Document Document Title
US09293891B2 Device for managing heat in an optical element, and related heat-management method
A device is provided for managing heat in an optical element, including: the optical element; a material at a reference temperature; and an intermediate gas layer located directly between the reference-temperature material and the optical element, the intermediate gas layer being located on at least a portion of the thickness thereof in a temporary diffusion state defined by a thickness of the intermediate gas layer, such that the ratio of the mean free path of the gas molecules in the intermediate gas layer over said thickness is between 0.1 and 10. The thickness of the intermediate gas layer is between 10 μm and 5 mm. A corresponding heat-management method is implemented in the device for managing the temperature of an optical element.
US09293886B2 Laser apparatus and photoacoustic apparatus
A laser apparatus includes a laser medium; a light source that radiates light to the laser medium, thereby exciting the laser medium and raising the temperature thereof; a reflecting unit having a first plane that reflects light within a predetermined wavelength range from light generated by excitation of the laser medium; and an output mirror disposed opposite the reflecting unit, with the laser medium being interposed therebetween, and causing laser oscillation by inducing resonance of the light within a predetermined wavelength range between the first plane and the output mirror. The reflecting unit is configured to be movable between a position in which light resonance is induced between the output mirror and the first plane and the laser apparatus is set to an oscillation state and a position in which the laser apparatus is set to a non-oscillation state.
US09293884B2 High power parallel fiber arrays
High power parallel fiber arrays for the amplification of high peak power pulses are described. Fiber arrays based on individual fiber amplifiers as well as fiber arrays based on multi-core fibers can be implemented. The optical phase between the individual fiber amplifier elements of the fiber array is measured and controlled using a variety of phase detection and compensation techniques. High power fiber array amplifiers can be used for EUV and X-ray generation as well as pumping of parametric amplifiers.
US09293882B2 Low noise, high stability, deep ultra-violet, continuous wave laser
A laser for generating deep ultra-violet (DUV) continuous wave (CW) light includes a second-harmonic generator and a fourth-harmonic generator. The fourth-harmonic generator includes a plurality of mirrors as well as first and second non-linear optical (NLO) crystals. The first NLO crystal generates the light having the fourth harmonic wavelength, and is placed in operative relation to the plurality of mirrors. The second NLO crystal is placed in operative relation to the first NLO crystal such that the light having the second harmonic wavelength passes through both the first and the second NLO crystals. Notably, the second optical axes of the second NLO crystal are rotated about a direction of propagation of the light within the second NLO crystal approximately 90 degrees relative to the first optical axes of the first NLO crystal. The second NLO crystal provides no wavelength conversion.
US09293881B2 Brush holder apparatus, brush assembly, and method
Devices and methods of use for brush holder assemblies are disclosed. Brush holder assemblies including a mounting block and a brush holder are disclosed. Also illustrated is a brush holder assembly including a first portion in sliding engagement with a second portion. In some embodiments the brush holder includes a channel, such that at least a portion of the mounting block is disposed within the channel of the brush holder.
US09293878B2 Waterproof connector comprising a rear holder with engaging portions
A rear holder includes a paired mating members in an identical shape to be coupled with each other with contact surfaces of the mating members being in contact with each other and with the electric wires being interposed in between the mating members. The mating members form wire housing portions for housing the corresponding electric wires with the contact surfaces being in contact with each other. The mating members include engaging portions configured to symmetrically engage with each other with the contact surfaces being in contact with each other to keep an coupled state of the mating members.
US09293866B2 Connector with U-shaped terminal fittings insert molded in a tubular shaped housing
A connector includes: a connector housing formed in a tubular shape by an insulating synthetic resin; a cover for closing an opening of one end side in an axial direction of the connector housing; and plural terminal fittings formed inside the connector housing by insert molding, one end of the terminal fittings each being arranged in an opening for coupling of the other end side in the axial direction of the connector housing and the other end of the terminal fittings each being connected to one end of an electric wire. The one end of the terminal fittings each led out of one inner wall part of the connector housing traverses the opening for coupling, and a distal end of the terminal fittings each is buried in the other inner wall part opposed to the one inner wall part.
US09293865B2 High digital bandwidth connection apparatus
A multiple connector socket is able to interface to a low bandwidth connector and a high bandwidth connector. The low bandwidth connector facilitates a low bandwidth interface, such as USB 2.0, using a miniaturized connector having low bandwidth blade contacts, such as a micro USB 2.0 connector. The high bandwidth connector interposes high bandwidth blade contacts between the low bandwidth blade contacts for facilitating a high bandwidth interface, such as components of a DisplayPort interface. The high bandwidth blade contacts incorporate apertures to reduce electromagnetic coupling with the low bandwidth blade contacts. In one implementation, apertures are not required on the low bandwidth blade contacts.
US09293864B2 Shunt for electrical connector
A shunt for an electrical connector that comprises a conductive body which has two resilient leg extensions connecting at a hinge, each of the leg extensions terminating at a tail end opposite the hinge. Each of the leg extensions has at least one contact point on an outer surface thereof for engaging a contact of the electrical connector. The leg extensions curve such that they diverge from one another at at least one portion of the conductive body. The at least one contact point is located at this at least one portion.
US09293863B2 Mountable open top connector having a retainer
An article is disclosed. The article is an open connector that includes a base and first and second sides. The base and the first and second sides together define a receptacle channel. The receptacle channel is sized and shaped to receive a connector insert. The open connector includes one or several electrical contacts that can be located proximate to the base of the open connector. The electrical contact electrically connects with the connector insert. The open connector includes a retainer that can interact with a portion of the connector insert to retain the connector insert within the receptacle channel.
US09293858B2 Screw down connector
A plug having a screw-down feature to securely connect to a socket of fixed, existing design. The plug includes flanges with screw receiving bores. Plug screws inserted through the bores deliver a coupling force for a variable compression seal that makes the connection waterproof. The screw-down connection includes upgrading the existing socket machine screws to a socket retaining member. The screw-down feature prevents the plug from accidentally disconnecting from the socket.
US09293854B2 Memory cards and electronic machines
Provided is a memory card. The memory card includes interconnection terminals for electric connection with an external electronic machine. The interconnection terminals may be spaced from the front side of the memory card by a distance greater than the lengths of the interconnection terminals. Alternatively, the memory card may include other interconnection terminals between its front side and the former interconnection terminals. The former and latter interconnection terminals may be used for electric connection with different kinds of electronic machines.
US09293851B2 Electronic connector having flexible region
An electronic connector includes a housing and a plug extending from the housing. The plug includes at least one flexible region that provides flexing of the plug. In some example embodiments, the plug also includes at least one rigid region. The plug has at least one interconnect. Each interconnect includes a lead and a contact. The contacts are exposed on an exterior surface of the plug, such exposure being provided so as to enable electrical coupling between the plug and an electronic receptacle into which the plug may be removably inserted.
US09293847B2 Connector having a holding member with guide portions with projections
A connector includes a holding member. The holding member has two guide portions which are arranged away from each other in a pitch direction. Each of the guide portions has a side portion, an upper portion and a lower portion which are formed as described below. The side portion intersects with the pitch direction and is provided with a first projection portion and a side surface facing inward in the pitch direction. Each of the upper portion and the lower portion intersects with an up-down direction, and at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion is provided with a second projection portion. The first projection portion is away from both the upper portion and the lower portion and projects inward in the pitch direction from the side surface. The second projection portion is away from the side surface and projects inward in the up-down direction.
US09293842B2 Grounding conductor
An electrical device and/or a connected component is grounded utilizing a dedicated listed grounding conductor that permanently connects to a chassis of the electrical device and a grounded receptacle. The grounding conductor is dedicated to and listed for grounding the electrical device and/or connected components. The grounding conductor includes a first portion that is permanently connectible to a chassis of the electrical device, a second portion that is permanently connectible to the grounding receptacle, and a conductor portion that connects the first portion and second portion. In some implementations, the first portion may include a terminal lug that connects to a port of the chassis and may be secured by a nut that may require mechanical assistance to remove. In various implementations, the second portion may include a ring that is operable to receive a screw that mates with a screw hole of the grounding receptacle.
US09293834B2 Antenna structures combining metamaterials
A metamaterial structure including at least one basic unit including a mounting made of a dielectric material. The mounting has an upper surface and a lower surface. Each basic unit includes an electrically conductive unit arranged on the upper surface of the mounting and including: a first C-shaped conductive element including first and second ends; a second C-shaped conductive element including third and fourth ends, the first and second conductive elements being arranged relative to one another such that the first and third ends are opposite one another and separated by a first space, and the second and fourth ends are opposite one another and separated by a second space; and a connector configured so as to connect the first end to the fourth end.
US09293829B2 Antenna device and electronic device including the antenna device
An antenna device and an electronic device including the antenna device are provided. The antenna device includes a radiation patch in a shape of a flat plate, a first feed point configured in a side region of the radiation patch, and a second feed point configured in another side region of the radiation patch. The first feed point and the second feed point are a same distance from a virtual ground plane formed on the radiation patch, out-of-phase feeding is provided to the first feed point and the second feed point to form a broadside radiation pattern, and in-phase feeding is provided to the first feed point and the second feed point to form an endfire radiation pattern.
US09293826B2 Planar inverted F antenna with improved feeding line connection
A planar inverted F antenna has a ground conductive plate and a main conductive plate that are short-circuited by a short circuit member. The main conductive plate connects to a feeding line for feeding power to the antenna and includes opposite side ends, a base extending from one side end to a prescribed position in the direction toward the other side end, and at least one slit extending from the other side end up to the prescribed position to form a microstrip line to which the feeding line is connected and at least one excitation conductive plate spaced apart from the microstrip line. Power is supplied to a feeding point at the prescribed position from the feeding line via the microstrip line which has a width selected so that both an input impedance of the antenna at the feeding point and a characteristic impedance of the transmission line become Z.
US09293825B2 Multi-loop antenna system for contactless applications
An antenna system suitable for use with contactless transaction devices, the antenna system including a reader, a primary loop antenna having a first end and a second end, each one of the first and second ends being coupled to the reader and at least one secondary loop antenna galvanically connected to the primary loop antenna at a single connection point and positioned with respect to the primary loop antenna so as to make capacitive coupling therebetween negligible.
US09293823B2 Antenna device
An antenna device (1) includes a plurality of triplate lines (31, 32) each of which includes a central conductor (401/122A) arranged between one pair of outer conductors (30, 50/121A, 123A) parallel to each other, and a plurality of antenna elements (14a) to transmit high frequency signals distributed by the plurality of triplate lines (31, 32). The plurality of triplate lines (31, 32) include a first triplate line (31) and a second triplate line (32) arranged non-parallel to each other and at a predetermined angle therebetween so that respective central conductors (401/122A) of the first triplate line (31) and the second triplate line (32) are intersected and connected together.
US09293815B1 Ultra-wideband hemispherical teardrop antenna with a conical ground
An ultra-wideband antenna is provided. The antenna includes a cone shaped ground element and a radiating element. The cone shaped ground element has a first vertex region and an aperture formed through the first vertex region. The cone shaped ground element is configured to form an electrical ground. The radiating element includes a cone shaped radiator and a spherical shaped radiator. The cone shaped radiator has a second vertex region that is electrically connectable to a feed element mounted through the aperture of the cone shaped ground element. The spherical shaped radiator is mounted to the cone shaped radiator opposite the second vertex region.
US09293810B2 Antenna for a wearable device
This disclosure relates to antennas for wearable devices. In an aspect, the antenna includes an active portion that includes conductive traces that send and receive radiofrequency communication signals. The antenna also includes a ground plane. The antenna includes a spacer that provides separation between the active portion and the ground plane portion.
US09293809B2 Forty-five degree dual broad band base station antenna
The present invention relates to a multiband antenna specifically adapted for use with a Base Station Antenna (“BSA”). The present invention provides narrow azimuth or horizontal beamwidth (“HBW”) having 45 degrees and operational over four frequency bands. The composite antenna topology and associated circuitry described in embodiments achieves reduced antenna installation requirements and allows for ease of network deployment or reconfiguration at reduced cost. Embodiments employ an array of low band radiating elements and two sets of high band radiating elements. The first set is co-located within an array of low band radiating elements. The second set of is offset and outside the low band radiating elements. An RF feed network energizes the first and second set of high band radiating elements to compensate for interference between the high and low band elements.
US09293808B1 Radio frequency properties of a case for a communications device
A case is provided for a portable Radio Frequency (RF) communications device having an RF antenna. The case includes a base and a plurality of walls, extending from the base. The base and the plurality of walls have requisite dimensions to receive a portable Radio (RF) having an outer surface with a first portion and a second portion. First dielectric characteristics adjacent to the first portion having a relatively low effect on a frequency characteristic of an RF antenna arrangement and second dielectric characteristics adjacent to the second portion having a relatively high effect on the frequency characteristic of the RF antenna arrangement. When the communications device is disposed in the case, the case is adapted to cover part of the first portion of the communications device so as to cause a dielectric parameter adjacent a part of the first portion of the communications device to be relatively high, and a dielectric parameter adjacent the second portion to be relatively low. A method for fitting the case on the RF communications device and method for manufacturing the device is also provided.
US09293807B2 Mobile wireless communications device with electrically conductive continuous ring and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing that may include an electrically conductive continuous ring defining a perimeter of the portable housing. The electrically conductive continuous ring may be configured to function as an antenna. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable housing and may include an electrically conductive layer defining a ground plane. The mobile wireless communications device may further include wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the PCB and coupled to the antenna. The mobile wireless communications device may also include an electrically conductive shorting member coupled between the electrically conductive continuous ring and the ground plane.
US09293805B2 Tapered slot antenna hemispherical array
A system may include a base portion, first and second support members coupled to the base portion, a first plurality of tapered slot antenna (TSA) pairs coupled to the first support member, and a second plurality of TSA pairs coupled to the second support member. The first plurality TSA pairs are oriented at a non-zero angle about a first axis of the first support member and are oriented at a non-zero angle about a second axis of the first support member, with the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis. The second plurality TSA pairs are oriented at a non-zero angle about a first axis of the second support member and are oriented at a non-zero angle about a second axis of the second support member, with the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis.
US09293804B2 Integrated antenna system for a train control system
An antenna includes a first radiating array coupled to the mast and a second radiating array coupled to the mast. Each of the first and second radiating arrays comprises a plurality of dipoles associated with a radiation frequency, each dipole coupled to the mast by a standoff. The two arrays are mounted approximately opposite to each other relative to the mast, rather than one array on top of the other array. The antenna may be part of a Positive Train Control (PTC) system and be disposed in proximity to a train track.
US09293803B1 Internally fittable and removable mount for external antenna
The mount allows an antenna to be fitted to an inaccessible side of a panel from an accessible side, through a knockout. An antenna and cable are first fitted to the mount. The mount has clips that can be squeezed inwards so that it can be inserted into the knockout, and then released so that they retain the mount from the far side of the panel. Stops on the mount prevent it from being inserted too far. The tabs may be squeezed with finger pressure only so that the mount can be fitted in restricted locations where access is difficult, such as in an electrical breaker box. The mount can easily be removed by squeezing the tabs.
US09293799B2 High frequency signal line and electronic device
A dielectric element assembly includes a plurality of stacked dielectric sheets. A signal line is provided in or on the dielectric element assembly. A ground conductor is provided in or on the dielectric element assembly on the negative direction side of a z-axis direction relative to the signal line and is arranged so as to oppose the signal line via the dielectric sheets. The ground conductor includes a main body portion and protruding portions. The main body portion extends along the signal line on one side of a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the signal line relative to the signal line when viewed in plan from the z-axis direction. The protruding portions protrude from the main body portion toward the signal line and overlap the signal line when viewed in plan from the z-axis direction.
US09293798B2 Crosstalk cancellation and/or reduction
Some embodiments include a first differential signal pair and a second differential signal pair. The first and second differential signal pairs are arranged relative to each other in a manner to intentionally reduce or cancel crosstalk introduced by a pinout (for example, a section of a pinout, a socket, a connector, etc.) into at least one of the first differential signal pair and the second differential signal pair. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09293793B2 Battery pack
A core pack and a battery pack using the same. A battery pack includes a plurality of bare cells electrically connected to one another. A protection circuit module (PCM) is positioned at an outside of the bare cells and electrically connected to the bare cells. A temperature measurement device is provided with a temperature sensing portion that senses the temperature of the bare cells, a contact portion connected to the PCM, and a connecting portion through which the temperature sensing portion and the contact portion are connected to each other. A case accommodates the bare cells, the PCM and the temperature measurement device. In the battery pack, the temperature sensing portion is positioned in a space formed between outer circumferential surfaces of bare cells disposed in parallel adjacent to each other. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the quality of the battery.
US09293791B2 Zinc secondary battery
Provide is a zinc secondary battery capable of preventing a short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes caused by zinc dendrites. The zinc secondary battery of the present invention comprises a positive electrode; a negative electrode containing zinc; an electrolytic solution in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are immersed or with which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are in contact, wherein the electrolytic solution is an aqueous solution containing an alkali metal hydroxide; and a separator being placed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and separating the positive electrode and the negative electrode from each other, wherein the separator comprises an inorganic solid electrolyte body having hydroxide ion conductivity.
US09293787B2 Nonaqueous electrolyte for secondary battery and lithium secondary battery
Provided are a non-aqueous electrolyte liquid for a secondary battery, which has excellent lithium ion conductibility and voltage resistance and is suitably used in a lithium secondary battery, and a high output power lithium secondary battery containing this non-aqueous electrolyte liquid for a secondary battery. Disclosed is a non-aqueous electrolyte liquid for a secondary battery containing a metal salt containing an ion of a metal which belongs to Group 1 or Group 2 of the Periodic Table of Elements, and at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon compounds represented by the following formula (1) or formula (2).
US09293779B2 Fuel cell
A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, a first separator, and a second separator. The second separator has a fuel gas flow field connected to a fuel gas supply passage and a fuel gas discharge passage. The fuel gas flow field includes a plurality of corrugated flow grooves and a flat flow field. The corrugated flow grooves extend in the horizontal direction, respectively, and are arranged in the direction of the gravity. The flat flow field is provided within a power generation area, at the lowermost position in the direction of the gravity, and extends in the horizontal direction.
US09293778B2 Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
A proton exchange membrane fuel cell is described and which includes a proton exchange membrane having at least one gas diffusion layer which is juxtaposed relative thereto, and which is fabricated, at least in part, of a porous, electrically conductive, inorganic material which is selected from the group comprising metal diborides, metal disilicides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, and composites, laminates and solid solutions thereof.
US09293777B2 Battery electrolyte suspension
A flow battery employs a solid suspension charge material to maintain high charge density via stability of a suspension including a binder, conductive carbon and an electrolyte. A cathodic suspension employs carbon powder as a stabilizing agent in a suspension form to avoid precipitation of solids and maintain a high surface area of the suspended solids. The stabilizing agent undergoes agitation and milling to reduce a particle size and increase the change density due to the conductive nature of the fine powdered stabilizing agent exhibiting high energy density. The resulting suspensions are circulated in a charge cell connected to a load for providing electrical power.
US09293773B2 Electrolytes for wide operating temperature lithium-ion cells
Provided herein are electrolytes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells employing the electrolytes, methods of making the electrochemical cells and methods of using the electrochemical cells over a wide temperature range. Included are electrolyte compositions comprising a lithium salt, a cyclic carbonate, a non-cyclic carbonate, and a linear ester and optionally comprising one or more additives.
US09293769B2 Electrode coated with a film obtained from an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble binder, production method thereof and uses of same
The invention relates to a method of preparing an electrochemical electrode which is partially or totally covered with a film that is obtained by spreading an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble binder over the electrode and subsequently drying same. The production cost of the electrodes thus obtained is reduced and the surface porosity thereof is associated with desirable resistance values.
US09293768B2 Battery electrode, method of producing the same, nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack, and active material
According to one embodiment, there is provided a battery electrode. The battery electrode includes a titanium oxide compound having a monoclinic titanium dioxide crystal structure and a basic polymer.
US09293767B2 Fluorosulphates useful as electrode materials
A material is made up of particles of an optionally-doped fluorosulphate. The fluorosulphate has a distorted Tavorite type structure of formula (A1−aA′a)x(Z1−bZ′b)z(SO4)sFf (I) where A=Li or Na, A′ 0 a hole or at least one doping element, Z=at least one element selected from Fe, Co and Ni, Z′=a hole or at least one doping element, the indices a, b, x, z, s, and f are selected to assure the electroneutrality of the compound and a≧0, b≧0, x≧0, z>0, s>0, f>0, the respective quantities a and b of dopant A and Z′ being such that the Tavorite type structure is preserved. The material is obtained from the precursors thereof by an ionothermal route or ceramic route in a closed reactor. The material is of particular use as an active electrode material.
US09293764B2 Negative electrode active material for electric device, negative electrode for electric device and electric device
A negative electrode active material for an electric device includes an alloy containing Si in a range from greater than or equal to 17% by mass to less than 90% by mass, Ti in a range from 10% by mass to 83% by mass exclusive, Ge in a range from 0% by mass to 73% by mass exclusive, and inevitable impurities as a residue. The negative electrode active material can be obtained with a multi DC magnetron sputtering apparatus by use of, for example, Si, Ti and Ge as targets. An electric device employing the negative electrode active material can achieve long cycle life, and ensure a high capacity and improved cycle durability.
US09293761B2 Positive active material layer composition for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery using the same
Disclosed are a positive active material layer composition for a rechargeable lithium battery including a positive active material including a lithium metal oxide and tungsten oxide (WO3) coated on the surface of the lithium metal oxide and an aqueous binder, and a rechargeable lithium battery using the same.
US09293760B2 Battery, manufacturing method of the same, and manufacturing apparatus of the same
A battery includes a positive plate, a negative plate and an insulative separator disposed between the positive plate and the negative plate. Each of the positive plate and the negative plate has a collector and an electrode layer disposed on a surface of the collector. The electrode layer contains an active material. At least one of the positive plate and the negative plate has cracks in a whole area of the electrode layer thereof or at a part of the electrode layer thereof, the part being away from a connector of the one to be coupled to an electrode at least by a predetermined distance. For example, the cracks are formed by drying the electrode layer at a predetermined drying rate.
US09293755B2 Intelligent battery pack module
Apparatus and associated methods provide an intelligent battery pack interface module for mounting to an electrochemical cell assembly and having circuitry for establishing electrical connection with the cells. The circuitry may establish electrical connection in a parallel or series manner, for example. In an illustrative example, the circuitry may provide control and management operational functions. In some examples, the module may include a base and cover which cooperate to form a housing, where the base may include an alignment structure for alignment with cell terminals. In some examples, the circuitry may be located within the housing. Various examples may include handles extending from the module. In some examples, the handles may automatically retract upon release. The handles may retract to present a low profile so as not to interfere with connection of the module to a cable received in a plane substantially perpendicular to a gravity vector, for example.
US09293754B2 Battery separator, and battery separator manufacturing method
A battery separator includes a porous membrane A including a polyethylene resin, and a porous membrane B laminated thereon including a heat resistant resin and inorganic particles or cross-linked polymer particles, wherein the porous membrane A satisfies expressions (a) to (c), and the entire battery separator satisfies expressions (d) to (f).
US09293750B2 Porous membrane and method for manufacturing the same
A porous membrane contains a polyethylene resin, in a core layer, pores of sizes that are relatively larger than those of pores in each of skin layers on the opposite sides are distributed, and the skin layers on the opposite sides have substantially same pore characteristics. A method for manufacturing a porous membrane includes the steps of: obtaining a mixture of a liquid-type paraffin oil and a solid-type paraffin wax; adding the mixture to a polyethylene resin to obtain a raw material resin mixture; extruding and cooling the raw material resin mixture; stretching the raw material resin mixture; and immersing the stretched raw material resin mixture in an organic solvent to extract a mixture of the oil and the wax.
US09293748B1 Multi-region battery separators
Disclosed is a battery separator, comprising two fiber regions comprising glass fibers, and a middle fiber region disposed between them comprising larger average diameter fibers and specified amounts of silica, or fine fibers, or both; and processes for making the separator. Also disclosed is a battery separator, comprising a fiber region and either one or two silica-containing region(s) adjacent thereto, each of the regions containing a specified amount of silica; and processes for making the separator. Such separators are useful, e.g., in lead-acid batteries.
US09293747B2 Multi cell carriers
Battery cell carriers that have a semi-rigid elastomeric cell carrier body with a plurality of closely spaced apart, substantially parallel and substantially cylindrical channels. Each channel has a length, with neighboring channels sharing a sidewall therebetween. The channels are configured to hold at least a major portion of a length of a respective battery cell.
US09293740B2 Method of manufacturing EL display device
A method of manufacturing an EL display device having a panel part that comprises a light emitting part in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed, and a thin-film transistor array device to control light emission of the light emitting part. The method includes the following steps: forming the panel part on a substrate, and then forming a sealing layer to cover the panel part. The step of forming the sealing layer is performed by forming a film configuring the sealing layer, with the mask being disposed over base substrate. Mask includes contact part in contact with the base substrate, and edge part disposed over the panel part with a gap between the edge part and the panel part.
US09293737B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a substrate, a light path guide layer formed on the substrate and having an inclined side wall, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) formed on the substrate and the light path guide layer, and a phase transition layer formed on the OLED and formed so as to correspond to the inclined side wall. Therefore, in the OLED display, the phase transition layer is formed in the light path guide layer so that it is possible to minimize external light reflectance increased by the light path guide layer.
US09293736B2 Organic light emitting element having emission layers and an electron injection layer including fullerene and lithium quinolate
An organic light emitting element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic layer. The organic layer includes a first emission layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, a second emission layer between the first emission layer and the second electrode, and an electron injection layer (EIL) between the first emission layer and the second emission layer, the electron injection layer (EIL) containing fullerene (C60).
US09293732B2 Organic light emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display device includes a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, an organic light emitting layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, a first auxiliary structure and a second auxiliary structure both of which are disposed between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode is disposed on a substrate having a first sub-pixel region, a second sub-pixel region and a third sub-pixel region. The organic light emitting layer includes a first organic light emitting layer, a second organic light emitting layer and a third organic light emitting layer. The first auxiliary structure includes a first doping pattern, a first resonance auxiliary pattern, a second doping pattern and a second resonance auxiliary pattern. The second auxiliary structure includes a third doping pattern, a third resonance auxiliary pattern, a fourth doping pattern and a fourth resonance auxiliary pattern.
US09293727B2 Organic electroluminescence display device
An organic electroluminescence (EL) display device, includes a lower electrode on a substrate; an assistant electrode on the substrate and spaced apart from the lower electrode; an organic material layer on the lower electrode and the assistant electrode, the organic material layer including a light-emitting layer on the lower electrode; an upper electrode on the organic material layer; and a carrier generation material layer between the assistant electrode and the upper electrode, the organic material layer being between one or more of the carrier generation material layer and the assistant electrode, or the carrier generation material layer and the upper electrode.
US09293725B2 Organic light-emitting device and method of producing the same
An organic light-emitting device and a method of producing the same, the device including a substrate; a first electrode layer on the substrate; an emission layer on the first electrode layer; an electron transport layer on the emission layer, the electron transport layer including first electron transport layers and a second electron transport layer between the first electron transport layers and the second electron transport layer including a lanthanide metal; and a second electrode layer on the electron transport layer.
US09293723B2 Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, display device, electronic device, and lighting device
Provided is a light-emitting element in which an adverse effect by halides in an EL layer is suppressed and which can be provided with low cost. The light-emitting element including at least two layers between an anode and a light-emitting layer. One of the two layers which is closer to the anode has higher concentration of halides and halogen elements than the other layer closer to the light-emitting layer.
US09293722B2 Solid-state image pickup device, method of manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus
A solid-state image pickup device includes: an organic photoelectric conversion layer; a passivation layer formed to cover a top of the organic photoelectric conversion layer; and an insulating film formed on the passivation layer and in a slit produced on a level difference in the passivation layer, the insulating film having a smaller refractive index than that of the passivation layer.
US09293716B2 Compositions for electronic applications
This invention relates to a composition including (a) a dopant, (b) a first host having at least one unit of Formula I, and (c) a second host compound. Formula I has the structure where Q is a fused ring linkage having the formula In Formula I: R1 is the same or different at each occurrence and is D, alkyl, aryl, silyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, cyano, vinyl, or allyl; R2 is the same or different at each occurrence and is H, D, alkyl, or aryl, or both R2 are an N-heterocycle; R3 is the same or different at each occurrence and is H, D, cyano, alkyl or aryl; and a is the same or different at each occurrence and is an integer from 0-4.
US09293715B2 Organic electroluminescent element, display device and lighting device
Disclosed is an organic electroluminescent device having long life, while exhibiting high luminous efficiency. Also disclosed are an illuminating device and a display, each using such an organic electroluminescent device. In the organic electroluminescent device, a compound represented by the general formula (A) which is suitable as a host material for a phosphorescent metal complex is used at least in one sublayer of a light-emitting layer.
US09293714B2 Material for organic electroluminescence device and organic electroluminescence device using the same
A material for an electroluminescence (EL) device, the material including a compound represented by following Formula 1:
US09293711B2 Organic semiconductor formulations
Disclosed are formulations including an organic semiconducting compound in a liquid medium, where the liquid medium includes (1) a compound in liquid state that has electronic properties complementary to the electronic structure of the organic semiconducting compound and optionally (2) a solvent or solvent mixture for solubilizing the organic semiconducting compound. The present formulations can be used as inks in the fabrication of organic semiconductor devices.
US09293707B2 Substrate with a functional layer comprising a sulphurous compound
The invention relates to a substrate (1) comprising a medium (10), said medium (10) comprising, on at least one of its main faces, a functional layer (11) that has low-E or antisolar properties or is electrically conductive, characterized in that said functional layer (11) comprises, on its extreme surface opposite the medium (10), at least one sulphurous compound, in particular a sulphate, a sulphonate and/or a thiosulphate.
US09293705B2 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same, and microprocessor, processor, system, data storage system and memory system including the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes first lines extending in a first direction; second lines extending in a second direction crossing with the first direction; and first resistance variable elements defined between the first lines and the second lines and each including a first substance layer and a second substance layer, wherein the first substance layer extends in the first direction and the second substance layer extends in the second direction.
US09293702B2 Conductive metal oxide structures in non-volatile re-writable memory devices
A memory cell including a memory element comprising an electrolytic insulator in contact with a conductive metal oxide (CMO) is disclosed. The CMO includes a crystalline structure and can comprise a pyrochlore oxide, a conductive binary oxide, a multiple B-site perovskite, and a Ruddlesden-Popper structure. The CMO includes mobile ions that can be transported to/from the electrolytic insulator in response to an electric field of appropriate magnitude and direction generated by a write voltage applied across the electrolytic insulator and CMO. The memory cell can include a non-ohmic device (NOD) that is electrically in series with the memory element. The memory cell can be positioned between a cross-point of conductive array lines in a two-terminal cross-point memory array in a single layer of memory or multiple vertically stacked layers of memory that are fabricated over a substrate that includes active circuitry for data operations on the array layer(s).
US09293693B2 Memory element and memory device
There is disclosed an information storage element including a first layer including a ferromagnetic layer with a magnetization direction perpendicular to a film face; an insulation layer coupled to the first layer; and a second layer coupled to the insulation layer opposite the first layer, the second layer including a fixed magnetization so as to be capable of serving as a reference of the first layer. The first layer is capable of storing information according to a magnetization state of a magnetic material, and the magnetization state is configured to be changed by a spin injection. A magnitude of an effective diamagnetic field which the first layer receives is smaller than a saturated magnetization amount of the first layer.
US09293692B2 Storage element and memory
A storage element including a storage layer configured to hold information by use of a magnetization state of a magnetic material, with a pinned magnetization layer being provided on one side of the storage layer, with a tunnel insulation layer, and with the direction of magnetization of the storage layer being changed through injection of spin polarized electrons by passing a current in the lamination direction, so as to record information in the storage layer, wherein a spin barrier layer configured to restrain diffusion of the spin polarized electrons is provided on the side, opposite to the pinned magnetization layer, of the storage layer; and the spin barrier layer includes at least one material selected from the group composing of oxides, nitrides, and fluorides.
US09293690B2 Ultrasound transducer assembly and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to an ultrasound transducer assembly (100) comprising ultrasound transducer elements (175, 175a) for transmitting ultrasound waves in a general transmission direction (A). Each of or each of part of the ultrasound transducer elements (175, 175a) comprises a piezoelectric layer (110, 110a) having a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface with respect to the general transmission direction (A), as well as a bottom electrode layer (111, 111a) and a top electrode layer (112, 112a). A conductive layer (125) is applied at least partly on the side surface of at least one specific one (110a) of the piezoelectric layers, such that the conductive layer (125) is connected to the top electrode layer (112a) and the bottom electrode layer (111a) of said specific piezoelectric layer (110a).
