Document Document Title
US09337576B2 Floating connector and image forming apparatus
A floating connector, including a connector, a holder configured to support the connector, a retainer configured to retain the holder floating, and an urging member configured to urge the holder, is provided. The retainer includes a retainer-side positioning section. The holder includes a holder-side positioning section, which is configured to locate the holder in a predetermined position with respect to the retainer by contacting the retainer-side positioning section. The holder-side positioning section of the holder is urged by the urging member to contact the retainer-side positioning section of the retainer.
US09337573B2 Electrical connector assembly with jumper element assembled thereon
An electrical connector assembly includes an insulating housing, a jumper element assembled in the insulating housing and a bracket located at the outside of the insulating housing. The insulating housing includes a pocket defining an opening. The bracket includes a retention portion extending into the pocket for retaining the jumper element into the pocket and a latch beside the opening of the pocket. The jumper element includes a protrusion engaging with the latch. The jumper element is assembled into the pocket in a vertical direction and can be pulled out through the opening in the horizontal direction with the latch sliding along the protrusion and finally disengaging the protrusion.
US09337572B2 Communication connector with wire containment cap for improved cable retention
A wire containment cap with a flexible seat is presented. The seat sits below an opening in the rear of the wire containment cap. The seat has a base with a pair of flexible members initially extending upwards from opposite sides of the base and then curve towards each other. In one embodiment the ends of the flexible members can curve down and towards each other in order to better conform to the shape of a cable. Alternatively the seat can be replaced with a U-shaped saddle with flexible arms supported by a post.
US09337571B2 Sealing member and sealing structure
A sealing member configured to be installed to an outer peripheral surface of a first connector housing among a pair of connector housings seal so as to seal a gap between an outer peripheral surface of a first connector housing and an inner peripheral surface of a second connector housing is provided. An inner peripheral surface of the sealing member is formed with protrusions and grooves which are aligned with a first wavelength in an axial direction of the sealing member. An outer peripheral surface of the sealing member is formed with protrusions and grooves which are aligned with a second wavelength in the axial direction. The first wavelength is equal to or smaller than the second wavelength. Positions of the protrusions of the inner peripheral surface are shifted from positions of the protrusions of the outer peripheral surface in the axial direction.
US09337561B2 Contact element for a plug type connector and arrangement comprising a contact element
A contact element for a plug type connector is provided a contact body having a pair of guiding faces and a catch opening. The contact body is prepared from electrically conductive contact material. The pair of guiding faces provide a reinforced region with each guiding face having a plurality of layers overlapping each other transversely with respect to a length of contact body. The catch opening is disposed between the pair of guiding faces.
US09337560B2 Connector having a mounting surface with engagement hooks offset from each other in an insertion direction of a flexible integrated wiring
A flexible integrated wiring connector is used when a terminal portion of a flexible integrated wiring is inserted into and connected to a connector of a connection counterparty. The flexible integrated wiring connector includes a mounting surface on which the terminal portion is mounted; and a pair of engagement hooks which are formed respectively on both end sides of the mounting surface in a widthwise direction. The pair of engagement hooks engage with a pair of engagement holes which are bored respectively on both end sides of the terminal portion in the widthwise direction.
US09337554B2 Insert of electrically conducting material, and tool and method for fitting such an insert to a supporting member
An insert made of electrically conducting material, insertable at least partly inside a seat on a first member, and connectable to a second member; the insert having a fastening member connectable electrically to a first electrically conducting area on the first member.
US09337552B2 Device and a method for the reversible mechanical fixing and electrical contacting of electric conductors
A device for the reversible mechanical fixing and electrical contacting of one or more electrical conductors (11) of a cable (10) it is proposed to fix the cable (10) mechanically by means of a cable receptacle (2) and to position exposed conductor ends (12) of the electrical conductor (11) on a contact plate (3). A fixing element (4) is provided for pressing the exposed conductor ends (12) onto the contact plate (3). Such a device and such a method are needed for the temporary electronic contacting of one or more electrical conductors carried in a cable. Such contacting is above all necessary for carrying out electrical measurements on such cables.
