| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09172510B2 |
Systems and methods for improved recovery for the downlink
Systems, methods, and devices for an improved recovery for the downlink are described herein. In some aspects, delay and overhead associated with retransmission of data lost due to an interruption can be reduced and/or eliminated by configuring a receiver to generate and transmit status information following resumption from the interruption. The receiver can be configured to generate and transmit status information immediately upon resuming from the interruption. In some aspects, the receiver can be configured to automatically generate and transmit status information independent of receiving a polling request from the sender. Status information can indentify at least last received user data prior to the interruption. In some aspects, status information further identifies lost data due to the interruption. |
| US09172505B1 |
Methods and apparatus for frame detection
One embodiment relates to a frame detection circuit for detecting a frame boundary. The circuit includes at least two frame buffers and a staged-parallel structure of syndrome computation circuits that computes a number of syndromes in one cycle. The two frame buffers are each one word in width. The number of syndromes computed in one cycle by the cascaded series is a fraction of a number of bits in one word. Another embodiment relates to a method for detecting a frame boundary. Another embodiment relates to a method for computing a current syndrome. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed. |
| US09172501B2 |
Launch delay offset data flow protection
A signal protector utilizes a dual data path delay offset enabling signal recovery on both paths following simultaneous data loss on both paths. |
| US09172499B2 |
Optimized code table signaling for authentication to a network and information system
In various embodiments, a system comprising a network interface, a processor, and a non-transient memory medium operatively coupled to the processor is disclosed. The memory medium is configured to store a plurality of instructions configured to program the processor to receive a digital bit stream, transform the digital bit stream to an encoded digital bit stream. The encoded digital bit stream comprises at least one of a gateway channel, a composite channel, or a data channel, and any combination thereof, and provides the encoded digital bit stream to the network interface for transmission. A non-transitory computer-readable memory medium and a computer-implemented method also are disclosed. |
| US09172497B2 |
Data processing device and data processing method
A data processing device and a data processing method that can readily process control data having its PAPR improved. In a transmission device, a padder pads control data necessary for demodulation with zeros as dummy data, and a scrambler scrambles the padded control data (post-padding control data). A replacement unit replaces scrambled dummy data in the scrambled post-padding control data with the dummy data, and a BCH encoder and an LDPC encoder perform BCH encoding and LDPC encoding as error correction encoding on the replacement data obtained through the replacement. A shortening unit performs shortening by deleting the dummy data contained in the LDPC code and puncturing the parity bits of the LDPC code. The device can be applied in cases where control data is subjected to error correction encoding and is then transmitted, for example. |
| US09172496B2 |
CQI (channel quality indication) information reporting method, and related base station and user equipment
A information reporting method, base station and user equipment is provided in this invention. The method comprises sending the MAC layer carrier activation signaling to the UE, for activating a first CC of the UE, the MAC layer carrier activation signaling comprising CQI instruction information, for instructing the UE to report aperiodic CQI information of a second CC of the UE, so that the UE triggers to report aperiodic CQI information of the second CC of the UE upon receiving the MAC layer carrier activation signaling. With the information reporting method, base station and user equipment provided in an embodiment of this invention, the problem of slower report of CQI information of activated CCs can be addressed. |
| US09172495B1 |
Dynamic modulation change while generating a MAC PDU in a LTE protocol wireless network
A Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol evolved Node-B (eNB) and method for dynamic modulation change while generating a Media Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) in a LTE wireless network are provided. The eNB in one example embodiment includes a transceiver system configured to receive a packet and a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) from a User Equipment (UE) and a processing system coupled to the transceiver system and configured to determine whether padding is needed in the MAC PDU, if padding is needed, select a slower modulation scheme and coding rate than is specified by the CQI, wherein the selected slower modulation scheme and coding rate are selected so as to substantially eliminate padding in the MAC PDU, and transmit the MAC PDU using the selected slower modulation scheme and coding rate. |
| US09172494B2 |
Modulator device
Devices, chips and methods are provided which involve the use of either a first modulator path or a second modulator path depending on a level of a signal to be processed. |
| US09172493B2 |
Caller-identity based security
A method, system and computer-readable medium for providing a user identity-based secure channel between a digital telephone and a service provider is presented. At the service provider, an encrypted voice transmission from a digital telephone is decrypted. The voice transmission was encrypted at the digital telephone by using a user voice encryption key that was created in the digital telephone. The user voice encryption key was created at the digital telephone by inputting a telephone identifier and a called telephone number into a public encryption key algorithm that is supplied by the service provider. By decrypting the encrypted voice transmission, the service provider is able to extract the voice transmission, the telephone identifier, and the called telephone number, thus allowing the service provider to route the voice transmission to an appropriate answering party at the service provider. |
| US09172492B2 |
Time/wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network (TWPON)
The present invention discloses a time/wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network (TWPON), which has an optical splitter (21) and a waveguide grating router (WGR) (22) disposed at a remote node (RN) (20). The optical splitter (21) and the WGR (22) can be connected in a cascade or in a parallel such that the present invention can use less number of wavelengths to increase transmission capacity or increase the number of users. A channel fault monitoring (CFM) module provided at an optical line terminal (OLT) is utilized to locate fiber breaks among distribution fibers. The TWPON of the present invention can provide TDM-PON, WDM-PON, and Hybrid PON co-existing platform with less wavelengths channel fault monitoring mechanism. |
| US09172491B2 |
Method, topology and point of presence equipment for serving a plurality of users via a multiplex module
A number of users interface with a network via a multiplex module, on a communication path established between the multiplex module and a point of presence. Some users may be served by one or more first channels of the communication path while one or more remaining users may be served by one or more additional channels of the communication path. Users having a basic service level agreement may be served by the first channels while users having an extended service level agreement may be served by the one or more additional channels. Allocation of users to distinct channel types based on their service level agreements may apply at a primary point of presence or may apply at a redundant point of presence. |
| US09172484B2 |
Beacon frame
A beacon frame (5) for transmission during a beacon period for a wireless device to maintain synchronization with other wireless devices of a community in a wireless communications network, the frame (5) comprising: a header (8) containing routing information for the frame (5); beacon parameters (9) to indicate signaling methods in use by the wireless devices; at least one information element (7) comprising at least one identifier to identify the wireless device; wherein the at least one identifier comprises a signature identifier (104) for the frame (5), an interface version, and a name and unique identifier for the device. |
| US09172482B2 |
Content recommendations based on personal preferences
A method and system for recommending multimedia content includes collecting consumption information for a plurality of users. The consumption information, along with real-time contextual information, may be used to generate collections of recommended multimedia content, including obtainable multimedia assets. The collections may be offered to a user for purchase. The user may be provided access to the multimedia assets. A unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal, may be used to offer and provide access to the multimedia assets. |
| US09172480B2 |
Radio-frequency communication controlled by a microcircuit
The invention relates to a method for the radio-frequency communication of data, in which the receiving of and/or access to said data is controlled by control means, including an electronic microcircuit, on the basis of access rights. The transmitted data includes time information, and the access rights are controlled on the basis of said time information. The invention also relates to a device for controlling access rights as well as to a radio-frequency receiving device including same. |
| US09172479B2 |
Processor for an FM signal receiver and processing method
A processing unit for processing a multi-channel audio signal has a delay element (40) for delaying an FM sum signal (sum) and a converter arrangement (T) for converting an FM difference signal (diff) and a noise signal (diffnoise) to the frequency domain. Frequency-based noise suppression is used to derive a de-noised frequency-domain difference signal using a gain function which is limited to a maximal and a minimal value. This is then converted to the time domain, and the first and second audio signals are calculated from a delayed sum signal (sum2) and the de-noised time domain difference signal (diff2). |
| US09172476B2 |
Method and system for removal of noise in signal
A method and system for reception of electromagnetic waves in which interference with radio frequencies of other electronics devices occurs comprising; at least one transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic radiation at a wide range of frequencies; at least one receiver fix receiving the received signal comprising the first electromagnetic radiation and RF interfering signal data; a first memory portion for storing transmitted signal waveforms; a second memory portion for storing RF interfering signal data; a switch for periodically allowing the RF interfering signal data to enter the second memory portion from the receiver; the at least one processor operating to process and compare the received signal containing RE signal data and first electromagnetic radiation by matching the received signal against data relating to the transmitted signal waveforms from the first memory portion and RF interfering signal data from the second memory portion, and extract the RF interfering signal data. |
| US09172465B2 |
Optical device, and system and method for managing optical device
The present invention relates to an optical device, including: an optical module, configured to implement an optical function of the optical device and including several outlet ports; and an identification module, containing identification information for identifying the optical device. The present invention further relates to a system and method for managing an optical device, where the system includes: an interface apparatus, configured to couple multiple optical devices; an identification information obtaining apparatus, configured to obtain identification information of the optical devices and/or identification information of outlet ports of the multiple optical devices through the interface apparatus; and a control apparatus, configured to manage the optical devices according to the obtained identification information. |
| US09172462B2 |
Optical bench apparatus having integrated monitor photodetectors and method for monitoring optical power using same
Optical bench structure provides a platform for integrating optical transmitters, particularly Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs), with monitor photodetectors. A substrate with photodetectors on the front side is aligned with flip-chip bonding bumps so the emission of the transmitters is aligned with the monitor photodetectors and passes through the monitor photodetectors with a portion of the transmitted light absorbed by the monitor photodetectors. The photodetectors have a thin absorption region so the percentage of light absorbed may be relatively small, providing sufficient photocurrent to monitor the transmitted power having a minimal effect on the transmitted power. Microlenses are integrated on the backside of the substrate focus, steer and/or collimate the emitted optical beams from the transmitters. The structure enables photodetectors to be integrated on the optical bench allowing the received optical power to be monitored. The receiver photodetectors are integrated on the optical bench alone and/or in combination with the transmitters. |
| US09172461B2 |
Optical fibers with varied mode-dependent loss
Various embodiments provide for detection of tapping of an optical signal. In one embodiment an optical fiber includes a cladding region and first and second core regions. The first core region has a first core medium having a first mode-dependent loss (MDL) figure of merit. The second core region has a second core medium having a second different MDL figure of merit. Tapping of the optical signal may be determined to occur when the MDL of the first and second optical signals differs by a predetermined threshold value. |
| US09172460B2 |
Transmission equipment and path selection method
Transmission equipment comprises: a measurement unit configured to measure respective transmission delays of the plurality of paths by using a frame transmitted between the transmission equipment and correspondent equipment; a detector configured to detect a priority of an input packet; a selector configured to select a path for transmitting the input packet from among the plurality of paths; and a frame processing unit configured to transmit a frame onto which the input packet is mapped to the correspondent equipment through a path selected by the selector. The selector selects an alternative path for transmitting the input packet from among the plurality of paths based on the priority of the input packet detected by the detector and respective transmission delays of the plurality of paths measured by the measurement unit when a failure occurs in a path that has been selected by the selector. |
| US09172459B2 |
Clearing a fault condition over a fibre channel path
A method for clearing a fault condition at a target device is disclosed herein. In selected embodiments, such a method includes detecting a fault condition at a target device and receiving N instructions before the fault condition is cleared, where the N instructions are unexecutable due to the fault condition. N fault condition indicators are transmitted in response to the N instructions. Clearing of the fault condition is detected when the fault condition no longer exists. Acknowledgments corresponding to the fault condition indicators are received, where each acknowledgment indicates that one of the fault condition indicators has been received. A fault clear indicator is transmitted only after both all N fault condition indicators have been received and clearing of the fault condition has been detected. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed herein. |
| US09172456B2 |
Iterative interference suppressor for wireless multiple-access systems with multiple receive antennas
This invention teaches to the details of an interference suppressing receiver for suppressing intra-cell and inter-cell interference in coded, multiple-access, spread spectrum transmissions that propagate through frequency selective communication channels to a multiplicity of receive antennas. The receiver is designed or adapted through the repeated use of symbol-estimate weighting, subtractive suppression with a stabilizing step-size, and mixed-decision symbol estimates. Receiver embodiments may be designed, adapted, and implemented explicitly in software or programmed hardware, or implicitly in standard RAKE-based hardware either within the RAKE (i.e., at the finger level) or outside the RAKE (i.e., at the user or subchannel symbol level). Embodiments may be employed in user equipment on the forward link or in a base station on the reverse link. It may be adapted to general signal processing applications where a signal is to be extracted from interference. |
| US09172453B2 |
Method and apparatus for pre-coding frequency division duplexing system
Accordingly, a method and apparatus are provided wherein a receiver system selects a pre-coding matrix, comprising eigen-beamforming weights, to use and provides rank value and matrix index associated with the selected matrix to the transmitter system. The transmitter system upon receiving the rank value and matrix index, determine if the matrix associated with the matrix index provided by the receiver system can be used. If not, them transmitter system selects another matrix for determining eigen-beamforming weights. |
| US09172451B2 |
Method and devices for multiple station sounding in a wireless local area network
Embodiments of a method and apparatus for obtaining sounding measurements between an access point and a wireless station within a wireless local area network are described. Some embodiments relate to Wi-Fi networks and networks operating in accordance with one of the IEEE 802.11 standards. Some embodiments may allow an access point to request that multiple stations compute sounding measurements with minimal time delay between measurements. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US09172449B2 |
Precoding for MIMO
The embodiments herein relate to a method in a transmitter (101) for transmitting at least a first data burst and a second data burst to a receiver (105) in a system (100) applying applies closed loop codebook-based precoding MIMO. The transmitter (101) comprises at least a first Tx antenna (107a) and a second Tx antenna (107b). The transmitter (101) transmits, to the receiver (105), at least the first data burst through the first Tx antenna (107a) and the second data burst through the second Tx antenna (107b). The first data burst comprises a first training sequence and the second data burst comprises a second training sequence when the first data burst and the second data burst are non-precoded. The first data burst comprises a third training sequence and the second data burst comprises a fourth training sequence when the first data burst and the second data burst are precoded. |
| US09172447B2 |
Method and apparatus for transceiving data in a MIMO system
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transceiving data. A method in which a transmitting terminal transmits data to a receiving terminal in a MIMO system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps: generating a data field containing the data; generating a signal field containing information on the data field; generating a data frame containing the data field and the signal field; and transmitting the data frame to the receiving terminal. According to the present invention, an end of the frame being transmitted is accurately notified to the receiving terminal in a communication system in which the frame is transmitted using MIMO, thereby decoding the frame in a more efficient manner at the receiving terminal. |
| US09172446B2 |
Method and system for supporting sparse explicit sounding by implicit data
A method and apparatus for an access point (AP) accessing a channel occupied by a neighboring AP within clear channel assessment (CCA) range. The method is implemented by setting a transmit null towards the neighboring AP, while acquiring accurate channel knowledge with minimal bandwidth penalty to surrounding networks, via a combination of sparse explicit sounding, and a following implicit channel estimation of the neighboring APs for updating the explicit data achieved by the sparse explicit sounding. An AP implementing the method is also disclosed. |
| US09172445B2 |
Multi-user multiple input multiple output radio communications
A radio communications system conducts radio communications using basic physical channels. Each basic physical channel defines a time slot and a radio frequency for transmission. Radio communication is established between a radio base station and multiple UEs over the same basic physical channel. Three or four subchannels are provided in the same basic physical channel to simultaneously support three or four full rate UE communications, seven or eight half rate UE communications, or other equivalent combinations. A first baseband transmitter chain can map full rate data corresponding to first and second full rate UE communications (or equivalent) as adaptive quadrature phase shift keying, AQPSK, signals onto a first and a second of the three subchannels. A second baseband transmitter chain can map full rate data corresponding to a third and/or fourth full rate UE communication (or equivalent) as phase shifted signals onto a third of the three subchannels. |
| US09172443B2 |
Layer swapping in EGPRS MIMO
A network node for an EGPRS system, equipped with a plurality of transmit antennas and arranged to transmit at least a first and a second data stream as MIMO streams, with the first data stream being transmitted from a first antenna and the second data stream being transmitted from a second transmit antenna. The network node is arranged to transmit the data streams as bursts comprising a training sequence and payload. The network node is arranged to swap parts of the data streams between the transmit antennas, i.e. to transmit all or parts of one or more bursts belonging to the first data stream from the second transmit antenna and to transmit corresponding all or parts of one or more bursts belonging to the second data stream from the first transmit antenna. |
| US09172442B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of transmit power control for wireless communication
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of transmit power control for wireless communication. For example, an apparatus may include a controller to control a plurality of transmit powers of a plurality of directional beams formed by an antenna array to transmit a wireless communication. The controller may control the plurality of transmit powers based on at least first and second power limits, the first power limit including a power density limit corresponding to a power density of a directional beam of the plurality of directional beams, and the second power limit including a total transmit power limit corresponding to a total of the transmit powers. |
| US09172432B2 |
Device and system for communicating on a supply line
This system for coupling between a wire communication link exhibits a characteristic line impedance suitable for transporting a single signal simultaneously comprising an electrical power supply and data, and a control unit comprising an electrical power supply terminal and a data terminal, said system exhibiting an input impedance. This system comprises means for adapting the input impedance so as to match the characteristic line impedance. |
| US09172429B2 |
Interference control in a broadband powerline communication system
A broadband powerline communication system makes use of knowledge of the spectrum characteristics of a local radio environment in order to improve system performance. A determination is made of the spectrum characteristics of a radio environment in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies. In order to avoid interference, certain ones of the carrier frequencies otherwise used by the broadband powerline communication system may be selectively masked based on the determination. The spectrum characteristics may be determined 1) in advance and used to compile a configuration database comprising frequency masking parameters; 2) by monitoring the local radio environment using the transmitter/receiver nodes of the system; or 3) based upon receipt of an indication from a conflicting user that the user is experiencing interference. Various combinations of these spectrum characteristic determination techniques may also be used. |
| US09172422B2 |
Communication systems with enhanced isolation provision and optimized impedance matching
A communication system has multiple paths including one or more Tx paths for processing Tx signals and one or more Rx paths for processing Rx signals, one or more PAs coupled respectively to the one or more Tx paths for amplifying the Tx signals, one or more LNAs coupled respectively to the one or more Rx paths for amplifying the Rx signals, one or more Tx filters coupled respectively to the one or more Tx paths for filtering the Tx signals, one or more Rx filters coupled respectively to the one or more Rx paths for filtering the Rx signals, and an antenna comprising multiple feeds coupled to the multiple paths, respectively, to provide physical separation of the multiple paths from each other. Physical separation among the multiple paths and impedance matching provides isolation among the multiple paths, and relaxes rejection considerations on the filters. |
| US09172421B2 |
Standard antenna interface
A modular wireless communications station includes a standard antenna interface, a wireless communications antenna, and a remote radio head. The standard interface includes an antenna mount for the wireless communications antenna and at least one radio head mount. The radio head mount includes at least one linear guided support structure. The wireless communications antenna includes a bracket configured to engage the antenna mount and at least one RF interconnection module, the wireless communications antenna being mounted on the antenna mount. The remote radio head(s) include a low friction car configured to engage the linear guided support structure of the standard interface and an RF connector configured to engage the RF interconnection module of the antenna. The remote radio head may slide into engagement with the antenna and locked into place. |
| US09172419B2 |
Protecting device for tablet computer
A protecting device with keys' functions is provided. The protecting device includes a triggering member, a printed circuit board, and plural curable resinic structures. The printed circuit board includes plural first contacts. The plural first contacts are disposed on a top surface of the printed circuit board. The triggering member is disposed over the printed circuit board. The triggering member includes plural second contacts. The plural curable resinic structures are arranged between the triggering member and the printed circuit board for separating the plural first contacts and the plural second contacts from each other. Since the triggering member, the printed circuit board and the plural curable resinic structures of the protecting device of the present invention may replace the keys and the membrane switch circuit module of the conventional keyboard device, the thickness of the protecting device is largely reduced. |
| US09172415B2 |
Method and apparatus for adaptively setting threshold for signal demodulation
Provided is a method and apparatus to adaptively set a threshold for signal demodulation. The apparatus and the method include adaptively setting a threshold to demodulate a currently received symbol based on the demodulation value of a previously received symbol based on a comparison value. The comparison value is obtained by comparing a number of previously received symbols having a demodulation value of “0” and a number of currently received symbols having a demodulation value of “1”. |
| US09172407B2 |
Carried recovery in re-modulation communication systems
A communication apparatus includes transmission circuitry and a frequency conversion unit. The transmission circuitry is configured to down-convert an input Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal using a transmit (TX) Local Oscillator (LO) signal so as to produce a TX baseband signal, to up-convert the TX baseband signal to produce an output Radio Frequency (RF) signal, and to send the output RF signal to an antenna. The frequency correction unit is configured to estimate a frequency of the TX baseband signal or of the input IF signal, and to adjust the TX LO signal based on the estimated frequency so as to cause the transmission circuitry to down-convert the input IF signal to a predefined target frequency. |
| US09172400B2 |
Encoding techniques using multiple coding strengths within a single LDPC code word
Techniques are presented herein to encode information bits. The information bits are partitioned into at least two groups based on inherent reliability and immunity to channel impairments of the respective bits. Each of the groups of information bits is encoded with a different coding strength. The resulting code word may be stored in a storage media or transmitted in a communication channel. |
| US09172396B1 |
Apparatus and method of compressing spatial data and apparatus and method of restoring compressed spatial data
Provided are an apparatus and method of compressing spatial data and an apparatus and method of restoring compressed spatial data, the method of compressing spatial data including: determining the size of actual data of the spatial data stored in a unit storage space having a predetermined size; selecting the size of a compression storage space in which the spatial data is to be compressed and to be stored, in consideration of the determined size of the actual data of the spatial data; generating flag information considering the size of the actual data of the spatial data; and storing the generated flag information in a predetermined region of the compression storage space having the selected size and storing the actual data of the spatial data in the other regions of the compression storage space. |
| US09172395B2 |
Generating an ICONV module in real time
Provided are techniques for detecting a mapping, by a universal convertor, of a first character set to a second character set and of the second character set to a third character set; monitoring, logging, and analyzing code set conversion (CSC) operations; generating an updated character set conversion module from the first character set to the third character set in response to the detecting and a determination that the CSC operation exceed the predefined threshold; and storing the updated character set conversion module for utilization of subsequent processing of the first character set to the third character set. |
| US09172391B2 |
Method and system for compensating a delay mismatch between a first measurement channel and a second measurement channel
A method and a system for compensating a delay mismatch between a first measurement channel and a second measurement channel is disclosed. A method for compensating a delay mismatch between a first measurement channel and a second measurement channel includes providing a reference point for starting the first and second measurement channel, and starting the first measurement channel after expiration of a first delay period which begins at the reference point. The method further includes starting the second measurement channel after expiry of a second delay period which begins at the reference point, wherein a difference between a length of the first delay period and a length of the second delay period is substantially equal to the delay mismatch between the first measurement channel and the second measurement channel. |
| US09172389B2 |
High-speed successive approximation analog-to-digital converter
A successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC) for high-speed applications. The SAR ADC uses at least one set of capacitors. Each set of capacitors is formed by 2M capacitor cells. The set of 2M capacitor cells is allocated into p capacitors C(p−1) to C0 decreasing in capacitance. C(p−1) |
| US09172387B2 |
Sampling input stage with multiple channels
An analog input stage has m differential input channels, wherein m>1. The analog input stage is configured to select one of the m differential input channels and provide an output signal. The analog input stage has n identical selection units each having m differential channel inputs and one differential output, wherein n is at least 2m−1. Each selection unit is operable to be coupled to any of the differential input channels through respective differential multiplexer units, wherein the multiplexor units are driven to select one of the differential input channels and couple the selected differential channel input through a butterfly switch unit with the differential output of the selection unit. The differential output signals of the n selection units are combined whereby unwanted crosstalk from channels other than a selected channel are removed by cancellation. |
| US09172380B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting self-destruction function in baseband modem
A method and an apparatus for supporting a self-destruction function in a baseband modem are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a self-destruction method and apparatus in which a self-impossible state is autonomously entered if the baseband modem of a receiving terminal which supports mobile communication is necessary. Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method and apparatus for deleting information stored in memory when a command is received over a mobile communication network in which a baseband modem has been constructed and then entering a self-impossible state so that the terminal is not recovered although it is booted up again. |
| US09172375B1 |
Level shifter and digital to analog converter
Provided are a level shifter and a digital to analog converter, which can make a minimum value of an output voltage be greater than 0. In the circuit, sources of a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor are connected to a first direct current power supply; a drain of the first field effect transistor and a gate of the second field effect transistor are connected to one terminal of a first capacitor; a connecting end formed after the other terminal of the first capacitor is connected to an input end of a phase inverter is used as a digital signal input end; a gate of the first field effect transistor, a drain of the second field effect transistor, a source of a third field effect transistor, and a source of a fifth field effect transistor are connected to one terminal of a second capacitor. |
| US09172370B2 |
Semiconductor device
A programmable logic device (PLD) that can control whether to supply power in each logic element is provided. The PLD includes at least a programmable logic element, a terminal to which a potential is input from an external power source, a switch controlling conduction between the terminal and the logic element, and a memory outputting a control signal for setting the conduction state of the switch. The memory stores pieces of configuration data for setting the conduction state of the switch. Any one of the pieces of configuration data is output as the control signal from the memory to the switch. |
| US09172364B2 |
Isolated bootstrapped switch
A bootstrapped switch circuit capable of operating at input signals from far below the negative supply rail to far beyond the positive supply rail may include (a) a switch having a first terminal coupled to an input terminal, a second terminal coupled to an output terminal, and a control terminal; (b) a charge pump coupled to one or more clock signals and isolated from a timing circuit via a first capacitor and a second capacitor, the charge pump generating an output voltage; and (c) a logic circuit coupled to one or more clock signals and isolated from the timing control circuit via a third capacitor and a fourth capacitor, wherein the logic circuit provides a control signal to the control terminal of the switch that is derived from the output voltage of the charge pump. |
| US09172362B2 |
Multifunction word recognizer element
A circuit includes a load; a first differential pair coupled to the load and responsive to input data; a second differential pair coupled to the load and responsive to the input data; a third differential pair coupled to the first differential pair and the second differential pair and responsive to a first control signal and a second control signal; a bias circuit configured to pull a node coupled to both the first differential pair and the second differential pair to a predetermined state; and a current source coupled to the third differential pair and the bias circuit. |
| US09172361B2 |
Multi-stage delay-locked loop phase detector
A phase detector includes a phase propagator circuit including a plurality of flip-flops. Each flip-flop includes a clock input configured to receive a clock signal having a different phase relative to phases of the clock signal received by other flip-flops in the plurality of flip-flops. The phase detector further includes a phase controller coupled to the clock input of each flip-flop in the plurality of flip-flops. The phase controller is configured to provide the different phases of the clock signal to the plurality of flip-flops such that the different phases are scaled exponentially relative to one another. |
| US09172359B2 |
Flexible chirp generator
A processing-efficient chirp generator that allows flexibility in controlling phase, frequency and slope, i.e., rate of change of frequency. In one embodiment, a fine phase propagation block generates phase values in increments of the fine time step, each phase value also offset from other phase values by multiples of a coarse time step. The phase samples are realigned in time after conversion to digital-to-analog converter (DAC) values. |
| US09172356B2 |
High side gate driver, switching chip, and power device
A high side gate driver, a switching chip, and a power device, which respectively include a protection device, are provided. The high side gate driver includes a first terminal configured to receive a first low level driving power supply that is provided to turn off the high side normally-on switch; a first switching device connected to the first terminal; and a protection device connected in series between the first switching device and a gate of the high side normally-on switch, the protection device configured to absorb a majority of a voltage applied to a gate of the high side normally-on switch. The power device includes the high side gate driver. In addition, the switching chip includes a high side normally-on switch, an additional normally-on switch, and a low side normally-on switch, which have a same structure. |
| US09172352B2 |
Integrated microelectromechanical system devices and methods for making the same
Integrated Microelectromechanical System (“MEMS”) devices and methods for making the same. The integrated MEMS device comprises a substrate (200) with first electronic circuitry (206) formed thereon, as well as a MEMS filter device (100). The MEMS filter device has a transition portion (118) configured to (a) electrically connect the MEMS filter device to second electronic circuitry and (b) suspend the MEMS filter device over the substrate such that a gas gap exists between the substrate and the MEMS filter device. The transition portion comprises a three dimensional hollow ground structure (120) in which an elongate center conductor (122) is suspended. The RF MEMS filter device also comprises at least two adjacent electronic elements (102/110) which are electrically isolated from each other via a ground structure of the transition portion, and placed in close proximity to each other. |
| US09172350B2 |
Elastic wave apparatus
An elastic wave device includes a first unbalanced terminal, a second unbalanced terminal, a first balanced terminal, a second balanced terminal, a first filter part, and a second filter part. A phase of an electric signal transmitted from first unbalanced terminal to the first balanced terminal in the first filter part is different from a phase of an electric signal transmitted from the second unbalanced terminal to the first balanced terminal in the second filter part. A phase of an electric signal transmitted from the first unbalanced terminal to the second balanced terminal in the first filter part is different from a phase of an electric signal transmitted from the second unbalanced terminal to the second balanced terminal in the second filter part. |
| US09172349B2 |
Switchable frequency diplexer circuit
An electronic circuit comprises a high-pass and a low-pass. The low-pass comprises at least one low-pass series element and a low-pass transverse element. The high-pass comprises at least one high-pass series element and a high-pass transverse element. The low-pass series element and the high-pass transverse element are realised in this context by a common component, and/or the high-pass series element and the low-pass transverse element are realised in this context by a common component. |
| US09172346B2 |
Numeric audio signal equalization
A method for configuring an electronic device having an equalizer suited for processing a numeric audio signal according to an objective equalization improves the equalization of the numeric audio signal. The equalizer has a transfer function that implements a set of band-pass filters having a constant band-pass and a configurable weight in the transfer function. The method provides a set of objective gains representing the objective equalization, with each objective gain corresponding to a respective frequency. The method also determines values of the weights of the band-pass filters that minimize an error evaluated by comparing the set of objective gains to the transfer function. The set of band-pass filters includes at least one pair of band-pass filters having a common central frequency and distinct band-passes. The method also sets the weights of the band-pass filters to the determined values. |
| US09172345B2 |
Personalized adjustment of an audio device
Described herein are apparatuses, systems and methods that facilitate user adjustment of an audio effect of an audio device to match the hearing sensitivity of the user. The user can tune the audio device with a minimum perceptible level unique to the user. The audio device can adjust the audio effect in accordance with the minimum perceptible level. For example, a loudness level can adjust automatically to ensure that the user maintains a perceptible loudness, adjusting according to environmental noise and according to the minimum perceptible level. Also described herein are apparatuses, systems and methods related to an audio device equipped with embedded audio sensors that can maximize a voice quality while minimizing the effects of noise. |
| US09172344B2 |
Statistical gain control in a receiver
A radio frequency (RF) signal is received in a receiver, and various counts based on information from the signal can be obtained. Counts of a number of samples of the RF signal exceeding first and second thresholds can be accumulated during an accumulation window. From the first of these counts, it can be determined if the count exceeds a first metric corresponding to a first predetermined count value, and if so, a gain of an RF gain element can be reduced. From the second of these counts it can be determined if this count exceeds a second metric corresponding to a second predetermined count value, and if not, the gain can be increased. |
| US09172341B2 |
Power supply pre-distortion
There is disclosed a method of generating a supply voltage (230) for a power amplifier (114) arranged to amplify an input signal (228), comprising: generating (104) a target supply voltage tracking the input signal (228); predistorting (400) the target supply voltage to compensate for effects on a supply voltage in the amplifier (114); and generating (102) the supply voltage for the amplifier (114) in dependence on the predistorted target supply voltage (414). |
| US09172340B2 |
Power amplifying apparatus for amplifying power and transmitter for transmitting signal by amplifying power
A power amplifying apparatus includes a filter that filters a predetermined frequency, a branch line provided subsequently to the filter on a substrate on which the filter is provided to distribute power, a power amplifying device provided subsequently to the branch line to amplify power, and a connecting line provided subsequently to the power amplifying device to compose power. The power amplifying apparatus may further include a directional coupler that monitors transmitted high-frequency signals. |
| US09172333B2 |
Distortion compensation device and distortion compensation method
A distortion compensation device includes a storage unit, an address generator, and a distortion compensation processor. The storage unit stores therein a distortion compensation coefficient for compensating distortion generated in an amplifier for amplifying an input signal. The address generator generates a first address based on a power value of the signal at a current time. Furthermore, the address generator delays, every time a new augend is input, the sum of the power value of the signal at the current time and the augend. The address generator generates a second address based on the sum obtained by calculating a new augend, from the delayed sum. The distortion compensation processor acquires a distortion compensation coefficient corresponding to a combination of the first address and the second address from the storage unit and performs distortion compensation processing on the signal by using the acquired distortion compensation coefficient. |
| US09172328B2 |
Voltage controlled oscillator and phase locked loop including the same
A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) includes an oscillation frequency signal generation circuit and a transconductance control circuit. The oscillation frequency signal generation circuit has a first transconductance and generates a first oscillation frequency signal and a second oscillation frequency signal based on a voltage control signal and a power supply voltage. The first and second oscillation frequency signals are a pair of differential signals. The oscillation frequency signal generation circuit is configured to output the first oscillation frequency signal from a first output node. The oscillation frequency signal generation circuit is configured to output the second oscillation frequency signal from a second output node. The transconductance control circuit is connected to the first and second output nodes and has a second transconductance. The transconductance control circuit is configured to adjust the second transconductance based on a digital control signal. |
| US09172327B2 |
Crystal oscillator circuit having low power consumption, low jitter and wide operating range
A crystal oscillator circuit includes: a crystal resonator circuit, generating an oscillation signal; an inverting amplification circuit, whose amplifier input end is coupled to receive the oscillation signal, in which an inverting amplifier outputs an inverting amplified output signal; a bias circuit, having a bias circuit input end and a bias circuit output end, in which the bias circuit output end generates a bias circuit output signal controlled by the bias circuit input end, and the bias circuit output signal is coupled to a second control end of the inverting amplification circuit; and a peak detection circuit, comparing the inverting amplified output signal with a reference signal, regulating a peak detector output signal, and feeding the peak detector output signal into the bias circuit input end. |
| US09172325B2 |
Photovoltaic panel carrier device
A PV panel carrier includes a plurality of elongate members joined by connecting members to form a frame. Each of the connecting members includes a support surface for supporting a portion of a PV panel thereon. Each of the connectors includes a fastening strap extending over the support surface, wherein at least two of the fastening straps are movable between an open position wherein they do not extend over the support surface and a closed position wherein they extend over the support surface to retain a PV panel in the carrier. |
| US09172322B2 |
Control apparatus for AC motor
