Document Document Title
US09220072B2 Power control method to mitigate interference for in-device coexistence
A power control method to mitigate in-device coexistence (IDC) interference is provided. A wireless communication device (UE) is equipped with a first LTE radio module and a second co-located WiFi/BT/GSNN radio module. Upon detecting coexistence or IDC interference, the UE applies power control method to mitigate the interference. In a first embodiment, the LTE radio module adjusts its power parameters locally without informing the serving eNB. In a second embodiment, the LTE radio module adjusts its power parameters and implicit informs the eNB through existing PHR reporting. In a third embodiment, the LTE radio module changes its power or power class and explicitly informs the eNB through UE capability or new RRC message or MAC CE. Power control can be used as a low cost and lightweight solution before applying other heavyweight solutions that either require more resource or control overhead, or have higher impact on throughput.
US09220070B2 Method and system for managing transmit power on a wireless communication network
The present disclosure sets forth multiple embodiments of the invention. Among those embodiments is a method for determining a maximum power reduction of an uplink signal. The uplink signal is transmitted on a carrier that has a range of frequencies. Frequencies outside of the carrier frequency range include adjacent channel regions. Resource blocks of the carrier that have been allocated for use by to transmit the uplink signal are identified. A power spectral density is determined based on the identified resource blocks. A metric that is based on a third order convolution of the power spectral density function is determined. A maximum power reduction for the adjacent channel regions is also determined based on the metric.
US09220069B2 Method and apparatus for delay-constrained end-to-end energy optimization for wireless services
An apparatus including a processing system configured to determine an energy consumption on the mobile device during sleep and active modes of the mobile device; determine an energy consumption on the sensor during sleep and active modes of the sensor; determine energy levels of the mobile device and the sensor, and; set sleep durations of the mobile device based on the sleep duration of the sensor while meeting an end-to-end delay constraint for a service related to the sensor. A method is also disclosed.
US09220067B2 Front end radio architecture (FERA) with power management
A front end radio architecture (FERA) with power management is disclosed. The FERA includes a first power amplifier (PA) block having a first-first PA for amplifying first-first signals and a first-second PA for amplifying first-second signals. Also included is a second PA block having a second-first PA for amplifying second-first signals and a second-second PA for amplifying second-second signals. At least one power supply is adapted to selectively supply power to the first-first PA and the second-second PA through a first path. The power supply is also adapted to selectively supply power to the first-second PA and the second-first PA through a second path. A control system is adapted to selectively enable and disable the first-first PA, the first-second PA, the second-first PA, and the second-second PA.
US09220063B2 Power management for data transfers in network devices
Disclosed is a method of wireless communication for use by a device and the associated device. The method includes receiving a data transfer schedule and determining that the data transfer schedule includes an isochronous traffic stream for the device. After the determining, the method includes extracting an allocation period of the isochronous traffic stream from the data transfer schedule, determining a wakeup schedule for the device having a sleep interval based on the allocation period, and entering a power save mode using the wakeup schedule. The method may further include determining that the data transfer schedule does not include an isochronous traffic stream for the device. After this determining, the method may include requesting a wakeup schedule of a source device, and determining the wakeup schedule for the device having the sleep interval based on the wakeup schedule for the source device entering a power save mode using the wakeup schedule for the device.
US09220061B2 Method for communication based on identifying information assignment and apparatus for the same
A communication method based on identifying information assignment in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, performed by a station (STA), is provided. The method includes receiving an identifier assignment message from an access point (AP), wherein the identifier assignment message comprises identifying information for the STA, and TIM offset information for a time point at which at least one traffic indication map (TIM) element for the STA starts to be transmitted; receiving a first TIM element from the AP at a time point indicated by the TIM offset information; determining whether the first TIM element comprises the identifying information; and receiving a first data frame from the AP if the first TIM element contains the identifying information.
US09220060B2 Method, apparatus, and system for energy saving management in network management system
A method, an apparatus, and a system for energy saving management in a network management system are disclosed. The method for energy saving management includes: configuring, by an integrated reference point manager IRPManager, an energy saving policy, where the energy saving policy includes an identifier of a coverage backup entity for energy saving and further includes policy information of energy saving activation and/or policy information of energy saving deactivation; and sending, by the IRPManager, the energy saving policy to an integrated reference point agent IRPAgent, where the energy saving policy is used to perform energy saving management on a base station.
US09220059B2 Electronic shelf label system and method of operating the same
There is provided a method of operating an electronic shelf label system performed by a gateway wirelessly connected to a plurality of electronic shelf label tags and providing data provided from an electronic shelf label server to the plurality of electronic shelf label tags through a data channel, the method including, interlocking with the electronic shelf label server to thereby be allocated time slots of a wakeup channel, providing information regarding the time slots allocated to the gateway to the plurality of electronic shelf label tags, and receiving an update data request from at least one of the plurality of electronic shelf label tags when the time slots allocated to the gateway have elapsed and providing update data in response to the corresponding update data request.
US09220058B1 Multi-protocol load control
Methods, systems, and apparatus, for wirelessly controlling electrical loads. In an aspect, a system include a wireless controller with a communication subsystem that communicates with a plurality of power control devices over a first network, communicates with a wireless smart metering device over a second network, communicates with a system controller over a third network. The system receives an event message from one or more of the wireless smart metering device over the second network or the system controller over the third network, generates one or more power commands for the power control devices, the one or more power commands configured to cause the power control devices to adjust one or more power loads in response to the event message, and transmits the one or more power commands to the power control devices over the first network.
US09220057B2 Operator selecting apparatus and method for selecting a home operator for each communication device in a group
An operator selecting apparatus and a method for selecting a home operator for each communication device in a group. A first selecting unit of the operator selecting apparatus selects, for each quality-oriented communication device in the group, a candidate operator out of a plurality of the candidate operators that is determined based on the quality information to provide the best quality of service to the communication device. The second selecting unit of the operator selecting apparatus then selects, for each cost-oriented communication device in the group, based on the billing system and a number of quality-oriented communication devices assigned to the each candidate operator as a result of the selection by the first selecting unit, a candidate operator out of the plurality of the candidate operators such that a total cost for all the communication devices in the group becomes lowest.
US09220047B2 Network system, node, packet forwarding method, program, and recording medium
There are proposed: a network system capable of realizing packet forwarding higher in packet forwarding efficiency than in conventional Intermittent Periodic Transmit (IPT) using omni-directional antennas; and the like. Directional antennas are applied to the IPT, and each of slave nodes waits for reception of downlink packets by a directional antenna for receiving the downlink packets in a reception waiting state therefor. Moreover, the downlink packets are treated like polling control signals, and uplink packets are transmitted at a reception time of the downlink packets, whereby a hidden node problem and a carrier sensing problem can be avoided. Furthermore, in accordance with routing protocol in which each of nodes changes directivity randomly by a route formation process, it becomes possible to form a more suitable route.
US09220045B2 Method and system for regulating frequent handover by mobile devices between femtocells
Disclosed are systems and methods for regulating frequent handovers by mobile devices between adjacent femtocells. In one aspect, the method includes determining if a mobile device is experiencing frequent handovers between femtocells, classifying frequent handovers based on cause (e.g., ping-pong between the two femtocells or high speed mobile device crossing a number of femtocells, etc.), and determining one or more remedial actions for regulation of frequent handovers based on the number of frequent handovers and their classification.
US09220044B2 Methods and apparatus for quickly exploiting a new link during hand-off in a wireless network
A way to deliver traffic to a mobile node that is undergoing a hand off between two Access Routers (AR) is described. The method of the present invention operates to perform some or all of the following: decrease, e.g., minimize, delays between the time the old link breaks and the first packet is sent from the new link; reduce and/or eliminate packet bursts from old to new AR when an old (existing) link breaks; ensure that packets are neither lost nor duplicated during hand off; maintain QoS control of delivery order to the MN; make good or best use of multiple links during make-before-break hand-off; and support both uplink and downlink traffic.
US09220043B2 Dynamic internetwork load balancing
Examples are disclosed for executing vertical handovers of wireless devices configured to couple with heterogeneous wireless networks. In some examples, wireless devices on separate heterogeneous networks may be swapped between the heterogeneous networks.
US09220040B2 Femto-gateway, a cellular telecommunications network, and a method of identifying a handover target femtocell base station
A method is provided of identifying a handover target femtocell base station from among multiple femtocell base stations. The method comprises: (a) measuring the characteristic of the handover target femtocell base station to provide a first measured value of the characteristic; (b) then identifying as handover candidate femtocell base stations a first set of femtocell base stations all having that first characteristic value; (c) then changing the characteristic of selected femtocell base stations in the first set; (d) then measuring the characteristic of the handover target femtocell base station to provide a further measured value of the characteristic; (e) then identifying as a reduced set of handover candidate femtocell base stations each femtocell base station in the first set having the further measured value of the characteristic; (f) then checking whether the number of femtocell base stations in the reduced set of handover candidate femtocell base stations is one, and upon determining that the number of femtocell base stations in the reduced set is greater than one, taking the reduced set as the first set in repeating steps (c), (d) (e) and (f).
US09220034B2 Control information feedback over the long-term evolution physical uplink shared channel
A network component comprising a plurality of encoders, a plurality of rate-matching modules coupled to the encoders, and a channel interleaver coupled to the rate-matching modules, wherein the rate-matching modules calculate the number of bits for rate matching a plurality of feedback control information based on a total number of bits allocated to a channel traffic without a traffic data. Included is a network component comprising at least one processor configured to encode a plurality of feedback control information, calculate the number of bits for rate-matching the feedback control information based on a total number of bits allocated to a channel traffic without a traffic data. Included is a method comprising receiving a downlink traffic, detecting a request to transmit uplink data in the downlink traffic, and transmitting feedback control information with or without data based on the request.
US09220032B2 Methods and arrangements for traffic indication mapping in wireless networks
Logic may implement a hierarchical data structure for traffic indication mapping to facilitate transmissions for wireless communications devices. MAC sublayer logic may generate and transmit or receive and interpret management frames such as beacon frames with a partial virtual bitmap in a traffic indication map element based upon the hierarchical data structure for traffic indication mapping. The traffic indication map element may comprise a number of contiguous blocks encoded with the same encoding scheme, allowing the number of contiguous blocks to be included in the TIM element without repeating a block offset field value and a block control field value for each of the contiguous blocks.
US09220031B2 Access control method and device
Disclosed is an access control method, for use in implementing improved access control. The method comprises: during a random access process, on the basis of a current load of a random access network (RAN) and a core network (CN) and of terminal or service information reported by a user equipment (UE), the RAN judging whether or not access to the RAN and to the CN is allowed; when access is denied by at least one network between the RAN and the CN, the RAN transmitting to the UE an instruction message having attached therein a backoff time corresponding to the access denying network. Also disclosed is a device for implementing the method.
US09220029B2 Method of handling minimization of drive tests measurement and related communication device
A method of handling minimization of drive tests, hereafter called MDT, measurement for a mobile device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes registering to a first public land mobile network, and maintaining MDT measurement configuration when the UE registers to a second public land mobile network belonging to an operator as the first public land mobile network is, or the UE is in coverage of the first public land mobile network but registering to no public land mobile network.
US09220027B1 Wireless end-user device with policy-based controls for WWAN network usage and modem state changes requested by specific applications
A wireless end-user device has a wireless wide-area network (WWAN) modem. A network service activity control policy set has a policy element that associates multiple Internet activity access controls with at least one end-user application. One or more processors receive a first type of request from applications, to use the networking stack, and a second type of request from applications, to change the power control and/or network connection state of the WWAN modem. The processors determine whether to apply the Internet activity access controls to the first type of request and the second type of request. Accordingly, certain end-user applications can, when specified policy conditions apply, be prevented from consuming bandwidth by affecting the modem state, and can also be prevented from using the packet networking stack to communicate data, even when the modem state would allow such.
US09220025B2 Core services platform for wireless voice, data and messaging network services
A system for managing wireless devices in a wireless network comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to provide the processor with instructions which when executed cause the processor to: receive a diagnostic request to analyze a problem associated with a wireless device operating in the wireless network; retrieve diagnostic information associated with the wireless device from the wireless network; retrieve diagnostic information associated with the wireless device from the wireless device; determine at least one solution for the problem associated with the wireless device based on the retrieved diagnostic information from the wireless network and the wireless device; transmit the at least one solution; and receive a confirmation that the problem has been resolved.
US09220021B2 User apparatus, base station apparatus, and method in mobile communication system
A user apparatus transmits an uplink control signal to a base station apparatus using a single carrier scheme. The user apparatus includes: a unit configured to prepare acknowledgement information indicating positive acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement for a downlink data signal based on a result of demodulation of the downlink data signal; a unit configured to prepare channel state information indicating reception quality of a downlink reference signal; a unit configured to channel-code multiplexed control information in which the acknowledgement information and the channel state information are multiplexed to prepare the uplink control signal; and a unit configured to transmit the uplink control signal using dedicated resources different from resources for an uplink data signal.
US09220019B2 Communication system, communication method, program and information storage medium
Provided is a communication system for allowing a user to feel the presence of other users existing in the same daily living area without using short-distance wireless communication. The system includes a position coordinate receiving section (80) for obtaining positions from a plurality of user terminals, and a nearby user distributing section (94) for selecting, under the condition that the nearby user distributing section (94) obtains a position of a specified user terminal, one or more of the plurality of user terminals corresponding to the position obtained from the specified user terminal and the positions obtained from the plurality of user terminals and providing the specified user terminal with information on the selected one or more of the plurality of user terminals.
US09220013B2 Tune control for shared access system
Devices and methods are provided for implementing a shared radio frequency spectrum allocation system. Access points and end user devices in an Authorized Shared Access System are allowed to access a channel of the shared radio frequency spectrum managed by an Authorized Shared Access System controller. Access points provide a communication, or frequency, channel over which similarly configured end user devices obtain access to data networks for client devices. Secure access to the allocated channel of the shared radio frequency spectrum is provided, thereby preventing rogue devices from gaining uncontrolled, or unauthorized, access to a channel of the shared radio frequency spectrum that may result in interference with other users of the channel including higher priority users. A secure synthesizer and secure encrypted tuning control words uniquely and securely control local channel usage.
US09220007B2 Wireless access point MAC address privacy
The present disclosure describes techniques for using varying MAC addresses to provide wireless access point MAC address privacy. A wireless access point may be configured to generate a random (or pseudo-random) MAC address to use on a wireless-side interface (and SSID broadcast), rather than using the burned-in MAC address. The wireless access point may be further configured to periodically change the wireless-side MAC address with a newly generated one whenever user-configurable triggering conditions are satisfied. As a result, a MAC address learned by a wi-fi sniffing device becomes obsolete shortly after being learned and cannot be used to correlate the actual location of the access point with the MAC address for any significant period of time.
US09220004B2 Radio unit, baseband processing unit and base station system
A radio unit configured to connect to a baseband processing unit includes a transformation unit configured to obtain uplink time domain signal data and transform the uplink time domain signal data into uplink frequency domain signal data; and a compression unit configured to compress the uplink frequency domain signal data by using a compression algorithm.
US09219999B2 Information push method, apparatus, and system
The present invention provides a new Push method, apparatus, and system. The Push method includes: receiving a Push message delivered by an application server; obtaining a private IP address of a UE according to a user identifier, where the user identifier is obtained from the Push message; and obtaining, according to the private IP address of the UE, a PS domain node currently connected to the UE, sending the Push message to the PS domain node, and sending the Push message to the UE through the PS domain node.
US09219991B2 System and method for mobile data expansion
A data expansion system that provides continuum of discrete wireless small cell coverage areas for mobile terminals includes a set of roadway reflectors configured to provide wireless broadband data services to a mobile terminal. Each reflector includes processing circuitry configured to establish communications between the mobile terminal and a backhaul network. Each reflector includes a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive data. Each reflector includes a power source that converts solar energy into electricity. Each reflector includes a housing configured to contain the processing circuitry, the transceiver, and the power source. The housing has a raised reflective surface.
US09219987B2 Automatic seamless context sharing across multiple devices
Embodiments of a system and method for automatic context sharing across multiple devices are generally described herein. In some embodiments, an application context information transfer technique is provided that is capable of detecting when the user is moving away from or towards a stationary or fixed-location computing device, and transferring application context information to or from a mobile device. The application content information transferred between devices may include information that allows the user to continue a computing device activity on the mobile device or continue mobile device activity on the computing device, such as editing a document, reading a website article, or viewing a streaming video. The techniques described herein may be used to automate the transfer of such application context information between devices.
US09219985B2 Method and system for cooperative stochastic positioning in a mobile environment
Cooperative stochastic positioning in a mobile environment is provided. Position announcements transmitted wirelessly from objects in the immediate area are received at an object of interest or primary object. The position announcements provide the current position data of the respective object in relation to a common coordinate system. The received position announcements are discretizing to obtain a plurality of data groupings based upon a clustering criteria applied to the received position data. Clustering of the data groupings is performed to determine which clusters dataset from the data groupings provide sufficient and consistent position accuracy to determine a relative position of the primary object. A stochastic automata model is then applied to selected cluster dataset to evaluate relative cluster weights in order to determine the relative position of the object of interest. The accuracy of a current position of the object of interest can then be updated based upon determined relative position.
US09219984B1 System and method of super synchronization in RTLS
System and method for wireless infrared-aided location, including: a portable tag to be located, the portable tag comprising an infrared (IR) receiver; and a plurality of base-stations, at least one of said base-stations comprising: a processor coupled to a memory; a first clock coupled to the processor, the first clock configured to be selectively activated and deactivated by the processor; a receiver coupled to the processor, the receiver configured to receive a periodic timing synchronization signal; and an infrared transmitter coupled to the processor, the infrared transmitter configured to transmit an IR signal to the portable tag, wherein the IR signal is substantially identical and in-phase with IR signals from other base-stations, wherein the processor is configured to synchronize said base-station to the periodic timing synchronization signal.
US09219977B2 Selected restriction of wireless communication services
Wireless communications services on a wireless communications device are selectively restricted in accordance with a location of the wireless device and specific permission and/or restrictions assigned to the wireless device while within/at the location. Services can be selectively blocked (denied), selectively modified, or selectively allowed on a wireless device based on lists indicating permissibility for specific services for specific devices at/within specific locations. A location can be a zone of coverage of a cellular tower, micro/pico/Femto cell or wireless access point, a sector of a zone of coverage, a geographic region within a zone of coverage, or any appropriate combination thereof.
US09219975B2 Systems and methods for receiving gesture indicative data at a limb wearable
Computationally implemented methods and systems include soliciting to provide to a limb wearable computing device from one or more functional devices that are within the communication range of the limb wearable computing device gesture indicative data that is indicative of one or more user gestures, the communication range being a spatial volume that includes the limb wearable computing device and being externally defined by an enveloping boundary, where low-power signals transmitted by the limb wearable computing device being discernible over background noise within the enveloping boundary and not discernible over background noise outside the enveloping boundary, the limb wearable computing device being designed to be worn around a limb of a user; and facilitating the limb wearable computing device to receive the gesture indicative data from the one or more functional devices. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
US09219973B2 Method and system for scaling ducking of speech-relevant channels in multi-channel audio
A method and system for filtering a multi-channel audio signal having a speech channel and at least one non-speech channel, to improve intelligibility of speech determined by the signal. In typical embodiments, the method includes steps of determining at least one attenuation control value indicative of a measure of similarity between speech-related content determined by the speech channel and speech-related content determined by the non-speech channel, and attenuating the non-speech channel in response to the at least one attenuation control value. Typically, the attenuating step includes scaling of a raw attenuation control signal (e.g., a ducking gain control signal) for the non-speech channel in response to the at least one attenuation control value. Some embodiments are a general or special purpose processor programmed with software or firmware and/or otherwise configured to perform filtering in accordance the invention.
US09219970B2 Method and apparatus for manufacturing a passive component for an acoustic transducer
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a passive component for an acoustic transducer, wherein a mixture of metal oxide filler with an epoxy resin is subjected to ultrasonic wave generated and followed by an addition of a hardener to cast the passive component for the acoustic transducer. Mixing the materials with the ultrasonic wave improves the dispersion of the metal oxide filler over conventional passive components, thus enabling the passive component to have uniform surfaces, resulting in improved sound velocity and attenuation characteristics with acoustic transducers that use the passive component manufactured by the present disclosure.
US09219967B2 Multiuser audiovisual control
Various audiovisual presentation arrangements are described. In some embodiments, a headset is configured to output audio to a user. A television receiver may be configured to output a plurality of video feeds for simultaneous presentation by a display device. Each video feed of the plurality of video feeds may be displayed in a different display region of the display device. The television receiver may receive a command indicative of a video feed of the plurality of videos feeds that the user is viewing on the display device. Based on the command, the television receiver may output, to the headset, an audio feed that corresponds to the video feed the user is viewing.
US09219965B2 Body-worn control apparatus for hearing devices
A control apparatus comprises a housing and is adapted to control a hearing device by recognizing predefined gestures made by the device wearer by moving one arm and/or or hand relative to the housing when the housing is in an operating position at or on the wearer's body. The housing comprises a reference electrode coupled capacitively to the wearer when the housing is in the operating position and a first sensor electrode. The control apparatus further comprises: a first signal generator to provide a first electric probe signal between the first sensor electrode and the reference electrode; a first measurement circuit to determine first signal values in dependence on the impedance between the first sensor electrode and the reference electrode; a detector to recognize gestures in dependence on the first signal values; and a control unit to provide control commands to the hearing device in dependence on recognized gestures.
US09219962B2 Transducer and method of operation
In one embodiment, there is described a new transducer, and in particular an improved system and method for producing linear motion for a transducer such as used in voice coils converting from an electrical input to a mechanical linear motion input.
US09219955B2 Apparatus, system and method for underwater voice communication by a diver
Embodiments of the invention provide a system, apparatus and methods for underwater voice communication by a diver to other divers and surface ships. In many embodiments, the system includes a mouthpiece voice communication apparatus having a microphone for sensing the diver's voice and an acoustic transducer that conducts sound via conduction through the diver's teeth and skull to the cochlea so as to allow the diver to hear sounds. The mouthpiece is adapted to be easily attached to portions of a SCUBA or other underwater breathing apparatus. It may also be attached to or integral with a snorkel or similar apparatus.
US09219952B2 Voiding calls to signal supplementary services
The invention provides a method and system for signaling asynchronous supplementary services in a telephony network. The method comprises initiating a call between a sender and a recipient on a telephony network including generating a telephony request and disconnecting the call prior to completion of a connection. Concomitantly, an asynchronous communication is initiated between the sender and the recipient using information in the telephony request. The call may be disconnected prior to allocation of a traffic channel or prior to generating a ring at a device of the recipient. In one embodiment the call is disconnected after receipt of the telephony request by an originating mobile switching center but before continuing set-up of the call. Calls aborted in this way can be used to initiate messaging or other services without utilizing voice circuits in a network.
US09219949B2 Display apparatus, interactive server, and method for providing response information
A display apparatus, an interactive server, and a method for providing response information are provided. The display apparatus includes: a voice collector which collects a user's uttered voice, a communication unit which communicates with an interactive server; and, a controller which, if response information corresponding to the uttered voice which is transmitted to the interactive server is received from the interactive server, controls to perform an operation corresponding to the user's uttered voice based on the response information, wherein the response information is generated in a different form according to a function of the display apparatus which is classified based on an utterance element extracted from the uttered voice. Accordingly the display apparatus can execute the function corresponding to each of the uttered voices and can output the response message corresponding to each of the uttered voices, even if a variety of uttered voices are input from the user.
US09219943B2 Broadcast receiving apparatus and control method thereof
A broadcast receiving apparatus which accumulates and stores a status value of a broadcast signal is provided. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes a signal receiver which receives a broadcast signal, a decoder which decodes the received broadcast signal, a signal detector which detects a signal status of at least one of the received broadcast signal and the decoded broadcast signal, and a storage unit which accumulates and stores a status value of the broadcast signal detected by the signal detector. Accordingly, the past signal status of the broadcast receiving apparatus can be easily recognized.
US09219941B2 Rich media stream management
A secondary stream of rich media packets defining scene states of a sub-portion of a scene representable by a primary stream or rich media packets. Local random access data defining instructions for enabling creation, when being processed, of a starting state of the scene sub-portion without affecting the scene state of scene portions is provided. The local random access data is packed into at least one rich media packet, which is inserted into the secondary stream and transmitted to at least one user terminal. The local random access data can be used by terminals for tuning-in to the secondary stream and/or for error recovery relating to the secondary stream.
US09219940B2 Fast channel change for hybrid device
There is provided according to embodiments of the invention a method of changing channels in a hybrid multicast video distribution environment, which is carried out by receiving a plurality of multicast video streams concurrently in a server, buffering first segments of the video streams respectively, wherein the first segments comprise an independently decodable frame and zero or more predicted frames, encoding the first segments to form new segments having new frame quality parameters that are less than the frame quality parameters of the first segments, assembling the first segments and the new segments into respective channel packs of the video streams, and responsively to a request, identifying one of the video streams and transmitting at least a portion of the oldest stored channel pack of the one video stream from the server to a receiving device. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US09219936B2 Conditional access integration in a SOC for mobile TV applications
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a demodulator for receiving encrypted information data and a hardware unit that enables conditional access to the information data. The hardware unit includes a processing unit, a RAM, a ROM, multiple non-volatile registers, and an interface unit for transferring an attribute to the demodulator. The non-volatile registers may include an IC identification and an encryption key. The ROM includes a boot code that causes the processing unit to fetch a code from an external memory and store the fetched code in the RAM. The fetched code may include a certificate that ensures the authenticity of the code. The fetched code may be encrypted and decrypted by the ROM using the IC identification and the encryption key. The demodulator includes a descrambler for decrypting the received information data using the attribute. The information data may include digital radio or television content.
US09219934B2 Data stream rate adaptation mechanism
A method of controlling data transfer in a data transmission system which includes a plurality of video and/or audio data sources, a single transmitter operable to transmit data from the data sources over at least one transmission channel, a plurality of client receivers operable to receive transmitted data, the method comprising estimating available channel capacity for each client receiver, using parameters relating to the at least one transmission channel, and using information from the transmitter and receiver, and using information relating to queuing of data between the data sources and the transmitter; determining a target bit transmit rate for each client receiver in dependence upon the estimated channel capacity, a quality parameter, and an activity parameter for the client receiver concerned; and controlling the data sources and transmitter in dependence upon the determined bit transmit rate.
US09219930B1 Method and system for timing media stream modifications
A system and method for triggering media stream modifications and for modifying media streams accordingly. The method includes a first step of determining, by an apparatus, an opportunity to modify a compressed media stream, by a media stream modifier, to provide a modified media stream that includes additional video content; and a second step of generating modification information representative of said determination, to be further transmitted to the media stream modifier.
US09219926B2 Image encoding apparatus, image encoding method and program, image decoding apparatus, image decoding method and program
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes, a division unit configured to divide an image to generate a first block group including one or more blocks and a second block group adjacent to the first block group, a first encoding unit to encode the first block group in units of block, a second encoding unit to encode the second block group in units of block, and a storage unit to store encoded information after the first encoding unit processes a block at a predetermined position, in which the storage unit, when the first block group does not include a block at the predetermined position, sets the predetermined position to a block in the first block group and stores the encoded information based on the set position, and wherein the second encoding unit starts encoding based on the encoded information.
US09219925B2 Video image coded data display method, device, and communications system
The present invention relates to a displaying method for video image coded data which prevents deterioration of image quality of a video image as much as possible, and conceals, from an observer, deteriorated video quality caused due to a transmission error. The displaying method selects target image frames to be decoded and target image frames to be discarded, by performing error determination (32) in parallel with an error recovery process and other image restoration processes, and decodes (33) only the selected target image frames. A predetermined display device sequentially displays (34) only the decoded target image frames while adjusting a frame rate.
US09219921B2 Mixed tap filters
During the prediction stage of a video encoding and/or decoding process, a video coder can use relatively longer filters for certain motion vectors pointing to certain sub-pixel positions and relatively shorter filters for motion vectors pointing to other sub-pixel positions, where a longer filter generally refers to an interpolation filter with a greater number of filter coefficients, also called taps, while a shorter filter generally refers to an interpolation filter with fewer taps.
US09219919B2 Electronic device for signaling a sub-picture buffer parameter
An electronic device for sending a message is described. The electronic device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The electronic device determines whether a picture is allowed to be decoded on a sub-picture level. If the picture is allowed to be decoded on a sub-picture level, the electronic device generates at least one of a buffer size parameter and a buffer scale parameter. The electronic device sends at least one of the buffer size parameter and the buffer scale parameter.
US09219914B2 Method and an apparatus for decoding a video signal
A method of processing a video signal is disclosed. The present invention includes obtaining a current macroblock type, obtaining skip or direct mode indication information on a partition of the current macroblock according to the current macroblock type, deriving a motion vector of the partition according to the skip or direct mode indication information, and predicting a pixel value of the partition using the motion vector. Accordingly, the present invention obtains a pixel value of a reference block close to an original video using a motion vector, thereby enhancing a reconstruction ratio of the macroblock. As a macroblock uses skip or direct prediction indication information, it is unnecessary to separately code skip mode indication information and direct mode indication information on the macroblock, whereby an information size to be coded can be reduced.
US09219909B2 Three dimensional image display device having 2D and 3D modes and driving method thereof
In a 3D image display device and a driving method thereof, a left-eye image and a right-eye image are displayed at a 3D display frequency higher than a 2D display frequency in a 3D mode. The left-eye image or the right-eye image is applied to a data line as data voltages having the same polarity and the same magnitude throughout at least two consecutive frames. A gate-on voltage is applied to a plurality of gate lines crossing the data line sequentially at an interval of a compensation gate-on application time calculated based on a total data delay value.
US09219907B2 Method and apparatus for quantitative 3-D imaging
Described is a method and apparatus for obtaining additional information from an object and a method for surface imaging and three-dimensional imaging. Single lens, single aperture, single sensor system and stereo optic systems may be modified in order to successfully generate surface maps of objects or three-dimensional representations of target objects. A variety of the aspects of the present invention provide examples of the use of an addressable pattern in order to overcome mismatching common to standard defocusing techniques.
US09219905B1 Systems and methodologies related to formatting data for 3-D viewing
Image acquisition instruments may be employed to capture images used to produce data for driving 3-D projectors. The data obtained from the image acquisition instruments may be compressed. Projectors may also be used to form 3-D images of the object based on the compressed data after decompressing the data. Accordingly, various embodiments described herein involve the formatting of the data such as compressing the data or un-compressing the data.
US09219902B2 3D to stereoscopic 3D conversion
This disclosure describes techniques for modifying application program interface (API) calls in a manner that can cause a device to render native three dimensional (3D) graphics content in stereoscopic 3D. The techniques of this disclosure can be implemented in a manner where API calls themselves are modified, but the API itself and the GPU hardware are not modified. The techniques of the present disclosure include using the same viewing frustum defined by the original content to generate a left-eye image and a right-eye image and shifting the viewport offset of the left-eye image and the right-eye image.
US09219901B2 Reactive user interface for head-mounted display
Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward allowing a see-through HMD to intelligently react to sensor and other input to adjust how visual elements showing video are displayed. The HMD can react to different sensor input in different ways, enabling the HMD to provide graduated responses based on the degree and type of sensor input received. These responses may further be based on a determination of the context of the user to help ensure an intelligent, appropriate response.
US09219898B2 Constrained color palette in a color space
A technique for enabling display of a source color space on a display color space commences by first receiving source color space information. The source color space information undergoes a conversion into a device independent color space. Once converted into the device independent color space, a LUT or other matrix assigns output colors for the input colors corresponding to the specific display device color space. The LUT or other matrix can be generated with the source material and transmitted to the source display device.
US09219896B1 Method of color processing using a color and white filter array
A method of color processing includes providing a color and white filter array placed over an image sensor, thereby generating converted color and white signals; interpolating the converted white signals to generate interpolated white signals; interpolating white-chroma differences between the converted color signals and the converted white signals to generate interpolated white-chroma difference signals; and transforming the interpolated white signal and the interpolated white-chroma difference signals into a color space, thereby generating transformed color signals.
US09219890B1 Optical surface analysis system and method
An image analysis system and method are provided. The system can include a base for receiving an optical surface, at least one light source positioned above and at an oblique angle with respect to the optical surface, a camera positioned above the optical surface and adapted to provide an image data indicative of an image of the optical surface, and a computerized system adapted to receive the image data from the camera. The computerized system can analyze the image data to identify and quantify surface defects. Classification identifiers can be assigned to each surface defect based on the physical characteristics of the surface defect. A transmission metric is calculated for the optical surface to allow objective judgment of the surface.
US09219888B2 Image pickup unit and endoscope
An image pickup unit includes an image pickup device, an objective lens, and a prism that has a reflective surface. The image pickup unit includes: a projecting portion that is an area at which the image pickup device projects to the rear from the prism; a terminal portion provided on the projecting portion; a flexible printed wiring board that extends along the prism and the projecting portion; an image pickup device connection terminal portion formed on a face that faces the projecting portion of the flexible printed wiring board; and a cable connection terminal portion formed at an area that extends over the projecting portion of the flexible printed wiring board. The terminal portion and the image pickup device connection terminal portion are joined in an opposed state. An electronic component is mounted on a face on an opposite side to the reflective surface of the flexible printed wiring board.