US09293688B2 Piezoelectric element and piezoelectric device
A piezoelectric element includes a substrate, and at least a lower electrode layer, a piezoelectric film represented by a general formula of (NaxKyLiz)NbO3 (0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦0.2, x+y+z=1); and an upper electrode layer successively formed on the substrate. The piezoelectric film has a crystal structure of pseudo-cubic crystal, tetragonal crystal, orthorhombic crystal, monoclinic crystal or rhombohedral crystal, or has a state that at least two of the crystal structures coexist. The piezoelectric film is preferentially oriented to certain specific axes that are not more than two axes of crystal axes in the crystal structures. At least one of domain crystal component of a c-axis orientation domain crystal component and an a-axis orientation domain crystal component exists as the components of the crystal axes oriented.
US09293680B2 Cartridge-based thermoelectric systems
Cartridge-based thermoelectric assemblies and systems are provided which include at least one shunt configured to extend around a conduit, a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication and in electrical communication with the at least one shunt with at least a portion of the at least one shunt sandwiched between the at least one first thermoelectric element and the at least one second thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric elements are electrically isolated from the conduit. The thermoelectric assemblies and systems further include at least one heat exchanger in thermal communication with the at least one shunt and configured to be in thermal communication with a second fluid.
US09293679B2 Thermoelectric module for a thermoelectric generator of a vehicle and vehicle having thermoelectric modules
A thermoelectric module includes an interrupted inner circumferential surface, an axis and an outer circumferential surface. A plurality of semiconductor elements having thermoelectric material are disposed in direction of the axis and between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface and are electrically alternately connected to each other. At least some of the semiconductor elements include at least one inner frame part or an outer frame part and at least the inner frame parts form the interrupted inner circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface also forms a cold side of the thermoelectric module and a dimensionally unstable sheath is provided at least at the interrupted inner circumferential surface. A vehicle having a plurality of thermoelectric modules is also provided.
US09293677B2 Heat conducting slug having multi-step structure and light emitting diode package using the same
The present invention relates to a light-emitting diode package having a plurality of inner leads, a plurality of outer leads extending from the inner leads, a slug electrically connected to at least one of the inner leads, the slug having a thermally conductive material, a light-emitting chip arranged on the slug, and a housing supporting the light-emitting diode package.
US09293670B2 Ultraviolet light-emitting devices and methods
In various embodiments, an illumination device features an ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting device at least partially surrounded by an encapsulant. A barrier layer is disposed between the light-emitting device and the encapsulant and is configured to substantially prevent UV light emitted by the light-emitting device from entering the encapsulant.
US09293667B2 System and method for selected pump LEDs with multiple phosphors
An LED pump light with multiple phosphors is described. LEDs emitting radiation at violet and/or ultraviolet wavelengths are used to pump phosphor materials that emit other colors. The LEDs operating in different wavelength ranges are arranged to reduce light re-absorption and improve light output efficiency.
US09293665B2 Fluorescent material and illumination device
A fluorescent material represented by the following formula (I): M1yM2nOzCx:M3w  (I); wherein M1 is selected from Sc3+, Y3+, La3+, Sm3+, Gd3+, Tb3+, Pm3+, Er3+, Lu3+, and combinations thereof; M2 is selected from Al3+, In3+, Ga3+, and combinations thereof; M3 is selected from Tm3+, Bi3+, Tb+, Ce3+, Eu3+, Mn3+, Er3+, Yb3+, Ho3+, Gd3+, Pr3+, Dy3+, Nd3+, and combinations thereof; and 0.45≦x/n≦0.75, 0.54≦y/n≦0.6, 0.002
US09293664B2 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.
US09293663B1 Light-emitting unit and semiconductor light-emitting device
A light-emitting unit is provided including a mounting substrate and a semiconductor light-emitting device. The mounting substrate includes a first pad, a second pad, and one or more third pads provided between the first pad and the second pad. The semiconductor light-emitting device includes a plurality of light-emitting elements having a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element separated in a first direction. Each light-emitting element includes a first external terminal and a second external terminal separated in the first direction. A first external terminal of the first light-emitting element is bonded to the first pad. A second external terminal of the first light-emitting element and a first external terminal of the second light-emitting element are each bonded to one of the one or more third pads. A second external terminal of the second light-emitting element is bonded to the second pad.
US09293658B2 Semiconductor light emitting element
A semiconductor light emitting element includes a first conductive type semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer disposed in this order. The semiconductor light emitting element includes first and second electrodes, a first insulating film and a translucent electrode. The first electrode is provided on the first conductive type semiconductor layer and includes a first pad portion and a first extending portion. The first insulating film covers the first extending portion. The translucent electrode is connected to an upper surface of the second conductive type semiconductor layer and extends over the first insulating film. The second electrode is connected to the translucent electrode at a position on the first insulating film. The second electrode includes a second pad portion and a second extending portion extending along the first extending portion so as to be superimposed over the first extending portion.
US09293657B2 Semiconductor light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer, a dielectric layer, a first electrode, a second electrode and a support substrate. The first layer has a first and second surface. The second layer is provided on a side of the second surface of the first layer. The emitting layer is provided between the first and the second layer. The dielectric layer contacts the second surface and has a refractive index lower than that of the first layer. The first electrode includes a first and second portion. The first portion contacts the second surface and provided adjacent to the dielectric layer. The second portion contacts with an opposite side of the dielectric layer from the first semiconductor layer. The second electrode contacts with an opposite side of the second layer from the emitting layer.
US09293655B2 Semiconductor light emitting element
The light emitting element including: a semiconductor laminate including a first layer, an active layer and a second layer; a first electrode including protrusions that penetrate the second layer and the active layer, the first electrode connected to the first layer via the protrusions; a second electrode connected to the second layer on an lower face of the second layer; and an insulation film between the protrusions and the semiconductor laminate, wherein the protrusions each include a protrusion body covered with the insulation film and a protrusion tip, an upper face and a side face of the protrusion tip being exposed from the insulation film, the first layer includes recesses arranged on an upper face of the first layer so as to sandwich first areas located above the respective the protrusions, and a distance between the recesses sandwiching the first area is larger than a width of the protrusion tip.
US09293654B2 Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device comprising: a hole injection layer, an electron injection layer, and a composite emitter layer including a soft material exciton donor and exciton acceptor nanoparticles substantially dispersed within the exciton donor matrix, wherein electrons from the electron injection layer and holes from the hole injection layer generate excitons in the exciton donor matrix, and the primary mechanism of photon generation at the nanoparticles is substantially through non-radiative energy transfer of the generated excitons directly into the nanoparticles.
US09293639B2 Vertical solid-state transducers and high voltage solid-state transducers having buried contacts and associated systems and methods
Solid-state transducers (“SSTs”) and vertical high voltage SSTs having buried contacts are disclosed herein. An SST die in accordance with a particular embodiment can include a transducer structure having a first semiconductor material at a first side of the transducer structure, and a second semiconductor material at a second side of the transducer structure. The SST can further include a plurality of first contacts at the first side and electrically coupled to the first semiconductor material, and a plurality of second contacts extending from the first side to the second semiconductor material and electrically coupled to the second semiconductor material. An interconnect can be formed between at least one first contact and one second contact. The interconnects can be covered with a plurality of package materials.
US09293636B2 Solar cell pad dressing
A process for dressing a solder pad removes excess solder from locations that should be free of solder, such as circuit traces, other solder pads, and components near the solder pad being dressed. A first area of a substrate comprises solder to be removed and is heated to a first temperature. A second area of the substrate is heated to a second temperature. A vacuum nozzle is heated to a third temperature sufficient to melt the solder and is scanned across the area to be dressed, melting and vacuuming away the excess solder. The scanning process is controlled using a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine.
US09293634B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor optoelectronic device
A semiconductor optoelectronic device comprises an operating substrate; a semiconductor epitaxial stack unit disposed on the operating substrate comprising a first semiconductor material layer having a first electrical conductivity disposed on the operating substrate and a second semiconductor material layer having a second electrical conductivity disposed on the first semiconductor material layer; a transparent conductive layer disposed on the second semiconductor material layer, wherein the transparent conductive layer comprises a first surface, a directly contacting part disposed on the first surface and directly contacting with the second semiconductor material layer, a second surface substantially parallel with the first surface, and a directly contacting corresponding part disposed on the second surface corresponding to the directly contacting part; and a first electrode disposed on the operating substrate and electrically connected with the semiconductor epitaxial stack by the transparent conductive layer, wherein the first electrode is connected with the transparent conductive layer by an area excluding the directly contacting part and the directly contacting corresponding part.
US09293632B2 Pressure transfer process for thin film solar cell fabrication
In one aspect, a method for fabricating a thin film solar cell includes the following steps. A first absorber material is deposited as a layer A on a substrate while applying pressure to the substrate/layer A. A second absorber material is deposited as a layer B on layer A while applying pressure to the substrate/layer B. A third absorber material is deposited as a layer C on layer B while applying pressure to the substrate/layer C. A fourth absorber material is deposited as a layer D on layer C while applying pressure to the substrate/layer D. The first absorber material comprises copper, the second absorber material comprises indium, the third absorber material comprises gallium, and the fourth absorber material comprises one or more of sulfur and selenium, and wherein by way of performing the steps of claim 1 a chalcogenide absorber layer is formed on the substrate.
US09293630B2 Semiconductor package and method of forming semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor substrate which includes a first connection terminal electrically connected to a wiring for signal transfer. The semiconductor package may include a semiconductor support substrate which may be bonded to the semiconductor substrate such that a second connection terminal and the first connection terminal are connected to face each other, and has a through via exposing the second connection terminal.
US09293625B2 Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device based on epitaxial growth
This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device and semiconductor manufactured thereby, including growing, from a seed island mesa, an abrupt hetero-junction comprising a semiconductor crystal with few crystal defects on a dissimilar substrate that can be used as light emitting and photovoltaic device.
US09293623B2 Techniques for manufacturing devices
Techniques for manufacturing a device are disclosed. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for forming a solar cell. The method may comprise: implanting p-type dopants into a substrate via a blanket ion implantation process; implanting n-type dopants into the substrate via the blanket ion implantation process; and performing a first annealing process to form the p-type region and performing a second annealing process to form a second n-type region.
US09293612B1 Compound-barrier infrared photodetector
Using a multiple layer, varied composition barrier layer in place of the typical single layer barrier layer of an infrared photodetector results in a device with increased sensitivity and reduced dark current. A first barrier is adjacent the semiconductor contact; a second barrier layer is between the first barrier layer and the absorber layer. The barrier layers may be doped N type or P type with Beryllium, Carbon, Silicon or Tellurium. The energy bandgap is designed to facilitate minority carrier current flow in the contact region and block minority current flow outside the contact region.
US09293609B2 Camera controlled solar cells array
A system and a method for improving the operation, utility, and exploitation of solar cell fields are introduced. The system includes all or parts of the following: a solar cells array, an interconnect matrix, a measuring sub-system for measuring environmental conditions as ambient temperature and/or ambient wind speed, and/or ambient wind direction, a direct current to alternating current inverter, a measuring sub-system for measuring on-line (instantaneous) values of working points of solar cells, and/or solar panels, and/or a group of solar panels, a camera pointed at the all of solar panels or groups of solar panels, and a digital processor that using the measured environmental conditions and the measured on-line working points data evaluates the solar cells array's maximum power point; and using partial or full meandering of the solar cells in the solar cells array, achieves near-optimal performance of the solar cells array.
US09293608B2 Method for producing a photovoltaic cell having a heterojunction
A method for producing a heterojunction photovoltaic cell includes formation of at least one anti-reflection layer on which at least one metal track is formed. The method includes heat treatment to make the contact connection between the track and the anti-reflection layer. The heat treatment selectively applies a laser beam on the track to generate a heat input up to anti-reflection layer.
US09293605B2 Bidirectional Zener diode
A bidirectional Zener diode of the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a first electrode and a second electrode which are defined on the semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of diffusion regions of a second conductivity type, which are defined at intervals from one another on a surface portion of the semiconductor substrate, to define p-n junctions with the semiconductor substrate, and the plurality of diffusion regions include diode regions which are electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, and pseudo-diode regions which are electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode.
US09293604B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same
To provide a semiconductor device with nonvolatile memory, having improved performance.A memory cell has control and memory gate electrodes on a semiconductor substrate via an insulating film and another insulating film having first, second, and third films stacked one after another in order of mention, respectively. The memory and control gate electrodes are adjacent to each other via the stacked insulating film. The second insulating film has a charge accumulation function. The first and third insulating films each have a band gap greater than that of the second insulating film. An inner angle of the second insulating film between a portion extending between the semiconductor substrate and the memory gate electrode and a portion extending between the control gate electrode and the memory gate electrode is ≧90°. An inner angle of the corner portion between the lower surface and the side surface of the memory gate electrode is <90°.
US09293602B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A transistor having a multi-layer structure of oxide semiconductor layers is provided in which a second oxide semiconductor layer having a crystalline structure including indium zinc oxide is formed over a first oxide semiconductor layer having an amorphous structure, and at least a third oxide semiconductor layer is formed stacked over the second oxide semiconductor layer. The second oxide semiconductor layer mainly serves as a carrier path for the transistor. The first oxide semiconductor layer and the third oxide semiconductor layer each serve as a barrier layer for suppressing entrance of impurity states of an insulating layer in contact with the multi-layer structure to the carrier path.
US09293598B2 Semiconductor device having an oxide semiconductor layer
The reliability of a semiconductor device is increased by suppression of a variation in electric characteristics of a transistor as much as possible. As a cause of a variation in electric characteristics of a transistor including an oxide semiconductor, the concentration of hydrogen in the oxide semiconductor, the density of oxygen vacancies in the oxide semiconductor, or the like can be given. A source electrode and a drain electrode are formed using a conductive material which is easily bonded to oxygen. A channel formation region is formed using an oxide layer formed by a sputtering method or the like under an atmosphere containing oxygen. Thus, the concentration of hydrogen in a stack, in particular, the concentration of hydrogen in a channel formation region can be reduced.
US09293596B2 Graphene devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A graphene device may include a channel layer including graphene, a first electrode and second electrode on a first region and second region of the channel layer, respectively, and a capping layer covering the channel layer and the first and second electrodes. A region of the channel layer between the first and second electrodes is exposed by an opening in the capping layer. A gate insulating layer may be on the capping layer to cover the region of the channel layer, and a gate may be on the gate insulating layer.
US09293594B2 Circuit board and display device
A source and drain electrode layer (3s/3d) of an oxide TFT element (3) is formed by a first conductive layer. A gate electrode (3g) of the oxide TFT element (3) and a gate electrode (5g) of an a-Si TFT element (5) are formed by a single conductive layer, that is, a second conductive layer. A source and drain electrode layer (5s/5d) of the a-Si TFT element (5) is formed by a third conductive layer. The third conductive layer is formed above the second conductive layer in a thickness direction in which each conductive layer is stacked on an insulating substrate (2). Further, the first conductive layer is formed below the second conductive layer in the thickness direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide a circuit board that can have an improved degree of integration of transistor elements formed on the insulating substrate.
US09293587B2 Forming embedded source and drain regions to prevent bottom leakage in a dielectrically isolated fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device
Approaches for isolating source and drain regions in an integrated circuit (IC) device (e.g., a fin field effect transistor (finFET)) are provided. Specifically, the FinFET device comprises a gate structure formed over a finned substrate; an isolation oxide beneath an active fin channel of the gate structure; an embedded source and a drain (S/D) formed adjacent the gate structure and the isolation oxide; and an epitaxial (epi) bottom region of the embedded S/D, the epi bottom region counter doped to a polarity of the embedded S/D. The device further includes a set of implanted regions implanted beneath the epi bottom region, wherein the set of implanted regions may be doped and the epi bottom region undoped. In one approach, the embedded S/D comprises P++ doped Silicon Germanium (SiGe) for a p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (PMOSFET) and N++ Silicon Nitride (SiN) for a n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (NMOSFET).
US09293586B2 Epitaxial block layer for a fin field effect transistor device
Approaches for enabling uniform epitaxial (epi) growth in an epi junction area of a semiconductor device (e.g., a fin field effect transistor device) are provided. Specifically, a semiconductor device is provided including a dummy gate and a set of fin field effect transistors (FinFETs) formed over a substrate; a spacer layer formed over the dummy gate and each of the set of FinFETs; and an epi material formed within a set of recesses in the substrate, the set of recesses formed prior to removal of an epi block layer over the dummy gate.
US09293584B2 FinFET devices
Disclosed are various embodiments of FinFET semiconductor devices. A pair of matched capacitors can be formed that share a common source, drain and/or channel. Accordingly, the capacitance characteristics of each capacitor can be manufactured such that they are similar to one another. A resistor manufactured by employing FinFET techniques is also described. The resistor can be manufactured with an effective length that is greater than a distance traversed along a substrate by the resistor.
US09293581B2 FinFET with bottom SiGe layer in source/drain
A FinFET includes a substrate, a fin structure on the substrate, a source in the fin structure, a drain in the fin structure, a channel in the fin structure between the source and the drain, a gate dielectric layer over the channel, and a gate over the gate dielectric layer. At least one of the source and the drain includes a bottom SiGe layer.
US09293578B2 Semiconductor device
Adverse effects can be hardly exerted on a current performance of an LDMOSFET to suppress the amount of carrier implantation from an anode layer of an LDMOS parasitic diode, and improve a reverse recovery withstand of the parasitic diode. The LDMOSFET includes a semiconductor substrate having a first semiconductor region formed of a feeding region of a first conductivity type at a position where a field oxide film is not present on a surface layer of a semiconductor region in which the field oxide film is selectively formed, and a second semiconductor region formed of a well region of a second conductivity type which is an opposite conductivity type, and feeding regions of the first conductivity type and the second conductivity type formed on an upper layer of the well region, and a gate electrode that faces the well region through a gate oxide film. The feeding region of the first semiconductor region is formed at a distance from the field oxide film near an end portion remote from the gate electrode, and desirably the feeding region is intermittently formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction.
US09293576B2 Semiconductor device with low-k gate cap and self-aligned contact
A semiconductor device includes at least a gate formed upon a semiconductor substrate, a contact trench self aligned to the gate, and a multilayered gate caps comprising a first gate cap formed upon each gate and a low-k gate cap formed upon the first gate cap. The multilayered gate cap may electrically isolate the gate from a self aligned contact formed by filling the contact trench with electrically conductive material. The multilayered gate cap reduces parasitic capacitance formed between the source-drain region, gate, and multilayered gate cap that may adversely impact device performance and device power consumption.
US09293575B2 Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a semiconductor layer made of SiC; an impurity region formed by doping the semiconductor layer with an impurity; and a contact wire formed on the semiconductor layer in contact with the impurity region, while the contact wire has a polysilicon layer in the portion in contact with the impurity region, and has a metal layer on the polysilicon layer.
US09293571B2 Metal nanoparticle monolayer
This disclosure generally relates to a device with a monolayer of metal nanoparticles and a method for making the same. The nanoparticles of the monolayer of metal nanoparticles are grouped in an ultrahigh density with an average distance between each neighboring metal nanoparticle less than or equal to about 3 nanometers. The monolayer can be self-assembled on a substrate to facilitate controllable voltage shifts within the device.
US09293570B2 Semiconductor device, electric circuit using the same and method of controlling electric circuit
The operation of a HEMT is monitored on an on-chip basis without increasing the power consumption rate. In a semiconductor device 10, an electron supply layer 12 is formed on a channel layer 11. A two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer 13 is formed at the side of the channel layer of the hetero-junction interface. Electrons flow through the 2DEG layer 13 between a source electrode 14 formed on the surface of the electron supply layer 12 and a drain electrode 15 that is formed on the same surface. A potential detection electrode 17 is arranged on the electron supply layer 12 between the gate electrode 16 and the source electrode 14. A resistor 18 having a sufficiently high resistance value makes the electric current flowing to the potential detection electrode 17 negligible relative to the drain current in operation.
US09293567B2 Laser crystallization apparatus and method
A laser crystallization apparatus includes a laser generator that generates a laser beam, a stage mounted with an object substrate with an object thin film to which the laser beam is firstly incident, the stage is relatively movable such that the laser beam scans the object thin film for crystallization, and a reflection mirror that secondly reflects a second reflection laser beam to the object thin film from a first reflection laser beam that is reflected from the object thin film to the reflection mirror.
US09293563B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device with memory cells each composed of a vertical transistor, comprises a silicon layer formed into a columnar shape on a silicon substrate, a gate insulating film part in which a tunnel insulating film, a charge storage layer, and a block insulating film are formed to surround the sidewall surface of the silicon layer, and a stacked structure part formed to surround the sidewall surface of the gate insulating film part and in which a plurality of interlayer insulating films and a plurality of control gate electrode layers are stacked alternately. The silicon layer, gate insulating film part, and control gate electrode layer constitute the vertical transistor. The charge storage layer has a region lower in trap level than a region facing the control gate electrode layer between the vertical transistors.
US09293562B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
To improve performance of a semiconductor device. Over a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode is formed via a first insulating film for a gate insulating film, and a second insulating film extends from over a side wall of the gate electrode to over the semiconductor substrate. Over the semiconductor substrate in a part exposed from the second insulating film, a semiconductor layer, which is an epitaxial layer for source/drain, is formed. The second insulating film has a part extending over the side wall of the gate electrode and a part extending over the semiconductor substrate, and a part of the semiconductor layer lies over the second insulating film in the part extending over the semiconductor substrate.
US09293561B2 High voltage III-nitride semiconductor devices
A III-N device is described has a buffer layer, a first III-N material layer on the buffer layer, a second III-N material layer on the first III-N material layer on an opposite side from the buffer layer and a dispersion blocking layer between the buffer layer and the channel layer. The first III-N material layer is a channel layer and a compositional difference between the first III-N material layer and the second III-N material layer induces a 2DEG channel in the first III-N material layer. A sheet or a distribution of negative charge at an interface of the channel layer and the dispersion blocking layer confines electrons away from the buffer layer.
US09293559B2 Dual trench-gate IGBT structure
Aspects of the present disclosure describe an IGBT device including a substrate including a bottom semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type and an upper semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, at least one first gate formed in a corresponding first trench disposed over the substrate, and a second gate formed in a second trench disposed over the bottom semiconductor layer. The first and second trenches are provided with gate insulators on each side of the trenches and filled with polysilicon. The second trench extends vertically to depth deeper than the at least one first trench. The IGBT device further includes a body region of the first conductivity type provided between the at least one first gate and/or the second gate, and at least one stacked layer provided between a bottom of the at least one first gate and a top of the upper semiconductor layer. The at least one stacked layer includes a floating body region of the second conductivity type provided on top of a floating body region of the first conductivity type. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09293558B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes at least two device cells integrated in a semiconductor body. Each device cell includes a drift region, a source region, a drain region arranged between the source region and the drift region, a diode region, a pn junction between the diode region and the drift region, and a trench with a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, and a bottom. The body region adjoins the first sidewall, the diode region adjoins the second sidewall, and the pn junction adjoins the bottom of the trench. Each device cell further includes a gate electrode arranged in the trench and dielectrically insulated from the body region, the diode region and the drift region by a gate dielectric. The diode regions of the at least two device cells are distant in a lateral direction of the semiconductor body.
US09293557B2 Low temperature spacer for advanced semiconductor devices
Embodiments of the present invention provide semiconductor structures and methods for making the same that include a boron nitride (BN) spacer on a gate stack, such as a gate stack of a planar FET or FinFET. The boron nitride spacer is fabricated using atomic layer deposition (ALD) and/or plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) techniques to produce a boron nitride spacer at relatively low temperatures that are conducive to devices made from materials such as silicon (Si), silicon germanium (SiGe), germanium (Ge), and/or III-V compounds. Furthermore, the boron nitride spacer may be fabricated to have various desirable properties, including a hexagonal textured structure.
US09293556B2 Semiconductor structure including a ferroelectric transistor and method for the formation thereof
An illustrative semiconductor structure described herein includes a substrate including a logic transistor region, a ferroelectric transistor region and an input/output transistor region. A logic transistor is provided at the logic transistor region. The logic transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode. An input/output transistor is provided at the input/output transistor region. The input/output transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode. The gate dielectric of the input/output transistor has a greater thickness than the gate dielectric of the logic transistor. A ferroelectric transistor is provided at the ferroelectric transistor region. The ferroelectric transistor includes a ferroelectric dielectric and a gate electrode. The ferroelectric dielectric is arranged between the ferroelectric transistor region and the gate electrode of the ferroelectric transistor.
US09293555B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; an insulating film arranged on the semiconductor substrate; an electrode that contacts a portion of a side surface of the insulating film; a first passivation film that is arranged extending from the electrode to the insulating film, and contacts a surface of the insulating film, and contacts a surface of the electrode; and a second passivation film that is arranged on the first passivation film. A difference between a linear expansion coefficient of the first passivation film and a linear expansion coefficient of the insulating film is smaller than a difference between the linear expansion coefficient of the first passivation film and a linear expansion coefficient of the electrode, and a position where the first passivation film contacts a boundary between the electrode and the insulating film is positioned lower than an upper surface of the insulating film.
US09293554B2 Self-aligned liner formed on metal semiconductor alloy contacts
Metal semiconductor alloy contacts are provided on each of a source region and a drain region which are present in a semiconductor substrate. A transition metal is then deposited on each of the metal semiconductor alloy contacts, and during the deposition of the transition metal, the deposited transition metal reacts preferably, but not necessarily always, in-situ with a portion of each the metal semiconductor alloy contacts forming a transition metal-metal semiconductor alloy liner atop each metal semiconductor alloy contact. Each transition metal-metal semiconductor alloy liner that is provided has outer edges that are vertically coincident with outer edges of each metal semiconductor alloy contact. The transition metal-metal semiconductor alloy liner is more etch resistant as compared to the underlying metal semiconductor alloy. As such, the transition metal-metal semiconductor alloy liner can serve as an effective etch stop layer during any subsequently performed etch process.
US09293552B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A transfer transistor includes a pair of first diffusion regions and a gate electrode layer. The pair of first diffusion regions are formed in a surface of a semiconductor substrate, and are each connected to a contact. The gate electrode layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate via a gate insulating layer and has a pair of openings each surrounding the contact.
US09293544B2 Semiconductor device having buried channel structure
A semiconductor device that includes an oxide semiconductor and is suitable for a power device having an ability to allow large current to flow therein. The semiconductor device includes: a first electrode having an opening and a second electrode provided in the opening of the first electrode and separated from the first electrode, over the semiconductor layer; a gate insulating layer over the first electrode, the second electrode, and the semiconductor layer; and a ring-shaped gate electrode over the gate insulating layer. An inner edge portion of the ring-shaped gate electrode overlaps the second electrode, while an outer edge portion of the ring-shaped gate electrode overlaps a part of the oxide semiconductor layer, which is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. An element imparting conductivity to the oxide semiconductor layer is added to the part.
US09293543B2 Film forming method and film forming apparatus
Provided is a method of forming a gate insulating film for use in a MOSFET for a power device. An AlN film is formed on a SiC substrate of a wafer W and then the formation of an AlO film and the formation of an AlN film on the formed AlO film are repeated, thereby forming an AlON film having a laminated structure in which AlO films and AlN films are alternately laminated. A heat treatment is performed on the AlON film having the laminated structure.
US09293540B2 Semiconductor device
To provide a semiconductor device which can be miniaturized or highly integrated. To obtain a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, which has favorable electrical characteristics. To provide a highly reliable semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, by suppression of a change in its electrical characteristics. The semiconductor device includes an island-like oxide semiconductor layer over an insulating surface; an insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the oxide semiconductor layer; a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer in contact with top surfaces of the oxide semiconductor layer and the insulating layer; a gate electrode layer overlapping with the oxide semiconductor layer; and a gate insulating layer between the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate electrode layer. The source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer are provided above the top surface of the oxide semiconductor layer. The top surface of the insulating layer is planarized.
US09293536B2 Bilayer graphene tunneling field effect transistor
A bilayer graphene tunnelling field effect transistor is provided comprising a bilayer graphene layer, and at least a top gate electrode and a bottom gate electrode, wherein the at least a top gate electrode and a bottom electrode are appropriately positioned relative to one another so that the following regions are electrically induced in the chemically undoped bilayer graphene layer upon appropriate biasing of the gate electrodes: a source region, a channel region, and a drain region.
US09293535B2 Power MOSFET current sense structure and method
A power MOSFET has a main-FET (MFET) and an embedded current sensing-FET (SFET). MFET gate runners are coupled to SFET gate runners by isolation gate runners (IGRs) in a buffer space between the MFET and the SFET. In one embodiment, n IGRs (i=1 to n) couple n+1 gates of a first portion of the MFET (304) to n gates of the SFET. The IGRs have zigzagged central portions where each SFET gate runner is coupled via the IGRs to two MFET gate runners. The zigzagged central portions provide barriers that block parasitic leakage paths, between sources of the SFET and sources of the MFET, for all IGRs except the outboard sides of the first and last IGRs. These may be blocked by increasing the body doping in regions surrounding the remaining leakage paths. The IGRs have substantially no source regions.
US09293533B2 Semiconductor switching devices with different local transconductance
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an outer rim, a plurality of switchable cells defining an active area, and an edge termination region arranged between the switchable cells defining the active area and the outer rim. Each of the switchable cells includes a body region, a gate electrode structure and a source region. The active area defined by the switchable cells includes at least a first switchable region having a first transconductance and a second switchable region having a second transconductance which is different from the first transconductance.
US09293530B1 High aspect ratio trapping semiconductor with uniform height and isolated from bulk substrate
A method of forming an isolated device region. The isolated device region may include forming a first trench in a second dielectric and a first dielectric, the second dielectric is on the first dielectric, the first dielectric is on a substrate; growing a semiconductor channel in the first trench, a top portion of the semiconductor channel is a device region and a bottom portion of the semiconductor channel is a defect region; removing the second dielectric layer exposing a portion of device region; recessing the first dielectric layer exposing a trench region of the semiconductor channel, the trench region is a region between the device region and the defect region; removing the trench region of the semiconductor channel electrically isolating the device region from the defect region; and forming a barrier layer between the isolated device region and the defect region.
US09293520B2 Method of forming substrate contact for semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate
A semiconductor structure is provided that includes a material stack including an epitaxially grown semiconductor layer on a base semiconductor layer, a dielectric layer on the epitaxially grown semiconductor layer, and an upper semiconductor layer present on the dielectric layer. A capacitor is present extending from the upper semiconductor layer through the dielectric layer into contact with the epitaxially grown semiconductor layer. The capacitor includes a node dielectric present on the sidewalls of the trench and an upper electrode filling at least a portion of the trench. A substrate contact is present in a contact trench extending from the upper semiconductor layer through the dielectric layer and the epitaxially semiconductor layer to a doped region of the base semiconductor layer. A substrate contact is also provided that contacts the base semiconductor layer through the sidewall of a trench. Methods for forming the above-described structures are also provided.
US09293519B2 Organic light emitting display
An organic light emitting display that includes a display panel, a power supply and a coupling member. The display panel includes scan lines, data lines, first power lines and a plurality of pixels. The power supply is positioned at the outside of the display panel, and supplies first power to the display panel through a coupling member. The coupling member includes first and second coupling portions respectively coupled to the power lines, first and second coupling lines transmitting the first power supplied from the power supply to the respective first and second coupling portions, and a feedback line transmitting the voltage of the second coupling portion to the power supply. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an organic light emitting display capable of precisely controlling the voltage of output power and preventing the deterioration of the luminance of a display panel.
US09293513B2 Self-light-emitting device comprising protective portions on a pixel electrode
Failure light emission of an EL element due to failure film formation of an organic EL material in an electrode hole 46 is improved. By forming the organic EL material after embedding an insulator in an electrode hole 46 on a pixel electrode and forming a protective portion 41b, failure film formation in the electrode hole 46 can be prevented. This can prevent concentration of electric current due to a short circuit between a cathode and an anode of the EL element, and can prevent failure light emission of an EL layer.
US09293504B2 Solid-state image pickup device, electronic apparatus, and manufacturing method including a microlens array having various shaped microlenses
A solid-state image pickup device includes: a filter section including filters that are disposed corresponding to respective pixels, and each allowing light of a color that corresponds to corresponding one of the pixels to transmit therethrough, in which the pixels are each configured to receive the light of the predetermined color; and a microlens array section including a plurality of microlenses each configured to collect the light for corresponding one of the pixels, in which the microlenses are stacked with respect to the filter section, and are arranged in an array pattern corresponding to the respective pixels. The microlenses have two or more shapes that are different from one another corresponding to the respective colors of the light to be received by the pixels, and each having an end that is in contact with the end of adjacent one of the microlenses.
US09293501B2 Pixel having two semiconductor layers, image sensor including the pixel, and image processing system including the image sensor
An image sensor having pixels that include two patterned semiconductor layers. The top patterned semiconductor layer contains the photoelectric elements of pixels having substantially 100% fill-factor. The bottom patterned semiconductor layer contains transistors for detecting, resetting, amplifying and transmitting signals charges received from the photoelectric elements. The top and bottom patterned semiconductor layers may be separated from each other by an interlayer insulating layer that may include metal interconnections for conducting signals between devices formed in the patterned semiconductor layers and from external devices.