A current estimation section of a motor control apparatus carries out the following processing. When an AC motor is controlled under a current feedback control scheme (sine wave control mode or overmodulation control mode), a β-axis current iβ is calculated based on a current detection value iw_sns in a sensor phase and a current command value iv* in one other phase. When the AC motor is controlled under a torque feedback control scheme (rectangular wave control mode), the β-axis current iβ is calculated based on a differential value Δiα of an α-axis current. Then a sensor phase reference current phase θx is calculated to estimate a U-phase current. Thus it is possible to use the current feedback control scheme and the torque feedback control scheme together. |
| US09172320B2 |
Electronic circuit and method for synchronizing electric motor drive signals between a start-up mode of operation and a normal mode of operation
A motor control circuit and associated techniques can drive an electric motor in a start-up mode of operation followed by a normal mode of operation. The motor control circuit and techniques can receive a selection signal provided by a user that can select one of a plurality of sets of parameter values that determine characteristics of drive signals applied to the motor during the start-up mode of operation. The motor control circuit and associated techniques can synchronize operation between the start-up mode of operation and the normal mode of operation. |
| US09172319B2 |
Motor control device for electric automobile
A magnetic force estimating unit (38) for estimating the magnetic force of a permanent magnet of a rotor of a motor (6), a determining unit (39), and a demagnetization responsive timing changing unit (40) are provided in an inverter device (22) or an electric control unit (21). The magnetic force estimating unit (38) performs a determination of the magnetic force with a predetermined rule from detection signals of at least two of the motor rotation number, motor voltage and motor current. The determining unit (39) determines whether or not a demagnetization occurs. In response to the result of determination by the determining unit (39), the demagnetization responsive timing changing unit (40) changes the timing, at which the maximum electric current relative to the phase of the rotor is fed, so that with respect the motor drive by the inverter device the reluctance torque of the motor may be increased. |
| US09172314B2 |
Regenerative control system of a vehicle
A regenerative control system of a vehicle is constructed such that in a system which generates electrical energy of a low voltage suitable for a low voltage system circuit and electrical energy of a high voltage suitable for the high voltage system circuit in an alternate manner by making use of kinetic energy of a vehicle when the vehicle is in a deceleration running state, a ratio between a period of time to generate the low voltage electrical energy and a period of time to generate the high voltage electrical energy is decided in accordance with a deceleration required of the vehicle, and a power generation voltage is duty controlled according to the ratio thus decided. |
| US09172312B2 |
Reducing photovoltaic array voltage during inverter re-enablement
An apparatus for harvesting solar power includes a photovoltaic array for generating a DC voltage; a discharge circuit for causing the DC voltage to decay from a first value to a second value; and an inverter circuit for transforming an output voltage from the discharge circuit into an AC voltage. |
| US09172308B2 |
Low-capacity power supply and image forming apparatus
A low-capacity power supply is described in which an input capacitance may be adjusted. In one example, input capacitors may be located between an AC power supply and a rectifier. Additional adjustment capacitors may be located on one or more input lines to the rectifier. The adjustment capacitors may be added in series to at least one of the input capacitors to decrease the input capacitance of the rectifier. In this example, the power provided downstream of the rectifier may be adjusted to increased or reduced as needed. In other examples, additional switches are provided for the input capacitors to selectively add their capacitance to or remove their capacitance from the input of the rectifier. |
| US09172302B2 |
Switching power supply device of the ripple control method
The present invention includes: an ON-timer configured to control a period of time in which a main switching element is on; a voltage detecting circuit configured to detect an output voltage of a filter circuit; a triangular wave generator; a feed-forward circuit configured to generate a feed-forward output whose value decreases as a value of a DC voltage from a DC power supply increases; and a comparator configured to compare a second reference voltage generated by adding together a first reference voltage, a triangular wave signal from the triangular wave generator, and the feed-forward output from the feed-forward circuit, with the output voltage of the voltage detecting circuit, and based on a result of the comparison, output an ON-trigger signal for turning on the main switch element to the ON-timer. |
| US09172297B2 |
Frequency multiplier and method for generating frequency multiplied signals
The present disclosure provides a method, includes: a first stepped-impedance transmission line configured to receive a first signal of a first differential signal; a second stepped-impedance transmission line configured to receive a second signal of the first differential signal, where the first stepped-impedance transmission line and the second stepped-impedance transmission line superpose the first signal of the first differential signal on the second signal of the first differential signal to obtain a first frequency multiplied signal; a first inverse stepped-impedance transmission line configured to be inversely ground-coupled with the first stepped-impedance transmission line and grounded at an end near an output end of the first stepped-impedance transmission line; a second inverse stepped-impedance transmission line configured to be inversely ground-coupled with the second stepped-impedance transmission line and grounded at an end near an output end of the second stepped-impedance transmission line. |
| US09172296B2 |
Common mode filter system and method for a solar power inverter
A photovoltaic system, method and apparatus are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a photovoltaic array, a distribution system that distributes power within a premises of a demand-side energy consumer, an inverter coupled to the distribution system that is configured to convert DC power from the photovoltaic array to AC power and apply the AC power to the distribution system, a damping portion configured to damp high frequency voltages derived from the inverter, and trapping circuitry coupled to the damping portion that is configured to reduce a level of low frequency current traveling through the damping portion. |
| US09172295B2 |
Magnetic gear arrangement
A magnetic gear arrangement is provided having a first gear member that generates a first magnetic field and a second gear member that generates a second magnetic field. A plurality of interpoles are disposed between the two gear members for coupling the first and second magnetic fields to control a gear ratio between the gear members. At least one interpole has wiring associated with it that can be activated to alter the magnetic flux at the interpole, so as to vary the coupling between the first and second magnetic fields. The wiring is electrically connected to an electronic filter, which modifies the current passing through the wiring, so as to modify the influence of the wiring on the magnetic flux at the interpole. |
| US09172291B2 |
Vertical actuator drive having gravity compensation
A vertical actuator drive having gravity compensation has a first subassembly and a second subassembly, one of the two subassemblies being stationary and the other of the two subassemblies being movable in the vertical direction. The first subassembly has a first magnetic yoke provided with a coil, and the second subassembly has a second magnetic yoke provided with at least one magnet which is oriented toward the coil. A horizontal gap between the first and second magnetic yoke in the region of the at least one magnet is variable in the vertical direction, so that a reluctance force acts between the first and second subassemblies in an operating range of the actuator drive, the reluctance force opposing the weight force of the movable one of the two subassemblies. |
| US09172290B2 |
Method for unbalance correction of rotors by applying corrective weights by welding
To correct an unbalance of rotors, a method and a device are proposed by means of which a corrective weight (15) is adapted to be welded to a rotor (2) by means of an electric welding device (14). The device comprises a robot (20) with a jointed arm (21) mounting the electric welding device (14). Arranged within reach of the jointed arm (21) is an unbalance measuring station (1) for measuring the amount of unbalance of the rotor (2) with an electronic computer which computes a corrective weight (15) to be attached to the rotor (2) for unbalance correction and transmits control data to a control device (23) of the robot (20). Under robot control, the welding device (14) picks the computed corrective weight (15) from a magazine (27) arranged within reach of the jointed arm (21) and welds it to the rotor (2) in the unbalance measuring station (1). During the welding operation the rotor (2) takes support on a first supporting device (11) and the welding device (14) on a second supporting device (12). |
| US09172289B2 |
Wire guide for use in an electric machine
A wire assembly for use in an electric machine is provided. The assembly includes a member and a wire. The wire conducts electrical current. At least a portion of the wire is adapted to be wrapped at least partially around the member. The member defines a periphery of the member. At least a portion of the periphery of the member is conformable when the wire is wrapped at least partially around the member. |
| US09172284B2 |
Device for receiving a pulser motor of a ventilation installation of a vehicle
The invention relates to a device for receiving an electric motor (1) which extends along a longitudinal axis (2) and can be housed inside a motor support of a ventilation installation for a vehicle, said receiving device being connected to said motor support by a decoupling means and comprising a collar (18) on which a first blocking means (30) is formed, and a ring (13) comprising a second blocking means (22), characterized in that the collar (18) and the ring (13) are separate and connected to each other by at least one fixing means (23). |
| US09172283B2 |
Electric motor
A housing assembly for an electric motor having a rotor shaft rotatable about an axis includes a housing cover and a housing case. The housing cover defines a first bearing seat for rotatably supporting a first portion of the rotor shaft. The housing case defines a second bearing seat for rotatably supporting a second portion of the rotor shaft. At least one of the housing cover and the housing case includes a plurality of mounting lugs substantially circumferentially evenly spaced about the shaft axis for mounting the electric motor to a surface. |
| US09172280B2 |
Conductor and rotating electrical machine with a covering material
A conductor for a coil of a rotating electrical machine that includes a conductor wire bundle formed by gathering a plurality of conductor wires and a flexible insulating covering material that covers a periphery of the conductor wire bundle. The conductor has an intra-covering gap formed inward of the insulating covering material in a radial direction so that the conductor wires can move relative to each other in the intra-covering gap, and a cross-sectional shape of the insulating covering material along a perpendicular plane that is perpendicular to an extending direction in which the conductor wire bundle extends can be deformed. |
| US09172273B2 |
Smooth switching device and method for double power supplies
A smooth switching device and method for double power supplies. The devices includes a main/backup power supply switching unit (1), a relay control unit (3), a charge management unit (2), a main power supply switching auxiliary unit (4) and a backup power supply switching auxiliary unit (5). The device and the method enable the main power supply (200) and the backup power supply (300) which supply power for electric equipment (100) to be switched smoothly, so that it is not easy for the electric equipment (100) to be disconnected with the power supplies and the fluctuation of a load voltage is small. Moreover, the device doesn't need a bulk capacitor used for auxiliary switching and doesn't need to be used together with a radiator. |
| US09172272B2 |
Electrical power distribution system
A distributed electrical power system includes a first AC generator configured for supplying an AC voltage; a second AC generator configured for supplying the AC electrical voltage; an AC power distribution network connected to the first AC generator and the second AC generator for receiving the AC voltage, the AC power distribution network including a two or four-wire AC power distribution circuit; at least one (solid state circuit breaker (SSCB) module remotely located for receiving the AC voltage from the power distribution network; a system controller connected to a data bus for controlling operation of the at least one power distribution module; and at least one contactor for selectively switching supply of the AC voltage to the at least one power distribution module from either the first AC generator or the second AC generator upon failure of either of the first AC generator or the second AC generator. |
| US09172270B2 |
Smart and scalable lunar power inverters
A method and apparatus is disclosed for solar power generation when irradiance is low and unstable due to sunrise, sunset, clouding, partial shading, warped solar module surfaces, moving solar modules, and other low or varying irradiance conditions. A multi-channel solar power inverter connected to multiple solar modules can work in a “Lunar Power Mode”, inverting DC power induced from the sky, street lights, or surrounding environment to AC power by using a unique rotating power pulling technology. This allows the inverter to dynamically adapt to irradiance variations and generate AC power under complex irradiance conditions. A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) works with a DC power supply to provide DC power to the internal electronic circuits of the inverter allowing it to run in normal power, low power, or lunar power modes. |
| US09172268B2 |
Portable electronic device and wireless charging device
A portable electronic device includes a housing and at least one charging module installed in the housing. The at least one charging module includes a magnetic induction block and a coil unit positioned beside the magnetic induction block. The coil unit includes a base block and an induction coil coiled around the base block. The induction coil is configured for generating induction current under the action of a charging magnetic filed outside the housing. The magnetic induction block enhances the magnetic filed intensity acting on the induction coil. |
| US09172266B2 |
Power systems for touch free dispensers and refill units containing a power source
Electronic dispensers and refill units for electronic dispensers. An exemplary electronic dispenser includes a housing, a processor and a first battery secured to the dispenser. The first battery provides power to the processor. The dispenser further includes actuator drive circuitry for causing the dispenser to move an actuator to dispense fluid from a refill unit. In addition, the dispenser includes a rechargeable energy storage device for providing power to the actuator drive circuitry. Circuitry for charging the rechargeable energy storage device is also provided. The dispenser includes a holder for holding a refill unit and a connector for releasably connecting to a second battery that is provided with the refill unit. The second battery is installed in the connector when a refill unit is installed in the dispenser and removed from the connector when the refill unit is removed from the dispenser. |
| US09172264B2 |
Capacitor charge circuit
A circuit can be used for charging a capacitor with an AC voltage. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a capacitor coupled to be charged with the AC voltage. An adjustment is configured to adjust a capacitor charge speed according to a value of the AC voltage. The adjustment circuit includes at least one bipolar transistor coupled to receive a voltage at a base of the bipolar transistor. The voltage is a function of the value of the AC voltage. |
| US09172263B2 |
Electronic device for reducing interference between a charging coil and an antenna
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a main body including a battery pack and a battery cover; a non-contact near field communication antenna included in the battery pack; and a wireless charging coil portion included in the battery cover and disposed around an outer periphery of the antenna, such that the wireless coil portion does not overlap with the non-contact near field communication antenna. |
| US09172261B2 |
Battery pack, method of charging secondary battery and battery charger
A battery pack includes a secondary battery including a plurality of cell blocks, a measuring section, a charge and discharge control switch, a protection circuit, and a memory. The measuring section detects a voltage, a current, and an internal resistance, of the secondary battery. The controller monitors the voltage and the current of the secondary battery and outputs a request signal indicative of a charge condition to charge the secondary battery in accordance with the charge condition which is set. The protection circuit monitors voltages of the plurality of cell blocks. The memory registers an initial internal resistance of the secondary battery. The controller calculates a deterioration coefficient by a ratio of the internal resistance detected by the measuring section to the initial internal resistance registered in the memory, and changes the charge condition in accordance with the deterioration coefficient. |
| US09172259B2 |
Apparatus for managing battery, and energy storage system
A battery management system is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to determine whether to balance battery cells or trays based at least in part on a parameter of each of the battery cells or trays and a factor representing a degree of use of each of the battery cells or trays. The controller also balances the battery cells or trays based on whether the battery cells are to be balanced. |
| US09172258B2 |
Circuit for balancing cells
A cell balancing circuit controlling balanced discharge of a plurality of battery cells, the cell balancing circuit having a balancing part sensing voltages of the battery cells, a controller responsive to an output of the balancing part to select one of the battery cells for discharge of the cell, and a resistance controller controlling discharge of the selected cell. The resistance controller includes at least one discharge circuit connected to the battery cells; and a plurality of resistors connected to output signal channels of the discharge circuit, the resistors being selectively connected in series according to a control signal of the controller to discharge the selected cell. |
| US09172252B2 |
Power supply apparatus for electrically powered vehicle and method for controlling the same
If an external power supply is not connected to an electrically powered vehicle by a charging cable and there is a request to output electric power from an AC receptacle, a power generation mode is selected and a charger receives electric power from a main battery, converts it into alternating current electric power, and outputs it to a power line. In the power generation mode when an auxiliary machinery system is fed with electric power one of a first mode (a normal mode) and a second mode (a high-output mode) is selected depending on electric power used at the AC receptacle. In the normal mode, a main DC/DC converter is stopped, while an AC/DC converter is operated to generate auxiliary electric power. In the high-output mode, the main DC/DC converter is operated to generate auxiliary electric power, while the AC/DC converter is stopped. |
| US09172247B2 |
Power supply system with controlled power storage
A power supply system is provided that can reduce the maximum value of the amount of power per unit time supplied to a load and a power storage portion and that can increase the amount of power stored in the power storage portion. The power supply system (1) includes the power storage portion (11) and a charge-discharge control portion (51) that controls the charge and discharge of the power storage portion (11). The power supply system (1) supplies power to an EV charge portion (311) that is one of power storage portions (31). The charge-discharge control portion (51) charges the power storage portion (11) when a power or a current consumed by the EV charge portion (311) is equal to or less than a predetermined magnitude. |
| US09172245B1 |
Intelligent electrical outlet for collective load control
Various technologies described herein pertain to an electrical outlet that autonomously manages loads in a microgrid. The electrical outlet can provide autonomous load control in response to variations in electrical power generation supply in the microgrid. The electrical outlet includes a receptacle, a sensor operably coupled to the receptacle, and an actuator configured to selectively actuate the receptacle. The sensor measures electrical parameters at the receptacle. Further, a processor autonomously controls the actuator based at least in part on the electrical parameters measured at the receptacle, electrical parameters from one or more disparate electrical outlets in the microgrid, and a supply of generated electric power in the microgrid at a given time. |
| US09172243B2 |
Shut-off circuits for latched active ESD FET
An integrated circuit may include an over-capability detection circuit coupled to an I/O pad which provides a shut-off signal to a latch controlling an ESD protection shunting component. The ESD protection shunting component is coupled between the I/O pad and a reference node of the integrated circuit. The over-capability detection circuit provides the shut-off signal when safe operating conditions are resumed after a voltage excursion at the I/O pad. After receiving the shut-off signal, the latch biases the ESD protection shunting component into an off-state. |
| US09172239B2 |
Methods and apparatus related to a precision input power protection device
In one general aspect, an apparatus can include an input terminal and an overvoltage protection device coupled to the input terminal and configured to receive energy via the input terminal. The overvoltage protection device can have a breakdown voltage at an ambient temperature less than a target maximum operating voltage of a source configured to be received at the input terminal. The apparatus can also include an output terminal coupled to the overvoltage protection device and a load. |
| US09172237B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A power source circuit includes a voltage converter circuit and a control circuit that includes a voltage divider circuit and a protective circuit. The protective circuit includes a first oxide semiconductor transistor in which an off-state current is increased as temperature is increased, a capacitor that accumulates the off-state current as electric charge, a second oxide semiconductor transistor, and an operational amplifier including a non-inverting input terminal to which a reference voltage is input. The first oxide semiconductor transistor is provided near the voltage converter circuit or an element that generates heat in the control circuit. |
| US09172235B2 |
Shutdown protection for bus line drivers
An electrical circuit for driving a bus is described that includes a plurality of branches coupled to at least one signal line at a termination of the bus and a transmit data input configured to receive data that the electrical circuit drives across the bus. The electrical circuit also includes an over-current validation unit coupled to the transmit data input which is configured to validate an over-current condition detected at a first branch of the plurality of branches based at least in part on the data at the transmit data input. The electrical circuit also includes a branch control unit coupled to the over-current validation unit which is configured to disable at least one of the plurality of branches in response to a validated over-current condition at the first branch. |
| US09172234B2 |
Ground monitor circuit protection apparatus
An apparatus includes a resistor assembly with resistors connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal of a pilot conductor and/or a ground return of a ground monitor. The pilot conductor injects an electrical signal in a ground of a power cable assembly. A zener diode assembly is connected between a zener connection point and the ground return. The zener connection point is the first or second terminal. The zener diode assembly includes zener diodes connected in series between the zener connection point and the ground return and is sized to clamp a voltage from the zener connection point to the ground return to a value less than a zener threshold voltage. The zener threshold voltage is set above a nominal voltage on the pilot conductor. The components of the apparatus are spaced to prevent an arcing fault current for voltages less than 3000 V. |
| US09172233B2 |
System and method for monitoring an electrical device
Disclosed herein is a device for monitoring the condition of a branch circuit. A device contains a switch that is normally open to prevent the occurrence of electric shock. An optical prong detector is provided to determine weather both the hot and neutral prongs of a plug have been inserted into the receptacle. The receptacle provides conductance upon determination of insertion of a plug into the receptacle. Additional features include GFI detection, current detection heat detection warning lights and an audible alarm. The receptacle includes communication abilities with remote devices to transmit data indicative of the state of the device. |
| US09172227B2 |
Wire guide member
Forward and backward movement of a wire guide member in an axial direction of the wire guide member is restricted, by the wire guide member abuts on a distal end portion holding member and a proximal end portion holding member. The wire guide member is held by an intermediate holding member, the distal end portion holding member, and the proximal end portion holding member to allow insertion and forward and backward movement in the intermediate holding member, the distal end portion holding member, and the proximal end portion holding member. The wire guide member has elasticity. |
| US09172224B2 |
Wire or rope puller
A puller device for pulling a wire or rope through a conduit includes first and second motor-driven capstans about which a wire or rope can be wound for wire or rope-pulling purposes and an elongated arm arrangement having an end which is positionable adjacent the conduit through which the wire or rope is to be pulled. The first elongated arm member is connected to the second arm member for movement about a pivot axis, and there are provided a plurality of rollers adjacent the pivot axis having surfaces along which the wire or rope bears against so that forces which are exerted adjacent the pivot axis by the wire or rope are distributed between the rollers. In addition, a conduit-engaging assembly mounted upon the elongated arm arrangement holds the conduit in a fixed positional relationship with respect to the elongated arm arrangement during a wire or rope-pulling operation. |
| US09172222B2 |
Medium-voltage switchgear assembly having a short-circuiting unit
A voltage switchgear assembly is disclosed, which includes a short-circuiting unit having short-circuiting devices arranged as a three-phase unit. A support is configured to receive the short-circuiting unit and is configured to be inserted into and withdrawn from an openable section of a switchgear assembly housing. |
| US09172213B2 |
VCSEL module and manufacture thereof
The invention describes a method of manufacturing a VCSEL module (100) comprising at least one VCSEL chip (33) with an upper side (U) and a lower side (L) and with a plurality of VCSEL units (55) on a common carrier structure (35), the VCSEL units (55) comprising a first doped layer (50) of a first type facing towards the lower side (L) and a second doped layer (23) of a second type facing towards the upper side (U). The method comprises the steps of dividing the VCSEL chip (33) into a plurality of subarrays (39a, 39b, 39c, 39d, 39e, 39f, 39g, 39h, 39i) with at least one VCSEL unit (55) each, electrically connecting at least some of the subarrays (39a, 39b, 39c, 39d, 39e, 39f, 39g, 39h, 39i) in series. The invention also describes a VCSEL module (100) manufactured in such process. |
| US09172211B2 |
Heating elements for multi-wavelength DBR laser
A multi-wavelength distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) semiconductor laser is provided where DBR heating elements are positioned over the waveguide in the DBR section and define an interleaved temperature profile that generates multiple distinct reflection peaks corresponding to distinct temperature dependent Bragg wavelengths associated with the temperature profile. Neighboring pairs of heating elements of the DBR heating elements positioned over the waveguide in the DBR section are spaced along the direction of the axis of optical propagation by a distance that is equal to or greater than the laser chip thickness b to minimize the impact of thermal crosstalk between distinct temperature regions of the interleaved temperature profile. |
| US09172209B2 |
Resistive heating element for enabling laser operation
Heating resistor used to control laser operation. A laser package, such as a Transmitter Optical Subassembly (TOSA) includes a substrate. A laser is disposed on the substrate. A resistive heating element is disposed on the substrate with the laser. Control circuitry is connected to the resistive heating element. The control circuitry is configured to cause current flow through the resistive heating element based on temperature conditions. Current flow through the resistive heating element causes an increase in the operating temperature of the laser. This can be used to increase the effective operating temperature range of a laser. |
| US09172207B2 |
Laser beam combining device
A laser beam combining device includes three lasers, a polarizer, and a mode converter. The second laser device, the mode converter, and the third laser device are located on a first straight line in that order. The polarizer intersects with the first straight line at an imaginary joint point. An included angle between the first straight line and the polarizer is about 45 degrees. The polarizer and the mode converter are positioned between the second laser device and the third laser device. The polarizer is adjacent to the second laser device. The mode converter is adjacent to the third laser device. The first laser device faces the polarizer and is located on a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line and passing through the joint point. The three laser devices emit TE mode red, green and blue laser beams, respectively. |
| US09172206B2 |
Fiber laser system
A laser system includes a seed laser configured to generate a plurality of optical pulses; a controller configured to receive the plurality of the optical pulses and obtain chirped pulses, each chirped pulse having a chirping amount different from each other; an optical waveguide, having a characteristic of anomalous dispersion, configured to cause soliton self-frequency shifts while the chirped pulses propagating so that each center wavelength of a pulse which output from the optical waveguide is different from each other. |
| US09172203B2 |
Laser system for the marking of metallic and non-metallic materials
A laser system for the marking of metallic and non-metallic materials comprising a laser oscillator (1), characterized in that said laser oscillator (1) comprises: an active optical means (13) of the crystal laser type, a laser pump (10) to provide a pump energy to said active optical means (13); a mirror (14) disposed upstream said active optical means (13); an optical switch (16), apt to provide a pulsed laser beam, disposed downstream said active optical means (13); a mode adaptor (18) coupled to said optical switch (16); a predetermined length single-mode optical fiber (19), coupled to said mode adapter (18); a Bragg Grating type reflector coupled to said optical fiber (19). |
| US09172202B2 |
Laser apparatus and laser materials processing apparatus provided with same
A laser apparatus of the present invention has a first laser oscillator that emits a first laser beam; a passive fiber that is a double-clad fiber that transmits the first laser beam through a core; and a second laser oscillator that emits a second laser beam that is coupled into inner cladding of the passive fiber. Additionally, a laser materials processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with the laser apparatus; and an irradiation optical system having a collimating lens and a condenser lens. |
| US09172201B2 |
Wavelength conversion laser light source, and image display device
A wavelength conversion laser light source, includes: a solid laser medium; a wavelength conversion element; a concave mirror on which a first reflecting surface reflecting a fundamental light wave and a the second harmonic light wave is formed; and a wavelength plate on which a second reflecting surface reflecting the fundamental light wave and transmitting the second harmonic light wave is formed, wherein a laser resonator is constituted by the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface; the solid laser medium is arranged on a first reflecting surface side of the laser resonator, the wavelength plate is arranged on a second reflecting surface side of the laser resonator, and the wavelength conversion element is arranged between the solid laser medium and the wavelength plate; and the wavelength plate outputs the second harmonic wave, to the exterior of the laser resonator, via the second reflecting surface. |
| US09172195B2 |
Coaxial cable end connector
A connector connected with an end of a coaxial cable having a small diameter is provided. The connector includes an insulating housing, a signal terminal, and a shielding housing. The insulating housing has a hollow hole, a terminal cavity, and an insulating plate. The hollow hole of the insulating housing penetrates through two surfaces of the insulating housing, and communicates with the terminal cavity of the insulating housing. The signal terminal is assembled the terminal cavity. The signal terminal has a flat portion electrically connected to the internal conductive wires of the coaxial cable. The shielding housing has a circular portion and a cover. The circular portion surrounds the outer surface of the insulating housing, and the cover of the shielding housing presses the insulating plate of the insulating housing to enable the internal conductive wires of the coaxial cable to contact the signal terminal. |
| US09172188B2 |
Plug for a data and/or telecommunication cable comprising several conductors
A plug-in terminal for a data or telecommunication cable comprising terminal elements for connecting at least one electrical or optical conductor, further comprising connecting elements for connecting the electrical or optical conductor(s) with an electronic device, wherein the plug-in terminal comprises a storage for data and a means for reading out and/or archiving data in the storage by means of the electronic device, and a method of use thereof. |
| US09172187B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes a housing body and a cover. The housing body includes a terminal accommodating hole that accommodates a terminal fitting, and a ferrite accommodating portion that accommodates a ferrite core. The cover covers the terminal fitting and the ferrite core attached to the housing body. The ferrite accommodating portion includes a ferrite accommodation chamber into which the ferrite core is inserted in a first direction perpendicular to a second direction in which the terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal accommodating hole, and protrusions provided on both inner side surfaces of the ferrite accommodation chamber facing in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction. The protrusions are engaged with concave portions formed on both side surfaces of the ferrite core to regulate movement of the ferrite core in the second direction. |
| US09172186B2 |
Anti-misinsertion structure of socket connector
An anti-misinsertion structure of a socket connector includes a pivot clasped to both sides of the top of an insulating base of the socket connector and two connecting arms extended horizontally from both sides of the pivot. Each connecting arm has a guide piece extended horizontally from an end of each connecting arm, a stop piece formed at the bottom of the connecting arm and proximate to the guide piece of the connecting arm, a downwardly tilted first guide bevel formed at the bottom of the guide piece, a position limit surface defined on a side of the guide piece and proximate to the stop piece, an upwardly tilted second guide bevel formed at the bottom of the stop piece, and a stop surface defined on a side of the stop piece and proximate to the guide piece and perpendicular to the position limit surface of the guide piece. |
| US09172182B2 |
Power supply connector
When the grasping member 3 is moved forward with respect to the case 9, the linkage 15a joint with the grasping member 3 is pushed in to the front. Because the linkage 15a moves forward, the arm rotates with the pin 23a as its axis of rotation. With the arm 13 rotating, the connector body 11 connected to the arm 13 via linkage 15b moves in the same direction as the grasping member 3. Note that because the coupling position of the grasping member 3 and the connector body 11 with respect to the arm 13 differ, the distance of movement of the grasping member 3 and the distance of movement of the connector body 11 with respect to the case 9 differ. That is, mechanisms such as the arm 13 etc. function as a deceleration mechanism. |
| US09172178B2 |
Magnetic coupling with low moment articulated plug
A plug for connecting to an electronic device includes a housing having an aperture, a magnetic element positioned in the aperture and having a second aperture, at least one contact within the aperture and the second aperture, a cord connected to the housing, and a mechanism configured to reduce a moment arm on the housing when a force is applied to the cord. The plug may be used as part of a connection that further includes a receptacle having a magnetic element with a recess, wherein the recess comprises an aperture, and at least one contact extending through the third aperture and into the recess. |
| US09172170B2 |
Bus connector with reduced insertion force
A bus connector configured for receiving a bus is provided. An example bus connector includes a plurality of contact fingers configured to engage with the bus. The plurality of contact fingers include a first set of contact fingers and a second set of contact fingers arranged substantially parallel to one another, and the first set and second set clamp the bus when the bus is inserted between the first set and the second set. The bus connector further includes a connector frame, wherein the connector frame is configured to hold the plurality of contact fingers. The plurality of contact fingers includes contact fingers of a first length and contact fingers of a second length, wherein the second length is different than the first length. |
| US09172169B2 |
Terminal arrangement device
A terminal arrangement device electrically connects an electric device, which is received in a housing, to an external device, and includes a first connecting terminal fixed to the housing. The first connecting terminal has a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion which are elastically deformable such that an output terminal of the electric device is supported between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion. The first supporting portion has a flexural rigidity which is different from a flexural rigidity of the second supporting portion. |
| US09172164B2 |
Card edge connector with an improved housing
A card edge connector which could be inserted by an electrical card with a pair of slopes in its bottom edge includes an insulating housing and a plurality of contacts retained in the insulating housing. The insulating housing includes a top surface, an elongated passageway which recesses from the top surface, and a pair of ladder sections or protruding portions which protrude into the passageway for supporting the slopes. Therefore, it can enhance the stability when the electrical card is inserted into the passageway. |
| US09172163B2 |
Electrical connectors for use with printed circuit boards
A connector for electrically connecting a conductor to a first printed circuit board (PCB) or for electrically connecting a first and second PCB together. A housing is adapted to be slidably moveable relative to a mounting structure to allow the mounting of the PCB to the surface and moveable over the PCB to contact pads located on the top side of the PCB. In another example, a bridging connector for electrically connecting a first PCB with a second PCB includes a resilient holding element, such as for example a spring clip, engageable with at least one of the PCBs and/or a surface supporting the PCB(s) to releasably retain the housing and the terminals in the correct location. |
| US09172160B2 |
Vertical socket contact with flat force response
An apparatus includes a plurality of contact elements to provide electrical continuity between an integrated circuit and an electronic subassembly, wherein a contact element includes a spring element and a separate lead element, wherein the spring element is arranged to be substantially vertically slidable over at least a portion of the lead element in response to a force applied to the contact element. |
| US09172156B2 |
Connector assembly having deformable surface
A coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body having a first end and a second end, wherein the connector body is configured to receive a coaxial cable through the second end, a first cooperating surface disposed within the connector body, wherein the first cooperating surface is a surface of a clamp, the clamp is configured to threadably engage an outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and a second cooperating surface, wherein the second cooperating surface cooperates with the first cooperating surface to collapse an outer conductor of the coaxial cable, wherein at least a portion of the second cooperating surface malleably deforms to a variable axial thickness of a non-uniform collapsed portion of the outer conductor is provided. An associated method is also provided. |
| US09172155B2 |
Connector having a conductively coated member and method of use thereof
A connector having a conductively coated member is provided, wherein the connector comprises a connector body capable of sealing and securing a coaxial cable, and further wherein the conductively coated member, such as an O-ring, physically seals the connector, electrically couples the connector and the coaxial cable, facilitates grounding through the connector, and renders an electromagnetic shield preventing ingress of unwanted environmental noise. |
| US09172154B2 |
Coaxial cable connector with integral RFI protection
A coaxial cable connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a terminal and providing RF shielding is disclosed. The coaxial cable connector has a coupler, body, post and/or retainer with an integral contacting portion that is monolithic with at least a portion of the post or retainer to establish electrical continuity. In this way, electrical continuity is established through the coupler, the post, and/or the retainer of the coaxial cable connector other than by the use of a component unattached from the coupler, the post, the body, and the retainer to provide RF shielding such that the integrity of an electrical signal transmitted through coaxial cable connector is maintained regardless of the tightness of the coupling of the connector to the terminal. When assembled the coupler and post or retainer provide at least one circuitous path resulting in RF shielding such that spurious RF signals are attenuated. |
| US09172148B2 |
Watch with bezel antenna configuration
A wrist-worn electronic device comprises a housing, a display, a location determining element, and a first antenna. The housing includes a lower surface configured to contact a wearer's wrist, an opposing upper surface, and an internal cavity. The display is visible from the upper surface of the housing. The location determining element is configured to process a location signal to determine a current geolocation of the electronic device. The first antenna is configured to receive the location signal from a satellite-based positioning system and communicate the location signal to the location determining element. The first antenna is positioned on the upper surface of the housing adjacent a perimeter of the display and capacitively coupled with a conductive component positioned in the internal cavity. |
| US09172143B2 |
Electronic device module with integrated antenna structure, and related manufacturing method
An electronic device module as described herein includes an electronic device package having device contacts. The electronic device package is fixed within encapsulating material, along with an electrically conductive ground layer. The ground layer has a device opening in which the electronic device package resides, and the ground layer also has an antenna opening spaced apart from the device opening. The device contacts and one side of the ground layer correspond to a first surface, and a patch antenna element overlies the first surface. The antenna element is coupled to the electronic device package, and a projection of the patch antenna element onto the first surface resides within the antenna opening. Also provided are methods for manufacturing such an electronic device module. |
| US09172140B2 |
Multiple input loop antenna
A multiple input loop antenna comprising one or more half-loop antennas disposed above a ground plane wherein the plane of each half loop is perpendicular to the ground plane such that the multiple input loop antenna is a three-dimensional structure and electromagnetic waves are radiated from points within the volume occupied by the antenna rather than from a two-dimensional surface. For this reason, the multiple input loop antenna can radiate levels of peak power without inducing excessive air breakdown which are relatively high compared with peak power levels of conventional antennas having comparable transverse dimensions. Also described is an array antenna comprised of an array of multiple input loop antennas. |
| US09172139B2 |
Bezel gap antennas
Electronic devices are provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. A parallel-fed loop antenna may be formed from portions of an electronic device bezel and a ground plane. The antenna may operate in multiple communications bands. An impedance matching circuit for the antenna may be formed from a parallel-connected inductive element and a series-connected capacitive element. The bezel may surround a peripheral portion of a display that is mounted to the front of an electronic device. The bezel may contain a gap. Antenna feed terminals for the antenna may be located on opposing sides of the gap. The inductive element may bridge the gap and the antenna feed terminals. The capacitive element may be connected in series between one of the antenna feed terminals and a conductor in a transmission line located between the transceiver circuitry and the antenna. |
| US09172138B2 |
Dual-feedpoint antenna system and method for feedpoint switchover of dual-feedpoint antenna system
A system includes a first feedpoint and a second feedpoint symmetrically disposed on the left and right sides of an antenna on a small board. A first switch, a second switch, and a third switch are disposed on a mainboard. The first switch, the second switch, and the third switch are controlled through a control instruction so that the system is in a first connection state and a second connection state. Signal strength corresponding to the first connection state and signal strength corresponding to the second connection state are detected, and if the signal strength corresponding to the first connection state is greater than the signal strength corresponding to the second connection state, each switch is controlled through an instruction so that the system is in the first connection state, in which the first feedpoint is working. Otherwise, the second feedpoint is working. |