US09337551B2 Terminal-equipped wire and method for manufacturing the same
There is provided a terminal-equipped wire able to reduce a production cost and satisfy water proof and corrosion proof performances at a terminal section of the electric wire. The terminal-equipped wire includes: an electric wire having a conductor in an insulating coating; and a terminal fitting crimped to a terminal section of the electric wire. The terminal fitting includes: an electrical contact portion for connecting with a terminal fitting of the mating connector; and a wire connection portion for connecting with the terminal section of the electric wire continuing to the electrical contact portion. The wire connection portion includes: a grip for gripping the terminal section of the electric wire along a circumferential direction of the electric wire; and a projection penetrating the insulating coating. The conductor and the terminal fitting have electrical continuity with each other via the projection.
US09337548B2 Methods for reducing near-field radiation and specific absorption rate (SAR) values in communications devices
A method is provided introducing a phase difference between signals at antenna ports of an antenna such that a first signal at one of the antenna ports has a different phase than a second signal at another one of antenna ports to obtain an antenna pattern control. A reduced power is used that is lower than the power used in a non-pattern control operation of the antenna such that a wireless link performance criteria is met with equipment at a far-field point using the reduced power compared to the non-pattern control operation, thereby reducing a specific absorption rate.
US09337546B2 Waveguide slot array antenna device
A part of bent end sections of a slot is configured to overlap with a waveguide inner wall when seen from the normal direction of a narrow wall surface of a waveguide at which the slot is provided. Thus, the conductance of a single slot can be reduced by adjusting the joined amount of a tip section of the slot and the inner wall of the waveguide. As a result, even in the case where the number of slots provided per waveguide is increased while a waveguide width is restricted to be short with respect to a slot length, impedance matching with a waveguide bonding section can be taken.
US09337545B2 Apparatus and systems for mounting an electrical switching device
Described herein are mounting plates which facilitate securing of the electrical switching device to an object. The plate mounts to an object and is configured to secure one or more electrical switching devices. The mounting plate includes a planar surface having a plurality of first through holes configured to secure an electrical switching device to a first side of the planar surface. The mounting plate further includes a bracket attached to a second side of the planar surface configured to secure the mounting plate to another object.
US09337543B2 Antenna device and mobile terminal having the same
A mobile terminal comprises: a terminal body having an upper part and a lower part; and an antenna device disposed on the upper part or the lower part of the terminal body, and configured to transmit and receive radio signals, wherein the antenna device comprises: a first member and a second member which form a slot of which one side is open; a feeding portion having one end connected to one of the first member and the second member such that the antenna device resonates in a first frequency band, and forming an electric field in the slot; and a feeding extension portion extending from the feeding portion such that the antenna device resonates in a second frequency band.
US09337539B1 Combined antenna element with multiple matched feeds for multiple component carrier aggregation
Antenna structures and methods of operating the same of an electronic device are described. One apparatus includes an antenna element and three matching circuits coupled to the antenna element. The first RF module is operable to cause the antenna element to radiate or receive electromagnetic energy in a first frequency range. The second RF module is operable to cause the antenna element to radiate or receive electromagnetic energy in a second frequency range and a third frequency range. The impedance matching circuits are operable to match an impedance of the antenna element to an impedance of the first RF module to radiate or receive in the first frequency ranges and to match impedances of the antenna element to impedances of the second RF module to radiate or receive the electromagnetic energy in the second and third frequency ranges.