US09293500B2 Exposure control for image sensors
A method of operating an image sensor. Charge accumulated in a photodiode during a first sub-exposure may be selectively stored in a storage node responsive to a first control signal. Charge accumulated in the photodiode during a first reset period may be selectively discarded responsive to a second control signal. Charge accumulated in the photodiode during a second sub-exposure may be selectively stored responsive to the first control signal. Charge stored in the storage node from the first and second sub-exposures may be transferred to a floating diffusion node responsive to a third control signal.
US09293497B2 Very small pixel pitch focal plane array and method for manufacturing thereof
A method for manufacturing an imaging device is provided. The method comprises forming a contact pad over a semiconductor substrate. The contact pad has a malleable metal. The method further comprises providing a readout circuit having a first side and a contact plug. The contact plug has a base affixed to the first side of the readout circuit and a plurality of prongs extending from the base away from the first side. The first side of the readout circuit is moved towards the substrate so that the prongs of the contact plug are pressed into the pad and displace a portion of the pad into a space defined by and between a first and a second of the prongs. Stop elements formed over the substrate are aligned with and contact stop elements provided on the readout circuit so that the prongs are inhibited from passing completely through the contact pad.
US09293496B2 Light receiving elements for photoelectric conversion and capacitor elements for charge storing in joined substrates
Provided are a semiconductor device in which a solid-state image sensing element having a backside-illuminated structure and capacitor elements storing therein some of the charges supplied from light receiving elements has further improved reliability and a manufacturing method thereof. In the solid-state image sensing element of the semiconductor device, first and second substrates are joined together at a junction surface. The first substrate is formed with photodiodes. The second substrate is formed with the capacitor elements. The photodiodes and the capacitor elements are placed to be opposed to each other. In the first substrate, first coupling portions for coupling to the second substrate are placed. In the second substrate, second coupling portions for coupling to the first substrate are placed. A first gap portion between the first coupling portions and a second gap portion between the second coupling portions are placed to overlap a first light blocking film.
US09293495B2 Imaging circuitry with robust scribe line structures
An image sensor wafer may be stacked on top of a digital signal processor (DSP) wafer. The image sensor wafer may include multiple image sensor dies, whereas the DSP wafer may include multiple DSP dies. The stacked wafers may be cut along scribe line regions to dice the wafers into individual components. Each image sensor die may include through-oxide vias (TOVs) that extend at least partially into a corresponding DSP die. Scribe line support structures may be formed surrounding the scribe line regions. The scribe line support structures and the TOVs may be formed during the same processing step. The TOVs can also be formed through deep trench isolation structures.
US09293492B2 Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor and an image fiber that guides light incident from a focusing optical system toward the image sensor. The image sensor has such configuration that the distance in a first direction between two intersections is between ¼ times and ¾ times a pixel pitch of the image sensor, where one intersection is an intersection between a straight line passing through the center of the first sensor pixel and parallel to the first direction and a straight line connecting the center of the target pixel and the center of the adjacent pixel and the other intersection is an intersection between a straight line passing through the center of the second sensor pixel and parallel to the first direction and a straight line connecting the center of the target pixel and the center of the adjacent pixel.
US09293483B2 Electronic device and electronic apparatus
An EL display having high operating performance and reliability is provided. LDD regions 15a through 15d of a switching TFT 201 formed in a pixel are formed such that they do not overlap gate electrodes 19a and 19b to provide a structure which is primarily intended for the reduction of an off-current. An LDD region 22 of a current control TFT 202 is formed such that it partially overlaps a gate electrode 35 to provide a structure which is primarily intended for the prevention of hot carrier injection and the reduction of an off-current. Appropriate TFT structures are thus provided depending on required functions to improve operational performance and reliability.
US09293482B2 Thin-film transistor array substrate, display apparatus including same, and method of manufacturing thin-film transistor array substrate
A thin-film transistor (TFT) array substrate includes: a TFT including an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode; a first conductive layer disposed in a same layer as one of the active layer, the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode; a second conductive layer disposed in a different layer from the first conductive layer; a node contact hole including a first contact hole part which exposes the first conductive layer, a second contact hole part which exposes the second conductive layer, and a connection part which connects the first contact hole part and the second contact hole part and has a width smaller than that of the first contact hole part and that of the second contact hole part; and a connection node disposed in the node contact hole to electrically connect the first and second conductive layers.
US09293478B2 Method of fabricating array substrate
A method of fabrication an array substrate includes forming an oxide semiconductor layer on a substrate; sequentially forming a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode corresponding to a central portion of the oxide semiconductor layer; forming source and drain areas having conductive properties in the oxide semiconductor layer by performing hydrogen plasma treatment; forming barrier layers on the source and drain areas, the barrier layer having a first thickness; forming an inter insulating layer on the gate electrode and having first contact holes that expose the barrier layers; and forming source and drain electrodes on the inter insulating layer and contacting the barrier layers through the first contact holes, respectively.
US09293472B2 RF SOI switch with backside cavity and the method to form it
An integrated circuit includes a compound semiconductor substrate having a first semiconductor substrate, an insulating layer on the first semiconductor substrate, and a second semiconductor substrate on the insulating layer, a transistor disposed on the second semiconductor substrate and having a bottom insulated by the insulating layer, a plurality of shallow trench isolations disposed on opposite sides of the transistor, a cavity disposed below the bottom of the transistor, and a plurality of isolation plugs disposed on opposite sides of the cavity. By having a cavity located below the transistor, parasitic couplings between the transistor and the substrate are reduced and the performance of the integrated circuit is improved.
US09293468B2 Nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device includes a tunneling region and an erase region formed over a substrate, a selection gate formed over the substrate to overlap with the tunneling region, a floating gate formed over the substrate to be disposed adjacent to the selection gate with a gap therebetween and to overlap with the tunneling region and the erase region, and a charge blocking layer filling the gap.
US09293465B1 Monolithic bi-directional current conducting device and method of making the same
A monolithic bi-directional device provides bi-directional power flow and bi-directional blocking of high-voltages. The device includes a first transistor having a first drain formed over a first channel layer that overlays a substrate, and a second transistor that includes a second drain formed over a second channel layer that overlays the substrate. The substrate forms a common source for both the first transistor and the second transistor.
US09293463B2 CMOS transistors including gate spacers of the same thickness
A dielectric material layer is deposited on gate structures of first and second semiconductor material portions. The dielectric material layer is anisotropically etched to form a first gate spacer on a first semiconductor material portion, while being protected above the second semiconductor material portion. After formation of first raised active regions on the first semiconductor material portion, a dielectric stack of a dielectric oxide liner and a dielectric nitride liner is formed. The dielectric stack is removed over the second semiconductor material portion and a second gate spacer is formed on the second semiconductor material portion, while the dielectric stack protects the first raised active regions. A second gate spacer is formed by anisotropically etching the dielectric material layer over the second semiconductor material portion. The first and second gate spacers have the same composition and thickness. Second raised active regions can be formed on the second semiconductor material portion.
US09293457B2 Semiconductor device
To enhance electromigration resistance of an electrode.A drain electrode is partially formed on a side surface of a drain pad. In this case, the drain electrode is integrated with the drain pad and extends from the side surface of the drain pad in a first direction (y direction). A recessed portion is located in a region overlapping with the drain electrode in a plan view. At least a part of the drain electrode is buried in the recessed portion. A side surface of the recessed portion, which faces the drain pad, enters the drain pad in the first direction (y direction).
US09293453B2 Electronic circuit device
A normally-off type silicon carbide junction FET has a problem that the gate thereof is not easy to use due to inferiority in the characteristics of it. This problem occurs because in order to achieve normally-off, the gate voltage should be off at 0V and at the same time, the ON-state gate voltage should be suppressed to about 2.5V to prevent the passage of an electric current through a pn junction between gate and source. Accordingly, a range from the threshold voltage to the ON-state gate voltage is only from about 1 V to 2V and it is difficult to control the gate voltage. Provided in the present invention is an electronic circuit device obtained by coupling, to a gate of a normally-off type silicon carbide junction FET, an element having a capacitance equal to or a little smaller than the gate capacitance of the junction FET.
US09293449B2 Methods and apparatus for package on package devices with reversed stud bump through via interconnections
Methods and apparatus for package on package structures having stud bump through via interconnections. A structure includes an interconnect layer having a plurality of through via assemblies each including at least one stud bump are formed on conductive pads; and encapsulant surrounding the through via assembly, a first redistribution layer formed over a surface of the encapsulant and coupled to the through via assemblies and carrying connectors, and a second redistribution layer over interconnect layer at the other end of the through via assemblies, the through via assemblies extending vertically through the interconnect layer. In an embodiment the interconnect layer is mounted using the connectors to a lower package substrate to form a package on package structure. A first integrated circuit device may be mounted on the second redistribution layer of the interconnect layer. Methods for forming the interconnect layer and the package on package structures are disclosed.
US09293447B2 LED thermal protection structures
The present disclosure discloses an apparatus for thermally protecting an LED device. The apparatus includes a substrate. A light-emitting device disposed on a first region of the substrate. The apparatus includes a thermistor disposed on a second region of the substrate. The second region is substantially spaced apart from the first region. The thermistor is thermally and electrically coupled to the light-emitting device. The present disclosure also discloses a method of thermally protecting an LED device. The method includes providing a substrate having a light-emitting diode (LED) die disposed thereon. The method includes detecting a temperature of the LED die using a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. The NTC thermistor is positioned on a region of the substrate substantially away from the LED die. The method includes adjusting an electrical current of the LED die in response to the detecting.
US09293445B2 Wafer level packaging bond
A device is described in one embodiment that includes a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device disposed on a first substrate and a semiconductor device disposed on a second substrate. A bond electrically connects the MEMS device and the semiconductor device. The bond includes an interface between a first bonding layer including silicon on the first substrate and a second bonding layer including aluminum on the second substrate. The physical interface between the aluminum and silicon (e.g., amorphous silicon) can provide an electrical connection.
US09293433B2 Intermetallic compound layer on a pillar between a chip and substrate
A semiconductor package includes a wiring substrate that includes a first conductive member; a semiconductor chip that is mounted on the wiring substrate and includes a second conductive member, the first conductive member and the second conductive member being positioned to face each other; and a bonding member that bonds and electrically connects the first conductive member and the second conductive member, at least one of the first conductive member and the second conductive member being a pillar-shaped terminal, the bonding member being bonded to an end surface of the pillar-shaped terminal and a portion of a side surface of the pillar-shaped terminal, an intermetallic compound layer being formed at an interface of the bonding member and the pillar-shaped terminal.
US09293428B2 Low profile heat spreader and methods
Embodiments of semiconductor chip assemblies, and methods are shown that include adhesive thermal interface materials between a heat spreader and a semiconductor die. Assemblies and methods are shown where the heat spreader is not adhered to a substrate beneath the semiconductor die.
US09293427B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes an antenna functioning as a coil, a capacitor electrically connected to the antenna in parallel, a passive element forming a resonance circuit with the antenna and the capacitor by being electrically connected to the antenna and the capacitor in parallel, a first field effect transistor controlling whether the passive element is electrically connected to the antenna and the capacitor in parallel or not, and a memory circuit. The memory circuit includes a second field effect transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor layer where a channel is formed and in which a data signal is input to one of a source and a drain. The gate voltage of the first field effect transistor is set depending on the voltage of the other of the source and the drain of the second field effect transistor.
US09293420B2 Electronic device having a molding compound including a composite material
An electronic device includes a packaged integrated circuit having an integrated circuit die having an active surface, and a molding compound overlaying the active surface of the integrated circuit die. In a particular embodiment, the packaged integrated circuit includes at least approximately five weight percent (5 wt %) zinc relative to the molding compound. In another embodiment, the packaged integrated circuit includes approximately 0.3 μmol/cm2 of zinc in an area parallel to the active surface of the integrated circuit die.
US09293417B2 Method for forming barrier film on wiring line
Disclosed is a film-forming method wherein a manganese-containing film is formed on a substrate having a surface to which an insulating film and a copper wiring line are exposed. The film-forming method includes forming a manganese-containing film on the copper wiring line by a CVD method which uses a manganese compound.
US09293416B2 Functional material
A functional material includes at least two kinds of particles selected from the group consisting of first metal composite particles, second metal composite particles and third metal composite particles. The first metal composite particles, the second metal composite particles and the third metal composite particles each contain two or more kinds of metal components. The melting point T1(° C.) of the first metal composite particles, the melting point T2(° C.) of the second metal composite particles and the melting point T3(° C.) of the third metal composite particles satisfy a relationship of T1>T2>T3.
US09293415B2 Semiconductor devices including protection patterns and methods of forming the same
Semiconductor devices including a protection pattern for reducing galvanic corrosion and methods of forming the semiconductor devices are provided. The semiconductor devices may include a substrate including a keep out zone (KOZ) and a plurality of interconnections, which may be disposed outside of the KOZ on the substrate. The semiconductor devices may also include a through silicon via (TSV) in the KOZ. The TSV may pass through the substrate. The semiconductor device may further include a protection pattern, which may be electrically insulated from the TSV, may be disposed in the KOZ and may include a different conductive material from the TSV. A lower end of the protection pattern may be disposed at a level higher than a lower end of the TSV.
US09293404B2 Pre-applying supporting materials between bonded package components
A structure includes a first package component, and a second package component over and bonded to the first package component. A supporting material is disposed in a gap between the first package component and the second package component. A molding material is disposed in the gap and encircling the supporting material.
US09293401B2 Semiconductor device and method for forming a low profile embedded wafer level ball grid array molded laser package (EWLP-MLP)
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with an encapsulant deposited over and around the semiconductor die. An interconnect structure is formed over a first surface of the encapsulant. An opening is formed from a second surface of the encapsulant to the first surface of the encapsulant to expose a surface of the interconnect structure. A bump is formed recessed within the opening and disposed over the surface of the interconnect structure. A semiconductor package is provided. The semiconductor package is disposed over the second surface of the encapsulant and electrically connected to the bump. A plurality of interconnect structures is formed over the semiconductor package to electrically connect the semiconductor package to the bump. The semiconductor package includes a memory device. The semiconductor device includes a height less than 1 millimeter. The opening includes a tapered sidewall formed by laser direct ablation.
US09293400B2 Package with terminal pins with lateral reversal point and laterally exposed free end
A package (120), wherein the package (120) has at least one electronic chip (124), an encapsulation body (138) that encapsulates the electronic chip(s) (124), and a plurality of terminal pins (122) to connect the electronic chip(s) (124), wherein each of the said terminal pins (122) has an encapsulated section (126), which is encapsulated at least partially by the encapsulation body (138) and has an exposed section (128) that protrudes from the encapsulation body (138), and wherein at least a portion of the exposed sections (128) laterally extends from the encapsulation body (138) up to a reversal point (130) and laterally extends back from the reversal point (130) to the encapsulation body (138), so that a free end (132) of the exposed sections (128) is laterally aligned with or to a corresponding side wall (134) of the encapsulation body (138) or is spaced from the corresponding side wall (134) of the encapsulation body (138) laterally outwardly.
US09293394B2 Chip package and method for forming the same
An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a conducting pad structure located on the first surface; a dielectric layer located on the first surface of the substrate and the conducting pad structure, wherein the dielectric layer has an opening exposing a portion of the conducting pad structure; and a cap layer located on the dielectric layer and filled into the opening.
US09293391B2 Semiconductor module cooler and semiconductor module
A semiconductor module cooler for supplying a refrigerant from exterior into a water jacket and cooling a semiconductor device disposed on an outer surface of the cooler, includes a heat sink thermally connected to the semiconductor device; a first flow path extending from a refrigerant inlet and arranged with a guide portion having an inclined surface for guiding the refrigerant toward one side surface of the heat sink; a second flow path extending toward a refrigerant outlet and formed with a sidewall parallel to the other side surface of the heat sink; a flow velocity adjustment plate disposed in the second flow path and formed parallel to the other side surface of the heat sink at a distance therefrom; and a third flow path formed at a position communicating the first flow path and the second flow path. The heat sink is disposed in the third flow path.
US09293388B2 Reliable passivation layers for semiconductor devices
Device and method for forming a device are disclosed. A substrate which is prepared with a dielectric layer having a top metal level of the device is provided. The top metal level includes top level conductive lines. A top dielectric layer which includes top via openings in communication with the top level conductive lines is formed over the top metal level. A patterned top conductive layer is formed on the top dielectric layer. The patterned top conductive layer includes a top via in the top via opening and a top conductive line. A first passivation sub-layer is formed to line the patterned conductive layer and exposed top dielectric layer. A plasma treatment is performed on the surface of the first passivation sub-layer to form a nitrided layer. A second passivation sub-layer is formed to line the nitrided layer. The plasma treatment improves the passivation integrity of the passivation stack.
US09293382B2 Voltage contrast inspection of deep trench isolation
A method including forming a first test structure and a second test structure in electrical contact with an inner buried plate and an outer buried plate, respectively, where the first and second test structures each comprise a deep trench filled with a conductive material, and measuring the voltage of the inner buried plate and the outer buried plate immediately after the formation of a deep trench isolation structure, where the inner buried plate and the outer buried plate are positioned on opposite sides of the deep trench isolation structure.
US09293381B2 Stack type semiconductor device and method of fabricating and testing the same
There are proposed a stack type semiconductor device and a method of fabricating and testing the same. A stack type semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of contact pads externally exposed, a via array electrically connected to the contact pads, a semiconductor substrate configured to have vias, forming the via array, electrically conductive with each other or insulated from each other, and a bias pad configured to supply a bias to the semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate may be subject to back-grinding.
US09293380B2 System and method for selecting a derating factor to balance use of components having disparate electrical characteristics
A test system and method for selecting a derating factor to be applied to a ratio of transistors having disparate electrical characteristics in a wafer fabrication process. In one embodiment, the test system includes: (1) structural at-speed automated test equipment (ATE) operable to iterate structural at-speed tests at multiple clock frequencies over integrated circuit (IC) samples fabricated under different process conditions and (2) derating factor selection circuitry coupled to the structural at-speed ATE and configured to employ results of the structural at-speed tests to identify performance deterioration in the samples, the performance deterioration indicating the derating factor to be employed in a subsequent wafer fabrication process.
US09293378B2 High efficiency FinFET diode
Disclosed are methods to form a FinFET diode of high efficiency, designed to resolve the degradation problem with a conventional FinFET diode arising from reduced active area, and a method of fabrication. The FinFET diode has a doped substrate, two spaced-apart groups of substantially parallel, equally-spaced, elongated semiconductor fin structures, dielectric layers formed between the two groups and among the fin structures for insulation, a plurality of substantially equal-spaced and parallel elongated gate structures perpendicularly traversing both groups of the fin structures, and two groups of semiconductor strips respectively formed lengthwise upon the two groups of the fin structures. The two groups of semiconductor strips are doped to have opposite conductivity types, p-type and n-type. The FinFET diode further has metal contacts formed upon the semiconductor strips. In an embodiment, the semiconductor strips may be integrally formed with the fin structures by epitaxial growth and in-situ doped.
US09293374B1 Self-aligned low defect segmented III-V finFET
A method includes forming one or more fin structures on a substrate, the one or more fin structures comprising a first material comprising a first lattice structure and the substrate comprising a second material comprising a second lattice structure. Forming the one or more fin structures on the substrate includes forming one or more trenches in the substrate, and growing the first material in the one or more trenches. The first lattice structure is different from the second lattice structure. Forming one or more trenches comprises selecting a width of the trenches so as to at least partially reduce defects resulting from the lattice mismatch of the first and second materials. The one or more fin structures are self-aligned by the one or more trenches.
US09293369B2 Three-dimensional integrated circuit (3DIC)
An embodiment 3DIC device includes a semiconductor chip, a die, and a polymer. The semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises a first edge, and a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate. The die is disposed over and bonded to the semiconductor chip. The polymer is molded onto the semiconductor chip and the die. The polymer includes a portion level with the dielectric layer, wherein the portion of the polymer comprises a second edge vertically aligned to the first edge of the semiconductor substrate and a third edge contacting the dielectric layer, wherein the second and the third edges are opposite edges of the portion of the polymer.
US09293367B2 Conductive interconnect structures and formation methods using supercritical fluids
Conductive interconnect structures and formation methods using supercritical fluids are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes forming a via in a substrate, with the via having a width and a length generally transverse to the width, and with a length being approximately 100 microns or more. The method can further include disposing a conductive material in the via while the via is exposed to a supercritical fluid. For example, copper can be disposed in the via by introducing a copper-containing precursor into the supercritical fluid and precipitating the copper from the supercritical fluid. Interconnect structures can be formed using this technique in a single generally continuous process, and can produce conductive structures having a generally uniform grain structure across the width of the via.
US09293366B2 Through-substrate vias with improved connections
A device includes a substrate, and a plurality of dielectric layers over the substrate. A plurality of metallization layers is formed in the plurality of dielectric layers, wherein at least one of the plurality of metallization layers comprises a metal pad. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends from the top level of the plurality of the dielectric layers to a bottom surface of the substrate. A deep conductive via extends from the top level of the plurality of dielectric layers to land on the metal pad. A metal line is formed over the top level of the plurality of dielectric layers and interconnecting the TSV and the deep conductive via.
US09293365B2 Hardmask removal for copper interconnects with tungsten contacts by chemical mechanical polishing
The present invention relates generally to forming interconnects over contacts and more particularly, to a method and structure for filling interconnect trenches with a sacrificial filler material before removal of a hard mask layer to protect the liners of the contacts from damage during the removal process. A method is disclosed that may include: filling an opening in a dielectric layer above a contact and a contact liner with a sacrificial filler material, such that the contact liner is completely covered by the sacrificial filler material; removing a hard mask layer used to pattern and form the opening; and removing the sacrificial filler material from the opening selective to the dielectric layer, the contact liner, and the contact to form an interconnect trench.
US09293363B2 Methods and structures for back end of line integration
Embodiments of the present invention provide a semiconductor structure for BEOL (back end of line) integration. A directed self assembly (DSA) material is deposited and annealed to form two distinct phase regions. One of the phase regions is selectively removed, and the remaining phase region serves as a mask for forming cavities in an underlying layer of metal and/or dielectric. The process is then repeated to form complex structures with patterns of metal separated by dielectric regions.
US09293361B2 Materials and methods of forming controlled void
The present invention is a process for forming an air gap within a substrate, the process comprising: providing a substrate; depositing a sacrificial material by deposition of at least one sacrificial material precursor; depositing a composite layer; removal of the porogen material in the composite layer to form a porous layer and contacting the layered substrate with a removal media to substantially remove the sacrificial material and provide the air gaps within the substrate; wherein the at least one sacrificial material precursor is selected from the group consisting of: an organic porogen; silicon, and a polar solvent soluble metal oxide and mixtures thereof.
US09293358B2 Double patterning method of forming semiconductor active areas and isolation regions
A method of forming active areas and isolation regions in a semiconductor substrate using a double patterning process. The method include forming a first material on the substrate surface, forming a second material on the first material, forming a plurality of first trenches into the second material wherein the plurality of first trenches are parallel to each other, forming a second trench into the second material wherein the second trench is perpendicular to and crosses the plurality of first trenches in a central region of the substrate, filling the first and second trenches with a third material, removing the second material to form third trenches in the third material that are parallel to each other and do not extend through the central region of the substrate, and extending the third trenches through the first material and into the substrate.
US09293354B2 Apparatus and method for calibrating lithography process
A calibration wafer may bear one or more different mark types to facilitate inspection of a lithography process. A first mark type may be located on the outer peripheral portion of the wafer to indicate the desired boundary of an edge bead removal (EBR) region. A second mark type may be located on an outer peripheral portion of the wafer to indicate the desired boundary of a wafer edge expose region (WEE). A third mark type may indicate the border of a portion of the wafer expected to bear a wafer identification mark. A fourth mark type may be located at the center of the wafer to allow for precise and uniform application of liquid photoresist material to the calibration wafer. The calibration wafer may be employed in methods of rapidly and easily assessing the accuracy of various phases of photolithography processes.
US09293348B2 Semiconductor structure including stacked structure and method for forming the same
A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a stacked structure, a dielectric layer, a conductive structure, a dielectric structure and a conductive plug. The stacked structure includes dielectric films and conductive films arranged alternately. The dielectric layer is between the conductive structure and a sidewall of the stacked structure. The dielectric structure is on the stacked structure and defining a through via. The conductive plug fills the through via and physically contacts one of the conductive films exposed by the through via and adjoined with the dielectric layer.
US09293347B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
The semiconductor device has a gate electrode GE formed on a substrate via a gate insulating film GI and a source/drain semiconductor layer EP1 formed on the substrate. The upper surface of the semiconductor layer EP1 is positioned higher than the upper surface of the substrate straight below the gate electrode GE. And, end parts of the gate electrode GE in a gate length direction are positioned on the semiconductor layer EP1.
US09293336B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a storage node contact on a substrate, and a lower electrode on the storage node contact, a lower sidewall of the lower electrode being covered by a contact residue of a same material as the storage node contact.
US09293333B2 FinFET work function metal formation
An improved method and structure for fabrication of replacement metal gate (RMG) field effect transistors is disclosed. P-type field effect transistor (PFET) gate cavities are protected while N work function metals are deposited in N-type field effect transistor (NFET) gate cavities.
US09293330B2 Method for producing a semiconductor
A method for producing a semiconductor is disclosed, the method having: providing a semiconductor body having a first side and a second side; forming an n-doped zone in the semiconductor body by a first implantation into the semiconductor body via the first side to a first depth location of the semiconductor body; and forming a p-doped zone in the semiconductor body by a second implantation into the semiconductor body via the second side to a second depth location of the semiconductor body, a pn-junction forming between said n-doped zone and said p-doped zone in the semiconductor body.
US09293329B2 Processing a wafer for an electronic circuit
According to a disclosed embodiment, there is provided a method of processing a silicon wafer for use in a substrate for an electronic circuit, comprising: impregnating the silicon wafer with impurities that form one or more deep energy levels within the band gap of silicon, wherein at least one of said deep energy levels is positioned at least 0.3 eV away from the conduction band if the level is a donor level or at least 0.3 eV away from the valence band if the level is an acceptor level; and pre-processing the silicon wafer, prior to or after said impregnation step, so that precipitation of oxide during, after, or during and after, said impregnating step is suppressed.
US09293323B2 Method of forming silicon film
Provided is a method of forming a film including a silicon film on a base, including: forming a seed layer on a surface of the base by heating the base and supplying an aminosilane-based gas onto the surface of the heated base; and forming the silicon film on the seed layer by heating the base and supplying a silane-based gas containing no amino group onto the seed layer of the surface of the heated base, wherein a molecule of the aminosilane-based gas used in forming a seed layer comprises two or more silicon atoms.
US09293318B2 Semiconductor wafer manufacturing method
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer includes: rough-polishing front and back surfaces of the semiconductor wafer; mirror-polishing a chamfered portion of the rough-polished semiconductor wafer; performing mirror finish polishing on the front surface or both the front and back surfaces of the semiconductor wafer having the mirror-polished chamfered portion; and forming an oxide film on an entire surface of the semiconductor wafer after the mirror-polishing of the chamfered portion and before the mirror finish polishing.
US09293316B2 Ion separation and storage system
Ions provided from an ion source are separated ions into a plurality of different ion groups according to at least one ion property. At least some of the different ion groups are stored in an ion storage array, which comprises a plurality of independently operable storage cells, each storage cell being arranged to receive and store a different ion group. A controller is programmed to cause selective switching of each of the storage cells between an ion receiving mode and an ion storage mode, and between the ion storage mode and an ion release mode. In particular, the switching of each storage cell is controllable independently of the switching of any of the other storage cells. Upon release from a respective storage cell of the array, ions are provided to one or more mass analyzers for subsequent analysis.
US09293315B2 High duty cycle ion spectrometer
An ion spectrometer is provided, comprising: an ion source, arranged to generate ions continuously with a first range of mass to charge ratios; and an ion trap, arranged to receive ions from the ion source along an axis, and to eject ions with a second range of mass to charge ratios orthogonally to that axis, the second range of mass to charge ratios being narrower than the first range of mass to charge ratios. In some embodiments, ions generated by the ion source continuously flow into the ion trap. Additionally or alternatively, ion optics receive ions ejected from the ion trap and cool the ions without substantial fragmentation. An ion analyzer receives ions ejected from the ion trap or ion optics and separates the ions in accordance with at least one characteristic of the ions.
US09293313B2 Spatial focusing ion gate assembly and spatial focusing ion mobility spectrometer
Provided is a spatial focusing ion mobility tube, including an ionzation source, an ion gate, a grid mesh and a faraday disc. A focusing grid mesh parallel to the ion gate is provided at one side of the ion gate away from the ionization source, and the ion gate and the focusing grid mesh combine into a spatial focusing ion gate assembly which controls the flight of the ions. The mobility tube employs a traditional design and changes the ion gate portion to one or more spatial focusing ion gate assemblies. The spatial focusing assembly can realize the injection function of the ion gate and produce the spatial compression focusing of ions.
US09293311B1 Microfluidic interrogation device
A portable, stand-alone microfluidic interrogation device including a microprocessor and a touch-screen display. The touch-screen display can receive one or more user input to select a particular particle interrogation procedure, and subsequently show interrogation results. A microfluidic path extending through the interrogation device includes alignment structure that defines an interrogation zone in which particles carried in a fluid are urged toward single-file travel. Operable alignment structure may define sheath-, or non-sheath fluid flow. Desirably, a portion of the alignment structure is removable from the device in a tool-free procedure. The device may operate under the Coulter principle, and/or detect Stokes' shift phenomena, and/or other optically-based signal(s).
US09293305B2 Mixed acid cleaning assemblies
In one embodiment, a cleaning assembly may include a modular electrode sealing housing, an acid injection inlet, and a fluid injection inlet. The modular electrode sealing housing may include a high pressure closure member that contains a first cleaning volume and a low pressure closure member that contains a second cleaning volume. The acid injection inlet can be in fluid communication with the first cleaning volume of the high pressure closure member. The fluid injection inlet can be in fluid communication with the second cleaning volume of the low pressure closure member. During normal operation, a showerhead electrode can be sealed within the modular electrode sealing housing such that the first cleaning volume is located on a first side and the second cleaning volume is located on a second side of the showerhead electrode.
US09293304B2 Plasma thermal shield for heat dissipation in plasma chamber
Methods of and apparatuses for dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. In an example, a plasma thermal shield for a plasma processing chamber includes an annular ring body having an inner opening. A plasma-facing surface of the annular ring body has a general topography. A bottom surface of the annular ring body reciprocates the general topography with recessed regions disposed therein, providing one or more protruding regions at the bottom surface of the annular ring body.
US09293303B2 Low contamination chamber for surface activation
An embodiment low contamination chamber includes a gas inlet, an adjustable top electrode, an adjustable bottom electrode, and an outlet. The chamber is configured to adjust a distance between the adjustable top and bottom electrodes in accordance with a desired density of plasma disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode.
US09293301B2 In situ control of ion angular distribution in a processing apparatus
A processing apparatus may include a plasma source coupled to a plasma chamber to generate a plasma in the plasma chamber, an extraction plate having an aperture disposed along a side of the plasma chamber; a deflection electrode disposed proximate the aperture and configured to define a pair of plasma menisci when the plasma is present in the plasma chamber; and a deflection electrode power supply to apply a bias voltage to the deflection electrode with respect to the plasma, wherein a first bias voltage applied to the deflection electrode is configured to generate a first angle of incidence for ions extracted through the aperture from the plasma, and a second bias voltage applied to the deflection electrode is configured to generate a second angle of incidence of ions extracted through the aperture from the plasma, the second angle of incidence being different from the first angle of incidence.
US09293299B2 Plasma processing apparatus
In an inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus, it is possible to control a plasma density distribution while suppressing a wavelength effect within a RF antenna. Provided at a ceiling of a chamber 10 or above a dielectric window 52 is a circular ring-shaped RF antenna 54 for generating inductively coupled plasma within the chamber 10. This RF antenna 54 includes two coil segments 84(1) and 84(2) each having a semicircular arc shape. The coil segments 84(1) and 84(2) are electrically connected to each other in parallel with respect to a high frequency power supply unit 62. On the dielectric window 52, a circular ring-shaped floating coil 60 having a variable capacitor 58 coupled to the RF antenna 54 by an electromagnetic induction is provided. The variable capacitor 58 is varied in a certain range by a capacitance varying unit 82 under the control of a main controller 80.
US09293294B1 Frequency dependent clock apparatus and method
A method for operating a dynamic pattern generator (DPG) has a mirror array, where an operating clock of the DPG is received and converted to a toggling rate dependent on the operating clock. The toggling rate is compared with a threshold. If the toggling rate is greater than the threshold, the method partitions the mirror array into a plurality of groups. In response to the groups, the method determines a delay value based on the operating clock. The method further generates a delayed clock with the delay with respect to the first clock to the groups of the mirror array.