| US09172137B2 |
Adjusting mechanism and related antenna system
An adjusting mechanism includes a supporter, a foundation and a clamper. The supporter includes a base, and a supporting component pivotably disposed on the base along a first axial direction. An open hole is formed on a bottom of the base, and the base includes a fixing portion. The foundation is pivotably disposed on the base. A conjunction portion is disposed on a surface of the foundation, and the fixing portion is connected to the conjunction portion for preventing the base from rotating relative to the foundation. The clamper is fixed on the foundation for piercing through the open hole and partly positioning between the base and the supporting component. The clamper includes a body for clamping a tube, and two connecting parts disposed on a lateral surface of the body. A direction of each connecting part is parallel to a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction. |
| US09172136B2 |
Multi-band antenna and an electronic device including the same
Provided is a multi-band antenna. The multi-band antenna, as provided in one embodiment, includes a first resonant portion having a first length defined by an outer perimeter of a conductive segment and operable to effect an antenna for communication in a first band of frequencies. The multi-band antenna, in this aspect, further includes a second resonant portion having a second length defined by an inner perimeter of the conductive segment and operable to resonate capacitively for communication in a second different band of frequencies. |
| US09172135B2 |
Horizontal radiation antenna
This disclosure provides a horizontal radiation antenna including a grounded conductor plate on the back surface of a multilayer substrate, a radiation element to which a microstrip line is connected on a front surface of the multilayer substrate, and a passive element on an end portion side of the multilayer substrate compared with the radiation element. An intermediate grounded conductor plate is provided within the multilayer substrate between insulation layers and faces the microstrip line. The intermediate grounded conductor plate defines a notch portion whose end portion side is open. The intermediate grounded conductor surrounds the radiation element and the passive element in the notch portion. The intermediate grounded conductor is electrically connected to the grounded conductor plate. |
| US09172127B2 |
Coupler and amplifier arrangement
A coupler comprises a first line and a second line which is broadside coupled to the first line in a first and a second section. The capacitance between the first and the second line per length unit of the first line is larger in the first section in comparison to the second section. The first and the second line form a first turn. |
| US09172121B2 |
Method and device for determining the ageing of a battery
The invention relates to a battery holder (1) for galvanic cells, in which a first honeycomb structure (2.1 to 2.n), comprising a lower and an upper basic cooling body (3.1, 3.2) and at least one intermediate cooling body (4), is provided, wherein in each case, galvanic cells can be arranged on a cell level (5.1 to 5.n) in each case between one of the basic cooling bodies (3.1, 3.2) and one of the intermediate cooling bodies (4) and/or between two of the intermediate cooling bodies (4), wherein the galvanic cells of one of the cell levels (5.1 to 5.n) are displaced to the side to the galvanic cells of at least one adjacent cell level (5.1 to 5.n) by half the width of a galvanic cell, and wherein the intermediate cooling body (4) and the basic cooling bodies (3.1, 3.2) are formed in an area between the galvanic cells according to the outer contours of the galvanic cells, and wherein each of the cooling bodies (3.1, 3.2, 4) comprises at least on one end which lies in an axial direction to the galvanic cells a cooling chamber (8), through which a cooling medium (K) can flow, into which the cooling medium (K) can flow from at least one cooling chamber (K) of at least one adjacent cooling body (3.1, 3.2, 4) and/or from which the cooling medium (K) can flow out into at least one cooling chamber (8) of at least one of the adjacent cooling bodies (3.1, 3.2, 4), wherein at least one cooling chamber (8) of at least one of the cooling bodies (3.1, 3.2, 4) comprises a cooling agent inflow (6) and/or a cooling agent outflow (7). |
| US09172117B2 |
User-controlled application-based power management
A user-controlled application-based power management function is provided for a battery-operated device. In general, for each of a number of applications of the battery-operated device, a power management function enables a user of the battery-operated device to provide a usage parameter for the application defining a desired amount of usage of the application for each of one or more tasks. For each task, the power management function determines an estimated amount of battery life that is sufficient to provide the desired amount of usage of the application for the task and determines whether the estimated amount of battery life is available. If the estimated amount of battery life is available, the power management function allocates an amount of battery life corresponding to the estimated amount of battery life to the application for the task. |
| US09172115B2 |
Battery pack with multiple water discharge pathways
The present invention relates to a battery pack including a housing, a latch mechanism, a printed circuit board connected to electrical terminals, and an internal frame. The housing includes a first and second portion. The first portion includes openings that receive the latch mechanism and openings that receive the terminals. The battery pack also includes a latch cover that protects against water infiltrating between the openings and the latch mechanism, and a terminal cover that protects against water infiltrating between the first housing portion and the terminals. Water that enters the battery pack is directed to the bottom of the battery pack. The water is then drained through openings in the lower housing portion. The internal frame includes openings that secure batteries within the lower housing portion with the help of wedges that are positioned in between adjacent rows of batteries. |
| US09172112B2 |
Sulfide solid electrolyte glass, lithium solid state battery and producing method of sulfide solid electrolyte glass
An object of the present invention is to provide a sulfide solid electrolyte glass with high Li ion conductivity. The present invention achieves the above-mentioned object by providing a sulfide solid electrolyte glass comprising Li4P2S6, characterized by having a glass transition point. |
| US09172105B2 |
Electronic equipment provided with battery check device
Immediately after a main switch is turned ON, a battery check is performed based on a first inhibit voltage than a second reference voltage which is an inhibit voltage level a predetermined time period after the main switch is turned ON, and therefore, even when the voltage is in a low state immediately after the main switch is turned ON, it is possible to activate a camera without an erroneous detection. Further, when the elapsed time from a time when the main switch is turned OFF to a time when tuned ON next time is relatively long, a solid high polymer film inside the fuel cell is assumed to be further dried, then the first inhibit voltage is changed, and therefore, even when the voltage fluctuates depending on the humidifying state immediately after the main switch is turned ON, an appropriate battery check can be performed. |
| US09172096B2 |
End plate for fuel cell including sandwich insert
The present disclosure provides an end plate for a fuel cell including a sandwich insert, in which a metal insert has a sandwich insert structure including a plurality of stacked plates, thereby securing strength and achieving a lightweight structure. The sandwich insert is manufactured by staking two or more plates, each having a specific shape, followed by injection molding the sandwich insert with a plastic injection molded body, thereby securing strength and also achieving a lightweight structure, contrary to a conventional integral metal insert. |
| US09172092B2 |
Binder composition for batteries, slurry for battery electrodes, solid electrolyte composition, electrode, and all-solid-state battery
A binder composition for batteries, including (A) a polymer that has at least one structural unit selected from the group consisting of structural units represented by the following formulae (a1) to (a5), respectively, and (f) a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, a silicon atom, a germanium atom, a tin atom or a combination thereof; and (B) a liquid medium, the polymer (A) having a solubility of no less than 5 g in 100 g of cyclohexane at 25° C. and 1 atom. |
| US09172088B2 |
Multidimensional electrochemically active structures for battery electrodes
Provided are novel multidimensional electrode structures containing high capacity active materials for use in rechargeable electrochemical cells. These structures include main support structures and multiple nanowires attached to the support structures and extending into different directions away from these supports. The active material may be deposited as a layer (uniform or non-uniform) surrounding the nanowires and, in certain embodiments, the main supports and even substrate. The active material layer may be sufficiently thin to prevent pulverization of the layer at given operating conditions. Interconnections between the electrode structures and/or substrate may be provided by overlaps formed during deposition of the active layer. Silicide-based nano wires structures may be formed on the main supports in a fluidized bed reactor by suspending the metal-containing main supports in a silicon-containing process gas. A layer of silicon may be then deposited over these silicide nanowires. |
| US09172073B2 |
Secondary battery, battery pack and car
A secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a metal compound having a lithium ion absorption potential of 0.2V (vs. Li/Li+) or more, a separator and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The separator is provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator comprises cellulose fibers and pores having a specific surface area of 5 to 15 m2/g. The separator has a porosity of 55 to 80%, and a pore diameter distribution having a first peak in a pore diameter range of 0.2 μm (inclusive) to 2 μm (exclusive) and a second peak in a pore diameter range of 2 to 30 μm. |
| US09172071B2 |
Battery pack and electrically powered vehicle provided with same
Provided is a battery pack that can securely prevent liquid, such as water and wash fluid, attached to an outer surface of a packaging case housing a plurality of electric cells from entering an internal space of the packaging case from between a tray and a cover and that also allows easily performing attachment and detachment work of the cover to and from the tray. The packaging case includes an edge cover for covering the whole circumference of a lower flange portion of the tray and an upper flange portion of the cover that abut each other. The edge cover includes a first section facing the lower flange portion, a second section facing the upper flange portion, and a connecting portion for connecting base ends of the first section and the second section. A plurality of female threaded portions are arranged on either the first section or the second section. Screw insertion holes for causing male screw members to be inserted according to the arrangement of the female threaded portions are arranged on either the first section or the second section in which the female threaded portions are not arranged, on the lower flange portion, and on the upper flange portion. |
| US09172068B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack including a plurality of battery units with improved insulating and cooling properties between the battery units is provided. In one embodiment, a battery unit includes a battery cell and an insulating wall including a plurality of protrusions contacting the battery cell. The protrusions extend at least partly between opposite edges of the insulating wall and define space between the battery cell and regions between the protrusions. |
| US09172066B2 |
Protection circuit board, battery pack including the protection circuit board and method of fabricating the protection circuit board
A protection circuit board resulting in a compact battery pack having a higher capacity than a conventional battery pack of the same size, a battery pack including the protection circuit board and a method of fabricating the protection circuit board includes: a first lead terminal disposed on a first side of the protection circuit board; and a first aperture for exposing the first lead terminal to a second side of the protection circuit board. The battery pack also includes: a bare cell including an electrode terminal; a second lead terminal arranged over the electrode terminal; and a protection circuit board electrically connected to the second lead terminal and the bare cell, and having an aperture for exposing the second lead terminal arranged the first side of the protection circuit board to the second side of the protection circuit board. |
| US09172064B2 |
Mask for deposition and method for manufacturing organic light emitting diode display using the same
A deposition mask for forming an organic layer pattern of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a base member having a first surface facing a substrate of the OLED display, and a second surface facing a side opposite to the first surface, and including a plurality of openings passing through the first surface and the second surface for forming the organic layer pattern. The opening has a pair of first side walls and a pair of second side walls. Each side wall of the openings has an inclination surface inclined with respect to a thickness direction of the base member, and when measuring an inclination angle of the inclination surface with reference to the first surface of the base member, the inclination angle of the first side wall and the inclination angle of the second side wall are different from each other. |
| US09172062B2 |
Composite phase retarder and organic light emitting display apparatus using the same
The present invention provides a composite phase retarder and an organic light emitting display apparatus using the same. The organic light emitting display apparatus comprises an organic light emitting display panel and the composite phase retarder. The composite phase retarder comprises a quarter wave (λ/4) phase retarder, a polarizer and a pattern retarder stacked in sequence. The present invention can be applicable to display 3D images and enhance a display contrast of the organic light emitting display apparatus. |
| US09172059B2 |
Light-emitting device and electronic device using light-emitting device
First to third light-emitting elements each including a reflection electrode layer, a transflective electrode layer, and a light-emitting layer provided therebetween are provided. In the first light-emitting element, the light-emitting layer is in contact with the reflection electrode layer and the transflective electrode layer. In the second light-emitting element, a first transparent electrode layer is in contact with the reflection electrode layer, the light-emitting layer is in contact with the first transparent electrode layer and the transflective electrode layer. In the third light-emitting element, a second transparent electrode layer is in contact with the reflection electrode layer, the light-emitting layer is in contact with the second transparent electrode layer and the transflective electrode layer. The first transparent electrode layer is different form the second transparent electrode layer in thickness. |
| US09172057B2 |
Encapsulation structure for an opto-electronic component
An encapsulation structure for an optoelectronic component, may include: a thin-film encapsulation for protecting the optoelectronic component against chemical impurities; an adhesive layer formed on the thin-film encapsulation; and a cover layer formed on the adhesive layer and serving for protecting the thin-film encapsulation and/or the optoelectronic component against mechanical damage, wherein the adhesive layer is formed such that particle impurities situated at the surface of the thin-film encapsulation are at least partly enclosed by the adhesive layer. |
| US09172055B2 |
Organic light-emitting device including multi-layered hole transport layer, and organic light-emitting display apparatus including the same
An organic light-emitting device includes an emission layer between first and second electrodes, a first hole transport layer that is between the emission layer and the first electrode and that includes a first hole transport compound and a first electron acceptor, a second hole transport layer that is between the emission layer and first hole transport layer and that includes a second hole transport compound, a third hole transport layer that is between the emission layer and the second hole transport layer and that includes a third hole transport compound and a second electron acceptor, a fourth hole transport layer that is between the emission layer and the third hole transport layer and that includes a fourth hole transport compound, a buffer layer between the emission layer and the fourth hole transport layer, and an electron transport layer that includes a pyrimidine-based compound. |
| US09172054B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
Provided is an organic light emitting display device. The organic light emitting display device comprises a substrate; a first electrode formed on the substrate and including a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode which have different reflectivities with respect to light wavelengths and are mutually stacked; an organic layer formed on the first electrode and including an organic light emitting layer; and a second electrode formed on the organic layer. |
| US09172053B2 |
Organic molecular memory and method of manufacturing the same
An organic molecular memory for controlling a current flowing through a memory cell and achieving stable operation and high degree of reliability is provided. The organic molecular memory includes a first electrode, a second electrode made of a material different from the first electrode, and an organic molecule layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein one end of a resistance change-type molecular chain constituting the organic molecule layer is chemically bonded with the first electrode, and an air gap exists between the other end of the resistance change-type molecular chain and the second electrode. |
| US09172052B2 |
Phosphorescent OLED
An organic light emitting device having a phase-separated light-emissive layer comprising: a charge transport phase comprising a charge transport material; and an emitting phase, the emitting phase comprising a plurality of discrete emissive domains dispersed in the charge transport phase, each emitting domain comprising a host material and one or more metal complexes for emitting light by phosphorescence; wherein the charge transport material has a T1 energy level lower than the T1 energy level of the metal complexes and the host material has a T1 energy level higher than the T1 energy level of the metal complexes. |
| US09172047B2 |
Hole transport material for organic electroluminescence device and organic electroluminescence device using the same
A hole transport material for the organic electroluminescence device, the hole transport material being represented by the following Formula 1, |
| US09172046B1 |
Organic light-emitting device
An organic light-emitting device includes a first electrode; a second electrode; and an organic layer between the first electrode and the second electrode and including an emission layer. The emission layer includes at least one first material represented by any one of Formulae 1-1 and 1-2 and at least one second material represented by Formula 2: |
| US09172044B2 |
Organic light-emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light-emitting device with an electron transport layer disposed between the organic emission layer and the second electrode and comprising an anthracene-based compound and a carbazole-based compound represented by Formula 1 below: with improved efficiency and lifetime and a method for preparing the same are provided. |
| US09172043B2 |
Charge-transporting varnish for spray or ink jet application
Disclosed is a charge-transporting varnish containing a charge-transporting organic material, a good solvent, at least one poor solvent with high leveling properties, and at least one volatile poor solvent. The charge-transporting organic material is composed of a charge-transporting material consisting of a charge-transporting monomer or a charge-transporting oligomer having a number average molecular weight of 200 to 5000, or alternatively composed of such a charge-transporting material and an electron-accepting dopant material or a hole-accepting dopant material. This charge-transporting varnish enables to form a uniform and smooth charge-transporting thin film by a spray method or an ink jet method on an exposed electrode portion such as ITO or IZO of a substrate on which a structure of a simple or complicated pattern is formed beforehand. |
| US09172039B2 |
Methods of fabricating memory devices
Provided is a method of fabricating a memory device. The method includes defining a cell region and a driving region on a substrate, forming driving transistors on the driving region, forming a first bit line in the cell region, a first unit memory cell disposed on an upper surface of the first bit line, a word line disposed on upper surfaces of the first unit memory cells, and a second unit memory cell disposed on an upper surface of the word line, forming a planarization layer configured to fill between the second unit memory cells, and including second bit line grooves on the upper surfaces of the first bit lines, bit line contact vias in the second bit line grooves, floating electrode grooves on upper surfaces of ends of the word lines, and a first floating contact via and a second floating contact via in each of the floating electrode grooves, simultaneously forming second bit lines in the second bit line grooves, bit line contact electrodes in the bit line contact vias, floating electrodes in the floating electrode grooves, first floating contact electrodes in the first floating contact vias, and second floating contact electrodes in the second floating contact vias. |
| US09172036B2 |
Top electrode blocking layer for RRAM device
An integrated circuit device including a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell formed over a substrate. The RRAM cell includes a top electrode having an upper surface. A blocking layer covers a portion of the upper surface. A via extends above the top electrode within a matrix of dielectric. The upper surface of the top electrode includes an area that interfaces with the blocking layer and an area that interfaces with the via. The area of the upper surface that interfaces with the via surrounds the area of the upper surface that interfaces with the blocking layer. The blocking layer is functional during processing to protect the RRAM cell from etch damage while being structured in such a way as to not interfere with contact between the overlying via and the top electrode. |
| US09172032B2 |
Magnetic tunnel junction device with perpendicular magnetization and method of fabricating the same
A magnetic tunnel junction device with perpendicular magnetization including a reference layer, a tunneling dielectric layer, a free layer and a capping layer is provided. The tunneling dielectric layer covers on the reference layer. The free layer covers on the tunneling dielectric layer. The capping layer is consisted of magnesium, aluminum and oxygen, and disposed on the free layer. |
| US09172026B2 |
Piezoceramic composition and method for manufacturing the same
A piezoceramic composition comprises, as the main phase, a crystalline phase of a perovskite structure signified as formula ABO3, with Element A consisting of one or more elements selected from among K (potassium), Na (sodium) and Li (lithium) and with Element B consisting of one or more elements selected from among Nb (niobium), Ta (tantalum) and Sb (antimony), with Elements A and B comprising other elements as additives. An X-ray diffraction profile of crushed particles of the piezoceramic composition that are 10 μm or less in diameter has a diffraction peak indicating the presence of the main (single) phase as well as a heterogeneous phase of a crystalline structure signified as formula AsBtOu (s |
| US09172025B2 |
Integrated semiconductor devices with single crystalline beam, methods of manufacture and design structure
Bulk acoustic wave filters and/or bulk acoustic resonators integrated with CMOS devices, are provided. The structure includes a single crystalline beam formed from a silicon layer of a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate; insulator material coating the single crystalline beam; an upper cavity formed above the single crystalline beam, over a portion of the insulator material; a lower cavity formed in lower wafer bonded to an insulator layer of the SOI substrate, below the single crystalline beam and the insulator layer of the SOI substrate; a connecting via that connects the upper cavity to the lower cavity, the connecting via being coated with the insulator material; and a Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) filter or Bulk Acoustic Resonator (BAR) in electrical connection with the single crystalline beam. |
| US09172023B2 |
Electrothermal transducer, and temperature controlling device
The present invention relates to an electrothermal converter, which has at least one cold side and one warm side. Provision is made that all the components of the converter cope with the thermal loads appearing when the converter is operated and/or in particular maintains its mechanical stability. |
| US09172022B2 |
Composite structure of graphene and polymer and method of manufacturing the same
A composite structure of graphene and polymer and a method of manufacturing the complex. The composite structure of graphene and polymer includes: at least one polymer structure having a three-dimensional shape; and a graphene layer formed on the at least one polymer structure. |
| US09172018B2 |
Islanded carrier for light emitting device
A low-cost conductive carrier element provides structural support to a light emitting device (LED) die, as well as electrical and thermal coupling to the LED die. A lead-frame is provided that includes at least one carrier element, the carrier element being partitioned to form distinguishable conductive regions to which the LED die is attached. When the carrier element is separated from the frame, the conductive regions are electrically isolated from each other. A dielectric may be placed between the conductive regions of the carrier element. |
| US09172008B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a light-transmissive substrate, a light-transmissive buffer layer disposed on the light-transmissive substrate, and a light emitting structure. The light-transmissive buffer layer includes a first layer and a second layer having different refractive indices and disposed alternately at least once. The light emitting structure includes a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer sequentially disposed on the buffer layer. |
| US09172003B2 |
Light emitting device, super-luminescent diode, and projector
A light emitting device includes a substrate, a laminated body formed by stacking a first cladding layer, a first active layer, a second cladding layer, a third cladding layer, a second active layer, and a fourth cladding layer on the substrate in this order, a first electrode connected to the first cladding layer, a second electrode connected to the second cladding layer and the third cladding layer, and a third electrode connected to the fourth cladding layer, the first active layer generates first light using the first electrode and the second electrode, the second active layer generates second light using the second electrode and the third electrode, and a side surface of the first active layer is provided with an emitting section for emitting the first light, and a side surface of the second active layer is provided with an emitting section for emitting the second light. |
| US09171992B2 |
Ultraviolet light emitting device incorporating optically absorbing layers
A light emitting device includes a p-side, an n-side, and an active layer between the p-side and the n-side. The p-side includes a p-side contact, an electron blocking layer, a p-side separate confinement heterostructure (p-SCH), and a p-cladding/current spreading region disposed between the p-SCH and the p-side contact. The n-side includes an n-side contact, and an n-side separate confinement heterostructure (n-SCH). The active layer is configured to emit light in a wavelength range, wherein the p-side and the n-side have asymmetrical optical transmission properties with respect to the wavelength range emitted by the active layer. |
| US09171989B2 |
Metal bond and contact formation for solar cells
A method for fabricating a solar cell is disclosed. The method can include forming a dielectric region on a surface of a solar cell structure and forming a first metal layer on the dielectric region. The method can also include forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer and locally heating a particular region of the second metal layer, where heating includes forming a metal bond between the first and second metal layer and forming a contact between the first metal layer and the solar cell structure. The method can include forming an adhesive layer on the first metal layer and forming a second metal layer on the adhesive layer, where the adhesive layer mechanically couples the second metal layer to the first metal layer and allows for an electrical connection between the second metal layer to the first metal layer. |
| US09171985B2 |
Pixel circuit with controlled capacitor discharge time of flight measurement
A pixel circuit includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) and a measurement circuit including a capacitance. The SPAD detects an incident photon and the measurement circuit discharges the capacitance at a known rate during a discharge time period. The length of the discharge time period is determined by the time of detection of the photon, such that the final amount of charge on the capacitance corresponds to the time of flight of the photon. The pixel circuit may be included in a time resolved imaging apparatus. A method of measuring the time of flight of a photon includes responding to an incident photon detection by discharging a capacitance at a known rate and correlating final capacitance charge to time of flight. |
| US09171977B2 |
Optically assist-triggered wide bandgap thyristors having positive temperature coefficients
A thyristor includes a first conductivity type semiconductor layer, a first conductivity type carrier injection layer on the semiconductor layer, a second conductivity type drift layer on the carrier injection layer, a first conductivity type base layer on the drift layer, and a second conductivity type anode region on the base layer. The thickness and doping concentration of the carrier injection layer are selected to reduce minority carrier injection by the carrier injection layer in response to an increase in operating temperature of the thyristor. A cross-over current density at which the thyristor shifts from a negative temperature coefficient of forward voltage to a positive temperature coefficient of forward voltage is thereby reduced. |
| US09171973B2 |
Method for producing an integrated imaging device with front face illumination comprising at least one metal optical filter, and corresponding device
An integrated imaging device supports front face illumination with one or more photosensitive regions formed in a substrate. A lower dielectric region is provided over the substrate, the lower dielectric region having an upper face. A metal optical filter having a metal pattern is provided on the upper face (or extending into the lower dielectric region from the upper face). An upper dielectric region is provided on top of the lower dielectric region and metal optical filter. The lower dielectric region is at least part of a pre-metal dielectric layer, and the upper dielectric region is at least part of a metallization layer. |
| US09171972B2 |
Method for producing photoelectric converter and phtotelectric converter
The method for producing a photoelectric converter of the present invention comprises a preparation step for preparing a substrate (2) formed from silicon; a first film-formation step for the formation of a first protective film (3) by deposition of aluminum oxide on a top surface (2B) of the substrate (2) using the atom deposition method or chemical vapor deposition method in an atmosphere containing hydrogen; and a second film-formation step for forming a second protective film (4) by deposition of aluminum oxide on the first protective film (3) using sputtering after the first film-formation step. Moreover, the photoelectric converter of the present invention comprises a substrate formed from silicon; a first protective film formed from aluminum oxide; and a second protective film formed from aluminum oxide, wherein the concentration of hydrogen contained in the first protective film is higher than the concentration of hydrogen contained in the second protective film. |
| US09171970B2 |
Alternating bias hot carrier solar cells
Designs of extremely high efficiency solar cells are described. A novel alternating bias scheme enhances the photovoltaic power extraction capability above the cell band-gap by enabling the extraction of hot carriers. When applied in conventional solar cells, this alternating bias scheme has the potential of more than doubling their yielded net efficiency. When applied in conjunction with solar cells incorporating quantum wells (QWs) or quantum dots (QDs) based solar cells, the described alternating bias scheme has the potential of extending such solar cell power extraction coverage, possibly across the entire solar spectrum, thus enabling unprecedented solar power extraction efficiency. Within such cells, a novel alternating bias scheme extends the cell energy conversion capability above the cell material band-gap while the quantum confinement structures are used to extend the cell energy conversion capability below the cell band-gap. Light confinement cavities are incorporated into the cell structure in order to allow the absorption of the cell internal photo emission, thus further enhancing the cell efficiency. |
| US09171969B2 |
Mounting member having die pad unit and terminals, and photocoupler having the mounting member
A mounting member includes: an insulating substrate, a first die pad unit, first and second terminals. The insulating substrate has a rectangular first surface, a second surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, and a fourth side surface. A through hole is provided from the first surface to the second surface. The first die pad unit is provided on the first surface. The first terminal has a conductive region covering the first side surface, the first surface, and the second surface. The second terminal has a conductive region covering the second side surface and the second surface, connected to the first die pad unit by conductive material provided in the through hole or on a side wall of the through hole. The first die pad unit, the first terminal, and the second terminal are apart from one another. |
| US09171964B2 |
Systems and methods for a three-layer chip-scale MEMS device
Systems and methods for a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a first outer layer and a first device layer comprising a first set of MEMS devices, wherein the first device layer is bonded to the first outer layer. The system also comprises a second outer layer and a second device layer comprising a second set of MEMS devices, wherein the second device layer is bonded to the second outer layer. Further, the system comprises a central layer having a first side and a second side opposite that of the first side, wherein the first side is bonded to the first device layer and the second side is bonded to the second device layer. |
| US09171955B2 |
Thin film transistor and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a structure of the TFT in which a current-voltage characteristic can be improved. The present invention refers to a thin film transistor comprising a lamination layer wherein a first conductive film, a first insulating film and a second conductive film are sequentially laminated, a semiconductor film formed so as to be in contact with the side surface of the lamination layer, and a third conductive film covering the semiconductor film through a second insulating film. The first conductive film and the second conductive film are a source electrode and a drain electrode, and a region which is in contact with the first insulating film and the third conductive film is a channel forming region in semiconductor film, and the third conductive film is a gate electrode. |
| US09171953B2 |
FinFET with stressors
A fin type transistor includes a dielectric layer on a substrate surface which serves to isolate the gate of the transistor from the substrate. The dielectric layer includes a non-selectively etched surface to produce top portions of fin structures which have reduced height variations across the wafer. The fin type transistor may also include a buried stressor and/or raised or embedded raised S/D stressors to cause a strain in the channel to improve carrier mobility. |
| US09171951B2 |
Multigate dual work function device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a drain region, a source region, a channel region, a first gate insulator film provided on the channel region, a second gate insulator film provided on the channel region to be adjacent to the first gate insulator film on the source region side of the first gate insulator film, a first gate electrode provided on the first gate insulator film, and a second gate electrode provided on the second gate insulator film. An electrical thickness of the second gate insulator film is less than an electrical thickness of the first gate insulator film. A portion of the first gate electrode is provided on the second gate insulator film. A work function of the second gate electrode is higher than a work function of the first gate electrode. |
| US09171950B2 |
Semiconductor component and method for producing a semiconductor component
A semiconductor component is produced by forming a trench in a semiconductor region. The trench has an upper trench region and a lower trench region. The upper trench region is wider than the lower trench region such that a step is formed in the semiconductor region. A dopant is introduced into the step to form a locally delimited dopant region in the semiconductor region. |
| US09171949B1 |
Semiconductor device including superjunction structure formed using angled implant process
A semiconductor device includes a superjunction structure formed using simultaneous N and P angled implants into the sidewall of a trench. The simultaneous N and P angled implants use different implant energies and dopants of different diffusion rate so that after annealing, alternating N and P thin semiconductor regions are formed. The alternating N and P thin semiconductor regions form a superjunction structure where a balanced space charge region is formed to enhance the breakdown voltage characteristic of the semiconductor device. |
| US09171948B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device and fabrication method thereof
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device has a plurality of memory strings in which electrically rewritable memory cells are connected in series. The memory strings have word-line electroconductive layers laminated at a prescribed interval to sandwich an interlayer insulating film onto a semiconductor substrate and through holes that penetrate through the word-line electroconductive layers and the interlayer insulating films. The gate insulating film is formed along an inner wall of the through holes and includes a charge-accumulating film. The columnar semiconductor layer is formed inside the through holes to sandwich the gate insulating film along with the word-line electroconductive layer. The columnar semiconductor layer contains carbon, oxygen, or nitrogen. |
| US09171947B2 |
Nitride semiconductor device
A nitride semiconductor device includes a substrate, a nitride semiconductor laminate, and an ohmic electrode of TiAl-based material. The nitride semiconductor laminate has a first nitride semiconductor layer on the substrate, and a second nitride semiconductor layer forming a heterointerface with the first nitride semiconductor layer. The nitride semiconductor device has an oxygen concentration profile in a depth direction of the device across between the ohmic electrode and the nitride semiconductor laminate. The profile has a first oxygen concentration peak near an interface between the ohmic electrode and the nitride semiconductor laminate in a region, of the nitride semiconductor laminate, that is on a substrate side of the interface, and a second oxygen concentration peak having an oxygen concentration of 3×1017 cm−3-1.2×1018 cm−3 in a position deeper than that of the first oxygen concentration peak. |
| US09171946B2 |
Nitride semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a unidirectional heterojunction transistor including a channel layer made of a first nitride-based semiconductor having a first energy bandgap, a barrier layer made of a second nitride-based semiconductor having a second energy bandgap different from the first energy bandgap, the barrier layer including a recess, a drain electrode disposed on a first region of the barrier layer, and a recessed-drain Schottky electrode disposed in the recess of the barrier layer, the recessed-drain Schottky electrode contacting the drain electrode. |
| US09171943B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
To provide a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor which is capable of having stable electric characteristics and achieving high reliability, by a dehydration or dehydrogenation treatment performed on a base insulating layer provided in contact with an oxide semiconductor layer, the water and hydrogen contents of the base insulating layer can be decreased, and by an oxygen doping treatment subsequently performed, oxygen which can be eliminated together with the water and hydrogen is supplied to the base insulating layer. By formation of the oxide semiconductor layer in contact with the base insulating layer whose water and hydrogen contents are decreased and whose oxygen content is increased, oxygen can be supplied to the oxide semiconductor layer while entry of the water and hydrogen into the oxide semiconductor layer is suppressed. |
| US09171941B2 |
Fabricating method of thin film transistor, fabricating method of array substrate and display device
An embodiment of the present invention provides a fabricating method of a thin film transistor, a fabricating method of an array substrate, and a display device. The fabricating method of a thin film transistor comprises: forming a gate electrode on a substrate; and forming a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, source and drain electrodes and a channel region on the substrate, wherein, the semiconductor layer is formed of a metal oxide, and two etching steps are used to form the channel region, and in a first etching step, a part of a source-drain metal layer above the semiconductor layer corresponding to the channel region is removed by using a dry etching, and in a second etching step, a remaining part of the source-drain metal layer above the semiconductor layer corresponding to the channel region is removed by using a wet etching, thereby forming the channel region. |
| US09171940B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate, display device, and method for manufacturing thin film transistor substrate
In a thin film transistor substrate (10) having an island-like channel protection layer (15a) covering a channel portion of an oxide semiconductor layer (14), a source electrode (16S) and a drain electrode (16D) are formed of an aluminum alloy film or a multilayer film including an aluminum alloy film. |
| US09171939B2 |
Method for manufacturing thin-film transistor and thin-film transistor manufactured with same
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a thin-film transistor and a thin-film transistor manufactured with same. The method includes (1) providing a substrate; (2) forming a first metal layer on the substrate and applying a masking operation to form a gate terminal; (3) forming a gate insulation layer on the gate terminal; (4) forming an oxide semiconductor layer on the gate insulation layer and forming a second metal layer on the oxide semiconductor layer, wherein the second metal layer includes a titanium layer formed on the oxide semiconductor layer and a copper layer formed on the titanium layer and is subjected to a masking operation to form a data line and source/drain terminal; and (5) forming a transparent conductive layer on the second metal layer and applying a masking operation to patternize the transparent conductive layer to form the thin-film transistor. |
| US09171938B2 |
Semiconductor element and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a thin film transistor and a method for manufacturing the thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor with a controlled threshold voltage, high operation speed, a relatively easy manufacturing process, and sufficient reliability. An impurity having influence on carrier concentration in the oxide semiconductor layer, such as a hydrogen atom or a compound containing a hydrogen atom such as H2O, may be eliminated. An oxide insulating layer containing a large number of defects such as dangling bonds may be formed in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, such that the impurity diffuses into the oxide insulating layer and the impurity concentration in the oxide semiconductor layer is reduced. The oxide semiconductor layer or the oxide insulating layer in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer may be formed in a deposition chamber which is evacuated with use of a cryopump whereby the impurity concentration is reduced. |
| US09171936B2 |
Barrier region underlying source/drain regions for dual-bit memory devices
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a memory cell. The memory cell comprises a substrate and a stacked gate structure disposed on the substrate, wherein the stacked gate structure comprises a charge trapping dielectric layer that is adapted to store at least one bit of data. The memory cell further includes a source and drain in the substrate, wherein the source and drain are disposed at opposite sides of the stacked gate structure. A barrier region is disposed substantially beneath the source or the drain and comprises an inert species. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US09171931B2 |
Trench power MOSFET
A device includes a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a trench extending into the semiconductor region, and a conductive field plate in the trench. A first dielectric layer separates a bottom and sidewalls of the field plate from the semiconductor region. A main gate is disposed in the trench and overlapping the field plate. A second dielectric layer is disposed between and separating the main gate and the field plate from each other. A Doped Drain (DD) region of the first conductivity type is under the second dielectric layer, wherein an edge portion of the main gate overlaps the DD region. A body region includes a first portion at a same level as a portion of the main gate, and a second portion at a same level as, and contacting, the DD region, wherein the body region is of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. |
| US09171929B2 |
Strained structure of semiconductor device and method of making the strained structure
An exemplary structure for a field effect transistor (FET) comprises a silicon substrate comprising a first surface; a channel portion over the first surface, wherein the channel portion has a second surface at a first height above the first surface, and a length parallel to first surface; and two source/drain (S/D) regions on the first surface and surrounding the channel portion along the length of the channel portion, wherein the two S/D regions comprise SiGe, Ge, Si, SiC, GeSn, SiGeSn, SiSn, or III-V material. |
