updates the statistics. The query optimizer organizes the statistics related to the data in the database into a statistics tree structure having a root node corresponding to global statistics, internal nodes corresponding to summary statistics of descendant nodes, and leaf nodes corresponding to disjoint data ranges in the database. The query optimizer performs statistics tree transformation operations on the statistics tree structure. The transformation operations transform the statistics tree structure into a form that at least partially minimizes the system resources needed to update the statistics. The query optimizer updates the statistics corresponding to those nodes of the statistics tree structure where a change has occurred in the disjoint data ranges. |
| US09141663B2 |
User interface and methods for building structural queries
Disclosed herein is a user interface and methods for building a formulated query to search a database of structural data which is organized by classes, attributes of classes, literals of attributes, and structural relations between classes. The user interface can display results of the formulated query and includes a structural query section to define constraints for the formulated query. The structural query section includes one or more query elements to be populated and a means for adding one or more additional query elements, wherein each query element can have a class portion which is populated by designating one of a special class identifier and a concrete class identifier, and can have one or more attribute and literal portions. The class portion can be populated by designating the class identifier from an offered list, and the user interface can further include an offer section which displays the offered list. The offered class identifiers, relation identifiers, attribute identifiers and literal values can come from the particular searched structural data. The offered class identifiers, relation identifiers and attribute identifiers can come from the definition of the structural content of the searched data. A relationship between query elements is expressible using a defined structural relation, such as a “contains” relation. Relationships between two or more query elements or two or more query element attribute-literal pair portions are also expressible using logical relations, such as a logical “AND” relation, a logical “OR” relation, and a logical “XOR” relation. A query results section displays results of the formulated query after the formulated query is executed. |
| US09141662B2 |
Intelligent evidence classification and notification in a deep question answering system
System, method, and computer program product to identify changes in evidence used to answer questions by a deep question answering system, by identifying a first evidence related to a feature, the deep question answering system having identified the feature as being relevant to answering a first type of question of a plurality of types of questions, and responsive to: (i) detecting a change in the first evidence, and (ii) determining that a confidence score of a first response generated for a first question, of the first type of question, exceeds a confidence threshold, generating an updated response for the first question based on the changed first evidence. |
| US09141658B1 |
Data classification and management for risk mitigation
An information management system is leveraged to mitigate risks associated with data objects in a computer system. The information management system collects information about the data objects and classifies the data objects into one or more categories. The results of the classification and/or the collected information can be stored in a data repository and used to mitigate legal and/or security risks. For instance, the data repository can be searched and/or queried to identify data objects that a party associated with the computer system is legally required to disclose to an adverse party in a legal proceeding. Alternately or additionally, the information in the data repository can be used to classify a data object into a category requiring one or more security and/or legal measures. The information management system maps the category to a service level and orchestrates execution of the service level. |
| US09141657B2 |
Content delivery system with profile generation mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a content delivery system includes: generating a first user profile for representing a user's identity in a context; generating a second user profile for representing the user's identity in a different context; selecting the first user profile or the second user profile based on the context or the different context; and generating a display content based on the first user profile or the second user profile for displaying on a device. |
| US09141650B1 |
Methods and systems for filtering tree node data to determine part and assembly relationships
A computer-based method for generating multi-generational relationships within a relational model. The method includes applying, with a processing device, a filter to parent node data and child node data in the relational model, the relational model stored in a computer memory, adding filtered data to a database within a computer memory via instructions executed by the processing device, the filtered data including relational model data that passed through the filter, and applying, through instructions executed by the processing device, a parent node selection process to every child node in the filtered data that is associated with a parent node record not conforming to the filter. |
| US09141649B2 |
System for displaying graphical narrations
An online network collects a dataset of an individual's information through a computer-implemented method. An individual enters a dataset of the information and a plurality of an individual's life events into a computer system. The dataset is arranged and converted into a graphical representation for display. The online database receives and stores the dataset. The database associates the dataset with the plurality of the member's life events and then the dataset and the life events are outputted into the graphical representation for display for a witness. |
| US09141647B2 |
Configuration protection for providing security to configuration files