US09293289B2 Service disconnect cover with fuse/terminal retention
An assembly in which a housing and cover enclose an electric component and lock the electric component into place is provided. The electric component has two L-shaped terminals with notches formed in them that provide lock surfaces for the housing body. The housing body has locking arms that flex during installation and lock the electric component into place by mating with the lock surfaces. The cover body has bosses which push down upon the electric component during installation and lock pins which lock the flexible locking arms into place. The lock pins occupy the space between the locking arms and the backstops of the housing body thereby preventing the locking arms from moving out of position and disengaging the lock surfaces of the locking arms and terminals.
US09293286B2 Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay including an electromagnet, a movable contact actuated by the electromagnet, and a fixed contact disposed opposite to the movable contact and capable of contacting and separating from the movable contact. The electromagnetic relay further includes a backstop for stopping movement of the movable contact in a direction separating from the fixed contact, and a backstop positioner for setting the backstop at a position for defining a predetermined contact gap between the fixed contact and the movable contact. In a state where movement of the movable contact is stopped by the backstop, different-sized contact gaps are defined between the fixed contact and the movable contact, depending on the position of the backstop set by the backstop positioner.
US09293283B2 Armoured resistor with an end sealing element
Armored resistor with an end sealing element in which the electric pin (2) partially projecting from an end (1′) of the armor (1) and connected to said end by said sealing element (5) is provided with a part (22) with high roughness, i.e. knurling and/or toothing (22′, 22″, 22′″) and/or a circular groove (23, 23′), moreover said end (1′) of the armor is crimped in order to compress said sealing element (5) against said zone with high roughness.
US09293282B2 Moving seal with arc creepage surface for an air circuit breaker
A moving seal for an air circuit breaker provides an arc creepage surface that is positioned between a pair of separable contact assemblies when the moving seal is fit into an inlet of the arc chamber. The arc creepage surface has a surface contour that increases a length of an arc travel path between the separable contact assemblies, relative to a straight line distance between of separable contact assemblies.
US09293276B2 Electronic component assembly structure and electrical junction box
An electronic component including a lead terminal is inserted into a housing member, and the lead terminal is fitted to a terminal fitting held by the housing member, so that the electronic component is assembled to the housing member. The lead terminal includes a connection portion which is continuous to a base end and is suspended along a side surface of a component main body. The housing member includes a first housing chamber which accommodates the component main body and a second housing chamber which holds the terminal fitting, the first housing chamber is surrounded by a frame-shaped wall portion. The terminal fitting is disposed so as to face the side surface of the component main body, in which a spring portion pressing the connection portion is accommodated in the first housing chamber, with the wall portion interposed therebetween.
US09293275B2 Molded-case circuit breaker
Provided is a molded case circuit breaker including an upper external box defining a rear space, a lower external box coupled with the upper external box and defining a front space divided from the rear space together with the upper external box, a fixed contact unit provided on one side of the front space and connected to electrically connected to one of a power supply and a load, a movable contact unit installed in the front space to be movable and being in contact with the fixed contact unit or being separated from the fixed contact unit, a switching device installed in the rear space and operating to allow the movable contact unit to be in contact with the fixed contact unit or to be separated from the fixed contact unit, an operation device installed in the front space and the rear space and transferring the movable contact unit according to operation of the switching device, and an electrode shaft installed on one side of the upper external box, corresponding to an outside of the front space.
US09293271B2 Switch apparatus of an electrical circuit breaker comprising a force transfer element and a holding element
A switch apparatus includes at least two contact levers, arranged rotatably about a common rotation axis and arranged, at least sectionally, parallel to one another and spaced apart. The contact levers each have two contact lever arms including contact sections for respectively making contact with one fixed mating contact section of a power line element. The two first contact lever arms make contact with a first force transfer element, and the two second contact lever arms make contact with a second force transfer element for applying a spring force. At least one force transfer element has, in touching sections for touching the contact lever arms, a bulge which extends radially outwards, for the uniform transfer of the spring force to the contact lever arms. At least one holding element of the two holding elements may be configured to be movable relative to the power line elements via an articulated bearing.
US09293270B2 Method of preparing Ag-based oxide contact materials with directionally arranged reinforcing particles
In the present invention, a method of preparing Ag-based oxide contact materials with directionally arranged reinforcing particles is disclosed, comprising steps of: a) preparing evenly dispersed composite powders by chemical co-precipitation method combining with roasting, b) granulating the composite powders by high energy ball milling, and sieving the powders, c) mixing the powders and Ag matrix in a powder mixing machine, d) cold isostatic pressing, e) sintering, f) hot-pressing, g) hot-extruding to obtain Ag-based oxide contact materials with directionally arranged reinforcing particles. This method can obtain particle reinforced Ag-based material with good electrical performance even when the reinforced (oxide) particles are very small. This method is simple, easy to operate, and does not require special equipment. The resistance to welding and arc erosion, electric conductivity and the processability of the material prepared through this present invention can be greatly improved.
US09293268B2 Ultracapacitor vacuum assembly
A method for fabricating an EDLC includes (a) coating a porous activated carbon material onto current collector sheets to form carbon-based electrodes, (b) drying the carbon-based electrodes, (c) winding or stacking carbon-based electrodes interleaved with separator sheets to fabricate a jelly roll or prismatic electrode assembly, (d) inserting the electrode assembly into a package and forming electrical connections between the electrode assembly and package terminals, (e) filling the package with a liquid electrolyte, and (f) sealing the package. Steps (a)-(f) are performed in an atmosphere having a low moisture content. The atmosphere may be vacuum or purged with dry gas.
US09293264B2 Compliant energy storing structural sheet
Disclosed herein is a structural sheet includes an energy storage density that is greater than 10-mWh/ft2 and is capable of withstanding greater than 5-KPa stress under at least 5% strain. Further provided is an energy storing structural sheet comprising an electrically conducting current carrying layer that is print formed over a sub assembly that comprises a separator, a foundation, an electrode, and a current bus.
US09293263B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor
An outer insulation member made of a first resin packs a part of an anode terminal. The packed part of the anode terminal has a predetermined section. All surfaces of the predetermined section consist of a front surface, a back surface and edges connecting between the front surface and the back surface. The front surface includes a connection area. An anode lead wire is connected to the connection area while being not connected to the anode terminal other than the connection area. The all surfaces of the predetermined section are completely covered with a mask layer made of a second resin except for the connection area. The second resin is different from the first resin in at least one of composition thereof, content of an inclusion, size of an inclusion and shape of an inclusion.
US09293258B2 Multilayer ceramic electronic component including insulating layers formed on lateral and end surfaces thereof
A multilayer ceramic electronic component including: a ceramic main body including a dielectric layer and having first and second main surfaces opposing one another, first and second lateral surfaces opposing one another, and first and second end surfaces opposing one another; a first internal electrode formed within the ceramic main body, including a capacitance formation part having an overlap region to form capacitance and a first lead out portion extending from the capacitance formation part so as to be exposed to the first lateral surface; a second internal electrode alternately laminated together with the first internal electrode, having a second lead out portion extending from the capacitance formation part so as to be exposed to the first lateral surface; first and second external electrodes; and insulating layers.
US09293257B2 Solid-state electronic device including dielectric bismuth niobate film formed from solution
A solid-state electronic device according to the present invention includes: an oxide layer (possibly containing inevitable impurities) that is formed by heating, in an atmosphere containing oxygen, a precursor layer obtained from a precursor solution as a start material including both a precursor containing bismuth (Bi) and a precursor containing niobium (Nb) as solutes, the oxide layer consisting of the bismuth (Bi) and the niobium (Nb); wherein the oxide layer is formed by heating at a heating temperature from 520° C. to 650° C.
US09293255B2 Solid state energy storage devices
Described in this patent application are devices for energy storage and methods of making and using such devices. In various embodiments, blocking layers are provided between dielectric material and the electrodes of an energy storage device. The block layers are characterized by higher dielectric constant than the dielectric material. There are other embodiments as well.
US09293253B2 Superconducting magnets with thermal radiation shields
A cylindrical superconducting magnet has a number of axially-aligned annular coils of superconducting wire, arranged for cooling by thermal conduction through a cooled surface in mechanical contact with the coils. The coils are provided with a cryogenic radiation shield located between respective radially inner surfaces of the coils and respective axes of the coils. The cryogenic radiation shield is formed of a metal layer in thermal contact with the cooled surface.
US09293251B2 Method of exciting primary coils in contactless power supplying device and contactless power supplying device
A contactless power supplying device includes a plurality of unit controllers that control a plurality of groups of power supplying unit circuits, which respectively excite a plurality of groups of primary coils. A clock signal generation circuit provides the plurality of unit controllers with a common clock signal. The plurality of unit controllers generates synchronization signals to excite the plurality of groups of primary coils in accordance with a common clock signal and provides the synchronization signals respectively to a plurality of power supplying unit circuit. The synchronization signals are rectangular wave pulses having the same cycle, and the plurality of groups of primary coils are excited with the same frequency.
US09293248B2 Methods and apparatus for EMI filter having switched capacitance based on loading
Methods and apparatus for providing a system, such as a power conditioner unit, including terminals to receive three-phase signals, respective filter inductors, and respective filter capacitors that are switched into the EMI filter when the loading is above a given threshold.
US09293245B2 Integration of a coil and a discontinuous magnetic core
A particular device includes a coil and a discontinuous magnetic core. The discontinuous magnetic core includes a first elongated portion, a second elongated portion, and at least two curved portions, where the portions are coplanar and physically separated from each other. The discontinuous magnetic core is arranged to form a discontinuous loop. The discontinuous magnetic core is deposited as a first layer above a dielectric substrate. A first portion of the coil extends above a first surface of the magnetic core. A second portion of the coil extends below a second surface of the magnetic core. The second portion of the coil is electrically coupled to the first portion of the coil. The second surface of the magnetic core is opposite the first surface of the magnetic core.
US09293242B2 Shunt resistor device
Provided is a voltage detection circuit, which can remove influence of error voltage caused by tiny amount of self-inductance existing in a shunt resistor, though in the resistor for large current usage, which is impossible to surface-mount on a voltage detection circuit board. The shunt resistor device comprises: a resistance body (11); a pair of main electrode (12) for flowing current to be monitored through the resistance body; a pair of detection terminal (13a) for detecting voltage caused in the resistance body; and a pair of wiring (23) each electrically connected to the detection terminal. And, a pair of voltage detection wiring consisting of the detection terminal (13a) and the wiring (23) is brought closer, at prescribed location, than distance between each of connection position of the pair of the detection terminal (13a) on the main electrode (12). A low-pass filter having resistance value (r) and capacitance (C) is provided at next stage after the pair of the wiring, and said low-pass filter having a relationship Le/R=C·r, when Le (=L−M) is the effective inductance, and R is the resistance value of the resistance body.
US09293234B2 Positive electrode active material, positive electrode, and nonaqueous-electrolyte secondary battery
Provided is a positive electrode active material giving nonaqueous-electrolyte secondary batteries superior in cycle characteristics. The positive electrode active material according to the present invention includes a lithium-containing composite metal oxide having the composition represented by the following General Formula (1): LizFe1-xMxP1-ySiyO4  (1) (wherein M is at least one metal element selected from Zr, Sn, Y, and Al, 0.05z>0.9 to 0.75 or 0.25 to 0.1>z>0; the positive electrode active material has two crystalline phases of the lithium-containing composite oxides represented by the following General Formulae (2) and (3) when 0.9 to 0.75>z>0.25 to 0.1: LiaFe1-xMxP1-ySiyO4  (2) (wherein 0.75 to 0.9≦a≦1.00, 0.05
US09293232B2 Composite conductor and electric wire using the same
A composite conductor 10, including an internal layer 11 having a conductive material A, the conductive material A having fatigue strength of at least 150 MPa after being subjected to 106 cycles of cyclic loading in a fatigue test, and an external layer 12 having a conductive material B, the external layer coating the internal layer 11, the conductive material B having tensile strength higher than that of the conductive material A, the tensile strength being at least 250 MPa, in which the composite conductor 10 has fracture resistance to a sudden load and impact as well as bending durability.
US09293229B2 Ventilated system for storing high level radioactive waste
A system for storing high level radioactive waste. In one embodiment, the invention can be a system comprising an overpack body extending along a vertical axis and having a cavity for storing high level radioactive waste, the cavity having an open top end and a floor; an overpack lid positioned atop the overpack body to enclose the open top end of the cavity; an air inlet vent for introducing cool air into the cavity, the air inlet vent extending from an opening in an outer surface of the overpack body to an opening in the floor; and an air outlet vent in the overpack lid for removing warmed air from the cavity.
US09293227B1 Semiconductor memory apparatus and semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus
A memory control circuit 10 controls an operation of reading stored data from a memory cell 50 connected to a word line WL and a bit line BL based on an address Address including a row address Ax and a column address Ay. When the address Address includes redundancy addresses P1 to P4 designating a word line WLa or a bit line BLc connected to a specific memory cell Cc, redundancy decoders 13-1 to 13-4 replace the specific memory cell Cc with a redundancy memory cell RCc connected to redundancy word lines RWL1 and RWL2 or redundancy bit lines RBL1 and RBL2. Redundancy address latch circuits 12-1 to 12-4 respectively hold the redundancy addresses P1 to P4, and erase the held redundancy addresses P1 to P4 based on a reset signal RS inputted from the memory control circuit 10.
US09293223B2 Shift register unit, gate driving circuit and display device
A shift register unit comprises a pull-up control module (1), a pull-up module (2), a pull-down control module (3) and a pull-down module (4), the pull-up control module (1) is connected to a first clock signal terminal (CLK1), a first voltage signal terminal (V1), a second voltage signal terminal (V2) and a pull-up control node (Aj), the pull-up module (2) is connected to the pull-up control node (A), the first voltage signal terminal (V1) and a signal output terminal (OUTPUT) of present stage, the pull-down control module (3) is connected to a second clock signal terminal (CLK2), a signal input terminal (INPUT) and a pull-down control node (B), and the pull-down module (4) is connected to the pull-down control node (B), the first clock signal terminal (CLK1) and the signal output terminal (OUTPUT) of present stage. There also disclose a gate driving circuit and a display device. The shift register unit can ameliorate a potential suspension problem existing in nodes of the shift register unit, so as to improve stability of an output signal.
US09293221B1 Three terminal fuse with FinFET
A technique is provided for programming a transistor having a source, a drain, a gate, and a channel region between the source and the drain. The gate is above dielectric above the channel region. A gate voltage is about equal to or greater than a breakdown voltage of the gate dielectric in order to break down the gate dielectric into a breakdown state. Current flows between the source and the drain as a result of breaking down the gate dielectric. In response to the transistor being programmed, the current flowing between the source and the drain is not based on the gate voltage at the gate.
US09293219B2 Non-volatile memory, semiconductor device and reading method
There is provided a non-volatile memory circuit including: plural storage element sections each including a zener zap device and a switch section that connects an anode of the zener zap device to an output terminal during data reading; and wherein cathodes of respective zener zap devices of the plural storage element sections are commonly connected so as to be connected to a power supply employed in the writing or to a power supply employed in the reading, wherein the output terminals of the plural storage element sections are commonly connected to an input terminal of a detector, an anode of each of the storage element sections being connected to a ground voltage during data writing, and wherein the switch section is switched ON during data reading so as to connect the anode of the storage element section through the output terminal to the input terminal of the detector.
US09293215B2 Reference current circuit with temperature coefficient correction
A flash memory device uses a pair of parallely connected NMOS transistors with different voltage ratings to generate the reference current for the sense amplifier used in the read out operations. The reference current thus generated is temperature compensated with zero or near-zero temperature coefficient. In some embodiments, the pair of parallely connected NMOS transistors includes a high voltage NMOS transistor and a low voltage NMOS transistor or NMOS transistors with different gate oxide thicknesses.
US09293214B2 Determining and using soft data in memory devices and systems
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for determining and using soft data in memory devices and systems. One or more embodiments include an array of memory cells and control circuitry coupled to the array. The control circuitry is configured to perform a number of sense operations on the memory cells using a number of sensing voltages to determine soft data associated with a target state of the memory cells, and adjust a sensing voltage used to determine the target state based, at least partially, on the determined soft data.
US09293213B2 Sensing data stored in memory
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for sensing data stored in memory. A number of embodiments include an array of memory cells, and a controller coupled to the array and configured to sense a page of memory cells coupled to an activated access line by pre-charging only a single subset of a number of data lines coupled to the page, wherein more than two subsets of data lines are coupled to the page and the single subset is coupled to those memory cells storing at least a portion of a single sector of data of the page, and sensing the single subset of the number of data lines to determine the at least a portion of the single sector of data.
US09293205B2 Multi-task concurrent/pipeline NAND operations on all planes
This invention provides a 2-level BL-hierarchical NAND memory architecture and associated concurrent operations applicable to both 2D and 3D HiNAND2 memory arrays. New Latch designs in Block-decoder and Segment-decoder with one common dedicated metal0 power line per one 2N-bit dynamic page buffer (DPB) formed in corresponding 2N broken-LBL metal1 line capacitors for Program and per one 2N-bit Segment DPB formed in corresponding 2N local LBL metal1 line capacitors for Read are provided for performing concurrent and pipeline operations of multiple-WL Program, Read, Erase-Verify, and Program-Verify in dispersed Blocks in a same or multiple different NAND planes with much enhanced array flexibility and multiple-fold performance improvements.
US09293200B2 Multilayer memory array
A multilayer crossbar memory array includes a number of layers. Each layer includes a top set of parallel lines, a bottom set of parallel lines intersecting the top set of parallel lines, and memory elements disposed at intersections between the top set of parallel lines and the bottom set of parallel lines. A top set of parallel lines from one of the layers is a bottom set of parallel lines for an adjacent one of the layers.
US09293198B2 Programming of gated phase-change memory cells
A method for programming gated phase-change memory cells, each with a gate, source and drain, having s≧2 programmable cell-states including an amorphous RESET state and at least one crystalline state includes applying a programming signal between the source and drain of a memory cell to program that cell to a desired cell-state; and when programming the cell from a crystalline state to the RESET state, applying a bias voltage to the gate of the cell to increase the cell resistance.
US09293196B2 Memory cells, memory systems, and memory programming methods
Memory cells, memory systems and methods are described. In one embodiment, a memory cell includes electrodes and a memory element, and a first electrically conductive structure is formed within dielectric material providing the memory element in a low resistance state as a result of a first voltage of a first polarity being applied across the electrodes. Additionally, the first electrically conductive structure is removed from the dielectric material providing the memory element in a high resistance state as a result of a second voltage of a second polarity, which is opposite to the first polarity, being applied across the electrodes. A permanent and irreversible electrically conductive structure is formed within the dielectric material providing the memory element in the low resistance state as a result of a third voltage of the second polarity and having an increased potential compared with the second voltage being applied across the electrodes.
US09293193B2 Memory circuit and memory device
To reduce power consumption, a memory circuit includes a latch unit in which first data and second data are rewritten and read in accordance with a control signal, a first switch unit that controls rewrite and read of the first data stored in the latch unit by being turned on or off in response to the control signal, and a second switch unit that controls rewrite and read of the second data stored in the latch unit by being turned on or off in response to the control signal. The latch unit includes a first inverter and a second inverter. At least one of the first inverter and the second inverter includes a first field-effect transistor, and a second field-effect transistor that has the same conductivity type as the first field-effect transistor and has a gate potential controlled in accordance with the control signal.
US09293192B1 SRAM cell with dynamic split ground and split wordline
An SRAM cell with dynamic split ground (GND) and split wordline (WL) for extreme scaling is disclosed. The memory cell includes a first access transistor enabled by a first wordline to control access to cross coupled inverters by a first bitline. The memory cell further includes a second access transistor enabled by a second wordline to control access to the cross coupled inverters by a second bitline. The memory cell further includes a split ground line comprising a first ground line (GNDL) separated from a second ground line (GNDR). The GNDL is connected to a transistor of a first inverter of the cross coupled inverters and the GNDR is connected to a first transistor of a second inverter of the cross coupled inverters.
US09293184B2 Method of pinning domain walls in a nanowire magnetic memory device
There is provided a method of pinning domain walls in a magnetic memory device (10) comprising using an antiferromagnetic material to create domain wall pinning sites. Junctions (22) where arrays of ferromagnetic nanowires (16) and antiferromagnetic nanowires (20) cross exhibit a permanent exchange bias interaction between the ferromagnetic material and the antiferromagnetic material which creates domain wall pinning sites. The exchange bias field is between 30 to 3600 Oe and the anisotropy direction of the ferromagnetic elements is between 15 to 75° to an anisotropy direction of the antiferromagnetic elements.
US09293180B2 Memory device, memory system, and operation method thereof
A memory device comprises: a memory cell array comprising first and second word lines located adjacent to each other, a first memory cell connected to the first word line, and a second memory cell connected to the second word line and located adjacent to the first memory cell; and a word line voltage supplying unit that transitions a word line voltage of the first word line from a first word line voltage to a second word line voltage, in response to a first control signal. A transition control unit generates the first control signal for controlling a pulse of the word line voltage of the first word line in a transition period from the first word line voltage to the second word line voltage in such a way that a transition waveform profile from the first word line voltage to the second word line voltage is different from a transition waveform profile from the second word line voltage to the first word line voltage.
US09293172B2 Vertical type semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A vertical type semiconductor device includes a pillar structure protruding from a top surface of a substrate of a cell array region. Word lines extend while surrounding the pillar structure. Word line contacts contact edges of the word lines functioning as pad portions. An insulating interlayer pattern is provided on the substrate of a peripheral circuit region, which is disposed at an outer peripheral portion of the cell array region. A first contact plug contacts the substrate of the peripheral circuit region. A second contact plug contacts a top surface of the first contact plug and has a top surface aligned on the same plane with the top surfaces of the word line contacts. The first and second contact plugs are stacked in the peripheral circuit region, so the failure of the vertical type semiconductor device is reduced.
US09293168B2 Quality evaluation method, information recording medium, optical disc device and recording/reproducing system
When data is recorded on an optical disc, and stored for a long period of time, there is a need to periodically evaluate whether a quality of the recorded data is determined with time, or not. If the signal quality is lower than a given level as an evaluation result, a work for moving the data to a brand-new optical disc is required. However, in periodical inspection, if the number of optical discs is enormous, a large amount of time is required to evaluate all data recorded on the optical disc. In recording user data on the optical disc, a signal of a particular pattern having a lifetime shorter than a reference lifetime of the user data is recorded in a given area of the optical disc in advance, the particular pattern signal is reading at given time intervals, and processing on the user data is determined on the basis of the evaluation result of the signal quality.
US09293167B2 Library apparatus
Disclosed is a library apparatus capable of indicating an availability state of a slot according to the availability state of the slot that a magazine has.The storage library apparatus 1 rotates the first position P that indicates a usable state of a slot 7 by a first protection lever 4 being pushed by a accessor 3 which can convey, contacts against in a stopper 6, accordingly, is fixed by a lock component 5 and is fixed to the lock component 5 by rotating a second position R that indicates the unusable state of a slot 7.
US09293163B2 Apparatus, systems and processes for reducing a hard disk drive's access time and concomitant power optimization
Rotational latency is reduced in a standard conventional form factor HDD system by replacing, for example—the prior art rotary arm actuator of a conventional HDD, with one or more belts and pulleys and one or more read/write heads mounted on, or otherwise associated with the belts. Multiple scaled iterations facilitate energy savings and power optimized systems, without compromise to data access performance.
US09293160B1 Magnetic stabilization and scissor design for anomalous hall effect magnetic read sensor
A system comprising a sensor with a free layer that exhibits an anomalous Hall effect is disclosed. Further, the sensor has a magnetic underlayer below the free layer in a track direction for biasing a magnetic orientation of the free layer in a first magnetic orientation, and a magnetic overlayer above the free layer in the track direction for biasing the magnetic orientation of the free layer in the first magnetic orientation. Still further, the sensor has a lower nonmagnetic spacer layer between the magnetic underlayer and the free layer, and an upper nonmagnetic spacer layer between the magnetic overlayer and the free layer.
US09293159B2 Positive and negative magnetostriction ultrahigh linear density sensor
A data sensor may be configured with a magnetic stack disposed between first and second magnetic shields. The magnetic stack can have a non-magnetic spacer layer disposed between first and second magnetically free laminations respectively coupled to the first and second magnetic shields via first and second electrode laminations. The first magnetically free lamination may have a first sub-layer constructed of a transition metal material and disposed between a second sub-layer constructed of a negative magnetostriction material and a third sub-layer constructed of a positive magnetostriction material.
US09293157B1 Automated active feedback slice and view milling of magnetic head cross-sections
A dual/beam FIB/SEM system and method for operating such a system are provided. A micrograph of a throat height view of a magnetic writer is obtained through iterative milling and repeated evaluation of the leading bevel angle or pole length. In some cases, the milling depth for a next iteration may be modified based on evaluation of the leading bevel angles of the current iteration.
US09293147B2 Selective voice transmission during telephone calls
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to selective voice transmission and include receiving an identification of one or more authorized speakers for a telephone call and retrieving a voice sample for each of the one or more authorized speakers. Embodiments also include receiving one or more audio signals for the telephone call and filtering the one or more audio signals by removing a portion of the one or more audio signals that do not contain a voice of at least one of the one or more authorized speakers in the one or more audio signals.
US09293146B2 Intensity stereo coding in advanced audio coding
A system and method for selectively applying Intensity Stereo coding to an audio signal is described. The system and method make decisions on whether to apply Intensity Stereo coding to each scale factor band of the audio signal based on (1) the number of bits necessary to encode each scale factor band using Intensity Stereo coding, (2) spatial distortions generated by using Intensity Stereo coding with each scale factor band, and (3) switching distortions for each scale factor band resulting from switching Intensity Stereo coding on or off in relation to a previous scale factor band.
US09293143B2 Bandwidth extension mode selection
A device includes a decoder that includes an extractor, a predictor, a selector, and a switch. The extractor is configured to extract a first plurality of parameters from a received input signal. The input signal corresponds to an encoded audio signal. The predictor is configured to perform blind bandwidth extension by generating a second plurality of parameters independent of high band information in the input signal. The second plurality of parameters corresponds to a high band portion of the encoded audio signal. The selector is configured to select a particular mode from multiple high band modes including a first mode using the first plurality of parameters and a second mode using the second plurality of parameters. The switch is configured to output the first plurality of parameters or the second plurality of parameters based on the selected particular mode.
US09293142B2 Voice recognition system
A vehicular speech recognition system including multiple speech recognition apparatuses and a speech recognition controller is provided. The multiple speech recognition apparatuses are mounted to a vehicle. When speech recognition of an inputted speech is performed individually by the multiple speech recognition apparatuses to provide multiple results of the speech recognition, the speech recognition controller selects and adopts one result of the speech recognition from among the multiple results of the speech recognition based on contents of the multiple results of the speech recognition.
US09293141B2 Multi-user voice control system for medical devices
The system includes a controller having first and second speech recognition modules and a decision module. The system includes at least one medical device operable by the controller. The system includes a first microphone in communication with the first speech recognition module, and a second microphone in communication with the second speech recognition module. The first speech recognition module generates a first set of commands from voice signals it receives from the first microphone. The second speech recognition module generates a second set of commands from voice signals it receives from the second microphone. The decision module receives the first and second sets of commands, accepts a subset of the commands in the first and second sets, rejects the remainder of the commands, and assembles a third set of commands comprising the accepted commands. The controller executes the third set of commands to operate the at least one medical device.
US09293140B2 Speaker-identification-assisted speech processing systems and methods
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for performing speaker-identification-assisted speech processing. In accordance with certain embodiments, a communication device includes speaker identification (SID) logic that is configured to identify a user of the communication device and/or the identity of a far-end speaker participating in a voice call with a user of the communication device. Knowledge of the identity of the user and/or far-end speaker is then used to improve the performance of one or more speech processing algorithms implemented on the communication device.
US09293127B2 System and method for assisting a user to create musical compositions
A system for assisting an end user to develop a musical composition comprising a data storage medium, a plurality of musical assets stored in the data storage medium, a user interface, and an audio converter module. Each of the plurality of musical assets are associated with a functional attribute and a visual attribute, where the visual attribute provides a visual suggestion to an end user regarding the functional attribute of the musical asset. The user interface is coupled to an audio interface, a display driver and a user input handler; and is capable of rendering a graphical display that enables the end user to select between one or more visual attributes. The audio converter module captures audio recorded by the end-user through the audio interface, processes the audio; and produces a multi-track musical compilation comprised of a plurality of audio tracks mixed together in a manner where the multiple tracks are substantially musically harmonious with one another. When the end-user selects one or more visual attributes via the user interface, the audio converter is also configured to identify the musical assets associated with the one or more selected visual attributes, and alter at least one portion of an audio track based on the functional attributes associated with the identified musical assets; wherein the audio track is one the plurality of audio tracks.
US09293126B2 System to reproduce the sound of a stringed instrument
A system is used to reproduce the sound of a stringed instrument and provided with hammers to strike the strings. The system has a speed detector coupled with each hammer to detect the percussion velocity on the string, a plurality of note modules receiving in input a signal representative of the hammer velocity and generating a force signal (Ftot) representative of the global partial components of the string vibration, and a soundboard-instrument body module receiving in input said signal of the global partial components (Ftot) from each note module and generating two electrical signals (left, right) adapted to drive two electroacoustic transducers for sound emission.
US09293125B2 Tone effects system
A tone effects system for use with electric instruments that allows for reduced or eliminated signal loss before sound effects are applied. A cartridge receiver and a changeover switch are integrated into the body of a desired electric instrument, while an effects cartridge is attached to the electric instrument via the cartridge receiver. The cartridge receiver provides electronic connections between the electric instrument and the effects cartridge, while the changeover switch is used to direct the electronic signal of the electric instrument through the effects cartridge. The effects cartridge provides an effects circuit for manipulating the received electronic signal, as well as an at least one effects control for adjusting the extent to which the effect is applied to the electronic signal. As the effects cartridge is attached to the electric instrument, the at least one effects control is readily accessible while the electric instrument is being played.
US09293123B2 Portable guitar stand
A portable guitar stand has two stand racks, two supporting racks and two holding racks. The stand racks are pivotally connected to each other. The supporting racks are respectively and pivotally connected to the stand racks. The holding racks are respectively and pivotally connected to the stand racks. The holding rack and the supporting rack are pivotally connected to different sides of the corresponding stand rack. When the guitar stand is folded, the stand racks, the supporting racks and the holding racks are parallel to each other. When expanded, the supporting racks and the holding racks, which extend toward different sides, may firmly support the guitar on the guitar stand. When folded, the stand racks, the supporting racks and the holding racks are parallel to each other, thereby lowering the volume of the guitar stand for ease of transportation and storage.
US09293118B2 Client device
An information processing apparatus comprising an image recognition unit that detects whether an image preset as a marker image exists in a captured image; a spatial recognition unit that, when the marker image is detected by the image recognition unit, constructs a real-world coordinate system computed from a position and orientation of the marker image, and computes information corresponding to a position and orientation of the information processing apparatus in the constructed real-world coordinate system; and a virtual object display unit that acquires at least one of the data stored in the storage unit, data existing on a network, and data transmitted from the one or more other information processing apparatuses and received by the communication interface, places the acquired data in the constructed real-world coordinate system, and controls the display unit to display the acquired data as one or more virtual objects.
US09293117B2 Manipulating graphical objects
In one example, a method of connecting graphical objects on a display includes routing a connector that includes a first portion and first and second end terminals between two end points. After routing the connector between the end points, the first portion of the connector is associated with a first plane. The method further includes receiving user input that manipulates a location of at least one of the first and second end terminals of the connector. The connector is then routed between the first and second end points by routing the first portion of the connector in the first plane.
US09293115B2 Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires, for each of division regions, brightness information; a decision unit that decides light emission brightness for each of the division regions; a light emitting unit; and a display panel, wherein the decision unit sets light emission brightness of a division region, in which a displayed image does not include a predetermined region, at light emission brightness according to brightness information of the division region, and sets light emission brightness of a division region, in which a displayed image includes the predetermined region, at light emission brightness lower than the light emission brightness according to brightness information of the division region.
US09293107B2 Adjusting user interfaces based on entity location
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for adjusting user interfaces based on entity location. Embodiments of the invention provide applications (or an operating system) with entity distance/proximity data. Applications can then scale content appropriately based on the proximity data. An operating system contains a distance/proximity driver framework for distance/proximity aware hardware sensors (IR, Radar, capacitive, camera, other). The proximity framework performs distance/proximity/number of viewers calculations from sensor data to formulate proximity data. From the proximity data, an application can determine how to scale user interface data.
US09293100B2 Display apparatus and method of driving the same
A display apparatus includes pixels connected to gate lines and data lines crossing the gate lines, a data driver which drives the data lines, a gate driver which drives the gate lines, a timing controller which controls the data driver and the gate driver in response to an image signal and a control signal and outputs a first kickback signal and a second kickback signal, and a voltage generator which outputs a first gate-on voltage and a second gate-on voltage in response to the first and second kickback signals to drive the gate lines. The gate driver drives a first group of gate lines in response to the first gate-on voltage and drives a second group of the gate lines in response to the second gate-on voltage.