| US09171928B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device with improved performance and production yield. Insulating films IL2 and IL3 are formed over a semiconductor substrate in that order to cover a gate electrode. Then, the insulating films IL3 and IL2 are etched back to form sidewall spacers including the insulating films IL2 and IL3 over sidewalls of the gate electrode. The source/drain region is formed in the semiconductor substrate by ion implantation using the gate electrode and the sidewall spacer as a mask. Then, the sidewall spacers are isotropically etched on conditions where the insulating film IL2 is less likely to be etched than the third insulating film IL3 to thereby decrease the thickness of the sidewall spacer. Thereafter, a reaction layer between the metal and the source/drain region is formed over the source/drain region. |
| US09171923B2 |
Method of fabricating a gallium nitride merged P-i-N Schottky (MPS) diode
A semiconductor structure includes a III-nitride substrate with a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The III-nitride substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration. The semiconductor structure also includes a III-nitride epitaxial structure including a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the first side of the III-nitride substrate and a plurality of III-nitride regions of a second conductivity type. The plurality of III-nitride regions have at least one III-nitride epitaxial region of the first conductivity type between each of the plurality of III-nitride regions. The semiconductor structure further includes a first metallic structure electrically coupled to one or more of the plurality of III-nitride regions and the at least one III-nitride epitaxial region. A Schottky contact is created between the first metallic structure and the at least one III-nitride epitaxial region. |
| US09171914B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having small leakage current and high breakdown voltage during reverse blocking, small on-state resistance and large output current at forward conduction, short reverse recovery time at shutoff, and high peak surge current value is provided. An n-type layer is made of a group-III nitride, and a p-type layer is made of a group-IV semiconductor material having a smaller band gap than the group-III nitride. The energy level at the top of the valence band of the n-type layer is lower than the energy level at the top of the valence band of the p-type layer, so that a P-N junction semiconductor device satisfying the above requirements is obtained. Further, a combined structure of P-N junction and Schottky junction by additionally providing an anode electrode to be in Schottky contact with the n-type layer also achieves the effect of decreasing voltage at the rising edge of current resulting from the Schottky junction. |
| US09171911B2 |
Isolation structure in gallium nitride devices and integrated circuits
An integrated semiconductor device which includes a substrate layer, a buffer layer formed on the substrate layer, a gallium nitride layer formed on the buffer layer, and a barrier layer formed on the gallium nitride layer. Ohmic contacts for a plurality of transistor devices are formed on the barrier layer. Specifically, a plurality of first ohmic contacts for the first transistor device are formed on a first portion of the surface of the barrier layer, and a plurality of second ohmic contacts for the second transistor device are formed on a second portion of the surface of the barrier layer. In addition, one or more gate structures formed on a third portion of the surface of the barrier between the first and second transistor devices. Preferably, the one or more gate structures and the spaces between the gate structures and the source contacts of the transistor devices collectively form an isolation region that electrically isolates the first transistor device from the second transistor device. |
| US09171910B2 |
Semiconductor electronic components with integrated current limiters
An electronic component includes a high-voltage depletion-mode transistor and a low-voltage enhancement-mode transistor. A source electrode of the high-voltage depletion-mode transistor is electrically connected to a drain electrode of the low-voltage enhancement-mode transistor, and a gate electrode of the high-voltage depletion-mode transistor is electrically coupled to the source electrode of the low-voltage enhancement-mode transistor. The on-resistance of the enhancement-mode transistor is less than the on-resistance of the depletion-mode transistor, and the maximum current level of the enhancement-mode transistor is smaller than the maximum current level of the depletion-mode transistor. |
| US09171906B2 |
Semiconductor device having a trench gate structure and manufacturing method of the same
In a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, a trench is defined in a semiconductor substrate, and an adjuster layer having a first conductivity type impurity concentration higher than a drift layer is formed at a portion of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to a bottom wall of the trench. A channel layer is formed by introducing second conductivity type impurities to a portion of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to a sidewall of the trench and between the adjustment layer and a main surface of the semiconductor substrate while restricting the channel layer from extending in a depth direction of the trench by the adjustment layer. |
| US09171904B2 |
FinFET device with dual-strained channels and method for manufacturing thereof
A FinFET device and a method for manufacturing a FinFET device is provided. An example device may comprise a substrate including at least two fin structures. Each of the at least two fin structures may be in contact with a source and drain region and each of the at least two fin structures may include a strain relaxed buffer (SRB) overlying and in contact with the substrate and an upper layer overlying and in contact with the SRB. The composition of the upper layer and the SRB may be selected such that the upper layer of a first fin structure is subjected to a first mobility enhancing strain in the as-grown state, the first mobility enhancing strain being applied in a longitudinal direction from the source region to the drain region and where at least an upper part of the upper layer of a second fin structure is strain-relaxed. |
| US09171902B2 |
Semiconductor structures comprising a plurality of active areas separated by isolation regions
Methods of pitch doubling of asymmetric features and semiconductor structures including the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a single photolithography mask may be used to pitch double three features, for example, of a DRAM array. In one embodiment, two wordlines and a grounded gate over field may be pitch doubled. Semiconductor structures including such features are also disclosed. |
| US09171901B2 |
Method for improving device performance using dual stress liner boundary
An integrated circuit with DSL borders perpendicular to the transistor gates primarily inside the nwell and with DSL borders parallel to the transistor gates primarily outside the nwell. A method for forming an integrated circuit with DSL borders perpendicular to the tranistor gates primarily inside the nwell and with DSL borders parallel to the transistor gates primarily outside the nwell. |
| US09171900B2 |
Method of fabricating a gallium nitride P-i-N diode using implantation
A III-nitride semiconductor device includes an active region for supporting current flow during forward-biased operation of the III-nitride semiconductor device. The active region includes a first III-nitride epitaxial material having a first conductivity type, and a second III-nitride epitaxial material having a second conductivity type. The III-nitride semiconductor device further includes an edge-termination region physically adjacent to the active region and including an implanted region comprising a portion of the first III-nitride epitaxial material. The implanted region of the first III-nitride epitaxial material has a reduced electrical conductivity in relation to portions of the first III-nitride epitaxial material adjacent to the implanted region. |
| US09171899B2 |
Sapphire structure with a concave portion including a metal substructure and method for producing the same
A sapphire structure with a metal substructure is disclosed. The sapphire structure with a metal substructure includes a sapphire structure and a metal substructure. The sapphire structure includes a flat surface and a concave portion on the flat surface. The metal substructure in the concave portion is bonded to an inner surface of the concave portion and includes a surface portion that is substantially flush with the flat surface. |
| US09171891B2 |
AMOLED display panel and AMOLED display device
An Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) display panel is disclosed. The display panel includes first and second substrates, and a glass frit layer bonding the first and the second substrates in an edge encapsulation area of the AMOLED display panel. The second substrate includes an electrode overlapped with the glass frit layer, and the electrode is connected to a heat conduction component. |
| US09171884B2 |
Method for combining LEDS in a packaging unit and packaging unit having a multiplicity of LEDS
A method of combining LEDs in a packaging unit includes determining a color locus of a multiplicity of LEDs, classifying the LEDs into a plurality of different color locus ranges, each LED classified into a color locus range comprising the determined color locus of the respective LED, arranging the LEDs in the packaging unit such that the packaging unit contains a plurality of successive sequences respectively of a plurality of LEDs, wherein each sequence respectively has exactly one LED from each of the color locus ranges, and the LEDs of the different color locus ranges are respectively arranged in the same order within the sequences. |
| US09171880B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device, method of manufacturing the same, and camera
A photoelectric conversion device, comprising a photoelectric conversion portion, provided in a semiconductor substrate, including a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of the first conductivity type provided adjacent to the first semiconductor region, a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type provided at a position away from the second semiconductor region, and a gate electrode provided between the second semiconductor region and the third semiconductor region, wherein the second semiconductor region is provided at a position away from the gate electrode, and the semiconductor substrate includes a region of a second conductivity type within a region extending from an edge of the second semiconductor region to below the gate electrode. |
| US09171878B2 |
Detector and DAS, and X-ray computed tomography apparatus
According to one embodiment, detector and DAS includes an X-ray detector, a board, a DAS, and a plurality of X-ray shielding plates. The X-ray detector detects X-rays and generates an electrical signal corresponding to the detected X-rays. The board is coupled to the X-ray detector and includes a wiring pattern to extract the electrical signal from the X-ray detector. The DAS is coupled to the board and included an electronic part to perform signal processing for the electrical signal. The X-ray shielding plates are provided for the board to prevent the electronic part from being exposed to X-rays transmitted through the X-ray detector. A portion of the wiring pattern is placed between the X-ray shielding plates. |
| US09171875B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including: a laminated semiconductor chip configured to be obtained by bonding two or more semiconductor chip sections to each other and be obtained by bonding at least a first semiconductor chip section in which a pixel array and a multilayer wiring layer are formed and a second semiconductor chip section in which a logic circuit and a multilayer wiring layer are formed to each other in such a manner that the multilayer wiring layers are opposed to each other and are electrically connected to each other; and a light blocking layer configured to be formed by an electrically-conductive film of the same layer as a layer of a connected interconnect of one or both of the first and second semiconductor chip sections near bonding between the first and second semiconductor chip sections. The solid-state imaging device is a back-illuminated solid-state imaging device. |
| US09171874B2 |
Solid-state imaging device including an imaging element and a cover member having a quartz plate
A solid-state imaging device includes an imaging element having a light receiving surface, and a cover member disposed over and opposite to the light receiving surface of the imaging element with a space therebetween. The cover member has a quartz plate, and the optical axis of the crystal of the quartz plate is parallel to the light receiving surface. |
| US09171873B2 |
Light sensing integrated circuit and manufacturing method of sensing integrated circuit
A manufacturing method of a sensing integrated circuit including the following acts. A plurality of transistors are formed. At least one dielectric layer is formed on or above the transistors. A plurality of connecting structures are formed in the dielectric layer. The connecting structures are respectively and electrically connected to the transistors. A plurality of separated conductive wells are respectively formed in electrical contact with the connecting structures. |
| US09171871B2 |
Method for fabricating array substrate for FFS mode liquid crystal display device
An array substrate for a field switching mode liquid crystal display device and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The array substrate for an FFS mode LCD device includes: a plurality of gate lines formed on the substrate; a plurality of data lines arranged to cross the gate lines; a common line formed at the subpixel regions of the substrate; an auxiliary common line formed on the common line; TFTs formed at crossings of the gate lines and the data lines; a protective film formed on the substrate; and a pixel electrode and a common electrode formed on the protective film and connected with the TFTs and the auxiliary common line, respectively. |
| US09171870B2 |
Light-emitting device and driving method thereof
In a light emitting device, luminance irregularities caused by fluctuation in threshold of TFTs for supplying a current to EL elements among pixels hinder the light emitting device from improving the image quality. A voltage equal to the threshold of a TFT 110 is held in capacitor means 111 in advance. When a video signal is inputted from a source signal line, the voltage held in the capacitor means is added to the signal, which is then applied to a gate electrode of the TFT 110. Even when threshold is fluctuated among pixels, each threshold is held in the capacitor means 111 of each pixel, and therefore, influence of the threshold fluctuation can be removed. Since the threshold is stored in the capacitor means 111 alone and the voltage between two electrodes is not changed while a video signal is written, fluctuation in capacitance value has no influence. |
| US09171866B2 |
Array substrate for narrow bezel type liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
An array substrate for a narrow bezel type liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The array substrate includes: gate lines (GLs) on a substrate, the substrate including a display area and first to fourth non-display areas at respective sides, pixel regions, a gate insulating layer (GIL) on the GLs, a plurality of data lines on the GIL and crossing the GLs, a plurality of gate auxiliary lines parallel to the data lines and connected to respective GLs, an auxiliary line in the third non-display area with a first layer under the GIL and a second layer on the GIL, the first layer contacting the second layer through a first auxiliary contact hole in the GIL, a thin film transistor in each pixel region and connected to the GLs and data lines, and a pixel electrode connected to each thin film transistor. |
| US09171862B2 |
Three-dimensional memory and method of forming the same
A method of forming a three-dimensional memory is provided. A stacked structure including semiconductor layers and insulating layers arranged alternately is formed on a substrate. The stacked structure is patterned to form a mesh structure having first strips extending in a first direction and second strips extending in a second direction. The first strips and the second strips intersect with each other. The mesh structure has first holes. A dielectric layer is formed in each first hole. At least a portion of the first strips of the mesh structure is removed to form second holes and bit line stacked structures separated from each other. A charge storage layer is formed on sidewall and bottom of each second hole. A gate pillar extending in a third direction is formed on each charge storage layer in the second hole. Word lines extending in the first direction are formed on the gate pillars. |
| US09171854B2 |
Semiconductor devices including variable width floating gates
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including an active region defined by a device isolation pattern and a floating gate on the active region. The floating gate includes an upper portion, a lower portion having a width greater than a width of the upper portion, and a step-difference portion between the upper portion and the lower portion. A dielectric pattern is on the floating gate, and a control gate is on the dielectric pattern. The lower portion of the floating gate has a height of about 4 nm or more. |
| US09171853B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device and device fabricated thereby
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of lines disposed on a semiconductor substrate, and remaining line patterns disposed spaced apart from the lines on extensions from the lines. The lines include first end-portions adjacent to the remaining line patterns. The remaining line patterns include second end-portions adjacent to the lines. The first end-portions and second end-portions are formed to have mirror symmetry with respect to each other. |
| US09171852B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a plurality of memory cells, each of the memory cells including a tunneling insulating film provided on a substrate including silicon, a floating gate provided on the tunneling insulating film, an inter-gate insulating film provided on the floating gate, and a control gate provided on the inter-gate insulating film; and an element separation trench provided between the plurality of memory cells, the element separation trench having a gap in an interior of the element separation trench. The inter-gate insulating film is provided also above the element separation trench. An upper end of the gap is provided in an interior of the inter-gate insulating film provided above the element separation trench. |
| US09171832B2 |
Analog switch with high bipolar blocking voltage in low voltage CMOS process
The disclosed technology relates to an apparatus for protection against transient electrical events. In one aspect, the apparatus includes an analog switch with high bipolar blocking voltage comprising a first p-type well region, a second p-type well region, a first n-type well region disposed between the first and second p-type well regions, and a deep n-type well region surrounding the first p-type well region, the second p-type well region, and the first n-type well region. The apparatus additionally includes a first native n-type region disposed between the first p-type well region the n-type well region and a second native n-type region disposed between the second p-type well region and n-type well region. The apparatus is configured such that the first p-type well region serves as an emitter/collector of a bidirectional PNP bipolar transistor. In addition, the apparatus is configured such that the first native n-type region, the first n-type well region, and the second native n-type region serves as a base of the bidirectional PNP bipolar transistor. Furthermore, the apparatus is configured such that the second p-type well region is configured as a collector/emitter of the bidirectional PNP bipolar transistor. |
| US09171828B2 |
DC-DC converter having terminals of semiconductor chips directly attachable to circuit board
A power supply system (200) has a QFN leadframe with leads and a pad (201). The pad surface facing a circuit board has a portion recessed with a depth (270) and an outline suitable for attaching side-by-side the sync (210) and the control (220) FET semiconductor chips. The input terminal (220a) of the control FET and the grounded output terminal (210a) of the sync FET are coplanar with the un-recessed portion of the pad (switch node terminal) so that all terminals can be directly attached to contacts of a circuit board. A driver-and-control chip (230) is vertically stacked to the opposite pad surface and encapsulated in a packaging compound (290). |
| US09171823B2 |
Circuit module with multiple submodules
An embodiment of a circuit module includes module nodes, a first submodule, a second submodule, and a conductive structure. The first submodule has a first submodule node, and the second submodule is disposed over the first submodule and has a second submodule node. The conductive structure couples the first submodule node to one of the module nodes and couples the second submodule node to one of the module nodes. Another embodiment of a circuit module includes module nodes, a first submodule, a second submodule, and a conductive structure. The first submodule has first submodule nodes, and the second submodule is disposed over the first submodule and has second submodule nodes. The conductive structure couples one of the first and second submodule nodes to one of the module nodes and couples one of the first submodule nodes to one of the second submodule nodes. |
| US09171822B2 |
Method of sealing and contacting substrates using laser light and electronics module
The invention concerns a method of fusing and electrically contacting a first insulating substrate (28A) having at least one first conductive layer (29A) thereon with at least one second insulating substrate (28B) having at least one second conductive layer (29B) thereon, the method comprising: stacking the first and second substrates (28A, 28B) such that an interface zone is formed between them, the interface zone comprising an electrical contacting zone where at least one first conductive layers (29A) faces and is at least partially aligned with at least one second conductive layer (29B), and a substrate fusing zone where the insulating substrates (28A, 28B) directly face each other; focusing to the interface zone of the substrates (28A, 28B) through one of the substrates (28A, 28B) a plurality of sequential focused laser pulses from a laser source, the pulse duration, pulse frequency and pulse power of the laser light being chosen to provide local melting the substrate (28A, 28B) materials and the conductive layers (29A, 29B); and moving the laser source and the substrate with respect to each other at a predetermined velocity and path so that a structurally modified zone is formed to the interface zone, the structurally modified zone overlapping with said electrical contacting zone and said substrate fusing zone. The invention provides a convenient way of manufacturing well-sealed joints and electrical contacts for multifunction electronic devices, for example. |
| US09171821B2 |
Semiconductor packages and methods of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor package comprises a board including a board pad, a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted on the board, the semiconductor chips including chip pads. Bumps are disposed on the chip pads, respectively, and a wire is disposed between the chip pads and the bumps. The wire electrically connects the chip pads of the plurality of semiconductor chips and the board pad to each other. |
| US09171817B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having an electrode, a connector having a chip contact surface, an interconnecting portion, and an external electrode terminal contact surface, the chip contact surface being electrically connected to the electrode, and a first connection material disposed between the chip contact surface and the electrode, the first connecting material having a surface area that is greater than a surface area of the chip contact surface. |
| US09171815B2 |
Method of forming package systems having interposers
A package system includes a first integrated circuit disposed over an interposer. The interposer includes at least one molding compound layer including a plurality of electrical connection structures through the at least one molding compound layer. A first interconnect structure is disposed over a first surface of the at least one molding compound layer and electrically coupled with the plurality of electrical connection structures. The first integrated circuit is electrically coupled with the first interconnect structure. |
| US09171814B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device
To improve coupling reliability in flip chip bonding of a semiconductor device. By using, in the fabrication of a semiconductor device, a wiring substrate in which a wiring that crosses an opening area of a solder resist film on the upper surface of the wiring substrate has, on one side of the wiring, a bump electrode and, on the other side, a plurality of wide-width portions having no bump electrode thereon, a solder on the wiring can be dispersed to each of the wide-width portions during reflow treatment in a solder precoating step. Such a configuration makes it possible to reduce a difference in height between the solder on each of terminals and the solder on each of the wide-width portions and to enhance the coupling reliability in flip chip bonding. |
| US09171813B2 |
Substrate including a dam for semiconductor package, semiconductor package using the same, and manufacturing method thereof
A substrate for a semiconductor package includes a substrate body having a first surface and a second surface which faces away from the first surface, and formed with at least one bump land on the first surface, and a dam formed and projected over an edge of the first surface of the substrate body, and having an underfill member discharge unit. |
| US09171809B2 |
Escape routes
Methods of and devices for providing escaping routes for the flux and gases generated to move away from the solder joint in the process of solder joint formation. |
| US09171808B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
In a semiconductor integrated circuit sandwiched between a pair of a first impact resistance layer and a second impact resistance layer, an impact diffusion layer is provided between the semiconductor integrated circuit and the second impact resistance layer. By provision of the impact resistance layer against the external stress and the impact diffusion layer for diffusing the impact, force applied to the semiconductor integrated circuit per unit area is reduced, so that the semiconductor integrated circuit is protected. The impact diffusion layer preferably has a low modulus of elasticity and high breaking modulus. |
| US09171807B2 |
Semiconductor device in which internal stress in a layer is relaxed to suppress warping
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer, an electrode, and an insulating portion. The semiconductor layer has a first surface. The electrode is provided on the first surface of the semiconductor layer. The insulating portion includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer covers the electrode on the first surface of the semiconductor layer and has a first internal stress along the first surface. The second layer is provided on the first layer and has a second internal stress in a reverse direction of the first internal stress. |
| US09171802B2 |
Semiconductor wiring patterns
A semiconductor device includes a rectangular semiconductor element mounted on a substrate formed with an external input terminal, an external output terminal, and a plurality of wiring patterns connected to each of the external input terminal and the external output terminal. The semiconductor element includes, a plurality of first electrodes formed along a first edge of a surface thereof, a plurality of second electrodes formed along an edge opposite to the first edge of the surface, a plurality of third electrodes formed in the neighborhood of a functional block, and an internal wiring for connecting the first electrodes and the third electrodes. The substrate includes, a first wiring pattern for connecting the external input terminal and the first electrodes, a second wiring pattern for connecting the external output terminal and the second electrodes, and a third wiring pattern for connecting the first electrodes and the third electrodes. |
| US09171801B2 |
E-fuse with hybrid metallization
A structure including a first interconnect including a first line overlying a first via and a second interconnect including a second line overlying a second via. The first line and the second line are co-planar. The first interconnect comprises a first conductor, the first conductor comprises a metal silicide including titanium silicide, cobalt silicide, nickel silicide, tungsten silicide, platinum silicide, molybdenum silicide, tantalum silicide, or some combination thereof. The second interconnect comprises a second conductor, the second conductor comprising copper. |
| US09171798B2 |
Methods and apparatus for transmission lines in packages
Methods and apparatus for forming a semiconductor device package with a transmission line using a micro-bump layer are disclosed. The micro-bump layer may comprise micro-bumps and micro-bump lines, formed between a top device and a bottom device. A signal transmission line may be formed using a micro-bump line above a bottom device. A ground plane may be formed using a redistribution layer (RDL) within the bottom device, or using additional micro-bump lines. The RDL formed ground plane may comprise open slots. There may be RDLs at the bottom device and the top device above and below the micro-bump lines to form parts of the ground planes. |
| US09171795B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with embedded component and method of manufacture thereof
An integrated circuit packaging system, and a method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system thereof, including: an embedding material on a component; a mask layer on the embedding material; a buried pattern in the mask layer, the outer surface of the buried pattern coplanar with the outer surface of the mask layer, the buried pattern electrically connected to the component; a patterned dielectric on a portion of the buried pattern; and an integrated circuit die on the buried pattern. |
| US09171794B2 |
Embedding thin chips in polymer
Systems and methods are provided for the embedding of thin chips. A well region is generated in a substrate that includes a conductive material disposed on a flexible polymer. The standoff well region can be generated by pattern the conductive material, where the thin chip is embedded in the standoff well region. A cavity can be generated in the polymer layer to form a polymer well region, where the thin chip is embedded in the polymer well region. |
| US09171791B2 |
Semiconductor device
This invention provides a multi-pin semiconductor device as a low-cost flip-chip BGA. In the flip-chip BGA, a plurality of signal bonding electrodes in a peripheral area of the upper surface of a multilayer wiring substrate are separated into inner and outer ones and a plurality of signal through holes coupled to a plurality of signal wirings drawn inside are located between a plurality of rows of signal bonding electrodes and a central region where a plurality of bonding electrodes for core power supply are located so that the chip pad pitch can be decreased and the cost of the BGA can be reduced without an increase in the number of layers in the multilayer wiring substrate. |
| US09171789B2 |
Lead frame, semiconductor package including the lead frame, and method of manufacturing the lead frame
There is provided a lead frame including a plurality of plating layers formed on both an upper surface and a lower surface of a base material including a metal, wherein an upper outermost plating layer of an upper part of the lead frame is a silver plating layer including silver, and a lower outermost plating layer of a lower part of the lead frame is a gold plating layer including gold. |
| US09171788B1 |
Semiconductor package with small gate clip and assembly method
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package having a small gate clip is disclosed. A first and second semiconductor chips, each of which includes a source electrode and a gate electrode at a top surface, are attached on two adjacent lead frame units of a lead frame such that the lead frame unit with the first chip formed thereon is rotated 180 degrees in relation to the other lead frame unit with the second semiconductor chip formed thereon. A first and second clip sets are mounted on the first and second semiconductor chips, wherein the first clip set is connected to the gate electrode of the first chip, the source electrode of the second chip, and their corresponding leads and the second clip set is connected to the gate electrode of the second chip, the source electrode of the first chip and their corresponding leads. |
| US09171782B2 |
Stacked redistribution layers on die
Some implementations provide a semiconductor device (e.g., die) that includes a substrate, several metal layers and dielectric layers coupled to the substrate, a pad coupled to one of the plurality of metal layers, a first metal redistribution layer coupled to the pad, and a second metal redistribution layer coupled to the first metal redistribution layer. The second metal redistribution layer includes a cobalt tungsten phosphorous material. In some implementations, the first metal redistribution layer is a copper layer. In some implementations, the semiconductor device further includes a first underbump metallization (UBM) layer and a second underbump metallization (UBM) layer. |
| US09171780B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor package
Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor package. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor package includes: preparing a rectangular frame having a plurality of quadrangular holes; attaching a plurality of semiconductor chips and the frame on one surface of a tape; forming a molding part on the tape to cover the semiconductor chip and the frame; peeling the tape; forming a resin layer at a portion at which the tape is peeled; and forming a wiring on the resin layer to be connected to the semiconductor chip. |
| US09171775B2 |
Evaporation-assisted heat dissipation apparatus
An evaporation-assisted heat dissipation apparatus includes a heat sink, a fan, and a spraying member. The spraying member includes a water tank, a water transmitting tube, and a plurality of water output tubes. The water tank accommodates a heat-dissipating liquid which flows to the tops of the plurality of water output tubes via the water transmitting tube. The convex meniscus which is formed at the top of each of the plurality of water output tubes is atomized and blown toward the heat sink by the fan and the droplets attach on the heat sink. The droplets are evaporated from the heat sink and remove heat from the heat sink by doing so. |
| US09171770B2 |
Electronic device and manufacturing method thereof
An electronic device and the manufacturing method thereof are provided. The method comprises providing a module, in which the module includes a substrate, at least one component mounted on the substrate and a molding, and the molding encapsulates the component and a portion of the substrate; forming a first hole to expose a ground pad of the component; forming a first conductive layer which covers the module and is electrically connected to the ground pad. |
| US09171753B2 |
Semiconductor devices having conductive via structures and methods for fabricating the same
In one embodiment, the method includes forming a conductive via structure in a base layer. The base layer has a first surface and a second surface, and the second surface is opposite the first surface. The method further includes removing the second surface of the base layer to expose the conductive via structure such that the conductive via structure protrudes from the second surface, and forming a first lower insulating layer over the second surface such that an end surface of the conductive via structure remains exposed by the first lower insulating layer. |
| US09171751B2 |
Method and system for fabricating floating guard rings in GaN materials
A method for fabricating an edge termination structure includes providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface and a first conductivity type, forming a first GaN epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first surface of the substrate, and forming a second GaN epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The second GaN epitaxial layer is coupled to the first GaN epitaxial layer. The method also includes implanting ions into a first region of the second GaN epitaxial layer to electrically isolate a second region of the second GaN epitaxial layer from a third region of the second GaN epitaxial layer. The method further includes forming an active device coupled to the second region of the second GaN epitaxial layer and forming the edge termination structure coupled to the third region of the second GaN epitaxial layer. |
| US09171750B2 |
Methods of forming electrically conductive lines
A method of forming an electrically conductive buried line and an electrical contact thereto includes forming of a longitudinally elongated conductive line within a trench in substrate material. A longitudinal end part thereof within the trench is of spoon-like shape having a receptacle. The receptacle is filled with conductive material. Insulative material is formed over the conductive material that is within the receptacle. A contact opening is formed over the conductive material that is within the receptacle. Conductor material is formed in the contact opening in electrical connection with the second conductive material that is within the receptacle. Other method and device implementations are disclosed. |
| US09171749B2 |
Handler wafer removal facilitated by the addition of an amorphous carbon layer on the handler wafer
A method of removing a handler wafer. There is provided a handler wafer and a semiconductor device wafer having a plurality of semiconductor devices, the semiconductor device wafer having an active surface side and an inactive surface side. An amorphous carbon layer is applied to a surface of the handler wafer. An adhesive layer is applied to at least one of the amorphous carbon layer of the handler wafer and the active surface side of the semiconductor device wafer. The handler wafer is joined to the semiconductor device wafer through the adhesive layer or layers. Laser radiation is applied to the handler wafer to cause heating of the amorphous carbon layer that in turn causes heating of the adhesive layer or layers. The plurality of semiconductor devices of the semiconductor device wafer are then separated from the handler wafer. |
| US09171746B2 |
Heater elements with enhanced cooling
A heater assembly with enhanced cooling pursuant to various embodiments described herein makes use of fluidic flow in the insulation or in the space used for insulation. By creating a natural convection or forced convection flow, the heater cools down faster, it can operate at lower temperatures and/or higher temperature precision, and it can improve temperature controllability by generating higher heat loss rates. |
| US09171744B2 |
Attaching passive components to a semiconductor package
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising forming an electrically conductive structure on a surface of a semiconductor die, attaching the semiconductor die to a substrate, forming a molding compound to encapsulate the semiconductor die, forming an opening in the molding compound, the opening to at least partially expose the electrically conductive structure, and electrically coupling a passive component to the electrically conductive structure through the opening in the molding compound. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09171735B2 |
Method for fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit with a litho-etch, litho-etch process for etching trenches
Methods are provided for fabricating semiconductor integrated circuits including isolated trench features. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a semiconductor substrate with an overlying process layer. A trench pattern to be etched into the process layer is determined and that trench pattern is decomposed into first and second patterns, the second pattern including an isolated trench. First and second lithographic masks are formed to implement the first and second patterns, the second mask implementing the second pattern, the isolated trench, and a plurality of density balancer patterns symmetrically positioned with respect to the isolated trench. A first resist layer is patterned with the first lithographic mask and the process layer is etched with the first resist layer. A second resist layer is patterned with the second lithographic mask and the process layer is etched with the second resist layer to implement the required trench pattern in the process layer. |
| US09171734B1 |
Substrate processing apparatus, method of manufacturing semiconductor device and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing chamber accommodating a substrate; first and second process gas supply units that respectively supply first and second process gases from above and laterally relative to the substrate; and first and second reactive gas supply units that respectively supply first and second reactive gases from above and laterally relative to the substrate. A control unit controls the other units such that a total amount of the first and second process gases supplied to a center portion of the substrate is different from that supplied to a peripheral portion of the substrate, or a total amount of the first and second reactive gases supplied to the center portion of the substrate is different from that supplied to the peripheral portion of the substrate. |
| US09171732B1 |
Thin film transistor and method for manufacturing the same, and display device
A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor according to the present disclosure may include the following steps of: performing a two-step etching on an active layer such that part of the active layer is consistent with a source-drain electrode layer, and etching the active layer within a photoresist-removed-area to form an active layer tail; ashing a photoresist layer such that a contour of the photoresist layer is consistent with that of the source-drain electrode layer; further etching the source-drain electrode layer to form a source-drain electrode layer pattern including a source electrode and a drain electrode, and etching off a doped semiconductor layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and meanwhile etching off the active layer tail. |
| US09171725B2 |
Enriched silicon precursor compositions and apparatus and processes for utilizing same
Isotopically enriched silicon precursor compositions are disclosed, as useful in ion implantation to enhance performance of the ion implantation system, in relation to corresponding ion implantation lacking such isotopic enrichment of the silicon precursor composition. The silicon dopant composition includes at least one silicon compound that is isotopically enriched above natural abundance in at least one of 28Si, 29Si, and 30Si, and may include a supplemental gas including at least one of a co-species gas and a diluent gas. Dopant gas supply apparatus for providing such silicon dopant compositions to an ion implanter are described, as well as ion implantation systems including such dopant gas supply apparatus. |
| US09171722B2 |
Method of vapor-diffusing impurities
A method of vapor-diffusing impurities into a diffusion region of a target substrate to be processed using a dummy substrate is provided. The method includes loading the target substrate and the dummy substrate in a substrate loading jig, accommodating the substrate loading jig loaded with the target substrate and the dummy substrate in a processing chamber of a processing apparatus, and vapor-diffusing impurities into the diffusion region of the target substrate in the processing chamber having the accommodated substrate loading jig. The vapor-diffused impurities are boron, an outer surface of the dummy substrate includes a material having properties not allowing boron adsorption. |
| US09171721B2 |
Laser assisted direct bonding
Techniques are described for directly bonding different substrates together. In some examples, a technique includes placing a first surface of a first substrate in contact with a second surface of a second substrate to directly bond the first substrate to the second substrate at a contact location. The contact location is defined where at least a portion of the first surface of the first substrate contacts at least a portion of the second surface of the second substrate. The technique may also include directing a laser beam on at least a portion of the contact location to strengthen the direct bond between the first substrate and the second substrate. In this manner, a direct bond may be heated with localized laser energy to strengthen the direct bond. Localized laser energy may create a strong direct bond while minimizing thermal defects in regions proximate the direct bond. |
| US09171720B2 |
Hardmask surface treatment
Methods of treating the surface of a metal-containing hardmask used in the manufacture of semiconductors by contacting the hardmask surface with a composition capable of adjusting the water contact angle so as to substantially match that of subsequently applied organic coatings are provided. |
| US09171719B2 |
Method of defining poly-silicon growth direction
A method of defining poly-silicon growth direction includes Step 1, forming a buffer layer on a substrate; Step 2, forming a regular graphene array; Step 3, forming an amorphous silicon thin film on the buffer layer, which the regular graphene array has formed thereon; and Step 4, transferring the amorphous silicon thin film into poly-silicon with an excimer laser anneal process. The growth direction of the poly-silicon as being formed can be controlled according to the present method of defining poly-silicon growth direction. Accordingly, the grain size of the poly-silicon can be raised. |
| US09171717B2 |
Method for manufacturing a group III nitride substrate using a chemical lift-off process
The non-polar or semi-polar group III nitride layer disclosed in a specific example of the present invention can be used for substrates for various electronic devices, wherein problems of conventional polar group III nitride substrates are mitigated or solved by using the nitride substrate of the invention, and further the nitride substrate can be manufactured by a chemical lift-off process. |
| US09171712B2 |
Lamp having a secondary halide that improves luminous efficiency
A lamp to produce white light includes an envelope; and a composition disposed in the envelope and including an initiator; a primary halide; and a secondary halide, wherein the primary halide, in a presence of the secondary halide, has a vapor pressure that is greater than a vapor pressure in an absence of the secondary halide, and the composition is configured to emit white light in a presence of an electrical discharge in the envelope. |
| US09171711B2 |
Method and system for vacuum driven mass spectrometer interface with adjustable resolution and selectivity
A mass spectrometer system and method of operating same are provided. The system comprises an ion conduit for receiving ions; a boundary member defining a curtain gas chamber containing the ion conduit; a curtain gas supply for providing a curtain gas to an inlet of the ion conduit to provide a gas flow into the conduit, and a curtain gas outflow out of a curtain gas chamber inlet; a mass spectrometer at least partially sealed to, and in fluid communication with, the conduit for receiving the ions from the conduit; a vacuum chamber surrounding the mass spectrometer operable to draw the gas flow including the ions through the conduit and into the vacuum chamber; and, a gas outlet for drawing a gas outflow from the gas flow located between the conduit and the mass spectrometer to increase the gas flow rate through the conduit. |