US09219886B2 Method and apparatus for analyzing image data generated during underground boring or inspection activities
A system includes a visual inspection system and an image analysis system. The visual inspection system includes an inspection camera that captures images from within an interior of at least one of a utility line and a tunnel for installing a utility line, and a first communication interface that communicates image data corresponding to the images. The image analysis system includes a second communication interface that receives the image data from the visual inspection system, a model adaptation module that modifies a classifier model based on at least one of feedback data and training data, and a classifier module that implements the classifier model to identify a plurality of features in the image data corresponding to defects and that modifies the image data according to the identified plurality of features. The defects include at least one of a cross-bore, a lateral pipe, and an imperfection.
US09219884B2 Periodic broadcast and location of evolving media content with application to seminar and stroke media
Techniques are provided for broadcasting history or coarse representations or both of stroke media and other media. Levels are created for media, and the levels are periodically broadcast. The levels segment the media and allow the media to be examined with details that range from coarse to fine or examined with varying importance or both. The periodic broadcast of the levels provides history of the media. In particular, for stroke data, levels of detail are determined through a certain method. Each level of detail is periodically broadcast. The levels of detail may be shown by themselves or combined at a receiver to create segmented views of the stroke data. A user can select a coarse view of the stroke data to quickly see the stroke history. Additionally, techniques are provided for quickly and repeatedly accessing data elements in already existing data structures. Generally, a description is created that describes data elements in a preexisting data structure. One or more links are created, from the description, which allow a user to directly access particular data elements for the preexisting data structure.
US09219883B2 Controlling placeshifted content
Media content to be place shifted is received at the local user device along with a place shift enabled parameter that contains data associated with the received media content and that indicates whether the received media content is authorized to be place shifted. A user command to place shift the received media content to the remote user device is also received. It is then determined, by analyzing the place shift enabled parameter, whether the received media content is authorized to be place shifted and based on this determination the place shifting of the received content to a remote device is allowed or impaired.
US09219880B2 Video conference window activator
A method for activating a video conference between at least one local watcher using a local communication enabled device and at least one remote watcher using a remote communication enabled device is provided. The method may include detecting the at least one local watcher and the at least one remote watcher at each respective communication enabled device. The method may also include transmitting a video signal and an audio signal between the local communication enabled device and the remote communication enabled device based on the detecting of both the at least one local watcher and the at least one remote watcher at each respective communication enabled device. The method may further include transmitting a single captured image between the local communication enabled device and the remote communication enabled device based on the detecting of one of the at least one local watcher and the at least one remote watcher.
US09219877B2 Impedance compensation circuit
The present invention provides an adjustable radio frequency (“RF”) impedance method. Embodiments of the invention provide voltage adjustable RF impedance termination methods.
US09219872B2 Image pickup apparatus, driving method for image pickup apparatus, image pickup system, and driving method for image pickup system
In an image pickup apparatus, a counter configured to output a count signal to a second AD conversion unit starts, with a delay, counting clock signals as compared with a counter configured to output a count signal to a first AD conversion unit by a time period corresponding to a delay of a reference signal output to a comparator of the second AD conversion unit with respect to a reference signal output to the comparator of the first AD conversion unit.
US09219869B1 Image capturing device and method for shading compensation thereof
A shading compensation method of an image capturing device, adapted to an image capturing device having a primary lens, a secondary lens, and a diffuser as well as pre-storing a primary-secondary lenses table and a secondary lens-diffuser table, includes the following steps. First, the secondary lens is covered by the diffuser. A scene is simultaneously captured by the primary lens and the secondary lens covered by the diffuser so as to generate a primary image and a diffused image. Next, according to the primary image and the diffused image, a shading compensation table corresponding to the scene is constructed by using the primary-secondary lenses table and the secondary lens-diffuser table. A shading compensation process is then performed on the primary image according to the shading compensation table so as to generate a compensated image.
US09219868B2 Image processing device, image processing method, and program
An image processing method executed in an image processing device, the image processing method including a to-be-updated pixel selection unit deciding, in response to a cyclic period serving as a frame period of a bright and dark stripe pattern of image frames configuring a moving image content, a group division form of constituent pixels of the image frames, dividing the constituent pixels of the image frames into a plurality of groups in accordance with the decided group division form, and generating, from each of the image frames, to-be-updated pixel information setting pixels of a specific group as to-be-updated pixels, and an output control signal generation unit selectively outputting, in accordance with the to-be-updated pixel information, to-be-updated pixels belonging to a specific group from each of the image frames, and generating an output control signal for causing pixels of a display image to be updated in units of groups.
US09219866B2 Dynamic adjustment of multimode lightfield imaging system using exposure condition and filter position
An adjustable multimode lightfield imaging system. A non-homogeneous filter module is positioned at the pupil plane of the lightfield imaging system and provides the multimode capability. The filter module can be moved relative to the imaging system with the exposure conditions adjusted accordingly, thus allowing adjustment of the multimode capability.
US09219865B2 Imaging apparatus capable of detecting and displaying information with respect to an incline thereof
An imaging apparatus including an incline detection device configured to detect an incline of the imaging apparatus, an image display device configured to display an image based on the image information, an incline computation device configured to compute an incline information that corresponds to a magnitude of the incline, an information storage device configured to store the incline information that is computed by the incline computation device, and a display processing device configured to display the image and an incline guide display corresponding to the incline information upon a screen of the image display device. The display processing device is configured to change a display format of the incline guide display in accordance with the magnitude of the incline.
US09219862B2 Imaging device
An imaging device includes: an imaging portion; a memory capable of storing images imaged by the imaging portion; a display portion; and a touch panel arranged to overlap with the display portion and capable of detecting a distance to an indicator. When the distance is equal to or less than a first distance and more than a second distance less than the first distance, the memory stores the images at predetermined time intervals. Then, when the distance becomes equal to or less than the second distance and equal to or more than 0, the display portion displays the image that is stored in the memory before the distance becomes equal to or less than the second distance and equal to or more than 0.
US09219859B2 Camera assembly having a wide viewing angle and image acquisition method using the same
Disclosed is a camera assembly having a wide viewing angle using a variable mirror. The camera assembly includes a variable mirror located in front of an image sensor, a variable mirror controller to switch a mode of the variable mirror to one of a reflection mode to reflect light incident upon the variable mirror and a transmission mode to transmit light incident upon the variable mirror, an image sensor to sense the light reflected by the variable mirror to acquire first image data and to sense the light transmitted through the variable mirror to acquire second image data, and an image processing unit to register the first image data and the second image data acquired by the image sensor to generate a third image.
US09219855B2 Image sensor, ranging apparatus, and imaging apparatus
Provided is a ranging apparatus or the like capable of high-accuracy ranging. The image sensor, comprising multiple pixels, wherein the pixels comprises a ranging pixel including a light collecting member, a waveguide, and first and second photoelectric conversion units, wherein: the first and second units are arranged along a first direction; when a region decentered from a center of pupil in a second direction opposite to the first direction is a first pupil region, a region decentered in the first direction is a second pupil region, a region located in the second direction is a first region, and a region located in the first direction is a second region, the collecting member collects lights passed through the first and second pupil regions to the second and first regions; and the waveguide guides lights collected in the second and first regions toward the first and second units.
US09219853B2 Focus detection apparatus, image pickup apparatus, and focus detection method
A focus detection apparatus includes an image pickup element including first and second pixels that detect light beams passing through different exit pupils in an image pickup optical system, an estimating unit that estimates a moving charge amount between the first and second pixels using first and second luminance signals, a correcting unit that corrects the first and second luminance signals based on an estimation result, a defocus amount calculating unit that obtains a defocus amount by using correction values of the first and second luminance signals, and a focus detecting unit that performs focus detection of a phase difference method using the defocus amount, and the moving charge amount is a charge amount which moves from one to the other of the first and second pixels as a charge amount accumulated in the one of the pixels comes close to a saturated charge amount.
US09219849B2 System for camera viewing and illumination alignment
A system for aligning a camera view and the illumination of a lighting fixture is disclosed. The system includes a camera contained with a housing and a lighting fixture that is pivotedly attached to the housing. An angle adjuster attached to a proximate end of each of the housing and the lighting fixture converts a linear movement to the adjuster into an angular adjustment of the lighting fixture with regard to an optical axis of a camera contained with the housing. In another aspect of the invention, the system of aligning a camera view and light fixture may be attached to a magnification lens in order to align the magnified view with the camera view and the illumination of the lighting fixture.
US09219838B2 Overhead image reading apparatus
An overhead scanner 1 includes an imaging unit 22 that images a medium S placed on a mount surface 2 to be read from above and a light source 21 that is arranged to be able to irradiate the medium S with light during imaging by the imaging unit 22. A control device 40 of the overhead scanner 1 performs anti-glare control when detecting that the medium S is glossy. This prevents glare from occurring to the user during operation of the overhead scanner 1.
US09219831B2 Image forming apparatus that receives operation settings for job execution from multiple operation units, and control method and storage medium therefor
An image forming apparatus capable of executing functions thereof corresponding to operation setting requests in the order of receptions of the requests, while taking into account of the presence/absence of conflict between the operation setting requests, even when receiving a plurality of operation setting requests from an operation unit of the image forming apparatus and/or an external operation unit such as a portable terminal. When operation setting requests are respectively received from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus and the portable terminal, it is determined whether there is a conflict between resources used by the image forming apparatus to execute jobs and whether a user who operates the operation unit and a user who operates the portable terminal are the same as each other. Only the operation setting request permitted based on results of the determinations is received.
US09219829B2 System and method for remotely printing digital images for pickup at a retail store
The method and system allow a user to launch a client application on an web-enabled device and subsequently to navigate to an image source screen within the client application. After receiving an image source selection from the user, the client application retrieves images from the selected image source. The client application displays the retrieved images available for printing to a user, and in response to receiving a selection of an image, the client application transmits the image to a proprietary server. Moreover, upon receiving print order information, the client application additionally executes a location awareness application that determines a current location of the web-enabled device and subsequently, determines a proximal retail store to the current location of the web-enabled device. Thereafter, the remote printing system creates and transmits a print order that includes the selected image to the retail store for pickup.
US09219828B2 Image elimination apparatus, image eliminating method and image forming apparatus
An image elimination apparatus includes a first reader configured to read a status of a sheet, a first judgment portion configured to judge whether the read sheet is reusable or not, an image eliminator configured to eliminate an image formed on the sheet, a second reader configured to read the sheet passing through the image eliminator, a second judgment portion configured to judge whether the image formed on the sheet is eliminated or not, and a controller configured to control the first reader and the second reader so as to read with different reading precision.
US09219827B2 Image inspection system and image inspection method
There is provided an image inspection system. An image reading unit reads a formed image which is formed on a recording medium based on original image data to generate read image data. A determination unit compares the read image data and the original image data to determine whether or not the formed image includes a defective region. An extraction unit extracts an image of characters present around the defective region from the read image data. An image display device displays the image of the characters and an image of the defective region such that both the images overlap with each other.
US09219826B2 System and method for a wireless ringer function
Embodiments of the invention include a device and method for extending alerts for a wireless device. In one embodiment, a method for extending alerts for a wireless device includes linking the wireless device through a wireless connection with a wireless ringer module; wherein the wireless ringer module is removably coupled to a device having an interface for receiving and coupling with the wireless ringer module. The method further includes transmitting a signal to the wireless ringer that triggers an alert feature of the wireless ringer for notifying a user of an incoming communication in response to the wireless device receiving an indication of an incoming communication.
US09219823B2 System and method of enhanced caller-ID display using a personal address book
A method includes receiving, at an analog telephony adapter unit, a voice over internet protocol call signal including a caller identifier. The caller identifier includes a calling number and a billing name associated with the calling number. The method further includes retrieving an alias (or display name) associated with the calling number from a personal address book. The method further includes transmitting a modified caller identifier including the calling number and the alias to an output device.
US09219816B2 System and method for automated whitelist management in an enterprise small cell network environment
A method is provided in one embodiment and includes receiving a network address associated with a wireless device at a first network element in which the network address identifies the wireless device on a first network, and receiving user credentials from a directory service associated with a second network. The user credentials identify a user associated with the wireless device on the second network. The method further includes associating the user credentials with the network address, and communicating a request message to a second network element. The request message includes a request for a user identifier identifying the user on a third network. The method further includes receiving a response message from the second network element including the user identifier, associating the user credentials with the user identifier, and storing the association of the user credentials and the user identifier in a whitelist.
US09219811B2 Mode changing of a mobile communications device and vehicle settings when the mobile communications device is in proximity to a vehicle
A driver of a vehicle is identified and a command is sent to a mobile communications device that is associated with the identified driver and that is in proximity of the vehicle to force the mobile communications device to change modes such as to enter a hands-free or other suitable mode. The driver may be identified through one or more techniques including biometric sensing, key detection, switch controls, and so forth. Additionally, the driver and/or feature settings preferred by the current driver may be identified by receiving data from the mobile communications device. The data may identify the driver ID with preferred feature settings, the mobile communications device which has an association to a driver ID with preferred feature settings, or the data may specify the preferred feature settings.
US09219807B1 Wireless audio communications device, system and method
A wireless plug-in repeater is disclosed, having an audio plug shaped to mate with an analog audio output port of a cellular mobile device and configured to receive an audio signal from the cellular mobile device via the analog audio output port, the audio signal associated with music content; and a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly retransmit at least a portion of the audio signal from the analog output port of the cellular mobile device over the Internet to at least one remote audio receiver device.
US09219806B2 Mobile telephone case with cleaner
A mobile telephone case is provided. An open face top cover has a substantially flat back platform with raised sides along three of four edges and is dimensioned to receive a mobile device. A bottom cover includes a further back platform with further raised sides along three of four edges and that is rotatably affixed to the fourth edge of the open face cover via a connecting member such that the raised sides interconnect with the further raised sides. A microfiber cloth is affixed to a continuous back surface formed by the back platform and the further back platform.
US09219804B2 Automatic answering of a mobile phone
The present disclosure relates to a mobile phone and a method for answering such a phone automatically without user input. In one embodiment, the mobile phone detects that a call is being received. A proximity sensor is then used to detect the presence of a nearby object. For example, this allows a determination to be made whether the mobile phone is within a pocket of the user while the phone is ringing. Then a determination is made whether the proximity sensor changes states. For example, if a user removes the phone from their pocket, the proximity sensor switches from detecting something proximal to detecting that the phone is no longer in the user's pocket. Next, a determination is made whether the proximity sensor is again next to an object, such as an ear. If so, the mobile phone can be automatically answered without further user input.
US09219795B2 Moving picture file transmitting server and method of controlling operation of same
A moving picture suitable for display on a mobile telephone is displayed comparatively quickly. When a moving picture is requested, a leading segment of the moving picture is converted. The leading segment has an amount of data which, after the conversion, is less than the amount of data that is displayable on the mobile telephone that issued the request. A succeeding segment, which can be converted while the leading segment is being transmitted to the mobile telephone and viewed by the user of the mobile telephone, is converted. If there is a request for the succeeding segment after the leading segment is viewed, the conversion of the succeeding segment will be finished by the time of the request for succeeding segment. As a result, the succeeding segment can be transmitted to the mobile telephone quickly, and it can be viewed rapidly.
US09219792B2 Method and system to pre-fetch data in a network
A system, a computer readable storage medium including instructions, and a computer-implemented method of pre-fetching in a network, are provided. In an example embodiment, computer-implemented method of pre-fetching in a network comprises receiving a request from a user device for a first network-accessible data item in the plurality of network-accessible data items; transmitting the first network-accessible data item to the user device; identifying a second network-accessible data item in the plurality of network-accessible data items; and transmitting the second network-accessible data item to the user device, the second network-accessible data item being transmitted before receiving a request for the second network-accessible data item from the user device. Pre-fetch logic may be embedded in the first network-accessible data item.
US09219791B2 Digital filling station for digital locker content
A system and method for an all-inclusive, high speed and convenient delivery of digital content to a user is described. The system and method include software, firmware and communications technology for providing digital content to a user, monitoring and controlling an interface between the user and the system to provide for purchase or lease of digital content by the user as well as communicating and archiving all data necessary to accommodate accounting, billing and reporting functions. Also included is a system and method for controlling a point of transaction kiosk to function as either a licensed digital locker download service provider, or as a licensed digital locker retailer and download service provider.
US09219789B2 Locating computer-controlled entities
A beacon device is provided in proximity to a computing system within a computing center. A request to locate the computing system in the computing center is triggered on a central control unit. In response to the request to locate the computing system, the control unit generates specification data for a unique radio signal identifier, sends an activation request and the specification data to the beacon device, and provides the specification data to a portable device and stores the specification data on the portable device. In response to receiving the activation request, the beacon device sends a radio signal identifier generated from the specification data.
US09219788B1 Online resource serving to a traveling user
Methods and systems for serving at least one online resource item to a user based on a state of the user are provided. A host computing device in communication with a memory receives data representing a record of movements of a user device. A user device profile associates locations of the user device with points in time, and with a state of a user. Following receipt of a resource request from the user device, a state of the user is determined. After at least one candidate online resource item responsive to the resource request are received, at least one online resource item relevant to the state of the user is identified and served to the user device.
US09219783B2 Synchronizing machines in groups
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to support synchronizing machines in groups. In some embodiments, synchronization is implemented by receiving an indication to activate a selected machine of a group of sync-aware machines connected to a subnet of a network, where each member of the group has information identifying all members of the group. Further activities include transmitting an activation message from the selected machine to the remainder of the group to notify the remainder that the selected machine is active, capturing a record of activities conducted at the selected machine while the selected machine is active, and transmitting information, based on the record, to the remainder of the group from the selected machine to synchronize results of the activities with the remainder after the selected machine becomes inactive. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09219782B2 Identifying seed computing devices using estimates in peer-to-peer networks
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and devices for identifying other computing devices of a peer-to-peer network to which to effect or recommend that a specific computing device send a download request for specific digital content. This can involve accessing information regarding other computing devices that currently have the specific digital content and other computing devices that are currently in a process of obtaining the specific digital content, and determining, based on the accessed information, estimates of amounts of time it will take for the specific computing device to download the specific digital content from the other computing devices that currently have the specific digital content, and from the other computing devices that are currently in the process of obtaining the specific digital content. Based on the estimates, one or more of the other computing devices to which to send the download request for the specific digital content is/are identified.
US09219781B2 Systems and methods for GSLB preferred backup list
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for a user to configure the backup locations to use by an intermediary device providing Global Server Load Balancing (GSLB) services when a primary location is down. In some embodiments, when GSLB is based on static proximity of the location of the client to the GSLB sites and if the primary location is DOWN, then request may be load balanced among all the other locations. But this may not be desirable in many cases. So we need to provide option to the user to specify the preferred list of backup locations to service a client request. The present solution achieves this configurability by using a GSLB policy based on preferred location. One can configure preferred location(s) via a GSLB policy to redirect the client to preferred location(x). One can configure individual policies for different client locations. Based on implementation requirements, one can configure country level granularity, state level granularity and so on.
US09219779B1 Cloud-based server computing system for and method of providing cross-platform remote access to 3D graphics applications
A server computing system in a client-server computing environment includes a virtual display driver that marshals and transmits graphics application programming interface (API) functions to a client via a network. The server may receive capability information from the client, allowing the virtual display driver to resolve differences between the APIs supported on the server and the client.
US09219771B2 Streaming data on data processes
A method, system and computer program product for servicing media content. In one embodiment, the media content is processed by having each of a group of services process increments of the media content, one increment at a time; and the order in which the services process these increments is orchestrated to process all of the media content in accordance with a defined procedure. In one embodiment, the increments of the media content are passed, one increment after another, to at least a plurality of the services in a defined order. In an embodiment, each time one of the plurality of services passes one of the increments of the media content to a subsequent one of the services in the defined order, the one of the plurality of services requests another increment of the media content from a preceding one of the services in the defined order.
US09219770B2 Internet streaming and TCP service to dynamically reconfigure user displays
Internet streaming from broadcast radio or television stations is described wherein triggers for dynamic content originated from a system having a TCP Channel to a TCP Distribution Service are received by an encoder system also having a TCP Channel, and cause the encoder system to generate command messages, and optionally to synchronize those command messages with any delays associated with the triggering events. Command messages are delivered through a streaming media distribution system to client media players which obtain or present the dynamic content, in association with any desired configuration changes to the appearance of the media player or the method or manner in which the dynamic content is presented.
US09219769B2 Efficient multiple filter packet statistics generation
Incoming data streams are managed by receiving a data stream on at least one network interface card (NIC) and performing operations on the data stream using a first process running several first threads for each network interface card and at least one group of second multiple processes each with an optional group of second threads. The first process and the one or more groups of second multiple processes are independent and communicate via the shared memory. The first threads for each network interface card are different than the group of second threads. The system includes at least one network interface card that receives a data stream, a first processor that runs a first process that uses a plurality of first threads for each network interface card and a second processor that runs at least one group of second multiple processes each with art optional group of second threads.
US09219767B2 Recording and indicating preferences
Recording a first user's preference for a content contribution submitted by a second user is disclosed. In response to only a single action taken by the first user interacting with a web page, an indication is received that a preference event occurred. The preference event is associated with the content contribution. Information associated with the first user's profile is updated. At least of a portion of the web page is continued to be displayed to the user after receiving the preference event.
US09219758B2 Renewing registrations for a plurality of client applications that are associated with the same host server via an implicit piggybacking scheme
In an embodiment, a server registers each of the plurality of client applications on the same client device. The server receives a given registration request message from the client device that includes a request for renewing a registration for a first of the plurality of client applications with the server, and the server renews the first client application's registration in response to the given registration request message. The server also determines, in response to the given registration request message, whether to preemptively renew registrations for one or more other client applications from the plurality of client applications. The server selectively renews the registrations for the one or more other client applications based on the determination.
US09219756B2 IMS network node to enable troubleshooting and a method thereof
The embodiments of the present invention provide a solution in an IMS network node for enabling troubleshooting. A global session identity indicator (GSII) is introduced which can be used for identifying messages belonging to the same session.
US09219753B2 Systems and methods for cloud data security
Techniques for providing data security services with respect to cloud-based services are described. Examples include a security service provider (“SSP”) configured to perform or provide one or more security-related services or functions with respect to or on behalf of some other system or service. The other system or service may be, for example, a cloud-based system that provides network-accessible services. The SSP allows a user of the cloud-based service to provide and manage one or more security-related services, such as data storage, encryption, decryption, key management, and the like. By using and controlling the SSP, the user can be confident that his or her data is being securely represented and stored, even though it is being operated upon by a cloud-based service that is not under the user's control.
US09219750B2 Communication access control device, communication access control method, and computer readable recording medium
A communication control apparatus that controls communication via a network between a first communication apparatus for communicating via a virtual communication channel and a second communication apparatus for transmitting a communication request with the first communication apparatus including a storage unit that stores access control policy defining allowance or denial of access to the first communication apparatus, an establishment unit that establishes the virtual communication channel with the first communication apparatus, an authentication unit that authenticates the second communication apparatus based on the communication request received from the second communication apparatus, an access control unit that refers to the access control policy and evaluates whether to allow or deny access from the authenticated second communication apparatus to the first communication apparatus, and a transfer unit that transfers the received communication request to the first communication apparatus when the access control unit evaluates that the access is allowed.
US09219745B2 Assessing the resistance of a security module against attacks by communication pipe diversion
A method for assessing the resistance of a security module against an attempt to divert a communication pipe between a gate of this security module and a gate of a near-field communication router present in a telecommunication device to which the security module is intended to be connected, including the steps of: connecting the security module to a near-field communication router emulator; having the emulator send at least one command to the security module, this command simulating the fact that the pipe used is not connected to a near-field communication gate; and determining whether the security module accepts the commands.
US09219738B2 System for providing dynamic portal transaction authentication and authorization
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for managing electronic access from remote devices to a plurality of computer platforms. The system includes a processor, a network interface, and a memory. The network interface is configured to receive a user identity provided by a device remote to the system and an access request from the device to access a selected computer platform from the plurality of computerized platforms. The memory stores computer executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to determine a set of access rights for the device based on the user identity and a role associated with the user identity, as related to the selected computerized platform. The computer executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to allow the user to access the selected platforms according to the access request only if the access requested is included in the determined set of access rights.
US09219735B2 Protecting online meeting access using secure personal universal resource locators
Access to online collaborative resources such as an online meeting, web conference, online chat room, an online video conference, an online audio conference, a collaboratively edited document, a collaborative browsing session, an online social networking group, or a web site is secured by providing a first user-specific URL to a first user for addressing collaborative resource; responsive to the first user accessing the first user-specific URL, granting by a computing system access to the collaborative event to the first user; and responsive to a second user accessing the first user-specific URL, preventing by a computing system access to the collaborative event to the second user. Optionally, time criteria for accessing the first user-specific URL may be used to invalidating the first user-specific URL, wherein access to the collaborative resource is disabled.
US09219734B2 Method and system for automatically detecting media and implementing interaction control thereon
A method for automatically detecting media and implementing interaction control thereon. The present method receives a media change notification (MCN) from a non-defeatable autorun. After receiving the MCN of a media event an operation is automatically executed. The operation then initiates a controller for controlling interaction of deliverable electronic media from a media file corresponding to the media event, wherein the receiving, executing, and controlling are automatically implemented and cannot be defeated by a user.
US09219732B2 System and method for processing random challenges within an authentication framework
A system, apparatus, method, and machine readable medium are described for transparently requesting a new random challenge from a server within an authentication framework. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: transmitting a random challenge and an indication of a timeout period associated with the random challenge from a server to a client within the context of a network registration or authentication process using authentication devices communicatively coupled to the client; automatically detecting that the random challenge is no longer valid based on the timeout period; and responsively transmitting a request for a new random challenge from the client to a server, wherein transmitting is performed transparently to a user of the client.
US09219725B2 Method, apparatus, and system for sending credentials securely
A software application executing in a first local operating environment may be used to connect to a remote server that requires a credential of a user to complete a transaction. In a second local operating environment that operates external to the first local environment, a user may be authenticated based on a user input received in the second local operating environment. The credential of the user may be securely communicated to the remote server from the second local operating environment. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09219723B1 Source device for systems and methods of verifying an authentication using dynamic scoring
A source device for systems and methods of verifying an authentication based on dynamic scoring is disclosed, wherein the source device is configured to receive at least one identification feature from a user, and to communicate the identification feature to a verification unit. The verification unit is configured to generate a base verification score associated with the user based on at least one identification input, the identification input comprising the identification feature, a feature validity rating, and a source device validity rating, to receive a request to access a service, wherein the verification unit compares the base verification score with a service authorization threshold associated with the service, and to grant access to the service when the base verification score meets the service authorization threshold.
US09219722B2 Unclonable ID based chip-to-chip communication
A first copy of an intrinsic ID of a first node may be stored on a second node. The first node may receive a challenge that causes it to generate a second copy of its intrinsic ID. The second copy and a random value may be used as inputs of a function to generate a first code. The first code is transmitted to the second node. The second node decodes the first code using its local copies of the random value and/or the intrinsic ID. The second node checks the decoded information against its local information and authenticates the first node if there is a match.
US09219721B2 Automated credentialing of device newly added to a network
A device newly introduced to a network is automatically credentialed to be able to communicate over a network before the device first communicates with the network. For example, at a point of purchase, a user can provide network identification information to a merchant computing device that effects transfer of that information to the new device such that the new device can communicate directly with the network without initial credentialing directly between the unique device and the local network. In another example, the merchant computing device communicates with the local network to register a newly purchased device with the local network before the newly purchased device is introduced to the network. Accordingly, the network is configured to begin communications with the unique device without initial credentialing directly between the unique device and the local network.
US09219719B1 Automatic dynamic vetting of browser extensions and web applications
A digital good offered for downloading from a first computing system to a client computing device for execution by a browser executing on the client is identified. The digital good is received at a third computing system, where source code for the received digital good includes scripting language code. The code is re-written to include tracking code to track behavior of the digital good during execution of the digital good, and the re-written digital good is executed in a browser run by the third computing system. Based on evaluation of results of executing the re-written digital good, it is automatically determined, by the third computer system, whether the digital good violates one or more predetermined conditions, and based on the determination of whether the digital good violates a predetermined conditions, it is automatically determined whether to discourage downloading the digital good to, or executing the digital good by, the client.
US09219716B2 Distributed tokenization using several substitution steps
A method for distributed tokenization of sensitive strings of characters, such as social security numbers, credit card numbers and the like, in a local server is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving from a central server at least one, and preferably at least two, static token lookup tables, and receiving a sensitive string of characters. In a first tokenization step, a first substring of characters is substituted with a corresponding first token from the token lookup table(s) to form a first tokenized string of characters, wherein the first substring of characters is a substring of the sensitive string of characters. Thereafter, in a second step of tokenization, a second substring of characters is substituted with a corresponding second token from the token lookup table(s) to form a second tokenized string of characters, wherein the second substring of characters is a substring of the first tokenized string of characters. Optionally, one or more additional tokenization steps is/are used.
US09219714B2 ID-based encryption and signature method and terminal
Provided are an identity (ID)-based encryption and signature method and a terminal that use an ID of a transmitter or a receiver as a part of the filename or the extension of a file transmitted to the receiver by the transmitter. Accordingly, it is possible to enable a user to visually recognize that the file has been provided with security. Also, it is possible to designate an associated program for the extension, and the user can easily decrypt or verify the file through the designated associated program.
US09219712B2 WAN optimization without required user configuration for WAN secured VDI traffic
In order for intermediary WAAS devices to process and accelerate ICA traffic, they must decrypt the ICA traffic in order to examine it. Disclosed is a mechanism by which the ICA traffic may be re-encrypted for transport over the WAN in a manner that does not require explicit configuration by the administrator of the WAAS devices. For example, VDI traffic may be intercepted and all data redundancy elimination messages may be encrypted and sent to a peer network device.
US09219703B2 Handling notifications in instant messaging systems
To reduce the communications in an IM conversation between two devices, two or more IM events of the conversation at the first device are confirmed by sending to the second device a single IM communication that confirms the most recent of the events. In order that the user of the second device not experience undue delay in receiving the confirmation, the method may be applied where the time interval between any two consecutive ones of the events is less than a predetermined time.
US09219702B2 System and method for generating intentional interruptions during gatherings
Systems and methods for generating interruptions are provided. A method for generating interruptions, comprises generating a message for one or more recipients, detecting that a computing device is being used for a presentation, concluding, using a processor, that the one or more recipients are in an audience for the presentation, and after concluding that the one or more recipients are in the audience, interrupting the presentation with the message.
US09219700B2 Network switch with traffic generation capability
A packet switch system includes a packet switch appliance having a first network port configured to receive packets, and a first instrument port configured to communicate with a network monitoring tool, a storage system for storing the packets, and an integrated circuit configured to retrieve the packets from the storage system, and retroactively transmit the packets to the first instrument port in a play-back configuration in response to a user's command.
US09219695B2 Switch, information processing apparatus, and communication control method
A PCIe switch stores therein a first identifier used by a CPU to identify a device, a second identifier that is a common identifier to identify the device in a network formed among a plurality of switches that connect the CPU to the device, and a destination of an access request to the device in an associated manner. When having received an access request from the CPU, the PCIe switch identifies a second identifier and a destination that are associated with a first identifier included in the access request. After that, the PCIe switch adds the identified second identifier to the access request, and transmits the access request with the second identifier added to the identified destination.
US09219692B2 Reducing latencies through packet aggregation
Techniques, systems, and articles of manufacture for reducing latencies through packet aggregation. A method includes computing an end-to-end latency for each of multiple data packets to reach a pre-determined destination, determining an aggregation scheme with a corresponding aggregation time for each of the multiple data packets, wherein the aggregation time encompasses the time needed to transmit each of the multiple data packets to an aggregation component and the time spent waiting to output the aggregation component to an output port, and wherein the aggregation time is less than the computed end-to-end latency for each of the multiple data packets, aggregating each of the multiple data packets in accordance with the aggregation scheme, and programming the aggregation component with the aggregation scheme.
US09219690B2 Method for introducing network congestion predictions in policy decision
There is provided a Congestion Prediction Engine “CPE” of a Policy and Charging Control “PCX”’ architecture. The PCC architecture also has a congestion database, a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function “PCEF” device and a Policy and Charging Roles Function “PCRF” node. The CPE includes a processing unit of the CPE which defines a currently applicable congestion prediction. The CPE includes a network; interface unit of the CPE which defines from the congestion database actual congestion data for a latest time period. The processing unit of the CPE determines a subsequent congestion prediction for a subsequent time period by comparing the currently applicable congestion prediction with the actual congestion data and by applying machine learning techniques. The CPE includes a memory of the CPE in which the currently applicable congestion prediction is replaced with the subsequent congestion prediction. The network interface unit of the CPE sends to a network entity the currently applicable congestion prediction so the PCRF can make a policy decision with quality of service “QoS” based on the currently applicable congestion prediction, upon establishment or modification of an IP Connectivity Access Network “IP-CAN” session for a user. A Policy and Charging Rules Function “PCRF” node of a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” architecture for making policy decisions based on network congestion. There is provided a method of a Congestion Prediction Engine “CPE” of a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” architecture and a method of making policy decisions at a Policy and Charging Control “PCC” architecture based on network congestion.