US09293092B2 Liquid crystal display and liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display and liquid crystal display panel (101). The liquid crystal display panel (101) includes: several data lines, several scan lines, several sub-pixel arranged in a matrix form. Three scan lines are formed between every two rows of sub-pixels. One data line is formed respectively on the two sides of the first column of the sub-pixels in every three adjacent columns of the sub-pixels. Therefore, the charging time of the pixels can be improved while the high display quality is satisfied.
US09293088B2 Display device
It is an object to improve image quality in displaying a still image and a moving image by suppressing flickers, a display malfunction, or the like of a display device. A method for controlling the light emission state of a backlight is made different between a still image portion and a moving image portion included in an image to be displayed. In specific, the amount of light emission in the still image portion is made as small as possible in a corresponding divided region of the backlight, and the amount of light emission in the moving image portion is controlled so as not to be changed as much as possible in a corresponding divided region of the backlight.
US09293086B2 Display apparatus and driving method therefor
A display apparatus disclosed herein includes a plurality of pixel circuits each having a plurality of switches configured to receive a driving signal of a predetermined period and be controlled for opening and closing operation by the driving signal; and a drive circuit configured to control the open/closed state of the switches; the drive circuit being operable to scan the pixel circuits and open and close the switches in periods independent of each other.
US09293085B2 Pixel circuit which corrects variations in threshold voltage for a driving transistor and driving method thereof
A pixel circuit with a source follower type connection is provided that corrects variation in threshold voltage of a driving transistor, reduces power consumption and realizes high resolution. The pixel circuit includes: a data line for supplying a data voltage; a power source line for supplying a power source voltage; a reference voltage line for supplying a reference voltage lower than the power source voltage; a plurality of control signal lines for supplying control signals; a light emitting element; a driving transistor; a capacitor; and a plurality of switching transistors. The circuit writes the data voltage through one end of the capacitor and subsequently connects the one end of the capacitor to the anode electrode of the light emitting element.
US09293081B2 Organic light emitting display device with side-view protecting feature
A method of operating a light emitting, image display device that is configured to normally display to one or more viewers, a corresponding image thereof with a relatively wide viewing angle and relatively good contrast, includes selectively outputting to one or more peripheral portions of the wide viewing angle, privacy-protecting light rays of sufficient luminance to substantially reduce, for corresponding viewers viewing from the respective one or more peripheral portions of the relatively wide viewing angle, the otherwise normal and relatively good contrast of the image so as to thereby inhibit viewing of the image from the respective one or more peripheral portions. In one embodiment, the method is carried out using an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel and a light source part disposed on a backside of the OLED panel and comprising at least one light guide plate and at least one light source.
US09293080B2 Data line driving circuit, display device including same, and data line driving method
A detection output circuit provided in a source driver compares a voltage detected by a resistor and a voltage of a driving signal using comparators drives a transistor, a capacitor and an operational amplifier using a ramp signal so that they are maintained at voltages corresponding to a current flowing through a data line, and performs feedback control so that the potential of the data line is a desired potential. With this simple configuration, a data line circuit can be achieved that is capable of eliminating variation in driving transistor characteristics and the like, while performing current protection at high speed.
US09293078B2 Display device integrated with touch screen panel and method of driving the same
A display device integrated with a touch screen panel, and a method of driving the same, can prevent parasitic capacitance that would otherwise increase the load during a touch operation, lower the accuracy of touch sensing, or make touch sensing impossible. The display device includes data lines, gate lines, and a plurality of electrodes spaced apart from each other. A common voltage is applied to the electrodes in a display driving mode and a touch drive signal is applied to one or more of the electrodes in a touch driving mode. A data voltage is applied to the data lines in the display driving mode. A scan signal is supplied sequentially to the gate lines in the display driving mode and the touch drive signal or a signal corresponding to the touch drive signal is applied to one or more of the gate lines in the touch driving mode.
US09293067B1 Device for marking a wire
A device for marking a wire projecting from the tube of a shell and tube heat exchanger includes first and second legs which cooperate to form a tubular body with opposed openings for receiving the wire, and a hinge at a first end of the tubular body about which the body flexes to enable insertion of the wire into the openings.
US09293066B2 Kit of pre-construction samples for replicating construction products
The present invention is a pre-construction sample that is made of a flexible material and has a product image corresponding to an actual construction product. The pre-construction sample is preferably at least 18 inches in one dimension. The pre-construction sample is preferably produced by a printing process having at least 200 dpi, and more preferably 300 dpi. Kits of pre-construction samples are provided to assist the consumer choosing from among various construction products, such as flooring, decking, countertops, cabinets, windows, shingles, among others.
US09293061B2 Method for creating a mnemonic experience
A mnemonic system provides a method for creating virtual and real places that can be experienced in person or virtually to cause users to remember and retain presented information. When the place is real, the method can be embodied in a curatorial or thematic experience. The method can be used to create tangible items like a book or game that are written according to the method of the invention. The method can be placed on computer readable media. When the method is executed by a computer, a virtual place, such as a palace, is created for a user to virtually experience. A method is taught for collaborative creation of mnemonic experiences. The collaborative co-creation application of the invention works by allowing people to co-create, contribute, information/facts and images into the standardized architecturally created palace (adhering to all the co-creation steps mentioned herein) creating a complete concentration-specific palace.
US09293060B2 Apparatus and method for recognition of patient activities when obtaining protocol adherence data
A medication confirmation method and apparatus. The method of an embodiment of the invention includes the steps of capturing one or more video sequences of a user administering medication, storing the captured one or more video sequences, and comparing at least one of the stored video sequences with a corresponding one or more prerecorded video sequences to confirm that the user has properly administered the medication.
US09293059B1 Pre-natal sound system
A primary strap has upper and lower edges, interior and exterior faces, first and second ends, and a mid-point. Hook and loop patches are secured to the interior face of the primary strap adjacent to the first and second ends. A plurality of secondary straps of varying lengths each have an interior and exterior face and opposed ends with hook and loop members on each interior face. The hook and loop members are adjacent to each end of each secondary strap. An elongated closure strap with interior and exterior faces and opposed ends is coupled along its length to the primary strap to form an upper portion and a lower portion. Hook and loop fasteners on essentially the entire length of the upper and lower portions of the exterior face of the closure strap, the hook and loop fasteners adapted to be separably coupled to form a passageway.
US09293056B2 Importing and analyzing external data using a virtual reality welding system
A real-time virtual reality welding system including a programmable processor-based subsystem, a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem, at least one mock welding tool capable of being spatially tracked by the spatial tracker, and at least one display device operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem. The system is capable of simulating, in virtual reality space, a weld puddle having real-time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics. The system is further capable of importing data into the virtual reality welding system and analyzing the data to characterize a student welder's progress and to provide training.
US09293054B2 Systems and methods to react to environmental input
Computer implemented systems and methods of communicating a system reaction to environmental input comprising receiving environmental input, determining a hazard state and a user state from the environmental input, determining a system reaction from the hazard state and the user state and communicating the system reaction to a user interface. In some embodiments, the system reaction comprises a system reaction level and in some embodiments the system reaction level corresponds to a stage of automation. In some embodiments, the user interface is a multimodal interface and in some embodiments the user interface is a haptic interface.
US09293053B2 Aircraft avionics management and control system
The disclosure describes an aircraft avionics management and control system, including apparatuses and methods, for consolidating aircraft avionics management and control operations and for allowing universal management, control, and operation of a plurality of communications systems, navigation systems, transponder systems, and other avionics systems with a single device. The communication systems may comprise a plurality of military radios, civilian radios, or other communication systems of different types and may have different manufacturers. Similarly, the navigation systems and transponder systems may comprise navigation systems and transponder systems of different types and may have different manufacturers. The communication systems, navigation systems, transponder systems, and other avionics systems may be communicatively connected to the aircraft avionics management and control system via different types of communication links having different communications protocols and/or different standards.
US09293048B2 Method for efficient dynamic allocation of vehicles to independent passengers
The present invention may enable the efficient allocation of a plurality of vehicles (300) to a plurality of passengers (100) traveling between independent origins and destinations. In one or more embodiments, the method may collect the locations of vehicles (300), and the origins and destinations of traveling parties (100). The method may generate a set of routes that it deems superior to other known sets of routes, making use of an electronic map (202), which may provide street lengths, estimated travel times, and estimated costs along streets.
US09293045B2 Vehicle to vehicle communication
A computer-implemented method, carried out by one or more processors, for vehicle to vehicle communication. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of receiving a first message selection, where the first message selection includes at least information associated with a road hazard. Identifying a first directional RFID communicator of a first vehicle with a second directional RFID communicator of a second vehicle. Responsive to identifying the first directional RFID communicator of the first vehicle, sending the first message selection to the first directional RFID communicator from the second directional RFID communicator.
US09293044B2 Cooperative vehicle collision warning system
According to an aspect of the invention, a traffic information communication system includes a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be configured to receive a message relating to traffic conditions along a thoroughfare from a communication node. The transmitter may be communicatively coupled to the receiver and may be configured to rebroadcast the message within a predetermined amount of time after receiving the message. The traffic information communication system may be implemented in a vehicle traveling along the thoroughfare.
US09293042B1 Electronic display systems connected to vehicles and vehicle-based systems
Electronic digital display systems, including roadside display devices, vehicle-based devices, personal mobile devices, intermediary servers, advertising servers, and/or additional external data sources may operate individually or in combination to identify one or more vehicle locations, driving routes, driver and passenger characteristics, and the like. Vehicle and individual characteristics may be determined based on data received from traffic cameras, vehicle-based devices, personal mobile devices, and/or other data sources. Based on the vehicle characteristics, individual characteristics, driving data and driving patterns, and the like, digital content may be determined for electronic roadside displays to be viewable by the approaching vehicles, and/or other digital display devices to be viewable by associated individuals via other display devices and at other times. Various techniques may be used to determine customized digital content, such as targeted advertisements and/or driving or vehicle safety messages, including retrieval and aggregation of certain characteristics, prioritization of characteristics, and real-time auctions for advertisements. Additionally, certain systems may be interactive to allow user responses and follow-up content via on-board vehicle devices or other user devices.
US09293041B2 Traffic monitoring via telecommunication data
Various embodiments include a system having: at least one computing device configured to monitor a motor vehicle traffic pattern by performing actions including: obtaining telecommunications data from a plurality of mobile devices within a hyper-local area over a hyper-local period; identifying a set of mobile devices within the plurality of mobile devices travelling by motor vehicle from the telecommunications data; determining the motor vehicle traffic pattern based upon the telecommunications data from the set of mobile devices traveling by motor vehicle; comparing the determined motor vehicle traffic pattern with a threshold motor vehicle traffic pattern; and providing instructions for modifying at least one traffic signal device in response to the determined motor vehicle traffic pattern deviating from the threshold motor vehicle traffic pattern.
US09293038B2 Traffic control agency deployment and signal optimization for event planning
Embodiments relate to traffic control resource planning. An aspect includes receiving information about available routes in a transportation network and receiving an estimate of a traffic demand in the transportation network. Traffic control planning is performed and it may include: simulating a traffic flow based on the available routes and the traffic demand; applying a model that varies traffic control agent (TCA) placement and traffic signal settings in the transportation network to minimize a cost associated with the traffic flow, the cost including a TCA deployment cost and a traffic delay cost; and outputting a traffic control plan based on the applying, the traffic control plan including a TCA placement and traffic signal setting plan.
US09293035B2 Information apparatus, apparatus to be controlled, radio communication system, and method for selecting apparatus to be controlled
An information device is disclosed that makes it possible to simplify the operation of a user in selecting a device to be operated from among a plurality of controlled devices without any cost increase. In this device, a reception frequency indicating section instructs a frequency synthesizer to perform demodulation at a first frequency (5 GHz) first. The reception frequency indicating section instructs the frequency synthesizer to perform demodulation at a second frequency (920 MHz) when instructed from a user to select another controlled device while a menu button indicating all the controlled devices whose ID information has been detected is displayed.
US09293030B2 System and method for providing centralized management and distribution of information to remote users
The invention includes systems, methods, and software applications for centrally maintaining information and automatically distributing relevant portions of the information to remote users. In one embodiment, a central server stores the information, which is maintained on the central server. Periodically, or each time the server information is updated, the server identifies the portion of the information that is relevant to each user and downloads the relevant portion of information to each user, for example to a mobile device such as a Blackberry™. The invention may be used to maintain and timely distribute information related to emergency response procedures, sales or servicing schedules, and delivery schedules, among other things.
US09293029B2 System and method for monitoring, detecting and reporting emergency conditions using sensors belonging to multiple organizations
A system and method for monitoring sensors belonging to multiple organizations, detecting an emergency condition based on sensor information, associating a location with the detected emergency condition and then sending an emergency condition report to an authorized recipient. Sensor configuration data is either entered automatically using a sensor discovery engine or entered by a system administrator. The system monitors sensor information using a database-driven rules engine and reports emergency conditions to authorized recipients using a database-driven rules engine. The emergency condition report includes sensor information for sensors that are proximally located to the detected emergency condition.
US09293028B2 Roundslings with radio frequency identification pre-failure warning indicators
Roundslings with radio frequency identification pre-failure warning indicators comprise radio frequency identification tags, radio frequency identification tag sensors, and radio frequency signal receivers that inform a user of a pre-failure condition with the roundsling. The radio frequency tags may be affixed to one or more of an indicator yarn, a strand of the roundsling core, a dedicated strand of a pre-failure indicator assembly, or a ring of the pre-failure indicator assembly. The radio frequency tags may be active or passive, and active radio frequency tags may comprise a shield that block a signal transmitted from the tag.
US09293027B2 System for repelling a pet from a predetermined area
A system for repelling a pet from at least one predetermined area includes a first device adapted for positioning at the predetermined area. The first device includes at least one of a first receiver and a first transmitter. A second device is adapted for placement on the pet. The second device includes at least one of a second receiver and a second transmitter. At least one of the first device and the second device is configured to warn the pet when the second device approaches the at least one predetermined area, and thereby train the pet to stay away from the predetermined area.
US09293022B2 Detecting apparatus, detecting system, and detecting method
The present invention provides a detecting apparatus for detecting an abnormal state such as a drop or fall of a person to be observed from a captured image in a real-time manner and realizing improvement in precision of the detection while eliminating the influence of a background image and noise. The detecting apparatus calculates a motion vector of each of blocks of an image of video data, and extracts a block group in which the size of the motion vector exceeds a predetermined value. The detecting apparatus forms a group from adjacent blocks. For example, in descending order of the area of the blocks, the detecting apparatus calculates characteristic amounts such as an average vector, a variance, and a rotation direction component of motion blocks included in the blocks. The detecting apparatus detects that the person to be observed is in an abnormal state such as a drop or fall on the basis of the characteristic amounts of the groups, and informs an external apparatus or the like of the detection result. The detecting apparatus corrects a deviation of the angle of the imaging direction on the basis of a process of reducing pixels in the horizontal direction of an image and acceleration of the camera, thereby improving the precision of the detection.
US09293021B2 Object monitoring system using radiofrequency identification tags having tag-specific identifiers
A system (2) for monitoring a plurality of objects (6) in a predefined detection area (8), includes: a plurality of radiofrequency identification tags (4), each tag (4) being suitable for being attached onto an object (6), at least one radiofrequency reader (10) for reading radiofrequency identification tags (4), the or each reader (10) being connected to an antenna (12), and all of the readers (10) defining the predefined detection area (8), an element (16) for processing information transmitted by the or each radiofrequency reader (10), the information including an identifier specific to each tag (4) to be monitored in the predefined detection area (8), and an alarm element (18) connected to the processing element, the monitoring system being characterized in that it includes a casing (14) that is impervious to the radiofrequency signals transmitted by the radiofrequency identification tags (4) located inside the casing (14).
US09293018B2 Multifunctional anti-theft device
A multifunctional, integrated and programmed anti-theft protection device with a modern control, usage and additional functions for mobile items, combined two or more items respectively parts with a 3D universal-/smart sensor for triggering an alarm as well as menu usage per individual box motion. An alarm tone is composed of individually spoken words, sentences or with combined alarm tones. Motions in 3D area are noticed by 3D sensor and are presentable on a display or per computer applications. One programmable microchip with data capacity undertakes the control, protection, data storage, data management and data transmission per USB flash, bluetooth, radio, etc. The triggering of the alarm is caused by movement or by two parts by overrunning one of the sensors, respectively signal distance. The anti-theft device can be fixed, integrated or removable to items.
US09293008B2 Layout elements as rendering placeholders for native wagering game applications
A wagering game machine configured to present a wagering game upon which monetary value may be wagered receives a layout description for a first set of image components defines one or more placeholder areas. A first executable component renders a portion of the first set of image components in accordance with the layout description. A natively executed wagering game application renders a second set of image components defined independently from the layout description within the placeholder areas. The first executable component renders a second portion of the first set of images over the images rendered by the natively executed wagering game application.
US09293007B2 Gaming system and method for providing a progressive award multiple times before resetting the displayed value of the provided progressive award
In various embodiments, the gaming system and method disclosed herein maintains a progressive award that is associated with a plurality of different progressive award trigger values or progressive award hit values. In such embodiments, the displayed value of the progressive award does not reset to a reset value or reset amount until the displayed value of that progressive award has incremented to each of the plurality of progressive award hit values associated with that progressive award. In these embodiments, the gaming system provides a plurality of displayed incremented values of a progressive award a plurality of times before the displayed value of that progressive award is reset to the reset value. Such a configuration provides that after the gaming system provides a currently displayed value of a progressive award to a player at least a first time, the displayed value of that progressive award continues incrementing from the provided value.
US09293004B2 System and method for providing a roulette game
A system comprises a client operable to communicate a bet regarding a spin of a virtual roulette wheel. The system further comprises a controller communicably coupled to the client and operable to determine a of the spin of the virtual roulette wheel, the based at least in part upon one or more digits of at least one financial market indicator at a configurable point in time. The system is further operable to determine an outcome of the bet based at least in part on the determined .
US09293000B2 Gaming system, gaming device and method for moderating remote host initiated features for multiple concurrently played games
The gaming system disclosed herein enables a player to simultaneously or concurrently play a plurality of games at a gaming device regardless or independent of if the gaming device accounting system in communication with the gaming device is configured to support such simultaneous or concurrent game play. The gaming system disclosed herein additionally or alternatively enables a player to simultaneously play a plurality of games wherein certain of the games are eligible to operate with a remote host and certain of the games are ineligible to operate with the remote host.
US09292999B2 Communication device and method between an audiovisual information playback system and an electronic game machine
The invention relates to a communication device between an audiovisual information playback system (1) and at least one electronic game machine (2), each electronic game machine comprising a viewing means (200), a means (210) for interacting with the user and a means of payment (220), characterized in that each electronic game machine (2) is connected to the playback system (2) via a network interface (21) and an associated LAN (3), and comprises specific means (20, 21, 22) for managing a means of payment, a viewing means and an interactive means, in order to enable, on the electronic game machine (2), the selection and payment of at least one selection stored on the playback system (2), with a view to playback thereof on the playback system, the specific means (22) of managing payment means and the specific means (21) of managing viewing means and the interactive means being triggered by the activation means of the electronic game machine (2).
US09292995B2 Automatic distributor for juices extracted from fresh fruit
A refrigerated automatic distributor (51) for juices extracted from fresh fruits (53) comprising a fruit or vegetable stocking store (52), a juice extraction device (54) for extracting juice from fruits or vegetables, a fruit moving mechanism for moving the fruits or vegetables between the stocking store and the extraction device, a mouth (26) of access to a container (33) for the juice and an electronic control unit (31). The distributor (51) further comprises a sealing device (41) for sealing the container (33) with the juice extracted and to be dispensed and in which the electronic control unit (31) is provided for activating the sealing device (41) on request of the user.
US09292990B2 Systems and methods for spectral authentication of a feature of a document
Systems and methods for authenticating a document are provided. In one embodiment, a method for authenticating a feature of a document includes capturing a first image of a region of a document while the region is subjected to a first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. The region includes at least a portion of the document. The method also includes determining a first intensity value associated with the first image of the region, and comparing the first intensity value with a first training intensity value of a region of a training document. The first training intensity value is obtained using the first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. The method also includes determining whether the document is authentic at least partially based on the comparison between the first intensity value and the first training intensity value.
US09292987B1 System and method for fully encrypted remote web-based voting
The presented invention discloses an electronic web-based election system and method for fully encrypted secure remote voting, wherein the voting data is fully encrypted, including within-the-database encryption, until the end of voting time period. Further disclosed a computer encryption system, wherein the voting result encryption application is additionally installed, such a system being configured to obtain encrypted voting results data and send such a data as a ciphertext to the election central server for encrypted ciphertext storage in the database to prevent everybody, including database administrators, from viewing the data. Method for secure data encryption and public keys computation based on voter's secret PIN code is further presented.
US09292984B2 Wireless communication system between a vehicle and a portable device
In a wireless communication system, an approach determination section determines whether a portable device is inside of a nearby area of one of a plurality of transmitting antennas transmitting a primary signal. When the approach determination section determines that the portable device is inside of the nearby area, a transmission control section changes a driving voltage of another one of the transmitting antennas disposed outside of the nearby area, such that a communication area of the another one of the transmitting antennas is increased to encompass the nearby area of the one of the transmitting antennas, and the primary signal is retransmitted from the another one of the transmitting antennas.
US09292980B2 Driver risk assessment system and method employing selectively automatic event scoring
A Driver Risk Assessment System and Method Employing Selectively Automatic Event Scoring. The system and method provides robust and reliable event scoring and reporting, while also optimizing data transmission bandwidth. The system includes onboard vehicular driving event detectors that record data related to detected driving events, selectively store or transfer data related to said detected driving events. If elected, the onboard vehicular system will score a detected driving event, compare the local score to historical values previously stored within the onboard system, and upload selective data or data types to a remote server or user if the system concludes that a serious driving event has occurred. The system may further respond to independent user requests by transferring select data to said user at a variety of locations and formats.
US09292978B2 Method and apparatus for reducing data transfer rates from a vehicle data logger when a quality of the cellular or satellite link is poor
System and method for reducing data transfer rates when a quality of the cellular or satellite link (i.e., a long range wireless data link) is poor. Such a concept is particularly well suited to embodiments where the vehicle data being logged or collected includes position data, because consumers of vehicle data that includes position data often desire to have such data exported from the vehicle on frequent basis, so that the physical location of fleet vehicles can be tracked in real-time. In one embodiment, before transmitting data a current location of the vehicle is checked against known bad locations, and no data is sent when the current location is known to be bad. In another embodiment, if successful data transmission is not confirmed during a first time period, additional transmission attempts are delayed for a second time period.
US09292977B2 Method and apparatus for identifying related fix information and parts number
A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein a faulty part and its part number is determined based on a retrieved DTC for a specific vehicle. The part number may include the original manufacturer's number and a generic equivalent manufacturer's number (if available). The diagnostic tool can search a parts database of various parts suppliers for their pricing and location. The diagnostic tool can also provide suggested fixes to the user based on the retrieved DTC.
US09292974B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An information processing system that acquires video data captured by an image pickup unit; detects an object from the video data; detects a condition corresponding to the image pickup unit; and controls a display to display content associated with the object at a position other than a detected position of the object based on the condition corresponding to the image pickup unit.
US09292972B2 Occupant centric capture and visualization of building performance data
A computer implemented method for 3-D visualization of a building module and building related data includes receiving attributes of a plurality of building modules from a building information model and receiving data inputs from a plurality of sensors located in at least a subset of the plurality of building modules. The building related data is calculated for each of the plurality of building modules based on the data inputs. A 3-D visualization data of a selected building module in the plurality of building modules is generated for display on a computer screen.
US09292970B2 Systems and methods of retopologizing graphical data
Systems and methods of updating graphical objects are disclosed. The methods and systems receive polygonal data which described points on an object. A user indicates a length, and retopologized data for a region is automatically generated based on the length such that the retopologized data has fewer geometries than the received polygonal data in the region.
US09292967B2 Parameterized model of 2D articulated human shape
A novel “contour person” (CP) model of the human body is proposed that has the expressive power of a detailed 3D model and the computational benefits of a simple 20 part-based model. The CP model is learned from a 3D model of the human body that captures natural shape and pose variations. The CP model factors deformations of the body into three components: shape variation, viewpoint change and pose variation. The CP model can be “dressed” with a low-dimensional clothing model. The clothing is represented as a deformation from the underlying CP representation. This deformation is learned from training examples using principal component analysis to produce so-called eigen-clothing. The coefficients of the eigen-clothing can be used to recognize different categories of clothing on dressed people. The parameters of the estimated 20 body can be used to discriminatively predict 3D body shape using a learned mapping approach.
US09292965B2 Accelerated data structure positioning based upon view orientation
A circuit arrangement, program product and circuit arrangement utilize the known view orientation for an image frame to be rendered to reposition an Accelerated Data Structure (ADS) used during rendering to optimize the generation and/or use of the ADS, e.g., by transforming a scene from which an image frame is rendered to orient the scene relative to the view orientation prior to generating the ADS. A scene may be transformed, for example, to orient the view orientation within a single octant of the scene, with additional processing resources assigned to that octant to ensure sufficient processing resources are devoted to processing the primitives within the view orientation.
US09292963B2 Three-dimensional object model determination using a beacon
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determining relationships between locations based on beacon information. At least three sensors of a device can be used to determine locations of a beacon. The device can determine a three-dimensional relationship between the locations.
US09292962B2 Modifying perspective of stereoscopic images based on changes in user viewpoint
Modifying perspective of stereoscopic images provided by one or more displays based on changes in user viewpoint. The one or more displays may include a first display that is provided substantially horizontal for displaying 3D horizontal perspective images and/or a second display that is provided substantially vertical for displaying text or conventional images such as 2D images, or 3D vertical perspective images. The horizontal display surface may be typically positioned directly in front of the user, and at a height of about a desktop surface so that the user can have about a 45° looking angle. The vertical display surface may be positioned in front of the user and preferably behind and above the horizontal display surface.
US09292959B2 Multi-dimensional stacking with self-correction
A method and apparatus comprises a combination of four-dimensional image stacking methods and self-correction features. An input frame in a sequence is modified into multiple subimages with multiple subregions, where there is one and only one subregion in every subimage contains the higher frequency information of the original input frame than the same subregion in all other subimages; each of the subimages is sent to a device of a stacked display system; the sequence of displayed frames is further modified into pairs for temporal stacking. The result is equal or considered better than the original quality. By equipped with sensor based negative feedback processes and correction algorithms, it provides new ways to fast calibration or constantly and continuously self-correction to the display system non-uniformities, including brightness, registration, etc., and all behind the scene during the normal show playing or image presentation therefore unnoticeable to audience.
US09292950B2 Cell-based composited windowing system
A system improves the performance of compositing individual images representing graphic layers into a composite image. The system may subdivide an image area of the composite image into cells such that for each one of the cells, either none of the graphic layers overlap within a respective one of the cells or all of the graphic layers that overlap within the respective one of the cells overlap throughout the respective one of the cells. A composition operation may be applicable to composite the respective one of the cells. The system may determine which processor generates the respective one of the cells based on which one of the processors is able to perform the type composition operation. The processor may generate the respective one of the cells by processing the composition operation.
US09292948B2 Drawing method
A drawing system and method is provided for drawing objects and maps in a virtual world editor. The drawing method performs object checking to determine if a particular object can be drawn in the virtual world editor. When drawing the object, if the drawing method for the object does not satisfy a specific condition, the method will not allow the object to “set.” If the object satisfies the specific condition, the method will allow the object to set and be drawn onto the terrain. If the object is obstructed as it is being drawn, the drawing system will adjust the object so it is appropriately drawn in the software environment.
US09292941B2 Methods and apparatus for specifying and interpolating hierarchical procedural models
Methods and apparatus for procedural modeling are described for generating procedural models and exploring procedural model space. Common procedural components (models, modules, and methods) and a hierarchical framework are described that may be used to construct hierarchical procedural models. A model may comprise a hierarchy of one or more modules. Each module includes a sequence of methods and an optional geometry for display. A method may be controlled by one or more parameters. The values of the parameters may be specified via curves. A module description may be condensed into a single array of values for parameters of the module. Thus, a model or module may be specified by filling in values for arrays of parameters for the sequence of methods. An interpolation technique for interpolating between models is described in which models are matched according to a cost function so that ancestry is preserved.
US09292940B2 Method and apparatus for generating an image coding signal
An apparatus generates an image coding signal comprising for each image a first pixelized picture and a second pixelized picture having a luminance component and a chroma component. The apparatus comprises a first picture processor (203, 211) which includes image encoding data for an encoded first image in the first pixelized picture. A second picture processor (205, 207, 209, 211) includes dynamic range extension data in the second pixelized picture. The dynamic range extension data may be dynamic range extension data included in a chroma component of the second pixelized picture for generating an increased dynamic range image on the basis of the encoded first image. The compensation data may e.g. be compensation data for correcting another LDR-to-HDR transform, e.g. a prefixed global gamma transformation. The dynamic range extension data may be included in a luminance component and comprise data representing a dynamic range extension transform for generating an increased dynamic range image from the encoded first image.
US09292939B2 Information processing system, information processing method and program
Provided are an information processing system, an information processing method and a program that can detect probability whether individuals contacted or not outside the imaging ranges of surveillance cameras. The invention includes: an image receiving unit that receives input of images captured by a plurality of imaging apparatuses including a first surveillance camera and a second surveillance camera; and a list generating unit that outputs information on two individuals when each of the two individuals satisfies the conditions of a moment of disappearing from the frame of an image of one of the surveillance cameras, and a moment of appearing in the frame of an image of the other one of the surveillance cameras.
US09292933B2 Method and apparatus for shape based deformable segmentation of multiple overlapping objects
The present invention provides a system and method for simultaneous variational and adaptive segmentation of single non-overlapping and multiple overlapping/occluded-objects in an image scene. The method according to the present invention synergistically combines shape priors with boundary and region-based active contours in a level set formulation with a watershed scheme for model initialization for identifying and resolving multiple object overlaps in an image scene. The method according to the present invention comprises learning a shape prior for a target object of interest and applying the shape prior into a hybrid active contour model to segment overlapping and non-overlapping objects simultaneously.
US09292930B2 Method, apparatus and system for determining a boundary of an obstacle which occludes an object in an image
A method of determining a boundary of an obstacle which occludes an object in an image, is disclosed. At least one object in the image and a further image captured by a camera is determined. A plurality of regions in which the at least one object is detected, is determined from the images. Locations of edges of the plurality of regions are determined A common location is determined from the determined edges. The boundary of the obstacle is determined, where the boundary comprises a part of the edges at the common location.
US09292929B2 Image region extraction device, image region extraction method, and image region extraction program
An image region extraction device for extracting a target region on the basis of a designated region with high precision. An image region extraction device (100) extracts a target region from an image on the basis of a designated region and is provided with: a spatial change learning unit (180) for acquiring, for each section of the image, a pixel value changing pattern which is a characteristic of the spatial changes in a pixel value component, and a distance changing pattern which is a characteristic of the spatial changes in a distance component extending from a reference position to a photographic object; and a region dividing unit (210) for extracting a target region on the basis of the similarities between the pixel value changing pattern and the distance changing pattern among the designated region and each section of the image.
US09292925B2 Imaging system and control method thereof
An imaging system includes: an imaging unit that divides an imaging area of a subject into a plurality of blocks and captures images of the blocks; an image processing unit that merges the images of the respective blocks captured by the imaging unit to generate an entire image; a measuring unit that measures a plurality of points on the subject to acquire measured data before an image of the subject is captured by the imaging unit; and a dividing position adjusting unit that adjusts dividing positions of the subject based on the measured data of the measuring points acquired by the measuring unit so that boundaries of the blocks are arranged at positions having smaller spatial variations in values of the measured data. The imaging unit captures an image of each block according to the dividing positions adjusted by the dividing position adjusting unit.
US09292923B2 Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to monitor environments
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to monitor environments are disclosed. An example method includes analyzing a first depth value corresponding to a coordinate of an object of an image captured by a depth sensor, the first depth value having been captured with the depth sensor positioned at a first angle relative to a reference axis; moving the depth sensor to a second angle relative to the reference axis, the second angle being different than the first angle; triggering capture of a second depth value at the coordinate with the depth sensor positioned at the second angle; and calculating a depth gradient for the coordinate based on the first and second depth values.
US09292920B2 Methods and systems for producing an implant
A computer implemented method for determining the 3-dimensional shape of an implant to be implanted into a subject includes obtaining a computer readable image including a defective portion and a non-defective portion of tissue in the subject, superimposing on the image a shape to span the defective portion, and determining the 3-dimensional shape of the implant based on the shape that spans the defective portion.
US09292919B2 Medical image diagnosis apparatus, medical image processing apparatus, and medical image processing method
A medical image diagnosis apparatus of an embodiment includes: an image generation unit configured to generate a first image which is an original image, from a medical image taken by a medical imaging unit; an image conversion unit configured to process the first image to output a second image where a color tone of a predetermined region in the first image is kept and a color tone of a region other than the predetermined region is converted; and an image output unit configured to supply the second image to an output apparatus.