| US09171710B2 |
Mass spectrometric analysis using nanoparticle matrices
Methods of characterizing an analyte of interest are provided. The methods can involve using a population of nanoparticles (e.g., magnetic ferrite nanoparticles) as a matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. The size, shape, and composition of the nanoparticles can be selected in view of a variety of factors, including the nature of the analyte of interest, the desired characteristics of the mass spectrum, the nature of the energy directed onto the target composition, and combinations thereof. The nanoparticle matrix can enhance MALDI analysis by providing a cleaner mass spectral background and/or inducing abundant fragmentation of analyte ions by in-source decay (ISD). The nanoparticles are also versatile and selective; the nanoparticle matrix can be tuned to render the matrix particles compatible with an analyte of interest and/or improve selectivity for an analyte of interest. |
| US09171709B2 |
Analysis of microbes by MALDI mass spectrometry
The invention relates to methods for the mass spectrometric analysis of microbes, in particular to a transfer method of microbes that are required to be identified from agar plates onto mass spectrometric sample supports and their preparation for ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). Microbes from microcolonies which have grown on the agar plates after a culture time of only six to eight hours are transferred with a high transfer yield onto contact surfaces of suitable size by direct contact and cell disrupted on the contact surface; the released proteins are prepared with matrix material on the contact surface as MALDI samples. The ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption also takes place on the contact surface. |
| US09171707B2 |
Reagents for electron transfer dissociation in mass spectrometry analysis
The invention provides improvements in reagents for use in electron transfer dissociation ionization techniques for use in mass spectrometry, particularly for sequencing peptides and proteins using mass spectrometric techniques involving electrospray ionization and MS/MS characterization of fragment ions. The novel reagents used in the inventive methods allow for more effective determination of protein sequences, especially of long peptides or post-translationally modified protein fragments. Use of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons azulene, homoazulene, and acenaphthylene, and homodimers and heterodimers thereof, are described. |
| US09171698B2 |
Drawing apparatus, and method of manufacturing article
A drawing apparatus for performing drawing on a substrate with a charged particle beam, includes: a controller configured to control a dose of the charge particle beam at each of a plurality of positions of the charged particle beam on the substrate based on information of displacement of each of the plurality of positions from a target position corresponding thereto and a target dose of the charged particle beam at the target position corresponding to each of the plurality of positions. |
| US09171695B2 |
Stage apparatus and sample observation apparatus
In order to provide a stage apparatus with high speed stability in addition to being able to achieve positioning with a high degree of accuracy, and a sample observation apparatus, such as an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope, including the stage apparatus, the stage apparatus and the sample observation apparatus of the present invention correct a command voltage value of standard waveform data or an output timing of a command voltage value such that a difference between a first time history response and a second time history response is reduced to zero, the first time history response for displacement or speed when the stage mechanism is driven with use of the standard waveform data showing the command voltage value at each predetermined time and the second time history response for displacement or speed when a speed of the stage mechanism is constant, to be set as drive waveform data to be outputted to a drive unit of the stage mechanism. |
| US09171694B2 |
Asymmetric electrostatic quadrupole deflector for improved field uniformity
An electron beam device for inspecting a target substrate or specimen thereon includes a beam separator with an asymmetric quadrupole electrostatic deflector for improving field uniformity for a single direction of deflection. The asymmetric quadrupole electrostatic deflector includes two orthogonal electrode plates spanning roughly 60 degrees and two electrode plates spanning roughly 120 degrees, the two latter plates defining a unidirectional deflection field. The device generates a primary electron beam and focuses the primary electron beam along an optical axis into the target substrate. Secondary electrons detected at the target substrate are focused into a secondary electron beam. The beam separator with asymmetric quadrupole electrostatic deflector deflects the secondary electron beam away from the axis of the primary electron beam in the direction of deflection and into a detector array. |
| US09171691B2 |
Film target for laser-induced particle acceleration and method of manufacturing the same
A film target for laser-induced particle acceleration includes a first target layer on which a laser is incident; an intermediate layer located behind the first target layer along a propagating direction of the laser, and in which an intended ion beam is generated; and a second target layer located opposite to the first target layer with the intermediate layer interposed therebetween. |
| US09171689B2 |
Method for making carbon nanotube field emitter
A method for making carbon nanotube field emitter includes providing a carbon nanotube array formed on a surface of a substrate. A plurality of carbon nanotubes of the carbon nanotube array is selected and pulled out a carbon nanotube film by a drawing tool, wherein the carbon nanotube film includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes oriented along a fixed direction. The carbon nanotube film is cut to a plurality of uniform carbon nanotube sub-films along the fixed direction. The plurality of carbon nanotube sub-films is treated to a plurality of carbon nanotube yarns. The plurality of carbon nanotube yarns is fixed on a surface of a conductive base, and cutting off the plurality of carbon nanotube yarns by a laser beam, to form a carbon nanotube field emitter. |
| US09171687B2 |
Circuit breaker
A miniature intelligent circuit breaker, including a box body, the box body including an upper cover and a bottom box, and a circuit breaker actuating mechanism for switching on/off the circuit breaker, a wire inlet end, and a wire outlet end being arranged in the box body. An automatic closing function part is arranged inside the box body and includes an automatic closing mechanical unit and an automatic closing control unit. The automatic closing mechanical unit includes a motor and an intermediate transmission mechanism. The operation of the motor is realized through the automatic closing control unit. The circuit breaker actuating mechanism is driven to move through the transmission of the intermediate transmission mechanism, such that the closing action of the circuit breaker is ultimately realized. |
| US09171685B2 |
Power source circuit shutoff apparatus
In a power source circuit shutoff apparatus, with the lever rotated from a connector mating start position to a connector mating completion position, a pair of first signal terminals and a pair of second signal terminals are brought into on-state after a pair of first main terminals and a pair of second main terminals are brought into on-state. With the lever rotated from the connector mating completion position to the connector mating start position, a pair of first main terminals and a pair of second main terminal are brought into off-state after a pair of first signal terminals and a pair of second signal terminals are brought into off-state. The pair of first signal terminals and the pair of second signal terminals are each disposed along a straight line extending in a direction perpendicular to a rotational spindle direction of the lever. |
| US09171684B2 |
Circuit breaker latching mechanism
A circuit breaker includes a latching mechanism including a switching mechanism operatively connected to a tensioning element, and an unlatching mechanism by which, in response to a tripping signal, the tensioning element can be transferred from a tensioned state into an at least substantially relaxed state. The tensioning element is indirectly coupled to a tension lever which can be locked or tripped as a function of a position of a blocking pawl of the unlatching mechanism and which includes a blocking mechanism by which, in an OFF position of the latching mechanism in which the switch is open and the tensioning element is tensioned, tripping of the tension lever is prevented despite a tripping signal. The blocking mechanism of the tension lever includes a rocker arm which is fastened movably on the tension lever. |
| US09171683B2 |
Sealed and vented switch actuator
The present invention relates to a switch device (100) for use in hand-held power tools. The switch device (100) may include at least one chamber (102) whose interior serves as an accommodation space. The chamber (102) may partially encase an operational member (104) for actuating the hand-held power tool through the switch device (100). Further, the switch device (100) is provided with multiple holes (202) on side walls (204) of the chamber (102) to create a passageway for external particulate materials. Also, a bottom surface (205) of the chamber (102) may be sloped to extend from an interior of the chamber (102) to each of the multiple holes (202), to enhance the discharging of the external particulate materials through the holes (202). |
| US09171682B2 |
Operation switch
An operation switch where a switch unit can be separated from an operation unit in a simple manner even when the operation switches are densely fitted is disclosed herein. The operation switch of the invention includes an operation unit that is disposed on a front surface side of a panel and operated by external pressing force, a switch unit that can be separated from a rear surface side of the panel from the operation unit, a latching unit formed on an external circumferential surface of the operation unit along an axial center direction, a latching receiving unit which is formed along an external circumferential surface of the switch unit and to which the latching unit is latched, and a release lever that releases a latching state of the latching unit and the latching receiving unit so that the switch unit is separated from the operation unit. |
| US09171678B2 |
Supercapattery and method for controlling charge/discharge of the supercapattery by using a magnetic force
A supercapattery includes at least one tank filled with a conductive material. The conductive material has an arrangement-variable crystal lattice. The conductive material is graphite, grapheme, graphene oxide, a composite of graphite, metal, and a polymer, or a composite of graphene, metal, and a polymer. A magnetic member is mounted outside of the at least one tank. The magnetic member can be supplied with electricity to create a magnetic field. A method for controlling charge/discharge of a supercapattery includes supplying electricity to a supercapattery filled with a conductive material having an arrangement-variable crystal lattice. The crystal lattice of the conductive material supplied with electricity is transformed from an isotropic phase into an electro-nematic phase and absorbs electrons. An external magnetic field is created to return the crystal lattice of the conductive material from the electro-nematic phase to the isotropic phase, releasing the electrons. |
| US09171674B2 |
Ionic electron conductive polymer capacitor
Technologies are generally described for an electron conductive polymer capacitor may incorporate a conductive polymer mixture embedded with carbon nanoparticles between electrodes to rapidly charge and store large amounts of charge compared to conventional electrolytic capacitors. Such a capacitor may be constructed with a laminate sheet including layers of inner and outer electrodes, an electrolyte mixture between the electrodes, a conductive polymer mixture, and a composite mixture of carbon nanoparticles embedded in the conductive polymer between the inner electrodes. The laminate sheet may be wound into a roll and the inner and outer electrodes are coupled electrically. When an electric field is applied, cations within the electrolyte mixture move towards the outer electrodes and anions towards the inner electrodes. Further, the inner conductive polymer layer is ionized causing electrons to move toward the inner electrodes to be deposited onto high surface area carbon nanoparticles where charge is stored. |
| US09171667B2 |
Magnetic device having integrated current sensing element and methods of assembling same
A magnetic device is provided. The magnetic device includes a magnetic core and a conductive winding inductively coupled to the magnetic core. The conductive winding includes a first terminal segment, a second terminal segment, and an inductive segment electrically coupled in series therebetween. The first terminal segment includes a current sensing element. |
| US09171665B2 |
Integrated inductor assemblies and methods of assembling same
An integrated inductor assembly is provided. The integrated inductor assembly includes a magnetic core, a first inductor, and a second inductor. The magnetic core has a first side, an opposing second side, and an opening defined within the magnetic core. The opening extends into the magnetic core from at least one of the first side and the second side. The first inductor includes a first conductive winding inductively coupled to the magnetic core. The first conductive winding includes a first shorting segment positioned within the opening. The second inductor includes a second conductive winding inductively coupled to the magnetic core. The second conductive winding includes a second shorting segment positioned within the opening. The first and second inductors are configurable to operate independently of one another. |
| US09171664B2 |
Touch input device and induction coil thereof
An induction coil of a touch input device provided in the present invention includes a ribbon cable and a coupling device. The ribbon cable is disposed on a plane, and the ribbon cable has a first terminal and a second terminal and has a plurality of wires. The ribbon cable defines a sensing region on the plane by a plurality of bends. The coupling device is utilized to couple the wires at the first terminal and the second terminal such that the wires form a circuit with a plurality of turns wound by a single conducting wire. A touch input device is further provided in the present invention. |
| US09171663B2 |
High efficiency on-chip 3D transformer structure
An integrated circuit transformer structure includes at least two conductor groups stacked in parallel in different layers. A first spiral track is formed in the at least two conductor groups, the first spiral track includes first turns of a first radius within each of the at least two conductor groups, and second turns of a second radius within each of the at least two conductor groups, the first and second turns being electrically connected. A second spiral track is formed in the at least two conductor groups, the second spiral track including a plurality of adjacent turns of one or more radii within each of the at least two conductor groups and disposed in a same plane between the first and second turns in each of the at least two conductor groups. |
| US09171654B2 |
High thermal stability pellet compositions for thermal cutoff devices and methods for making and use thereof
The present disclosure provides a pellet composition having enhanced thermal stability for use in a thermally-actuated, current cutoff device. Certain inorganic stability additive particles, such as silica, talc, and siloxane, can be mixed with one or more organic compounds to form a thermal pellet composition. A solid thermal pellet maintains its structural rigidity up to a transition temperature (Tf), but further has improved overshoot temperature ranges. Therefore, the improved thermal pellets have a maximum dielectric capability temperature (Tcap), above which the pellet composition may lose substantial dielectric properties and conducts current that is at least 50° C. greater than the Tf. In certain variations, maximum dielectric capability temperature (Tcap) is greater than or equal to about 380° C. |
| US09171652B2 |
Process for preparing precursors for transition metal mixed oxides
A process for preparing transition metal mixed oxide precursors, including: (A) precipitating, from aqueous solution at a pH of 8.0 to 9.0, a compound of formula (I): M(CO3)bOc(OH)dAmBe(SO4)fXg(PO4)h (I), wherein: M is one or more transition metals, A is sodium or potassium, B is one or more metals of groups 1 to 3, excluding Na and potassium, X is halide, nitrate or carboxylate, b is 0.75 to 0.98, c is zero to 0.50, d is zero to 0.50, where the sum (c+d) is 0.02 to 0.50, e is zero to 0.1, f is zero to 0.05, g is zero to 0.05, h is zero to 0.10, m is 0.002 to 0.1, and (B) separating the precipitated material from the mother liquor, where the particles of material of formula (I) have a spherical shape. |
| US09171650B2 |
X-ray imaging
A method of aligning masks for phase imaging or phase contrast imaging in X-ray apparatus using a pixel-type X-ray detector makes use of non-idealities of all real detectors. A mask may be provided before the sample to generate beams, adjacent to the pixels of the detector or both. The method includes moving the mask into a plurality of translational position increments and identifying the increment for which the intensity has a maximum or minimum. The identified value of the increment may vary over the pixels of the detector. Alignment positions are selected in which steps in a plot of the increment over the area of the detector are minimized and/or aligned with the rows and columns of pixels. |
| US09171647B2 |
Spacer grid for nuclear fuel assembly for reducing flow-induced vibration
Disclosed herein is a spacer grid for a nuclear fuel assembly. The spacer grid has dimples for supporting fuel rods and is formed from grid strips which are assembled in a lattice shape to form lattice cells. Each grid strip has at least one hole which is formed separately from the dimples. Therefore, when coolant is drawn into the fuel assembly, a pressure difference between opposite sides of the holes is reduced, and friction generated between cut edges of the holes and the coolant reduces the magnitude of the vibration and causes a damping effect, thus reducing flow-induced vibration. The hole formed in the grid strip function to widen the range of the frequency of the flow-induced vibration caused by vortex sheddings formed around the edges of the grid strip, thus reducing the possibility of the generation of resonance with the natural frequency of the spacer grid. |
| US09171646B2 |
Control of a laser inertial confinement fusion-fission power plant
A laser inertial-confinement fusion-fission energy power plant is described. The fusion-fission hybrid system uses inertial confinement fusion to produce neutrons from a fusion reaction of deuterium and tritium. The fusion neutrons drive a sub-critical blanket of fissile or fertile fuel. A coolant circulated through the fuel extracts heat from the fuel that is used to generate electricity. The inertial confinement fusion reaction can be implemented using central hot spot or fast ignition fusion, and direct or indirect drive. The fusion neutrons result in ultra-deep burn-up of the fuel in the fission blanket, thus enabling the burning of nuclear waste. Fuels include depleted uranium, natural uranium, enriched uranium, spent nuclear fuel, thorium, and weapons grade plutonium. LIFE engines can meet worldwide electricity needs in a safe and sustainable manner, while drastically shrinking the highly undesirable stockpiles of depleted uranium, spent nuclear fuel and excess weapons materials. |
| US09171639B2 |
eFuse macro
An eFuse with at least one fuse unit is provided. The fuse unit includes a first common node providing a first reference voltage, a second common node providing a second reference voltage, at least one fuse coupled to the first common node, and a determining unit coupled between the fuse and the second common node, generating an output signal indicating whether the fuse is blown or not according to a first condition in a normal mode and a second condition in a test mode. |
| US09171637B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method of controlling the same
This nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises: a word line connected to a control gate; a bit line electrically connected to one end of a NAND cell unit; a source line electrically connected to the other end of the NAND cell unit; and a control circuit that controls a voltage applied to a semiconductor layer, the control gate, the bit line, and the source line.The control circuit is configured to, when performing a write verify operation for determining whether a write operation has been completed or not after finishing the write operation, temporarily raise a voltage of the bit line or the source line to a light erase voltage which is higher than a voltage applied to the bit line or the source line during the write verify operation. |
| US09171636B2 |
Hot carrier generation and programming in NAND flash
A memory device is described that includes a three-dimensional array of memory cells having a plurality of levels of memory cells accessed by a plurality of word lines, and a plurality of bit lines. Control circuitry is coupled to the plurality of word lines and the plurality of bit lines. The control circuitry is adapted for programming a selected memory cell in a selected level of the array and on a selected word line, by hot carrier generation assisted FN tunneling, while inhibiting disturb in unselected memory cells in unselected levels and in the selected level and on unselected word lines by self-boosting. |
| US09171635B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having page buffer and method of operating the same
The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of cell transistors, and a page buffer configured to perform an verification operation for verifying a program state of a selected cell transistor by sensing a voltage of a sense node connected to a selected bit line of the memory cell array through a bit line selection transistor, wherein a logic level corresponding to a voltage of the selected bit line is constantly maintained regardless of the program state of the selected cell transistor during the verification operation. |
| US09171634B2 |
Memory device and method of controlling leakage current within such a memory device
A memory device includes an array of memory cells arranged as a plurality of rows and columns, each row being coupled to an associated read word line, and each column forming at least one column group, where the memory cells of each column group are coupled to an associated read bit line. Each column has an active mode of operation where a read operation may be performed on an activated memory cell within that column group, and a non-active mode of operation where the read operation is not performable. Precharge circuitry is used, for each column group, to precharge the associated read bit line to a first voltage level prior to the read operation. Each memory cell includes coupling circuitry connected between the associated read bit line and a reference line associated with the column group containing that memory cell. |
| US09171632B2 |
Reducing weak-erase type read disturb in 3D non-volatile memory
A read process for a 3D stacked memory device provides an optimum level of channel boosting for unselected memory strings, to repress both normal and weak-erase types of read disturbs. The channel is boosted by controlling of voltages of bit lines (Vbl), drain-side select gates (Vsgd_unsel), source-side select gates (Vsgs_unsel), a selected level (word line layer) of the memory device (Vcg_sel), and unselected levels of the memory device (Vcg_unsel). A channel can be boosted by initially making the drain-side and source-side select gates non-conductive, to allow capacitive coupling from an increasing Vcg_unsel. The drain-side and/or source-side select gates are then made conductive by raising Vsgd_unsel and/or Vsgs_unsel, interrupting the boosting. Additionally boosting can occur by making the drain-side and/or source-side select gates non-conductive again while Vcg_unsel is still increasing. Or, the channel can be driven at Vbl. Two-step boosting drives the channel at Vbl, then provides boosting by capacitive coupling. |
| US09171631B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for controlling the same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first transistor, a detector, and a second transistor. The first transistor is capable of transferring a first voltage to a bit line. The detector reads data held by a memory cell connected to the bit line. The second transistor is capable of transferring a second voltage and a third voltage to the detector. The second voltage is generated by a source different from a source of the first voltage. The third voltage is larger than the second voltage. The second transistor charges the detector to one of the second voltage and the third voltage, while the first transistor transferring the first voltage to the bit line. |
| US09171626B2 |
Memory devices and programming memory arrays thereof
An embodiment of a method includes decreasing a difference of a voltage applied to a first select gate minus a voltage applied to a source while the first select gate is off, decreasing a difference of a voltage applied to a second select gate minus a voltage applied to a data line while the second select gate is off, and increasing a voltage of a signal applied to a selected access line that is coupled to an untargeted memory cell in a string of memory cells coupled to the first and second select gates to a program voltage after or substantially concurrently with decreasing the difference of the voltage applied to the first select gate minus the voltage applied to the source and with decreasing the difference of the voltage applied to the second select gate minus the voltage applied to the data line. |
| US09171623B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes first through third memory strings, a first word line group shared by first and second memory strings and a second word line group shared by second and third memory strings, the first and second word line groups extending in a first direction and disposed adjacent to each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The first word line group includes laminated first word lines with each upper first word line extending in the first direction less than the first word line directly below, and the second word line group includes laminated second word lines with each upper second word line extending in the first direction less than the second word line directly below. |
| US09171621B2 |
Non-volatile memory (NVM) and method for manufacturing thereof
A nonvolatile memory and a method of manufacturing a nonvolatile memory are disclosed. A nonvolatile memory according to an exemplary embodiment may include a deep well formed on a substrate, a first well formed within the deep well, a second well formed separately from the first well within the deep well, a first metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) formed on the first well, and a second MOSFET formed on the second well. According to a method of manufacturing a nonvolatile memory according to an exemplary embodiment, a well region of a control MOSFET of a memory cell may be shared with a control MOSFET of an adjacent memory cell, or a well region of a tunneling MOSFET of a memory cell may be shared with a tunneling MOSFET of an adjacent memory cell, thereby reducing an area of the memory cells. Further, the nonvolatile memory according to the exemplary embodiment may constantly maintain a voltage of a shared well region in the tunneling MOSFET and apply a different voltage to a source/drain from that of an adjacent cell, thereby recording data only in the selected memory cell or deleting recorded data from the selected memory cell while sharing the well region. |
| US09171620B2 |
Weighted read scrub for nonvolatile memory
In a nonvolatile memory array, such as a three-dimensional array of charge-storage memory cells, data is scrubbed according to a scheme which weights particular data that is exposed to potentially damaging voltages. Data that may cause damage to other data is moved to a location where such potential damage is reduced. |
| US09171616B2 |
Memory with multiple levels of data retention
A method for operating a memory includes receiving a command to program a data value at a memory cell, and an indication of which write mode in a plurality of write modes to use. Write modes in the plurality are characterized by different sets of resistance ranges that correspond to data values stored in the memory cell. The method includes executing a program operation according to the indicated one in the plurality of write modes to program the data value in the memory cell. The plurality of write modes includes a first write mode and a second write mode corresponding to shorter data retention than the first write mode. The first and second write modes are characterized by first and second sets of resistance ranges in the different sets of resistance ranges. The method includes periodically refreshing data values in memory cells storing data in the second write mode. |
| US09171612B2 |
Resistive changing memory cell architecture having a select transistor coupled to a resistance changing memory element
A resistance changing memory array architecture includes an array of resistance changing memory unit cell arranged in rows and column, wherein at least two adjacent columns share a sense bit line, and a control line individually associated with each column, wherein a current control component within each unit cell along a respective column is coupled to a respective control line. The architecture further includes a plurality of word lines each associated with a respective row, wherein a resistance changing element associated with each unit cell along a respective row is coupled to a respective word line. |
| US09171608B2 |
Three-dimensional (3D) memory cell separation among 3D integrated circuit (IC) tiers, and related 3D integrated circuits (3DICS), 3DIC processor cores, and methods
A three-dimensional (3D) memory cell separation among 3D integrated circuit (IC) (3DIC) tiers is disclosed. Related 3DICs, 3DIC processor cores, and methods are also disclosed. In embodiments disclosed herein, memory read access ports of a memory block are separated from a memory cell in different tiers of a 3DIC. 3DICs achieve higher device packing density, lower interconnect delays, and lower costs. In this manner, different supply voltages can be provided for the read access ports and the memory cell to be able to lower supply voltage for the read access ports. Static noise margins and read/write noise margins in the memory cell may be provided as a result. Providing multiple power supply rails inside a non-separated memory block that increases area can also be avoided. |
| US09171607B2 |
Ground-referenced single-ended system-on-package
A system of interconnected chips comprising a multi-chip module (MCM) includes a first processor chip, a system function chip, and an MCM package configured to include the first processor chip and the system function chip. The first processor chip is configured to include a first ground-referenced single-ended signaling (GRS) interface circuit. The system function chip is configured to include a second GRS interface circuit. A first set of electrical traces are fabricated within the MCM package and coupled to the first GRS interface circuit and to the second GRS interface circuit. The first GRS interface circuit and second GRS interface circuit together provide a communication channel between the first processor chip and the system function chip. |
| US09171606B2 |
Semiconductor device having complementary bit line pair
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device comprising complementary pair of bit lines, memory cells connected to the bit lines, dummy cells having the same structure as the memory cells, a differential sense amplifier, an equalizing circuit equalizing potentials of the bit lines, and a control circuit. The memory cells are disconnected from the bit lines and the dummy cells are connected to the bit lines, and subsequently the bit lines are equalized by the equalizing circuit. When accessing a selected memory cell, the equalizing circuit is inactivated, a corresponding dummy cell is disconnected from the bit line, and subsequently the selected memory cell is connected to the bit line. Thereafter, the sense amplifier is activated so that potentials of the bit lines are amplified respectively. |
| US09171604B2 |
Refresh control circuit of semiconductor apparatus and refresh method using the same
A refresh control circuit of a semiconductor apparatus includes a repair address processing unit configured to compare refresh addresses and repair information, activate a redundant enable signal, and convert the semiconductor apparatus into the same operation state as an initialization state of the repair information in response to activation of a repair initialization signal; a refresh counter configured to count the refresh addresses extended to a signal bit in response to activation of a redundant count enable signal; and a refresh control unit configured to activate the repair initialization signal and the redundant count enable signal when an additional refresh mode is set in response to a refresh command. |
| US09171603B1 |
Sensor read/write circuit and method
A sensor read/write circuit having a sensor, an integrator, a pulse generator, at least a first and second memory device, and a counter. The sensor senses a parameter and produces a sensor output representative of the sensed parameter. The sensor output is provided to the integrator which produces an integrated output representative of the sensed parameter. The integrated output triggers the pulse generator to produce a pulse which causes the first memory device to be written. The above sequence is repeated whereby a new sensor reading is generated and a second pulse causes the second memory device to be written but only if the first memory device has been substantially completely written, the first memory device has been subsequently disabled and the second memory device has been enabled. |
| US09171601B2 |
Scalable magnetic memory cell with reduced write current
One embodiment of a magnetic random access memory includes a magnetic memory cell comprising a magnetoresistive element including a free ferromagnetic layer comprising a reversible magnetization direction directed substantially perpendicular to a film plane in its equilibrium state, a pinned ferromagnetic layer comprising a fixed magnetization direction directed substantially perpendicular to the film plane, a tunnel barrier layer disposed between the free and pinned layers, and an assist ferromagnetic layer disposed adjacent to the free layer; circuitry for providing a bias magnetic field pulse along a magnetic hard axis of the free layer, circuitry for providing a spin-polarized current pulse through the magnetoresistive element in a direction perpendicular to the film plane, wherein the magnetization direction in the free layer is reversed by a collective effect of the bias magnetic field pulse and the spin-polarizing current pulse. |
| US09171600B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device is capable of executing a first mode having a first latency and a second mode having a second latency longer than the first latency. The semiconductor memory device includes: a pad unit configured to receive an address and a command from an outside; a first delay circuit configured to delay the address by a time corresponding to the first latency; a second delay circuit including shift registers connected in series and configured to delay the address by a time corresponding to a difference between the first latency and the second latency; and a controller configured to use the first delay circuit and the second delay circuit when executing the second mode. |
| US09171599B2 |
Circuits, apparatuses, and methods for oscillators
Circuits, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for oscillators. In one such example oscillator circuit, a plurality of delay stages are coupled in series. A variable delay circuit stage is coupled to the plurality of delay stages and is configured to delay a signal through the variable delay circuit stage by a variable delay. The variable delay increases responsive to a rising magnitude of a supply voltage provided to the variable delay circuit stage. |
| US09171595B2 |
Semiconductor device including negative bias voltage generation circuit
A semiconductor device includes a bit line connected to memory cells, a negative bias voltage generation circuit generating a negative bias voltage that is to be applied to the bit line during writing, and a negative bias reference voltage generation unit generating a negative bias reference voltage based on a resistance ratio between a first resistor and a second resistor. |
| US09171592B2 |
Semiconductor integrate circuit
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention including a data transmitting circuit that transmits data in parallel through a plurality of signal lines and a data receiving circuit that receives the data. The data transmitting circuit includes a plurality of data output circuits that output the data in a data transmission mode or set an output to a high impedance state in a HiZ mode, a plurality of data selection circuits that select one of the data and fixed data and output the selected data to the data output circuits, and a control circuit that controls the data output circuits to output the fixed data during a period between a time when a mode is switched from the HiZ mode to the data transmission mode and a time when the data output circuits start to output the data. |
| US09171588B2 |
Semiconductor device capable of performing a read leveling and a write leveling based on an ambient temperature
Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes a first semiconductor chip including a first electrode, and a second semiconductor chip including a second electrode connected to the first electrode. One of the first and second semiconductor chips includes a first temperature sensor circuit generating a first detection signal, the first detection signal taking a first level when a temperature is equal to or higher than a first temperature, the first detection signal taking a second level when the temperature is lower than the first temperature; and a first delay code generation circuit outputting a first delay code signal in response to the first level of the first detection signal, and outputting a second delay code signal different from the first delay code signal in response to the second level of the first detection signal. |
| US09171585B2 |
Configurable memory circuit system and method
A memory circuit system and method are provided in the context of various embodiments. In one embodiment, an interface circuit remains in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. The interface circuit is operable to interface the memory circuits and the system for performing various functionality (e.g. power management, simulation/emulation, etc.). |
| US09171583B1 |
Disk drive having a top cover channel vented to a central cavity via a peripheral clearance gap
A disk drive has a disk drive base with a central cavity surrounded by a peripheral wall that has a peripheral top face. The disk drive has a top cover with an outer periphery spaced from the peripheral wall by a peripheral clearance gap. A foil seal is adhered to a central top face of the top cover and the peripheral top face of the peripheral wall, and spans the peripheral clearance gap. The top cover includes a first channel that is depressed relative to the central top face. The foil seal covers the first channel, and the first channel is vented to the central cavity by a venting channel that connects the first channel to the peripheral clearance gap. |
| US09171580B2 |
Systems and methods for recording and playing back programs having desirable recording attributes
Systems and methods for recording multiple copies of a program are provided. The method may include receiving a user instruction to record a program. A determination may be made to record multiple copies of the program. In response to the determination, multiple copies of the program may be recorded. A user instruction to display the recorded program may be received. A copy of the program may be played back. The user may switch to another copy of the recorded program if the original copy lacks desirable recording attributes, or the interactive television application may automatically switch to another copy of the program. |
| US09171579B2 |
Method and apparatus for editing a program on an optical disc
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for editing a program on a re-writable compact disc. The method comprises the steps of acquiring the description information of two program segments of said program, said program segments being in sequence in playing-back order, said description information comprising the ending description information of the previous program segment and the start point information of the subsequent program segment, generating a guiding information to guide the ending point information to the start point information according to the description information and playing-back order of said program segments and updating the description information of said program according to said guiding information. With this invention, excessively detailed application editing work and an expense of high buffering cost may be avoided in editing compact disc program. |
| US09171577B1 |
Encoding and decoding selectively retrievable representations of video content
A system and method disposed to enable encoding, decoding and manipulation of digital video with substantially less processing load than would otherwise required. In particular, one disclosed method is directed to generating a compressed video data structure that is selectively decodable to a plurality of resolutions including the full resolution of the uncompressed stream. The desired number of data components and the content of the data components that make up the compressed video data, which determine the available video resolutions, are variable based upon the processing carried out and the resources available to decode and process the data components. During decoding, efficiency is substantially improved because only the data components necessary to generate a desired resolution are decoded. In variations, both temporal and spatial decoding are utilized to reduce frame rates, and hence, further reduce processor load. The system and method are particularly useful for real-time video editing applications. |
| US09171575B1 |
Data storage device detecting media defects by writing opposite polarity test pattern
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of tracks, and a head actuated over the disk. A first test pattern having a first polarity is written to a target track, and the first test pattern is read to generate a first read signal. The first test pattern is overwritten with a second test pattern having a second polarity opposite the first polarity, and the second test pattern is read to generate a second read signal. A defect in the target track is detected based on the first read signal and the second read signal. |
| US09171565B2 |
Method of producing a data storage medium
The present invention relates a method of producing a data storage medium comprising the steps of: a) coating a layer comprising a polymer material onto at least a part of a template surface thereby to obtain a modified template surface; b) clamping the modified template surface produced in step (a) with a target surface thereby to obtain an assembly; and c) introducing a liquid to an environment of the assembly obtained in step (b) thereby to transfer the layer comprising the polymer material of the modified template surface onto at least an adjacent region on the target surface. |
| US09171558B2 |
Magnetic head with multiple reproducing elements each having magnetically coupled free layers, magnetic recording reproducing apparatus and magnetic head manufacturing method
A magnetic head includes a plurality of reproducing elements so that the magnetic head can acquire reproduction signals from a plurality of tracks at the same time. The magnetic head includes a first reproducing element, a first magnetic film formed on a first side wall of the first reproducing element with a first side wall insulating film interposed therebetween, a second magnetic film formed on a second side wall of the first reproducing element with a second side wall insulating film interposed therebetween, a second reproducing element electrically isolated from the first reproducing element and formed on the first magnetic film, a third magnetic film formed on the first magnetic film, and a fourth magnetic film formed on the first reproducing element and electrically isolated from the second reproducing element. |
| US09171547B2 |
Multi-pass speech analytics
Included are embodiments for multi-pass analytics. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving data associated with a communication, performing first tier analytics on the received data, and performing second tier analytics on the received data, where the second tier analytics determines different characteristics of the received data than the first tier analytics. |
| US09171546B1 |
Performing functions based on commands in context of telephonic communication
Aspects of this disclosure are directed to establishing a telephonic communication between a first computing device and a second device and receiving, with the first computing device, a command that defines a function to be performed. When the command comprises a voice command, the function defined in the voice command may be performed. When the command does not comprise the voice command, it may be determined that the command comprises an instruction to perform the function after an occurrence of a future condition. The function defined by the command may be performed after the occurrence of the future condition. |
| US09171544B2 |
System for providing a sound source information management service
Disclosed is a system for providing a sound source information management service. The system for providing a sound source information management service manages sound source information transmitted from a driver terminal and extracts the sound source information corresponding to voice input data via voice recognition according to the voice input data transmitted from the driver terminal and provides the extracted sound source information to the driver terminal. |
| US09171542B2 |
Anaphora resolution using linguisitic cues, dialogue context, and general knowledge
An automatic conversational system has multiple computer-implemented dialogue components for conducting an automated dialogue process with a human user. A user client delivers dialogue output prompts to the human user and receives dialogue input responses from the human user including speech inputs. An automatic speech recognition engine processes the speech inputs to determine corresponding sequences of representative text words. A natural language understanding (NLU) processing arrangement processes the dialogue input responses and the text words to determine corresponding semantic interpretations. The NLU processing arrangement includes an anaphora processor that accesses different information sources characterizing dialogue context, linguistic features, and NLU features to identify unresolved anaphora in the text words needing resolution in order to determine a semantic interpretation. A dialogue manager manages the dialogue process with the human user based on the semantic interpretations. |
| US09171539B2 |
Transforming components of a web page to voice prompts
Embodiments of the invention address the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a method, apparatus, and program product to of converting components of a web page to voice prompts for a user. In some embodiments, the method comprises selectively determining at least one HTML component from a plurality of HTML components of a web page to transform into a voice prompt for a mobile system based upon a voice attribute file associated with the web page. The method further comprises transforming the at least one HTML component into parameterized data suitable for use by the mobile system based upon at least a portion of the voice attribute file associated with the at least one HTML component and transmitting the parameterized data to the mobile system. |