The embodiments include a method for providing security for a set of configuration files corresponding to a remote monitoring application. The method may include accessing a server configured to store the set of configuration files. The server is also configured to receive a connection request, over a network, from an agent having the remote monitoring application, generate an encryption key in response to receiving the connection request, transmit the encryption key, over the network, to the agent, encrypt the set of configuration files according to an encryption algorithm and the encryption key, and transmit the encrypted set of configuration files to the agent. According to one embodiment, the server may be accessed by performing one or more maintenance actions on the server. |
| US09141645B2 |
User interfaces for controlling and manipulating groupings in a multi-zone media system
In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group. |
| US09141643B2 |
Visual ontological system for social community
The present invention relates to a system for storing and managing a comment on content in a social community, and enabling another user to retrieve content or a comment. In particular, the present invention may generate image comments for target content from users of a social community, and summarize the generated imaged comments. |
| US09141639B2 |
Bitmap selection for remote copying of updates
In one embodiment of the present description, a copy relationship is established between a storage location at a first site and a storage location at a second site in a data storage system, wherein a dynamically assignable bitmap preset to one of a plurality of different predetermined bit patterns is selected as a function of both the availability of the selected bitmap and the type of predetermined bit pattern identified for the selected bitmap. The selected bitmap may be assigned as an out-of-sync bitmap wherein updates to the storage location at one site, which are to be copied to the storage location at the other site, are indicated in the selected bitmap, and data writes being written to the storage location at the one site, are copied to the storage location at the other site, using the selected bitmap as an out-of-sync bitmap. Other aspects are described. |
| US09141637B2 |
Predictive data management in a networked computing environment
An approach for managing file storage between local and remote storage locations in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment) is provided. In a typical embodiment, files/data may be tagged with metadata that associates the files/data with an event that indicates a date/time and a geographical destination of an intended use of the files. The files may then be transferred between local and remote storage (e.g., at the destination) based upon a set of predefined rules for transferring the files/data. |
| US09141630B2 |
Fat directory structure for use in transaction safe file system
Directories in a file system are defined with a dummy cluster in a file allocation table as the initial entry. Subsequent clusters in a directory's definition may define any data for the directory that can be changed in a transaction-safe mode. A directory may be modified in a transaction-safe mode by modifying any of the subsequent clusters while tracking changes in a second file allocation table. When the changes have been made to the directory, a pointer to the second file allocation table may be switched to indicate that the second file allocation table is now last known good. The first file allocation table may then be synchronized with the second. |
| US09141629B2 |
Identifying video files of a video file storage system having relevance to a first file
Methods and systems for providing related video files in a video file storage system are disclosed. One method includes identifying a plurality of video files within the video file storage system, wherein the plurality of video files each have a relationship with the first file, wherein the video file storage system provides a platform for storing and sharing videos, and each video file includes a video and associated information. The method further includes generating, by a system server, a list of inquiries based on the plurality of video files, providing, by the system server, the list of inquiries to at least one creator of the first file, receiving from the at least one creator at least one response to the list of inquiries, selecting a subset of the plurality of video files based on the at least one response, and storing information related to the selected subset of the plurality of video files for access if the first file is selected. |
| US09141625B1 |
Methods for preserving flow state during virtual machine migration and devices thereof
Methods, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for network flow state preservation include migration of at least one application hosted on a first server device to a second server device coupled to a second traffic management device is detected at a first traffic management device. At least a portion of connection state information associated with a network connection between at least one client device and the application is communicated by the first traffic management device to the second traffic management device via a communication channel between the first and second traffic management devices. The application is provided by the first traffic management device to the at least one client device during the migration based upon the connection state information. |
| US09141621B2 |
Copying a differential data store into temporary storage media in response to a request
A plurality of differential data stores are stored in persistent storage media. In response to receiving a first request to store a particular data object, one of the differential data stores that are stored in the persistent storage media is selected, wherein selecting the one differential data store is according to a criterion relating to compression of data objects in the differential data stores. The selected differential data store is copied into temporary storage media, where the copying is not delayed after receiving the first request to await receipt of more requests. The particular data object is inserted into the copy of the selected differential data store in the temporary storage media, where the inserting is performed without having to retrieve more data from the selected differential store in the persistent storage media. The selected differential data store in the persistent storage media is replaced with the copy of the selected differential data store in the temporary storage media that has been modified. |
| US09141620B2 |
Dynamic presentations management