US09292909B2 Selective image correction for infrared imaging devices
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging devices to image scenes in proximity to a vehicle. An imaging system may include one or more infrared imaging devices, a processor, a memory, a display, a communication module, and modules to interface with a user, sensors, and/or a vehicle. Infrared imaging devices may be positioned in proximity to, mounted on, installed in, or otherwise fixed relative to a vehicle. Infrared imaging devices may be configured to capture infrared images of scenes in proximity to a vehicle. Various infrared image analytics and processing may be performed on captured infrared images to correct and/or calibrate the infrared images. Monitoring information, notifications, and/or control signals may be generated based on the corrected infrared images and then presented to a user and/or a monitoring and notification system, and/or used to control aspects of the vehicle.
US09292907B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a correlation value map generation unit configured to generate a correlation value map by setting a target block, having a predetermined size and including a plurality of pixels, on a target image, and obtaining correlation values with a plurality of reference blocks corresponding to a target block set on a reference image different from the target image. The image processing apparatus also includes a detection unit configured to detect deviation between a reference block having a maximum correlation with the target block from the correlation value map, and the target block, as a motion vector of the target block, and a reliability evaluation unit configured to evaluate reliability of the motion vector by evaluating whether a distribution of correlation values whose correlation are local maximum is linear from the correlation value map.
US09292897B2 Watermarking of images
Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the watermarking of images. According to various embodiments, a watermark image to apply to a digital image is identified. The digital image may include a plurality of image pixel data values. Each of the image pixel data values may designate a color of a corresponding pixel in the digital image. The watermark image may include a plurality of watermark pixel data values. Each of the watermark pixel data values may designate a color change to a corresponding pixel. The watermark image may be of relatively low frequency and may exhibit relatively gradual transitions and relatively constant color tone. The watermark image may be superimposed on at least a portion of the digital image to create a watermarked digital image.
US09292895B2 Device, system and method for recognizing inputted data using memory having blackboard data structure
One arrangement concerns a portable device (e.g., a smartphone) that executes plural recognition agents, such as agents that perform fingerprint-based object recognition, fingerprint-based audio recognition, barcode reading, watermark decoding, etc. Each of the agents reads from and writes to a blackboard data structure, to which camera and microphone sensors also post their data. Queues of stored sensor data are thus available for the agents to process. In some arrangements, the agents also post—to the blackboard—estimates of the resource costs required to perform certain functions, and estimates of the quality of results that may be achieved by such functions. This allows the system to make informed decisions about how to deploy the device's limited resources (battery, processing cycles, network bandwidth, etc.). A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US09292892B2 Dual display gaming system and method
A computer gaming system and method is claimed. The computer gaming system includes a plurality of client devices and at least two displays are associated with each client device. Input commands are received at each client device. Server based gaming programs are hosted on the server, which receive the input commands from each client device and generate at least one output image that is communicated to each client device. A first server based gaming program receives at least one first input command and generates a first plurality of output images that are communicated to a first client device; the first images are presented on the first display corresponding to the first client device. The second server based gaming program receives at least one second input command and generates a second plurality of output images that are communicated to the first client device; the second images are presented on the second display corresponding to the first client device.
US09292889B2 Systems and methods of preparing food products
A food preparation and delivery system can include a plurality of cooking units such as ovens, each containing one or more prepared, but partially or completely uncooked, food items. The food items in the cooking units are for delivery to each of a corresponding plurality of consumer delivery destinations. The cooking units are loaded into a cargo compartment of a delivery vehicle for delivery to the plurality of consumer delivery destinations. The cooking conditions within the cooking unit are controlled such the each food item is cooked prior to arrival at the consumer destination location. In at least some embodiments, the estimated delivery time for each consumer destination location can be dynamically updated and the cooking conditions within the cooking unit adjusted.
US09292888B2 Constructing and calibrating enthalpy based predictive model for building energy consumption
A predictive model for building energy consumption may be constructed and run to predict energy consumption in a building or to detect anomaly in energy consumption in a building or combinations thereof. Historic energy consumption data associated with energy consumed in a building may be received. Enthalpy of air outside the building may be determined. An energy consumption model may be calibrated based on the historic energy consumption data and the enthalpy of air outside the building. The energy consumption model incorporates enthalpy difference between a balance enthalpy and the enthalpy of air outside the building.
US09292883B2 System and method for managing a trail
A system and method for managing a trail. The trail is generated in response to receiving user input provided by a user. The trail includes multiple nodes that are interconnected. Characteristics for the multiple nodes including at least shape and color are established. The trail is modified in response to receive additional user input. The trail is displayed according to user preferences established by the user.
US09292881B2 Social sharing of security information in a group
Techniques for social sharing security information between client entities forming a group are described herein. The group of client entities is formed as a result of a security server providing one or more secure mechanisms for forming a group among client entities, the client entities each belonging to a different organization. The security service then automatically shares security information of a client entity in the group with one or more other client entities in the group.
US09292876B1 Systems and methods for employing document snapshots in transaction rooms for digital transactions
Embodiments are directed towards employing a transaction room in a digital transaction service to provide participants controlled access and editing of a document. In response to a trigger, a first copy of the document is created. The first copy of the document may be provided to a recipient for review such that the first copy is non-editable by the participants, while the document is editable in the transaction room. The document may be prepared for electronic signature such that, when the document has changed after the first copy was provided for review, a second copy of the document is created and tagged for signature; and when the document has not changed after the first copy was provided for review, the first copy may be tagged for signature. Tagging a document copy for signature may include pre-tagging the document for signature based on signing roles of the recipients.
US09292864B2 Wireless communication device and methods for synched distributed advertisement for device-to-device discovery
Examples of a communication device and methods for synched distributed advertisement for device-to-device are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a method can include transmitting, from a first device of a publishing group, at a group publishing beacon interval (T), a first publishing beacon (PB) including social information of the first device and social information of (N−1) other devices, wherein the group publishing beacon interval (T) represents a preset interval of time between each successive publishing beacon transmission of the publishing group, and wherein the first publishing beacon and the each successive publishing beacon includes a first value representative of the group publishing beacon interval.
US09292856B1 Audience duplication for parent-child resource pairs
A combined reach can be determined for multiple resources. Usage data, including audience duplication data, is used to generate audience duplication measurements for pairs of the resources. A child-resource pair is identified, and the audience duplication measurement for that resource pair is modified. The modified measurement is used to determine a combined reach for the multiple resources. A report is also generated based on the combined reach.
US09292855B2 Synthesizing messaging using context provided by consumers
The present invention provides a computer network implementable integration of promoted information with non-promoted content before a consumer interaction with the network, such that when the consumer interacts with the network, a consumer information interacts with this integrated content and delivers a message to the consumer such that the consumer visualizes this message as part of consumer experience without distracting from the network interaction task at hand. The integration is facilitated by semantic analysis and synthesis to naturally position the promoted content as close to the consumer interaction tasks as possible at that instant. This approach displaces the current practice of matching message to media placement while further enabling a promoter to evaluate and respond to feedback data depicting the efficacy of the sponsor message. The network in question is any computer network such as the Internet or intranet.
US09292852B2 System and method for applying stored value to a financial transaction
A transaction processing service operates as an intermediary between acquirers of financial transaction requests and issuing institutions that process the financial transaction requests. The intermediary receives an authorization request generated based on a transaction initiated by a customer at a point of purchase. The intermediary service then determines one or more stored value items that can be applied to the transaction. Stored value items may be determined based on the customer's identity or based on transaction characteristics, such as the point of purchase or the transaction items. The service sends a transaction notification to a mobile device associated with the customer to notify the customer of the available stored value items. The service then applies the stored value items to pay a portion of the transaction amount and initiates a payment process to pay the remainder of the transaction amount.
US09292848B2 Methods and systems to remotely issue proximity payment devices
A system is described for remotely issuing a payment device. The system includes a payment network, a chip card issuer and a remote dispensing device. The remote dispensing device is configured to receive a request from a consumer to purchase a proximity payment card, to transmit a transaction authorization request to the payment network and to receive a transaction authorization. The remote dispensing device then reads proximity payment card information from a pre-personalized proximity payment card, transmits it and a request for personalization data to the chip card issuer, receives the personalization data and transmits it to the pre-personalized proximity payment card to store thereon to create a personalized proximity payment card, and lastly dispenses the personalized proximity payment card to the consumer.
US09292837B2 Task processing and resource sharing in a distributed wireless system
The present disclosure discloses a system and method for task processing and resource sharing in a distributed wireless system. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to: identify a plurality of nodes in a distributed wireless system, each node of the plurality of nodes associated with a radio frequency neighborhood, the radio frequency neighborhood of one node including one or more other nodes that hear beacons from the one node; assign a task to the plurality of nodes; split the task into a plurality of subtasks; assign the plurality of subtasks to the plurality of nodes; receive a plurality of subtask processing results from the plurality of nodes; and combine the plurality of subtask processing results to generate a task processing result for the task.
US09292825B2 Multi-tier inventory visibility
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to inventory management and provide a method, system and computer program product for multi-tier inventory visibility. In one embodiment of the invention, a multi-tier inventory management data processing system can include an inventory management system coupled to one or more e-commerce applications over an enterprise bus, and multiple different instances of a tier inventory component, each of the instances corresponding to a local inventory cache. Each instance can include program code enabled to manage the local inventory cache and an inventory management API exposing inventory operations on the local inventory cache to other instances of the tier inventory component.
US09292824B1 Medium for facilitating initiation of customer returns
In certain embodiments, a system includes a processing system and tangible computer-readable media accessible by the processing system. The media may store software and purchase order identifications. Each purchase order identification indicates a respective one of the purchase orders and is globally unique with respect to each other purchase order identification. The software when executed by the processing system is configured to perform operations, including accessing a request comprising a particular one of the purchase order identifications. The request had been generated at a client device that had decoded the particular purchase order identification from an optical scan of a code provided with packaging of one or more products of the respective purchase order indicated by the particular purchase order identification. The operations further include generating data for receipt by the client device. The data comprises information that facilitates returning at least one of the products.
US09292820B2 Systems and methods for identifying and delivering tailored content based upon a service dialog
The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content.
US09292818B2 Systems and methods for identifying and delivering tailored content based upon a service dialog
The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content.
US09292817B2 Systems and methods for identifying and delivering tailored content based upon a service dialog
The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content.
US09292816B2 Systems and methods for identifying and delivering tailored content based upon a service dialog
The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content.
US09292813B2 System and method for collecting and organizing information related to utility assets
A method and system for collecting information related to utility assets include determining a position of an underground utility asset by a location determining device; integrating location data from a Global positioning system (GPS) receiver with the determined position of the underground utility asset to provide information about coordinates of the position of the underground utility asset; adding characteristics of the underground utility asset including a size of the underground utility asset, to the integrated data to generate one or more data records including the information about coordinates of the position of the underground utility asset; integrating landbase data with the data records for the underground utility asset; and displaying a scrolling map including the data records and a portion of the landbase data.
US09292811B2 System and method for automated tool management
A system of using machine readable labels affixed to tools for managing information related to those tools. The barcode is affixed to a tool so that the barcode does not interfere with the tool. By scanning the barcode on the specific tool, a user is able to access pertinent information related to that tool. Examples include specifications, recalls, hours of usage, liens, etc. Also, a method of reporting metrics of the history of a tool that includes the ability to create, report, store, and communicate machine tool details, parameters, usage, issues, maintenance actions, and or problems. Also, a method of generating a Preventative Maintenance alert report. Additionally, a method of tracking the lifecycle count of a tool. Also, a method of auto-populating a tool database. Finally, a method of tracking tool locations and updating tool metrics utilizing a GPS- and camera-enabled cell phone.
US09292809B2 Customized settings for viewing and editing assets in agile software development
A method includes, in a project management application, identifying a group of software assets being managed using the project management application (the group includes: a first set of attributes and a corresponding first set of values), responsive to a de-selection of an attribute from the first set of attributes by a first user having a first privilege type, causing the deselected attribute to be inaccessible to one or more other users; and responsive to receiving, from a second user having a second privilege type, a request for accessing attributes associated with the group of software assets; and in accordance with a determination that the second privilege type enables the second user to access a second set of attributes, without regard to the de-selection by the first user, causing to be displayed, to the second user, the second set of attributes. The second set of attributes includes the deselected attribute.
US09292807B2 Recommending actions based on context
A system creates filters and provides tasks based on a geographic location associated with each task. The geographic location may be in one of several types of coordinate formats, and determined by the actual user location when the task is created of input associated with a desired location. When a user requests tasks for a specified geographic location, the user's tasks are filtered by a particular geographic location associated with the request. The filter may allow tasks that match the location and are within a threshold distance of the location. Tasks having a geographical location that are outside the threshold distance from the location are not provided. When managing tasks from a mobile device, the geographic location can be automatically determined by the mobile device. When managing tasks from a non-mobile device, the geographical location may be received or derived from user input.
US09292798B2 Iterative active feature extraction
Techniques for iterative feature extraction using domain knowledge are provided. In one aspect, a method for feature extraction is provided. The method includes the following steps. At least one query to predict at least one future value of a given value series based on a statistical model is received. At least two predictions of the future value are produced fulfilling at least the properties of 1) each being as probable as possible given the statistical model and 2) being mutually divert (in terms of numerical distance measure). A user is queried to select one of the predictions. The user may be queried for textual annotations for the predictions. The annotations may be used to identify additional covariates to create an extended set of covariates. The extended set of covariates may be used to improve the accuracy of the statistical model.
US09292797B2 Semi-supervised data integration model for named entity classification
According to one embodiment, a semi-supervised data integration model for named entity classification from a first repository of entity information in view of an auxiliary repository of classification assistance data is provided. Training data are compared to named entity candidates taken from the first repository to form a positive training seed set. A decision tree is populated and classification rules are created for classifying the named entity candidates. A number of entities are sampled from the named entity candidates. The sampled entities are labeled as positive examples and/or negative examples. The positive training seed set is updated to include identified commonality between the positive examples and the auxiliary repository. A negative training seed set is updated to include negative examples which lack commonality with the auxiliary repository. In view of both the updated positive and negative training seed sets, the decision tree and the classification rules are updated.
US09292795B2 Interpretation engine using three predicate values and content addressable memory
An interpretation engine for an interoperable device is disclosed. The interpretation engine is configured to receive data and to determine a function to be executed in response to the received data and in accordance with a knowledge base that comprises one or more relationships that are structured in triplets. Each triplet comprises a subject, a predicate and an object. The interpretation engine is configured to recognize only a predetermined, fixed plurality of predicate values.
US09292793B1 Analyzing device similarity
A method is used in analyzing device similarity. Data describing a device is received and a model is applied to the data. Based on the modeling, a measure of similarity between the device and a previously known device is determined.
US09292791B2 Systems, methods, and computer program products for expediting expertise
A system including a global topic model building module that builds a global topic model based on a set of data that is updated according to an activity of each user of a plurality of users, a user model building module that builds a plurality of user models, each user model being built based on an activity of a respective user, an expertise model building module that builds an expertise model for the topic based on the activity of at least one user of the plurality of users, the expertise model for the topic setting a target level of knowledge for a first user of the plurality of users, a processor to compare a user model of the first user with the expertise model for the topic; and an expertise assessment and learning recommendation module that recommends an activity associated with the set of data to the first user based on the comparison.
US09292781B2 Installation card for smart overlay and installation method using the same
An installation card for a smart SIM Overlay and an installation method using the same are provided. The installation card comprises a carrier plate, a first adhesive layer, a smart overlay and a second adhesive layer. The carrier plate has a notch and a surface. The first adhesive layer adheres to the surface of the carrier plate. The smart overlay is adheres to the first adhesive layer, and the smart overlay is positioned corresponding to the notch. The second adhesive layer is adhered to the smart overlay.
US09292779B2 Modular chemistry analyzer
An automated chemistry analysis method is disclosed. In one general aspect, the method includes receiving a modular chemistry analysis test unit that includes one or more vessels for one or more reagents, and a machine-readable test specification coupled with the vessels. The method also includes defining a test that defines a test including a series of operations that employ the reagents for the vessels, and installing the chemistry analysis test unit in a first chemistry analyzer that includes one or more analysis tools and sequencing logic for sequencing instructions to be carried out by the analysis tools. The machine-readable test specification is automatically received from the chemistry analysis test module and stored for access by the sequencing logic to allow the sequencing logic to instruct the analysis tools to carry out the test defined by the test specification.
US09292777B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus comprising: a reception unit adapted to receive a packet containing first data to be stored in a storage unit, a first address indicating an address of second data held in the storage unit, and a second address indicating an address at which the first data is to be written in the storage unit; an access unit adapted to read out the second data from the storage unit based on the first address, and write the first data in the storage unit based on the second address; and a transmission unit adapted to replace the first data of the packet received by the reception unit with the second data read out by the access unit, and transmit the packet.
US09292773B2 Image display apparatus, printing system, and program configured to print image projected by the image display apparatus
The printing system includes a computer and an image display apparatus. When receiving the printing condition from the image display apparatus, the computer generates print data based upon a printing condition and image data having a higher resolution among a second image data stored in a second memory in the computer and the first image data stored in a first memory in the computer, which corresponds to the identification information contained in the printing condition, and sends the print data to a printer connected to the computer for printing.
US09292770B2 Information processing apparatus, method and medium
An information processing method includes inputting a gradation object, rendering the input gradation object to obtain a rectangular bitmap including the rendered gradation object, generating a command for extracting pixels corresponding to the rendered gradation object from the obtained rectangular bitmap, and sending the obtained rectangular bitmap and the command for extracting the pixels from the obtained rectangular bitmap.
US09292768B2 Method of generating label data for printing images that are larger than a tape width of a tape-shaped member, recording medium, label data generating apparatus, and label creating system
Provided is a label data generating method of generating label data to create a label by printing a printing image on a tape-shaped member, the method comprising: setting sequential printing for creating the labels by printing a plurality of types of printing images based on each item of individual information which is sequentially read from an information list including the plurality of items of individual information; setting the number of printed copies; and generating the label data so that a plurality of copies of the labels are created, wherein in the generating of the label data, the label data is generated so that the label data creating apparatus performs non-sequential printing that prints the plurality of types of printing images respectively printed for a plurality of copies by the sequential printing in a sequence in which the same printing images are collected for a plurality of copies.
US09292759B2 Methods and systems for optimized parameter selection in automated license plate recognition
A system and method for automatically recognizing license plate information, the method comprising receiving an image of a license plate, and generating a plurality of image processing data sets, wherein each image processing data set of the plurality of image processing data sets is associated with a score of a plurality of scores by a scoring process comprising determining one or more image processing parameters, generating the image processing data set by processing the image using the one or more image processing parameters, generating the score based on the image processing data, and associating the image processing data set with the score.
US09292757B1 Laser projection system projecting content based on information collected from nearby targets
Certain aspects direct to a laser projection pavertizing system, which includes a camera, a laser projector, and a controller. The camera is configured to capture the image frames of the projection area. When the controller receives image frames from the camera, the controller processes the image frames to detect at least one target existing in the projection area, generates projecting parameters for each of the at least one target, and sends the projecting parameters to the laser projector. Upon receiving the projecting parameters, the laser projector projects a pattern for each of the at least one target on the projection area at a predetermined distance from the at least one target in accordance with the projecting parameters such that the pattern is viewable for the at least one target.
US09292752B2 Image processing device and image processing method
An image processing device includes a processor; and a memory which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute, acquiring a captured image; extracting first feature data and second feature data of a first user included in the image; calculating a first authentication decision value, which indicates a probability that the first feature data of the first user resembles first feature data of a second user; and authenticating the first user by using the first feature data or both the first feature data and the second feature data according to the first authentication decision value.
US09292751B2 Object identifier
An object identifier is provided with a data-forming unit and a data-retrieving unit. The data-forming unit forms an integral image having an image region of the same size as an original image and an image to be integrated. The data-retrieving unit obtains compressed data derived by extracting, from a plurality of pixels constituting the integral image, at least every other pixel in at least one direction.
US09292746B2 Automated emissions capture determination
A method of determining emissions captured can include receiving information indicative of transmission of light through a region nearby an air handling apparatus. The information can include information indicative of a first condition wherein emissions to be captured by the air handling apparatus are suppressed and information indicative of a second condition wherein the emissions to be captured by the air handling apparatus are present. A processor circuit can be used to determine a difference between the information about the transmission of light during the first condition and information about the transmission of light during the second condition. The processor circuit can be used to determine a portion of the emissions captured by the air handling apparatus using information about the determined difference.
US09292743B1 Background modeling for fixed, mobile, and step- and-stare video camera surveillance
A video camera surveillance system includes a camera for acquiring a video stream and converting terrain space into image space and a method for processing the video stream so that objects in the foreground are detected in the background and threats are identified. In the method, the camera acquires the video stream, images in the video stream are stabilized, an initial background model is constructed, and pixels are classified as either background or foreground for subsequent processing stages such as morphological filtering, image segmentation, and background model updating. In some embodiments of the invention, the camera is fixed in location and attitude, while in other embodiments, the camera is mounted to a moving platform and can alter its attitude.
US09292741B2 System, apparatus and method for mapping
The present invention provides a novel apparatus and method for mapping of urban regions. An apparatus includes the remote sensing equipment that is connected to a computer processor. The remote sensing equipment gathers imaging data about an urban region. The computer processor interprets the imaging data to generate a map of the urban region comprising representations that identify a first set of indicia representing physiographic characteristics, a second set of indicia representing different types of built forms, and a third set of indicia representing patterns of human activity associated with both the physiographic characteristics and the built forms. The map can also include a fourth set of indicia representing an intensity level that at least one of the other types of indicia occurs.
US09292740B2 Extracting card data using IIN database
Extracting card data comprises receiving, by one or more computing devices, a digital image of a card; perform an image recognition process on the digital representation of the card; identifying an image in the digital representation of the card; comparing the identified image to an image database comprising a plurality of images and determining that the identified image matches a stored image in the image database; determining a card type associated with the stored image and associating the card type with the card based on the determination that the identified image matches the stored image; and performing a particular optical character recognition algorithm on the digital representation of the card, the particular optical character recognition algorithm being based on the determined card type. Another example uses an issuer identification number to improve data extraction. Another example compares extracted data with user data to improve accuracy.
US09292738B2 Methods and systems for signal processing
An object (e.g., a driver's license) is tested for authenticity using imagery captured by a consumer device (e.g., a mobile phone camera). Corresponding data is sent from the consumer device to a remote system, which has secret knowledge about features indicating object authenticity. The phone, or the remote system, discerns the pose of the object relative to the camera from the captured imagery. The remote system tests the received data for the authentication features, and issues an output signal indicating whether the object is authentic. This testing involves modeling the image data that would be captured by the consumer device from an authentic object—based on the object's discerned pose (and optionally based on information about the camera optics), and then comparing this modeled data with the data sent from the consumer device. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US09292734B2 Method and system for head tracking and pose estimation
Techniques for performing accurate and automatic head pose estimation are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, head pose estimation is integrated with a scale-invariant head tracking method along with facial features detected from a located head in images. Thus the head pose estimation works efficiently even when there are large translational movements resulting from the head motion. Various computation techniques are used to optimize the process of estimation so that the head pose estimation can be applied to control one or more objects in a virtual environment and virtual character gaze control.
US09292733B2 Information processing device, information processing method, and program
An information processing device includes a conversion unit that performs conversion such that an area including a feature point and the periphery thereof in a specific target is set as a first area and, when one pixel in the first area is set as a reference pixel, an area including the reference pixel and pixels in the periphery thereof is set as a second area, and, based on a comparison result of the feature amount of the reference pixel and the feature amount of another pixel in the second area, the feature amount of another pixel is converted for each pixel in the second area, and a calculation unit that calculates a feature amount to be used in an identification process for identifying the specific target by performing computation for the value of each pixel in the second area which is obtained from the conversion for each reference pixel.
US09292732B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and computer program product
According to an embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit and an image processing unit. The obtaining unit is configured to obtain depth information for each position in an image. The image processing unit is configured to switch between a first sharpening process and a second sharpening process in accordance with whether the image contains a predetermined area. The first sharpening process performs non-uniform sharpening on the image on the basis of the depth information; and the second sharpening process performs uniform sharpening on the image.
US09292730B2 Apparatus for physics and chemistry and method of processing image
Switching between highlighting and unhighlighting of an object determined as adopted and switching between highlighting and unhighlighting of an object determined as not adopted are performed individually and independently by manipulation of an on/off selectable button. This allows switching to be freely performed between the following states in which: objects are highlighted regardless of whether the objects are adopted or not; only an object determined as adopted is highlighted; only an object determined as not adopted is highlighted; and objects are not highlighted regardless of whether the objects are adopted or not. A user visually judges whether the result of the adoption/non-adoption process is proper or not easily while switching between these displays.
US09292727B2 Blood vessel image taking device
A blood vessel image taking device including a finger presentation area configured at a surface of a cabinet, plural light sources arranged at the finger presentation area for irradiating a presented finger with a light ray, a light quantity controlling unit for controlling light quantities of the plural light sources, an opening portion configured at the finger presentation area, and an image taking unit for taking an image of the light ray from the light source portion passing through the opening portion and irradiated to the finger, in which portions of the finger presentation area are a tip end presentation area for presenting a tip end side of the finger, and a root presentation area for presenting a root side of the finger.
US09292726B2 System and method for imaging evidence deposited on curved surfaces
Systems and methods are disclosed for capturing images of latent evidence such as a latent fingerprint provided on a curved or irregular surface of an object. According to certain embodiments, a latent fingerprint provided on a curved or irregular surface of an object is illuminated by a UV lamp. An aspect of the latent fingerprint is specularly reflected from the surface of the object and captured by an image capturing device. In various embodiments, the UV lamp is repositioned, or the object is rotated and translated, such that a second aspect of the latent fingerprint is then specularly reflected from the surface of the object and captured by the image capturing device. The first and second images are then integrated by performing a pixel-to-pixel comparison of corresponding pixel data in the captured images. A device is also provided for rotating and translating the object for use in the disclosed embodiments.
US09292723B2 Indicia reading terminal including optical filter
Embodiments of the present invention comprise an indicia reading terminal that is operatively configured to decode visible and non-visible decodable indicia. The terminal can comprise an excitation illumination module for illuminating the decodable indicia with light that has a wavelength selected so as to permit the decodable indicia to emit light. The terminal can also comprise a filter module with an optical filter that has filter regions configured to pass certain wavelengths of light. The terminal can also comprise an image sensor module with an image sensor located so as to receive light emitted from the decodable indicia from the filter region.
US09292722B2 Apparatus comprising image sensor array and illumination control
There is set forth herein an indicia reading apparatus having a configuration in which an illumination assembly for projecting an illumination pattern is de-energized during subsequent exposure periods. In one embodiment the indicia reading apparatus includes a configuration in which the illumination assembly is energized intermediate of the exposure periods. The indicia reading apparatus is useful for reading decodable indicia that is displayed on a display.
US09292716B2 Method and apparatus for detecting an output power of a radio frequency transmitter using a multiplier circuit
A power detection circuit configured to detect an output power of a radio frequency transmitter. The power detection circuit includes a multiplier circuit configured to multiply a first differential input signal and a second differential input signal. The first differential input signal corresponds to a radio frequency signal to be amplified by the radio frequency transmitter. The second differential signal corresponds to an output signal as amplified by an amplifier of the radio frequency transmitter. A bias circuit is configured to generate a bias signal. A differential amplifier is configured to generate, based on the bias signal and the first differential signal and the second differential signal as multiplied by the multiplier circuit, an indication of the output power of the amplifier of the radio frequency transmitter.
US09292714B2 Storage device and host device for protecting content and method thereof
A storage device for protecting content, includes a Secure Area (SA) area in which a decryption key needed to decrypt encrypted content is stored, and access to which is available to a host device that has passed authentication using a secure authentication protocol. The storage device stores a security information file for mapping control information for controlling usage of the encrypted content and the decryption key to the encrypted content.
US09292713B2 Tiered access to on chip features
In accordance with some embodiments, multiple blind debug passwords are provided. Each of a plurality of interested entities may have its own password and each password may unlock a specific set of features offered by an integrated circuit. In some embodiments each entity does not know the other passwords of the other entities. Potentially interested entities include an integrated circuit end customer, the original equipment manufacturer, the entity that provided the features to the integrated circuit and a conditional access provider. All debug features may be controlled solely via access to the debug tiers which are accessed by multiple debug passwords. Lower tier passwords are required in order to access higher tiers. Debug features may be separated into multiple tiers with more intrusive access requiring multiple debug passwords in order to gain access.
US09292711B1 Hardware secret usage limits
A hardware secret is securely maintained in a computing device. The device operates in accordance with a usage limit corresponding to a limited number of operations using the hardware secret that the device is able to perform. Once the device reaches a usage limit, the device becomes temporarily or permanently unable to perform additional operations using the hardware secret.
US09292709B1 Computing a checksum for content in local storage
Systems and methods for computing a checksum are provided. In some aspects, an online application code module is written in a first programming language. The online application code module is configured to implement an online application. A checksum compute module is written in a second programming language different from the first programming language. The checksum compute module is separate from the online application code module. The checksum compute module configured to receive one or more parameters from the online application code module. The checksum compute module configured to determine a checksum for the online application code module based on the received one or more parameters. The checksum compute module configured to provide the checksum to a memory.
US09292707B1 System and method for cascading token generation and data de-identification
A computer-implemented method for de-identifying data by creating tokens through a cascading algorithm includes the steps of processing at least one record comprising a plurality of data elements to identify a subset of data elements comprising data identifying at least one individual; generating, with at least one processor, a first hash by hashing at least one first data element with at least one second data element of the subset of data elements; generating, with at least one processor, a second hash by hashing the first hash with at least one third data element of the subset of data elements; creating at least one token based at least partially on the second hash or a subsequent hash derived from the second hash, wherein the token identifies the at least one individual; and associating at least a portion of a remainder of the data elements with the at least one token.
US09292706B2 Customer data management for data analytics outsourcing
A method of customer data management in data analytics outsourcing includes communicating to a third party service provider an anonymous customer identifier (customer ID) that is uniquely associated with a customer. The method includes receiving from the third party service provider a customer data query that references the customer using the customer ID and requests customer data. The method includes determining whether an access control policy allows disclosure of customer data requested in the customer data query. In response to the access control policy allowing disclosure of the requested customer data, the method includes accessing the requested customer data and communicating the requested customer data to the third party service provider. In response to the access control policy prohibiting disclosure of the requested customer data, the method includes denying the customer data query.
US09292701B1 System and method for launching a browser in a safe mode
Disclosed is a system and method for launching a web browser in a safe mode. An example method includes intercepting a request from the web browser to access data from a server; determining whether the browser is required to operate in a safe mode when displaying data from the server; when the browser is required to operate in the safe mode, analyzing the data received from the server; when the received data includes a webpage, generating a temporary webpage containing a script for evaluating at least one criterion for determining whether to display the webpage received from the server by the browser; executing the script contained in the temporary webpage by the browser; and based on an evaluation result of the at least one criterion by the script, launching the browser in the safe mode to display the webpage received from the server.
US09292699B1 Encrypted file storage
Various systems facilitate encrypted file storage. A client device may generate an encrypted version of a file. The client device may obtain at least one reference to at least one storage location for the encrypted version of the file. The client device may cause the encrypted version of the file to be store at the at least one storage location using the at least one reference to the at least one storage location.
US09292698B1 Method and system for remote forensic data collection
A system and method for forensic data collection includes: creating, by a configuration computer, an encrypted configuration file for collecting files from a data source; saving, by the configuration computer, the encrypted configuration file to a non-password-encrypted configuration file storage device; loading, by a data collection computer, the encrypted configuration file from a non-password-encrypted external storage device; collecting, by the data collection computer, the files from the data source based on the encrypted configuration file.
US09292693B2 Remediation of security vulnerabilities in computer software
Processing a downgrader specification by constructing a set of candidate downgrader placement locations found within a computer software application, where each of the candidate downgrader placement locations corresponds to a transition between a different pair of instructions within the computer software application, and where each of the transitions participates in any of a plurality of data flows in a set of security-sensitive data flows within the computer software application, applying a downgrader specification to the set of candidate downgrader placement locations, and determining that the downgrader specification provides full coverage of the set of security-sensitive data flows within the computer software application if at least one candidate downgrader placement location within each of the security-sensitive data flows is a member of the set of candidate downgrader placement locations.
US09292691B1 Systems and methods for protecting users from website security risks using templates
A computer-implemented method for protecting users from website security risks using templates may include (1) identifying a section of a website, the section being arranged according to a template that defines a layout for the website, (2) identifying a profile for the section that includes an attribute specific to the section, the attribute indicating acceptable content for the section of the website as distinct from acceptable content for the entire website, (3) identifying content placed within the section of the website in accordance with the template that defines the layout for the website, and (4) determining whether the identified content is acceptable by comparing the attribute specified in the profile for the section of the website to an attribute of the content placed within the section of the website. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09292688B2 System and method for automated machine-learning, zero-day malware detection
Improved systems and methods for automated machine-learning, zero-day malware detection. Embodiments include a method for improved zero-day malware detection that receives a set of training files which are each known to be either malign or benign, partitions the set of training files into a plurality of categories, and trains category-specific classifiers that distinguish between malign and benign files in a category of files. The training may include selecting one of the plurality of categories of training files, identifying features present in the training files in the selected category of training files, evaluating the identified features to determine the identified features most effective at distinguishing between malign and benign files, and building a category-specific classifier based on the evaluated features. Embodiments also include by a system and computer-readable medium with instructions for executing the above method.