| US09171538B2 |
Method and system for reducing impulsive noise disturbance
FM and AM receivers in car environments require a noise blanker circuit or method to reduce the audible disturbances generated by impulse noise, such as ignition noise, in the audio signal. The invention proposes a combination of time-domain and frequency-domain processing to reduce the audible distortion. The time-domain processing interpolates the signal during the impulse noise bursts, and the frequency-domain processing disperses the remaining signal distortion over time, or relocates it to positions in time where it is attenuated by a windowing technique. |
| US09171531B2 |
Device and method for interpreting musical gestures
Musical rendition is provided through the use of microsensors, in particular of accelerometers and magnetometers or rate gyros, and through an appropriate processing of the signals from the microsensors. In particular, the processing uses a merging of the data output from the microsensors to eliminate false alarms in the form of movements of the user unrelated to the music. The velocity of the musical strikes is also measured. Embodiments make it possible to control the running of mp3 or wav type music files to be played back. |
| US09171525B2 |
Graphics processing unit with a texture return buffer and a texture queue
A processor and a system are provided for performing texturing operations loaded from a texture queue that provides temporary storage of texture coordinates and texture values. The processor includes a texture queue implemented in a memory of the processor, a crossbar coupled to the texture queue, and one or more texture units coupled to the texture queue via the crossbar. The crossbar is configured to reorder texture coordinates for consumption by the one or more texture units and to reorder texture values received from the one or more texture units. |
| US09171523B2 |
GPU-accelerated, two-pass colorspace conversion using multiple simultaneous render targets
Disclosed is a method including converting, during a first pass, video data from a first multi-component format to an intermediate multi-component format, the intermediate multi-component format including a first video component, the intermediate multi-component format including a second video component interleaved with a third video component, and converting, during a second pass, the video data from the intermediate multi-component format to a second multi-component format by de-interleaving the second component and third component. |
| US09171515B2 |
Liquid crystal panel, scanning circuit and method for generating and utilizing angle waves to pre-charge succeeding gate line
A liquid crystal panel, a scanning circuit and a method for generating angle waves are provided. A scanning circuit for generating angle waves includes a scanning module and a plurality of angle wave modules. The scanning module has a plurality of scan output ends for outputting scan driving signals respectively in order, wherein the scan driving signal includes a first voltage and a second voltage. The angle wave modules are electrically connected to the scan output ends respectively in order; wherein a second output end of each angle wave module is electrically connected a first output end of next one of the angle wave modules, whereby a part of electrical energy received by the second output end of the angle wave modules is transmitted to the first output end of the next one of the angle wave modules. |
| US09171514B2 |
Source driver, method thereof, and apparatuses having the same
A method of muxing data by using clock signals having different timings and an apparatus performing the method are provided. Storing and muxing (or dividing) the data are simultaneously performed. The apparatus includes a first latch circuit arranging data blocks, which are input in series, in parallel in response to non-overlapping latch control signals and a second latch circuit latching the data blocks arranged in parallel simultaneously in response to a clock signal. |
| US09171510B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting gamma reference voltage, driving circuit and display apparatus
A method and an apparatus for setting a gamma reference voltage, and a driving circuit are provided, which decrease a driving voltage of a display apparatus and reduce power consumption by resetting the gamma reference voltage of the display apparatus. The method comprises: acquiring a dielectric constant of a liquid crystal capacitor according to a first gamma reference voltage (101); acquiring a value of the liquid crystal capacitor according to the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal capacitor (102); acquiring a feedback voltage according to the value of the liquid crystal capacitor, acquiring a second gamma reference voltage according to the feedback voltage, and updating the first gamma reference voltage to the second gamma reference voltage (103). The method and apparatus for setting a gamma reference voltage, and the driving circuit may be applied to production and manufacture of a liquid crystal display. |
| US09171505B2 |
Scan driving unit and organic light emitting display device having the same
A scan driving unit and OLED display device including the unit are disclosed. In one aspect, the unit includes a first pre-decoder block that receives upper scan-line selection signals for selecting one of upper scan-lines that are arranged in an upper display region of a display panel, and outputs first logic signals based on the upper scan-line selection signals. It also includes a second pre-decoder block that receives lower scan-line selection signals for selecting one of lower scan-lines that are arranged in a lower display region of the display panel, and outputs second logic signals based on the lower scan-line selection signals. It further includes a first final-decoder block coupled between the upper display region and the first pre-decoder block that selects one of the upper scan-lines based on the first logic signals, and a second final-decoder block coupled between the lower display region and the second pre-decoder block that selects one of the lower scan-lines based on the second logic signals. |
| US09171500B2 |
System and methods for extraction of parasitic parameters in AMOLED displays
A system reads a desired circuit parameter from a pixel circuit that includes a light emitting device, a drive device to provide a programmable drive current to the light emitting device, a programming input, and a storage device to store a programming signal. One embodiment of the extraction system extracts a parasitic capacitance value from a pixel circuit by measuring at least one parameter of the pixel circuit when in a first state having a first set of operating voltages and currents, measuring at least one parameter of the pixel circuit when in a second state having a second set of operating voltages and currents different from the first set, and extracting the value of a selected parasitic capacitance from the measurements. |
| US09171487B2 |
Mechanical sign waving device
A sign waving apparatus that includes a base, a housing enclosing a motor, a frame support connecting the base and the housing, and a sign mount mechanically connected to a motor. The sign or signs attach to the surfaces of the sign mount. The sign mount moves relative to the housing in a variety of different motions. |
| US09171485B2 |
Geodatabase information processing
A system is described for processing data of at least one location aware devices for obtaining geo-information. The system comprises an input means for obtaining vector-based data from at least one location aware devices, a data processor for inserting information from the vector-based data into a raster-based data structure so as to derive geo-information based on the raster-based data structure. A corresponding method as well as corresponding computer program products also are described. |
| US09171484B2 |
Determining location and orientation of an object positioned on a surface
Systems and methods are described in the present disclosure for determining the location and orientation of an object placed on a surface. One such system, among others, includes an optical device physically supported by an object at a fixed position with respect to a reference point of the object. The system also includes a surface upon which the object can be placed. A reference pattern, which is applied to the surface, includes an array of markings visible to the optical device. The array of markings includes encoded location information and orientation information. In addition, the system includes a processing device in communication with the optical device. The processing device is configured to calculate the location and orientation of the reference point of the object with respect to the surface. |
| US09171480B2 |
Early learning tools and kits including manipulator devices for organized play
Disclosed are manipulator devices for use in learning games, and kits utilizing the same. The manipulator devices may be a substantially elongated and flat body formed of flexible material and at least partially stuffed to resemble a bean bag. The body is adapted to be capable of manipulation between an unfolded position and a folded position, where the folded position conceals an identifiable attribute of the device selected from the group consisting of a number or a symbol. The kits may include three or more manipulator devices each having at least two attributes identifiable by children and allowing them to associate the plurality of devices into subsets according to shared types of these attributes. |
| US09171479B2 |
Training system of a powered vehicle
A training system for the solo operation of a powered vehicle, wherein the system includes: —providing means for electronic control of the speed and orientation of a ground vehicle or of the speed, orientation and height of a flying vehicle; —providing a virtual enclosure training area delineated by a plurality of spaced sensors; —providing means associated with said vehicle for communicating with, and receiving instructions from, each of said sensors; —whereby instructions received from said sensors may be used to control said means for electronic control such that movement of said vehicle is restricted to said virtual enclosure training area, and within said virtual enclosure training area, the speed and orientation of a ground vehicle or the speed, orientation and height of a flying vehicle controlled within preset parameters. |
| US09171476B2 |
System and method for airport surface management
Described herein are systems and methods for surface management of an airport. One embodiment of the disclosure of this application is related to a method including receiving airport data from an airport network, receiving surface surveillance data for specific segments of an airport area, identifying predicted conflicts within one of the segments based on the airport data and surface surveillance data, and allocating a taxi time slot for the flight. Another embodiment of the disclosure of this application is related to a system comprising a user interface displaying information related to flight plan data and airport data received from an airport network, and a surface management module receiving the airport data and surface surveillance data for specific segments of an airport area, identifying predicted conflicts within one of the segments based on the airport data and surface surveillance data, and allocating a taxi time slot for the flight. |
| US09171474B2 |
Navigation aid instrument for aircraft
Navigation aid instrument for an aircraft pilot including: a first display device (R3) extending horizontally, wherein the center of the display device embodies the longitudinal axis (X) of the aircraft, a mobile marker can move on either side of the center of the first display device (R3) indicating the aircraft flight direction relative to the ground, and the mobile marker is further away from the center of the display device (R3) the further the aircraft drifts from the rectilinear flight path, and/or two left (R2) and right (R1) display devices that extend vertically at a distance from each other and have the function of indicating the angle of inclination of the aircraft wings relative to the horizontal respectively on the left side or right side of the aircraft, wherein a mobile marker can move either along the left display device (R2), or along the right display device (R1) to indicate to the pilot which way his aeroplane is inclined and the value of the inclination is higher the further the mobile marker is away from the top of the left (R2) or right (R1) display device concerned. |
| US09171472B2 |
System and method for displaying symbology on an in-trail procedure display graphically and textually representative of a vertical traffic scenario and air-traffic-control negotiation
A system and method is provided for displaying information related to an in-trail procedure (ITP) on a ITP display aboard a host aircraft. Current flight status data of the host aircraft and at least a second aircraft is obtained, and a vertical traffic scenario including at least the host aircraft ant the second aircraft is rendered on the display. A textual representation of a negotiation between ATC and the host aircraft is also rendered on the ITP display. |
| US09171470B2 |
Wireless locating and monitoring system
A wireless tracking device including a positioning system for determining a location of the device and a processor connected to the positioning system. The wireless tracking device further including a wireless radio connected to the processor for transmitting the location of the device across a wireless area network.A vehicle monitoring system including a sensor, a microcontroller configured to receive a sensor input from the sensor and determine a vehicle condition data, and a wireless transmitter in communication with the microcontroller. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the vehicle condition data to a remote data network access point.A method of monitoring a vehicle including determining a status of the vehicle, locating an available wireless data network access point, and transmitting the status of the vehicle though the access point. |
| US09171466B2 |
On-vehicle information terminal and information distribution system
An on-vehicle information terminal includes a traffic information obtaining unit that obtains traffic information through wireless communication, a telematics information obtaining unit that obtains telematics information provided from a distribution server via a mobile communication network, a selection unit that selects either the traffic information or the telematics information when contents of the traffic information and contents of the telematics information are different, and a traffic condition indicating unit that indicates road traffic conditions based upon either the traffic information or the telematics information having been selected by the selection unit. |
| US09171465B2 |
Weather information processing device and weather information processing system
Disclosed is a weather information processing device that can make the users of a mobile object aware of the changes in weather conditions in various environments. The weather information processing device is mounted in a vehicle and includes a first arithmetic processing element and a second arithmetic processing element. The first arithmetic processing element intermittently measures a weather condition variable indicating the weather conditions that a vehicle is in contact with, and if the current measurement value of the weather condition variable has a deviation of a predetermined value or greater from a reference value, generates a weather change detection information indicating the deviation. The second arithmetic processing element transmits the weather change detection information to another weather information processing device mounted in another vehicle to make it output a first weather information according to the weather change detection information. |
| US09171464B2 |
Encoded representation of route data
For a route server that generates route data for a route between a starting location and a destination location on a map, a method of compressing the route data that includes a maneuvering instruction for each of a plurality of junctures from the starting location to the destination location of the route is described. For a maneuvering instruction for each juncture of the route, the method determines whether the maneuvering instruction for the juncture is needed at a route client that is to receive the route data. When the maneuvering instruction for a particular juncture is determined not to be needed at the route client, the method modifies the route data by removing the maneuvering instruction for the particular juncture from the route data. |
| US09171463B2 |
Congestion estimation device
Disclosed is a congestion estimation device including a speed detection unit configured to detect a speed of a host vehicle and then outputting a speed detection result, an inter-vehicle distance detection unit configured to detect an inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and other vehicle and then outputting an inter-vehicle distance detection result, a correlation calculation unit configured to calculate a correlation based on the speed detection result and the inter-vehicle distance detection result and then outputting a correlation calculation result, and a display unit configured to display the correlation calculation result or information relating to the correlation calculation result. |
| US09171462B2 |
Traffic impact prediction for multiple event planning
Embodiments relate to traffic impact prediction in a transportation network. Link level background traffic demand in a transportation network may be estimated based on information about available routes, and based on expected background traffic volumes between origins and destinations. A background traffic flow model that optimizes a background flow of the expected background traffic volumes among the available routes to minimize a sum of background congestion costs, background path entropy, and errors between an observed background traffic flow and the optimized background flow may be applied. Alternative routes may be identified based on the available routes and event based control plans. Expected additional event based traffic volumes may be received. A link level total traffic demand in the transportation network may be estimated based on the expected additional event based traffic volumes, the identified alternative routes, and the estimated background traffic demand. |
| US09171459B2 |
Traffic monitoring and notification system and associated methods
A traffic monitoring and notification system for vehicles includes road devices to be spaced apart along a road, and a traffic management controller. A portion of the vehicles may carry an electronic device that transmits an electronic address associated therewith. Each road device detects vehicles traveling on the road, determines if each detected vehicle is carrying an electronic device, and if so, then detects the electronic address associated therewith. A vehicle detection signal is transmitted based on each detected vehicle, and an electronic address signal is transmitted based on each detected electronic address. The traffic management controller receives the vehicle detection signals and the electronic address signals, determines a traffic pattern of the vehicles on the road based on the vehicle detection signals, and transmits a respective travel notification signal to each electronic device transmitting the electronic address associated therewith to provide travel information to a driver. |
| US09171456B2 |
Key fob dongle
A dongle for programming a replacement key fob transmitter to a vehicle. The dongle mates to the vehicle's on-board electronics through the Data Link Connector. A diagnostic circuit in the dongle determines a communications protocol for programming a key fob transmitter to the vehicle. Audio and visual indicators are provided to indicate that communications are established and to indicate the successful programming of the key fob transmitter to the vehicle. |
| US09171455B1 |
Multi-modal wireless controller for controlling an LED lighting system
A multi-modal wireless controller can include a processor, memory storage, a radio frequency (RF) engine, outputs, power inputs, switches, a mode input, and a RF input. The memory storage can have machine-readable instructions that define the functionalities of a multi-modal wireless controller. The RF engine can be configured to transmit and receive wireless RF signals. The outputs can provide electrical power and a direct current (DC) voltage control signal. The power input can be configured to receive electrical power from a power source. The switches can be configured to switch the electrical power between one of the power input and outputs on or off, responsive to the processor. The mode input can include a switch element that designates an operating mode. The RF input can be coupled to the RF engine and can include a switch element that designates an operating frequency of the RF engine and/or a zone. |
| US09171454B2 |
Magic wand
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate rich interaction with and/or management of environmental components included in an environment. The architecture can exist in whole or in part in a housing that can resemble a wand or similar object. The architecture can utilize one or more sensor from a collection of sensors to determine an orientation or gesture in connection with the wand, and can further issue an instruction to update a state of an environmental component based upon the orientation. In addition, the architecture can include an advisor component to provide contextual and/or comprehensive guidance in an intuitive manner. |
| US09171451B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking and disseminating health information via mobile channels
An approach is provided for tracking and disseminating health information. Health information corresponding to a geographic location is caused, at least in part, to be received. Location information associated with a user equipment configured to receive a message specifying content is determined. Whether the location information is encompassed by the geographic location is determined. The message is modified to present a health alert indicator by appending supplemental content to the message or by amending the content. Initiation of delivery of the modified message to the user equipment when the user equipment is in or within a predetermined range of the geographic location is caused, at least in part. |
| US09171442B2 |
Item identification using video recognition to supplement bar code or RFID information
A method and system for confirming the identity of a product in a security system and for determining sales-related information pertaining to the products. One or more products are associated with a product identification element, such as a bar code or an RFID tag. A reader or a scanner within the system receives a signal from the product identification element containing product identity information about the product. The system further includes a camera that captures a video image of the product. Signals representing the product identity information and the video image of the product are forwarded to a data correlation unit that determines if the product associated with the product identity information matches the product in the video image. |
| US09171439B2 |
Method and apparatus for powering a security device
A security apparatus and method for protecting merchandise items is presented. In the preferred embodiment, a merchandise security device includes a housing with an access door that has an open position and a closed position, a primary power source, a secondary power source and alarm system. The alarm system determines when a voltage of the primary power source drops below a threshold value. When the voltage drops below the threshold value, the alarm system switches to the secondary power source for its power. When the alarm system is in a standby mode, it will not generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source. However, when the alarm system has not been placed into a standby mode, the alarm system will generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source and the access door is in the open position. |
| US09171437B2 |
Haptic information presentation system and method
A system and method are disclosed in which in a conventional non-grounding man-machine interface having no reaction base on the human body and for giving the existence of a virtual object and the impact force of a collision to a person, a haptic sensation of a torque, a force and the like can be continuously presented in the same direction, which cannot be presented by only the physical characteristic of a haptic sensation presentation device. In a haptic presentation device, the rotation velocity of at least one rotator in the haptic presentation device is controlled by a control device, and a vibration, a force or a torque as the physical characteristic is controlled, so that the user is made to conceive various haptic information of the vibration, force, torque or the like. |
| US09171425B2 |
Gaming device with interactive spin action visual effects
The present invention relates to a reel-type slot machine having interactive spin action visual effects. The reel-type slot machine includes at least M reels, each reel having symbols associated with it; a video display for displaying a video image of a M N matrix of squares, each square associated with a symbol of a corresponding reel; and a spin actuator for initiating play and interactively producing spin action visual effects associated with the M×N matrix of squares by inputting a direction vector and speed, wherein the direction vector and speed respectively determine the direction and speed of the spin action visual effects. Preferably, the spin actuator is a trackball. |
| US09171419B2 |
Coin operated entertainment system
This invention in certain example instances relates generally to coin-operated video entertainment systems. More particularly, certain exemplary aspects of the invention provide methods and/or systems for controlling access to a portable coin-operated interactive entertainment device that may be used to play video games and access other forms of entertainment as well as providing features via such portable coin-operated interactive entertainment devices. |
| US09171417B2 |
Fault tolerant gaming systems
Method and apparatus are provided wherein, in one example embodiment, a gaming machine includes a computing platform and a software program executing on the computing platform to provide a gaming experience to a user of the gaming machine, and there are provided one or more hardware or software components operative on the computing platform to detect faults occurring on the platform. At least one fault recovery software component is also operative on the gaming platform, and the fault recovery software component is adapted to operate in response to the detection of a fault. |
| US09171413B2 |
Paper processing apparatus and paper processing system
A paper processing apparatus includes a discriminating unit. The discriminating unit can discriminate papers inserted into the papers processing apparatus. Discriminated papers are ejected to storage compartments based on discrimination results. Only papers that are discriminated as counterfeit are ejected to one of the storage compartments. |
| US09171412B2 |
Sensor and method for operating the sensor
A sensor for checking different features of value documents is arranged to carry out a self-test for testing its functionality. Before the sensor carries out its self-test, at least one of the features that is to be checked by the sensor is selected. It is provided in the self-test that the sensor rates a malfunction ascertained in the self-test differently and reacts to the ascertained malfunction differently in dependence on the selected feature. While a malfunction of the sensor has hitherto always led to a failure of the sensor, the sensor, despite ascertained malfunctions, can nevertheless carry out the check of certain features. It is achieved that the number of function failures of the sensor is reduced through the different reactions of the sensor to the ascertained malfunction in dependence on the feature. |
| US09171411B2 |
Compensation of disturbances upon magnetic measurements on value documents
A method for the compensation of disturbances upon magnetic measurements on value documents, in which a sensor having several measuring tracks for generating measurement signals is employed, in which for each value document a specified number of data records is generated, the value document not being captured by at least one of the measuring tracks during the measurement, wherein from the measurement signal of the at least one measuring track there is ascertained a value for the quantity of a disturbance present in the region of the sensor during the measurement on the value document, and a compensation of the deviations of the measurement signals of the measuring tracks capturing the value document, which deviations are caused by the disturbance present during the measurement, is carried out by means of said ascertained value for the quantity of the disturbance. |
| US09171410B2 |
Mobile terminal device, authentication system, authentication method, program, and integrated circuit
A mobile terminal device which a user carries includes: an entry determining unit for determining entry of the mobile terminal device in a residential area; an authentication information storage unit for storing authentication information indicating multiple authentication actions performed by the user carrying the mobile terminal device and an authentication order indicating an order of the authentication actions to be performed; an authentication processing unit for processing for authentication of the user by determining, based on the authentication information, whether or not the user has performed the authentication actions in the authentication order after the mobile terminal device enters the residential area; and an alarm processing unit for indicating a failure of the authentication when the result of the processing for the authentication is the failure. |
| US09171409B2 |
System and method for vehicle driving style determination
In one embodiment, a system and method may collect acceleration data for a driver for a vehicle, compare the acceleration data for the driver to a set of acceleration data representing a plurality of sample drivers driving in the same type of vehicle as the vehicle, and based on the comparison, determining a driving style rating for the driver. |
| US09171406B2 |
Offline exception processing of mail
Mail processing systems and methods. A method includes scanning a plurality of mail pieces in a first processing step to produce mail piece images. The method includes producing a template based on a plurality of the mail piece images and associating a plurality of mail pieces with the template, the associated plurality of mail pieces forming a mail set. The method includes identifying quality-control problems associated with the mail set, separating the mail set from other mail during a second processing step, and separately processing the mail set from the other mail. |
| US09171403B2 |
Contour completion for augmenting surface reconstructions
Surface reconstruction contour completion embodiments are described which provide dense reconstruction of a scene from images captured from one or more viewpoints. Both a room layout and the full extent of partially occluded objects in a room can be inferred using a Contour Completion Random Field model to augment a reconstruction volume. The augmented reconstruction volume can then be used by any surface reconstruction pipeline to show previously occluded objects and surfaces. |
| US09171402B1 |
View-dependent textures for interactive geographic information system
Systems and methods for rendering a view-dependent texture in conjunction with a polygon mesh to provide a textured three-dimensional model of a geographic area are provided. The view-dependent texture can be optimized for viewing the three-dimensional model from a single reference direction. When a user navigates to a camera viewpoint of the three-dimensional model associated with the single reference direction, the view-dependent texture can be rendered in conjunction with the three-dimensional model to provide a more realistic representation of the geographic area to the user. When a user navigates to a camera viewpoint of the three-dimensional model that is not associated with the single reference direction, a base texture can be rendered in conjunction with the three-dimensional model. The base texture can be optimized based on viewing the three-dimensional model from a plurality of differing viewpoints. |
| US09171399B2 |
Shadow rendering in a 3D scene based on physical light sources
A method, system, and computer program product/computer readable storage medium provide the ability to render a shadow. A three-dimensional (3D) scene comprising an object is obtained. An external physical light source that is external to the 3D scene is detected by a sensor. An artificial light source is created in the 3D scene that corresponds to the external physical light source. Based on the artificial light source, a shadow of the object is cast. The 3D scene including the object and the shadow are then rendered. |
| US09171397B2 |
Rendering of two-dimensional markup messages
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and apparatuses configured to receive or retrieve markup data associated with a message formatted for two-dimensional (2D) rendering, virtually render, by a first rendering module, the message in a non-displayed image in accordance with the markup data, and render, by a second rendering module, a three-dimensional (3D) object in a 2D display environment including texturing the non-displayed image on a surface of the 3D object in order to render the message. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US09171393B2 |
Three-dimensional texture reprojection
Methods and systems for three-dimensional texture reprojection are provided herein. The method includes calculating an initial distance vector from a vertex within a 3D mesh of an object to each of a plurality of texture images. For each texture image, the method also includes determining coordinates of an intersection point of the initial distance vector with the texture image, determining a number of neighboring points within a specified distance from the intersection point, and calculating an overall distance vector from the neighboring points to any of the points within the 3D mesh. Furthermore, the method includes determining a number of texture images with a lowest difference between the initial distance vector and the overall distance vector. |
| US09171390B2 |
Automatic and semi-automatic generation of image features suggestive of motion for computer-generated images and video
In an animation processing system, generating images to be viewable on a display using a computer that are generated based on scene geometry obtained from computer readable storage and animation data representing changes over time of scene geometry elements, but also images can be modified to include shading that is a function of positions of objects at other than the current instantaneous time for a frame render such that the motion effect shading would suggest motion of at least one of the elements to a viewer of the generated images. Motion effects provide, based on depiction parameters and/or artist inputs, shading that varies for at least some received animation data, received motion depiction parameters, for at least one pixel, a pixel color is rendered based on motion effect program output and at least some received scene geometry, such that the output contributes to features that would suggest the motion. |
| US09171389B2 |
Method for planning digital images to be printed on a roll of media
A method for displaying a plurality of individual digital images to be printed on a roll of media includes constructing a composed digital image representing the roll and including a plurality of representations of the individual digital images to be printed on the roll in a sequence order corresponding to the time sequence order of printing the plurality of individual digital images on the roll, constructing a time line along the composed digital image, the time line indicating a start time and/or a completion time and/or a time duration of the printing of an image of the plurality of individual digital images on the roll, and displaying at least a part of the composed digital image on the user interface. The composed digital image is scrollable on a user interface in order to scroll through the plurality of representations of the individual digital images, and each displayed representation of an individual digital image of the composed digital image is displayed wholly along a part of the time line, which part starts at the start time of printing of the individual digital image on the roll and ends at the completion time of printing of the individual digital image on the roll. A printing system is configured to apply the method. |
| US09171386B2 |
Caching coverage values for rendering text using anti-aliasing techniques
Techniques for calculating sub-pixel coverage values for text to be displayed, so as to enable caching of the sub-pixel coverage values. The sub-pixel coverage values may enable a linear combination of color information for the text with color information for one or more other, overlapping display elements for calculating composite color values to be used in controlling a display. Such composite color values to be used in controlling sub-pixels of a display may be calculated, in some embodiments, without performing a gamma correction process. Also described are techniques for retrieving cached sub-pixel coverage values and combining the values with color information for text and for other, overlapping display elements to calculate composite color values for sub-pixels of a display. At least one graphics processing unit (GPU) may be configured to perform operations using the sub-pixel coverage information and to calculate the composite color values for the sub-pixels. |
| US09171385B2 |
Image processing apparatus capable of determining color amount, image processing method, and program
When a printing fee is changed, if a printing fee is changed to one for a color amount that is smaller than an actual color amount of an input image, an image processing apparatus automatically performs image processing in order to maximize the color amount at the selected printing fee and prints an image processing result. |
| US09171382B2 |
Tracking speeding violations and controlling use of parking spaces using cameras
Tracking speeding violations and the use of at least one destination location are disclosed. Initially, two or more first images are received from a first camera, two or more second images are received from a second camera having a different field of view, and two or more third images are received from a third camera having a field of view overlapping with the field of the view of the second camera. Next, a speed of the first vehicle at a first time is determined. It is determined that the first vehicle exceeded a first predetermined speed limit at the first time. A unique identifier of the first vehicle and the speed of the first vehicle at the first time are then indicated. Next, it is determined that the second vehicle is stopped in the at least one destination location at a second time and that the second vehicle has left the at least one destination location at a third time that is after the second time. Finally, a unique identifier of the second vehicle, the second time, and the third time are indicated. |
| US09171373B2 |
System of image stereo matching
A system of image stereo matching includes at least one stereo matching unit (SMU) each receives a first view and a second view of a view pair, according to which the SMU generates a first depth map for the first view. The system also includes a backward tracer operable to receive the first depth map, according to which a second depth map for the second view is derived. |
| US09171369B2 |
Computer-aided detection (CAD) system for personalized disease detection, assessment, and tracking, in medical imaging based on user selectable criteria
An embodiment of the current invention includes computer-implemented method for image processing. The method includes receiving a first medical image from a data storage device, the first medical image comprising a plurality of image voxels and representing a plurality of tissue regions of a subject; automatically determining a reference value based on the first medical image, the reference value capable of providing a range of background level of voxel intensity values within at least one non-disease tissue region of the subject; generating a disease threshold based on the reference value; identifying portions of the medical image corresponding to disease-tissue regions according to the disease threshold, each of the portions comprising a plurality of connected image voxels in the medical image; and entering data encoding the disease-tissue regions into a database for subsequent comparisons. |
| US09171368B2 |
System and method for estimating a quantity of a blood component in a fluid canister
A variation of a method for estimating a quantity of a blood component in a fluid canister includes: within an image of a canister, identifying a reference marker on the canister; selecting an area of the image based on the reference marker; correlating a portion of the selected area with a fluid level within the canister; estimating a volume of fluid within the canister based on the fluid level; extracting a feature from the selected area; correlating the extracted featured with a concentration of a blood component within the canister; and estimating a quantity of the blood component within the canister based on the estimated volume and the concentration of the blood component within the canister. |
| US09171365B2 |
Distance driven computation balancing
Methods for improving the processing time, scalability, and resource usage for three-dimensional projecting-backprojecting rays with respect to voxels (pixels) and detector bins are provided. Specifically, improvements to a distance-driven technique, wherein the pixels and detector edges are projected on to a predetermined reference plane are disclosed. The methods balance the computational load of a system of parallel processors, which results in a balanced memory and cache access operations, while reducing the computational complexity of projection-backprojection techniques in scanning systems. |
| US09171363B2 |
Computer-readable recording medium and road surface survey device
A road surface survey device specifies a position at which abnormality is detected at one of a position at which abnormality on pavement of a road surface is detected from an image of a road captured by a camera and a position at which abnormality on pavement of a road surface is detected from a change in an acceleration measured when a car runs on the road surface by a G sensor. Further, the road surface survey device derives conditions that abnormality which is not detected at the specified position can be detected, and outputs an instruction of a resurvey for the specified position under the derived conditions. |
| US09171362B2 |
Method for determining the luminance of traffic signs and device for implementing same
The method of the invention comprises: obtaining a sequence of at least two images, with different levels of illumination; extracting the region containing the sign in the image; calculating the luminance values of the signs; and obtaining the difference in luminance of the sign corresponding to the two levels of illumination. The value obtained is the luminance of the sign (11) corresponding to an illumination equal to the difference between the illuminations, or additional illumination. This result is based on the additive property of luminance, according to which the luminance of a sign is the sum of the luminance produced by each source of illumination. A basic illumination device (5), an additional illumination device (7), at least one camera for taking images, and image recording, positioning and synchronism systems are required to implement the method. |
| US09171359B1 |
Method and system for auto-correcting perspective distortion in document images
Auto-correcting perspective distortion in document images is described. Line segments are identified in a distorted document image. Line segments are combined to form candidate lines. Candidate lines are grouped into a substantially horizontal group of lines and a substantially vertical group of lines. Linear equations are calculated to fit the substantially horizontal group of lines. Linear equations are calculated to fit the substantially vertical group of lines. The distorted document image is transformed based on two linear equations associated with two substantially horizontal lines and two linear equations associated with two substantially vertical lines. |
| US09171354B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for enhancing the quality of an image
An image processing apparatus and method for enhancing quality of image data are provided. The image processing apparatus includes an encoder which encodes source image data and outputs compressed image data, a first representative transform coefficient calculator which calculates a first representative transform coefficient by transforming the source image data into frequency characteristics; a decoder which decodes the compressed image data and outputting decoded image data, a second representative transform coefficient calculator which calculates a second representative transform coefficient by transforming the decoded image data into frequency characteristics, and a quality enhancer which enhances the quality of the decoded image data by using the first representative transform coefficient and the second representative transform coefficient. |
| US09171351B2 |
Image processing device that synthesizes image
An image processing device, includes: an obtaining unit which successively obtains a plurality of images; a synthesis unit which partially superimposes the plurality of images obtained by the obtaining unit to generate a synthesis image when the obtaining unit obtains the images; a first judgment unit which judges whether the synthesis image contains a feature region having a predetermined feature when the synthesis image is generated by the synthesis unit; and a control unit which makes predetermined processing be executed when the first judgment unit judges that the synthesis image contains the feature region. |
| US09171349B1 |
Method and system for application broadcast
Methods and apparatuses are described for application broadcasting. For one embodiment, pixel data being broadcast from a moderator to one or more participants is divided into tiles. Display data is generated for each tile. Each display data segment (segment) contains the pixel data for the tile, and also contains a tile identifier. The segments are periodically evaluated. If the pixel data has changed, the segment is replaced with the most recent segment corresponding to that tile. A time indicator is also included within each segment for each tile indicating the time at which the segment was updated. A participant DPS requests data from the server and provides the time indicator for the last segment it received. The server then transmits the current segment for each tile that has been updated subsequently. This allows presentation at the participant's DPS of the most current version of the moderator's display screen. |
| US09171348B2 |
Rendering content on computing systems
A computer-implemented method for rendering video content is disclosed according to an aspect of the subject technology. The method comprises retrieving video content from a network, directing the retrieved video content to a video hardware accelerator, wherein the video hardware accelerator renders the video content into rendered video content, and determining whether the video content is to be displayed in an embedded mode or a full screen mode. The method also comprises, if the video content is to be displayed in the embedded mode, then instructing a graphics processing unit (GPU) to composite the rendered video content with other rendered content for display to a user on a display, and, if the video content is to be displayed in the full screen mode, then instructing the video hardware accelerator to send the rendered video content to the display without compositing by the GPU. |