US09219687B2 Path optimization in multi-node virtual switch with orphan ports
Embodiments provide techniques for optimizing paths in a network environment with a virtual network device that includes a first physical network device and a second physical network device, connected using a virtual network device layer link. Embodiments receive a first data packet belonging to a first data flow, at the first physical network device, from the second physical network device, over the virtual network device layer link. An adjacent network device from which the second physical network device received the first data packet is determined. Embodiments also determine one or more links connecting the first physical network device and the adjacent network device. A network message is transmitted to the adjacent network device, where the adjacent network device is configured to transmit subsequent data packets from the first data flow to the virtual network device, using only the determined one or more links, responsive to receiving the network message.
US09219685B2 Communication method and system for a novel network
A communication method for a novel network is disclosed. The novel network is a network with centralized control function, which includes a main control server and a subordinate network device. The subordinate network device includes a terminal. The method includes the steps: the main control server configures the downlink communication link of the present service, and transmits packets of the present service transmitted from the source terminal to the target terminal according to the downlink communication link. The present invention can guarantee the stability and smoothness of the transmission path, avoid multimedia service delays, ensure state information security requirements, and save hardware resources, thereby guaranteeing the quality of the network transmission.
US09219681B2 System and method for storing flow entries in hardware tables
A system and method for storing flow entries in hardware tables includes one or more controllers, memory, a first flow table for storing first flow entries, and a second flow table for storing second flow entries that override the first flow entries. The first flow table implements a fixed priority and the second flow table a flexible priority. The one or more controllers is configured to determine whether a third flow entry with a first priority can only be stored in the second flow table. When the third flow entry can only be stored in the second flow table, the one or more controllers is further configured to add the third flow entry to the second flow table and move any first flow entries with priorities higher than the first priority that overlap the third flow entry to the second flow table.
US09219680B2 Scalability of providing packet flow management
Systems and methods for managing packet flows in a communication network are provided. Packet information can be cached on different levels and used to avoid external queries. The cache information can also be correlated with other types of information, such as location information, to be able to serve that information quicker than if one or more external queries were to be made. A demux manager can provide routing and session setup, by routing packets that already have a session to the session manager and assigning packets to a session manager if they are not already assigned to a session. The tiered architecture also provides scalability to many users and minimizes delays even during high call volumes because the load can be distributed well across the gateway's resources.
US09219676B2 System and method for exchanging channel, physical layer and data layer information and capabilities
A system and method for exchanging channel, physical layer and data layer information and capabilities. The exchange of channel, physical layer and data layer capabilities enables optimal solutions for the provision of network services. In one embodiment, channel, physical layer and data layer capabilities are exchanged during an auto-negotiation process or LLDP messaging.
US09219674B2 Packet detection in the presence of interferers
Methods and apparatus for signal processing is disclosed. The methods and apparatus include a first autocorrelator configured to autocorrelate a received signal using a first time delay to produce a first correlation magnitude, a second autocorrelator configured to autocorrelate the received signal using a second time delay different from the first time delay to produce a second correlation magnitude, and a detector configured to determine whether the received signal comprises a packet preamble based on the first and second correlation magnitudes.
US09219662B2 Method for application extension and image display apparatus using same
The present invention relates to a method for application extension and to an image display apparatus using same, and more particularly, to a method for application extension wherein an application is executed by using the application data after receiving the same in a device registered in an image display apparatus, and to an image display device using the method.
US09219659B1 Policy control list keys for network devices
In a method of processing a packet in a network device, a packet is received at an ingress port of the network device. A metadata set for the packet is generated. The metadata set includes data generated by the network device for the packet. The metadata set is stored in a memory of the network device. A subset of data included in the stored metadata set is used to generated a key corresponding to the packet. The subset of data does not include all of the data included in the stored metadata set. A processing action for the packet is determined based on the key and the packet is processed by the network device using the processing action.
US09219654B2 Preloading token buckets for dynamically implementing speed increases
Providing a dynamic bandwidth increase using at least one token bucket is disclosed. At least one token bucket is pre-loaded to capacity using PCMM commands to dynamically implement speed increases in the network. By pre-loading the at least one token bucket to capacity, the rate cap assigned to the customer is overridden. When the token bucket is exhausted the customer continues at their provisioned rate cap. Only a configuration file has to be changed to implement the temporary bandwidth increase. The token buckets may be implemented on a per service flow basis. Further, a plurality of token buckets may be provided, wherein a first token bucket is configured to control a total burst size and a second token bucket is configured to control an individual flow burst rate up until the first token bucket is depleted.
US09219650B2 Network management apparatus, network management method, and network management system
A network management apparatus is designed so that when reassigning the existing address, the network management apparatus extracts a link with the largest link cost from among links comprising the network based on the network configuration information and specifies a flow routed though the extracted link based on the statistic information; when receiving a path change request and a via link request to request a via link with respect to the specified flow from an external terminal, the network management apparatus selects either one of addresses of an address pair of the specified flow as a change target address; and when changing the selected change target address, the network management apparatus changes the change target address to a candidate address to be assigned by selecting an address, which is routed through a link included in the via link request and has not been assigned, as the candidate address to be assigned.
US09219637B2 Facilitating rapid establishment of human/machine communication links with private SIP-based IP networks using pre-distributed static network address translation maps
A method and system are provided that enhance human/machine communication so as to more closely approximate natural human/human communication by more effectively establishing communications links for human-interactive media. Specifically, the speed and quality of the connection are improved by the method and system, resulting in a more natural user experience. The method includes receiving a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) call request from an Endpoint (EP). The method determines an external address based on an internal address of the EP uniquely mapped to the external address and pre-distributed to SIP internal routers. The method includes modifying the SIP call request to replace the EP internal address with the EP external address. The method includes forwarding the EP external address to the EP. The method includes establishing a communication link for human-interactive media between the EP and the call provider, the EP using the EP external address, and the communication link not including the SIP Internal Router.
US09219634B1 System and method for searching, storing, and rendering digital media content using virtual broadcast channels
A user interface device provides access to at least one of a plurality of digital content sources. The interface device is configured to catalog the plurality of digital content sources to correspond to a plurality of channels in a tuning band, to present the plurality of channels sequentially in response to a user initiated tuning movement, and to select one of the sequentially presented channels for playback.
US09219628B2 Equalizer and operating method thereof
An equalizer includes a sampler configured to sample an edge and data of an input signal or an induced signal obtained from the input signal, a clock generator configured to generate an edge clock used to decide sampling timing of the edge and a data clock used to decide sampling timing of the data based on the sampled edge and the sampled data, and a controller configured to control the sampling timing of the edge and the sampling timing of the data based on the sampled edge and the sampled data.
US09219626B2 Data transmission system and data transmission method
In order to make it possible to suppress attenuation of a data signal waveform without extra power consumption in high-speed transmission by using a high-speed clock, a data transmission system of the present invention includes a sending unit that outputs a reference signal generated by delaying a clock signal and a modulation signal which is either a signal the phase of which is delayed with respect to the reference signal in accordance with a state of a data signal or the clock signal, a transmission unit that transmits the reference signal and modulation signal, a peaking unit that suppress a development of peaking by applying inductor peaking to a signal on a transmission path, and a receiving unit that demodulates the data signal by detecting a phase difference between the reference signal and the modulation signal and outputs information on the data signal.
US09219624B2 Method and device for reporting antenna calibration information and determining antenna calibration factor
A method and device for reporting antenna calibration information and determining antenna calibration factor are provided by the present invention. When reporting the antenna calibration information, a user equipment (UE) estimates the downlink equivalent baseband channel from a plurality of antennas of the base station to the UE; according to the equivalent baseband channel, determines the amplitude response and delay value to be reported, and then reports the amplitude response and delay value to the base station. When determining the antenna calibration factor, according to the uplink signal sent by the UE on the base station-directed time-frequency resources, the base station determines the amplitude response and the delay value; according to the amplitude response and delay value reported by the UE and according to the amplitude response and delay value determined by the uplink signal, the base station calculates the antenna calibration factor. Because the UE pre-processing process is added, the sensitivity degrees to the channel estimation error and to the channel Doppler extension are reduced.
US09219621B2 Dynamic rate heartbeating for inter-node status updating
A scheme for monitoring node operational status according to communications transmits messages periodically according to a heartbeat rate among the nodes. The messages may be gossip messages containing the status of the other nodes in the pairs, are received at the nodes and indications of the communications delays of the received messages are stored, which are used to compute statistics of the stored communications delays. Parameters of the node status monitoring, which are used for determining operational status of the nodes, are adjusted according to the statistics, which may include adjusting the heartbeat rate, the maximum wait time before a message is considered missed, and/or the maximum number of missed messages, e.g., the sequence number deviation, before the node is considered non-operational (down).
US09219616B2 Supporting multiple IEC-101/IEC-104 masters on an IEC-101/IEC-104 translation gateway
In one embodiment, a network device, such as a router, receives a frame containing a message from a first terminal unit. The network device modifies the received frame by replacing an original value of an originator identifier field in the frame with a new value that is locally unique on a particular data link. The network device than forwards the modified frame to a selected second terminal unit selected from a plurality of terminal units.
US09219614B2 mRSVP-TE based fast reroute in detour (1:1) protection mode
An apparatus comprising a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to transmit a multicast Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (mRSVP-TE) path request (PATH) message upstream, wherein the PATH message requests reservation of a backup Label Switched Path (LSP) to protect an active LSP configured to transmit multicast data. The disclosure also includes a computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium such that when executed by a processor cause a network element (NE) to receive a multicast PATH message from a downstream node, wherein the NE acts as a Point of Local Repair (PLR) along an active LSP, wherein the active LSP is configured to transmit multicast data, and wherein the PATH message requests reservation of a backup LSP to protect the active LSP.
US09219610B2 Method for securing messages
There is provided a method for secure communications. The method comprises obtaining a broadcast message, computing a signature for said broadcast message using a private key, and sending a transmission to a communication device. The private key is associated with a certificate and the transmission comprises the signature.
US09219609B2 Method and system for multiple passcode generation
This invention relates to a method and a system for generating user passcodes for each of a plurality of transaction providers from a mobile user device. A method and system for activating a plurality of passcode generators on a user device configured with a passcode application installed on the user device is provided. Each of the passcode generators may correspond to a different user account or transaction provider, such that each passcode generator provides a user passcode configured for the corresponding account or transaction provider. One or more of the passcode generators may include a passcode generating algorithm and a passcode key. Access to one or more of the passcode generators may require providing a PIN or a challenge.
US09219603B2 System and method for encryption key management in a mixed infrastructure stream processing framework
A system and method for protecting streams in a mixed infrastructure includes determining processing elements that are to access a data stream in a stream processing environment and determining a security level for each processing element. Keys are generated per stream per processing element in accordance with the security level. The keys are associated with processing elements in an access control list in a location accessible by producing and consuming processing elements. The stream is decrypted for processing using keys released upon authenticating processing elements in accordance with the access control list. At security boundaries, the stream is re-encrypted in accordance with a next processing element.
US09219601B2 Synchronisation method and device for transmit and receive symbols of all-digital receiver
A synchronization method and device for transmit and receive symbols of an all-digital receiver. The method comprises the steps of: after receiving a sampling signal sent by a baseband processing chip, the clock signal of which is provided by a second clock source, a digital signal processor (DSP), the clock signal of which is provided by a first clock source, measuring a phase shift between a local sampling symbol and an air interface symbol, and acquiring the phase shift amount; according to the phase shift amount, adjusting a sampling opportunity for the sampling of a digital-analogue/analogue-digital converter; and when the sampling opportunity for the sampling of the digital-analogue/analogue-digital converter has been adjusted, adjusting an interface clock for data transmitting and receiving of the DSP so as to enable the data transmitting and receiving of the DSP to be synchronized with the sampling.
US09219600B1 Synchronization through waveform correlation
Detecting timing of a synchronization sequence included in a data stream transmitted in a noisy channel. The synchronization sequence is a known data sequence purposely injected into the data stream for synchronization. A data stream waveform, is obtained from a noisy communication channel. The data stream waveform includes an instance of a synchronization sequence waveform. One or more samples of the synchronization sequence waveform are obtained. One or more samples of a model synchronization sequence waveform are obtained. The model synchronization sequence waveform models an expected waveform for the synchronization sequence being transmitted on the communication channel by applying the synchronization sequence to a model of the communication channel. The instance of the synchronization sequence waveform is correlated with the model synchronization sequence waveform by correlating one or more samples of the synchronization sequence waveform with the one or more samples of the model synchronization sequence waveform.
US09219597B2 Method and transmission protocol for transmission of data among devices sharing a communication channel
A method is described for the transmission of data among devices (D1, D2, . . . Di, . . . Dn) connected to a communication channel (1) through sequences containing at least two symbols, one dominant (“0”) and one recessive (“1”). According to this transmission method, one (DTSG) of the devices connected to the communication channel (1) has the function of time slot generator and it transmits on the communication channel (1) with a transmission frequency (f) a sequence of symbols, each defining a time slot in a sequence of time slots. The sequence of symbols comprises at least a series of recessive symbols (“1”). When one of the devices (Di) has to transmit on the communication channel (1), it generates a sequence of symbols, synchronized with the sequence of time slots generated by the time slot generator device (DTSG) and comprising at least one dominant symbol (“0”).
US09219594B2 Dual antenna integrated carrier aggregation front end solution
Radio frequency front end circuitry comprises a first antenna port, a second antenna port, antenna switching circuitry, a first diplexer, and a second diplexer. The antenna switching circuitry is coupled to each of the first antenna port and the second antenna port through the first diplexer and the second diplexer, respectively. The antenna switching circuitry is adapted to selectively couple one or more of a plurality of transmit and receive ports to the first antenna port and the second antenna port.
US09219590B2 Method for transmitting effective channel status information in wireless communication system supporting multiple carriers
A method and apparatus for transmitting effective channel status information (CSI) in a wireless communication system supporting multiple carriers are disclosed. The method for indicating CSI transmission in a wireless communication system supporting multiple carriers includes transmitting downlink control information (DCI) including a channel quality information (CQI) request field to a UE over a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and receiving CSI reporting of a single downlink carrier or multiple downlink carriers from the UE over a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) without receiving uplink data. If the CSI for the single downlink carrier is reported, the number (NPRB) of resource blocks (RBs) established for the CSI reporting is identical to or less than X (NPRB≦X), and if the CSI for the multiple downlink carriers is reported, NPRB is identical to or less than M (where M>X).
US09219588B2 Radio communication system, terminal apparatus, and radio communication method in the radio communication system
A radio communication system, including: a base station apparatus; and a terminal apparatus, wherein the base station apparatus and the terminal apparatus transmits to or receives from the terminal apparatus and the base station apparatus respectively a radio signal by using a plurality of frequency bands as a transmission frequency or a reception frequency, the base station apparatus includes a transmission unit which transmits a synchronization signal or a reference signal in each frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, and the terminal apparatus includes a synchronization control unit which selects at least one synchronization signal or reference signal from the plurality of synchronization signals or reference signals transmitted from the base station apparatus and performs synchronization control based on the selected synchronization signal or reference signal.
US09219583B2 Method and system for signaling transmission layers for single user and multi user MIMO
A method and system to signal transmission layers or dedicated reference signal ports to be used in a multiple input multiple output system, the method including providing a downlink control signal containing information for transmission layers or dedicated reference signal ports utilized, the dedicated reference signal ports being associated with the transmission layers; and using the information to demodulate data on each transmission layer.
US09219582B2 Method, system, and apparatus for radio communications
A first radio communication apparatus transmits first and second control signals to a second communication apparatus. The first control signal carries information to be used in communication performed with a first frequency band. The second control signal carries information to be used in communication performed with a second frequency band. The second radio communication apparatus detects these first and second control signals by attempting signal extraction from received signals with common candidates for control signal length. The first radio communication apparatus controls whether to use one frequency band or more than one frequency band to transmit the first and second control signals, based on bandwidths of the first and second frequency bands.
US09219581B2 Base station and method for configuring sub-frames for relay-node operations
A frame structure for support of large delay spread deployment scenarios (e.g., cellular system operation in large cell sizes or low frequency bands) is generally presented. In this regard a method is introduced comprising partitioning a radio frame into a plurality of equal-sized (or non-equal-sized) sub-frames to simplify system implementation. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US09219579B2 Systems and methods for client-side application-aware prioritization of network communications
The present invention is generally directed towards a remote access architecture for providing peer-to-peer communications and remote access connectivity. In one embodiment, the remote access architecture of the present provides a method for establishing a direct connection between peer computing devices via a third computing device, such as a gateway. Additionally, the present invention provides the following techniques to optimize peer-to-peer communications: 1) false acknowledgement of receipt of network packets allowing communications via a lossless protocol of packets constructed for transmission via a lossy protocol, 2) payload shifting of network packets allowing communications via a lossless protocol of packets constructed for transmission via a lossy protocol, 3) reduction of packet fragmentation by adjusting the maximum transmission unit (MTU) parameter, accounting for overhead due to encryption, 4) application-aware prioritization of client-side network communications, and 5) network disruption shielding for reliable and persistent network connectivity and access.
US09219577B2 Method for transmission of data in a radio communication system, first network node and second network node thereof
The invention relates to a method (MET1) for transmitting data from a first network node (BS) of a radio access network of a radio communication system to a second network node (MS) of the radio access network, and wherein the method (MET1) comprises the steps of transmitting (M1/6) a first negative acknowledgement (N1) from the second network node (MS), if the second network node (MS) cannot recover error free first data (D1), the first data (D1) being data from a single data source of the radio access network or for a single data sink of the radio access network, determining (M1/11) a combination (COMB1) of the first data (D1) and of at least second data (D2) by applying a superposition of the first data (D1) and the at least second data (D2), the at least second data (D2) being further data from the single data source or for the single data sink, and transmitting (M1/18) the combination (COMB1) to the second network node (MS). The method further relates to the first network node (BS) for use in the radio communication system and to the second network node (MS) for use in the radio communication system.
US09219576B2 Short packet for use in beamforming
A method for generating a beamforming training (BFT) unit includes generating a physical layer (PHY) preamble of the BFT unit and generating a first encoding block and a second encoding block using PHY data and MAC data, including at least one of i) using a number of padding bits in a PHY layer of the BFT unit such that the BFT unit consists of the PHY preamble, the first encoding block, and the second encoding block, and ii) generating a MAC protocol data unit (MPDU) having a length such that the BFT unit consists of the PHY preamble, the first encoding block, and the second encoding block.
US09219575B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting data streams in MIMO system
A method for transmitting data streams in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system is provided, where each data stream is mapped to multiple layers in an MIMO channel space for transmission, and the method includes: performing inter-layer interleaving for N data streams to obtain N interleaved data streams; mapping the N interleaved data streams respectively to N layers in the MIMO channel space, and transmitting the N interleaved data streams that are mapped to the N layers. By using the method of the present invention, a combined CQI can be used in a better way to improve MIMO transmission performance. Further, an impact of inter-layer interference is canceled by using an interference cancellation technology (for example, an SIC technology) based on the inter-layer interleaving.
US09219573B2 System and method for recovering audio PDU transport elements in digital radio broadcast receiver
A method and apparatus are provided for recovering audio packet location fields and/or frame boundary information from a received digital radio broadcast signal frame in which there are detected errors in the signal frame header by using selected header elements and/or protocol data unit (PDU) structured data block parameters relating to minimum, maximum, and average packet length or PDU length in a scalable recovery process that may be throttled dynamically or configured statically based on available computation resources within a specific implementation and/or at a specific time.
US09219570B2 Feedback and link adaptation techniques for wireless networks
Various example embodiments are disclosed relating to feedback and link adaptation techniques for wireless networks. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include a processor or controller. The controller may be configured to determine a channel quality indication (CQI) value for each of a plurality of wireless sub-channels, discard any of the CQI values older than a threshold time, leaving a set of current CQI values, determine a percentile CQI value based on the set of current CQI values, and transmit the percentile CQI value to an infrastructure node. The infrastructure node, may, for example, determine or select one or more data transmission parameters, such as a modulation scheme and/or coding rate, based at least in part on the received percentile CQI value.
US09219567B2 Converged PON for TDMA-PON service based on OFDMA-PON
A converged passive optical network (CPON) and a data transmission method are disclosed. The CPON is a combination of a time division multiple access-passive optical network (TDMA-PON) and an orthogonal frequency division multiple access-passive optical network (OFDMA-PON) and is able to dynamically controlling a bandwidth for upstream signal transmission through allocation of multiple subcarriers to each single optical network unit (ONU).
US09219556B2 Method of providing an emergency alert service via a mobile broadcasting and apparatus therefor
A device providing an emergency alert service via a mobile broadcasting according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an RS frame encoder configured to generate an RS frame, which is a 2nd dimensional data frame, in a manner of performing an RS (Reed-Solomon)-CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) encoding on an ensemble comprising a mobile data for a mobile broadcasting service and a service signaling channel containing an access information on the mobile broadcasting service, an RS frame divider configured to divide the generated RS frame into a plurality of RS frame portions, a signaling encoder configured to generate a signaling data comprising a TPC (Transmission Parameter Channel) for signaling a transmission parameter of the mobile broadcasting and a FIC (Fast Information Channel) containing a connection information between the ensemble and the broadcasting service, a data group formatter configured to generate a data group containing a part of the signaling data and the RS frame portion, and a broadcasting signal generating unit configured to generate a mobile broadcasting signal containing the data group.
US09219551B2 Method of demodulating a phase modulated optical signal
Proposed is a method of demodulating a phase modulated optical signal received from an optical channel. A time-discrete electrical signal is derived from the phase modulated optical signal, using a local optical signal, which has a frequency that is essentially equal to a carrier frequency of the phase modulated optical signal. A phase error between the local optical signal and the phase modulated optical signal is compensated, by deriving from the local optical signal a phase offset and modifying the derived time-discrete electrical signal by this phase offset. A chromatic dispersion caused by the optical channel is compensated, by filtering the modified time-discrete electrical signal using a digital filter.
US09219547B2 Method, device, and system for implementing LR-PON
A method, device and system for implementing a long reach passive optical network are provided. Uplink optical burst packets are transmitted by an optical network unit. The uplink optical burst packets are converted into an electrical signal and then a continuous optical signal. The continuous optical signal is transmitted to a receiving device.
US09219545B2 Method, system and device for transmitting lighting device data
It is presented a method for transmitting lighting device data. The method comprises the steps of obtaining, in a lighting device, a subset of lighting device data, the lighting device data containing information of the lighting device, transmitting, from the lighting device, using light, the subset of lighting device data, and repeating the above steps until all subsets jointly corresponding to the complete lighting device data have been transmitted. A corresponding lighting device and lighting system are also presented.
US09219536B2 Radio communication system and radio communication method
In a radio communication system, a plurality of transmission antennas and a plurality of reception antennas are arranged such that a channel matrix having channel responses between the plurality of transmission antennas and the plurality of reception antennas as elements is a circulant matrix.
US09219535B2 Method for determining beamforming parameters in a wireless communication system and to a wireless communication system
A method for determining a beamforming vector or a beamforming channel matrix in a communication system including a transmitting station and a receiving station, and a communication system. The transmitting and receiving stations include respective antenna groups and respective codebooks include a plurality of predefined beamforming vectors for the antenna group.
US09219534B2 Method and device for signal transmission in a multi-node system
Provided are a method and apparatus for transmitting a signal of a multi-node system employing a plurality of nodes distributed geographically and a base station that can be controlled by being connected with each of the plurality of nodes. The method includes: mapping a plurality of codewords to a plurality of streams; mapping the plurality of streams to at least one node among the plurality of nodes; performing multiple input multiple output (MIMO) precoding to map the streams mapped to the at least one node to at least one transmit antennas; and transmitting a signal subjected to the MIMO precoding to a user equipment.
US09219533B2 Systems and methods for downlink scheduling in multiple input multiple output wireless communications systems
Systems and methods for downlink scheduling in wireless communications systems are described. In some embodiments, a method includes: applying channel prediction at a transmitter for transmitting information to one or more mobile devices; predicting channel state information for a channel over which the information is transmitted, the channel state information being based, at least, on the channel prediction; determining a precoding matrix to apply to the information, the determining the precoding matrix being based, at least, on predicted channel state information; and scheduling transmission of the information to the one or more mobile devices based, at least, on an asymptotic ergodic rate for the one or more mobile devices. The asymptotic ergodic rate can be based on large-scale channel behavior and a maximum Doppler shift between the mobile devices.
US09219529B2 Communication system, information recording medium, and relay communication device
The disclosed communication system, information recording medium, and relay communication device allow communication via electromagnetic induction, allow the use of low-cost information recording media, improve communication stability when information recording media is misaligned or rotated, and provide high IC-chip tolerance to flexion in information recording media. An information recording medium (3-1) has: an IC chip (32-1) that is capable of communication via electromagnetic induction; and a pair of thin conductive sheets (21-1) connected to the IC chip (32-1). A relay medium (2-1) has thin conductive sheets (31-1) and a loop antenna (22-1), with one of said thin conductive sheets (31-1) connected to one end of the loop antenna (22-1) and the other thin conductive sheet (31-1) connected to the other end of the loop antenna (22-1). A read/write device (1-1) has a loop antenna (12-1).
US09219528B2 Information exchange device
An information exchange device includes a human body communication unit which applies information flowing via a human body to a human body and detects information flowing via the human body, an information transmission unit which transmits information via the human body communication unit, an identification unit which identifies other device which can transmit information from the information transmission unit, a detection unit which detects a contact state with other human body, and a transmission control unit which starts transmission of information according to identification by the identification unit and a detection by the detection unit.
US09219527B2 Apparatus and method for selecting PICC in portable terminal
An apparatus and method for selecting a Proximity Interface Coupling Card (PICC) of a portable terminal having a Near Field Communication (NFC) module including multiple PICCs are provided. The method includes activating the NFC module when the portable terminal is at a power-off state, determining whether a key signal for activating one PICC among the multiple of PICCs is inputted in the activated NFC module, and activating the PICC mapped with the inputted key signal when the key signal is inputted.
US09219523B2 Method and device for transmitting an optical digital WDM signal over an optical transmission link or a passive optical network
Arrangement for transmitting an optical digital WDM signal over an optical transmission link or a passive optical network, the signal (SWDM) including N optical channels matching a given optical frequency grid. The scheme includes supplying the WDM signal (SWDM) to a near end of the optical transmission link or a near end of the passive optical network; receiving the WDM signal (SWDM) at a far end of the optical transmission link or at one or more far ends of the passive optical network; separating the optical channel signals (si(t)) by splitting and bandpass filtering the WDM signal (SWDM) received; and converting the optical channel signals (si(t)) into electrical channel signals using direct optical detection. The signal (SWDM) is created such that neighboring channel signals (si(t)) are orthogonally polarized and are conditioned with specific pre-distortion.
US09219522B2 Code division multiple access transmission antenna weighting
A code division multiple access communication system has a base station with a plurality of transmitting antennas. From each transmitting antenna of the base station, a pilot signal is transmitted having a different chip sequence than the other transmitting antenna. At a user equipment, the transmitted pilot signals are received from each transmitting antenna. A weight adjustment is derived in response to the received transmitted pilot signals. The user equipment transmits the weight adjustment to the base station. The transmitted weight adjustment is received from the user equipment. A data signal is processed to produce a plurality of versions of the data signal. At least a portion of each processed data signal has a different chip sequence than the other processed data signal version. At least one processed data signal version is weighted by a weight value adjusted in response to the received transmitted weight adjustment. From each transmitting antenna, a different one of the data signal versions is transmitted and the transmitted data signal versions are received at the user equipment.
US09219521B2 Sub-band splitter unit and envelope curves detector provided with a sub-band splitter unit
A sub-band splitter unit for splitting a broadband input signal in K narrowband sub-band signals, wherein K is an integer larger than 1, which sub-band splitter unit is provided with an input terminal for receiving the broadband input signal and K−1 sub-band filter circuits, each of the sub-band filter circuits is provided with an input and a first and a second output, a first filter arrangement coupled between the input and the first output, a second filter arrangement coupled between the input and the second output, and the sub-band splitter unit is provided with K output terminals for supplying the K sub-band signals. The first output of a k-th sub-band filter circuit is coupled to an input (103.k+1) of the (k+1)-th sub-band filter circuit. The input of the first sub-band filter circuit is coupled to the input of the sub-band splitter unit.
US09219515B2 Protective film and related assembly and method
A protective film configured to protect a substrate such as a glass panel for a display is provided. The protective film may include a discontinuous outer layer including a multitude of panels and gaps positioned therebetween. Further, the protective film may include a flexible layer positioned between the discontinuous outer layer and the substrate. When panels of the discontinuous outer layer are impacted by a foreign object, the force may be transferred to the flexible layer, rather than propagating through the outer layer. In this regard, the gaps between the panels of the discontinuous outer layer may prevent the formation of cracks that may otherwise occur. Related assemblies and methods are also provided.
US09219509B1 System performance improvement using data reordering and/or inversion
A system and method for reordering transmitted bits to minimize the number of bit transitions per bit time, reducing system power consumption and signaling noise. Bit reordering is accomplished by performing skip operations, where to-be-transmitted bits are replaced by one or more bits in the bit stream at given bit times. DBI may be used in addition, or as an alternative, to bit reordering to further minimize the number of bit transitions per bit time. A receiver performs operations necessary to restore bits to their original sequence and/or recover the bits in their non-inverted form.
US09219508B1 Interference mitigation for a communications system
A method for processing communications signals. The communications signals are received from an area. The communications signals are received from a portion of the area in which interference is present. The interference is reduced from the communications signals received from the area using the communications signals received from the portion of the area.
US09219506B2 Wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, wireless communication system, elevator control system, and transformer equipment control system
A wireless transmitter transmits a first transmission wave having a first carrier frequency (f0+Δf), modulated by a modulator with an information signal having a frequency band f1 which is predetermined, from a transmitting antenna, and transmits a second transmission wave having a second carrier frequency (f0−Δf), modulated by a modulator with such information signal. An average frequency f0 between the first carrier frequency (f0+Δf) and the second carrier frequency (f0−Δf) is kept constant, whereas the first carrier frequency (f0+Δf) and the second carrier frequency (f0−Δf) are varied by controlling a frequency difference Δf to vary.
US09219502B2 Computationally efficient convolutional coding with rate-matching
An error coding circuit comprises a non-systematic convolutional encoder for coding an input bit stream to produce two or more groups of parity bits, an interleaver circuit for interleaving parity bits within each group of parity bits, and a rate-matching circuit for outputting a selected number of the interleaved parity bits ordered by group to obtain a desired code rate.
US09219497B2 Compression device, compression method, and recording medium
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium has stored therein a compression program that causes a computer to execute a process. The process includes: reading a plurality of character strings from a compression target file; examining order information whether there are any concatenated character strings that contain a certain character string in the plurality of character strings with an order of the certain character string, in a compression dictionary, the compression dictionary correlating a plurality of concatenated character strings with a plurality of compression codes respectively, each of the plurality of concatenated character strings include a plurality of character strings, the order information indicating whether there is a specific character string in the compression dictionary with an order of the specific character string; and searching the compression dictionary utilizing the plurality of character strings when the order information indicates that one or more concatenated character strings include the certain character string.
US09219495B2 Sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter
The application disclose a sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter. The converter comprises: a summing stage, configured to receive an input signal and subtract a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal from the input signal to generate a difference signal; a loop filter coupled to an output node of the summing stage, and configured to filter the difference signal; a quantizer coupled to an output node of the loop filter, and configured to quantize the filtered difference signal to generate a quantized signal, and to generate an overload signal according to the filtered difference signal, wherein the overload signal indicates whether the filtered difference signal is overloaded and/or an overload amount of the filtered difference signal; a first digital-to-analog converter coupled to the quantizer to receive the quantized signal, and configured to generate the first feedback signal according to the quantized signal; and a second D/A converter coupled to the quantizer to receive the overload signal, and configured to generate the second feedback signal according to the overload signal.
US09219490B1 Front end sample and hold circuit for a reconfigurable analog-to-digital converter
A reconfigurable wideband analog-to-digital converter (ADC) system comprising a first converter stage including: a first signal path including a first sample and hold circuit responsive to an input signal for sampling the input signal at a first resolution; a second signal path arranged parallel to the first signal path and including a second sample and hold circuit responsive to the input signal for sampling the input signal at a second resolution; and a control circuit arranged in series with the first and second signal paths and configured to isolate one of the first and second signal paths from an output of the control circuit in response to a control signal.
US09219486B2 Quadrature-based injection locking of ring oscillators
Technologies are generally described for quadrature-based injection-locking of ring oscillators. In some examples, an external signal may be injected into a ring oscillator. Phase signals may be measured from within the ring oscillator and used to determine a mean quadrature error (MQE) that characterizes the difference in frequency between the external signal and the ring oscillator's natural frequency. A control signal may then be generated from the MQE and used to adjust the ring oscillator natural frequency to reduce the difference between the ring oscillator natural frequency and the external signal.
US09219479B2 Through silicon via repair circuit of semiconductor apparatus
A through silicon via (TSV) repair circuit of a semiconductor apparatus is provided. The TSV repair circuit includes a first chip, at least one second chip, at least two TSVs, at least two data path circuits, and an output logic circuit. Each data path circuit includes an input driving circuit, a short-circuit detection circuit, a bias circuit, and a leakage current cancellation circuit. The input driving circuit transforms an input signal into a pending signal and transmits the pending signal to a first terminal of the corresponding TSV. The short-circuit detection circuit detects a short circuit between the corresponding TSV and a silicon substrate according to the input signal and the first terminal of the TSV and generates a short-circuit detection output signal. The leakage current cancellation circuit prevents a leakage current produced by a first level voltage from entering the silicon substrate according to the short-circuit detection output signal.