US09292684B2 Systems and methods for security in computer systems
Systems and methods are provided for the prevention and mitigation of security attacks in computer systems. Virtualization technology is provided and leveraged to prevent and mitigate exploits in the computer systems. For example, malicious code may be prevented from system execution by inhibiting the delivery of such code in a payload to system memory. In other examples, virtualization technology is leveraged to mask the computer system machine architecture. By masking or otherwise hiding the machine architecture, the delivery of payloads into memory by malicious users can be prevented. In this manner, even if exploits are identified and accessed by malicious users of code, the denial of payload delivery prevents the execution of malicious actions within the computer system.
US09292680B2 Mobile terminal detection method and mobile terminal
A mobile terminal detection method and a mobile terminal. The method includes: reading a first international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) stored in a flash; comparing the first IMEI with a backup IMEI stored in a one-time programmable data (OTP) region which is prohibited from being modified; and disabling the mobile terminal when the first IMEI and the backup IMEI are inconsistent. In the present invention, the IMEI plaintext is directly backed up to the OTP region of the mobile terminal, and the value of the IMEI stored in the flash and the value of the backup IMEI are dynamically compared, so as to conveniently detect the legitimacy of the IMEI of the mobile terminal, effectively protect the IMEI number of the mobile terminal from being arbitrarily modified, and ensure the legitimate interests of users and operators.
US09292677B2 Device reputation
A user device is associated with a dynamic trust score that may be updated as needed, where the trust score and the updates are based on various activities and information associated with the mobile device. The trust score is based on both parameters of the device, such as device type, registered device location, device phone number, device ID, the last time the device has been accessed, etc. and activities the device engages in, such as amount of transactions, dollar amount of transactions, amount of denied requests, amount of approved requests, location of requests, etc. Based on a transaction request from the user device, the trust score and a network reputation score is used to determine an overall trust/fraud score associated with the transaction request.
US09292675B2 System and method for creating a core cognitive fingerprint
A system and method for creating a core cognitive fingerprint are provided. A core cognitive fingerprint can be used to capture and summarize the evolution of a system state and potentially respond with a predetermined action if the fingerprint falls within a defined threshold. The method includes: identifying a set of time frames, each time frame corresponding to a respective data source, within which data is extracted; providing a plurality of pattern recognizers each having an assigned heuristic specific to a type of content; processing the extracted data through the plurality of pattern recognizers to generate an initial set of elements, each element corresponding to the output of the heuristic assigned to each pattern recognizer; extracting identified relationships amongst the initial set of elements; modifying the initial set of elements to include the identified relationships to create an intermediate set of elements; comparing the intermediate set of elements against assigned values to emphasize or deemphasize each element in the intermediate set of elements to create a final set of elements; and using the final set of elements as a cognitive fingerprint representing a signature of the data extracted from the time frame, so that the signature can be compared to other cognitive fingerprints for further analysis.
US09292674B2 Password encryption key
A password-encrypted key (PEK) is generated from a user-supplied password or other identifying data and then used to encrypt the user's password. The encrypted password is stored in a user record on a server. At login a would-be user's password is again used to make a key, which is then used to decrypt and compare the stored encrypted password with the would-be user's password to complete the login. The successful PEK is stored in a temporary session record and can be used to decrypt other sensitive user information previously encrypted and stored in the user record as well as to encrypt new information for storage in the user record. A public/private key system can also be used to maintain limited access for the host to certain information in the user record.
US09292673B2 Virtual key management and isolation of data deployments in multi-tenant environments
Tenants in a multi-tenant shared deployment are provided their own distinct key spaces over which they control a key management system. In this manner, virtual key management domains are created on a per-tenant (per-customer) basis so that, whenever a particular customer's data is co-tenanted, stored, transmitted or virtualized in the IT infrastructure of the provider's datacenter(s), it is secured using key management materials specific to that customer. This assures that the entirety of a tenant's data remains secure by cryptographically isolating it from other tenants' applications. The virtual key management domains are established using a broadcast encryption (BE) protocol and, in particular, a multiple management key variant scheme of that protocol. The broadcast encryption-based virtual key management system (VKMS) and protocol achieves per-tenant (as well as per-application) secured isolation of data and can be used across any combination of resources in or across all levels of a co-tenanted IT infrastructure.
US09292671B1 Multi-server authentication using personalized proactivization
Secret values used in a multi-server authentication scheme are updated. Information is authenticated in a system comprising a plurality of processing devices each adaptable for communication with one or more other devices. The information is authenticated by generating at least first and second shares of a first password associated with a first device (such as a client device); storing the first and second shares in respective second and third devices of the plurality of devices; updating the first and second shares using a personalized proactivization value; assigning a version number to the updated first and second shares; and upon submission of additional information associated with the first device to at least one of the second and third devices, the second and third devices utilizing the respective updated first and second shares for a given version number to collectively determine a correspondence of the additional information with the first password.
US09292670B2 Systems and methods for generating and authenticating one time dynamic password based on context information
The invention relates to a system and method for generating and authenticating one time dynamic password based on the context information related to a user. It involves retrieving user context information and generating a dynamic value based on that. The first one time dynamic password is generated at the user device using the first dynamic value and the user PIN. The first dynamic value along with the user identifier is sent to the authentication server. The authentication server sends the user identifier to the context management server. The context management server has access the context information used to generate the first dynamic value and based on that they generate a second dynamic value. The authentication server receives this value and generates the second one time dynamic password and if it matches with the first one time dynamic password then the authentication server authenticates the first one time dynamic password.
US09292668B1 Systems and methods for device authentication
Systems and methods for providing access to secure information are disclosed. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for providing access to secure information comprises receiving a first one-time password (OTP) from a computing device, and verifying whether the first OTP is valid. The method also comprises, if the first OTP is valid, performing the steps of generating a second OTP for accessing the secure information, and transmitting the second OTP to the computing device. In another aspect, a computer-implemented method for providing access to secure information comprises generating a first one-time password (OTP), and transmitting the first OTP to an OTP device. The method also comprises, in response to the first OTP, receiving a second OTP from the OTP device, and sending the second OTP to a system that controls access to the secure information, wherein the first OTP is different from the second OTP.
US09292664B2 Key injection tool
A method can include injecting key information from memory of a memory device into non-volatile memory of a hardware device via a data port of the hardware device; receiving via the data port identification information from the hardware device that identifies the hardware device; and associating the key information and the identification information in the memory of the memory device. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09292660B2 Molecular profiling of tumors
Provided herein are methods and systems of molecular profiling of diseases, such as cancer. In some embodiments, the molecular profiling can be used to identify treatments for a disease, such as treatments that were not initially identified as a treatment for the disease or not expected to be a treatment for a particular disease.
US09292659B1 Systems and methods for vessel reactivity to guide diagnosis or treatment of cardiovascular disease
Systems and methods are disclosed for using vessel reactivity to guide diagnosis or treatment for cardiovascular disease. One method includes receiving a patient-specific vascular model of a patient's anatomy, including at least one vessel of the patient; determining, by measurement or estimation, a first vessel size at one or more locations of a vessel of the patient-specific vascular model at a first physiological state; determining a second vessel size at the one or more locations of the vessel of the patient-specific vascular model at a second physiological state using a simulation or learned information; comparing the first vessel size to the corresponding second vessel size; and estimating a characteristic of the vessel of the patient-specific vascular model based on the comparison.
US09292657B2 Systems and methods for customizing interactive virtual boundaries
A method for customizing an interactive boundary based on a patient-specific feature, includes displaying a graphical representation of an implant in virtual coordinate space and displaying a graphical representation of a bone in virtual coordinate space. The method further includes positioning the graphical representation of the implant relative to the graphical representation of the bone based on a user input and extracting reference feature information associated with the virtual representation of the implant. The method further includes mapping the extracted reference feature information to the graphical representation of the bone, receiving information indicative of a positional landmark associated with the bone, and estimating an intersection between the positional landmark and the mapped reference feature. A virtual boundary is generated based, at least in part, on the estimated intersection between the positional landmark and the mapped reference feature.
US09292656B2 Systems and methods for improved perinatal workflow
Certain examples provide systems and methods for improved perinatal workflow. An example system includes a user interface to display a time continuum of live data for a selected patient. The user interface includes a compressed view of the time continuum of live data over a first time period; an expanded view of the time continuum of live data over a second time period, the second time period to be shorter than the first time period; one or more indicators to be associated with data shown in the expanded view, each indicator to indicate a point of interest in the data; a first control to change the second time period for the expanded view display; and a second control to mark an indicator with respect to the data shown in the expanded view of the time continuum of live data.
US09292653B2 High-resolution melting analysis
The present invention relates to methods and systems for the analysis of the dissociation behavior of nucleic acids and the identification of nucleic acids. In one aspect, methods and systems are disclosed for identifying a nucleic acid in a sample including an unknown nucleic acid and for detecting a single nucleotide polymorphism in a nucleic acid in a sample. In another aspect, methods and systems are disclosed for identification of a nucleic acid in a biological sample including at least one unknown nucleic acid by fitting denaturation data including measurements of a quantifiable physical change of the sample at a plurality of independent sample property points to a function to determine an intrinsic physical value and to obtain an estimated physical change function, and identifying the nucleic acid in the biological sample by comparing the intrinsic physical value for at least one unknown nucleic acid to an intrinsic physical value for a known nucleic acid.
US09292652B2 Generic design rule checking (DRC) test case extraction
A computer-aided testing is provided for design verification of integrated circuits. More specifically, a method of generating a test case in design rule checking is provided for that includes extracting coordinates of an error marker for a first error identified in an integrated circuit design. The method further includes identifying a first rectangle that encloses the error marker. The method further includes generating a first test case based on data of the integrated circuit design contained within the rectangle. The method further includes determining whether the first test case is representative of the first error. The method further includes in response to determining the first test case is not representative of the first error, identifying a second rectangle that is between the first rectangle and a third rectangle. The method further includes generating a second test case based on data of the integrated circuit design contained within the second rectangle.
US09292650B2 Identifying layout pattern candidates
A method, system or computer usable program product for automatically identifying layout pattern candidates in selected regions for use in analyzing semiconductor device performance issues including identifying a set of target regions and a set of reference regions from a design layout; utilizing a processor to generate a reference baseline of layout patterns from the set of reference regions; utilizing the processor to compare a frequency profile of layout patterns in the set of target regions to a frequency profile of layout patterns in the reference baseline; and based on the comparison, utilizing the processor to identify candidate layout patterns from the set of target regions for further analysis.
US09292644B2 Row based analog standard cell layout design and methodology
A system and method of designing the physical layout of an SoC incorporating row-based placement of analog standard cells whose heights are constrained to a predetermined row height or integer multiple thereof. A library of analog standard cells may be utilized by an ECAD tool to map, place, and route analog and mixed signal circuits in a manner similar to how such ECAD tool may utilize a library of digital standard cells to map, place, and route digital circuits. Mapping, placing, and routing of digital, analog, and mixed signal circuits may proceed within a unified ECAD SoC physical design flow. Finally, a general type analog standard cell is taught to further increase the speed and efficiency of analog and mixed-signal SoC layout.
US09292642B2 Superconducting circuit physical layout system and method
Systems and methods are provided for physical layout of superconductor circuits. The physical layout system and method is configured to place and route the superconducting circuits by first placing the gates in the form of gate tiles within unoccupied areas of a predetermined circuit design based on a netlist. Each gate tile type includes a particular gate type and a plurality of unassigned Josephson junctions that can be employed in the gates and/or the active interconnects. Inductive wires are then routed between gates incorporating and assigning the Josephson junctions to produce active interconnects between the I/O terminals of the gates based on connections defined in the netlist.
US09292631B1 Automatic comparison and performance analysis between different implementations
The present invention provides a method and system for automatic verification of automatically generated standalone code intended for execution on a target computing platform against its original design simulated in a simulation environment. The present invention also applies to execution comparisons between two implementations, such as two simulations, one simulation and one standalone code implementation, or two standalone code implementations. Block diagrams can be used to create a comparison model that compares two implementations. The comparison of different implementations can be performed at a block level, a subsystem level, a model level, or multi-model level. The present invention allows automatic comparison once a user supplies the intermediate outputs and/or signals that the user wants to compare and monitor. Reports can be generated to show the statistics of the comparison results.
US09292630B1 Methods and systems for capturing the condition of a physical structure via audio-based 3D scanning
In a computer-implemented method and system for capturing the condition of a structure, the structure is scanned with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner. The 3D scanner generates 3D data. A point cloud or 3D model is constructed from the 3D data. The point cloud or 3D model is then analyzed to determine the condition of the structure.
US09292629B2 Building path identification
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying paths for moving equipment into buildings at different stages of building construction using a building information model. The system analyzes the building model and building objects completed before a given time and identifies one or more paths that circumnavigate the building objects and can accommodate dimensions of the equipment moving down the path.
US09292627B2 System and method for modifying a data set of a photomask
The present invention provides a method for compensating infidelities of a process that transfers a pattern to a layer of an integrated circuit, by minimizing, with respect to a photomask pattern, a cost function that quantifies the deviation between designed and simulated values of circuit parameters of the pattern formed on a semiconductor wafer.
US09292626B2 Computer numerical control (CNC) machining tool and method for controlling a CNC machining tool
A Web-based system and method uses a model of the manufacturing setup and knowledge of a designed part with arbitrary geometry to produce process plans in two successive stages. First, the part geometry is analyzed. A query of determining the maximal volume machinable from an oriented machining tool is transformed into determining the visibility of the part surface from the perspective of a hypothetical camera placed at the tip of the oriented machining tool. Second, a collection of the maximal machinable volumes over the set of all tool orientations is collected. Combinations of the maximal machinable volumes covering the entire difference between the raw stock and the desired part are evaluated for providing feedback on manufacturability and process plans. In a further embodiment, manufacturability is analyzed for tools and machines with arbitrary geometric complexity using high dimensional configuration space analysis.
US09292624B2 String generation tool
Metadata associated with at least one field defined in a user interface is identified. The metadata associated with the field defined in the user interface is processed to identify at least one characteristic of the field defined in the user interface. Based on the characteristic(s), a test string is generated for use as an input into the field defined in the user interface to perform validation on the field.
US09292620B1 Retrieving data from multiple locations in storage systems
Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for retrieving data from multiple locations in storage systems. One embodiment includes a method that determines that data is stored in multiple locations remote to a computer, estimates a latency to retrieve the data from the multiple locations, and requests the data from the plural locations.
US09292619B2 Method and system for detecting movement of a signed element in a structured document
A sending entity creates a structured document and communicates it to a receiving entity includes a transform to ensure document elements are not moved during communication. The structured document comprises a root element and a set of child elements. A child element is protected by a digital signature, prior to being positioned within the document. This element includes a sending entity security policy. The receiving entity includes a transform that determines whether the signed element is in a given position within the received document. The transform evaluates the data string against a set of ancestor elements of the signed element to determine whether the signed element is in the given position. If so, the transform preferably outputs the signed element itself. If the transform determines that the signed element has been moved, however, preferably it outputs a given value other than the signed element.
US09292618B2 Content adaptation
A system includes a mobile device and an optimization server. The mobile device is capable of transmitting request data that includes a requested webpage and identification data. The optimization server is configured to receive response data that corresponds to the request data from a content server, to adapt the response data based on the identification data, and to transmit the adapted response data to the mobile device.
US09292611B1 Accessing information from a firmware using two-dimensional barcodes
A firmware setup utility executing on a computing system is configured to display a two-dimensional barcode, such as a Quick Response (“QR”) code. The two-dimensional barcode may be encoded with data about the computing system and/or a hyperlink specifying a location from which additional information may be retrieved. Another device, such as a mobile device, may be utilized to scan the two-dimensional barcode, decode the information contained therein, and present the data. If a hyperlink is encoded in the two-dimensional barcode, the device may retrieve the additional information from the specified location and present the retrieved data.
US09292608B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing intelligent agent services
Implementing intelligent agent services includes generating an ontological domain for an individual based upon information elements that represent aspects of detectable behaviors of the individual at a point in time. The detectable behaviors occur within a physical and virtual geography and in relation to time. The services also include creating subdomains of contextually organized collections of the information elements and information elements collected from previously conducted detectable behaviors of the individual. The subdomains include orthogonally related data. The services further include determining a relevance of relationships among the information elements across the subdomains. Relationships determined to be relevant are identified as an interest of the individual. The services also include searching sources of information using the information elements having the relationships determined to be relevant and identifying a solution for satisfying the interest responsive to the searching.
US09292604B2 Crawling rich Internet applications
Embodiments relating to a computer-implemented process, an apparatus and a computer program product is provided for crawling rich Internet applications. In one aspect the method includes executing an event in a set of events discovered in a state exploration phase according to a predetermined priority of events in each set of events in the sets of events discovered, wherein the event from a higher priority is exhausted before an event from a lower priority is executed and determining any transitions. Responsive to a determination that there are at least one transition any remaining set of events is executed in a transition exploration phase. In addition the method determines the existence of any new states as a result of executing an event in the set of events and returns to the state exploration phase, responsive to a determination that a new state exists.
US09292602B2 Interactive search results page
Described herein are various technologies pertaining to presenting search results to a user, wherein the search results are messages generated by way of social networking applications. An interactive graphical object is presented together with retrieved messages, and messages are filtered responsive to interactions with the interactive graphical object. Additionally, a graphical object that is indicative of credibility of a message is presented together with the message.
US09292597B2 Smart question routing and answerer growing for online community question-answer services
A computer processor accesses QA forum activity associated with users of a QA forum, wherein the QA forum activity contains historical questions, historical answers, and profiles, each having elements including QA forum information. The processor accesses historical online social activity corresponding to the users of the QA forum, each historical online social activity having elements including at least social activity information. The processor performs a first similarity calculation and selects an at least one model answerer based on the similarity between elements of a question on the QA forum, and the elements of the QA forum activity associated and corresponding to each of the users of the QA forum. Based on a second similarity calculation, the processor determines a similarity between the QA forum user elements and the at least one model answerer elements, and identifies at least one prospect answerer from the QA forum users.
US09292595B2 Creating new documents based on global intent and local context
An approach is provided for creating a new document. Keywords specifying a subject matter of the new document are received. Metadata of documents is determined to match keyword(s) included in the received keywords and the documents are retrieved. Based on a section being created in the new document, a ranked list of the retrieved documents is generated. A selection of a document included in the ranked list is received. The selected document is added to the new document. The new document is determined to be not complete. The keywords are refined based on the added document. Based on the subject matter and the refined keywords, the new document is completed by repeating the steps of determining the metadata, retrieving the documents, generating the ranked list, receiving the selection, and adding the selected document.
US09292591B2 Visual analytics for spatial clustering
A computerized clustering method. The method comprises receiving a spatial point dataset comprising a plurality of spatial points in a space, heuristically calculating, using a processor, a plurality of α-shape based segmentations such that each of the plurality of α-shape based segmentations defines a plurality of polygonal areas that cluster the plurality of spatial points in a plurality of clusters which collectively bounds the plurality of spatial points, presenting to an operator in each sequential iteration of a plurality of sequential iterations another of the plurality of α-shape based segmentations, and selecting by the operator one or more of the plurality of α-shape based segmentations.
US09292590B2 Identifying events derived from machine data based on an extracted portion from a first event
Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention provide the ability to organize and build understandings of machine data generated by a variety of information-processing environments. Machine data is a product of information-processing systems (e.g., activity logs, configuration files, messages, database records) and represents the evidence of particular events that have taken place and been recorded in raw data format. In one embodiment, machine data is turned into a machine data web by organizing machine data into events and then linking events together.
US09292589B2 Identifying a topic for text using a database system
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable storage media for identifying a topic for a text. In some implementations, one or more servers maintain a plurality of data entries in one or more database tables storing text data, each data entry of a first portion of the data entries including: a text sequence, a topic, and a text-to-topic association score indicating a number of times that the text sequence appears in a processed text associated with the topic, each data entry of a second portion of the data entries including a total word score indicating a number of times that a respective text sequence appears in one or more processed texts. The one or more servers may receive an incoming text and identify a topic for the incoming text by processing the text sequences of the incoming text in relation to the data entries in the database tables.
US09292581B2 System and method for contextual and free format matching of addresses
A system and method for the matching addresses is provided. Addresses may be received from a search engine or other source for purposes of matching. Address parts in the addresses may be contextually identified. Identified address parts, including their associated data, that have address part types that are alike may be compared to one another and a contextual matching score may be calculated and assigned. A free format token analysis of the addresses may also be performed in parallel with, before, or after, the contextual identification, and a free format matching score may be calculated. An address likeness score may be calculated and assigned based on the contextual matching score and the free format matching score.
US09292574B2 Tactical query to continuous query conversion
Techniques for managing tactical query to continuous query conversion are provided. In some examples, a tactical query configured to enable the pulling of business event data from a database to a query engine may be determined. For example, a query engine may be configured with the tactical query. The configuration may be based at least in part on an indication of the business event data to be displayed. Further, in some examples, a conversion of the tactical query to a continuous query may be enabled. The conversion or enablement of the conversion may be based at least in part on a request.
US09292573B2 Extended database engine providing versioning and embedded analytics
A system for calculating analytics uses a relational database to store inputs, calculates results, and stores them in cache. The system also includes an access layer that provides a unified view of the data in server. A dynamic access layer is generated at runtime to run an analytic to provide a flexible framework for creating business logic.
US09292571B1 Joining database tables
In one implementation, a query is received that is related to data stored in a database that is implemented in computer memory. Based on the received query, attributes of data stored in the database that are relevant to generating a response to the received query are identified. Information that is indicative of attributes for which values are recorded in different tables included in the database is accessed. Based on having accessed this information, tables included in the database that record values for the attributes identified as being relevant to generating a response to the received query are identified. These tables then are joined to create, within computer memory, a new table that reflects relationships between values of attributes identified as being relevant to generating a response to the received query.
US09292570B2 System and method for optimizing pattern query searches on a graph database
An embodiment of the system and method for optimizing pattern query searches on a graph database uses a pattern query optimizer to optimize execution of the search plan for any sequence of SQL expressions by separating or breaking a pattern query into multiple subpattern queries before converting the subpattern queries into SQL expressions. An embodiment of the pattern query optimizer algorithmically, without intervention by an analyst, decomposes any pattern query into a set of subpattern queries by first identifying branches and cycles within a pattern query and then decomposing each identified branch and cycle into equivalent straight line paths, i.e., straight line nodes joined by edges. Cardinality may be used to improve the performance of pattern searches.
US09292567B2 Bulk matching with update
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with bulk matching with update functionality are described. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first new record for matching with other records. The method includes querying a database that stores respective single best records (SBR) for respective sets of matching records to return SBR information. The first new record is matched to the other records by comparing the first new record to the SBR information to identify an SBR that matches the first new record. The first new record is associated with the identified SBR in the database.
US09292560B2 Reducing collisions within a hash table
Collisions in hash tables are reduced by removing each empty bucket from a hash table and compacting the non-empty buckets, generating a map of the hash table indicating a status of the buckets of the hash table, and accessing data in the hash table by applying a hash key to the generated map to determine a corresponding bucket containing the data.
US09292554B2 Thin database indexing
A method of indexing a database column is disclosed. A permutation function f is determined. A shortcut that connects two non-adjacent elements of a permutation cycle based on f is created. A traversal of the permutation cycle without the shortcut comprises starting at a first element of the permutation cycle by updating a candidate row number to an initial value, wherein the initial value comprises a value stored in the database column. Traversing through one element of the permutation cycle comprises reading a row value in the database column using the candidate row number and then updating the candidate row number with function f of the most recently read row value. The step of traversing through one element of the permutation cycle is repeated until the most recently read row value is equal to the initial value. Creating the shortcut comprises storing a relation between the two non-adjacent elements.
US09292550B2 Feature generation and model selection for generalized linear models
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with feature generation and model selection for generalized linear models are described. In one embodiment, a method includes ordering candidate features in a dataset being considered by a streamwise feature selection process according to an inclusion score that reflects a likelihood that a given candidate feature will be included in the GLM. The ordered candidate features are provided to the streamwise feature selection process for acceptance testing. In one embodiment, the method also includes selecting penalty criterion for use in the acceptance testing that is based on characteristics of the dataset.
US09292548B2 Digest generation
In one embodiment, circuitry may generate digests to be combined to produce a hash value. The digests may include at least one digest and at least one other digest generated based at least in part upon at least one CRC value and at least one other CRC value. The circuitry may include cyclical redundancy check (CRC) generator circuitry to generate the at least one CRC value based at least in part upon at least one input string. The CRC generator circuitry also may generate the at least one other CRC value based least in part upon at least one other input string. The at least one other input string resulting at least in part from at least one pseudorandom operation involving, at least in part, the at least one input string. Many modifications, variations, and alternatives are possible without departing from this embodiment.
US09292538B2 System and method for improved data accessibility
A system is configured to allow for near simultaneous data capture, encoding, and uploading of the resultant data file containing the captured data. By operating in a substantially parallel fashion, the separate processes of capturing, encoding, and uploading one or more data files created from a data source can be completed much more quickly and efficiently, thereby making the resultant data file available to the content consumer in an overall shorter period of time than presently possible using conventional sequential data file creation techniques. The method also includes the reorganization of standard data files as part of the process to more quickly and efficiently create the data file for distribution and ultimate consumption by the content consumer user.
US09292537B1 Autocompletion of filename based on text in a file to be saved
A method and system may be used to save a file. In the method and system, text may be received from the user as an initial entry of a file name for the saving of the file. The method and system may propose one or more autocompletions of the user's entry based on text in the file to be saved.
US09292533B2 Systems and methods for improving storage efficiency in an information handling system
Systems and methods for improving storage efficiency in an information handling system are provided. In some embodiments, an information handling system including an increased storage efficiency is provided. The information handling system may include a processor associated with a first storage resource and a plurality of second storage resources, where the first storage resource is more reliable than the plurality of second storage resources. The processor may be configured to determine a weight of a file portion, determine a number of copies of the file portion to be stored based at least on the determined weight, and store a copy of the file portion on the first storage resource if the determined number of copies of the file portion is greater than a predetermined storage threshold.
US09292526B2 Context-based content list generation
Technologies are generally described for providing a context-based content list for an electronic device. In some examples, a method performed under control of an electronic device may include gathering first information on or from one or more devices nearby the electronic device in response to a content file creation event on the electronic device; gathering second information on or from one or more devices nearby the electronic device in response to a content list creation event on the electronic device; calculating a similarity between the first information and the second information; and generating a content list based at least in part on the similarity between the first information and the second information.
US09292524B2 File system and file storing method
Provided is a storage device configured to store a file system including (1) a personality oriented file information (PFI) directory entry including a first directory entry having a file allocation table (FAT) structure, and a second directory entry having a structure different from that of the first directory entry, the second directory entry including additional information instructing an access device on at least one parameter associated with creation and storing of a storage file, and (2) an entry table including location information of the PFI directory entry.
US09292523B1 Managing data storage
Methods, a system, and a program product for use in managing data storage is disclosed. In an embodiment, a method, system, and program product comprises receiving content via an object based storage interface to a data storage system; generating a database insert operation for an object derived from the content, the object having a generated object identifier; and using the database entry operation, storing data associated with the object in a shared-nothing database located within the data storage system, wherein the shared-nothing database is enabled to perform parallel processing across multiple independent nodes.In another embodiment, a method comprises receiving a delete command for an object via an object based interface to a data storage system; generating a database delete operation for the object based on the delete command; and using the database delete operation, deleting data associated with the object in a shared-nothing database located within the data storage system, wherein the shared-nothing database is enabled to perform parallel processing across multiple independent nodes.In yet another embodiment, a method comprises receiving a search command via an object based interface to a data storage system; generating a database query based on the search command; and using the database query, querying a shared-nothing database located within the data storage system, wherein the shared-nothing database is enabled to perform parallel processing across multiple independent nodes.
US09292520B1 Advanced virtual synthetic full backup synthesized from previous full-backups
A system and method for generating a virtual full synthetic backup of a target volume is described. For each zone associated with the target volume in which a corresponding data block has changed since the previous backup or is not represented by the previous backup, the system and method may directly copy the associated data blocks from the target volume. For each zone associated with the target volume in which a corresponding data block has not changed since the previous backup and is represented by the previous backup, the system and method may rebase the offset for the zone in the virtual full synthetic backup file to the corresponding zone in the previous backup file. Using this technique, a more efficient and robust backup may be generated.
US09292519B2 Signature-based system and method for generation of personalized multimedia channels
A system and method for generating personalized channels of multimedia content are presented. The method comprises receiving a captured multimedia content from a user; generating a signature based on the captured multimedia content; searching for additional multimedia content that match the captured multimedia content based on the generated signature and at least one compared signature, wherein each compared signature of the at least one compared signature is associated with an additional multimedia content; and generating a personalized channel to be displayed on a web-browser of a user device, wherein the personalized channel comprises the captured multimedia content and at least one multimedia content of the additional multimedia content.
US09292517B2 Efficiently identifying images, videos, songs or documents most relevant to the user based on attribute feedback
A method, system and computer program product for efficiently identifying images, videos, audio files or documents relevant to a user. Using either manual annotations or learned functions, the method predicts the relative strength of an attribute in an image, video, audio file or document from a pool of images, videos, audio files or documents. At query time, the system presents an initial set of reference images, videos, audio files or documents, and the user selects among them to provide relative attribute feedback. Using the resulting constraints in the multi-dimensional attribute space, the relevance function for the pool of images, videos, audio files or documents is updated and the relevance of the pool of images, videos, audio files or documents is re-computed. This procedure iterates using the accumulated constraints until the top-ranked images, videos, audio files or documents are acceptably close to the user's envisioned image, video, audio file or document.
US09292515B1 Using follow-on search behavior to measure the effectiveness of online video ads
An advertisement effectiveness module determines a search lift value for each of a plurality of impressions of an advertisement. The search lift value is based on a relevancy of user searches before and after each advertisement impression. The advertisement effectiveness module calculates a first average search lift value for a subset of the plurality of impressions delivered in a first format and a second average search lift value for the subset of the plurality of impressions delivered in a second format. The advertisement effectiveness module compares the first average search lift value to the second average search lift value to determine an effectiveness of the first format and the second format.
US09292511B2 Information processing method and electronic device
An information processing method and an electronic device are disclosed in the invention. If it is determined that a multimedia file is called by an application and the application is a preset application, a parameter value is assigned to the called multimedia file; and if it is determined that the called multimedia file is called by the application which is used to browse the multimedia file, a mark corresponding to the parameter value of the multimedia file is displayed. Thereby, it is possible to known whether the multimedia file is called by observing whether there is a mark corresponding to the parameter value of the multimedia file being displayed, so as to solve the problem in the prior art that after multimedia files are called by an application, it is not possible to determine which multimedia files are called by the application when the multimedia files are browsed.
US09292503B2 Data management and distribution
Techniques are described for receiving a request from a client, parsing the request, the request identifying a characteristic associated with content in response to the request, generating a response including content selected based on a parameter, characteristic, or profile, identifying commercial content that based on the content, the commercial content being formatted to be displayed in a skin associated with a player, determining another commercial content based on the content, the commercial content and activity data detected from the client, the another commercial content associated with a control parameter configured to modify a function that is available while playing the content, the commercial content, or the another commercial content, displaying the content, the commercial content, or the another commercial content in the skin, and modifying the function based on the control parameter during display of the content, the commercial content, or the another commercial content.
US09292502B2 Modular platform for web applications and systems
A method and system for providing a web platform configured to assist in a development of a web application. The method includes developing a core layer of a web development software stack including first bundles organized into a first bundle group by an underlying web framework, developing a ket layer of the web development software stack including second bundles organized into the first bundle group by the underlying web framework, developing an application layer of the web development software stack including third bundles organized into a second bundle group by the underlying web framework, and allowing modification of code for each of the core layer, ket layer and application layer exclusively by web developers having a respective classification of a plurality of different classifications. The system includes various hardware components configured to perform the method for providing the web platform.
US09292497B2 Context-based translation
A method and a system for translating sections of one or more applications are disclosed. The method includes capturing and storing text phrases of the sections. The method further includes capturing and storing of screen shot images of the sections. The captured text phrases and the screen shot images are then combined to provide a context-based translation of the sections.
US09292496B1 Product interoperability determination
A user input pertaining to a question of whether a first electronic product is interoperable with a second electronic product is received. Based on the question a new message is generated and posted in at least one web based forum. The new message asks whether the first electronic product is interoperable with the second electronic product. Responses to the new message are monitored and analyzed to determine whether, for each response, the response pertains to the interoperability of the first electronic product with the second electronic product. Responsive to determining that at least one response pertains to the interoperability of the first electronic product with the second electronic product, information indicating whether the first electronic product is interoperable with a second electronic product, based on the response to the new message posted in the web based forum, is presented to the user.