A method for dynamic presentations management of electronic presentations including multiple slides, wherein each slide has at least one presentation constraint parameter assigned thereto, and wherein a presentation software is used for generating and displaying the presentation can include gathering metadata regarding the presentation by the presentation software, evaluating the metadata regarding the presentation and determining at least one presentation constraint parameter by the presentation software, and automatically arranging and/or selecting slides and/or modifying a content of slides according to the determined at least one presentation constraint parameter to be presented by use of the presentation software. |
| US09141616B2 |
Physical confirmation for network-provided content
A computer-implemented method includes receiving, from a remote communication device and at a server system, information that indicates a unique identifier for a physical item that corresponds to media content, the identifier differing from identifiers for other physical items that correspond to the same content; associating the received information with an account of a first user of a hosted internet service; and subsequently providing, by the hosted internet service, content that matches the content that corresponds to the physical item, based on a determination that the received information authorizes the first user to obtain the content provided by the hosted internet service. |
| US09141615B1 |
Interactive media server
A system and method for distributing image sequences to multiple clients according to individual or grouped client requests. In a preferred embodiment, an innovative media server includes image processing nodes which modify an image sequence as received from a wide-angle source, according to a request from a client or client characteristics. Requests can be grouped and/or compressed so as to reduce necessary bandwidth. |
| US09141614B2 |
System and method for automating the assembly, processing and delivery of documents
A system for automating the assembly, processing and delivery of documents includes a plurality of transport clients, a work queue, a scheduler, a plurality of rendering objects, a plurality of transport objects and a routing table. The transport clients are each responsible for acquisition of data necessary to generate the response. Once a work item is received from a transport client, it is added to the work queue. The scheduler manages the work queue including sending work items to an identified rendering object and thereafter to a transport client. Each of the rendering objects includes knowledge of the database as well as processes for extracting information from a database and applying rules on the extracted data. The scheduler assigns work items to be processed by the rendering objects, and once completed, the work items are returned to the scheduler for further processing by a transport object. |
| US09141607B1 |
Determining optical character recognition parameters
Various aspects can be implemented for determining optical character recognition (OCR) parameters using an OCR engine. In general, one aspect can be a method that includes using an optical character recognition (OCR) engine in a base configuration to generate one or more OCR responses corresponding to one or more sample pages of a document. The method also includes identifying a dominant OCR parameter for the document based on the one or more generated OCR responses. Other implementations of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products. |
| US09141606B2 |
Methods and systems for multi-engine machine translation
Systems and methods for multi-engine machine translations are disclosed. Exemplary methods and systems involve normalizing and/or tokenizing a source string using user-specific translation data. The user-specific translation data may include glossary data, translation memory data, and rule data for use in customizing translations and sequestering sensitive data during the translation process. The disclosed methods and systems also involve using one or more machine translation engines to obtain a translation of the normalized and/or tokenized source string. |
| US09141597B2 |
Method and system of fulfilling requests for information from a network client
Disclosed herein are a computer program product and a system of fulfilling requests for information data from a network client in a client-server environment. The system and computer program product include receiving a hypertext document and a program component and displaying the hypertext document, the hypertext document having initially no information data filling its form fields. A user requests information from a network client which calls the program component to request information and upon determination that the requested information is not stored in a buffer memory the requested information is downloaded from the network server. The form fields in the hypertext document are filled with the information and displayed. |
| US09141591B2 |
Publishing on mobile devices with app building
A publisher accessible e-publishing system and method, configured to enable a publisher to construct and make an app available for permitting enhanced viewing and interactive utilization of e-published content on various mobile devices with various software platforms, the system comprising a front end and a back end with the front end being configured to be used by a publisher to provide content and selection of parameters for display and use with the e-published content and the back end being a system which is configured to store the content and meta data for the content and which is configured to configure the content into an end user app specifically conformed to the specific viewing platform and device being used by the end user to view and interact with the e-published content. |
| US09141585B2 |
Apparatus and method for single unit access display
A product display apparatus including a product supply module that includes a support frame and defines a storage area. A door assembly coupled to the support frame is structured to provide bulk access to the storage area in an open position and prevent bulk access to the storage area in the closed position. A return area is defined between the support frame and the top of the door assembly while a retrieval area is defined between the support frame and the bottom of the door assembly. A modular display portion is coupled to the door assembly that extends into the retrieval area to define a single unit retrieval opening. A load block member may be disposed in the retrieval area to permit retrieval of a product, but inhibit return of a product. A retrieval detector may be configured to detect when a product has been withdrawn through the retrieval area and generate an alert upon detection of rapid product removal. |