US09219475B2 Power arbitration method and apparatus having a control logic circuit for assessing and selecting power supplies
A power selector for switching power supplies is implemented using a variety of methods and devices. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, an arrangement provides power to a circuit by selecting between a first supply and a second supply. The first power circuit provides a regulated level of power to the integrated circuit (IC) having an operating power level specified as a circuit operating level for providing power to the IC. The second power circuit provides power to the IC. A power-signal arbitration circuit for assessing VDDREG and whether the second power circuit is to provide power to the IC as an alternative to the first power circuit providing power to the IC is based on a threshold power level indicative of the specified operating power level and the regulated level of power. Based on the power-signal arbitration circuit's assessment, providing an arbitration-control signal to the power-signal switching circuit.
US09219471B2 Circuitry for phase detector
A circuit for a phase detector is provided. A first buffer of the circuit receives a data signal and generates a first modified data signal using the data signal. A notifier receives the data signal and determines whether a violation exists. A first multiplexer receives the first modified data signal and transmits a first multiplexer signal to a second multiplexer. The second multiplexer receives the first multiplexer data signal and the first modified data signal, and transmits a second multiplexer data signal to a flip-flop of the phase detector.
US09219470B1 Systems and methods for clock path single-ended DCD and skew correction
A circuit and method for improving signal integrity characteristics of a non-full rate transmitter are disclosed herein. The circuit comprises an actuator block having an input for receiving a differential clock signal, the differential clock signal comprising a positive clock signal and a negative clock signal, the actuator configured to adjust a difference between the positive and negative clock signals; a sensing block, for sensing a difference between positive and negative signals of a differential signal, the differential signal being related to the clock signal; and a calibration block for providing a control signal to the actuator based on the sensed difference between the positive and negative signals.
US09219468B2 Failure detector circuit and associated method
A failure detector circuit for detecting status of a protected circuit, the failure detector circuit having an operating cycle, has an enabling signal generator, a comparator circuit, a delay circuit. The enabling signal generator enables the comparator for an enable time in each operating cycle. The comparator circuit compares an output of the protected circuit with a reference signal. The delay circuit receives an output signal of the comparator to decide whether a failure occurred within a give delay time.
US09219466B2 Laterally coupled bulk acoustic wave filter with improved passband characteristics
The invention relates to a laterally coupled bulk acoustic wave (LBAW) filter comprising a vibration layer for carrying bulk acoustic waves, electrode means comprising a first electrode coupled to the vibration layer for exciting to the vibration layer at least one longitudinal wave mode having a first frequency band and one shear wave mode having a second frequency band, and a second electrode coupled to the vibration layer for sensing the filter pass signal, the first and second electrodes being laterally arranged with respect to each other, and an acoustic reflector structure in acoustic connection with the vibration layer. According to the invention, the reflector structure is adapted to acoustically isolate the vibration layer from its surroundings at the first frequency band more efficiently than at the second frequency band for suppressing the effect of the shear wave mode at the second frequency band from the filter pass signal. The invention helps to improve the quality of LBAW filter passbands.
US09219462B2 Modular interface systems and methods
Interface systems and methods are provided. An interface system can include a first isolator (200) and a second isolator (300) coupled to a modular interface (110). The interface can include a plurality of conductors (120). The first isolator can be coupled to a first signal format compliant first input/output (I/O) device (130). The second isolator can be coupled to a second signal format compliant second I/O device (140). The first isolator can pass a first signal format compliant signal to, and suppress the reflection of at least a portion of a second signal format compliant signal from, the first I/O device. The second isolator can at least partially block a first signal format compliant signal from, and to pass a second signal format compliant signal to, the second I/O device.
US09219456B1 Correcting clock drift via embedded sin waves
Features are disclosed for measuring and correcting clock drift and propagation delay in an audio system through one or more waveforms embedded in an audio signal. A first device in communication with a speaker may be configured to obtain an audio signal and insert one or more waveforms into the audio signal. For example, the waveforms may be inserted during an interval of time. A second device in communication with a microphone may be configured to detect sound as an audio input signal. The second device may obtain a spectral representation of the audio input signal and determine a rotation based on the spectral representation at the frequency of at least one of the inserted waveforms. Clock drift may be determined based on the rotation.
US09219454B2 Method and device for controlling power amplification
A method and network equipment for controlling power amplification are disclosed. The method for controlling power amplification includes outputting a voltage signal according to the state of an NE. The voltage signal is applied to a grid electrode or a base electrode of at least one power amplifier transistor in a power amplifier.
US09219449B2 CTIA for IR readout integrated circuits using single ended OPAMP with in-pixel voltage regulator
A circuit for an image sensor pixel receives photogenerated information from an image sensor, such as infrared sensor. The circuit includes a single ended operational amplifier, they can have a simple circuit such as for example 4 transistors. An additional transistor is used in the pixel to regulate the voltage that is used to drive the operational amplifier, to maintain that voltage relative to a bias level. This prevents voltage fluctuations, which would otherwise be passed to the pixel output.
US09219440B2 Apparatus for estimating parameter in induction motor
An apparatus for estimating a parameter of an induction motor is provided. The estimating apparatus receives an output from a current controller and d and q-axis currents in a synchronous reference frame applied to an induction motor, calculates an error of rotor resistance, and obtains a difference between the rotor resistance and nominal rotor resistance.
US09219438B2 Method for operating a separately excited electric machine in a motor vehicle
A method for operating a separately excited electric machine, in particular, a generator of a motor vehicle, where an exciting current flows through a rotor winding of the electric machine at a nominal current intensity during a normal operation and at a holding current intensity in an idling operation; the holding current intensity being greater than zero and less than the nominal current intensity.
US09219436B2 Driving control device of motor
A driving control device of a motor includes: a motor driving unit, which drives a motor in response to a driving control signal; and a control unit, which determines an energization pattern applied to an armature coil based on a detected rotational position of the rotor, wherein the control unit starts rotation control by a preset first energization pattern when activating of the motor, wherein when a predetermined time period has elapsed, the control unit adjusts energizing timing to be a timing, at which a short of each phase is not caused at switching of the energization pattern, and then outputs the driving control signal to the motor driving unit so that the rotation control is switched to rotation control of a second energization pattern, which has a predetermined advanced angle amount with respect to the first energization pattern.
US09219435B2 Motor control device and motor control method
A motor control device includes an energization pattern output portion and an inverter circuit. The energization pattern output portion cyclically outputs a plurality of energization patterns. The inverter circuit selectively connects respective coils provided in a motor to a rectifier circuit according to the output energization pattern. The energization pattern output portion delays the output timing of the energization pattern according to a rotation speed of the motor.
US09219430B2 Sensor comprising a piezoelectric detector with compensation for ground faults
A sensor includes a piezoelectric detector (10) mounted in a support having electrically conductive walls forming a mechanical ground (MM), and an amplifier for processing the signal delivered by the piezoelectric detector, defining an electronic ground (ME) and at least a capacitive feedback loop (16). A voltage adder circuit (61) is inserted into the capacitive feedback loop in order to add an electrical voltage which varies as a function of the potential difference between the mechanical ground (MM) and the electronic ground (ME), so that the variations of this potential difference are continuously compensated for at the input (13) of the processing amplifier (12) receiving the signal delivered by the piezoelectric detector (10).
US09219427B2 Reduction of electrostatic discharge effects in charge-pump elevator ladder
The final cell or cells in a cascade or ladder of voltage elevator cells may be exposed to significant overvoltages from electrostatic discharge originating in off-chip loads. In such conditions, the final cell or cells may be damaged or destroyed by such overvoltages. Protective circuitry may be added to one or more of the final voltage elevator cells to reduce or eliminate such damage or destruction by distributing the overvoltage among two or more cells. Such protective circuitry may include a capacitor coupled in parallel with the input and output node of one or more of the final voltage elevator cells. The protective circuitry may also include a resistor coupled in series between the final voltage elevator cell and the load.
US09219426B2 Switching element, power converter, direct current transmission system, current control device, method of controlling power converter, and method of controlling current in voltage source converter
A switching element of a power converter generates a low voltage, using a current flowing in the power converter, and supplies a power to drive itself. A switching element of a power converter for conversion from direct current into alternate current or from alternate current into direct current includes: a terminal and a terminal which are used in building the switching element itself in the power converter; a capacitor, a high-side controllable switch and a low-side controllable switch enabling outputting the voltage of the capacitor, the voltage being output between the terminal and the terminal, and a self-supply power source for supplying a power to drive the bi-directional chopper switching element itself, using a current flowing in the capacitor.
US09219424B2 Matrix converter
A matrix converter according to an embodiment includes a voltage command corrector and a drive signal generator. The voltage command corrector corrects the magnitude of an output voltage command on the basis of amplitude variations of an input current from an AC power supply to a power converter, the amplitude variations being caused by a ripple component of the input current. The drive signal generator generates drive signals that turn ON/OFF a plurality of bidirectional switches on the basis of the output voltage command corrected by the voltage command corrector.
US09219422B1 Operating a DC-DC converter including a coupled inductor formed of a magnetic core and a conductive sheet
A DC-DC converter includes power-switching phases which each include a high-side and low-side switch. The high-side switch is coupled to the low-side switch at a connection node. The converter also includes a coupled inductor formed of a magnetic core and a conductive sheet. The sheet is formed of a comb structure having a tab and teeth extending from the tab. The conductive sheet is inserted into a slot defined by the magnetic core and extends through the magnetic core with a portion of the tab protruding from the back and a portion of each tooth protruding from the front of the core. Each tooth is coupled to a connection node of a phase and the tab extending through the core forms a toroidal inductor with a single loop coil for each phase, and for all the phases, a directly coupled inductor.
US09219411B2 DC/DC converter, method for providing an output voltage on the basis of an input voltage and computer program
A DC/DC converter includes a switch mode converter for providing an output voltage based on an input voltage and a drive signal generator configured to provide a drive signal for the switch mode converter. The drive signal generator is configured to switch between a non-pulse-skipping mode and a pulse-skipping mode. Moreover, the drive signal generator is configured to adapt a setting of a pulse generation such that a length of a first pulse following a pulse skipping is larger than a minimum length of a pulse in the non-pulse-skipping mode.
US09219409B2 Charge pump regulator with small ripple output signal and associated control method
A charge pump regulator includes a charge pump circuit, a voltage divider, a mode determining circuit, a frequency divider, and a selecting circuit. The charge pump circuit receives an oscillation signal and generates an output signal. The voltage divider receives the output signal and generates a first and a second divided voltages. The mode determining circuit determines whether the charge pump regulator is in a pumping mode or a detecting mode, and issues a first control signal. When the mode determining circuit is in the pumping mode, a pumping enable signal is activated and the clock signal is converted into the oscillation signal by the selecting circuit. When the mode determining circuit is in the detecting mode, a detecting enable signal is activated and the frequency divider generates a detecting signal according to the first control signal.
US09219407B2 Cyclo-converter and methods of operation
A three phase full resonant cyclo-converter suitable for converting a three phase AC supply to a DC output. In one embodiment the cyclo-converter consists of two half bridge cyclo-converters driving a resonant circuit. The main switching sequence of the cyclo-converter may consist of a switching sequence in which the phases of a three phase supply are switched in a repeating sequence from the largest to the smallest absolute voltage value of the supply phases.
US09219404B2 Waste heat power generator
This waste heat power generator (G) includes: an evaporator (1) to recover heat energy and to produce a vapor of a working medium; a power-generating device (2) to generate electric power while expanding the vapor; a condenser (3) to condense the vapor which has passed through the power-generating device; a pump (4) to send the working medium which has been condensed at the condenser to the evaporator; and a grease supply device (5) to supply the power-generating device with a grease used to lubricate bearings provided in the power-generating device.
US09219398B2 Blower motor for HVAC systems
A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for replacing a PSC motor in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. The blower motor assembly includes a variable speed motor and motor controller; a first power input for receiving a plurality of AC power signals from a control device for use in determining an operating parameter for the motor; and a second power input for receiving AC power from an AC power source for powering the motor controller even when no AC power signals are received by the first power input.
US09219397B2 Motor and switching apparatuses, systems and methods
Unique motor drive apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an apparatus comprising an AC-DC power supply structured to couple with and drive an electric motor. A sampling and switching device is coupled with the power supply. The switching device is configured to sample an electrical condition of a plurality of power line inputs and to selectably connect the power supply with the plurality of power line inputs. A controller is operatively coupled with and structured to control the switching device in a first mode in which the controller determines a power at which to operate the motor based upon which of the plurality of power line inputs receives power and a second mode in which the controller provides power factor correction of the motor and selects the power line inputs connected to the AC-DC power supply by the sampling and switching device.
US09219392B2 Brushless motor
A brushless motor is provided including: a rotor housing including a circular-cylinder-shaped bearing housing portion and an outer cylinder portion; a rotor magnet provided at an inner peripheral face of the outer cylinder portion; a bearing housed in the bearing housing portion and assembled to a motor shaft; a stator core including a ring-shaped core main body provided in the radial direction between the bearing housing portion and the rotor magnet and a ring-shaped wall portion formed in a ring-shape along an inner peripheral portion of the core main body, extending from the core main body inner peripheral portion towards the radial direction inside, and facing one opening of the bearing housing portion; and a center piece including a main body portion facing one opening of the outer cylinder portion, and a close contact portion closely contacting in the stator core axial direction with the ring-shaped wall portion.
US09219386B2 Motor's stator unit
A motor's stator unit includes a base and a stator. The base has a shaft tube. The stator has a silicon steel plate unit, an insulation sleeve unit and a coil unit. The silicon steel plate unit has an inner circumferential wall forming a through-hole. The insulation sleeve unit has an engagement hole. The silicon steel plate unit and the insulation sleeve unit are stacked together. The through-hole and the engagement hole are aligned with each other to allow the shaft tube to extend through the through-hole and the engagement hole. An enameled copper wire is wound around a predetermined part of the insulation sleeve unit to form the coil unit. The insulation sleeve unit is press fitted around an outer circumferential wall of the shaft tube via at least one buffering member, so as to prevent the silicon steel plate unit from excessively compressing the shaft tube.
US09219379B2 Electronic apparatus, power feeding method, and power feeding system
Disclosed herein is an electronic apparatus, including an electric power receiving portion receiving an electric power from a power feeding apparatus by using a magnetic field, and a detecting portion detecting presence or absence of a foreign object between said power feeding apparatus and said detecting portion.
US09219374B2 Battery control unit, charge-discharge unit, electric power control unit, battery unit, electric vehicle
A battery control unit includes: a storage section holding remaining amount data that indicates a remaining amount of a battery; and a control section managing the battery in a fashion of separating the battery into a first region and a second region, by a way of separating the remaining amount data into first remaining amount data and second remaining data and of allowing the storage section to hold the first and second remaining amount data.
US09219366B2 Energy storage device and method for decreasing rush current
An energy storage device and method for decreasing a rush current to protect battery cells and battery management systems (BMSs) from a rush current by sequentially coupling battery packs to each other in parallel to a grid. To this end, the BMS measures voltages of at least three battery packs and then sequentially in parallel couples battery packs in order from a smallest to a largest voltage to thereby reduce the rush current.
US09219358B2 Intelligent support box for electric hybrid switches, power outlets and combinations thereof
A method and apparatus for attaching at least one wiring device comprising AC outlet, switch, relay, hybrid switch-relay and hybrid switch to a support box using pins and receptacle including locking structure for attaching by introduction of the device into the box. The box including intelligent control and communication circuits including RF, RFID, optical via POF and IR in line of sight for communicating commands and control including power consumption reporting from every outlet and device. The power outlets include rear opening for introduction of RFID sensor, optical sensor and setting selector for identifying the appliance or the load powered via the outlet.
US09219352B2 Power off delay circuit and method, and audio system with power off delay
A power off delay circuit includes a switch connected between an external power input terminal and an internal power supply terminal, a capacitor connected to the internal power supply terminal, and a hysteresis comparator to switch the switch according to the voltages of the external power input terminal and the internal power supply terminal. During on-time of the switch, the external power input terminal is connected to the internal power supply terminal and the capacitor can be charged by the external power source. When the switch is off, the capacitor provides electric power for an internal circuit. Application of the power off delay circuit to an audio system may eliminate the turn-off pops of the audio system.
US09219349B2 Surface emitting semiconductor laser, surface emitting semiconductor laser device, optical transmission device, and information processing apparatus
A surface emitting semiconductor laser includes: a substrate; a first semiconductor multilayer reflector on the substrate including laminated pairs of a high refractive index layer relatively high in refractive index and a low refractive index layer relatively low in refractive index; an active region on or above the first reflector; a second semiconductor multilayer reflector on or above the active region including laminated pairs of a high refractive index layer relatively high in refractive index and a low refractive index layer relatively low in refractive index; and a cavity extending region formed between the first reflector and the active region or between the second reflector and the active region, having an optical film thickness greater than an oscillation wavelength, extending a cavity length, including a conductive semiconductor material, and including an optical loss causing layer at at least one node of a standing wave of a selected longitudinal mode.
US09219341B1 Portable apparatus having electrical power receptacles and device charging ports
A portable apparatus for providing electrical power receptacles and device charging ports has a bottom panel member having a top side and a bottom side. A wall structure is attached and substantially perpendicular to the top side of the bottom panel member. The wall structure defines an interior region and comprises a plurality of sections wherein each section has an opening therein. Electrical power devices are located within the interior region. Each electrical power device is attached to a corresponding section of the wall structure and has an electrical power receptacle and device charging ports that are positioned within the opening in the corresponding section of the wall structure. A top panel member covers the interior region defined by the wall structure. The wall structure is attached to the top panel member. An electrical power cable is electrically connected to all of the electrical power devices.
US09219339B2 Computer host power management system having extension cord sockets
A computer host power management system having extension cord sockets is disclosed, comprising a socket body providing alternative current (AC) power to a computer host, in which the socket body includes AC power output plugholes, an AC power input plug, a control device and a power supply device. Herein the control device is configured with Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports and capable of determining whether the computer host signal transferred from the USB port is normal. In case of abnormal conditions, a second microprocessor in the power supply device is driven to cause a power automatic switch to turn off the AC power such that the computer host enters into the shutdown status. Later, after a lapse of preset time, the second microprocessor drives once again the power automatic switch to turn on AC power thereby rebooting the computer host.
US09219338B2 Low profile connector
A connector characterized in that it: is a connector that has a plurality of plate-shaped terminals that include openings able to enclose protruding terminals of the other half of the connector, and that mates with the other half of the connector. The openings comprise a wide portion, a narrow portion and a transitional portion that transitions from the wide portion to the narrow portion, and, in a top view, are provided with a first shape that is left-right asymmetric with respect to the centerline of the plate-shaped terminals, or a second shape whereby the first shape is inverted about the centerline. The plate-shaped terminals are arrayed lined up in the width direction of the connector, and arrayed such that the plate-shaped terminals comprising an opening having the first shape and the plate-shaped terminals comprising an opening having the second shape alternate.
US09219335B2 High frequency electrical connector
An improved broadside coupled, open pin field connector. The connector incorporates lossy material to selectively dampen resonance within pairs of conductive members connected to ground when the connector is mounted to a printed circuit board. The material may also decrease crosstalk and mode conversion. The lossy material is selectively positioned to substantially dampen resonances along pairs that may be connected to ground without unacceptably attenuating signals carried by other pairs. The lossy material may be selectively positioned near mating contact portions of the conductive members. Multiple techniques are described for selectively positioning the lossy material, including molding, inserting lossy members into a housing or coating surfaces of the connector housing. The lossy material alternatively may be positioned between broad sides of conductive members of a pair. By using material of relatively low loss, loss when the conductive members are used to carry signals is relatively low, but an appreciable attenuation of resonances is provided on pairs connected to ground. As a result, an overall improvement of signal to noise ratio is achieved.
US09219333B2 Locking device for electrical connectors
An electrical connector for contacting a mating connector is proposed which has a locking device and includes a locking mechanism by means of a tiltable locking latch. The spring-loaded unlocking mechanism is triggered by pulling on a pull tab and constitutes a secure locking connection between the electrical connector and the mating connector.
US09219330B2 Angle adjustable ear jack device
An ear jack device capable of adjusting an angle of the ear jack is provided. The angle adjustable ear jack device includes an ear jack unit capable of an angle adjustment, an ear jack support unit for adjusting the angle of the ear jack unit, and at least one hinge for assembling the ear jack unit and the ear jack support unit.
US09219325B2 Electric connector including connector terminal with buffer portion
A connector terminal includes a first contact at one end, a second contact at the other end, and a buffer portion, the connector terminal electrically connecting a first object connected to the first contact to a second object connected to the second object, the buffer portion being bent in accordance with a positional gap between the first and second objects, the buffer portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the same of the first and second contacts.
US09219323B1 Multiple connector direct connection external memory device
A multiple connector direct connection external memory device facilitates retrieval and storage of data from a plurality of connection types. The device includes a housing having a top face, a bottom face, and a perimeter edge coupled to and extending between the top face and the bottom face. A plurality of connectors is provided. Each connector is configured for coupling to a unique port type relative to each other connector. At least one of the connectors is a universal serial bus. A memory unit is coupled to the housing. Each connector is in communication with the memory unit.
US09219317B1 Delivering both sum and difference beam distributions to a planar monopulse antenna array
A planar monopulse radar apparatus includes a planar distribution matrix coupled to a planar antenna array having a linear configuration of antenna elements. The planar distribution matrix is responsive to first and second pluralities of weights applied thereto for providing both sum and difference beam distributions across the antenna array.
US09219315B2 Combination antenna
Combination antenna, which comprises two different antenna parts, of which the first antenna part is fitted to operate at a lower frequency range and the second antenna part is fitted to operate at a higher frequency range. The second antenna part of the combination antenna is arranged above the first antenna part. The supply cable of the second antenna part (102) of the combination antenna is arranged to travel in connection with the first antenna part. The first antenna part comprises two or more radiator parts (104, 106, 108) and also coils (112) between them, wherein the coil or coils (112) are formed from the supply cable of the second antenna part (102).
US09219314B2 Artificial electromagnetic material
An artificial electromagnetic material includes at least one material sheet. Each material sheet includes a substrate and a plurality of artificial microstructures attached to the substrate. Each substrate is virtually divided into multiple of substrate units arranged into an array. A pair of artificial microstructures is attached to each substrate. The pair of artificial microstructures includes a first artificial microstructure and a second artificial microstructure with different shapes. The dielectric constant of artificial electromagnetic materials gradually increases from zero in a certain frequency range, therefore the material has a low dielectric constant in the certain frequency range and can meet some needs of special situation.
US09219309B2 Geodesic lens antenna with azimuth and elevation beamforming
An array of geodesic lens antennas (GLAs) comprises multiple vertical radiating slots, each formed into an annulus, which are individually controlled by feeding rings. One feeding ring is provided for each of the GLA elevation elements, resulting in multiple, parallel waveguide channels that together enable elevation beam steering, thus forming a concentric stack of geodesic lenses. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the invention are capable of RF beam formation in azimuth and elevation by using these lenses to form, shape, and steer one or more RF beams. Each GLA in the stack forms an element in the elevation plane with separate amplitude and phase control, providing the degrees of freedom required to independently and simultaneously control azimuth and elevation beam forming and steering.
US09219307B2 Wireless communication device and method for displaying estimated direction and position of a target for wireless communication
A wireless communication device transmits and receives a signal by a wireless communication using a millimeter wave frequency band. The wireless communication device includes an antenna section having directivities in a plurality of different directions, an antenna control section adapted to form a directivity in a prescribed direction among the plurality of directivities of the antenna section, a direction and position estimation section adapted to estimate direction and position information of a wireless communication device to be communicated with, which is a target for the wireless communication, in accordance with a receiving signal received by the antenna section having the directivity formed, and a display section adapted to display the estimated direction and position information of the wireless communication device to be communicated with.
US09219306B2 Printed circuit board antenna, printed circuit board, and electronic device
A printed circuit board (PCB) antenna includes an antenna matching network, an antenna body, and a high frequency (HF) connector. The antenna matching network is used to electrically connect to a signal processing circuit. The antenna body is connected to the antenna matching network, the antenna body includes a bared area, the bared area is used to electrically connect to a conductive object and then to be grounded when the signal processing circuit is needed to be tested. The high frequency (HF) connector is electrically connected to the antenna body and is used to connect to a test device when the signal processing circuit is needed to be tested.
US09219305B2 Built-in antenna for electronic device
A built-in antenna for an electronic device is provided. The built-in antenna includes a substrate, a 1st antenna radiator with at least two radiating portions, a 2nd antenna radiator, and a switching means. The substrate has a conductive area and a non-conductive area. The 2nd antenna radiator is arranged within the non-conductive area of the substrate and fed by a Radio Frequency (RF) end of the substrate. The 2nd antenna radiator is configured to operate at a band different from at least one operating band of the 1st antenna radiator, and is fed by the RF end in a position adjacent the 1st antenna radiator. The switching means switches to selectively feed the 1st antenna radiator and the 2nd antenna radiator.
US09219301B2 Antenna device, battery pack with antenna, and communication terminal device
A battery pack having a main surface and a side surface, and the external appearance thereof is an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. An antenna coil is provided on the main surface. The antenna coil is obtained by forming a coil conductor pattern on a flexible substrate. A substantially slit-shaped aperture is formed on the flexible substrate, and a magnetic material core is inserted into the aperture. In the antenna coil, the center of the coil aperture portion is offset from the center of the main surface of the battery pack in the outside edge portion direction of the main surface. A first end in the magnetic path direction of the magnetic material core is stretched along the side surface of the battery pack, and the second end of the magnetic material core is opened toward the center of the main surface of the battery pack.
US09219300B1 Monopole tower reinforcement configuration and related methods
Antenna tower reinforcement configurations use bolted gusset plate and splice plate configurations that allow for increased clearance access using short threaded bolts and threaded gusset plate apertures for increased clearance access and/or ease of installation. The gusset plates are welded to the reinforcement plates rather than bolted. Splice plates are bolted to the gusset plates using splice bolts.
US09219295B2 Thermostatic assembly for power members of an electric vehicle and the operating process thereof
A thermostatic assembly for power members of an electric vehicle includes a pipe set having a main pipe and a recycle pipe, one end of the main pipe connected to one side of the pump, a plurality of temperature-adjusting pipes connected between another end of the main pipe and one end of the recycle pipe, another end of the recycle pipe connected to another side of the pump, a plurality of power members respectively set on the temperature-adjusting pipes, a input change valve set between the main pipe and each temperature-adjusting pipe, a output change valve set between the recycle pipe and each temperature-adjusting pipe, a controller electrically connected to the input change valve, the output change valve and each power member. Under this arrangement, the controller ranks a sequence of the temperature information and defines a sequence of the flow direction of the temperature-adjusting water.
US09219292B2 Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 100 according to the present invention is provided with a wound electrode assembly in which a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet are wound, with a porous separator sheet 30 interposed therebetween. A filler layer 40 comprising an inorganic filler and a binder is formed on one side of the separator sheet 30. The filler layer 40 is continuously provided from the winding start end 38A to the winding finish end 38B of the separator sheet 30 in the winding direction of this sheet. The separator sheet 30 has low porosity regions 36A, 36B, which have a lower porosity than a location 35 outside these regions, in regions having prescribed width WA, WB from the winding start end 38A and/or the winding finish end 38B of the sheet toward the center of the sheet.
US09219291B2 Cable-type secondary battery
The present invention provides a cable-type secondary battery comprising an inner electrode which includes at least one first polarity electrode having a first polarity current collector with a long and thin shape, whose cross-section perpendicular to its longitudinal direction is a circular, oval or polygonal form; a first polarity electrode active material layer formed on an outer surface of the first polarity current collector; and an electrolyte layer filled to surround the first polarity electrode active material layer, and at least one wire-type second polarity electrode which wholly surrounds the inner electrode and is winding around the exterior thereof.Thus, the inventive cable-type secondary battery provided with an outer winding electrode has excellent flexibility to prevent the release of the active material.
US09219288B2 Secondary battery
A secondary battery includes a circuit board including a first connection pad and a second connection pad; a first electrode layer on the circuit board and including a first electrode portion and a first tab portion connected to the first connection pad; a separator on the first electrode layer; and a second electrode layer on the separator and including a second electrode portion and a second tab portion connected to the second connection pad.
US09219284B2 Fuel cell system and operation method thereof which ensures the system will perform normal operation after operating in a special operation mode
A controller in a fuel cell system operates a fuel cell in a normal mode or in a special mode. In the normal mode, the fuel cell is operated to satisfy at least one of a first operation condition and a second operation condition, under the first operation condition an operation time of the fuel cell per unit period is equal to or shorter than a unit allowable operation time, under the second operation condition the number of times of operation of the fuel cell per unit time is equal to or less than a unit allowable number of times of operation, and in the special mode, the fuel cell is operated without being limited by at least one of the first operation condition and the second operation condition.
US09219283B2 Method for controlling fuel cell device during power generation start by controlling power conditioner
Provided is a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device of which power generation efficiency is improved.A fuel cell device includes a fuel cell module including a housing and a fuel cell stack which is composed of a plurality of fuel cells and is inside the housing, a power conditioner configured to supply electric current generated by the fuel cell stack to an external load, and a controller configured to control the power conditioner such that, at a time of starting power generation, a voltage value of the fuel cells is greater than a voltage value for generating a maximum output in power generation of the fuel cells, and the fuel cell module, the power conditioner and the controller are accommodated in an external case. Accordingly, deterioration of the fuel cells can be suppressed, and the fuel cell device having improved reliability can be obtained.
US09219282B2 Membrane electrode assembly
A membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membran and frame-shaped first and second gaskets disposed on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane. The first and second gaskets have overlapping portions which are positioned at a peripheral edge of the electrolyte membrane and face to the electrolyte membrane, and bonding portions which are positioned outside of the peripheral edge and bonded to each other. The overlapping portions and the bonding portions have through holes which extend in a thickness direction of the electrolyte membrane. An aperture ratio of the through holes of the overlapping portions is greater than an aperture ratio of the through holes of the bonding.
US09219281B2 Separator for a fuel cell, a production method therefor and a fuel cell stack comprising the same
The present invention provides a separator for a fuel cell that improves efficiency of the fuel cell by removing water generated in a membrane-electrode assembly and accumulated in a channel of the separator, a manufacturing method thereof, and a fuel cell stack including the same. The separator for the fuel cell of the present invention includes: a main body of a plate shape; a channel concavely formed in at least one surface of the main body and supplying a fuel or oxygen to a membrane-electrode assembly; and a metal layer provided to a surface of the channel and including an oxide layer formed by an anodic oxidation treatment and minute grooves of a nano-scale formed in the oxide layer, thereby forming the surface of the channel to be super-hydrophilic.
US09219274B2 Secondary battery
A secondary battery having high capacity and satisfactory high-temperature cycle characteristics is provided. A secondary battery according to the exemplary embodiment has an electrode element in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are arranged so as to face each other, an electrolytic solution and an outer package packaging the electrode element and the electrolytic solution, wherein the negative electrode is formed by binding a negative electrode active material containing at least one of a metal (a) capable of forming an alloy with lithium and a metal oxide (b) capable of absorbing and releasing lithium ions, to a negative electrode collector, with a polyimide or a polyamide-imide serving as a negative electrode binder; and the electrolytic solution contains a phosphazene compound.
US09219273B2 Active material for lithium secondary battery, electrode for lithium secondary battery, and lithium secondary battery
[Object]; There is provided an active material for a lithium secondary battery, which has a high initial efficiency and a high discharge capacity, and particularly has a high discharge capacity at a low temperature (excellent low-temperature characteristic), and a lithium secondary battery using the active material. [Solution]; An active material for a lithium secondary battery, which contains a solid solution of a lithium transition metal composite oxide having an α-NaFeO2 crystal structure, wherein the composition ratio of metal elements contained in the solid solution satisfies, Li1+x−yNayCoaNibMncO2+d (0
US09219268B2 Rechargeable secondary battery
An embodiment of the present invention provides a rechargeable secondary battery, which can rapidly cut off charge and/or discharge paths by a force provided from an elastic force offering part in addition to fusion of a fuse when an external short circuit or overcharge occurs to the rechargeable secondary battery. To this end, there is provided a rechargeable secondary battery including: a case; an electrode assembly in the case; a collector plate coupled to the electrode assembly and comprising a fuse part; a terminal coupled to the collector plate and extending to an outside of the case; and an elastic force offering part between the case and the collector plate.
US09219267B2 Secondary battery
A secondary battery including: an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate that includes an uncoated portion, a second electrode plate that includes an uncoated portion, and a separator that is interposed therebetween, wherein the first and second electrode plates and the separator are wound so that the uncoated portion of the first electrode plate and the uncoated portion of the second electrode plate are arranged in different directions; a groove formed in at least one of the uncoated portions of the first and second electrode plates; and a current collector including a lead tab that is bent passing the groove in such a way that a portion of the lead tab contacts a side surface of at least one first uncoated portions and another portion of the lead tab contacts another side surface of the at least one uncoated portion.
US09219266B2 Secondary battery pack of novel structure
Disclosed is a secondary battery pack including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal of a battery cell, and being made of a plate-shaped conductive member, the anode terminal and the cathode terminal being electrically connected to a protection circuit module (PCM), a battery cell having the anode terminal and the cathode terminal formed at one end thereof, the battery cell being provided at the end thereof with a thermally welded surplus portion, and a PCM including a printed circuit board (PCB) having a protection circuit formed thereon, the PCB being provided at one side thereof with a cathode terminal connection portion and an anode terminal connection portion and at the other side thereof with an external input and output terminal connection portion, an external input and output terminal electrically connected to the protection circuit of the PCB via the external input and output terminal connection portion of the PCB.