US09292494B2 Conceptual world representation natural language understanding system and method
A Natural Language Understanding system is provided for indexing of free text documents. The system according to the invention utilizes typographical and functional segmentation of text to identify those portions of free text that carry meaning. The system then uses words and multi-word terms and phrases identified in the free to text to identify concepts in the free text. The system uses a lexicon of terms linked to a formal ontology that is independent of a specific language to extract concepts from the free text based on the words and multi-word terms in the free text. The formal ontology contains both language independent domain knowledge concepts and language dependent linguistic concepts that govern the relationships between concepts and contain the rules about how language works. The system according to the current invention may preferably be used to index medical documents and assign codes from independent coding systems, such as, SNOMED, ICD-9 and ICD-10. The system according to the current invention may also preferably make use of syntactic parsing to improve the efficiency of the method.
US09292491B2 Method and system for analyzing text
An apparatus for providing a control input signal for an industrial process or technical system having one or more controllable elements includes elements for generating a semantic space for a text corpus, and elements for generating a norm from one or more reference words or texts, the or each reference word or text being associated with a defined respective value on a scale, and the norm being calculated as a reference point or set of reference points in the semantic space for the or each reference word or text with its associated respective scale value. Elements for reading at least one target word included in the text corpus, elements for predicting a value of a variable associated with the target word based on the semantic space and the norm, and elements for providing the predicted value in a control input signal to the industrial process or technical system. A method for predicting a value of a variable associated with a target word is also disclosed together with an associated system and computer readable medium.
US09292490B2 Unsupervised learning of deep patterns for semantic parsing
Using exemplary sentences, usage patterns and thematic roles ascribed in VerbNet to generate “deep pattern trees” for the exemplary sentences. Then, when an arbitrary natural language subject sentence is input, these deep pattern trees can be matched to the natural language subject sentence in order to assign thematic roles to at least some of the “grammatical portions” of the natural language subject sentence.
US09292488B2 Method for embedding voice mail in a spoken utterance using a natural language processing computer system
A method for processing a voice message in a computerized system. The method receives and records a speech utterance including a message portion and a communication portion. The method proceeds to parse the input to identify and separate the message portion and the communication portion. It then identifies communication parameters, including one or more destination mailboxes, from the communication portion, and it transmits the message portion to the destination mailbox as a voice message.
US09292486B2 Validation of formulas with external sources
A system and/or computer program product validates a formula within a spreadsheet. A formula type, of an identified formula from a spreadsheet, is identified. A database of known accurate formulas, whose type matches a formula type of the identified formula within the spreadsheet, is identified and located. A determination is made as to whether the identified formula from the spreadsheet matches a known accurate formula from the database. In response to the identified formula from the spreadsheet failing to match the known accurate formula from the database, a predefined action is initiated.
US09292485B2 Extracting data cell transformable to model object
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for extracting a data cell transformable to a model object. Aspects relate to object-based modeling using modeling objects that can be extracted from spreadsheet cells, database entries, or other sources. A modeling client can host modeling logic and an application programming interface (API) to create, access, manipulate, and import/export modeling objects used in modeling applications, such as engineering, medical, financial, and other modeling platforms. In aspects, the source data can be accepted into the modeling client from consumer or business-level applications, whose cell, database, or other data content can be extracted and encapsulated in object-oriented format, such as extensible markup language (XML) format. Modeling operations can therefore be performed on or incorporate data that was not originally strictly configured for object-based modeling applications. The extracted model object can also be exchanged with other applications or platforms.
US09292477B1 Method and system for data validation
A method for validating a data value, the method including receiving a data value entered into an input field of a software application, obtaining a validation rule corresponding to the input field from a validation rule book, executing the validation rule to determine a validation result, and returning the validation result to the software application.
US09292472B2 Display apparatus for vehicles
A vehicular display apparatus on a vehicle includes a display device which displays a magnitude of an acceleration which is being detected by an acceleration sensor on a display unit, and also displays a magnitude of an acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor when an ESC controller generated a braking force on road wheels on the display unit.
US09292470B2 Microprocessor that enables ARM ISA program to access 64-bit general purpose registers written by x86 ISA program
A microprocessor includes hardware registers that instantiate the Intel 64 Architecture R8-R15 GPRs. The microprocessor associates with each of the R8-R15 GPRs a respective unique MSR address. The microprocessor also includes hardware registers that instantiate the ARM Architecture GPRs. In response to an ARM MRRC instruction that specifies the respective unique MSR address of one of the R8-R15 GPRs, the microprocessor reads the contents of the hardware register that instantiates the specified one of the R8-R15 GPRs into the hardware registers that instantiate two of the ARM GPRs registers. In response to an ARM MCRR instruction that specifies the respective unique MSR address of one of the R8-R15 GPRs, the microprocessor writes into the hardware register that instantiates the specified one of the R8-R15 GPRs the contents of the hardware registers that instantiate two of the ARM Architecture GPRs registers. The hardware registers may be shared by the two Architectures.
US09292469B2 I/O device management method, computer system, and I/O device management program product
An I/O device management method of a computer system including a computer, an I/O device, an I/O switch assigning the I/O device to the computer, and a management computer of managing the I/O device, in which a process of the management processor includes a step of acquiring a piece of configuration information of the I/O device assigned to the computer, and a piece of configuration information of a network connected with I/O device, a step of acquiring a flow amount indicating an amount of a data transmitted and received via the I/O device for each I/O type, a step of determining the I/O device of changing an assignment to the computer based on the pieces of acquired information, and a step of issuing an assignment change instruction to the I/O switch.
US09292467B2 Mobile resource accelerator
In a client/server environment wherein resources are returned in response to client requests, a resource can be in-lined the first time it is requested, and then cached locally for use in connection with subsequent requests. When a user returns to the page for a subsequent visit, the resource requests are served from the local cache, thus avoiding the need for re-transmission with each response. According to various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention can be implemented in connection with delivery of any content in a client/server system, including for example HTML responses to requests for web pages. In at least one embodiment, the techniques described herein are tailored to mobile data network constraints; however, these techniques can be applied to any data network.
US09292464B2 Multiprocessor system with improved secondary interconnection network
Embodiments of a multiprocessor system are disclosed that may include a plurality of processors interspersed with a plurality of data memory routers, a plurality of bus interface units, a bus control circuit, and a processor interface circuit. The data memory routers may be coupled together to form a primary interconnection network. The bus interface units and the bus control circuit may be coupled together in a daisy-chain fashion to form a secondary interconnection network. Each of the bus interface units may be configured to read or write data or instructions to a respective one of the plurality of data memory routers and a respective processor. The bus control circuit coupled with the processor interface circuit may be configured to function as a bidirectional bridge between the primary and secondary networks. The bus control circuit may also couple to other interface circuits and arbitrate their access to the secondary network.
US09292459B2 Operation analysis apparatus, operation analysis method, and computer program product
An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit, an arbitration unit that controls access to the storage unit, and a plurality of image processing units that are connected to the arbitration unit and access the storage unit via the arbitration unit. And, an operation analysis apparatus includes: an access monitoring unit monitoring which of the image processing units the arbitration unit permits access to the storage unit; a log generation unit generating, in response to the fact that the access monitoring unit detects that the image processing unit with access permitted has been switched, information on the image processing unit with access permitted as a log; a log storage unit storing therein the generated log; and a remaining capacity determination unit determining whether the storage capacity of the log storage unit after storing the log has become equal to or smaller than a particular capacity.
US09292454B2 Data caching policy in multiple tenant enterprise resource planning system
A cache manager application provides a data caching policy in a multiple tenant enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The cache manager application manages multiple tenant caches in a single process. The application applies the caching policy. The caching policy optimizes system performance compared to local cache optimization. As a result, tenants with high cache consumption receive a larger portion of caching resources.
US09292444B2 Multi-granular cache management in multi-processor computing environments
Cache lines in a multi-processor computing environment are configurable with a coherency mode. Cache lines in full-line coherency mode are operated or managed with full-line granularity. Cache lines in sub-line coherency mode are operated or managed as sub-cache line portions of a full cache line. Each cache is associated with a directory having a number of directory entries and with a side table having a smaller number of entries. The directory entry for a cache line associates the cache line with a tag and a set of full-line descriptive bits. Creating a side table entry for the cache line places the cache line in sub-line coherency mode. The side table entry associates each of the sub-cache line portions of the cache line with a set of sub-line descriptive bits. Removing the side table entry may return the cache line to full-line coherency mode.
US09292440B2 Adaptive over-provisioning in memory systems
A method for data storage includes, in a memory that includes multiple memory blocks, specifying at a first time a first over-provisioning overhead, and storing data in the memory while retaining in the memory blocks memory areas, which do not hold valid data and whose aggregated size is at least commensurate with the specified first over-provisioning overhead. Portions of the data from one or more previously-programmed memory blocks containing one or more of the retained memory areas are compacted. At a second time subsequent to the first time, a second over-provisioning overhead, different from the first over-provisioning overhead, is specified, and data storage and data portion compaction is continued while complying with the second over-provisioning overhead.
US09292436B2 Various methods and apparatus to support transactions whose data address sequence within that transaction crosses an interleaved channel address boundary
A method, apparatus, and system are described, which generally relate to an interconnect routing transactions to target IP cores, including two or more channels making up a first aggregate target. The two or more channels populate an address space assigned to the first aggregate target and appear as a single target to the initiator IP cores. The interconnect implements chopping logic to chop an individual transaction from a first initiator IP core whose address sequence crosses a channel address boundary from a first channel to a second channel within the first aggregate target into two or more burst transactions. A first chopped burst transaction is chopped to fit within the address boundaries of the first channel and a second chopped burst transaction is chopped to fit within the address boundaries of the second channel.
US09292433B2 Memory device, host device, and sampling clock adjusting method
A memory card includes a memory controller configured to perform control for sending and receiving a command signal, a response signal, a data signal, and a status signal in synchronization with a clock signal, and a memory-side pattern signal storage unit configured to store a tuning pattern signal to be sent to a host device. The tuning pattern signal is used by the host device to adjust the phase of the clock signal for use as a sampling clock signal. The memory card sends a first tuning pattern signal through a command line and a second tuning pattern signal through a data line concurrently.
US09292431B2 Allocating storage using calculated physical storage capacity
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for allocating non-volatile storage. The storage device may present a logical address, which may exceed a physical storage capacity of the device. The storage device may allocate logical capacity in the logical address space. An allocation request may be allowed when there is sufficient unassigned and/or unallocated logical capacity to satisfy the request. Data may be stored on the non-volatile storage device by requesting physical storage capacity. A physical storage request, such as a storage request or physical storage reservation, when there is sufficient available physical storage capacity to satisfy the request. The device may maintain an index to associate logical identifiers (LIDs) in the logical address space with storage locations on the storage device. This index may be used to make logical capacity allocations and/or to manage physical storage space.
US09292428B2 Memory system
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, a first storage module, a second storage module, a controller, a random number generator, and a randomizing module. The first storage module stores a plurality of management data. The second storage module stores seed data. The controller issues a first command to designate one of the management data, and issues a second command to command writing in or reading from the storage device. The random number generator generates random number data, by shuffling the seed data, based on the management data that is designated by the first command. The randomizing module randomizes written data or read data, based on the random number data.
US09292427B2 Modifying memory space allocation for inactive tasks
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for modifying memory space allocation for inactive tasks. Information is maintained on computational resources consumed by tasks running in the computer system allocated memory space in the memory. The information on the computational resources consumed by the tasks is used to determine inactive tasks of the tasks. The allocation of the memory space allocated to at least one of the determined inactive tasks is modified.
US09292425B2 Semiconductor memory device with operation functions to be used during a modified read or write mode
A semiconductor memory device performs a modified read operation or a modified write operation. The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a read circuit, and a write circuit. The semiconductor memory device further includes an operation unit performing an operation on read data obtained by the read circuit according to operation assignment information applied through an address line to reduce memory access time when entering a modified read mode. In addition, the semiconductor memory device may optionally manage a normal read mode and the modified read mode and allow operation result data output from the operation unit to be written by the write circuit in the modified read mode.
US09292422B2 Scheduled software item testing
In a method of testing a software item, a graphical user interface is presented for scheduling a test of the software item. Specified information regarding conduct of a test is received via the graphical user interface. The specified information includes a test time for initiating the test. The test is initiated at the test time.
US09292413B2 Setting breakpoints in a code debugger used with a GUI object
An embodiment of the invention pertains to debugging program code associated with graphical objects, wherein the code responds to events of user interactions with the object. A menu is generated that includes user interaction events, and an associated program window is adapted to present the menu to a user when requested, wherein the user can select user interaction events from the menu. For each selected event, the method identifies a component of the program code that is responsive to that selected event. The method further includes setting a breakpoint in the program code in selected relationship with each identified program code component, wherein the subsequent occurrence of one of the selected user interaction events triggers a corresponding one of the breakpoints.
US09292410B2 Using traceability links strength for software development integrity monitoring
A computerized method that combines identifying conflicting requirements and monitoring requirements integrity. Traceability link strengths are computed between a code element and a plurality of requirements. Revised traceability link strengths are computed between a revised version of the same code element and the plurality of requirements. The revised traceability link strengths are compared to the pre-existing traceability link strengths and a deviation decreased is identified when the revised traceability link strength is less than the pre-existing traceability link strength. An additional traceability link strength is computed between the revised version of the same code element and a new requirement, the new requirement first appearing with the revised version of the same code element. A conflict between the new requirement and the pre-existing requirements is identified when both a deviation decrease is identified and when additional traceability link strength exceeds a correlation threshold.
US09292409B2 Sensor interfaces
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relates to an automotive control unit (ACU) able to communicate with sensors using a plurality of different communication protocols. The ACU comprises a control unit that operates a sensor interface module to selectively generate a plurality of control signals corresponding to a plurality of different communication protocols, wherein respective control signals have characteristics corresponding to one of the plurality of different communication protocols. A modulation unit receives one of the control signals and generates a modulated communication signal having characteristics that correspond to a communication protocol of the one of the control signals. A communication bus provides the communication signal to a sensor network comprising one or more sensors. By operating the modulation unit to operate according to different communication protocols the ACU can be operated to communicate with multiple sensors using different communication protocols (e.g., PSI5 and DSI3 communication protocols).
US09292408B2 Automated detection of a system anomaly
A method for automated detection of a real IT system problem may include obtaining monitor measurements of metrics associated with activities of a plurality of configuration items of the IT system. The method may also include detecting anomalies in the monitor measurements. The method may further include grouping concurrent anomalies of the detected anomalies corresponding to configuration items of the plurality of configuration items which are topologically linked to be regarded as a system anomaly. The method may further include calculating a significance score for the system anomaly, and determining that the system anomaly relates to a real system problem based on the calculated significance score.
US09292403B2 System-wide topology and performance monitoring GUI tool with per-partition views
Mechanisms are provided for a graphical user interface tool for system-wide topology and performance monitoring with per-partition views. A graphical user interface application presents a consolidated view of physical and logical information based on the received performance data. The mechanisms provide real-time performance and utilization information in a visual format relative to the physical components in a topographical layout. The user may drill down to lower levels to view more detailed performance and utilization information.
US09292401B2 Systems and methods for determining desktop readiness using interactive measures
Systems and methods described herein facilitate determining desktop readiness using interactive measures. A host is in communication with a server and the host includes a virtual desktop and a virtual desktop agent. The virtual desktop agent is configured to perform one or more injecting events via one or more monitoring agents, wherein each of the injecting events is a simulated input device event. The desktop agent is further configured to receive, via a display module, a response to the injecting event(s), wherein the response is a display update causing pixel color values for the display module to alter. The desktop agent is also configured to identify, via the monitoring agent(s), whether the response to the injecting event(s) is an expected response. The desktop agent is also configured to determine, via the monitoring agent(s), a readiness of the virtual desktop based on the expected response.
US09292400B1 System, method, and computer program for determining a network for a user
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for determining a network for a user. In use, a network-related event associated with a user is identified. Additionally, a score is calculated for the user, in response to the identification of the event. Further, a network is determined for the user, based on the score.
US09292398B2 Design-based weighting for logic built-in self-test
Embodiments relate to design-based weighting for logic built-in self-test (LBIST). An aspect includes an integrated circuit development system for implementing design-based weighting for LBIST. The system includes a memory system to create an integrated circuit layout. A processing circuit is coupled to the memory system. The processing circuit is configured to execute integrated circuit development tools to perform a method. The method includes analyzing, by the processing circuit, a plurality of integrated circuit design organizational units to determine preferred weightings of the integrated circuit design organizational units that provide a highest level of failure coverage when applied to a random pattern generator. Based on determining the preferred weightings, the processing circuit creates an integrated circuit layout that includes a plurality of weighted test paths to respectively apply the preferred weightings to the integrated circuit design organizational units. The integrated circuit layout is incorporated in a device under test.
US09292395B2 Debug stub server, debug method, and program
A debug stub server comprises: an arbitration unit that receives a plurality of control instructions given to a debug program from a plurality of information terminals, selects a simultaneously executable control instruction set from among the plurality of control instructions by arbitrating the plurality of control instructions, and forwards the selected control instruction set to the debug program; and a forwarding unit that forwards a debug result obtained by the debug program based on the control instruction set selected by the arbitration unit to the plurality of information terminals.
US09292393B2 System and method for redundant object storage
Systems and methods for redundant object storage are disclosed. A method may include storing at least two copies of each of a plurality of objects among a plurality of nodes communicatively coupled to one another in order to provide redundancy of each of the plurality of objects in the event of a fault of one of the plurality of nodes. The method may also include monitoring access to each object to determine a frequency of access for each object. The method may additionally include redistributing one or more of the copies of the objects such that at least one particular node of the plurality of nodes includes copies of only objects accessed at a frequency below a predetermined frequency threshold based on the determined frequency of access for each object. The method may further include placing the at least one particular node in a reduced-power mode.
US09292386B2 Apparatus and method for allocating processing requests
A system stores at least one item of connection information for each of a plurality of processing systems. The system receives a request from the requesting apparatus and, in response to receiving the request, sets a status related to one item of the connection information stored in the storage unit for connection to one of the processing systems. The system transmits the received request to the one processing system by using the one item of connection information and receives a response denoting a result of the processing from the one processing system. Responsive to receiving the response, the system releases the status related to the one item of connection information, and transmits the response to the requesting apparatus.
US09292382B2 Codewords that span pages of memory
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for codewords that span pages of memory. A number of methods include writing a first portion of a primary codeword to a first page in a first block of memory and writing a second portion of the primary codeword to a second page in a second block of memory. The primary codeword can be included in a secondary codeword. The method can include writing a first portion of the secondary codeword in the memory and writing a second portion of the secondary codeword to a different page and block of the memory than the first portion of the secondary codeword.
US09292379B2 Apparatus and method to manage high capacity storage devices
Apparatus, systems, and methods to manage high capacity memory devices are described. In one example, a controller comprises logic to receive a write operation comprising payload data, a namespace identifier (ID) and a first extended logical block address (LBA), compute a first system cyclic redundancy check (CRC) using a payload CRC, the namespace ID and the first extended LBA, store the first system CRC in association with the first extended LBA in a local memory, and write the payload data, the first system CRC, and a truncated LBA derived from the first extended LBA to a memory. Other examples are also disclosed and claimed.
US09292377B2 Detection and decoding in flash memories using correlation of neighboring bits and probability based reliability values
Methods and apparatus are provided for detection and decoding in flash memories using a correlation of neighboring bits or errors in neighboring bits. Data from a flash memory device is processed by obtaining one or more read values for a plurality of bits in one or more pages of the flash memory device; converting the one or more read values for the plurality of bits to a reliability value, such as a log likelihood ratio (LLR), for a given bit among said plurality of bits based on a probability that a data pattern was written to the plurality of bits given that a particular pattern was read from the plurality of bits; and decoding the given bit in a given page of the one or more pages using the reliability value. The probability may be obtained from one or more transition probability tables, or may be based on one or more reference cells, prior decoded decisions or performance factors.
US09292373B2 Query rewrites for data-intensive applications in presence of run-time errors
Embodiments relate to a method and computer program product for error handling. The method includes performing at least one query operation. The processing of query operation also includes generating error information data based at least an error encountered during performance of the query operation and generating a data result relating to any portion of the query operation successfully completed. The data result is processed together with the error information data based on encountering any errors. The data result and error information are provided together in a package but separated by an indicator to distinguish between them.
US09292369B2 Apparatus management system, electronic apparatus, apparatus management method, and computer readable recording medium
An agent unit acquires apparatus status information that indicates a status of the electronic apparatus from an electronic apparatus. A remote maintenance server transmits an acquisition instruction of the apparatus status information to the agent unit and receives the apparatus status information from the agent unit if acquisition of the apparatus status information succeeded. The remote maintenance server (a) acquires operation schedule information on the electronic apparatus, (b) transmits an acquisition instruction of the apparatus status information to the agent unit, (c) registers a retransmission schedule of the acquisition instruction so as to transmit the acquisition instruction at a timing within an operation period of the electronic apparatus determined from the operation schedule if acquisition of the apparatus status information failed, and (d) transmits the acquisition instruction to the agent unit at the timing of the retransmission schedule.
US09292360B2 Cross-platform application programming interfaces for applications
Concepts and technologies are described herein for cross-platform application programming interfaces for applications. In accordance with the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the cross-platform APIs support interoperability and extensibility with various application programs using a single language and/or set of APIs. Extensions authored for a particular application program may be used with other application programs that expose the same or a similar set of APIs, even if other object models or APIs associated with the application programs differ from one another. Thus, the APIs support cross-platform, cross-device, and cross-version compatibility of extensions.
US09292359B2 System and method for memory management
A system and method for automatic memory management of a shared memory during parallel processing of a web application. The system includes a computing system configured to allow parallel computing of a web application executed within a web browser. The computing system includes shared memory having a set of blocks distributed at least a first thread and at least one spawned thread of a processing function of the web application. The memory is partitioned into a nursery heap, a mature heap and a database having a plurality of private nurseries, wherein the first thread has access to the nursery heap and mature heap and the at least one spawned thread has access to an associated one of the plurality of private nurseries. During parallel computing of the web application, management of the shared memory includes garbage collection of at least each of the plurality of private nurseries.
US09292357B2 Software enabled and disabled coalescing of memory transactions
A program controls coalescing of outermost memory transactions, the coalescing causing committing of memory store data to memory for a first transaction to be done at transaction execution (TX) end of a second transaction. wherein optimized machine instructions are generated based on an intermediate representation of a program, wherein either two atomic tasks are merged into a single coalesced transaction or are executed as separate transactions.
US09292355B2 Broker system for a plurality of brokers, clients and servers in a heterogeneous network
The present invention concerns a broker system for a plurality of brokers (20), clients (10) and servers (30) in a heterogeneous network, the broker system comprising: a. a configuration and controlling broker (CCB) (1) adapted for scanning broker configuration data (200) of the plurality of brokers (20) and for synchronizing the broker configuration data (200) with CCB configuration data (100) of the CCB (1).
US09292353B2 Resource allocation using capacity distribution
A system and method for allocating a resource among clients running on host computers using capacity distribution uses lower and upper bounds with respect to a capacity to be distributed to each of the clients. Each client is allocated a portion of the capacity that corresponds to the lower bound for that client. Any excess amount of the capacity is then allocated to the clients based at least partly on the lower bound and the upper bound of each of the clients.
US09292350B1 Management and provisioning of virtual machines
Various systems and methods for management and provisioning of virtual machines are disclosed. For example, embodiments include selecting a potential node to host a virtual machine, where the node is selected from among a plurality of potential nodes. The selection may be based on a virtual machine (VM) configuration of a virtual machine, which may include various requirements needed to host the VM. Embodiments also include provisioning the VM on the host node after the host node is selected from among the plurality of potential nodes, and determining whether a currently-hosted node are operating in accordance with various criteria needed for the VM.
US09292349B2 Detecting deployment conflicts in heterogenous environments
Techniques are disclosed for managing deployment conflicts between applications executing in one or more processing environments. A first application is executed in a first processing environment and responsive to a request to execute the first application. During execution of the first application, a determination is made to redeploy the first application for execution partially in time on a second processing environment providing a higher capability than the first processing environment in terms of at least a first resource type. A deployment conflict is detected between the first application and at least a second application.
US09292341B2 RPC acceleration based on previously memorized flows
Techniques for acceleration of remote procedure calls are disclosed. Such techniques include steps of receiving a content request, the content request including at least one data request for information from a database; analyzing the received content request; and determining whether the analyzed content request includes at least one data request that can be separately executed in parallel with execution of the received content request. In response to a determination that at least one data request that can be separately executed in parallel, initiating the execution of the parallel data request; receiving the requested data in response to that data request; locally storing the received requested data; and providing the stored received requested data in response to execution of the received content request.
US09292339B2 Multi-core processor system, computer product, and control method
A multi-core processor system includes a core configured to determine whether a task to be synchronized with a given task is present; identify among cores making up the multi-core processor and upon determining that a task to be synchronized with the given task is present, a core to which no non-synchronous task that is not synchronized with another task has been assigned, and identify among cores making up the multi-core processor and upon determining that a task to be synchronized with the given task is not present, a core to which no synchronous task to be synchronized with another task has been assigned; and send to the identified core, an instruction to start the given task.
US09292338B2 Scheduling event streams depending on content information data
Apparatus and method for scheduling event streams. The apparatus includes (i) an interface for receiving event streams which are placed in queues and (ii) a scheduler which selects at least one event stream for dispatch depending on sketched content information data of the received event streams. The scheduler includes a sketching engine for sketching the received event streams to determine content information data and a selection engine for selecting at least one received event stream for dispatch depending on the determined content information data of the received event streams. The method includes the steps of (i) determining content information data about the content of event streams and (ii) selecting at least one event stream from the event streams for dispatch depending on the content information data. A computer program, when run by a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps of the above method.
US09292337B2 Software enabled and disabled coalescing of memory transactions
A program controls coalescing of outermost memory transactions, the coalescing causing committing of memory store data to memory for a first transaction to be done at transaction execution (TX) end of a second transaction. wherein optimized machine instructions are generated based on an intermediate representation of a program, wherein either two atomic tasks are merged into a single coalesced transaction or are executed as separate transactions.
US09292336B1 Systems and methods providing optimization data
Service fleets made up of many pieces of computer hardware may perform computational tasks. Described herein are systems and methods for optimizing costs associated with the computer hardware. In one example, an optimization system indicates an amount of hardware needed such that the service fleet operates at an optimal cost. The amount of hardware may be determined based on hardware cost metric data generated for a service fleet.
US09292331B2 Expansion of services for a virtual data center guest
One or more services for enhancing guest utilization of a virtual machine and other VDC resources may be provided at the intermediary manager. In an embodiment, the intermediary manager intercepts a hypercall from a guest operating system that is separate from the intermediary manager. The intermediary manager determines that a particular intermediary service is associated with the hypercall and causes execution of service instructions associated with the particular intermediary service. The intermediary manager and guest operating systems may operate within a virtual machine hosted by a host machine and managed by a hypervisor. Embodiments may be useful in any of a virtualized enterprise computer system; a virtual machine infrastructure in a private data center; computing, storage or networking resources in a private cloud; computing, storage or networking resources of cloud service provider; and a hybrid cloud computing environment.
US09292329B2 Virtual switch interceptor
Application management is facilitated by observing messages communicated amongst virtual applications external to application-hosting virtual machines. In one instance, the messages can be observed from within a virtual switch outside hosting virtual machines. One or more actions can subsequently be performed as a function of the messages such as but not limited to application monitoring as well as message routing, filtering, and/or transformation.
US09292328B2 Management of supervisor mode execution protection (SMEP) by a hypervisor
Approaches for enabling Supervisor Mode Execution Protection (SMEP) for a guest operating system which does not support SMEP. A guest operating system (OS), which does not support SMEP, is executed within a virtual machine. A hypervisor instructs hardware to enable SMEP for the virtual machine executing the guest operating system. When the hypervisor is notified that the hardware has detected the guest operating system instructing a central processing unit (CPU) to execute code stored in virtual memory accessible by user space while the CPU is in supervisor mode, the hypervisor may consult a policy to identify what, if any, responsive action the hypervisor should perform.
US09292318B2 Initiating software applications requiring different processor architectures in respective isolated execution environment of an operating system
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing virtual processor operations. A dynamic loader receives a request to initiate the creation of a new process, followed by a virtual processor being assigned to an isolated execution environment. The dynamic loader then initiates the creation of the new process by mapping kernel data associated with the virtual processor into the address space of the process. The dynamic loader completes the creation of the new process, and its execution is initiated within the isolated execution environment.
US09292317B2 Cloud of virtual clouds for increasing isolation among execution domains
A method for providing a cloud environment for provisioning a guest virtual machine instance. The method includes selecting at least one machine from a collection of machines as a management node, wherein the at least one machine includes a hypervisor enabled with nested virtualization capability, deploying a plurality of cloud managers on each management node, selecting at least one machine from the collection of machines as a host node, deploying a plurality of level two hypervisors on each host node, forming a plurality of virtual clouds, wherein each virtual cloud contains at least one of the plurality of cloud managers and one of the plurality of level two hypervisors, and provisioning, via the at least one cloud manager, at least one guest virtual machine instance on top of the at least one level two hypervisors.
US09292316B2 Cloud of virtual clouds for increasing isolation among execution domains
A system and an article of manufacture for providing a cloud environment for provisioning a guest virtual machine instance include selecting at least one machine from a collection of machines as a management node, wherein the at least one machine includes a hypervisor enabled with nested virtualization capability, deploying a plurality of cloud managers on each management node, selecting at least one machine from the collection of machines as a host node, deploying a plurality of level two hypervisors on each host node, forming a plurality of virtual clouds, wherein each virtual cloud contains at least one of the plurality of cloud managers and one of the plurality of level two hypervisors, and provisioning, via the at least one cloud manager, at least one guest virtual machine instance on top of the at least one level two hypervisors.
US09292309B2 Abstracted display building method and system
A technique is provided for configuring and interface device. The interface device includes a plurality of device elements, each having visual representation and a state engine defining a functionality. A server module in the interface device receives a query from a user viewable screen that includes the visual representations. The server module serves the user viewable screen to a general purpose viewer or browser, which may include a design-time environment. An access module, then, prompts each device to send an image defining its visual representation to a memory display context for inclusion in the user viewable screen. The access module works without reference to the respective functionality of the device elements.
US09292304B2 Language integration via function redirection
Systems and methods for language integration via function redirection are disclosed herein in connection with simulation of quantum computations on classical computers. A base class that all of the functions of a group will instantiate in their context may be defined. The functions may take arguments that may be passed to a member of the base class for dispatch. A dispatcher may be provided to analyze the current context. The dispatcher may perform any of a number of operations as a result, including, but not limited to, passing the arguments to the class instance for execution, returning the class instance directly or via a context holder, returning a new representation of the function for future execution via a context holder, or any other return type that may be desired.
US09292303B2 Suspend profiles and hinted suspending
Methods, systems and computer program products for suspend profiles and hinted suspending. Exemplary embodiments include a suspend mode management method, including determining a task to perform in the computer system during a suspend period of the computer system, detecting a suspend event in the computer system, the suspend event initiating the suspend period and performing the task during the suspend period.
US09292299B2 Methods and systems for package management
A server-implemented method for managing packages on a client device is provided. The method initiates with receiving a content request from a client device, the content request defining a requested content item and current package data identifying one or more currently installed packages on the client device. Required packages for providing the requested content item are determined based on the content request, wherein determining the required packages includes analyzing dependencies amongst the required packages. A response to the content request is generated based on the determined required packages and the current package data, the response defining actions for providing the requested content item at the client device and actions for managing the one or more currently installed packages on the client device. The package management instructions are sent to the client device.
US09292295B2 Voltage droop reduction by delayed back-propagation of pipeline ready signal
A system, method, and computer program product for generating flow-control signals for a processing pipeline is disclosed. The method includes the steps of generating, by a first pipeline stage, a delayed ready signal based on a downstream ready signal received from a second pipeline stage and a throttle disable signal. A downstream valid signal is generated by the first pipeline stage based on an upstream valid signal and the delayed ready signal. An upstream ready signal is generated by the first pipeline stage based on the delayed ready signal and the downstream valid signal.
US09292293B2 Intelligent multicore control for optimal performance per watt
The various aspects provide for a device and methods for intelligent multicore control of a plurality of processor cores of a multicore integrated circuit. The aspects may identify and activate an optimal set of processor cores to achieve the lowest level power consumption for a given workload or the highest performance for a given power budget. The optimal set of processor cores may be the number of active processor cores or a designation of specific active processor cores. When a temperature reading of the processor cores is below a threshold, a set of processor cores may be selected to provide the lowest power consumption for the given workload. When the temperature reading of the processor cores is above the threshold, a set processor cores may be selected to provide the best performance for a given power budget.