| US09171347B2 |
System and method for analysis and authentication of covert security information using a smart device
A system and method for hidden security feature detection, analysis and authentication using a smart device is disclosed. The smart device can detect and analyze hidden security features using the camera capability of the smart device to capture a digital image, and then analyze and authenticate that image using a security service including a database of security feature data, processing rules, and other information. The security service can support a variety of smart devices and security features. The smart device includes a security-specific autofocus function that allows the smart device to be positioned within a range of distances and angles from a target document that includes hidden/covert security feature(s). The smart device can display an enhanced image showing the hidden security feature(s) and/or report if the security feature is valid or invalid, along with related information, via beeps, vibration, display, text messaging, or other reporting capabilities. |
| US09171343B1 |
Means and method for improved glycemic control for diabetic patients
A glycemic control system includes a physician processor, remote processor, and a portable telephone having a data input mechanism, a display, and an internal processor for bi-directional communication with the physician's processor and the remote processor. A patient inputs data to the internal processor responsive to input from the physician's processor and then transmits the information to the remote processor where an optimized number of units to be administered is sent back and displayed on the portable telephone. |
| US09171340B2 |
Identifying and visualizing attributes of items based on attribute-based RFID tag proximity
A portable device receives a particular RFID signal identifying that a particular attribute is associated with a particular item placed proximate to the RFID tag emitting the particular RFID signal, wherein the particular RFID signal is identified from among a plurality of RFID signals, wherein a selection of the plurality of RFID signals are each associated with a separate attribute from among a plurality of attributes. The portable device displays a visual representation depicting that the particular item is associated with the particular attribute. |
| US09171333B2 |
Due diligence systems with integrated indication of required action
A system for performing due diligence on electronically stored documents is provided. A dynamic due diligence item (DDDI) is created by one user and associated with a particular document or piece of information by the system. The created DDDI is assigned to another user. The created DDDI is then routed by the system over a computer network to another user for review of the DDDI and the associated particular document or piece of information. In certain instances, after receiving the notification and opening the document, the system may enforce upon the second user a required action when the DDDI is presented. |
| US09171324B2 |
Hybrid virtual account and token-based digital cash protocols
The hybrid virtual account and token-based digital cash protocols provide a user with many pairs of secret and public keys. One of the pairs is the master pair, which consists of one master user private key and one master user public key. Other pairs are pseudonym pairs, wherein each consists of one pseudonym user private key and one pseudonym user public key. The use of a master key pair and pseudonym key pairs circumvents the need for blind signatures. None of the invention's protocols require blind signatures. The protocols comprise public key protocols, digital signatures and symmetric key protocols. |
| US09171303B2 |
System and method for checkless cash advance settlement
Methods, devices, and systems for conducting a checkless cash access settlement are provided. In one embodiment, a cash advance method includes the following: a customer initiates a cash access transaction with a financial card via a cash access system; the customer receives authorization or denial; the customer provides identification and the financial card to a cashier or attendant; the cashier or attendant validates the customer's identity, retrieves the transaction information, and completes the cash advance application; the application prints a non-negotiable instrument, such as a transaction receipt; the customer signs the receipt confirming the transaction with a physical receipt or electronic capture; the receipt image is stored electronically for subsequent transmittal to a central server; the transaction information, including the receipt image if applicable, is recorded on the central server; and the central server generates an ACH file and electronically transmits the ACH file to a designated financial institution. |
| US09171300B2 |
Retail convenience market technology with enhanced vendor administration and user mobile app functionality
A self-service, self-checkout micro-market retail shopping system for disposition and use in an private or public office, factory or other workspace for use by employees, workers and the like. The micro-market may supply snacks, candies, beverages, other food items and various convenience items such as toiletries for use by employees, workers and other during the work day, lunch and break time. The micro-market may also supply work related items such as uniforms and apparel, tools, office supplies, travel accessories and the like. The devices and process also include enhanced vendor administration tools and functionality. The devices and process also include enhanced user ability to use mobile devices and apps, and on-line tools for creating and managing accounts and for purchasing items. |
| US09171296B1 |
Mobile check generator
Embodiments for generating a virtual check one a mobile device. The embodiments further receive a request, from the user, to perform a transaction with a merchant; generate a virtual check comprising a checking account number, a bank routing number, and a date; initiate display of the virtual check on a display of the mobile device; receive input from the user corresponding to at least one of a plurality of check fields; and populate the virtual check based on the received input. |
| US09171293B2 |
Location based system with location-enabled messaging and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a location based system includes: submitting a tagged message having a message content, a trigger, and a recipient identifier; determining a location reading for locating a recipient associated with the recipient identifier; determining a temporal reading associated with the recipient identifier; and displaying the message content on a device having the recipient identifier, the message content displayed based on the trigger with the location reading, the temporal reading, or a combination thereof. |
| US09171292B1 |
Method and system for providing electronic delivery of regulated shareholder communications to account electronic mail addresses
A method, system, and computer program product for electronic delivery of regulated shareholder communications to registered electronic mail client accounts. A signed regulated shareholder communication electronic mail is generated by a proxy platform server computer and the electronic mail is transmitted to an electronic mail address inbox of a client computer. An active content associated with the shareholder communication is delivered by the proxy platform server computer when the shareholder communication is opened by a user on the client computer. The user is authenticated by the proxy platform server computer. A voting ballot is delivered by the platform server computer to the authenticated user's opened shareholder communication. The ballot votes submitted from the opened shareholder communication by the user are recorded in a proxy platform server computer voting database. |
| US09171291B2 |
Electronic device and method for updating message body content based on recipient changes
A method, device and system are provided for automated insertion of message conversation or thread participant changes in a message body prior to receipt of the message by a recipient of the reply message. Once a reply message is initiated at a first device and an initial recipient set defined for the reply message based on the participants of a previous message of the thread, one or more changes may be made to the recipients specified for the message. In response to a trigger detected at the device, changes to the initial recipient set are identified and indicated by a textual or other notification within the body of the reply message, rather than merely in a header or addressing portion of the reply message. The indication may then be viewable using a recipient messaging client even if header information reflecting the change in recipients is not displayed by the client. |
| US09171290B1 |
Email handling for a contact center
This disclosure relates to handling email for a contact center. In one example, a contact center system can include an email interface to access an enterprise email system, inbound emails to and from each inbound mailbox in the contact center system being stored and maintained in the enterprise email system. An email tracking data structure can be stored in memory, the email tracking data structure programmed to store interaction data corresponding to each email interaction being processed by the contact center system. An email handling control can be programmed to control sending a reply email to a given incoming contact email from a contact based on the interaction data associated with the given incoming contact email, the reply email being sent to the contact through the enterprise email system via the email interface. |
| US09171289B2 |
Methods and systems for producing, previewing, and publishing a video press release over an electronic network
The present invention relates to methods and systems for producing, previewing and publishing a video press release (“VPR”) over an electronic network. A video press release comprises multimedia information. A software transcoder that performs the function of removing incompatibilities between video file formats and text document file formats for producing, previewing and publishing a VPR is implemented. The present invention assures multimedia compatibility of a VPR across video file formats, web browser formats, computer operating systems, and text file formats by transcoding a video file, as well as compressing, resizing and juxtaposing/transposing the transcoded video file along with a text presentation received from a text file, and presenting the so-produced VPR to Internet audience. The invention operates with a webpage of a secure Internet website so that a single individual for a public or private company or other organizations may generate a video press release instantly and efficiently by an accurate, efficient, and time-sensitive method. |
| US09171287B2 |
Ordering of bookmarks for objects in a social networking system
A social networking system analyzes a user's interactions with objects linked to bookmarks associated with the user to generate a score for each bookmark. The score represents or is based on the probability that the user will access the bookmark or the linked object. For example, the score is a predicted click-through rate for the bookmark. Based on the scores, a subset of the bookmarks is selected for presentation to the user. Additionally, the scores may be used to order the selected subset of the bookmarks. Hence, the bookmarks that the user is most likely to access are presented while the bookmarks the user is less likely to access may be hidden. |
| US09171284B2 |
Techniques to restore communications sessions for applications having conversation and meeting environments
Techniques for restoring communications sessions for applications having conversation environment and a meeting embodiment are described. A system may include a meeting component of a communications application for selecting a meeting from multiple meetings, a conversation component of the communications application for managing multiple conversation threads, and a recovery component of the communications application for recovering an active meeting from the multiple meetings or an active conversation thread from the multiple conversation threads. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09171281B1 |
Techniques for filling orders
A system includes N location indicators and a mobile scanning device. The N location indicators are configured to be arranged throughout a store that includes a plurality of stocked items for picking according to one or more electronic customer orders. Each of the N location indicators is configured to transmit a different location signal. The mobile scanning device includes a display. The mobile scanning device is configured to wirelessly receive an electronic customer order comprising a plurality of ordered items indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked, detect at least one of the N location signals, and arrange at least some of the plurality of ordered items on the display based on which of the at least one of the N location signals is detected. |
| US09171280B2 |
Medication tracking
A system and method is described for printing a label with an RFID tag. The system includes an RFID reader that queries a first RFID tag coupled to a first medicinal container that includes a medication. In response, the system receives a first unique identifier and uses the first unique identifier to determine a status of the medication, associate the first medicinal container with a medical provider and print a second label that includes a second RFID tag for a second medicinal container. |
| US09171279B2 |
Receptacle rack having an electronic memory element
A system and method for tracking items, such as receptacles, during a process employs a rack configured to hold one or more receptacles. Each receptacle includes a machine-readable label providing information regarding the receptacle, such as contents thereof and process(es) to be performed thereon, and each receptacle-receiving position of the rack has associated therewith a machine-readable label identifying the receptacle receiving location. The rack also includes a memory element to which electronic data may be written. A label reading device reads the machine-readable label on each receptacle and the position-indicating, machine-readable labels on the rack. Information obtained from the machine-readable labels is written to the memory element, so that for subsequent processing of the receptacles carried on the rack, information relating to each of the receptacles can be obtained by reading the information written to the memory element. A tamper prevention element provides an indication of whether the rack may have been tampered with after data is written to the memory element. |
| US09171278B1 |
Item illumination based on image recognition
An inventory item to be picked may be selected along with an inventory location (e.g., storage bin) storing a particular unit of the item among a units of heterogeneous items also stowed in the inventory location. One or more images of the inventory location may be obtained and analyzed to determine a position of the unit of the item. Instructions may be sent to direct a device to illuminate the determined position of the unit of the item, and pick instructions may be sent to the same or a different the device. A device may receive the position instructions from a control system, and illuminate the determined position of the unit of the item within the inventory location. The pick instructions may direct an agent or mobile storage bin to a particular location and direct the agent to pick the unit of the item from the illuminated position. |
| US09171277B2 |
Generation of plans for loading and unloading a container
Generation of a plan for loading or unloading a variety of objects into a container. Such objects can comprise irregularly-shaped objects, regularly-shaped object, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, a method enables such generation, wherein the method can comprise the steps of storing a model for each object of a plurality of objects, each model comprising a weight, a center of gravity, and a shape of the associated object, and storing a plurality of parameters associated with the container. The method can comprise the steps of selecting a set of one or more objects, from the plurality of objects, to be loaded into the container, and generating an optimized sequence for loading the set of one or more objects into the container, based on at least the weight, the center of gravity, the shape of each of the one or more objects, and the parameters associated with the container. |
| US09171276B2 |
Facilitating revenue generation from wholesale electricity markets using an engineering-based model
The disclosure facilitates generation of energy-related revenue for an energy customer of an electricity supplier. The disclosure herein can be implemented to generate suggested operating schedules for energy assets that include a controllable energy asset, using an objective function. The objective function is determined based on a dynamic simulation model of the energy profile of the energy assets. The dynamic simulation model is adaptive to physical changes in the energy assets based at least in part on a physical model of the thermodynamic property of the at least one energy asset and at least in part on data representative of an operation characteristic of the controllable energy asset, a thermodynamic property of the energy assets, and/or a projected environmental condition. Energy-related revenue available to the energy customer is based at least in part on a wholesale electricity market or on a regulation market. |
| US09171275B2 |
Method for determining communicative value
A method of determining which users are experts and which tags are appropriate without some of the disadvantages of the prior art is described. The level of a user's expertise is determined based on previous tags, the categorization of one or more tags, and the rating of the tags previously left by the user. The appropriateness of a tag is based on previous tagging of information by the user, by the number of times a user has tagged information with the same categorization, and the rating of a user. |
| US09171274B2 |
Method and system for energy management
A method (300) of managing energy consumption associated with premises includes firstly generating (302) and storing an initial energy profile (304) of the premises. The profile (304) includes information characterizing the premises, such as occupancy patterns, function of the premises, geographical location, installed appliances (108), and so forth. An expected energy usage (308) associated with the premises is computed over a predetermined time period based upon the information in the initial energy profile (304). Actual energy usage (312) associated with the premises is then recorded over the predetermined time period and the energy profile (304) is adaptively updated based upon the recorded energy usage (312). The energy profile (304) and the actual energy usage (312) are used to manage energy consumption associated with the premises. An installable system (100) and apparatus (102) for implementing the method at premises are also provided. |
| US09171273B2 |
Integrated electronic checklist display system
A method and apparatus for electronic checklist display system. A checklist display device is connected to a number of display screens. A display screen within the number of display screens displays an integrated electronic checklist within a checklist display window on the display screen. The integrated electronic checklist comprises a number of checklist items associated with a vehicle system, systems information for the vehicle system, and graphics representing a current status of a number of components of the vehicle system. |
| US09171271B2 |
Computer system, client device and method
A computer system includes a network. The system includes a first client device in communication with the network having a transaction description for a transaction t. The first client device sends the transaction description to a second client device. The second client device receives the transaction description from the first client device. One of the first or second client devices executes the transaction description and creates a second transaction description for transaction t and then sends the second transaction description to a client device. A client device of a computer system having a network and a second client device. A method of a computer system. A method of a client device of a computer system having a network and a second client device. |
| US09171270B2 |
Gas demand prediction system and gas demand prediction method
A delivery server comprises: a reception unit configured to receive sets of meter indication data of a plurality of gas meters; a storage device configured to store the respective sets of meter indication data; a gas usage calculating unit configured to calculate a gas usage on a basis of comparison between corresponding sets of meter indication data; a first rate-of-change calculating unit configured to calculate a rate of change in a past gas usage consumed in each of a plurality of supply facilities on a basis of comparison between a plurality of gas usages in a time of earlier than a meter indication date of the received sets of meter indication data by a predetermined period of time; and a prediction unit configured to modify the gas usage in accordance with the rate of change and predict the modified gas usage as a prospective gas usage to be consumed. |
| US09171269B2 |
System for on-site management of an event
A method includes receiving, by a check-in device associated with the event management system, a ticket information for an attendee of an event, the check-in device comprising an access point, the access point being operable to connect by a wireless signal to one or more mobile devices, transmitting, from the check-in device to a gatekeeper system associated with the event management system, the ticket information for the attendee, wherein the gatekeeper system comprises a router, a switch, and a computing system, and wherein the check-in device is communicably connected to the gatekeeper system, validating, by the gatekeeper system, the ticket information for the attendee, and transmitting, from the gatekeeper system to the check-in device, an indication of validity of the ticket information for the attendee. |
| US09171268B1 |
Methods and systems for setting and transferring user profiles to vehicles and temporary sharing of user profiles to shared-use vehicles
Methods are provide access to cloud services over the Internet for locating and providing access to a shared vehicle of a shared vehicle network. One method includes receiving a request from a user device of a user to locate a vehicle to use for a shared period of time. The method enables providing an option of vehicles within a range of a location identified by the request. Then, detecting proximity of the user device to a selected vehicle proximate to the location identified by the request. The method enables transfer of a user profile of the user to the vehicle. The profile is configured to automatically set one or more user preferences of the vehicle. The method further includes receiving use data of the vehicle while the user profile is set for the vehicle. The user profile is deactivated on the selected vehicle when use of the vehicle is discontinued. |
| US09171266B2 |
Power provision based on self-sacrificing craft
A biologically-inspired system and method is provided for self-adapting behavior of swarm-based exploration missions, whereby individual components, for example, spacecraft, in the system can sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the entire system. The self-sacrifice can involve donating resources or assets, such as power provisions, to a different component of an autonomous system. A receiving component of the system can benefit from receiving the donated resource or power provision. |
| US09171263B2 |
Content-based expertise level inferencing system and method
A content-based expertise level inferencing system and method analyzes content such as text-based content that is associated with a user and infers an expertise level of the user that is associated with a topic. Language-based analytic techniques may be applied in inferring the expertise level, including the application of domain-specific vocabulary and frequency analyzes. The expertise level may be further inferred based on usage behaviors of the user and/or other users. Calibration information may be applied in generating the inference of the expertise level. Recommendations may be generated based on the inferred expertise level, and explanations for the recommendation and/or the inference may be generated for delivery to a recommendation recipient. |
| US09171262B2 |
Directed expertise level-based discovery system, method, and device
A directed expertise level-based discovery system, method, and device infers an expertise level associated with a system user from a plurality of usage behaviors and delivers one or more computer-implemented objects to the user that are selected in accordance with the inferred expertise level and a directionally distinct relationship between computer-implemented objects. The directed expertise level-based discovery system, method, and device may infer the expertise level from textual information and/or in accordance with calibration information such as test results. Geographic location awareness associated with a portable device may inform the selection of the computer-implemented objects to be delivered to the user. An explanation may be delivered to the user that references information that is used to inform the selection of the computer-implemented objects to be delivered to the user. |
| US09171260B2 |
Method and system for configuring rules for execution
Data-driven rules are eliminated from an application, and replaced with goal-driven rules that formally and completely characterize high-level business concepts, while enabling the resulting goal-driven rules to be executed eagerly using a forward chaining rule engine in a way that preserves the data-driven behavior of the original rules. A computer-implemented method for executing business rules provides a unified rule that encapsulates a goal-oriented rule with triggering information selected from dependencies of the goal-oriented rule. The unified rule may be eagerly executed in response to changes in data specified by the dependencies, or lazily executed in response to a request for the value computed by the rule. |
| US09171258B2 |
Distributed collaborative knowledge generation system
System and method related to a distributed collaborative knowledge generation system are disclosed. The distributed collaborative knowledge generation system includes one or more databases configured to store content information related to the distributed collaborative knowledge generation system, a search services module configured to search for the content information, a web services module configured to retrieve and gather the content information, a presentation services module configured to share the content data with multiple users, and a data services module configured to manage the content information by providing interfaces between the one or more databases, the search services module, the web services module, and the presentation services module. |
| US09171256B2 |
Systems and methods for predicting customer compliance with demand response requests
Systems and methods for predicting customer compliance with requests to participate in demand response events are disclosed. The systems and methods may include receiving demand response information for a demand response event, receiving information for a customer, and determining or adjusting for the customer a compliance probability for the demand response event based at least partially on the demand response information and the received customer information. |
| US09171251B2 |
Context-aware analysis and adaptation
A system and method for providing multi-dimensional context-aware adaptation in vehicular networks is disclosed. The system comprises a collection module, a context resolving module, a parameter determination module and a distribution module. The collection module collects context data describing a context in a communication environment. The context resolving module resolves the context data to a matching historical context and determines one or more historical context groups associated with the matching historical context. The parameter determination module determines a subset of operating parameters from the one or more historical context groups. The distribution module distributes the subset of operating parameters to a network stack communication module. |
| US09171249B2 |
Systems and methods for identification of spike-processing circuits
Techniques for the identification of a spike-processing circuit are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving spike trains corresponding to a circuit input over a time period, and selecting a number of spikes for each of input spike trains over a predetermined time window. Each of the selected spikes can be replaced with a sampled reproducing kernel to obtain a plurality of signals, and each obtained signal can correspond to one of the input spike trains. Each of the obtained signals can be passed through a plurality of receptive fields or filters to obtain an aggregate filter output signal. The filter output signal can be encoded into an output spike train, and the output spike train can correspond to a response of the circuit to the plurality of input spike trains. |
| US09171248B2 |
Electronic circuit with neuromorphic architecture
Neuromorphic circuits are multi-cell networks configured to imitate the behavior of biological neural networks. A neuromorphic circuit is provided which comprises a network of neurons each identified by a neuron address in the network, each neuron being able to receive and process at least one input signal and then later emit on an output of the neuron a signal representing an event which occurs inside the neuron, and a programmable memory composed of elementary memories each associated with a respective neuron. The elementary memory, which is a memory of post-synaptic addresses and weights, comprises an activation input linked by a conductor to the output of the associated neuron to directly receive an event signal emitted by this neuron without passing through an address encoder or decoder. The post-synaptic addresses extracted from an elementary memory activated by a neuron are applied, with associated synaptic weights, as inputs to the neural network. |
| US09171240B2 |
Generating a display list for processing by a rendering unit
A display list generation apparatus includes an interpretation unit configured to interpret page description language (PDL) data and store an interpretation result of the PDL data in a first storage unit, a copying unit configured to copy the interpretation result stored in the first storage unit, in a second storage unit, and a generation unit configured to generate a display list from the interpretation result stored in the first storage unit in a case where a data size of the interpretation result exceeds a predetermined threshold and generate a display list from the copy of the interpretation result stored in the second storage unit in a case where the data size of the interpretation result does not exceed the predetermined threshold. |
| US09171236B1 |
Dynamic spooler load balancing
Methods and systems monitor print data being retrieved by a dedicated spooler of a printing device, and monitor the quantity of print data within the print queue to be printed by a printing engine of the printing device. The dedicated spooler and the printing engine share computing resources and, therefore, the processing activities of the dedicated spooler slow processing activities of the printing engine. These methods and systems dynamically reduce the rate at which the print data is retrieved by the dedicated spooler based on the quantity of documents within the print queue to increase printing speed (for example, these methods and systems can reduce the rate at which the print data is retrieved by the dedicated spooler based on the quantity of print data within the print queue being above a threshold amount). |
| US09171230B2 |
Object detection method, object detection apparatus and image pickup apparatus
An object detection method performed by an apparatus which stores a general model for a specific object type in advance, the general model describing a plurality of components which are expected to co-exist in objects of the specific object type, the method including: a sample image receiving step of receiving one or more sample images, the one or more sample images each include a same query object of the specific object type; an object detector creating step of creating, using the general model and the one or more sample images, a detector specific to said query object; and an object detecting step of detecting, using the created detector specific to the query object, the query object from a destination image. According to the object detection method mentioned above, various objects of a specific object type can be precisely detected with high flexibility. |
| US09171225B2 |
Device, method, and recording medium for detecting and removing mistracked points in visual odometry systems
Three-dimensional coordinates of feature points of an object to be measured are back-projected to a frame image photographed from a specific position, and image coordinates of the back-projected feature points and the feature points in this frame image are compared. In this case, the feature points, which are mismatched, are removed as feature points which are mistracked between plural frames. In this case, two processing systems, of which initial conditions of calculation for obtaining the back-projected coordinates are different from each other, are performed, and the detection of the above mistracked points is performed on each of the two back-projected coordinates. The mistracked points detected in at least one of the processing systems are removed, and are not succeeded to the following processing. |
| US09171223B2 |
System and method for effective section detecting of hand gesture
A system is provided for detecting an effective section of a gesture by recognizing the gesture, pose information and motion information included in the gesture from an acquired image. In addition, a controller determines whether a pose has been recognized based on the pose information and when the pose has been recognized, an effective section is detected based on a start point and an end point of the pose. Further, when the effective section for the pose is detected, the gesture is recognized based on the motion information. |
| US09171221B2 |
Camera to track an object
Methods and apparatus to create and display screen stereoscopic and panoramic images are disclosed. Methods and apparatus are provided to generate multiple images that are combined into a stereoscopic or a panoramic image. A controller provides correct camera settings for different conditions. A controller rotationally aligns images of lens/sensor units that are rotationally misaligned. A compact controllable platform holds and rotates a camera. A remote computing device with a camera and a digital compass tracks an object causing the camera in the platform to track the object. |
| US09171216B2 |
Method and device for detecting fog at night
A method of detecting the presence of an element (fog, rain, etc. . . . ) disturbing the visibility of a scene illuminated by a headlight (105, 107) at night. The method comprises: a) acquiring an image of the scene with the help of a camera (120); b1) detecting the light sources in the image; b2) detecting the presence of the disturbing element as a function of the halo (H) appearing in the image in the vicinity of the light sources; c) detecting the presence of the disturbing element in the image as a function of the backscattering of the light emitted by the light sources; and d) weighting the results of the detections performed in steps b2) and c) in such a manner as to output an indication concerning the presence of the element disturbing the visibility of the scene. The method provides satisfactory results in an environment with or without lighting. The invention also provides a computer program and a device for implementing the method. |
| US09171207B1 |
Method and system for recognizing machine generated character glyphs in graphic images
A method and system for recognizing machine generated character glyphs in a graphic image that uses a deterministic finite automaton (DFA) to separately recognize the individual pixelcolumns of character glyphs and then combines these separate pixelcolumns together to form correctly recognized whole glyphs. This method and system can enable data to be automatically exchanged between applications where no alternative method of data interchange exists. The DFA minimizes its space requirements by storing the current input dimension of its state transition table as a sorted list of possible values that could be matched at the current state. This sorted list can then be binary searched for the current input pixel RGB value. |
| US09171205B2 |
Device and method of binarization for payment or accounting documents
A binarization device for payment or accounting documents including sensitive data located in respective data window provides a primary binarized document file of the document; a memory stores identification files including identifying images and location information associated to given types of documents; the data window can be identified and localized as comparison with the identification files of the memory; the contribution of the background is subtracted from the window file, the window file is binarized and filtered for spurious pixels obtaining a binarized window file; the binarized document file and the binarized window file are merged to provide the binarized window file in the data window; the evidence of the significant pixel is obtained by sequential analysis on groups of pixels, applying morphological expansion operators on each group of pixels and following erosion of said group of pixels. |
| US09171203B2 |
Scanbox
Embodiments are provided for content item classification. In some embodiments, an image for classification is received, a compact representation for the image having values indicative of pixel values within the received image is generated, a plurality of angle measurements for possible edges of at least one potential document within the received image are determined, and the image is classified using said compact representation and said plurality of angle measurements. |
| US09171201B2 |
Portable computing device and analyses of personal data captured therefrom
A personal computing device comprising: a processor, an onboard memory, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a display; a computer program to create an exercise analysis application comprising: a software module configured to receive data from the accelerometer and the gyroscope that are associated with the bodily motion of a user in three dimensions; a software module configured to place the device in a learning mode, the learning mode comprising recording the data of the user performing a defined exercise to generate a statistical model for the exercise; a software module configured to place the device in a normal mode, the normal mode comprising applying a probabilistic analysis to the bodily motion data to identify an exercise event, classify the exercise by comparison to a recorded model; and a software module configured to apply an analysis to the bodily motion data to score the user's exercise form. |
| US09171197B2 |
Facial tracking method
A facial tracking method for detecting and tracking at least one face image in a region during a time period. The facial tracking method includes a step of performing an image acquiring operation, a step of performing a facial detecting operation to detect whether there is any face image in the entire of a current photo image, and at least one step of performing a facial tracking operation. For performing the facial tracking operation, plural tracking frames are located around a face image of the current photo image, and a similarity between the face image of the current photo image and the image included in each tracking frame in order to judge whether the face image exists in the next photo image. By the facial tracking method of the present invention, the time period of tracking face images is largely reduced. |
| US09171193B1 |
System and method for setting a real-time clock of a barcode reading device
The present disclosure provides a system and method for setting the time for an internal clock function of a barcode reader and enabling the barcode reader to associate time, as determined by the internal clock function, with production barcodes read during operator use of the barcode reader and delivery of the combination of production barcodes and the associated time to a host system. |
| US09171178B1 |
Systems and methods for optimizing security controls for virtual data centers
A computer-implemented method for optimizing security controls for virtual data centers may include 1) identifying a security policy that applies to at least one workload configured to store data on a first storage appliance, 2) identifying at least one storage-appliance functionality capable of implementing at least a part of the security policy, 3) identifying a second storage appliance that possesses the storage-appliance functionality, and 4) migrating the data from the first storage appliance to the second storage appliance in response to identifying the security policy and the storage-appliance functionality. Variants include methods, systems, and computer-readable media. |
| US09171169B2 |
System and method for dynamic analysis wrapper objects for application dataflow
Systems and methods are provided for dynamic analysis wrapper objects for application dataflow. A system creates a wrapper object that points to a data object received from a data source, creates a source tracking object for the wrapper object, and records information associated with the data source into the source tracking object. The system creates a copy of the wrapper object for a tracking event in an application program, creates a flow tracking object for the tracking event, and records information associated with the tracking event into the flow tracking object as the tracking event processes the copy of the wrapper object. The system outputs the copy of the wrapper object to a data sink for the application program, creates a sink tracking object for the data sink, and records information associated with the data sink into the sink tracking object. The system outputs the source tracking object, the flow tracking object, and the sink tracking object as dynamic analysis of dataflow in the application program. |
| US09171165B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatuses to facilitate configuration of a hardware device in a platform
Embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatuses for configuring a hardware device in a platform are described. In an exemplary method, a configuration message is received that indicates that the hardware device is to be upgraded from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first and second configurations were pre-determined based on previous testing of the hardware device and are stored in the hardware device. The hardware device is then configured to the second configuration. |
| US09171164B1 |
Establishing trust using side channels
Disclosed are various embodiments for a trust establishment application. Machine instances executed in the same computing environment generate side channel patterns embodying data identifying themselves as trusted machine instances. The side channel patterns are detected to determine which machine instances are trusted. An operational mode of a machine instance is configured as a function of whether a quorum of trusted machine instances are executed in the computing environment. |
| US09171161B2 |
Trusted device having virtualized registers
A trusted device having virtualized registers provides an extensible amount of storage for hash values and other information stored within a trusted device. The trusted device includes a buffer to which registers are virtualized to and from external storage, by encrypting the register values using a private device key. The registers may be platform control registers (PCRs) or other storage of the trusted device, which may be a trusted platform module (TPM). The registers are accessed in accordance with a register number. When the externally stored values are retrieved, they are decrypted and placed in the buffer. The buffer may implement a cache mechanism, such as a most recently used algorithm, so that encryption/decryption and fetch overhead is reduced. A register shadowing technique may be employed at boot time, to ensure that the trusted device is not compromised by tampering with the externally stored virtualized registers. |
| US09171158B2 |
Dynamic anomaly, association and clustering detection
Techniques are provided for dynamic anomaly, association and clustering detection. At least one code table is built for each attribute in a set of data containing one or more attributes. One or more clusters associated with one or more of the code tables are established. One or more new data points are received. A determination is made if a given one of the new data points is an anomaly. At least one of the one or more code tables is updated responsive to the determination. When a compression cost of a given one of the new data points is greater than a threshold compression cost for each of the one or more clusters, the given one of the new data points is an anomaly. |
| US09171157B2 |
Method and system for tracking access to application data and preventing data exploitation by malicious programs
Provided are a method and system for tracking access to application data and preventing data exploitation by malicious programs. In one example, the method includes shimming into a running process of the system to create at least one monitoring hook to monitor a program, building an execution path of the monitored program, and monitoring a behavior of the execution path for malicious behavior using the monitoring hook. |
| US09171155B2 |
System and method for evaluating malware detection rules
A malware detection rule is evaluated for effectiveness and accuracy. The detection rule defines criteria for distinguishing files having a characteristic of interest from other files lacking that characteristic, for instance, malicious files vs. benign files. The detection rule is applied to a set of unknown files. This produces a result set that contains files detected from among the set of unknown files as having the at least one characteristic of interest. Each file from the result set is compared to at least one file from a set of known files having the characteristic to produce a first measure of similarity, and to at least one file from a set of known files lacking the characteristic to produce a second measure of similarity. In response to the first measure of similarity exceeding a first similarity threshold, the detection rule is deemed effective. In response to the second measure of similarity exceeding a second similarity threshold, the detection rule is deemed inaccurate. |
| US09171154B2 |
Systems and methods for scanning packed programs in response to detecting suspicious behaviors
A computer-implemented method for scanning packed programs in response to detecting suspicious behaviors may include (1) executing a packed program that may include (i) malicious code that has been obfuscated within the packed program and (ii) unpacking code that deobfuscates and executes the malicious code when the packed program is executed, (2) monitoring, while the packed program is executing, how the packed program behaves, (3) detecting, while monitoring how the packed program behaves, a suspicious behavior of the malicious code that indicates that the unpacking code has deobfuscated and executed the malicious code, and (4) performing a security operation on the packed program in response to detecting the suspicious behavior of the malicious code. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09171153B2 |
Bloom filter with memory element
Techniques are provided for determining if an element is contained in a set of elements. In one aspect, an element may be received and inserted into a bloom filter. The element may also be inserted into a memory associative on the bloom filter indexes. In another aspect, a search element may be received and compared to a bloom filter. If the search element is included in the bloom filter, a memory may be used to determine if the search element is included in the set of elements. |