US09219259B2 Battery pack having a spacer disposed between battery cells
A battery pack is constructed with at least two battery cells that are arranged in parallel to each other and provided with surfaces facing each other, and a spacer structure interposed between the facing surfaces of the battery cells. A through-hole is formed in an interior portion of the spacer structure and corresponds to a portion where thicknesses of the battery cells are increased when the battery cells are swollen. Therefore, the facing battery cells do not interfere with each other even if the thickness of the battery cell is changed due to swelling of the middle portion thereof when the battery cells are repeatedly charged/discharged in the case where at least two battery cells are included.
US09219255B2 Organic layer deposition apparatus and method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display apparatus using the same
An organic layer deposition apparatus includes a conveyer unit and a deposition unit that has one or more organic layer deposition assemblies configured to deposit an organic layer on a moving substrate. The conveyer unit includes a moving unit configured to move a substrate fixed thereto, a first conveyer unit configured to move the moving unit in a first direction during which an organic material is deposited on the substrate fixed to the moving unit, and a second conveyer unit configured to move the moving unit in a second direction opposite to the first direction after deposition is completed and the substrate is separated from the moving unit. The first conveyer unit and the second conveyer unit are configured to move through the deposition unit.
US09219254B2 Method of forming nanocrystals and method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus including a thin film having nanocrystals
A method of forming nanocrystals includes loading a substrate into a chamber, applying a first voltage to a first target to form a thin film including a first metal compound on the substrate by sputtering, and applying a second voltage to a second target and forming nanocrystals in the thin film by sputtering.
US09219253B2 Method for manufacturing organic EL display device
A method for manufacturing an organic EL display device is provided in which an organic compound layer is formed by vapor deposition after a layer used for patterning the organic compound layer has been formed, so that the organic compound layer is formed without being affected by the surface tension of the sides of the layer for the patterning.
US09219243B2 Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, display device, electronic appliance, and lighting device
A multicolor light-emitting element in which light-emitting layers emitting light of different colors are stacked and color adjustment is easily made is provided. A multicolor light-emitting element which is inexpensive and has favorable emission efficiency is provided. A light-emitting element in which at least two light-emitting layers emitting light of different colors are formed in contact with each other and the light emitted from the two light-emitting layers is obtained from exciplexes is provided. In addition, the light-emitting element in which the exciplexes emit delayed fluorescence is provided.
US09219241B2 Organic light emitting element and display device using the element
A hole transporting region made of a hole transporting material, an electron transporting region made of an electron transporting material, and a mixed region (light emitting region) in which both the hole transporting material and the electron transporting material are mixed and which is doped with a triplet light emitting material for red color are provided in an organic compound film, whereby interfaces between respective layers which exist in a conventional lamination structure are eliminated, and respective functions of hole transportation, electron transportation, and light emission are exhibited. In accordance with the above-mentioned method, the organic light emitting element for red color can be obtained in which power consumption is low and a life thereof is long. Thus, the display device and the electric device are manufactured by using the organic light emitting element.
US09219239B2 Photovoltaic device
An apparatus includes a substrate; and a photoactive layer disposed on the substrate. The photoactive layer includes an electron acceptor material; an electron donor material; and a material having dipoles.
US09219233B2 Semiconductor materials prepared from rylene-(π-acceptor)copolymers
Disclosed are new semiconductor materials prepared from rylene-(π-acceptor) copolymers. Such copolymers can exhibit high n-type carrier mobility and/or good current modulation characteristics. In addition, the polymers of the present teachings can possess certain processing advantages such as solution-processability and/or good stability at ambient conditions.
US09219231B2 Phase change memory cells with surfactant layers
An example embodiment is a phase change memory cell including a bottom electrode and phase change material carried within a via above the bottom electrode. A surfactant layer is deposited above the bottom electrode. The surfactant layer includes a surfactant configured to lower an interfacial force between the phase change material and the via surface.
US09219227B2 Magnetoresistive element and magnetic memory
A magnetoresistive element according to an embodiment includes: a base layer; a first magnetic layer formed on the base layer, and including a first magnetic film having an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a film plane, the first magnetic film including MnxGa100-x (45≦x<64 atomic %); a first nonmagnetic layer formed on the first magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer formed on the first nonmagnetic layer, and including a second magnetic film having an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a film plane, the second magnetic film including MnyGa100-y (45≦y<64 atomic %). The first and second magnetic layers include different Mn composition rates from each other, a magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer is changeable by a current flowing between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer via the first nonmagnetic layer.
US09219224B2 Method for manufacturing piezoelectric substrate
The method for manufacturing a piezoelectric substrate includes a process of forming a material having composition M1−y/2+x(N1−yNby)O3+x (where 0≦y≦0.045, M represents Pb1−pSrp with 0≦p≦0.03, and N represents Ti1−qZrq with 0.45≦q≦0.60) into a sheet form, and a process of burning the material formed into the sheet form while mounted on a setter to obtain a piezoelectric substrate. A thickness of the piezoelectric substrate is 30 μm or less, and a surface area/thickness ratio of the piezoelectric substrate is 1×107 μm or more. The variable x has a value within or on a boundary of a region R shown by hatching in FIG. 1.
US09219223B2 Piezoelectric crystal elements of shear mode
Preparations of piezoelectric single crystal elements involving the steps of mechanically finishing a single crystal element with select cuttings, coating electrodes on a pair of Z surfaces, poling the single crystal along the <011> axis under a 500V/mm electric field and a product made by the process thereof.
US09219216B2 Thermoelectric conversion element, thermoelectric conversion element module, and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a thermoelectric conversion element, a thermoelectric conversion element module, and a method of manufacturing the same that can easily realize high-density arrangement of thermoelectric conversion elements and securement of connection reliability. The thermoelectric conversion element has, for example, rod-shaped thermoelectric conversion material, tube that has an insulation property and an adiabatic property and houses thermoelectric conversion material, and electrodes that are in close adhesion to the end surfaces of thermoelectric conversion material and tube. A surface roughness Ra of the end surfaces is larger than 0.8 micrometers. In the present invention, the thermoelectric conversion elements can be arranged at a high density such that tubes are in close adhesion to each other. Also, since the close adhesion surface of electrodes on the end surfaces is large, the connection reliability of electrodes is further improved.
US09219211B1 Method for manufacturing light emitting unit
A method for manufacturing a light emitting unit is provided. A semiconductor structure including a plurality of light emitting dice separated from each other is provided. A molding compound is formed to encapsulate the light emitting dice. Each of the light emitting dice includes a light emitting element, a first electrode and a second electrode. A patterned metal layer is formed on the first electrodes and the second electrodes of the light emitting dice. A substrate is provided, where the molding compound is located between the substrate and the light emitting elements of the light emitting dice. A cutting process is performed to cut the semiconductor structure, the patterned metal layer, the molding compound and the substrate so as to define a light emitting unit with a series connection loop, a parallel connection loop or a series-parallel connection loop.
US09219203B2 Light emitting apparatus and illuminating apparatus
A light emitting device (1) of the present invention is a light emitting device including a light emitting section (3) provided on a substrate (2), light storing phosphors (7) being provided on or above at least a part of the substrate (2). It is therefore possible to provide a planar light emitting device having a light storage function.
US09219196B2 Wafer-level light emitting diode package and method of fabricating the same
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a wafer-level light emitting diode (LED) package and a method of fabricating the same. The LED package includes a semiconductor stack including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer; a plurality of contact holes arranged in the second conductive type semiconductor layer and the active layer, the contact holes exposing the first conductive type semiconductor layer; a first bump arranged on a first side of the semiconductor stack, the first bump being electrically connected to the first conductive type semiconductor layer via the plurality of contact holes; a second bump arranged on the first side of the semiconductor stack, the second bump being electrically connected to the second conductive type semiconductor layer; and a protective insulation layer covering a sidewall of the semiconductor stack.
US09219195B2 Columnar light emitting device, liquid crystal display device including the same, and method of manufacturing the same
A columnar light emitting device is provided. The columnar light emitting device includes an upper transparent electrode layer, a lower transparent electrode layer disposed to be separated from the upper transparent electrode layer, a columnar light emitting structure pattern-formed between the upper transparent electrode layer and the lower transparent electrode layer, a fluorescent part formed between a plurality of the columnar light emitting structures, a P-type electrode pad formed on the upper transparent electrode layer, and an N-type electrode pad formed under the lower transparent electrode layer. The columnar light emitting structure includes a U-GaN layer, an N-type semiconductor layer, an emission layer, and a P-type semiconductor layer.
US09219193B2 Method for making epitaxial structure
A method for making an epitaxial structure is provided. The method includes the following steps. A substrate having an epitaxial growth surface is provided. A buffer layer is formed on the epitaxial growth surface. A carbon nanotube layer is placed on the buffer layer. An epitaxial layer is epitaxially grown on the buffer layer. The substrate and the carbon nanotube layer are removed.
US09219189B2 Graded electron blocking layer
A light emitting device includes a p-side heterostructure, an n-side heterostructure, an active region disposed between the p-side heterostructure and the n-side heterostructure. An electron blocking layer (EBL) disposed between the p-side heterostructure and the active region comprises an aluminum containing group-III-nitride alloy. An aluminum composition of the EBL decreases as a function of distance along a [0001] direction from the active region towards the p-side heterostructure over a majority of the thickness of the EBL.
US09219187B2 Solar-powered energy-autonomous silicon-on-insulator device
A solar-powered autonomous CMOS circuit structure is fabricated with monolithically integrated photovoltaic solar cells. The structure includes a device layer including an integrated circuit and a solar cell layer. Solar cell structures in the solar cell layer can be series connected during metallization of the device layer or subsequently. The device layer and the solar cell layer are formed using a silicon-on-insulator substrate. Subsequent spalling of the silicon-on-insulator substrate through the handle substrate thereof facilitates production of a relatively thin solar cell layer that can be subjected to a selective etching process to isolate the solar cell structures.
US09219185B2 CMOS integrated method for the fabrication of thermopile pixel with umbrella absorber on semiconductor substrate
A method of manufacturing a pixel structure having an umbrella absorber is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate with a membrane on a first surface of the substrate. The membrane has one or more openings that expose one or more portions of the first surface, and includes a thermopile. A sacrificial layer is deposited on the membrane and in the one or more openings. The sacrificial layer is patterned to expose a portion of the membrane associated with one or more hot junctions of the thermopile. A rigid, thermally-conductive layer is formed on the sacrificial layer and on the exposed portion of the membrane associated with the one or more hot junctions of the thermopile. An absorber is deposited on the rigid, thermally-conductive layer. A cavity is formed in the substrate from a second surface of the substrate to the membrane and the sacrificial layer is removed.
US09219173B2 Solar cell having an emitter region with wide bandgap semiconductor material
Solar cells having emitter regions composed of wide bandgap semiconductor material are described. In an example, a method includes forming, in a process tool having a controlled atmosphere, a thin dielectric layer on a surface of a semiconductor substrate of the solar cell. The semiconductor substrate has a bandgap. Without removing the semiconductor substrate from the controlled atmosphere of the process tool, a semiconductor layer is formed on the thin dielectric layer. The semiconductor layer has a bandgap at least approximately 0.2 electron Volts (eV) above the bandgap of the semiconductor substrate.
US09219171B2 Systems and methods for monolithically integrated bypass switches in photovoltaic solar cells and modules
Structures and methods for a solar cell having an integrated bypass switch are provided. According to one embodiment, an integrated solar cell and bypass switch comprising a semiconductor layer having background doping, a frontside, and a backside is provided. A patterned first level metal is positioned on the layer backside and an electrically insulating backplane is positioned on the first level metal. A trench isolation pattern partitions the semiconductor layer into a solar cell region and at least one monolithically integrated bypass switch region. A patterned second level metal is positioned on the electrically insulating backplane and which connects to the first level metal through the backplane to complete the electrical metallization of the monolithically integrated solar cell and bypass switch structure.
US09219169B2 Angular velocity sensor
An angular velocity sensor for detecting an angular velocity includes a substrate having the stationary portion, two pair of driver weights, two detector weights, and a detector electrode. The angular velocity is detected by using a differential signal output indicating a variation in capacitances. When the absolute value of a de-coupling ratio (=(fanti−fin)/fanti) is greater than or equal to 0.07, the occurrence of the anti-phase mode movement can be prevented so as to prevent the occurrence of the output error of the gyro sensor and detect the angular velocity more precisely.
US09219166B2 Nonvolatile flash memory structures including fullerene molecules and methods for manufacturing the same
Embodiments of tunneling barriers and methods for same can embed molecules exhibiting a monodispersion characteristic into a dielectric layer (e.g., between first and second layers forming a dielectric layer). In one embodiment, by embedding C60 molecules inbetween first and second insulating layers forming a dielectric layer, a field sensitive tunneling barrier can be implemented. In one embodiment, the tunneling barrier can be between a floating gate and a channel in a semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, a tunneling film can be used in nonvolatile memory applications where C60 provides accessible energy levels to prompt resonant tunneling through the dielectric layer upon voltage application. Embodiments also contemplate engineered fullerene molecules incorporated within the context of at least one of a tunneling dielectric and a floating gate within a nonvolatile flash memory structure.
US09219164B2 Semiconductor device with oxide semiconductor channel
To give stable electrical characteristics to and improve reliability of a semiconductor device including a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film is used for a channel formation region. As a base film, an insulating film or an oxide semiconductor film is used. A single-layer metal film is formed over the base film. After that, a resist mask is formed, and etching is performed plural times. Accordingly, electrodes each including projecting portions when seen in cross-section are formed. Even when a gate insulating film over the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer or an oxide semiconductor film has a small thickness, disconnection of the gate insulating film is unlikely to occur.
US09219161B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having a structure which can prevent a decrease in electrical characteristics, which becomes more significant with miniaturization of a transistor, is provided. In addition, a highly reliable semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode layer, a second gate electrode layer, and a third gate electrode layer, which are each provided separately. The first gate electrode layer overlaps with an oxide semiconductor layer. The second gate electrode layer partly covers one end portion of the oxide semiconductor layer in the channel width direction. The third gate electrode layer partly covers the other end portion of the oxide semiconductor layer in the channel width direction.
US09219158B2 Semiconductor device
As a display device has a higher definition, the number of pixels, gate lines, and signal lines are increased. When the number of the gate lines and the signal lines are increased, there occurs a problem that it is difficult to mount an IC chip including a driver circuit for driving the gate and signal lines by bonding or the like, whereby manufacturing cost is increased. A pixel portion and a driver circuit for driving the pixel portion are provided over the same substrate, and at least part of the driver circuit includes a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor interposed between gate electrodes provided above and below the oxide semiconductor. The pixel portion and the driver portion are provided over the same substrate, whereby manufacturing cost can be reduced.
US09219150B1 Method for fabricating semiconductor structures including fin structures with different strain states, and related semiconductor structures
Methods of forming a semiconductor structure include providing a multi-layer substrate having an epitaxial base layer overlying a strained primary semiconductor layer above a buried oxide layer. Elements within the epitaxial base layer are used to alter a strain state in the primary semiconductor layer within a first region of the multi-layer substrate without altering a strain state in the primary semiconductor layer within a second region of the multi-layer substrate. A first plurality of transistor channel structures are formed that each comprise a portion of the primary semiconductor layer within the first region of the multi-layer substrate, and a second plurality of transistor channel structures are formed that each comprise a portion of the primary semiconductor layer within the second region of the multi-layer substrate. Semiconductor structures fabricated by such methods may include transistor channel structures having differing strain states.
US09219149B2 Semiconductor device with vertical transistor channels and a compensation structure
A semiconductor device includes transistor cells with vertical channels perpendicular to a first surface of a semiconductor portion. A buried compensation structure in the semiconductor portion between the transistor cells and a second surface of the semiconductor portion parallel to the first surface includes first areas and second areas. The first and second areas are alternatingly arranged along a lateral direction parallel to the first surface. A contiguous impurity layer of a first conductivity type separates the transistor cells from the buried compensation structure.
US09219148B2 Semiconductor device and fabricating method thereof
A semiconductor device and a fabricating method thereof are provided, in which the semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with a trench formed therein, a bottom electrode placed at a lower inner portion of the trench, the bottom electrode having an uneven upper surface, an insulating layer formed on an upper portion of the bottom electrode and on a sidewall of the trench, and a top electrode placed at an upper portion of the bottom electrode inside the trench, the top electrode having a top electrode which is uneven, in which the top electrode is so configured that the top electrode is inclined toward a center portion.
US09219142B2 Semiconductor device having element region and termination region surrounding element region
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an element region and a termination region. The element region includes a first body region having a first conductivity type, a first drift region having a second conductivity type, and first floating regions having the first conductivity type. The termination region includes FLR regions, a second drift region and second floating regions. The FLR regions have the first conductivity type and surrounds the element region. The second drift region has the second conductivity type, makes contact with and surrounds the FLR regions. The second floating regions have the first conductivity type and is surrounded by the second drift region. The second floating regions surround the element region. At least one of the second floating regions is placed at an element region side relative to the closest one of the FLR regions to the element region.
US09219140B2 Metal oxide semiconductor transistor and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a MOS transistor, including a substrate, a gate oxide, a gate, a source/drain region and a silicide layer. The gate oxide is disposed on the substrate and the gate is disposed on the gate oxide. The source/drain region is disposed in the substrate at two sides of the gate. The silicide layer is disposed on the source/drain region, wherein the silicide layer includes a curved bottom surface and a curved top surface, both the curved top surface and the curved bottom surface bend toward the substrate and the curved top surface is sunken from two sides thereof, two ends of the silicide layer point tips raised up over the source/drain region and the silicide layer in the middle is thicker than the silicide layer in the peripheral, thereby forming a crescent structure. The present invention further provides a manufacturing method of the MOS transistor.
US09219136B2 Switching element
Provided is a switching element that is hardly destroyed even under a high bias condition in an off state because an electric field near a gate electrode is relaxed. A switching element 1 includes a carrier transit layer 13, a carrier supply layer 14 formed on an upper surface of the carrier transit layer 13, having a wider bandgap than the carrier transit layer 13, and forming a heterojunction with the carrier transit layer 13, a source electrode 15, a drain electrode 16, and a gate electrode 17 arranged between the source electrode 15 and the drain electrode 16. An impurity-doped layer 20 is interposed between the carrier transit layer 13 and the drain electrode 16. The impurity-doped layer 20 is formed as a semiconductor layer by heavily doping an impurity having the same conductivity type as a carrier constituting a two-dimensional carrier gas layer 18 generated due to the heterojunction, and a depletion layer 23b is formed in the impurity-doped layer 20 when the switching element 1 is in the off state, and thereby a high electric field generated near the gate electrode 17 is dispersed.
US09219132B2 Transistors, semiconductor constructions, and methods of forming semiconductor constructions
Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
US09219129B2 Inverted thin channel mosfet with self-aligned expanded source/drain
A semiconductor structure including expanded source/drain regions that extend in an opposite direction of a gate electrode is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a stack of a body-containing region and a buried insulator portion, a gate dielectric in contact with a surface of the body-containing region, a gate electrode in contact with the gate dielectric, and a source region and a drain region laterally spaced by, and in contact with, the stack. The semiconductor structure further includes a contact level dielectric layer deposited on surfaces of the source region, the drain region and the buried insulator portion.
US09219127B2 SiC field effect transistor
A SiC field effect transistor includes: a SiC semiconductor layer; and a MIS transistor structure including a first conductivity type source region in the semiconductor layer, a second conductivity type body region in the semiconductor layer in contact with the source region, a first conductivity type drift region in the semiconductor layer in contact with the body region, a gate electrode opposed to the body region with a gate insulation film interposed between the electrode and the body region for forming a channel in the body region to cause electric current to flow between the drift region and the source region, and a barrier forming layer in contact with the drift region to form a junction barrier by the contact with the drift region, the junction barrier being lower than a diffusion potential of a body diode defined by a junction between the body region and the drift region.
US09219125B2 Device and methods for high-k and metal gate stacks
A semiconductor device having five gate stacks on different regions of a substrate and methods of making the same are described. The device includes a semiconductor substrate and isolation features to separate the different regions on the substrate. The different regions include a p-type field-effect transistor (pFET) core region, an input/output pFET (pFET IO) region, an n-type field-effect transistor (nFET) core region, an input/output nFET (nFET IO) region, and a high-resistor region.
US09219122B2 Silicon carbide semiconductor devices
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for thermal processing of silicon carbide semiconductor devices. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a silicon carbide semiconductor device includes forming a thin epitaxial layer of a nitrogen and phosphorous co-doped SiC material on a SiC epitaxial layer formed on a SiC substrate, and thermally growing an oxide layer to form an insulator material on the nitrogen and phosphorous co-doped SiC epitaxial layer, in which the thermally growing the oxide layer results in at least partially consuming the nitrogen and phosphorous co-doped SiC epitaxial layer in the oxide layer to produce an interface including nitrogen and phosphorous between the SiC epitaxial layer and the oxide layer.
US09219119B2 Semiconductor device with nanowires in different regions at different heights and fabricating method thereof
A semiconductor device has gate-all-around devices formed in respective regions on a substrate. The gate-all-around devices have nanowires at different levels. The threshold voltage of a gate-all-around device in first region is based on a thickness of an active layer in an adjacent second region. The active layer in the second region may be at substantially a same level as the nanowire in the first region. Thus, the nanowire in the first region may have a thickness based on the thickness of the active layer in the second region, or the thicknesses may be different. When more than one active layer is included, nanowires in different ones of the regions may be disposed at different heights and/or may have different thicknesses.
US09219115B2 Forming conductive STI liners for FinFETS
An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, isolation regions extending into the semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor strip, and a semiconductor fin overlapping and joined to the semiconductor strip. A first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer are disposed on opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor strip. The integrated circuit device further includes a first conductive liner and a second conductive liner, wherein the semiconductor strip, the first dielectric layer, and the second dielectric layer are between the first conductive liner and the second conductive line. The first conductive liner and the second conductive liner are between, and in contact with, sidewalls of a first portion and a second portion of the isolation regions.
US09219112B2 Lattice-mismatched semiconductor structures with reduced dislocation defect densities and related methods for device fabrication
Fabrication of monolithic lattice-mismatched semiconductor heterostructures with limited area regions having upper portions substantially exhausted of threading dislocations, as well as fabrication of semiconductor devices based on such lattice-mismatched heterostructures.
US09219106B2 Integrated inductor
A system and method for providing an integrated inductor with a high Quality factor (Q) is provided. An embodiment comprises a magnetic core that is in a center of a conductive spiral. The magnetic core increases the inductance of the integrated inductor to allow the inductor to be used in applications such as a RF choke. The magnetic core may be formed in the same manner and time as an underbump metallization.
US09219105B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display includes: a substrate including a display area configured to display an image and a peripheral area surrounding the display area; a semiconductor layer at the display area on the substrate; a first gate insulating layer covering the semiconductor layer; a first gate wire on the first gate insulating layer; a second gate insulating layer covering the gate wire; a second gate wire on the second gate insulating layer; an interlayer insulating layer covering the second gate wire and having a contact hole, and a plurality of first dummy contact holes; a data wire on the interlayer insulating layer; a passivation layer covering the data wire; and an organic light emitting diode on the passivation layer and coupled to the data wire, wherein the data wire is coupled with the second gate wire through the contact hole in the interlayer insulating layer.
US09219103B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display is disclosed. The display includes some pixel areas which are opaque and some pixel areas which are partially opaque and partially transparent. Selectively displaying the light emission of the pixel areas allows for control of the relative brightness of a displayed image and an object behind the display.
US09219101B2 Organic EL device and method for manufacturing organic EL device
The present invention aims at developing an organic EL device having a structure for power supply to a new organic EL element. The device is formed of unit organic EL elements planarly distributed on a substrate having a planar expanse and includes organic EL element columns and organic EL element rows. The organic EL element columns and the organic EL element rows each have a conductive path in which electric current passes in its longitudinal direction. The organic EL element columns and the organic EL element rows have different longitudinal directions so that their conductive paths cross with each other at a part where the organic EL element columns and the organic EL element rows cross with each other.
US09219098B2 Electronic device having flash memory array formed in at different level than variable resistance memory cells
An electronic device includes a memory. The memory includes a first cell array including a plurality of flash memory cells, a first peripheral circuit suitable for controlling the first cell array, a second cell array including a plurality of variable resistance memory cells, and a second peripheral circuit suitable for controlling the second cell array. The first cell array, the first peripheral circuit, and the second peripheral circuit are formed at a first level over a surface of a semiconductor substrate, and the second cell array is disposed at a second level over the surface of a semiconductor substrate, the second level being higher than the first level. A portion of the second cell array overlaps in a plan view the second peripheral circuit and/or the first cell array.
US09219093B1 3D high resolution X-ray sensor with integrated scintillator grid
Various embodiments of a 3D high resolution X-ray sensor are described. In one aspect, an indirect X-ray sensor includes a silicon wafer that includes an array of photodiodes thereon with each of the photodiodes having a contact on a front side of the silicon wafer and self-aligned with a respective grid hole of an array of grid holes that are on a back side of the silicon wafer. Each of the grid holes is filled with a scintillator configured to convert beams of X-ray into light. The indirect X-ray sensor also includes one or more silicon dies with an array of photo-sensing circuits each of which including a contact at a top surface of the one or more silicon dies. Contact on each of the photodiodes is aligned and bonded to contact of a respective photo-sensing circuit of the array of photo-sensing circuits of the one or more silicon dies.
US09219086B2 In-cell touch panel
An embodiment of the disclosure discloses an in-cell touch panel having advantages such as a simple structure and a low cost. The in-cell touch panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate arranged oppositely, wherein a plurality of gate lines arranged horizontally are formed on the first substrate; the in-cell touch panel further comprises: a plurality of touch driving lines arranged horizontally; a plurality of touch sensing lines arranged vertically; and a plurality of touch scanning TFTs, wherein each touch scanning TFT has a gate connected to one gate line, a source connected to a touch driving circuit, and a drain connected to one touch driving line, the one gate line is only connected to the gate of one touch scanning TFT; wherein, the number of the gate lines≧the number of the touch scanning TFTs≧the number of the touch driving lines.
US09219085B2 Thin film transistor display panel and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor array panel and a manufacturing method capable of forming an insulating layer made of different materials for a portion contacting an oxide semiconductor and a second portion without an additional process. Source and drain electrodes of the thin film transistor each include a lower layer and an upper layer. A first passivation layer contacts the lower layer of the source and drain electrodes but does not contact the upper layer of the source and drain electrodes, and a second passivation layer is disposed on the upper layer of the source and drain electrodes. The first passivation layer may be made of silicon oxide, and the second passivation may be made of silicon nitride.
US09219082B2 Array substrate and method for manufacturing the same, and display device
The invention relates to an array substrate for a display device and to a method for manufacturing an array substrate comprising a thin-film transistor (“TFT”). An array substrate according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a source electrode, a gate electrode and a drain electrode, wherein the gate electrode is located on a first metal layer, the source electrode and the drain electrode are located on a second metal layer, and in the case that dislocation occurs between the first metal layer and the second metal layer, the area of the overlapping region between the source electrode and the gate electrode keeps constant.
US09219080B2 Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display device includes a gate electrode; a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode; an active layer on the gate insulating layer corresponding to the gate electrode; source and drain electrodes on the active layer; a first passivation layer on the source and drain electrodes; a common electrode on the first passivation layer; a second passivation layer on the common electrode, covering the common electrode, and having a separate region from the first passivation layer at a thickness of the common electrode; a pixel electrode on the second passivation layer and connected to the drain electrode through a drain contact hole; and a common line at a same layer as the pixel electrode and connected to the common electrode.
US09219074B2 Three-dimensional semiconductor device
A 3D semiconductor device is provided, comprising plural memory layers vertically stacked on a substrate and parallel to each other; plural selection lines disposed on the memory layers and parallel to each other; plural bit lines disposed on the selection lines, and the bit lines arranged in parallel to each other and in perpendicular to the selection lines; plural strings formed vertically to the memory layers and the selection lines, and the strings electrically connected to the corresponding selection lines; a plurality of cells respectively defined by the strings, the selection lines and the bit lines correspondingly, and the cells arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, wherein a column direction is parallel to the bit lines while a row direction is parallel to the selection lines. The adjacent cells in the same column are electrically connected to the different bit lines.
US09219068B2 FinFET with dielectric isolation by silicon-on-nothing and method of fabrication
An improved finFET and method of fabrication using a silicon-on-nothing process flow is disclosed. Nitride spacers protect the fin sides during formation of cavities underneath the fins for the silicon-on-nothing (SON) process. A flowable oxide fills the cavities to form an insulating dielectric layer under the fins.
US09219065B2 Method of fabricating CMOS inverter and integrated circuits utilizing strained silicon surface channel MOSFETS
A method of fabricating a circuit comprising an nMOSFET includes providing a substrate, depositing a strain-inducing material comprising germanium over the substrate, and integrating a pMOSFET on the substrate, the pMOSFET comprising a strained channel having a surface roughness of less than 1 nm. The strain-inducing material is proximate to and in contact with the pMOSFET channel, the strain in the pMOSFET channel is induced by the strain-inducing material, and a source and a drain of the pMOSFET are at least partially formed in the strain-inducing material.
US09219059B2 Semiconductor structure with integrated passive structures
A metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) with integrated passive structures and methods of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The method includes forming a stacked structure in an active region and at least one shallow trench isolation (STI) structure adjacent to the stacked structure. The method further includes forming a semiconductor layer directly in contact with the at least one STI structure and the stacked structure. The method further includes patterning the semiconductor layer and the stacked structure to form an active device in the active region and a passive structure of the semiconductor layer directly on the at least one STI structure.
US09219054B2 Compliant dielectric layer for semiconductor device
Systems, apparatuses, and methods provided for semiconductor devices and integrated circuit (IC) packages that include compliant dielectric layers. In a through silicon via interposer or substrate, a compliant dielectric material may be added to a surface of silicon material body to form a compliant dielectric layer. The compliant dielectric layer provides a thermal buffer and a stress buffer for a resulting IC package. The compliant dielectric material may be selected such that the coefficient of thermal expansion of the compliant dielectric material approximately matches the coefficient of thermal expansion of the circuit board on which the IC package is mounted. The compliant dielectric material may be selected such that it has a deformability that is greater than the silicon material body. Multiple sub-layers of compliant dielectric material may be used.
US09219052B2 Making a flip-chip assembly with bond fingers
A method of making a flip chip assembly includes a substrate having a top surface and forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending, laterally spaced apart bond fingers are formed on the top surface. Each of the plurality of bond fingers has a first longitudinal end portion and a second longitudinal end portion. Applying a transversely extending solder resist strip over the first longitudinal end portions of the bond fingers. The strip has an edge wall with a plurality of longitudinally projecting tooth portions separated by gaps. Each tooth portion and each gap aligned with a different one of the bond fingers in each adjacent pair of bond fingers.
US09219051B2 Laminate peripheral clamping to control microelectronic module BSM warpage
A clamping apparatus and method for applying a force to a workpiece during processing includes a base defining a work area. The work area is configured to receive a joined structure including a substrate and a die. A component is positionable in the work area and over the joined structure. An adjustable releasable structure is positionable over the component and the joined structure and includes a resilient mechanism having an inner member for contacting the component to apply an inner downward force to the component. The resilient mechanism also includes outer members for applying an outer downward force to opposing distal edge areas of the substrate. An external downward force is applied to the adjustable releasable structure, such that the inner and outer members apply the inner and outer downward forces to the component and the opposing distal edge areas of the substrate, respectively, during processing of the joined structure.
US09219045B2 Semiconductor device and method of self-confinement of conductive bump material during reflow without solder mask
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a die bump pad and substrate with a trace line and integrated bump pad. Conductive bump material is deposited on the substrate bump pad or die bump pad. The semiconductor die is mounted over the substrate so that the bump material is disposed between the die bump pad and substrate bump pad. The bump material is reflowed without a solder mask around the die bump pad or substrate bump pad to form an interconnect. The bump material is self-confined within a footprint of the die bump pad or substrate bump pad. The bump material can be immersed in a flux solution prior to reflow to increase wettability. Alternatively, the interconnect includes a non-fusible base and fusible cap. The volume of bump material is selected so that a surface tension maintains self-confinement of the bump material within the bump pads during reflow.
US09219040B2 Integrated circuit with semiconductor fin fuse
Methods of fabricating an integrated circuit with a fin-based fuse, and the resulting integrated circuit with a fin-based fuse are provided. In the method, a fin is created from a layer of semiconductor material and has a first end and a second end. The method provides for forming a conductive path on the fin from its first end to its second end. The conductive path is electrically connected to a programming device that is capable of selectively directing a programming current through the conductive path to cause a structural change in the conductive path to increase resistance across the conductive path.