US09337537B2 Antenna with tunable high band parasitic element
Electronic devices may be provided that include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antennas. An antenna may be formed from an antenna resonating element and an antenna ground. The antenna resonating element may have a shorter portion that resonates at higher communications band frequencies and a longer portion that resonates at lower communications band frequencies. The resonating element may be formed from a peripheral conductive electronic device housing structure that is separated from the antenna ground by an opening. A parasitic monopole antenna resonating element or parasitic loop antenna resonating element may be located in the opening. Antenna tuning in the higher communications band may be implemented using an adjustable inductor in the parasitic element. Antenna tuning in the lower communications band may be implemented using an adjustable inductor that couples the antenna resonating element to the antenna ground.
US09337536B1 Electronically steerable SATCOM antenna
A hybrid satellite antenna comprises an ESA with two steerable dimensions connected to a motor. The motor rotates the antenna about an axis to position the antenna such that a satellite signal can be sufficiently resolved using the two steerable dimensions of the ESA.
US09337528B2 Mobile wireless communications device including electrically conductive portable housing sections defining an antenna
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing including electrically conductive sections defining a perimeter of the portable housing and configured to function as an antenna. One of the electrically conductive sections may include a base, a first electrically conductive arm extending from the base, and a second electrically conductive arm having a proximal portion parallel and spaced apart from the first electrically conductive arm. A printed circuit board (PCB) may be carried by the portable housing. The mobile wireless communications device may also include wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the PCB and coupled to the antenna.
US09337527B2 Mobile telecommunication terminal
A mobile communication terminal comprises a shell, and a backfire antenna which includes a main board disposed in the shell and having a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit on the main board; a main antenna element coupled to the transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit on the main board; and a backfire resonator located at a side of the shell deviated from a user's head, and coupled to the main board and the main antenna element, in which the backfire resonator is fed by the main board from a position on the main board deviated from a center of the main board. The mobile communication terminal according to embodiment of the present disclosure may cause most electromagnetic waves to radiate towards a direction deviated form the user, thus reducing radiation and harm thereof to the user, strengthening the signal received by the base station, and improving the communication quality.
US09337526B2 Antenna-printed circuit board package
An antenna-printed circuit board (PCB) package is provided. The antenna-PCB package includes a PCB; an antenna portion formed on an upper surface of the PCB and inside the PCB; and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) chip bonded to a lower surface of the PCB.
US09337521B2 Crosstalk reduction in signal lines by crosstalk introduction
A circuit component is described herein. The circuit component includes a first signal line to propagate in a first direction and a second signal line to propagate a second direction. The circuit component includes a region to introduce crosstalk within the region that reduces another crosstalk generated at a location remote from the region based on a change in propagation direction of the first signal line and second signal line.
US09337519B2 Air battery having an electrode and polymer film
An air battery containing an electrode and a polymer film, wherein the polymer film is disposed on the air intake side of the electrode, and the polymer film is a film of a polymer comprising a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1), wherein R1, R2, and m are defined in the specification.
US09337516B2 System for preventing condensate formation on a battery
A system for preventing condensate formation on a battery (1), in particular on a battery (1) that is cooled by means of a cooling device, wherein the battery (1) is surrounded by a housing (6), and wherein the housing (6) has at least one air inlet opening (8) and at least one air outlet opening (9), wherein the at least one air inlet opening (8) is designed such that air supplied to the housing (6) can flow into the housing (6) so as to flow around the battery (1), and wherein the at least one air outlet opening (9) is designed such that air can flow out of the housing (6).
US09337515B2 Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery includes: an electrode assembly formed by winding a positive and negative electrode plate and a separator between the electrode plates, and including a cavity along an axial direction of the electrode assembly; a center pin along the axial direction and housed in the cavity; a can having an opening; and a cap assembly configured to close the opening, wherein the center pin includes: a center portion along a radial direction of the center pin; a first perimeter portion coupled to a first end portion of the center portion and extending from the first end portion toward a second end portion of the center portion; and a second perimeter portion coupled to the first end portion of the center portion and extending from the first end portion toward the second end portion in a circumferential direction opposite to a circumferential direction of the first perimeter portion.