| US09171150B2 |
System and method for dynamic analysis tracking objects for application dataflow
Systems and methods are provided for dynamic analysis tracking objects for application dataflow. A system receives a data object from a data source, creates a source tracking object for the data object, and records information associated with the data source into the source tracking object. The system creates a copy of the data object for a tracking event in the application program, creates a flow tracking object for the tracking event, and records information associated with the tracking event into the flow tracking object as the tracking event processes the copy of the data object. The system outputs the copy of the data object to a data sink, creates a sink tracking object for the data sink, and records information associated with the data sink into the sink tracking object. The system outputs the source tracking object, the flow tracking object, and the sink tracking object as dynamic analysis of dataflow in the application program. |
| US09171149B2 |
Methods and systems for implementing a secure application execution environment using derived user accounts for internet content
Methods and systems are disclosed for implementing a secure application execution environment using Derived User Accounts (SAE DUA) for Internet content. Content is received and a determination is made if the received content is trusted or untrusted content. The content is accessed in a protected derived user account (DUA) such as a SAE DUA if the content is untrusted otherwise the content is accessed in a regular DUA if the content is trusted. |
| US09171145B2 |
Protecting cryptographic secrets using file system attributes
Techniques are disclosed for protecting cryptographic secrets stored locally in a device, such as a mobile phone. A client device creates or downloads a shared secret to be used in a server transaction. To protect this shared secret locally, the client device encrypts the shared secret using a key generated a file system attributes value, along with other sources of entropy. The file system attributes value may correspond to the inode of a file in a UNIX-based file system. Thereafter, when the shared secret is required for logical computation, the client device reconstructs the key using the file system attributes value and the other previous sources of entropy. The client device may use the key to decrypt the information and use the shared secret for its required purpose, e.g., in generating a one-time password for a login session. |
| US09171143B2 |
System for and method of generating visual passwords
Systems and methods for creating a visual password are presented. A user having an account or profile is given the option to create a visual password via a graphical user interface. The interface displays a plurality of themes to the user, wherein each theme represents a category of images. The user selects a theme and is presented with a plurality of images within the category. The user selects one or more images in a certain order to create a visual password. The selected images and order of selection are saved as the user's visual password. When the user later attempts to electronically access his account, the user will be required to select the correct pictures in the correct sequence in order to access his account. |
| US09171136B2 |
Data protection method and device
An apparatus and method for encoding and decoding additional information into a digital information in an integral manner. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and device for data protection. |
| US09171135B2 |
Method for acquisition of software applications
A method for acquisition of a software application stored on a software application distribution unit and intended to be supplied to a user computer unit is disclosed wherein, the user computer unit communicates an item of identification information identifying the software application to be acquired to an electronic security module connected to the user computer unit. The module generates, using a secret and identification information, an item of user information and transmits it with the identification information to the unit. The unit protects with the user information the software application identified by the identification information and the protected software application is transmitted to the user computer unit. Thus, the software application is protected with an item of information from the electronic security module of the user. The protected software application then has its protection removed on an electronic security unit equipped with an electronic security module. |
| US09171134B2 |
Electronic device and secure switch module thereof
A secure switch module to allow only authorized keyholders to power on an electronic device includes a lock, a key matching the lock, and a power switch. The lock includes a first lock pin electrically connected to a ground pin of a motherboard of the electronic device, and a second lock pin. The power switch includes a button, a first elastic conductive sheet electrically connected to the second lock pin, and a second elastic conductive sheet electrically connected to a power on pin of the motherboard. When the key is engaged with the lock and the button is pressed, the first lock pin is electrically connected to the second lock pin, the first elastic conductive sheet is electrically connected to the second elastic conductive sheet, the power on pin receives a low level signal, and the electronic device is turned on. |
| US09171131B2 |
Device and methods for mobile monitoring and assessment of clinical function through sensors and interactive patient responses
Methods and systems are disclosed for sensing and assessing a patients responses to tests using a device that may include tactile input, voice input, still image analysis, and responses to visual and auditory stimuli. In one example, a method includes obtaining interactive clinical assessment data using a remote client device and a computer-based control device, the method including providing on a display of a remote client device one or more test prompts for conducting an interactive clinical assessment, each displayed test prompt instructing a user to perform an action using the remote client device in response to the test prompt, and providing on the display of the remote client device one or more potential responses of actions that may be performed in response to the test prompt. |
| US09171121B2 |
Method, structure, and design structure for a through-silicon-via Wilkinson power divider
A method, structure, and design structure for a through-silicon-via Wilkinson power divider. A method includes: forming an input on a first side of a substrate; forming a first leg comprising a first through-silicon-via formed in the substrate, wherein the first leg electrically connects the input and a first output; forming a second leg comprising a second through-silicon-via formed in the substrate, wherein the second leg electrically connects the input and a second output, and forming a resistor electrically connected between the first output and the second output. |
| US09171120B2 |
Method of converting between non-volatile memory technologies and system for implementing the method
A method of designing a charge trapping memory array including designing a floating gate memory array layout. The floating gate memory layout includes a first type of transistors, electrical connections between memory cells of the floating gate memory array layout, a first input/output (I/O) interface, a first type of charge pump, and an I/O block. The method further includes modifying the floating gate memory array layout, using a processor, to replace the first type of transistors with a second type of transistors different than the first type of transistors. The method further includes determining an operating voltage difference between the I/O block and the second type of transistors. The method further includes modifying the floating gate memory array layout, using the processor, to modify the first charge pump based on the determined operating voltage difference. |
| US09171113B2 |
Systems and methods for semiconductor voltage drop analysis
Methods and systems are provided for computing IR drop, i.e., voltage drop, in a semiconductor device. The method includes generating a modeling element corresponding to the plurality of transistors. At least one of the transistors in the modeling element is replaced with a current source. The method also includes performing an IR drop analysis of the modeling element utilizing a software program to calculate the IR drop in the semiconductor device. |
| US09171110B2 |
Accelerating functional verification of an integrated circuit
Illustrative embodiments include a method, system, and computer program product for accelerating functional verification in simulation testing of an integrated circuit (IC). Using a processor and a memory, a serial operation is replaced with a direct register access operation, wherein the serial operation is configured to perform bit shifting operation using a register in a simulation of the IC. The serial operation is blocked from manipulating the register in the simulation of the IC. Using the register in the simulation of the IC, the direct register access operation is performed in place of the serial operation. |
| US09171108B2 |
Solar panel deployment configuration and management
A system for deploying solar panels may include a classification module configured to receive an image of a structure with a roof and to classify portions of the image that include portions of the roof as roof image segments. The system may also include an identification module configured to identify a property of the roof based at least in part on the roof image segments and a configuration module configured to determine a configuration of one or more solar panels for placement on the roof based on the identified property of the roof. |
| US09171107B2 |
Calculating method of structural data of diffractive optical element, program, and manufacturing method
A calculating method for calculating structural data of a two-level diffractive optical element configured to form a set of light intensity distributions point-symmetrical with respect to an axis on an image plane utilizing an iterative Fourier transform algorithm executed by a computer includes calculating a light intensity distribution and a phase distribution of a plane of the two-level diffractive optical element which has a Fourier transform relationship with the image plane by performing an inverse Fourier transform for a light intensity that is made by removing one of the set of light intensity distributions from the set of light intensity distributions, and calculating structural data of the diffractive optical element based upon the light intensity distribution and the phase distribution which have been calculated. |
| US09171098B2 |
Decomposing markup language elements for animation
Embodiments prepare a markup language (ML) element for animation. A request to perform at least one animation on at least one ML element is intercepted or received. One or more animation preparation attribute values are defined based at least on the requested animation and current attribute values of the ML element. The ML element is altered to include the defined animation preparation attribute values, and an animation engine performs the animation of the altered ML element. The animation preparation attributes and values (e.g., style elements) may be reset, removed, or otherwise modified after animation. In some embodiments, a library of application programming interfaces (APIs) enable web browsers to request animations of legacy hypertext markup language (HTML) elements for consumption by animation engines based on JAVASCRIPT scripting or cascading style sheets (CSS). |
| US09171095B1 |
Track sharing
A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computing system for receiving, from a user, an intent to share a music track defined within a music consumption system. A query that identifies the music track is generated on a computing device. The query is provided to a video distribution system, wherein the video distribution system is configured to receive and process the query. A result set is received from the video distribution system. If the result set defines one of more videos, available via the video distribution system, that are related to the music track that the user intends to share, a post from the user is generated, on a social networking site, that includes at least one link locating at least one video selected from the one or more videos defined within the result set. |
| US09171094B2 |
Electronic information filtering system
An electronic information filtering system. The system has a link datastore, on the memory, configured to hold one or more links, associated with a network location corresponding to information available over a computer network. The system has a hierarchal tree organizing structure, on a memory, having a plurality of layers and a plurality of units, each layer below a top layer of the plurality of layers comprising two or more of the plurality of units, each unit is associated with a plurality of member records, each member record corresponding to a human member. The system can receive links to be reviewed. The system can prompt a vote of the members of a unit whether to promote a link for review by a superior unit in the next layer above the current layer. |
| US09171093B2 |
User interface providing summary information or a status pane in a web analytics tool
A system and method provide a summary comparison of data. The summary may compare filtered and unfiltered data or one set of filtered data to another. The system presents a status pane or window to a user in conjunction with filtered data that is dynamically updated to correspond to the data. A summary of the filtered data is available for display side by side with other filtered data or unfiltered data. The reports and summary are dynamically updated. |
| US09171092B2 |
Personal assistant context building
Technologies related to personal assistant context building are generally described. In some examples, network service communications, such as network traffic resulting from the use of mobile applications or “apps” on a mobile device, may be captured, parsed, and included in personal assistant context databases for use in configuring automated personal assistant user interaction operations. In some examples, parsing services may be provided to parse forwarded network service communications and generate converted data for inclusion in personal assistant context databases. |
| US09171090B2 |
Method and apparatus for sharing media content
A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a plurality of operating commands for controlling a first presentation of media content by a first media processor device at a first display device to generate a first viewing experience and transmitting the playback file to a second media processor device via a first network, where a second presentation of the media content by the second media processor device at a second display device according to the plurality of operating commands of the playback file recreates the first viewing experience at the second display device and where the first and second media processor devices are members of the first network based upon common membership in a social media network by a first subscriber associated with the first media processor device and a second subscriber associated with the second media processor device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09171087B2 |
Method and apparatus for the implementation of a real-time, sharable browsing experience on a host device
The present invention describes a method and apparatus for the implementation of a real-time, sharable web browsing experience on a host device, utilizing the transfer of URL and form data information. The present invention further describes a method for establishing a synchronized browsing session, comprising sending a request to establish the synchronized browsing session to a synchronization server, receiving a confirmation message from the synchronization server including a session identifier associated with the established synchronized browsing session, and sending an invitation to an invitee to join the synchronized browsing session, wherein the invitation includes the session identifier. The present invention further describes a method for implementing a synchronized browsing session, comprising recording a shared web browsing interaction, and transmitting information related to the shared web browsing interaction to a synchronization server. |
| US09171085B2 |
Personalized professional content recommendation
A personalized content recommendation system includes a client interface configured to automatically monitor a user's information data stream transmitted on the Internet. A hybrid contextual behavioral and collaborative personal interest inference engine resident to a non-transient media generates automatic predictions about the interests of individual users of the system. A database server retains the user's personal interest profile based on a plurality of monitored information. The system also includes a server programmed to filter items in an incoming information stream with the personal interest profile and is further programmed to identify only those items of the incoming information stream that substantially match the personal interest profile. |
| US09171083B2 |
Expert network in a method and apparatus for keeping and finding information
An expert network in connection with keeping and finding information provides a textual search engine which, in response to a user query comprising a search term, uses a semantic vector to promote documents that contain other, closely related terms that strongly correlate with the search term. A social graph is generated for the user in which connections for the user comprise hyper-dimensional relationships based on semantic vectors that link the search term with a collection of the other, closely related terms. A personalized semantic vector for the user is applied to the social graph. The expert network applies the user's personalized semantic vector to locate experts in the user's social graph based on a user query topic. When a connection is considered an expert for the user, content that the connection kept is recommended to the user. |
| US09171072B2 |
System and method for real-time dynamic measurement of best-estimate quality levels while reviewing classified or enriched data
A system, method and computer program product for validating a document classification process, including a document collection; a document classification process performed on the document collection; a random selection module configured to automatically generate a random validation set of documents from the document collection; and a document review process performed on the random validation set of documents to validate results of the document classification process. The system, method and computer program product are configured to dynamically and in real-time measure and display on a computer display device a best case estimate of a quality of the results of the document classification process based on the documents that are validated, and given a size of a total data set of the document collection. |
| US09171070B2 |
Method for classifying unknown electronic documents based upon at least one classificaton
A classification system includes a signature-based duplicate detector and an inductive classifier that share attribute information. To perform the duplicate detection and the classification, the duplicate detector and inductive classifier are first initialized by generating a lexicon of attributes for the duplicate detector and a classification model for the classifier. To develop a classification model, a training set of documents of known class are used by the classifier to determine the attributes of the documents that are most useful in classifying an unknown document. The model is developed from these attributes. Attribute information containing the attributes determined by the classifier is then passed to the duplicate detector and the duplicate detector uses the attribute information to generate the lexicon of attributes. |
| US09171065B2 |
Mechanisms for searching enterprise data graphs
Highly relevant search results for unstructured queries are efficiently identified from normalized data. A server graphs relationships between each of the data objects. For each search term, the server identifies a candidate set of data objects mapped to the term. The server calculates priority scores for the candidate data objects based at least in part on one or more of: a link analysis of the graph; or an analysis of metadata describing structural constraints upon the candidate data objects. Based on the graph, the server identifies one or more search result subgraphs, each comprising at least one data object from each of the candidate sets. The server looks for subgraphs in an order that is based on the priority scores for the candidate data objects. The server may terminate its search early, in part because prioritizing the candidate data objects increases the likelihood of receiving relevant search results first. |
| US09171063B2 |
Short-term hashes
In one embodiment, a server receives a search query; the server determines search terms based on the received search query, each search term including a prefix and a suffix; for each of the search term, the server generates a first binary number based on the each search term's prefix and suffix, and accesses and retrieves search results of the each search term from data stores by hashing the first binary number; the server also aggregates search results of the respective search terms. |
| US09171060B2 |
Adjustable transformations from semantic web languages
Methods and systems of transforming ontologies of semantic web languages are disclosed. A user may adjust configuration settings for a transformation of primitives of a Semantic Web ontology language into primitives of a software modeling language. The adjusted configuration settings may be stored on a storage device. The transformation of primitives of the Semantic Web ontology language into primitives of the software modeling language may be performed using the adjusted configuration settings stored on the storage device. The adjusted configuration settings stored on the storage device may be selected for use in a subsequent transformation of primitives of the Semantic Web ontology language into primitives of the software modeling language. In some embodiments, the semantic web language is Resource Description Framework Schema (RDFS). In some embodiments, the software modeling language is Ecore. |
| US09171059B2 |
Selective quantity takeoff from computer aided design drawings
One embodiment of the invention sets forth a CAD application configured to perform quantity takeoff computations. The CAD application is further configured to organize a CAD drawing into a hierarchical representation of object families and associated object types, where instances of the object types represent drawing objects present in the CAD drawing. The CAD application is further configured to receive a selection of an object family and to parse the selection to determine the object types associated with the selection. The CAD application then creates a takeoff object for each of the object types associated with the selection and identifies instances, associated with object properties, of each of the object types of the selection. The CAD application quantifies the instances and associated properties to produce a quantity takeoff value. Advantageously, users are able to more quickly and easily estimate the cost of a design project associated with the CAD drawing. |
| US09171057B2 |
Classifying data using machine learning
Techniques for data classification include matching one or more attributes of a commodity with one or more terms of a plurality of terms in a word matrix; generating, based on the matching, a vector for the commodity; and identifying, based on the vector, one or more classification regions that each define a classification of the commodity. |
| US09171054B1 |
Systems and methods for high-speed searching and filtering of large datasets
A data structure comprises a clump header table, an inline tree data structure, and one or more auxiliary data structures. Each clump header record includes an indicator of a location in the inline tree data structure of corresponding binary string segments. Clump header records or auxiliary header records include indicators of corresponding locations in the corresponding auxiliary data structure. Each auxiliary data structure can be altered without necessarily altering the inline tree or clump header table. A dedicated, specifically adapted conversion program generates the clump header file, the inline tree data structure, and the one or more auxiliary data structures. The data structure can be stored on any computer-readable medium, and can be read entirely into RAM to be searched (with or without filtering on one or more filter data fields). A dedicated, specifically adapted search and filter program is employed, which can list or enumerate the retrieved data records. |
| US09171053B2 |
Method and device for automatic migration of system configuration item
A method and a device for migrating a source system configuration item: collecting through a telnet/ssh protocol channel established with a source system and a predefined shell script corresponding to the source system, a source system configuration item corresponding to a system configuration item identifier, wherein the system configuration item identifier is a predefined system configuration item identifier corresponding to the source system; comparing the collected source system configuration item with a preset default system configuration item to obtain a non-default system configuration item, wherein the non-default system configuration item is regarded as a system configuration item that needs to be migrated; querying a mapping relationship among a pre-system: the system configuration item and a key parameter value to obtain a destination system configuration item and the key parameter value; and performing migration configuration on a destination system through the telnet/ssh protocol channel established with the destination system. |
| US09171050B2 |
Data synchronization system and method for synchronizing data
A data synchronization system includes a database, a management device, and a synchronization device. The database includes user folders, and the management device includes an authentication module and a data storage module. The authentication module authenticates the identification of the user who uses a client terminal device to log in the authentication module and output an authentication signal based on the result of the identification. The data storage module receives the authentication signal and output an index signal based on the authentication signal. The client terminal device is configured to connect to a corresponding user folder based on the index signal, and the corresponding user folder is used as a major user folder. The synchronization device logs in one of the accounts of a commercial database and synchronizes the data of the account to the major user folder. Furthermore, a method for synchronizing data is also disclosed herein. |
| US09171047B2 |
Methods and apparatus for targeting communications using social network metrics
A method for a computer system includes receiving a first user communication, determining a first group of users, determining a target number of users, determining whether the first group of users includes the target number of users, and if not, providing the communication to the first group of users, determining a hierarchal mapping of groups of users in response to user memberships, determining a second group of users from the hierarchal mapping, determining a plurality of social network relationship factors for the second group of users with respect to the first user, and providing the communication to at least a subset of users in the second group of users in response to the first plurality of social network relationship factors. |
| US09171045B2 |
Recommending queries according to mapping of query communities
A set of queries, such as a search log, is divided into commercial queries and non-commercial queries. A first set of query communities is determined from the non-commercial queries and a second set is determined from the commercial queries. The query communities are correlated based on the users who submitted the queries and instances where a query from the first set of query communities was followed by a query from the second set to generate a mapping between the first set of query communities and the second set. Later, a non-commercial query is received from a user, and the mapping is used to predict one or more commercial queries that the user is likely to submit in the future based on the non-commercial query. One or more of the commercial queries are presented to the user according to the mapping with search results responsive to the non-commercial query. |
| US09171042B1 |
Parallel processing database tree structure
Database system comprising nodes configured in a tree structure is disclosed. The system includes a shared metadata store on the root node. Child nodes may request metadata from their ancestors. Parents will forward the request upward until the metadata is found or the root node is reached. |
| US09171035B2 |
Control elements of graphical user interfaces
Various aspects of this disclosure are directed to displaying, by a computing device, a plurality of components of a graphical user interface. Each of the plurality of components may display one or more members of at least one dimensional level of a database having a plurality of dimensions. Each dimension of the plurality of dimensions may include one or more dimensional levels. The computing device may determine a first dimensional level of a first dimension of the plurality of dimensions having one or more members displayed in two or more of the plurality of components, and may display a control element including an indication of the dimensional level having the one or more members displayed in each of the two or more components. |
| US09171034B2 |
Method and system for allowing access to developed applications via a multi-tenant on-demand database service
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for allowing access to developed applications via a multi-tenant on-demand database service, in a controlled environment. These mechanisms and methods for providing such access can enable embodiments to provide additional control over the development process as well as the access of such developed applications. The ability of embodiments to provide such additional control may lead to an improved application development framework, etc. |
| US09171032B2 |
Radix sort with read-only key
Methods and arrangements for a radix sort with a read only key. A plurality of keys are received, an array and a link table are populated for the first digit of the keys based upon the keys; and an array and a link table are populated for each successive digit of the keys based upon the array and link table populated for the preceding digit of the keys. Embodiments may be implemented in both hardware (FPGAs, ASICs, information handling devices, etc.) and software. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US09171027B2 |
Managing a multi-version database
Managing different versions of a data record is provided. A mapping is maintained between a version-independent logical record identifier and a version-dependent physical record row identifier that correspond to each data record within a plurality of data records of a data table using a logical record identifier to physical record row identifier indirection mapping table. Entries within leaf pages of an index associated with the data table are updated to point to the version-independent logical record identifier corresponding to a data record instead of pointing to the version-dependent physical record row identifier corresponding to the data record. The logical record identifier to physical record row identifier indirection mapping table is updated in response to performing an operation on the data record instead of updating the entries within the leaf pages of the index associated with the data table. |
| US09171026B2 |
Test data generation and scale up for database testing using unique common factor sequencing
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for test data generation using unique common factor sequencing. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for test data generation using unique common factor sequencing is provided. The method includes loading a table for population with test data in a test data generation tool executing in a memory of a computer. A column set of multiple columns in the table associated with a key to the table is selected for processing and different cardinality sequence values are assigned to the columns in the set such that the cardinality sequence values do not share a common factor except for unity as in the case of prime numbers. |
| US09171025B2 |
Test data generation and scale up for database testing using unique common factor sequencing
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and computer program product for test data generation using unique common factor sequencing. In an embodiment of the invention, a computer program product for test data generation using unique common factor sequencing is provided. The computer program product includes loading a table for population with test data in a test data generation tool executing in a memory of a computer. A column set of multiple columns in the table associated with a key to the table is selected for processing and different cardinality sequence values are assigned to the columns in the set such that the cardinality sequence values do not share a common factor except for unity as in the case of prime numbers. |
| US09171016B2 |
Content selection apparatus and content selection method
A content selection apparatus selects a target content item which is a content item to be presented to a user, from a plurality of content items. The plurality of content items are sorted into a plurality of management units according to a creation date and time of each content item. The content selection apparatus includes a selection unit that selects a predetermined number of management units in ascending order of the number of sorted content items, and selects a content item that belongs to the selected management units as the target content item. |
| US09171010B2 |
Method and system for building a streaming model
A method of constructing a plurality of downloadable files from an application file and a plurality of transcripts. The application file stores data blocks and implements an application. Each of the transcripts stores at least one order in which at least a portion of the data blocks of the application file were accessed by the application when executed previously. The transcripts are combined into a combined transcript storing at least one combined order comprising a combined portion of the data blocks. The data blocks of the combined portion are arranged in a data structure having an origin. A first set of data blocks within a predetermined distance from the origin is stored in at least one initial execution file. A second set of data blocks outside the predetermined distance from the origin is stored in downloadable sequence files. |
| US09171007B2 |
Compression/decompression accelerator protocol for software/hardware integration
Embodiments relate to providing a data stream interface for offloading the inflation/deflation processing of data to a stateless compression accelerator. An aspect includes transmitting a request to inflate or deflate a data stream to a compression accelerator. The request may include references to an input buffer for storing input data from the data stream, an output buffer for storing processed input data, and a state data control block for storing a stream state. The stream state is provided to the compression accelerator to continue processing the data stream responsive to the request being a subsequent request. The compression accelerator is instructed to store a current stream state in the state data control block responsive to the request being a non-final request. Accordingly, the current stream state is received from the compression accelerator responsive to the request being a non-final request. The processed input data is received from the compression accelerator. |
| US09170999B2 |
Method, system, and program product for transferring document attributes
The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for transferring document attributes. Specifically, under the present invention, a change to an attribute corresponding to a document archived in a content storage system is received on an indexing system. In response to the change, an archival date corresponding to storage of the document in the content storage system is set to a current date. Also, a start date and an end date in an index transfer tool is set to the current date. Thereafter, the changed attribute is transferred to the content storage system based on a matching of the newly changed archival date with the set start and end dates. |
| US09170997B2 |
Commenting dynamic content
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to add opaque state information to a data file that includes dynamic content and is organized according to a page descriptive format. The opaque state information can be referenced to a comment and a comment state selected from a plurality of states associated with the dynamic content. In some embodiments, the apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to access the data file and the opaque state information to recreate the comment state associated with the dynamic content. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US09170996B2 |
Content interchange bus
Disclosed is a content interchange bus that is configured for (i) receiving a first content creation request from a client, the first content creation request including a first content object that includes data intended for distribution, a first metadata name/value pair describing the first content object, and a second metadata name/value pair describing a first content container; (ii) creating the first content container in the cloud storage platform; (iii) storing the first content object in the cloud storage platform; (iv) receiving a first message from the client, the first message including the first content container's uniform resource identifier and/or the first content object's uniform resource identifier, the message including a topic string that includes a first routing string; and (v) routing the first message to a first subscriber based at least partially on the topic string including the first routing string. |
| US09170993B2 |
Identifying tasks and commitments using natural language processing and machine learning
An example of identifying tasks and commitments can include receiving a communication message. A task and a parameter can be identified in the communication message. Information related to the task can be extracted from the communication message using natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML). A commitment related to the task can be identified using NLP extracted information. A state of the commitment can be identified using NLP and ML based on the extracted information. |
| US09170992B2 |
Treatment determination and impact analysis
A method, software, database and system for determining an optimal treatment for an illness in an individual and for determining the impact (e.g., side effects and intended benefits) of the treatment in the individual are presented in which an attribute profile of the individual containing genetic and non-genetic attributes is compared against a database containing combinations genetic and non-genetic attributes that are statistically associated with successful treatment of the illness in other individuals. |
| US09170991B2 |
Enhanced visual table editing
A system and method for editing a table within a hypertext markup language (HTML) editor is described, the method comprising analyzing code representing the table to determine dimension parameters based on content of the table, storing the dimension parameters in a memory, receiving edit indications from a user, concurrently comparing the edit indications against the dimension parameters, wherein edit indications that exceed the dimension parameters are rejected, and updating each instance of the dimension parameters within the code with the edit indications. |
| US09170990B2 |
Method and system for document retrieval with selective document comparison
This invention discloses a novel system and method for displaying electronic documents on remote devices and enabling collaborative editing where the system upon a request by a user to access a document, automatically determines the latest version of a document that the person had accessed and also whether a newer version had been created. The invention also merges parallel changes that have not been viewed by the user into the comparison result. The invention also includes running a comparison on the two versions and presenting the result to the user. |
| US09170987B2 |
Style extensibility applied to a group of shapes by editing text files
Style extensibility is provided to shapes in a diagram by editing text files. A structured data model is used to render the diagram representing items provided by the user in a text-based format such as a bulleted list. A style engine determines style properties for style labels assigned to key shapes of the diagram. Style properties include features associated with the shapes and their content that preserve an overall look-and-feel of the diagram. Color scheme(s) are also provided through the style labels. A layout engine uses layout definitions based on user input and default parameters along with style label assignments to render a presentation model. Style properties may be modified and new styles added after the diagram is rendered. |
| US09170984B2 |
Computing time-decayed aggregates under smooth decay functions
Aggregates are calculated from a data stream in which data is sent in a sequence of tuples, in which each tuple comprises an item identifier and a timestamp indicating when the tuple was transmitted. The tuples may arrive at a data receiver out-of-order, that is, the sequence in which the tuples arrive are not necessarily in the same sequence as their corresponding timestamps. In calculating aggregates, more recent data may be given more weight by a decay function which is a function of the timestamp associated with the tuple and the current time. The statistical characteristics of the tuples are summarized by a set of linear data summaries. The set of linear data summaries are generated such that only a single linear data summary falls between a set of boundaries calculated from the decay function and a set of timestamps. Aggregates are calculated from the set of linear data summaries. |
| US09170975B2 |
High speed overlay of idle I2C bus bandwidth
High-speed serial communications between programmable devices connected to an I2C bus that includes a serial clock channel (SCL) and a serial data channel (SDA), having at least a logical low state and a logical high state. The programmable device determines if the SCL channel is idle, indicated by a logical high state. Determining the SCL to be idle, the programmable device holds the SCL to a logical low state. The programmable device operates high-speed serial communications using the SDA channel while holding the SCL to the low logical state. In response to completion of the high-speed communications, the programmable device releases the SCL channel and the SCL channel returns to the logical high state. |
| US09170973B2 |
USB communication apparatus and method of reducing power consumption amount thereof using a squelch signal to indicate the presence of signals on a USB bus are at a predetermined level
A USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication apparatus includes: a driver circuit connected to a USB bus and configured to transmit a packet onto the USB bus for a packet transmission period which is determined based on a transmission request signal from another unit. A receiver control circuit generates a fixation request signal and a generation control signal in response to the transmission request signal. A receiver circuit connected to the USB bus generates a squelch signal showing that the packet is being transmitting onto the USB bus, and stops generating the squelch signal in response to the generation control signal. A line state signal control circuit is configured to output a specific line state signal based on the squelch signal to notify to another unit that the packet is been transmitting onto the USB bus, and to fix the specific line state signal in response to the fixation request signal. |
| US09170967B2 |
System and method for transmitting information from a transmitter to a receiver via a single line
A method for transmitting logical information from a transmitter to a receiver via a single line, the receiver being connected to the transmitter by the line, the receiver placing a first signal on the line and the first signal being made up of alternating recessive and dominant levels, the transmitter placing a second signal on the line and the second signal being superposed on the line by the transmitter at least in the segments in which the first signal has a recessive level, the second signal being made up of a sequence of recessive and dominant levels, and the receiver determining from the second signal the logical information that is to be received. |
| US09170960B2 |
Location of computing assets within an organization
Mechanisms are provided for determining the location of computing assets within an organization. These mechanisms determine first location information identifying a location of at least one first physical asset housing in a predetermined physical area of the organization relative to a predetermined coordinate system, and second location information identifying a location of at least one second physical asset housing within the at least one first asset housing. The mechanisms automatically determine third location information identifying a location of at least one computing asset within the at least one second physical asset housing. In addition, the mechanisms generate an asset location map data structure for the organization based on the first, second and third location information. The mechanisms also perform at least one management operation for managing resources of the organization, based on the asset location map data structure for the organization. |
| US09170957B2 |
Distributed dynamic memory management unit (MMU)-based secure inter-processor communication
A first processor and a second processor are configured to communicate secure inter-processor communications (IPCs) with each other. The first processor effects secure IPCs and non-secure IPCs using a first memory management unit (MMU) to route the secure and non-secure IPCs via a memory system. The first MMU accesses a first page table stored in the memory system to route the secure IPCs and accesses a second page table stored in the memory system to route the non-secure IPCs. The second processor effects at least secure IPCs using a second MMU to route the secure IPCs via the memory system. The second MMU accesses the second page table to route the secure IPCs. |
| US09170952B1 |
Configurable multi-standard device interface
A configurable interface includes a transmitter module and a receiver module, each configured to operate according to at least three different interface standards. The configurable interface further includes an interface module configured to determine a physical medium attachment (PMA) standard of a PMA coupled to the configurable interface and activate at least one component of the configurable interface based on the PMA standard. In an arrangement, the device interface supports a CAUI-4 standard. |
| US09170951B1 |
Method and apparatus for event/alert enrichment
Methods and apparatus to provide alert enrichment in a cloud storage system. In one embodiment, the system performs alert/event identification with information from an identity matching service for the components of the cloud storage system to generate a resource identifier for the component associated with a first one of the processed alerts/events, and use the resource identifier to identify a service, platform, virtual machine, virtual application, virtual data center, organization and/or platform component associate with the first one of the processed alerts/events. |