US09219037B2 Low k porous SiCOH dielectric and integration with post film formation treatment
A porous SiCOH dielectric film in which the stress change caused by increased tetrahedral strain is minimized by post treatment in unsaturated Hydrocarbon ambient. The p-SiCOH dielectric film has more —(CHx) and less Si—O—H and Si—H bonding moieties. Moreover, a stable pSiOCH dielectric film is provided in which the amount of Si—OH (silanol) and Si—H groups at least within the pores has been reduced by about 90% or less by the post treatment. A p-SiCOH dielectric film is produced that is flexible since the pores include stabilized crosslinking —(CHx)— chains wherein x is 1, 2 or 3 therein. The dielectric film is produced utilizing an annealing step subsequent deposition that includes a gaseous ambient that includes at least one C—C double bond and/or at least one C—C triple bond.
US09219033B2 Via pre-fill on back-end-of-the-line interconnect layer
The present disclosure relates to a metal interconnect layer formed using a pre-fill process to reduce voids, and an associated method. In some embodiments, the metal interconnect layer has a dielectric layer disposed over a substrate. An opening with an upper portion above a horizontal plane and a lower portion below the horizontal plane extends downwardly through the dielectric layer. A first conductive layer fills the lower portion of the opening. An upper barrier layer is disposed over the first conductive layer covering bottom and sidewall surfaces of the upper portion of the opening. A second conductive layer is disposed over the upper barrier layer filling the upper portion of the opening.
US09219032B2 Integrating through substrate vias from wafer backside layers of integrated circuits
A semiconductor wafer has an integrated through substrate via created from a backside of the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer includes a semiconductor substrate and a shallow trench isolation (STI) layer pad on a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor wafer also includes an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer formed on a contact etch stop layer, separating the ILD layer from the STI layer pad on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor wafer further includes a through substrate via that extends through the STI layer pad and the semiconductor substrate to couple with at least one contact within the ILD layer. The through substrate via includes a conductive filler material and a sidewall isolation liner layer. The sidewall isolation liner layer has a portion that possibly extends into, but not through, the STI layer pad.
US09219029B2 Integrated circuit packaging system with terminals and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming a lead having a lead top side; forming a lower interior conductive layer directly on the lead top side; forming an interior insulation layer directly on the lower interior conductive layer; forming an upper interior conductive layer directly on the interior insulation layer; and mounting an integrated circuit over the upper interior conductive layer.
US09219026B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has an island portion on which a semiconductor chip is adhered through intermediation of an insulating paste. Recessed portions having an inverted pyramid shape are formed in a semiconductor chip placing region of the island portion. A first opening angle formed by a normal extending upward from a vertex of each of the plurality of recessed portions each having an inverted pyramid shape and an opening line extending to an outer side of the semiconductor chip placing region is smaller than a second opening angle formed by the normal and an opening line extending to an inner side of the semiconductor chip placing region.
US09219025B1 Molded flip-clip semiconductor package
A molded flip-chip semiconductor package includes a leadframe having opposing first and second main surfaces, a first metallization on the first main surface, a second metallization on the second main surface, recessed regions which extend from the second main surface toward the first main surface, and spaced apart leads chemically etched into the leadframe between gaps in the first metallization. The package further includes a semiconductor die having a plurality of pads facing and attached to the leads of the leadframe, a first molding compound that fills the recessed regions, and a second molding compound that encases the semiconductor die and fills the space between the leads such that the second molding compound abuts the first molding compound. A is the overall thickness of the leadframe, B is the spacing between adjacent ones of the leads, and B/A<1.
US09219024B2 Air bridge structure having dielectric coating
A substrate having an air bridge structure with end portions disposed and supported on the substrate and an elevated portion disposed between the end portions is coated with a protective layer. The protective layer is patterned to: leave portions of the protective layer over elevated portion and at least over the end portions of a region under the elevated portion of the air bridge structure; and remove portions over adjacent portions of the substrate. A dielectric material having a thickness greater than the height of the air bridge structure is deposited over the patterned protective layer portions remaining over elevated portion and over the adjacent portions of the substrate, the patterned temporary coating preventing the dielectric material from passing into the region under the elevated portion of the air bridge structure. The dielectric material is patterned to remove portions of the dielectric material over the patterned protective layer remaining over elevated portion while leaving the dielectric material over the adjacent portions of the substrate. The patterned protective layer portions remaining over elevated portion are removed while leaving the dielectric material over the adjacent portions of the substrate.
US09219020B2 Semiconductor device, wafer assembly and methods of manufacturing wafer assemblies and semiconductor devices
A cavity is formed in a working surface of a substrate in which a semiconductor element is formed. A glass piece formed from a glass material is bonded to the substrate, and the cavity is filled with the glass material. For example, a pre-patterned glass piece is used which includes a protrusion fitting into the cavity. Cavities with widths of more than 10 micrometers are filled fast and reliably. The cavities may have inclined sidewalls.
US09219019B2 Packaged semiconductor devices having solderable lead surfaces exposed by grooves in package compound
A semiconductor device has a leadframe with a pad and a row of elongated leads with a solderable surfaces in a common plane; a package encapsulating the leadframe with an assembled semiconductor device, leaving the common-plane lead surfaces un-encapsulated and coplanar with the package material between adjacent leads, the row of aligned leads positioned along a package edge; and grooves in the package material cut in the common-plane surface, the grooves extend along a portion of each lead length, have a width and a depth about twice the width, and expose solderable lead surfaces.
US09219017B2 Radio frequency semiconductor device package and method for manufacturing same, and radio frequency semiconductor device
A radio frequency semiconductor device package includes a metal base plate, a first metal wall, a second metal wall, and feed-through parts. The first metal wall is provided with first and second openings and connected onto the metal base plate. The openings are set back from a lower surface side and do not reach an upper surface. The second metal wall is connected to the upper surface of the first metal wall. Thickness of the second metal wall is larger than thickness of the first metal wall. The feed-through parts include insulators and line patterns insulated from the first and second metal walls and are joined to inner walls of the openings and the metal base plate.
US09219014B2 Manufacturing method of light emitting elements, and manufacturing apparatus of light emitting elements
A manufacturing method of white-light emitting elements that is one example of the present invention is a manufacturing method of a white-light emitting element with the light emitting diode chip covered with the fluorescent-body-containing resin member that has been formed with the fluorescent-body-containing resin material containing a resin and fluorescent bodies, and includes: an irradiating step of irradiating the fluorescent-body-containing resin material with the blue laser beam; a measuring step of measuring the fluorescence strength of the fluorescence light emission from the fluorescent bodies that have been excited by the blue laser beam with which the irradiation has been carried out; and an applying step of applying, to the light emitting diode chip, a quantity of the fluorescent-body-containing resin material, the quantity being based on the fluorescence strength that has been measured.
US09219008B2 Graphene patterning method and patterning member
A graphene patterning method for forming a graphene of predetermined pattern includes bringing a patterning member in which a catalyst metal layer of the predetermined pattern is formed into contact with a substrate having a graphene oxide film. In bringing the patterning member, the catalyst metal layer is brought into contact with the graphene oxide film.
US09219003B2 Oxide terminated trench MOSFET with three or four masks
An oxide termination semiconductor device may comprise a plurality of gate trenches, a gate runner, and an insulator termination trench. The gate trenches are located in an active region. Each gate trench includes a conductive gate electrode. The insulator termination trench is located in a termination region that surrounds the active region. The insulator termination trench is filled with an insulator material to form an insulator termination for the semiconductor device. Source and body regions inside the active region are at source potential and source and body regions outside the isolation trench are at drain potential. The device can be made using a three-mask or four-mask process.
US09219000B2 Method for processing semiconductors using a combination of electron beam and optical lithography
Forming an alignment mark on a semiconductor structure using an optical lithography to form a metal alignment mark on a substrate of the structure, using the formed metal alignment mark to form a first feature of a semiconductor device being formed on the substrate using optical lithography, and using the formed metal alignment mark to form a second, different feature for the semiconductor using electron beam lithography. In one embodiment, the first feature is an ohmic contact, the second feature is a Schottky contact, the metal alignment mark is a refractory metal or a refractory metal compound having an atomic weight greater than 60 such as TaN and the semiconductor device is a GaN semiconductor device. A semiconductor structure having a metal alignment mark on a zero layer of the structure, the metal alignment mark is a TaN and the semiconductor is GaN.
US09218999B2 Packaging process tools and packaging methods for semiconductor devices
Packaging process tools and packaging methods for semiconductor devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a packaging process tool for semiconductor devices includes a mechanical structure including a frame. The frame includes a plurality of apertures adapted to retain a plurality of integrated circuit dies therein. The frame includes at least one hollow region.
US09218998B2 Electrostatic chuck with multi-zone control
An electrostatic chuck for clamping a warped workpiece has a clamping surface comprising a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a field and one or more zones formed of differing dielectric materials. One or more electrodes are coupled to a power supply, and a controller controls a clamping voltage supplied to the one or more electrodes via the power supply. An electrostatic attraction force associated with each of the field and one or more zones of the dielectric layer of the electrostatic chuck is induced, wherein the electrostatic attraction force varies based on the dielectric material of each of the field and one or more zones. The electrostatic attraction force is greater in the one or more zones than in the field, therein attracting warped regions of the workpiece to the clamping surface and clamping the warped workpiece to the clamping surface across a surface of the warped workpiece.
US09218997B2 Electrostatic chuck having reduced arcing
Electrostatic chucks and methods of manufacturing the same are provided herein. In some embodiments, an electrostatic chuck comprises an electrically conductive body having one or more channels formed in an upper surface thereof; a plate positioned within the one or more channels to define one or more plenums between the body and the plate, wherein the surfaces of the plenum are anodized; one or more fluid passages disposed in the plate and fluidly coupling the one or more plenums to the upper surface of the body, wherein the surfaces of the fluid passages are electrically insulated; and a dielectric layer disposed over the upper surface of the body and the plate, wherein the dielectric layer forms a support surface for a substrate to be disposed thereon.
US09218995B2 Transfer apparatus for transferring electronic devices and changing their orientations
A transfer apparatus for transferring electronic devices from a wafer to a test handler. The transfer apparatus comprises: i) a rotary device rotatable about an axis; and ii) a plurality of holders configured to hold the electronic devices for transfer from the wafer to the test handler. The plurality of holders are coupled to, and extendable from, the rotary device to pick the electronic devices from the wafer. Specifically, the plurality of holders are arranged circumferentially around, and inclined with respect to, the axis of the rotary device, so as to change an orientation of the electronic devices on the wafer to a desired orientation of the electronic devices on the test handler.
US09218991B2 Ion implantation at high temperature surface equilibrium conditions
There are disclosed herein various implementations of a method and system for ion implantation at high temperature surface equilibrium conditions. The method may include situating a III-Nitride semiconductor body in a surface equilibrium chamber, establishing a gas pressure greater than or approximately equal to a surface equilibrium pressure of the III-Nitride semiconductor body, and heating the III-Nitride semiconductor body to an elevated implantation temperature in the surface equilibrium chamber while substantially maintaining the gas pressure. The method also includes implanting the III-Nitride semiconductor body in the surface equilibrium at the elevated implantation temperature chamber while substantially maintaining the gas pressure, the implanting being performed using an ion implanter interfacing with the surface equilibrium chamber.
US09218990B2 Method and apparatus for holding a plurality of substrates for processing
A substrate carrier includes a carrier plate, a cover plate and a plurality of substrate support slots. The carrier plate has recesses for receiving substrates. A sidewall of each recess includes protrusions for engaging the OD of a substrate. The cover plate is rotatable and has a cam on an undersurface. The cam is enagageable with a lateral slot in each of a plurality of substrate supports of the carrier plate. Rotating the cover plate causes the cam to move the substrate supports, one by one, so a substrate engaging end of the substrate support moves away from an associated substrate recess. A substrate is loaded into the recess, whereupon the cover plate is rotated further so the cam disengages from the lateral slot. The substrate supports are biased to engage the OD of the substrate to lock the substrate within the recess. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09218989B2 Aerogel dielectric layer
A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board, a chip attached to the circuit board and a dielectric layer. The chip has a circuit facing the circuit board and spaced from it. The dielectric layer includes an aerogel. In one embodiment, the aerogel has a dielectric constant of approximately 2.0 or less and a compression strength of at least approximately 100 psi.
US09218988B2 Microelectronic packages and methods therefor
A method of making a microelectronic assembly can include molding a dielectric material around at least two conductive elements which project above a height of a substrate having a microelectronic element mounted thereon, so that remote surfaces of the conductive elements remain accessible and exposed within openings extending from an exterior surface of the molded dielectric material. The remote surfaces can be disposed at heights from said surface of said substrate which are lower or higher than a height of the exterior surface of the molded dielectric material from the substrate surface. The conductive elements can be arranged to simultaneously carry first and second different electric potentials: e.g., power, ground or signal potentials.
US09218977B2 Fabricating method of a semiconductor device
A fabricating method of a semiconductor device includes stacking a high-k dielectric film not containing silicon (Si) and an insulating film containing silicon (Si) on a substrate, and diffusing Si contained in the insulating film into the high-k dielectric film by annealing the substrate having the high-k dielectric film and the insulating film stacked thereon.
US09218973B2 Methods of doping substrates with ALD
Provided are methods of doping substrates and making doped semiconductor features. An exemplary method includes providing a substrate having at least one feature having an aspect ratio; depositing a layer of dopants onto the substrate, the layer of dopants having a shape conforming to the at least one feature. A dielectric layer is deposited onto the layer of dopants, the dielectric layer having a shape conforming to the layer of dopants. The dielectric layer is annealed to diffuse the dopants into the substrate.
US09218970B2 Stress-controlled formation of TiN hard mask
A method to form a titanium nitride (TiN) hard mask in the Damascene process of forming interconnects during the fabrication of a semiconductor device, while the type and magnitude of stress carried by the TiN hard mask is controlled. The TiN hard mask is formed in a multi-layered structure where each sub-layer is formed successively by repeating a cycle of processes comprising TiN and chlorine PECVD deposition, and N2/H2 plasma gas treatment. During its formation, the stress to be carried by the TiN hard mask is controlled by controlling the number of TiN sub-layers and the plasma gas treatment duration such that the stress may counter-balance predetermined external stress anticipated on a conventionally made TiN hard mask, which causes trench sidewall distortion, trench opening shrinkage, and gap filling problem.
US09218969B2 Method for reducing intermixing between films of a patterning process, patterning process, and device manufactured by the patterning process
An example embodiment relates to a patterning process including forming a photoresist pattern on a structure. The photoresist pattern includes a cross-linked surface that is insoluble in an organic solvent. The process also includes spin-on coating a dielectric layer on the photoresist pattern, partially removing the dielectric layer to form a plurality of dielectric spacers surrounding the photoresist pattern, and removing the photoresist pattern.
US09218967B2 Method for separating epitaxial layer from growth substrate
The present invention provides a method for separating an epitaxial layer from a growth substrate, comprising growing an epitaxial layer including a plurality of layers on a growth substrate; etching an edge of at least one layer in the epitaxial layer to form a notch; forming a bonding layer on the epitaxial layer, contacting a bonding substrate onto the bonding layer, and then heating the bonding layer to a bonding temperature for joining the epitaxial layer and the bonding substrate; and cooling the bonding layer after the heating of the boding layer, so that the epitaxial layer and the bonding substrate are joined by the bonding layer, and the epitaxial layer is separated from the growth substrate, wherein the separating the epitaxial layer from the growth substrate starts with separation from the at least one layer where the notch is formed.
US09218964B2 Antiphase domain boundary-free III-V compound semiconductor material on semiconductor substrate and method for manufacturing thereof
Methods of manufacturing a III-V compound semiconductor material, and the semiconductor material thus manufactured, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a substrate comprising a first semiconductor material having a {001} orientation and an insulating layer overlaying the first semiconductor material. The insulating layer comprises a recessed region exposing an exposed region of the first semiconductor material. The method further comprises forming a buffer layer overlaying the exposed region that comprises a group IV semiconductor material. The method further comprises thermally annealing the substrate and the buffer layer, thereby roughening the buffer layer to create a rounded, double-stepped surface having a step density and a step height. A product of the step density and the step height is greater than or equal to 0.05 on the surface. The method further comprises at least partially filling the recessed region with a III-V compound semiconductor material overlaying the surface.
US09218962B2 Low temperature epitaxy of a semiconductor alloy including silicon and germanium employing a high order silane precursor
A high order silane having a formula of SinH2n+2, in which n is an integer greater than 3, in combination with a germanium precursor gas is employed to deposit an epitaxial semiconductor alloy material including at least silicon and germanium on a single crystalline surface. The germanium precursor gas effectively reduces the gas phase reaction of the high order silane, thereby improving the thickness uniformity of the deposited epitaxial semiconductor alloy material. The combination of the high order silane and the germanium precursor gas provides a high deposition rate in the Frank-van der Merwe growth mode for deposition of a single crystalline semiconductor alloy material.
US09218961B2 Methods of forming a metal containing layer on a substrate with high uniformity and good profile control
Methods for forming a metal containing layer onto a substrate with good deposition profile control and film uniformity across the substrate are provided. In one embodiment, a method of sputter depositing a metal containing layer on the substrate includes transferring a substrate in a processing chamber, supplying a gas mixture including at least Ne gas into the processing chamber, applying a RF power to form a plasma from the gas mixture, and depositing a metal containing layer onto the substrate in the presence of the plasma.
US09218956B2 Capping coating for 3D integration applications
A structure for a semiconductor component is provided having a bi-layer capping coating integrated and built on supporting layer to be transferred. The bi-layer capping protects the layer to be transferred from possible degradation resulting from the attachment and removal processes of the carrier assembly used for layer transfer. A wafer-level layer transfer process using this structure is enabled to create three-dimensional integrated circuits.
US09218951B2 Plasma lighting system with light sensor for control based on intensity
A plasma lighting system includes a magnetron configured to generate microwaves, and a bulb filled with a main dose and an additive dose. The main dose and the additive dose generate light under the influence of microwaves and have the maximum intensities of respective intrinsic wavelengths at different wavelengths. A waveguide is configured to guide the microwaves generated by the magnetron to the bulb. A motor is configured to rotate the bulb. A sensor is configured to sense the intensity of light having a specific wavelength emitted from the bulb. A controller is connected to the motor. The controller adjusts the Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) of the bulb based on the intensity of light having the specific wavelength sensed by the sensor. With this arrangement, a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of the plasma lighting system may be adjusted during operation.
US09218949B2 Strategic dynamic range control for time-of-flight mass spectrometry
A mass spectrometer of the type useful in mass cytometry includes an ion detector. A digitizing system for converting analog signals from the ion detector includes two analog-to-digital converters. The analog-to-digital converters are configured to provide an increased dynamic range for a targeted period while limiting the amount of data generated.
US09218947B2 Nanomanipulation coupled nanospray mass spectrometry (NMS)
A coupled nanomanipulation and nanospray mass spectrometry (NMS) system for single cell, single organelle, and ultra-trace molecular analysis is disclosed herein. The system primarily comprises a bio-workstation coupled to a NMS. The bio-workstation primarily comprises of a nanomanipulator stage with a plurality of nano-positioners attached to a cabinet with a piezo voltage source and a pressure injector. The present invention further describes a fingerprint lift method that when coupled with the system disclosed herein can be used for retrieval and analysis of trace amounts of drug and explosive residues. The system described herein has been used in the areas of trace and document analysis within the forensic field, trace fiber analysis, and electrostatic lifts for illicit drugs, as well as document and painting analysis.
US09218946B2 Sealed boron coated straw detectors
The present invention is a method and apparatus for operating boron-coated straw detectors in sealed mode, without the need for a continuous flow of gas. Sealed-mode operation is necessary when using the boron-coated straw detectors in the field, where access to a continuous flow of the required gas mixture is not practical. Also, sealed-mode operation is necessary when the straw detectors are used as portable instruments, that must be moved from one location to the next swiftly, or that must be operated while in motion.
US09218944B2 Mask etch plasma reactor having an array of optical sensors viewing the workpiece backside and a tunable element controlled in response to the optical sensors
A plasma reactor has an array of passages extending through its workpiece support pedestal from a bottom thereof that forms a two-dimensional array of openings in the support surface. The reactor further includes a plurality of optical fibers, each fiber extending through a respective one of the passages. Optical sensing apparatus is coupled to the output ends of the optical fibers and is responsive in the range of wavelengths. The reactor further includes a tunable element capable of changing a two-dimensional etch rate distribution across the surface of a workpiece supported on the pedestal, and a process controller connected to receive information from the optical sensing apparatus and to transmit control commands to the tunable element.
US09218943B2 Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
There is provided an inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus capable of reducing a RF power loss within a high frequency power supply unit (particularly, a matching unit) and capable of enhancing a plasma generation efficiency. In this inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus, a multiple number of closed-loop secondary circuits 96, 98 independent from each other are formed between a coaxial antenna group 54 and a transformer 68. Further, by varying electrostatic capacitances of variable capacitors 64 and 66, secondary currents I2A and I2B flowing through an inner antenna 58 and an outer antenna 60, respectively, of the coaxial antenna group 54 are independently controlled. Accordingly, it is possible to readily control a plasma density distribution on a semiconductor wafer W in a diametrical direction.
US09218942B2 Charged particle beam writing apparatus and charged particle beam writing method
A charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a shot division unit configured to divide a figure defined in layout data into a plurality of shot figures each having a size which can be irradiated by one shot of a charged particle beam, a shot data generating unit configured to generate each shot data for each shot figure of the plurality of shot figures, where a number of times of generating the each shot data equals a number of times of multiple writing of the each shot figure of the plurality of shot figures, such that multiplicity of the multiple writing is variable per the each shot figure, and a writing unit configured to perform the multiple writing of the each shot figure onto a target workpiece, in accordance with the number of times of the each shot data generated for the each shot figure, using a charged particle beam.
US09218941B2 Ion implantation system and method with variable energy control
An ion implantation system and method for implanting ions at varying energies across a workpiece is provided. The system comprises an ion source configured to ionize a dopant gas into a plurality of ions and to form an ion beam. A mass analyzer is positioned downstream of the ion source and configured to mass analyze the ion beam. A deceleration/acceleration stage is positioned downstream of the mass analyzer. An energy filter may form part of the deceleration/acceleration stage or may positioned downstream of the deceleration/acceleration stage. An end station is provided having a workpiece support associated therewith for positioning the workpiece before the ion beam is also provided. A scanning apparatus is configured to scan one or more of the ion beam and workpiece support with respect to one another. One or more power sources are operably coupled to one or more of the ion source, mass analyzer, deceleration/acceleration stage, and energy filter. A controller is configured to selectively vary one or more voltages respectively supplied to one or more of the deceleration/acceleration stage and the energy filter concurrent with the scanning of the ion beam and/or workpiece support, wherein the selective variation of the one or more voltages is based, at least in part, on a position of the ion beam with respect to the workpiece support.
US09218940B1 Method and apparatus for slice and view sample imaging
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for slice and view processing of samples with dual beam systems. The slice and view processing includes exposing a vertical wall of a trench formed in a sample surface; capturing a first image of the wall by interrogating the wall with an interrogating beam while the wall is at a first orientation relative to the beam; capturing a second image of the wall by interrogating the wall with the beam while the wall is at a second orientation relative to the beam, wherein first distances in the first image between a reference point and surface points on the wall are different than second distances in the second image between the reference point and the surface points; determining elevations of the surface points using the first distances and the second distances; and fitting a curve to topography of the wall using the elevations.
US09218939B2 Focused ion beam system, sample processing method using the same, and sample processing program using focused ion beam
A focused ion beam system includes a focused ion beam irradiation mechanism which irradiates a sample, on which a protective film is formed, with a focused ion beam from above the sample, a processing control unit which performs a removal process on both sides of a region to be a thin piece portion of the sample by the focused ion beam and sequentially forms observation surfaces parallel to an irradiation direction of the focused ion beam so as to achieve the thin piece portion, and an observation surface image generation unit which generates an observation surface image. The processing control unit terminates the removal process when a height of the protective film in the irradiation direction of the focused ion beam becomes a predetermined threshold value or less in the observation surface image.
US09218938B2 Beam monitoring device, method, and system
A beam monitoring device, method, and system is disclosed. An exemplary beam monitoring device includes a one dimensional (1D) profiler. The 1D profiler includes a Faraday having an insulation material and a conductive material. The beam monitoring device further includes a two dimensional (2D) profiler. The 2D profiler includes a plurality of Faraday having an insulation material and a conductive material. The plurality of Faraday of the 2D profiler are arranged in a pattern that is offset in a direction. The 1D profiler is coupled to a first end of the 2D profiler and extends beyond two adjacent outer edges of the 2D profiler. The beam monitoring device further includes a control arm. The control arm is operable to facilitate movement of the beam monitoring device in the direction.
US09218935B2 Charged particle beam system and method of operating a charged particle beam system
The present disclosure relates to a gas field ion source comprising a housing, an electrically conductive tip arranged within the housing, a gas supply for supplying one or more gases to the housing, wherein the one or more gases comprise neon or a noble gas with atoms having a mass larger than neon, and an extractor electrode having a hole to permit ions generated in the neighborhood of the tip to pass through the hole. A surface of the extractor electrode facing the tip can be made of a material having a negative secondary ion sputter rate of less than 10−5 per incident neon ion.
US09218929B2 Thermomagnetic trip for small current ranges
A thermomagnetic trip is disclosed for an electrical switching device, especially a circuit breaker. In at least one embodiment it includes at least one first and one second terminal, a first heating element, a conductor able to be influenced by temperature, a yoke and a clapper armature. A current path is formed through at least the first terminal, the conductor, the first heating element and the second terminal. The current path is disposed at least in sections on and/or in the yoke such that a magnetic field acting on the clapper armature is induced in the yoke by the current flowing through the current path and wherein a second heating element is disposed in the current path especially between the first terminal and the conductor.
US09218923B2 Device for indicating the state of a switching apparatus
A device for indicating the state of an electrical switching apparatus includes a movable contact arranged movable between a first and a second position. The device includes at least one protruding contact element arranged on the movable contact, at least one contact pin arranged in the close vicinity to the movable contact such that said contact element abuts the contact pin when the movable contact is in the first position and said contact element is at a distance from the contact pin when the movable contact is in the second position. The contact element and the contact pin form an electrical switch and a detector arrangement configured to detect when said electrical switch is closed and by that detect when the movable contact is in the first position.
US09218916B2 Graphene, power storage device, and electric device
An object is to provide graphene which has high conductivity and is permeable to ions of lithium or the like. Another object is to provide, with use of the graphene, a power storage device with excellent charging and discharging characteristics. Graphene having a hole inside a ring-like structure formed by carbon and nitrogen has conductivity and is permeable to ions of lithium or the like. The nitrogen concentration in graphene is preferably higher than or equal to 0.4 at. % and lower than or equal to 40 at. %. With use of such graphene, ions of lithium or the like can be preferably made to pass; thus, a power storage device with excellent charging and discharging characteristics can be provided.
US09218915B2 Non-aqueous electrolyte for lithium-ion battery
An electrolyte including an alkali metal salt; a polar aprotic solvent; and a triazinane trione; wherein the electrolyte is substantially non-aqueous.
US09218911B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor
A silver paste layer constituting a collector layer in a solid electrolytic capacitor includes first silver particles having a peak particle size of 150 nm or less, second silver particles having a peak particle size of 500 nm or more, inorganic particles composed of material different from silver, and resin material. The inorganic particles are included at a volume ratio of 15% or more and 50% or less with respect to the total of the first silver particles and the second silver particles.
US09218908B2 Multilayer ceramic electronic component capable of reducing acoustic noise generated therein
There is provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component, including: a ceramic body having first and second main surfaces, first and second side surfaces, and first and second end surfaces; a first block including first and second internal electrodes having overlap regions which form a capacitance part; one or more second blocks each including third and fourth internal electrodes having overlap regions which form a capacitance part; a first external electrode connected to the first and third lead out portions and a second external electrode connected to the second and fourth lead out portions; and an insulating layer formed on the first side surface of the ceramic body, wherein the second blocks are disposed on upper and lower parts of the first block.
US09218907B2 Perovskite material with anion-controlled dielectric properties, thin film capacitor device, and method for manufacturing the same
A crystalline perovskite crystalline composite paraelectric material includes nano-regions containing rich N3− anions dispersed in a nano-grain sized matrix of crystalline oxide perovskite material, wherein (ABO3−δ)α-(ABO3−δ−γNγ)1−α. A represents a divalent element, B represents a tetravalent element, γ satisfies 0.005≦γ≦1.0, 1−α satisfies 0.05≦1−α≦0.9, and 1−α is an area ratio between the regions containing rich N3− anions and the matrix of remaining oxide perovskite material.
US09218906B1 Nano-capacitor arrays for energy storage using native aluminum oxide layers and other ultra-thin dielectrics
Methods and apparatus for storing information or energy. An array of nano-capacitors is provided, where each nano-capacitor has a cathodic electrode and an anode separated by a dielectric. The thickness of the intervening solid dielectric is in the range between 0.1 nanometers and 1000 nanometers and is shorter than an electron mean free path within the dielectric. The cathodic electrode is at least 100 times larger than the thickness of the intervening dielectric in every direction transverse to the thickness of the intervening dielectric. An excess of electrons is stored on the cathodic electrode. The dielectric may be a metal oxide, particularly a native oxide of the cathode material.
US09218900B2 High voltage bushing with reinforced conductor
A high voltage bushing including a hollow insulator and a conductor extending through the hollow insulator and including a hollow conductor fixed at the ends of the hollow insulator. The conductor includes a supporting part arranged inside the hollow conductor, the supporting part extends in the longitudinal direction of the hollow conductor and the supporting part is adapted to support the hollow conductor in order to increase the stiffness of the conductor and thereby decrease the static deflection of the conductor in the hollow insulator.
US09218899B2 Superconducting cable cooling system
The present invention relates to a superconducting cable cooling system which pumps a coolant for cooling a superconducting cable to a heat exchange section by using a circulation pump, and cools the coolant by a refrigerator. Specifically, the superconducting cable cooling system includes a heat exchange unit having a cooling space charged with a liquefied gas, a flow rate sensor which detects the flow rate of the coolant, a temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the liquefied gas charged in the heat exchange unit, and a control section which controls the refrigerator based on the detected values of the flow rate sensor and the temperature sensor such that the temperature of the liquefied gas charged in the heat exchange unit has a specific value.
US09218897B1 Wastewater treatment and radioactive material disposal container
A vessel for both treatment of radioactive wastewater and disposal of radioactive waste contained therein. The vessel comprises a main vessel structure including a shell formed of a metal material and a liner integrally coupled to the interior surface of the shell. The liner is preferably formed of a plastic material, such as high density polyethylene. Waste treatment equipment for treatment of the radioactive wastewater is provided within the shell. Ion exchange resin is typically located in the main vessel structure which, when spent, constitutes the radioactive waste which is subject to disposal. The vessel is preferably configured to function as a High Integrity Container (HIC).
US09218894B2 Device and method for memory repair using test logic
A device for repairing a memory device using a test-bypass register associated with the memory device may include a comparator configured to compare a current address of the memory device with a faulty address and to generate a match signal when the current address matches the faulty address. A logic block may be coupled to the comparator and configured to generate one or more output signals in response to the match signal. The faulty address may be associated with a non-operational cell of the memory device. The one or more output signals may be coupled to one or more memory-bypass inputs of the test-bypass register. The one or more output signals may be configured to enable use of the test-bypass register instead of the non-operational cell of the memory device.
US09218889B1 Multibit sense amplifier calibration
A circuit includes a non-volatile memory, a calibration circuit, and a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier senses a state of a memory cell during sensing. The sense amplifier includes a differential circuit having a first input coupled to a reference current source, a second input, and an output coupled to the calibration circuit during a calibration mode. A calibration current source is configured to be coupled to the second input of the differential current sensing circuit during the calibration mode and decoupled from the second input during the sensing mode. A variable current source is coupled to the differential current sensing circuit and the calibration circuit. The calibration circuit tests a plurality of currents of the variable current source during the calibration mode and selects one of the plurality of currents. The sense amplifier senses using the selected one of the plurality of currents.
US09218887B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device capable of improving retention/disturb characteristics of memory cells and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array configured to store data; peripheral circuits configured to perform program verifying operation, read operation, and erase verifying operation on the memory cell array; and a control circuit configured to control the peripheral circuits, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the peripheral circuits to set a bit line voltage in the program verifying operation to have a higher level than a bit line voltage in the read operation, and a bit line voltage in the erase verifying operation to have a lower level than the bit line voltage in the read operation.
US09218886B2 String dependent parameter setup
In a three-dimensional NAND memory in which a block contains multiple separately-selectable sets of strings connected to the same set of bit lines, sets of strings are zoned, and different operating parameters applied to different zones. Operating parameters for a zone are obtained from characterizing a reference set of strings in the zone.
US09218883B2 Continuous-time floating gate memory cell programming
Aspects of a continuous-time memory cell circuit are described. In various embodiments, the memory cell circuit may comprise a memory cell, a current source coupled to the memory cell, and circuitry for programming the memory cell at an adaptive rate, based on a target voltage for programming, using a feedback loop between a gate terminal of the memory cell and a reference control input. Based on the circuitry for programming, the memory cell may be programmed according to various voltage and/or current references, by linear injection and/or tunneling mechanisms. According to various aspects, the circuitry for programming drives a memory cell to converge to a voltage target for programming within a short period of time and to a suitable level of accuracy.
US09218882B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a first memory string including memory cell transistors and a first select transistor that are connected in series, a second memory string including memory cell transistors and a second select transistor that are connected in series, a bit line that is electrically connected to a first end of the first memory string and a first end of the second memory string, a first transistor having a gate that is connected to a second end of the first memory string, a source line that is electrically connected to a first end of the first transistor, and a second transistor having a gate that is connected to a second end of the second memory string, a first end that is electrically connected to a second end of the first transistor, and a second end that is electrically connected to the bit line.
US09218880B2 Partial update in a ternary content addressable memory
A TCAM may have a plurality of rows of cells. Each row may have a match line. Each cell may have elements for storing first and second bits, and compare circuitry associated to determine matches between a bit of a search word and data stored in the cell. For at least one first row of the rows, the TCAM includes a valid row cell having at least one element to store a partial update indication. The valid row cell may cause the match line associated with the first row to signal that the first row does not match a search word when the partial update indication associated with the first row is enabled. When the partial update indication associated with the first row is disabled, the determination of matches with a search word is performed solely by the compare circuitry without influence of the valid row cell.
US09218879B2 Apparatus, system, and method for matching patterns with an ultra fast check engine based on flash cells
A check engine includes comparators, where each comparator has flash cells. Each comparator is configured to store at least one reference bit included in a set of reference bits defining a first pattern. Each comparator also includes an input for presenting at least one target bit included in a set of target bits defining a second pattern. Each comparator is configured to produce an output representing a level of matching between the at least one target bit and the at least one reference bit. The check engine is configured such that the outputs of the comparators are combined to produce a combined output that is compared to a reference signal to determine whether there is a match between the first pattern and the second pattern.
US09218875B2 Resistive non-volatile memory
A multi-bit NVM cell includes a storage unit having resistive elements, such as phase change resistive elements. The NVM cell may be configured as a single port or dual port multi-bit cell. The NVM cell includes primary and secondary cell selectors. The primary selector selects the multi-bit cell while the secondary selector selects a bit within the multi-bit cell. A plurality of storage units can be commonly coupled to a primary selector, facilitating high density applications.
US09218873B2 Semiconductor memory device that can stably perform writing and reading without increasing current consumption even with a low power supply voltage
Cell power supply lines are arranged for memory cell columns, and adjust impedances or voltage levels of the cell power supply lines according to the voltage levels of bit lines in the corresponding columns, respectively. In the data write operation, the cell power supply line is forced into a floating state according to the bit line potential on a selected column and has the voltage level changed, and a latching capability of a selected memory cell is reduced to write data fast. Even with a low power supply voltage, a static semiconductor memory device that can stably perform write and read of data is implemented.
US09218872B1 Memory chip and layout design for manufacturing same
An embedded synchronous random access memory (SRAM) chip, includes a first single-port (SP) SRAM macro and a second SP macro. The first macro includes a first periphery circuit, and a plurality of first SRAM cells. The second macro includes a second periphery circuit, and a plurality of second SRAM cells. Further, each cell of the plurality of first SRAM cells is electrically connected to a write-assist circuitry, wherein the write assist circuitry is configured to assist the write cycle capability of each cell of the plurality of first SRAM cells. Further, each cell of the plurality of second SRAM cells do not include write assist circuitry.
US09218864B1 Magnetoresistive random access memory cell and 3D memory cell array
A novel three-terminal SOT-MRAM memory cell with a unique magnetic stabilization layer or structure is proposed. A complementary magnetic footprint of the data storage layer for the memory cell is able to be created within the magnetic stabilization layer or structure by the magnetic field from the storage layer to enhance the magnetic and thermal stability of the memory cell. Several designs for both perpendicular and in-plane SOT-MRAM memory cell have been invented. With proper wire connection and sensing arrangement, the proposed memory cell is capable of forming not only the 2D array but also 3D array.
US09218856B2 Circuits, architectures, apparatuses, systems, algorithms, and methods for memory with multiple power supplies and/or multiple low power modes
Circuits, architectures, a system and methods for memories with multiple power supplies and/or multiple low power modes. The circuit generally includes peripheral circuitry operating at a first voltage, a memory array operating at a second voltage, and translation circuitry configured to receive an input from the peripheral circuitry at the first voltage and provide an output to the memory array at the second voltage, the translation circuitry further configured to prevent leakage during a standard operating mode of the memory. The method generally includes operating peripheral circuitry at a first voltage from a first power rail, operating a memory array at the first voltage or a second voltage, the memory array being coupled to a second power rail, coupling the first and second power rails during standard operating mode when the memory array operates at the first voltage, otherwise not coupling the first and second power rails, and reducing leakage in the memory array during a leakage reduction mode by reducing a voltage differential between a ground plane in the memory array and the second power rail.
US09218854B2 Stack position determination in memory devices configured for stacked arrangements
Disclosed are various embodiments related to stacked memory devices, such as DRAMs, SRAMs, EEPROMs, and CAMs. For example, stack position identifiers (SPIDs) are assigned or otherwise determined, and are used by each memory device to make a number of adjustments. In one embodiment, a self-refresh rate of a DRAM is adjusted based on the SPID of that device. In another embodiment, a latency of a DRAM or SRAM is adjusted based on the SPID. In another embodiment, internal regulation signals are shared with other devices via TSVs. In another embodiment, adjustments to internally regulated signals are made based on the SPID of a particular device. In another embodiment, serially connected signals can be controlled based on a chip SPID (e.g., an even or odd stack position), and whether the signal is an upstream or a downstream type of signal.
US09218848B1 Restructuring video streams to support random access playback
Techniques are described for dynamically restructuring an encoded video stream to support a wide range of high-speed playback with accompanying visual feedback of the underlying video content. For a particular range of playback speeds, frames in each fragment are retained or dropped based on the encoded dependencies among the frames in the fragment and the selected playback speed. The set of frames in each fragment is analyzed to determine the optimal pattern of frames to retain or drop for a given playback speed. The time stamps of the retained frames are adjusted to achieve the proper spacing for the decoder.
US09218845B2 Systems and methods for multi-head balancing in a storage device
Systems and method relating generally to data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for utilizing multiple data streams for data recovery from a storage device. As an example, a data processing system is discussed that includes a first read head and a second read head each operable to sense information on a storage medium. A synthesizer circuit is operable to determine a quality metric based upon a signal to noise ratio of a first preamble pattern compared with a signal to noise ratio of a second preamble pattern. A balancing circuit is operable to generate a composite output as a combination of a first data set derived from the first read head a second data set derived from the second read head based at least in part on the quality metric.
US09218842B2 Library apparatus and method of reading information of recording medium
A library apparatus, includes: a plurality of cells in each of which a cartridge-type recording medium is attachably and detachably accommodated; a robot including a hand configured to handle the recording medium; and an information reading unit which is attachably and detachably accommodated in the cells and includes a plurality of readers configured to read information of the recording medium, wherein when the information reading unit is pulled into a portion of the hand, the plurality of readers project to be capable of reading the information of the recording medium.
US09218840B2 Optical disc device having a protrusion for blocking its optical pickup unit
An optical disc recording and/or reproducing device comprising a drive for rotating an optical disc around an axis of rotation, a movable optical pickup unit (5) and a frame (1) having at least one guiding rod (4) for guiding a displacement of the optical pickup unit (5) in a substantially radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation. The guiding rod (4) is provided with a protrusion (17) for restricting the movement of the optical pickup unit (5) when the guiding rod (4) is in a predetermined rotational position. The guiding rod (4) is rotationally drivable by an electric drive motor in order to move the protrusion (17) for either releasing or blocking the optical pickup unit (5).
US09218838B2 Quasi-statically tilted head having offset reader/writer transducer pairs
Aspects of the present invention relates generally to apparatuses with transducer arrays having offset transducers. Various embodiments are particularly suited to tilting for tape dimensional instability compensation. Some embodiments include dual servo readers in a given array.
US09218831B1 Side-by-side magnetic multi-input multi-output (MIMO) read head
A side-by-side magnetic multi-input multi-output (MIMO) read head is provided. The read head may include a pair of side-by-side MIMO read sensors disposed between a bottom shield, a top shield and between a pair of side shields. The read head may also include a pair of electrical leads, each of which is coupled with one of the MIMO read sensors. The electrical leads extend away from an air bearing surface.
US09218829B2 Devices including at least one intermixing layer
Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT), the NFT including a peg having five surfaces, the peg including a first material, the first material including gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), or combinations thereof; an overlying structure; and at least one intermixing layer, positioned between the peg and the overlying structure, the at least one intermixing layer positioned on at least one of the five surfaces of the peg, the intermixing layer including at least the first material and a second material.
US09218828B1 Magnetic head and magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus
According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a spin-torque oscillator which further includes a non-magnetic separation seed layer formed directly on a main magnetic pole and containing an element selected from W, Re, Os and Ir, an SIL, an IL and FGL formed one on another in this order.
US09218825B2 T-shaped write pole
A magnetic element may be generally configured with at least a write pole that has leading and trailing regions on an air bearing surface. The leading region may have a trailing width connected to a leading width of the trailing region via a transition feature to form a substantially T-shaped cross-section on the air bearing surface.
US09218824B2 Data writer with tapered side shield sidewalls
A data writer may be generally configured at least with a write pole that has a pole sidewall and a continuous first taper angle connecting leading and trailing edges. The write pole can be positioned adjacent to a side shield that is configured with first and second shield sidewalls tapered to a shield tip that is the closest point between the write pole and side shield.
US09218821B2 Measuring content coherence and measuring similarity
Embodiments for measuring content coherence and embodiments for measuring content similarity are described. Content coherence between a first audio section and a second audio section is measured. For each audio segment in the first audio section, a predetermined number of audio segments in the second audio section are determined. Content similarity between the audio segment in the first audio section and the determined audio segments is higher than that between the audio segment and all the other audio segments in the second audio section. An average of the content similarity between the audio segment in the first audio section and the determined audio segments is calculated. The content coherence is calculated as an average, the maximum or the minimum of the averages calculated for the audio segments in the first audio section. The content similarity may be calculated based on Dirichlet distribution.
US09218819B1 Customizing actions based on contextual data and voice-based inputs
Methods and systems are provided for customizing an action. In some implementations, voice input is received from a user and a context is determined from the voice input. Potential contextual data is identified based on the context and the voice input. A level of confidence is determined for an association of the potential contextual data and the context. An action is performed based on the voice input, the potential contextual data, and the level of confidence. The potential contextual data is used to customize the action.
US09218813B2 Voice and/or facial recognition based service provision
Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with voice and/or facial recognition based service provision are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an apparatus may include a voice recognition engine and a facial recognition engine configured to provide, individually or in cooperation with each other, identification of a user at a plurality of identification levels. The apparatus may further include a service agent configured to provide a service to a user of the apparatus, after the user has been identified at least at an identification level required to receive the service. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09218812B2 Vehicular device, server, and information processing method
The technique is implemented by a vehicular device for performing dialogs with the driver. This device has: a communication portion for communicating with a server; an output portion for outputting speech information to the driver; an input portion for inputting information based on speech uttered by the driver; and a controller for controlling the communication portion, the output portion, and the input portion. When trigger information for starting a dialog process in the vehicular device or in the server is generated, the controller receives information indicative of the type of a first dialog forming a starting point of the dialog process and information indicative of the type of a second dialog forming an ending point of the dialog process from the server and carries out the dialog process based on the received information. The second dialog is different in type from the first dialog.
US09218803B2 Method and system for enhancing a speech database
A system, method and computer readable medium that enhances a speech database for speech synthesis is disclosed. The method may include labeling audio files in a primary speech database, identifying segments in the labeled audio files that have varying pronunciations based on language differences, identifying replacement segments in a secondary speech database, enhancing the primary speech database by substituting the identified secondary speech database segments for the corresponding identified segments in the primary speech database, and storing the enhanced primary speech database for use in speech synthesis.
US09218801B2 Aural smoothing of a vehicle
A method of controlling sounds associated with a vehicle is provided. The method includes performing on a processor, monitoring powertrain data; determining a powertrain transition event based on the powertrain data; and selectively controlling the generation of one or more tones based on the powertrain transition event.
US09218798B1 Voice assist device and program in electronic musical instrument
Provided is a voice assist device in an electronic musical instrument in which tone selection or a sound setting corresponding to a key is performed in advance by pressing the operation button 1 while pressing one of the keys in the keyboard 2, including a changed state recognizing unit 3 that recognizes from a pressed key a changed state of tone selection or a sound setting determined corresponding to the key in advance, a setting item name storing unit 4 that stores a setting item name of the tone selection or sound setting as voice data, and a sound emitting unit 5 that emits a setting item name corresponding to the changed state, and the changed state recognizing unit 3 includes a voice assist recognizing unit 6 that detects a depression for a preset time or more of the operation button 1 prior to a depression of the key.
US09218797B2 Percussion instrument
The present invention provides a percussion instrument that is struck by a drumstick and generates a sound resembling a cross between a cowbell and a xylophone. The instrument comprises two spaced-apart planar metal plates with three of the sides spanning between the plates enclosed by additional metal plates. The additional metal plates are welded to the spaced-apart metal plates at discreet locations to tune the instrument. An aperture for a tom mount can be defined in one of the planar metal plates. In certain embodiments, the instrument is approximately 30-38 inches long with one end being 6-16 inches across and the opposing end being 2-3 inches across. The spacing between the spaced-apart metal plates in certain embodiments is 1-2.5 inches. Welds in certain embodiments can be arranged to generate a plurality of different pitches, for example, five different pitches.
US09218792B2 Variable scaling of image data for aspect ratio conversion
A mechanism for enabling a user to vary the scale or zoom of image data for aspect ratio conversion using a graphical user interface is disclosed. A user may move a selector of the graphical user interface to one end for selecting a linear scaling, to the other end for selecting a parabolic scaling or in between for selecting a scaling associated with another function, thereby enabling a user to vary the magnitude of the scaling across the image data. A parametric function with a single parameter may be used to scale the image data, where the movement of the selector may change the parameter and consequently vary the scaling of the image data. In this manner, a user may efficiently vary or select the scaling of the image data using a graphical user interface to reduce objectionable distortion associated with changing the aspect ratio of the image data.
US09218790B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a substrate, a plurality of signal lines, a gate driver, and a sealant. The substrate includes a display area and a peripheral area outside the display area. The signal lines are integrated with the substrate and include a clock signal line. The gate driver includes a stage located between the clock signal line and the display area. The stage is integrated with the substrate and is configured to apply a gate voltage to the display area. The sealant is distributed over part of the peripheral area. A seal region where the sealant is distributed includes a seal line, and the clock signal line is located within the seal line. The clock signal line is located further away from the stage than the other signal lines.
US09218783B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus transmits a picture acquisition request for getting picture information to an external image apparatus connected through a predetermined interface to the display apparatus from the external image apparatus at predetermined intervals and gets a plurality of pieces of picture information from the external image apparatus to be displayed. The plurality of pictures may be switched at predetermined intervals, for example, to be displayed, so that the plurality of pictures may be displayed in a so-called slide show manner. A plurality of pictures for thumbnail may be produced from the plurality of pieces of picture information and be arranged together to be displayed in one picture screen of a display device.
US09218782B2 Video window detection
A video window detector includes a region characteristic determiner to generate at least one characteristic value for at least one region of a display output; a characteristic map generator to generate an image map from the at least one characteristic value for at least one region of the display output; and a window detector to detect at least one video window dependent on the image map.
US09218781B2 Information processing apparatus, display control method, and program
There is provided an information processing apparatus including an operation detecting unit detecting an operation of a subject that has been captured, and a display control unit controlling at least one of wearing or removal of at least one of virtual clothing or accessories to be displayed overlaid on the subject in accordance with the operation detected by the operation detecting unit.
US09218779B2 Liquid crystal display device with improved integrated touch panel and driving method thereof
Provided are a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device and a driving method thereof. A method of driving a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes: transferring a pull-up signal to a corresponding gate line formed in an in-cell touch panel during an image output period in one frame and, after the pull-up signal is outputted during the image output period, turning on a first pull-down transistor or a second pull-down transistor to transfer a pull-down signal to the gate line; and detecting a touch by using a touch electrode formed in the in-cell touch panel while the stage turns on the first pull-down transistor and the second pull-down transistor to transfer the pull-down signal to the corresponding gate line, during a touch sensing period in the one frame, wherein, the stages sequentially transfer the pull-up signal to the respective gate lines.
US09218777B2 Array substrate and the liquid crystal panel
An array substrate and a liquid crystal panel area disclosed. Each pixel cell of the array substrate includes a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode and a third pixel electrode. In addition, the pixel cell further includes a control circuit for operating on the second pixel electrode to change the voltage of the second pixel electrode. The third pixel electrode connects to the second pixel electrode via a third transistor. In the 2D display mode, the three pixel electrodes are all in the displaying state of corresponding 2D images. In the 3D display mode, the third pixel electrode is in the displaying state of corresponding black images, and the first and the second pixel electrodes are in the displaying state of corresponding 3D images. In this way, the color distortion in the 2D and 3D display modes are enhanced.
US09218774B2 Driving system for LCD apparatus and method thereof
A driving system for a liquid crystal display apparatus and a method thereof are provided, the driving system comprises a data-latching circuit, a synchronous-signal separating module, a vertical synchronous-signal discriminator, a vertical synchronous-signal counter, a horizontal synchronous-signal discriminator, a data operator and a polarity-signal generator. The vertical synchronous-signal discriminator outputs a start signal to the polarity-signal generator when vertical synchronous signals exist. The vertical synchronous-signal counter accumulates an amount of the vertical synchronous signals, and outputs an accumulated result to the data operator. The horizontal synchronous-signal discriminator sends the start signal to the data operator. The data operator subtracts odd sub-pixel data from even sub-pixel data of RGB data in a horizontal line or subtracts the even sub-pixel date from the odd sub-pixel date to obtain an Msum value, and controls the polarity-signal generator output polar-controlling signals to scan lines according to the Msum value and the accumulated result.
US09218773B2 Method and driving apparatus for outputting driving signal to drive electro-phoretic display
The present invention provides a driving apparatus, the driving apparatus is used for outputting a driving signal to drive an electro-phoretic display, and the driving apparatus includes a driving signal generator, a temperature sensor, and a selector. The driving signal generator generates a plurality of periodic alternative current signals and a plurality of direct current signals. The temperature sensor generates a temperature parameter by sensing an environment temperature. The selector is coupled to the driving signal generator and the temperature sensor. The selector selects one of the periodic alternative current signals or one of the direct current signals as the driving signal according to the temperature parameter.
US09218770B2 Apparatus, method and system to enhance legibility of images shown on a passive display in a bright environment by increasing or maintaining a range of grey levels and decreasing a number of grey levels in that range
A display system and method for improving legibility of images viewed on a passive display in a bright environment, including apparatus and method for increasing or maintaining the range of grey levels for the image as viewed on the display and decreasing the number of grey levels used in that range.
US09218768B2 Organic light-emitting diode display device
Disclosed an organic light-emitting diode display device in which the number of signal lines is minimized by sharing a predetermined signal line between adjacent pixels in a display panel having a plurality of signal lines formed therein, thereby improving an aperture ratio. The organic light-emitting diode display device includes a display panel defining pixels, a gate driver, a data driver, a multiplexer (MUX) electrically connecting an output terminal of the data driver and the pixels into a 1:1, 1:N (N is a natural number) or N:N structure, and a timing controller. Accordingly, the MUX is provided between the data driver and the pixels, and each pixel and signal lines are selectively connected through the MUX, so that it is possible to reduce the number of Integrated chips (ICs) provided by allowing a compensation circuit built in the data driver.
US09218767B2 Display device, method of laying out light emitting elements, and electronic device
Disclosed herein is a display device in which light emitting elements of a plurality of colors including a light emitting element emitting blue light are formed in each pixel on a substrate on which a transistor is formed for each sub-pixel, and a plurality of pixels formed with sub-pixels of the plurality of colors as a unit are arranged in a form of a matrix, wherein relative positional relation between transistors of sub-pixels of respective light emission colors including blue light and a light emitting section of a light emitting element emitting the blue light is laid out such that distances between the transistors of the sub-pixels of the respective light emission colors including the blue light and the light emitting section of the light emitting element emitting the blue light are equal to each other for the respective colors.
US09218764B2 Display device including driving unit
A display device according to an embodiment includes a display panel including a display area having pixel areas, and a non-display area surrounding the display area. The display area includes first power lines for providing a first power to the pixel areas. The display device further includes a driver electrically connected to the first power lines of the display panel. The driver includes a driving integrated circuit, signal output pads connected to the driving integrated circuit and configured to output signals, a power supply line disposed outside the signal output pads and configured to supply the first power, and power output pads connected to the power supply line and configured to output the first power from the power supply line to the first power lines, wherein the power output pads are alternatingly disposed with the signal output pads.
US09218763B2 Display device having display panel with integrated logo
A display device including a display panel having an image display area and a non-display area, a driver circuit unit to feed an image formation driving signal to the display panel and a controller is provided. The display panel includes a transparent board including a light shielding portion formed along an edge thereof to define the non-display area and a light transmitting portion formed at a part of the light shielding portion, a rear board placed to face the transparent board and a logo module placed on a rear surface of the transparent board to overlap the light transmitting portion to outwardly display a logo through the light transmitting portion. At least a part of the driver circuit unit is formed on one of the transparent board and the rear board so as to overlap the light shielding portion. The display device may minimize a lower bezel region.
US09218761B2 Method of driving display device, display device, and electronic appliance
The present invention is a method of driving a display device including a transistor, a capacitor one electrode of which is electrically connected to a first terminal of the transistor and the other electrode of which is electrically connected to a gate of the transistor, and a display element a first electrode of which is electrically connected to a second terminal of the transistor, including the steps of: electrically connecting the gate of the transistor, the first terminal of the transistor, and both electrodes of the capacitor to a first line in a first period; electrically connecting the gate of the transistor and the other electrode of the capacitor to a second line in a second period; and electrically connecting the first terminal of the transistor and one electrode of the capacitor to a third line in a third period.
US09218758B2 Display device and method of driving the same
A display device is provided including a display unit including a plurality of color pixels; a scan driver that sequentially applies a gate-on voltage scan signal to a plurality of scan lines that are connected to the color pixels; a demux unit that is connected to a plurality of color data lines that are connected to the color pixels, and that sequentially selects the plurality color data lines at a predetermined time interval; and a data driver that applies a data signal to each of the plurality of color data lines that are sequentially selected in the demux unit, and that applies a previous data signal to at least one of the plurality of color data lines during the predetermined time interval, wherein the previous data signal has a same voltage as a voltage applied to one of the plurality of color data lines before the predetermined time interval.
US09218756B2 Test system for semiconductor array
In accordance with an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a plurality of devices on the integrated circuit. Each device includes a driving circuit, an individual contact pad coupled to a first terminal of the driving circuit, and a switch having a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the driving circuit. Also, the integrated circuit includes a shared contact pad coupled to a second terminal of each switch of the plurality of devices. The integrated circuit also includes a controller coupled to each switch of the plurality of devices, where the controller is configured to selectively control each switch to couple each driving circuit to the shared contact pad.
US09218753B2 Simulated tissue structure for surgical training
A simulated tissue structure for practicing surgical techniques is provided. In particular, a realistic organ model or tissue portion for practicing the removal of a tumor or other undesired tissue followed by suturing a remnant defect as part of the same surgical procedure is provided. The simulated tissue structure includes an artificial tumor disposed between layers of elastomeric material and mounted on a simulated organ wall or tissue portion. The simulated tissue structure is modular and interchangeable. At least one of the layers includes a mesh reinforcement. A defect comprising two juxtapositioned surfaces defining a gap between the surfaces is created in the simulated tissue structure and the trainee practices tumor removal and closure of the gap by suturing in a laparoscopic environment.
US09218752B2 System, method, and computer program product for simulating epicardial electrophysiology procedures
An aspect of various systems and methods provides, but not limited thereto, novel means for simulating physiological systems and processes in vitro in order to test surgical devices and train practitioners in the use of surgical devices. An aspect of various embodiments further provides in vitro anatomical components, such as a thorax, lungs, heart and pericardium, configured to contain at least one fluid having a pressure-frequency profile that may mimic typical pressure-frequency waveforms of in vivo anatomical fluids. A model communication system may be used to communicate the desired pressure-frequency profiles to the in vitro anatomical fluids. In a further aspect of various embodiments, an access device, e.g. a surgical instrument, configured to sense pressure, frequency, and/or a pressure-frequency profile may be inserted into one or more anatomical components of the in vitro model in order to test the instrument and/or train a practitioner in proper use of the instrument. An access device communication system may be used to communicate data to the practitioner. This data may include, for example, pressure-frequency data and/or the location of a portion of the access device with respect to the various in vitro anatomical components.
US09218750B2 Identifying devices for the visually handicapped
Devices which contain tactile and visually readable identifying indicia to assist the visually handicapped in identifying room numbers and the contents of items such as condiment shakers and liquid containers. The visually readable indicia allow a sighted person to correctly associate the device with the proper item to be identified. The devices take the form of bands which fit around the condiment holders, tags which may be attached to items by tying or adhering, and sleeves which may partially or fully surround the item. The identifying devices for room numbers may be clip-on sleeves for doorknobs or plates which attach to peep-hole tubes.
US09218740B2 Enriching driving experience with cloud assistance
Described is a technology by which driver safety technology such as collision detection is implemented via mobile device (e.g., smartphone) sensors and a cloud service that processes data received from vehicles associated with the devices. Trajectory-related data is received at the cloud service and used to predict collisions between vehicles and/or lane departures of vehicles. To operate the service in real-time with low latency, also described is dividing driving areas into grids, e.g., based upon traffic density, having parallel grid servers each responsible for only vehicles in or approaching its own grid, and other parallel/distributed mechanisms of the cloud service.
US09218739B2 Method for analyzing traffic flow at an intersection
A method for assisting a driver includes determining that a host vehicle and first and second surrounding vehicles are approaching an intersection on at least two different road segments; determining when the first and second vehicles have stopped at the intersection; determining when the first and second vehicles proceed through the intersection; and identifying an actual order-of-progression of the first and second vehicles through the intersection. Simultaneously or sequentially with determination of the actual order-of-progression, attempting to determine a present geographic location of the host vehicle and consulting an on-board database to attempt to identify a regulatory order-of-progression for the present geographic location. If the regulatory order-or-progression is identified, the driver is advised regarding the regulatory order-of-progression. If the attempt to identify the regulatory order-or-progression is not successful, the driver is advised regarding the actual order-of-progression.
US09218738B2 Obtaining consumer electronic device state information
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to obtain an image of a consumer electronic device, the image comprising at least one visual indication of a first operating state of the consumer electronic device, and to transmit one or more commands to the consumer electronic device to change to a second operating state different from the first operating state, responsive to determining the first operating state by extracting information associated with the at least one visual indication from the image. The commands may be determined by accessing a database having control instructions associated with the consumer electronic device. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09218736B2 Sensor nodes, apparatuses, and methods for wirelessly transmitting data to a power infrastructure
Apparatuses, sensor nodes, systems and methods for modulating and transmitting sensor data wirelessly to an existing power line network are described. An apparatus may include a microcontroller having an oscillator and an input/output buffer. The microcontroller may process an electrical signal and the input/output buffer may drive a digital signal. The apparatus may include a transmitter utilizing the oscillator and the input/output buffer of the microcontroller. The transmitter may include a resonator coupled to the oscillator and modulation circuitry coupled to the oscillator and resonator. The resonator may modulate a frequency of the oscillator responsive to a modulation signal based on the processed electrical signal. The transmitter may further include an antenna coupled to the input/output buffer of the microcontroller for transmission of the data, and a resonant tank coupled to an output of the input/output buffer to provide an analog signal to the antenna.
US09218735B2 Wireless patient monitoring system and method for monitoring the physiological status of a patient having a network access point
The invention relates to a patient monitoring system comprising at least one monitoring unit (24) for monitoring the physiological status of a patient and a host system (14) comprising a network of access points (16, 18, 20) for wireless reception of physiological status data. Each monitoring unit (24) is provided to transmit physiological status data to the access points at selected points of time, together with time related data indicating the expected point of time of the next data transmission. The invention further relates to a respective method for monitoring the physiological status of a patient.
US09218731B2 Wireless device networks with smoke detection capabilities
An electronic device may include a smoke detector. The electronic device may use the smoke detector to monitor for the presence of smoke. In response to detecting smoke with the smoke detector, the electronic device may issue an alert or take other suitable action. The electronic device may transmit alerts to nearby electronic devices and to remote electronic devices such as electronic devices at emergency services facilities. Alerts may contain maps and graphical representations of buildings in which smoke has been detected. Motion detectors and other sensors and circuitry may be used in determining whether electronic devices are being used by users and may be used in determining where the electronic devices are located. Alerts may contain information on the location of detected smoke and building occupants.
US09218729B2 System and method of monitoring the video surveillance activities
A method and apparatus. The method includes the steps of an activity analysis processor monitoring the activities of a security system protecting a secured area and a human operator of the security system and evaluating the system's and operator's activities, the activity analysis processor detecting an event and saving a summary of the event to a cloud server, a user interface of the cloud server detecting a request from a user for a report of activities and the cloud server downloading the activity report to the user, the activity report displayed to the user including playback features controlling playback of the summary, the playback features further including provision to accept requests for additional data from the user and the playback features downloading and displaying the additional data in response to the requests.
US09218725B2 Gaming machine having plural gaming modes
A gaming machine which can control the tempo of the game to refresh the player while maintaining continuity of the game, enhancing entertainingness and amusement of the game, and encouraging the player's sense of achievements. The input unit receives an instruction related to a game. The memory stores a first symbol determination table causing that a specific symbol appears among rearranged symbols on the symbol display unit with a first probability and a second symbol determination table causing that the specific symbol appears among the rearranged symbols with a second probability higher than the first probability. The controller starts the game in response to the instruction received through the input unit to execute the game in a normal mode and shifting the normal mode to a chance mode according to the game result in the normal mode.
US09218722B1 System and method of conducting games of chance as a proxy or basis for another player
To bring the excitement to the people (majority, who are not experts in games), we present the examples, described here, for one person be able to bet on and be part of the deal and excitement for a third party, as his agent, proxy, or shadow, to bet for him, or instead of him, or as if the first person was doing the game directly, or one betting for another, or one playing for another with the other person's money. That generates more excitement on the game or casino, with more participation, transactions, income, profit, loyalty, and repeat customers. This also brings a lot of variations on the game, e.g., stock market model, or derivatives model, or hedge model, to make the game very innovative and exciting for mass of people. Other variations and combinations of the games and winnings are also explained in details.
US09218718B2 Selective filtering of feed publication of wagering game activity
A method comprises receiving a feed of a number of messages providing notification of wagering game activity, wherein the wagering game activity occurred via at least one of a wagering game machine at a wagering game establishment and an online wagering game website. The method includes storing the number of messages. The method includes filtering the number of messages to create a subset of messages, wherein the filtering is based on at least one of an operator criteria and a player criteria. The operator criteria and the player criteria comprises at least one of a jackpot win, a progressive win, an entry into a bonus round, and a win where a monetary amount won exceeds a threshold multiplier of an amount wagered. The method includes publishing the subset of messages to a computing device associated with the wagering game player.
US09218715B2 Avatar as security measure for mobile device use with electronic gaming machine
A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The gaming system is configured to establish a secure communication session between an electronic gaming machine and a portable electronic device. The system can confirm that a communication session is secure by displaying pre-selected content unique to the portable electronic device. The content can be continuously displayed on the EGM during the active communication session to indicate that the session is secure.
US09218712B2 Game system and game control method
A game system is provided that is capable of imparting a novel game sensation to the user by operating together with a means that selects at least one option from among several options. In a game system, with which a lottery game in which at least one option is selected from a plurality of options, and a chain game in which the progression of the game changes on the basis of the game result of the first game are executed, in the chain game, region data is generated for arranging, in a plurality of game progression regions, a plurality of selectable regions that are linked to the plurality of options; and the region data is updated so as to set certain game progression regions as being acquired regions, on the basis of the options selected in the lottery game.
US09218709B2 Electronic gaming system and method with dynamic wheel
A gaming system and method for use in one or more casino establishments for offering a secondary game initiated after a loss. The gaming machine and method are offered on electronic gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines, but may also be deployed in other forms such as on a general purpose computing device in stand-alone form or connected to a network such as the internet.
US09218706B2 Video game processing apparatus and video game processing program
A video game processing apparatus is provided. Game information on first and second game modes for a video game is stored in a game information memory. In a case where a video game start request is received, progress of the video game in a first game mode is controlled in accordance with an instruction inputted using a first controller. A player is induced to carry out a game mode shifting operation in a case where it is determined that predetermined conditions are satisfied. A second controller is caused to move from a storage state to an exposed state in a case where the game mode shifting operation is received. Progress of the video game in the second game mode is controlled in accordance with an instruction inputted using the second controller in a case where the second controller is caused to move to the exposed state.
US09218701B2 Image overlay for duplicate image detection
Embodiment for detecting duplicate images include systems for determining that two or more of the images have similar key attributes such as attributes related to certain data in the images or image quality. Further, the embodiments include superimposing at least a portion of a first image of the two or more images over at least a portion of the second image of the two or more images, comparing the first image and second image; and determining whether the first image and the second image are identical.
US09218699B1 Firearm safe for facilitating firearm receipt
A firearm safe is described which may provide a firearm in a state for ready access such that release of the firearm from the safe is performed when a user's hand is in position to readily accept and use the firearm with no or minimal avoidance of obstructions. The firearm safe may maintain the firearm in a locked and protected position when access is not desired and may carry the firearm on a carriage assembly. The firearm safe may provide the firearm only upon activation by a user, such as by biometric or RFID readers. Upon such activation, the firearm safe may provide the firearm to the user. The biometric readers may be positioned such that, upon release of the firearm, the user's hand may be in position to receive the firearm with minimal or no obstructions and may readily grasp the firearm for use.
US09218696B2 Wireless access control system and related methods
A wireless access control system includes a remote access device and an electronic lock. The electronic lock communicates with the remote access device. The electronic lock controls the ability to lock and unlock a door in which the electronic lock is disposed. The electronic lock determines when the remote access device is at a distance less than or equal to a predetermined distance from the lock to enable the lock to be unlocked.
US09218694B1 Recommendations for time to replace parts on machines
Systems and methods of recommending replacement of parts on machines. In one embodiment, a method of recommending replacement includes receiving data for a part type, determining a cumulative probability function for an infant mortality of the part type, and determining a cumulative probability function for a natural life of the part type. The method includes defining a lower time boundary and an upper time boundary between which the part type is considered operative. The lower time boundary is defined at a time point at an intersection between the cumulative probability function for the infant mortality and the cumulative probability function for the natural life of the part type. The upper time boundary is defined at a time point representing an estimated end of an operative life of the part type. Recommending replacement of a part on a machine may then be determined based on the upper and lower time boundaries.
US09218690B2 Method for simulating hyperspectral imagery
A method 10 of modeling hyperspectral images includes building a scene in a first frame with objects and materials using a three dimensional modeling tool 16, selecting one or more hyperspectral bands and changing the reflectivity of each object and material 20 in the scene to correspond to reflectivity in the hyperspectral bands, changing the emissivity of a spectral source 24 for each object and material in the scene to correspond to the emissivity of the spectral source in the hyperspectral bands, rendering the scene to generate a hyperspectral image 28, and repeating the process for subsequent frames 30.
US09218688B2 Animatable graphics lighting analysis reporting
One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism for displaying lighting values associated with a 3-D graphics model by superimposing an overlay grid with lighting values on the 3-D graphics model. A software rendering engine computes lighting values for each frame that includes the 3-D graphics model, where each frame may have different lighting settings. An overlay grid with lighting values may be superimposed on an area defined by a light meter on the 3-D graphics model. The lighting values on the overlay grid are associated with the light meter and may vary frame-over-frame. In another embodiment, a JPEG image with a superimposed overlay grid with per-pixel lighting values covering a 3-D graphics model is generated for each frame that includes the 3-D graphics model. These JPEG images may be displayed on the screen and stored to an external memory.
US09218686B2 Image processing device
The present invention intends to provide an image processing apparatus that can process geometrical primitives rapidly and with restrained memory consumption. A sequence of vertex data of a primitive sequence is stored in an index buffer, and size data of the primitive is stored in the head of the sequence. The result of processing of the primitive sequence in a geometry shader is stored in a cache buffer, and a primitive output, which is the output result stored in the cache buffer, is reused in reprocessing of the primitive processed in the geometry shader.
US09218685B2 System and method for highlighting a feature in a 3D map while preserving depth
Systems and methods for rendering 3D maps may highlight a feature in a 3D map while preserving depth. A map tool of a mapping or navigation application that detects the selection of a feature in a 3D map (e.g., by touch) may perform a ray intersection to determine the feature that was selected. The map tool may capture the frame to be displayed (with the selected feature highlighted) in several steps. Each step may translate the map about a pivot point of the selected map feature (e.g., in three or four directions) to capture a new frame. The captured frames may be blended together to create a blurred map view that depicts 3D depth in the scene. A crisp version of the selected feature may then be rendered within the otherwise blurred 3D map. Color, brightness, contrast, or saturation values may be modified to further highlight the selected feature.
US09218684B2 Display control apparatus and method, and display apparatus
A display control apparatus includes a conversion and synthesis unit that converts an array of pixels constituting each of planar images for multiple view points and synthesize the planar images in which the array of the pixels is converted to generate a three-dimensional display image, the unit including a correspondence control unit that associates view point image sub pixels with three-dimensional display sub pixels, a sub pixel value decision unit that decides a value of the sub pixel before the conversion for each color of the sub pixels on the basis of the view point image sub pixel extracted from the planar image for each view point, and a sub pixel generation unit that obtains a value of the sub pixel after the conversion on the basis of the decided value of the sub pixel before the conversion to generate the associated three-dimensional display sub pixels.
US09218683B2 Collection rearrangement animation
Collection rearrangement animation techniques are described herein, which can be employed to represent changes made by a rearrangement in a manner that reduces or eliminates visual confusion. A collection of items arranged at initial positions can be displayed. Various interaction can initiate a rearrangement of the collection of items, such as to sort the items, add or remove an item, or reposition an item. An animation of the rearrangement is depicted that omits at least a portion of the spatial travel along pathways from the initial positions to destination positions in the rearranged collection. In one approach, items can be animated to disappear from the initial positions and reappear at destination positions. This can occur by applying visual transitions that are bound to dimensional footprints of the items in the collection. Additionally or alternatively, intermediate and overlapping positions can be omitted by the animation.
US09218681B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus for compositing a plurality of images that are shot with different exposures, comprises an object detection unit configured to detect object regions from the images; a main object determination unit configured to determine a main object region from among the object regions; a distance calculation unit configured to calculate object distance information regarding distances to the main object region for the object regions; and a compositing unit configured to composite the object regions of the plurality of images using a compositing method based on the object distance information, so as to generate a high dynamic range image.
US09218679B2 Reduced bitcount polygon rasterization
Techniques are disclosed for carrying out rasterization of a given graphics workload, wherein portions of the workload associated with relatively high bit count operations are processed via a first process path, and portions of the workload associated with relatively lower bit count operations are processed via a second, relatively faster process path, in accordance with an embodiment. In a more general sense, maximal bit count associated with a given primitive can be identified and compared to a threshold to determine which one of multiple available processing paths can be used.
US09218675B2 Presenting multiple map results with on-map labels
Client-side and server-side methods for displaying points of interest (POIs) within a map displayed on a client computing device are presented. In an example, the method includes transmitting a request for map data and receiving, in response, map data and POI data related to the request. The method further includes filtering POIs in the POI data to determine one or more sets of POIs wherein each POI in any set of POIs is within a predetermined distance from the other POIs in the set. The method includes creating a merged icon for the set of POIs, the merged icon comprising a collection of layered icons and creating a merged, multi-line label for the set of POIs, wherein each label is associated with a corresponding one POI in the set. The method also includes displaying, for each set of POIs, the merged icon adjacent to the merged, multi-line label.
US09218658B2 Method for determining an artifact-reduced three-dimensional image data set and X-ray device
A method of determining an artifact-reduced three-dimensional reconstructed image data set includes a plurality of projection images of a primary data set, which show a head of a patient together with at least one neurosurgical apparatus generating artifacts in a three-dimensional reconstruction. The projection images of the primary data set are captured using different projection directions by an X-ray device having a C-arm. With regard to a reduction of artifacts, a projection image based correction is based upon projection images of a mask data set which show the neurosurgical apparatus without the head of the patient or the head of the patient without the neurosurgical apparatus.
US09218656B2 Method and system for automatic classification of lesions in breast MRI
A method for classifying a lesion in an MRI includes acquiring a pre-contrast MR image. A magnetic contrast agent is administered. A set of post-contrast MR images are acquired. The acquired pre-contrast and post-contrast MR images are displayed. A manually entered value is received for a size of a lesion manually identified within the pre-contrast and post-contrast MR images. A manually entered value for an absorption/washout profile is received of the manually identified lesion. A risk of malignancy for the manually identified lesion is automatically determined based on the received size value and absorption/washout profile.
US09218651B2 Image processing method for dynamically adjusting luminance and contrast of image
An image processing method for adjusting the luminance and contrast of an input image comprises the following steps. First, local spatial luminance statistics is performed on the first pixels of the input image to generate a luminance image including a plurality of second pixels. Then, from a preset mapping curve group comprising a plurality of smooth mapping curves, a corresponding smooth mapping curve is selected for each of the second pixels according to an adjusting function. Next, the pixel values of the second pixels are adjusted according to the corresponding smooth mapping curves to generate an adjusted image.
US09218649B2 Image projection apparatus, control method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a receiving unit, a specifying unit, a controlling unit, and an outputting unit. The receiving unit receives image data. The specifying unit specifies a correction amount of the image data for keystone correction processing. The controlling unit controls, based on the correction amount specified by the specifying unit, the keystone correction processing, filter processing for reducing a predetermined high frequency component, and edge enhancement processing. The outputting unit outputs processed image data which is processed based on the controlling by the controlling unit.
US09218648B2 Fourier domain blur estimation method and system
A method and system for estimating motion blur of an image associated with a moving object. The direction of one-dimensional motion blur may be estimated by inspecting a power spectrum associated with the image. A radon transform with respect to the image power spectrum is computed in the direction of the motion blur. A family of kernels with respect to the one-dimensional motion blur may then be defined utilizing a shutter triggering sequence associated with an image capturing device. The family of kernels may be modeled utilizing a modulation transfer function (MTF). Each modulation transfer function may be compared with the radon transform of the power spectrum associated with the image via a correlation function. The kernel with highest correlation with respect to the radon transform of the image power spectrum may be employed for de-blurring the image.
US09218645B2 Image processing method, image processing device, image forming device and inkjet recording device
An image processing method includes: storing a threshold matrix for quantization processing of input image data, applying mask processing to an abnormal recording element based on abnormal recording element information, correcting a correspondence relationship between a recording element and a threshold such that processing of a pixel to be formed by the abnormal recording element subjected to mask processing is excluded and the continuity of a pattern of the threshold matrix is maintained, and performing quantization processing using a corrected threshold matrix.
US09218644B2 Method and system for enhanced 2D video display based on 3D video input
A video processing device may generate a two dimensional (2D) output video stream from a three dimensional (3D) input video stream that comprises a plurality of view sequences. The plurality of view sequences may comprise sequences of stereoscopic left and right reference fields or frames. A view sequence may initially be selected as a base sequence for the 2D output video stream, and the 2D output video stream may be enhanced using video content and/or information from unselected view sequences. The video content and/or information utilized in enhancing the 2D output video stream may comprise depth information, and/or foreground and/or background information. The enhancement of the 2D input video stream may comprise improving depth, contrast, sharpness, and/or rate upconversion using frame and/or field based interpolation of images in the 2D output video stream.
US09218634B1 System and method for facilitating the execution of law enforcement duties
A system and method for facilitating the execution of law enforcement duties is disclosed. More particularly, according to one aspect of the invention, an electronic system and associated method is configured to facilitate the performance of law enforcement duties by quasi-instantaneously providing actionable intelligence to its users, such as front-line law enforcement officers, in response to a real-time query. According to another aspect of the invention, a system implements a set of automated status classifications for subjects with suspected or confirmed involvement in criminal and/or terrorist activities. The status classifications specifically and concisely establish the subject's involvement in criminal and/or terrorist activities. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a system executes a streamlined electronic process for asset forfeiture actions so as to ensure that criminal and/or terrorist assets are efficiently and effectively seized.
US09218632B2 Energy smart system
Apparatus and method for managing energy of a home or other structure are disclosed. An energy management system for a home network comprises a central device controller configured to communicate with energy consuming devices, energy generation devices and storage devices at a home. Power/energy measuring devices provide consumption measurements for the home and each device to the controller. A user interface has a client application configured to provide information to a user/consumer and to an energy provider/utility about energy consumption, energy generation and storage. An energy profile and a carbon footprint of an individual's home are generated along with recommendations for energy savings and/or possible addition of on site generation or energy storage.
US09218631B2 Low cost and flexible energy management system defined in a single unitary housing
A device configured in a unitary housing which includes a computing device with memory that stores energy information. A power supply and prongs attach to the power supply in the same unitary housing, wherein the prongs are configured to plug into a wall outlet.
US09218624B2 Adding card to mobile/cloud wallet using NFC
A user enables a communication, such as through a tap, between an NFC-enabled payment or funding card and a mobile device. Card information, such as the card number, type, and expiration date, are read by the mobile device. The user is then authenticated through the user device, such as by entering a CVV code, a PIN for the card, a cardholder name, and/or a billing address for the card. If confirmed, the card is added to the user's mobile/cloud wallet.
US09218623B2 System and method for providing private stable matchings
A system and method for providing private stable matchings is presented. At least one set of matcher preferences for an active participant and at least one set of matchee preferences for a passive participant are accumulated. Private stable matched bids from the at least one matcher preferences set and the at least one matchee preferences set are privately generated. At least one of the private matched bids is decrypted as a stable matching, which is presented to one of the passive participant and the active participant identified in the decrypted stable matching.
US09218621B2 Dynamic bandwidth allocation
According to the invention, a content delivery network (CDN) for delivering content objects from a content provider to a recipient is disclosed. The CDN includes a dynamic pricing engine and a second web location. The dynamic pricing engine is coupled to a first web location. The first web location, which is associated with a content provider, allows the recipient to order a content object. The delivery quote is solicited by the first web location for delivering a content object one or more times. The second web location delivers the content object to a recipient system of the recipient. The second web location is associated with the dynamic pricing engine. The dynamic pricing engine automatically produces the delivery quote, which is affected by at least one of the content object or a web location of the recipient system.
US09218617B2 Server, information communication terminal, product sale management method, and storage medium and program transmission apparatus therefor
A product retail sales management server for managing the retail sales of a product across a communication network comprises: a retail sales management module for managing the retail sales of the product; a price update module 13 for dynamically setting the price of the product in accordance with rules and the retail sales state of the product and in accordance with the actual retail sales state of the product when managed by the retail sales management module; and an acceptance module 11 for, upon the receipt of an information request via the communication network, furnishing a request transmission source with the information concerning the product and the price of the product, set by the price update module at the time the information request is received.
US09218616B2 Granting access to a cloud computing environment using names in a virtual computing infrastructure
Access to resources in a cloud computing environment having a plurality of computing nodes is described. A group of users is defined within the cloud computing environment. A first name is assigned to the group. At least one subgroup of users is defined from within the group. A second name is assigned to the at least one subgroup. The second name follows a hierarchical naming structure of the form/group/subgroup.
US09218614B2 System and method for concept development
A framework is provided for building a visual representation of a product concept including a textual component and/or a graphical component. A designation is received of a first element within at least one of the textual component and the graphical components as a dynamic element. The dynamic element is associated with a variant list including one or more element variants. A second element corresponding to the first element is identified. The second element is linked with the first element. A selection of a first element variant from the variant list is received. A first instantiation of the visual representation is generated including the first element variant as the dynamic element and including the first element variant as the second element.
US09218610B2 Methods and apparatus to identify usage of quick response codes
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to identify usage of quick response codes. An example method includes inspecting a received request to identify a QR code associated with the request, the request being received from a device in response to an instruction included in the QR code. The example method further includes storing a record indicating access to the identified QR code. The example method further includes determining a redirect universal resource locator (URL) associated with the identified QR code. The example method further includes transmitting a redirect message to the device, the redirect message to instruct the device to navigate to the redirect URL.
US09218607B1 Identification of product categories
Disclosed are various embodiments for identifying product categories to which products are assigned. At least one attribute associated with a product is received. A determination regarding whether the attribute is associated with a product category is made. An assignment to the product category is made if the attribute is associated with the product category.
US09218606B2 System and method for brand monitoring and trend analysis based on deep-content-classification
A system and method for monitoring a brand sentiment through a plurality of different web sources are provided. The method comprises receiving a request to monitor a brand; searching the plurality of web sources for multimedia content elements related to the brand; generating at least one signature for each multimedia content element determined to be related to the brand, wherein each of the at least one generated signatures represents a concept; and correlating the concepts respective of the generated signatures to determine a context of the multimedia content elements determined to be related to the brand, wherein the context is the brand sentiment.
US09218605B2 Method and apparatus for managing recommendation models
A platform for managing recommendation models is described. The platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of at least one user identification characteristic associated with at least one device to determine a user identity. The platform further determines at least one communication account active at the at least one device. The platform also causes, at least in part, an association of one or more recommendations models with the user identity, the at least one communication account, the at least one device, or a combination thereof.
US09218604B2 Method for expert Advisors to provide one on one phone call or chat advice services through unique empowered independent agents to consumers using mobile devices
The present invention provides techniques for managing, supporting and empowering Independent Agents to offer a method for enabling expert Advisors to deliver, and charge for, advice to consumers, by connecting two parties in real time in an online chat using mobile devices. The present invention also provides the method and techniques for expert Advisors, in turn, to provide their service through a multiplicity of Independent Agent channels without the potential for communication device conflict; thereby ensuring successful connections for consumers.
US09218602B2 Providing page navigation in multirole-enabled network application
The present invention discloses an apparatus, method and computer program for providing page navigation in a multirole-enabled network application. The apparatus comprises: a virtual role creator adapted to create a virtual role for each user in the multirole-enabled network application based upon an atomic role set configured for the user; an access pattern generator adapted to generate a virtual-role-based access pattern by recording page access requests of the user and by performing pattern mining for the recorded page access requests according to the virtual role of the user; and a page navigation provider adapted to provide page navigation by utilizing the access pattern corresponding to the virtual role of the user when the user accesses the multirole-enabled network application. With the technical solution of the invention, pattern mining can be performed for access data of one or more users according to virtual role, so the user can be provided with optimized personalized page navigation.
US09218599B1 Method and system for automatic chargeback reimbursement for product returns
A method for processing an automatic chargeback request includes: storing, in an account database, a plurality of account profiles, wherein each account profile includes data related to a payment account including at least an account identifier; receiving, by a receiving device, an indication of a product return, wherein the indication includes at least a specific account identifier, a product amount, and a merchant identifier; identifying, in the account database, a specific account profile where the included account identifier corresponds to the specific account identifier; generating, by a processing device, a chargeback request for a chargeback to be initiated against a merchant associated with the merchant identifier for the product amount for benefit to the payment account related to the specific account profile; and transmitting, by a transmitting device, the generated chargeback request.
US09218595B2 Systems and methods for initiating payment from a client device
The disclosed embodiments include a mobile client device for automatically performing a mobile financial service function, including a memory storing software instructions, the software instructions including a mobile financial service application configured to perform financial service processes. The system may also include and one or more processors configured to execute the software instructions to detect a physical action performed on the mobile client device, and determine a first financial service function to perform based on the detected physical action, wherein the first financial service function is a function provided by the mobile financial service application. The one or more processors may also determine whether verification of a user is required, verify the user if verification of the user is required, and automatically initiate the first financial service function.
US09218589B2 Issuance, conveyance and management of endorsements
Systems and methods for the issuance, management and conveyance of endorsements to authorities, the system comprising an endorsement issuance module configured to issue an endorsement associated with an endorsee, wherein the endorsement prescribes to specified endorsement issuance rules, an endorsement conveyance module configured to validate the endorsement according to the specified endorsement conveyance rules, and an endorsement management module configured to maintain the specified rules according to an authority.
US09218586B2 Asset management service for distributed computing environments
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for an asset management service. The asset management service can receive asset record creation requests and can store asset records at an asset data repository. The asset records can identify assets and associated information such as, for example, asset identifiers, personnel, organizations, users, geographic locations, time and date information, status information, or the like. A user device can execute an asset management application to generate asset tags including the asset identifiers and to scan existing asset tags. When asset tags are scanned, the user device also can capture device and/or user information that can be used to set a status or provide available status choices. Status updates can be provided to the asset management service for updating of the asset records.
US09218577B2 Electric power generation amount estimation device, electric power generation amount estimation system, electric power generation amount estimation method and computer program
There is provided an electric power generation amount estimation device, including a solar power generation device identification portion that identifies a solar power generation device that generates electric power by receiving irradiation of sunlight, a sunlight amount calculation portion that estimates and calculates an amount of sunlight, and an electric power generation amount calculation portion that calculates an amount of electric power to be generated by the solar power generation device, based on information about the solar power generation device identified by the solar power generation device identification portion and about the amount of sunlight calculated by the sunlight amount calculation portion.
US09218576B2 Method silhouette image representation
This invention relates to a method and a system of silhouette image representation of a subject located at a remote location. Input data relating to the remote location are received, one or more graphical indicator indicating graphically at least one local condition at the remote location is obtained based on the received input data, and the one or more graphical indicators are incorporated in the silhouette image.
US09218571B2 Frequency separation between qubit and chip mode to reduce purcell loss
A system, method, and chip to control Purcell loss are described. The chip includes qubits formed on a first surface of a substrate. The method includes determining frequencies of the qubits, and controlling a separation between the frequencies of the qubits and chip mode frequencies of the chip.
US09218570B2 Determining an anomalous state of a system at a future point in time
A prediction technique to predict an anomalous state of a processing environment at a future point in time. One or more values of one or more metrics of the processing system are obtained. For the one or more metrics, one or more predicted values are determined for one or more points in time in the future. Based the predicted values, one or more change values for one or more points in time are determined, and based on the one or more change values, a determination is made as to whether an anomalous state exists within the processing system.
US09218567B2 Quantum processor based systems and methods that minimize an objective function
Quantum processor based techniques minimize an objective function for example by operating the quantum processor as a sample generator providing low-energy samples from a probability distribution with high probability. The probability distribution is shaped to assign relative probabilities to samples based on their corresponding objective function values until the samples converge on a minimum for the objective function. Problems having a number of variables and/or a connectivity between variables that does not match that of the quantum processor may be solved. Interaction with the quantum processor may be via a digital computer. The digital computer stores a hierarchical stack of software modules to facilitate interacting with the quantum processor via various levels of programming environment, from a machine language level up to an end-use applications level.
US09218561B2 Touch sensor with RFID
The examples describe the integration of a RFID tag with a touch sensor.
US09218557B2 Portable e-wallet and universal card
Universal cards are used in place of all the other traditional cards which a person may want to carry. The universal card can include a short range communications transceiver to communicate with a mobile device. The mobile device can include a user interface and an e-wallet application so that the user can interface with the e-wallet application for programming the universal card via the short range communication link. Once programmed, the universal card emulates a function of a traditional card.
US09218556B2 Plugs having depolarizers
The present disclosure provides plugs of cables or tubes including at least one depolarizer, configured to emit depolarized light in response to polarized light impinging thereon and arranged such light emitted from the at least one depolarizer and passed through a polarizing element optically orthogonal to the impinging polarized light can be detected by a connection system.
US09218554B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium
A method for image processing executed by an image processing apparatus includes sequentially receiving PDL data and transferring a figure included in the PDL data to processing in a subsequent stage, assigning edge extraction processing as a unit of processing for extracting edge information for each transferred figure, merging the edge information extracted from each figure, spooling the merged data in a tile format as intermediate data, and reading out the intermediate data in the tile format from spooling process and performing processing on each tile to generate a pixel from the intermediate data.
US09218550B2 Method and system for creating a customized print
A method for producing a customized print includes determining a color of at least one feature of an object, where the object is imaged with a reference color chart. A color palette is selected based on the at least one determined feature color and a print is generated based on the selected color palette. A system for producing a customized print is also described.
US09218547B2 Method and apparatus for recognizing characters
A method and an apparatus for recognizing characters using an image are provided. A camera is activated according to a character recognition request and a preview mode is set for displaying an image photographed through the camera in real time. An auto focus of the camera is controlled and an image having a predetermined level of clarity is obtained for character recognition from the images obtained in the preview mode. The image for character recognition is character-recognition-processed so as to extract recognition result data. A final recognition character row is drawn that excludes non-character data from the recognition result data. A first word is combined including at least one character of the final recognition character row and a predetermined maximum number of characters. A dictionary database that stores dictionary information on various languages using the first word is searched, so as to provide the user with the corresponding word.
US09218534B1 Method and system for classifying painted road markings in an automotive driver-vehicle-assistance device
An automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. The method includes the steps of arranging a digital camera on a vehicle body, operating the digital camera to provide an image file depicting an image of a scene related to vehicle operation on a road, in a computer memory, receiving from the memory the image file depicting pixels of an image of the scene related to vehicle operation on a road, and using an analysis of the pixels to generate an illumination invariant image of the scene. A further process step includes using the illumination invariant image to analyze the road scene for painted road markings.
US09218531B2 Image identification apparatus, image identification method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image identification apparatus includes following components. A first generative model creation unit extracts feature information from identification-target images which belong to an identification-target category, and creates a first generative model on the basis of the feature information. A classification unit applies the first generative model to each not-identification-target image which belongs to a not-identification-target category so as to determine a probability of the not-identification-target image belonging to the identification-target category, and classifies the not-identification-target image to a corresponding one of not-identification-target groups in accordance with the probability. A second generative model creation unit that extracts feature information from not-identification-target images which belong to a corresponding one of the not-identification-target groups, and creates a second generative model of each not-identification-target group on the basis of the corresponding feature information.
US09218529B2 3-D imaging sensor based location estimation
A system and method for estimating a location of an object or vehicle is provided. Images of a region encompassing the object are obtained, providing a three dimensional (3-D) view frame of the region. 3-D view frames are collected along a direction of travel of the object. A 3-D map is generated along the direction of travel of the object, the map based on the 3-D view frames and further based on an estimate of motion of the object at times associated with the 3-D view frames. A first set of features is extracted from the 3-D map. A geo-referenced feature database is searched for a second set of features that match the first set of features. A geo-location associated with the second set of features is retrieved from the feature database. The location of the object is estimated based on the retrieved geo-location.
US09218523B2 System and method for determining authorship of a document
Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for determining authorship of a handwritten document for which the authorship is not known. A method includes scanning a document to produce a high-quality scanned image of the document, and identifying stylus information corresponding to the document. The method includes identifying authorship information corresponding to the document, and determining an authorship of the document based on the stylus information and the authorship information. In some cases, content analysis of the document is also performed and used to determine authorship.
US09218520B2 Method and system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for tags
This invention relates generally to a method and system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for tags that are associated in some manner to any type of object. More particularly, the present invention writes data to these tags, reads data from these tags, and manages data that is written to and/or read from these tags. In addition, the invention accesses and/or stores data associated with tags from or into repositories, constructs and maintains data structures from these repositories and responds to queries using the data structures.
US09218516B2 Data reader platter with integral features delineating a data-reading sweep region
Disclosed is a data reading system that includes a housing and a platter window for concealing a data reader configured to read an optical code borne by an item transported through a read zone. The read zone is defined at least in part by the platter window. The data reading system also has a platter supportable on the housing that encompasses the platter window. The platter includes a first integral feature and a second integral feature bordering opposing peripheral sides of the platter window. The first and second integral features cooperatively delineate a preferred data-reading sweep path through the read zone.
US09218513B2 Circuit and method with improved mixer linearity
A switching circuit is linearized by using a capacitor to apply a drive voltage to an FET, wherein the drive voltage is independent of the signal switched by the switching circuit.
US09218503B2 Collection and analysis of customer data from application programming interface usage
A device may receive a request for analytics information associated with a user device. The device may retrieve application programming interface (API) information associated with the request for analytics information. The API information may include information associated with providing an authorization token and with providing user device information. The device may determine demographic information based on the request for analytics information. The demographic information may be associated with a user of the user device. The device may determine the analytics information based on an analysis of the API information and the demographic information. The device may provide the analytics information.
US09218502B1 System and architecture for electronic permissions and security policies for resources in a data system
An electronic permissions and security system are disclosed which may be used to determine permissions and policies for resources in a complex multi-dimensional data system. Analysis of resource data hierarchies and/or accessor data hierarchies using the permissions computing systems and methods discussed herein may provide efficient and flexible permissions analysis, determination, and management. The electronic permissions system may include for example, a permissions analysis module or component configured to access, traverse and/or analyze a resource hierarchy and/or an accessor hierarchy to determine permissions with respect to a resource. Permissions may be defined according to various policies which may include specific actions allowed or disallowed for the policy. Specific actions within a policy may also be organized hierarchically such that one particular grant of one permission may imply granting of another permission.
US09218501B2 Secure access management against volatile identity stores
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to managing access to protected computer resources. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for modifying a user's ability to access a protected computer resource while the user is currently using the resource. If the privileges granted to a user for accessing the protected resource are altered, these alterations take effect in substantially real time. In an exemplary embodiment, a user data repository will initiate the process of altering the user's access privileges upon changes of data in the repository. In this way, it does not matter how or by whom the data in the repository is changed, but the change itself is sufficient to initiate a re-computation of a user's access privileges to the protected resource.
US09218499B2 Data duplication using a shared storage area with improved access control
An enhanced security protection in data duplication using a shared storage area is provided. Specifically, an information processing apparatus, in which one or more applications operate, includes a copy-operation monitoring portion that acquires copy data that the copy source application issues an instruction to copy to a general-purpose shared memory, sets a lifetime interpreted from an operation pattern via an input device for the copy data, and then stores the copy data in a storage area; a display portion that displays, on a display, a paste candidate selected from one or more items of copy data stored in the storage area; a paste-operation monitoring portion that transfers the paste candidate read from the storage area to the paste destination application in response to a confirmation operation via the input device; and an erasing portion that erases, from the storage area, copy data that has become unpermitted to remain because the lifetime has expired.
US09218498B2 Method of verifying the validity of an electronic parking ticket
The method serves to verify the validity of an electronic parking ticket stored in an electronic entity. The method includes a step of securely obtaining from the electronic ticket specific data that is specific to said electronic entity or to the vehicle in which it is installed, and a step of making available at least a portion of said specific data on an inspection device. The method enables a dishonest attack of the “man-the-middle” type to be detected.
US09218496B2 Dynamically updating privacy settings in a social network
A social network allows its members to regulate what data is accessible to other members using one or more privacy settings. A particular member of the social network can modify the one or privacy settings to grant or deny different users access to different data. When a member modifies a privacy setting, the social network determines which information pathways communicating data between members are affected. The affected information pathways are then modified responsive to the privacy setting to communicate data identified by the modified privacy setting and enforce the new privacy restrictions.
US09218495B1 Systems and methods for sharing logs of a child's computer activities with a guardian of the child
A computer-implemented method for sharing logs of a child's computer activities with a guardian of the child is disclosed. The method may include determining that a child may be involved in a computer activity on a computing device that is not controlled by a guardian of the child, monitoring the computer activity, creating a log of the computer activity, determining that the guardian of the child is authorized to view the log of the computer activity, and providing the log of the computer activity to the guardian of the child. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09218494B2 Secure client drive mapping and file storage system for mobile device management type security
Methods and systems for providing a secure client drive mapping and/or file storage for mobile device management type security may include executing a managed application for presentation on a mobile device, receiving a request to save a data file locally on the mobile device, and determining whether the data file contains sensitive data are described herein. Subsequently, when the data file contains sensitive data and responsive to the request, the methods and system may also include encrypting the data file, storing the encrypted data file on the mobile device, and linking the encrypted data file to an unencrypted version of the data file, the unencrypted version of the data file not containing the sensitive data.
US09218485B2 Program execution device
A program execution device capable of protecting a program against unauthorized analysis and alteration is provided. The program execution device includes an execution unit, a first protection unit, and a second protection unit. The execution unit executes a first program and a second program, and is connected with an external device that is capable of controlling the execution. The first protection unit disconnects the execution unit from the external device while the execution unit is executing the first program. The second protection unit protects the first program while the execution unit is executing the second program.
US09218477B2 Electronic physical unclonable functions
An electronic asymmetric unclonable function applied to an electronic system being evaluated includes an electronic system and an AUF array electronically associated with the electronic system. The AUF array includes a plurality of non-identical cells. Each of the non-identical cells includes a test element representing a characteristic of the electronic system being evaluated and a measurement device evaluating the test element. A comparison unit processes an output of the measurement device to provide a multi-bit output value representing a magnitude of differences.
US09218473B2 Creation and authentication of biometric information
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the biometric information created for biometric authentication is available for a predetermined time after it was acquired. In addition, the authentication processing is performed on the biometric information useful for a predetermined time after the biometric information was acquired when authenticating it. Therefore, the authentication processing can be normally performed on only the biometric information that is acquired immediately when it is necessary for the user to do the financial transaction or individual authentication.
US09218469B2 System and method for installing authentication credentials on a network device
A method for installing authentication credentials on a network device. An intermediary computing device (e.g., client computer) downloads an application for installing the authentication credentials from a secure website. The application on the intermediary computing device requests authentication credentials from a Network Access Control (NAC) credential service. The application passes the authentication credentials received from the NAC credential service through the intermediary computing device to an endpoint (e.g., video conferencing device). The application installs the authentication credentials on the endpoint.
US09218464B2 Interception of controlled functions
Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a plug-in type application may intercept called functions in order to implement one or more security or digital rights management type settings, and/or one or more policies for a given document where such functions may be restricted, prohibited, and/or otherwise controlled. Patch code may be integrated with such controlled functions to modify the behavior of the function when executed in order to comply with the security or digital rights management setting, and/or one or more policies.
US09218462B2 Authentication using lights-out management credentials
A method includes upon receiving a request from a user to perform an operation on a device that is running under an operating system, authenticating the user on the basis of credential data that is retrieved from a data storage unit that is associated with a lights-out management (LOM) capability of the device. If authentication of the user is successful, the user is enabled to perform the operation.
US09218460B2 Defining and mining a joint pharmacophoric space through geometric features
A technique for mining pharmacophore patterns including computer-implemented methods for generating a database of pharmacophores and computer-implemented methods for classifying a query molecule with the database of pharmacophores. Generation of the pharmacophore database includes methods of defining a Joint Pharmacophore Space (JPS) using the three-dimensional geometry of pharmacophoric features of all active molecules against multiple targets.