US09337505B2 Process of reforming a sulfur-containing liquid fuel
A process of reforming a liquid fuel comprising from greater than 50 ppmw sulfur to less than 400 ppmw sulfur, the process comprising contacting a liquid hydrocarbon fuel comprising one or more organosulfur compounds in a concentration from greater than 50 ppmw to less than 400 ppmw sulfur with an oxidant and steam or water, the contacting occurring in a catalyst bed comprising a reforming catalyst deposited on an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate, such that the process is conducted at a peak catalyst temperature greater than 950° C. so as to produce a reformate mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
US09337502B2 Fuel cell system and control method at starting in the fuel cell system
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a fuel gas piping system which supplies a fuel gas to the fuel cell stack, and is capable of, at starting below a freezing point, selectively performing a rapid warm-up operation to generate electric power at an air stoichiometric ratio lower than that at starting at ordinary temperature, while revolving a circulating pump, and the fuel cell system further includes a clogging determination unit which determines whether or not clogging arises from freezing in a fuel gas passage of the fuel cell stack, or the fuel gas piping system, wherein when the clogging arises, the circulating pump is stopped in the rapid warm-up operation, and termination conditions of the rapid warm-up operation are changed in accordance with a clogging volume.
US09337500B2 Fuel cell with improved thermal management
A fuel cell including at least two stacks of electrochemical cells, a heat management system including a circuit for flowing a coolant into each of the stacks fed in parallel, and an outside circuit for flowing the coolant outside the stacks. The outside circuit includes a first subcircuit including a heat exchanger and a second subcircuit directly connected to an inlet of the inside circuit, and controlling valves for controlling flow of the coolant toward either or both subcircuits as a function of temperature of the coolant at an output of each of the stacks. The second outside subcircuit includes a mechanism increasing its head loss such that it is close or equal to that of the first outside subcircuit.
US09337498B2 Fuel cell stack
A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells each including a first separator, a second separator and a membrane electrode assembly. A first reactant gas manifold of the first separator has an elongated opening extending along a ridge line of a first buffer portion and has an end wall surface that is located at an end of the first reactant gas manifold of the first separator near a middle portion of the first buffer portion and that is a convex curved surface. The convex curved surface and the first buffer portion are connected to each other through a channel that is bent or curved.
US09337497B2 Layer structure and use thereof to form a ceramic layer structure between an interconnect and a cathode of a high-temperature fuel cell
The invention relates to a layer structure which is formed between an interconnect and a cathode of a solid oxide fuel cell and can be used for forming a ceramic layer structure between an interconnect and a cathode. In this respect, the interconnect comprises a metal alloy containing chromium. The object of the present invention is to provide a layer structure between an interconnect and a cathode of a solid oxide fuel cell with which a good protective function (from corrosion and from chromium vaporization), a high electrical conductivity and also a good thermal expansion behavior adapted to the materials of an interconnect and of a cathode can be achieved. The layer structure in the green state is formed by a powdery spinel as well as at least one of the below-named metal oxides CuO, NiO, CoOx and MnOx as a sintering additive and at least one powdery perovskite. In this respect, chromium is not contained in any of these chemical compounds and the portion of spinel contained with the metal oxides as a sintering additive is reduced starting from the side facing the interconnect up to the side facing the cathode and the portion of perovskite is reduced starting from the side facing the cathode in the direction of the side facing the interconnect.
US09337495B2 Stainless separator for fuel cell and method of manufacturing the same
A stainless steel separator for fuel cells and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method includes preparing a stainless steel sheet as a matrix, performing surface modification on a surface of the stainless steel sheet to form a Cr-rich passive film having a comparatively increased amount of Cr in a superficial layer of the stainless steel sheet by decreasing an amount of Fe in the superficial layer of the stainless steel sheet, and forming a coating layer on the surface of the surface-modified stainless steel sheet. The coating layer is one selected from a metal nitride layer (MNx), a metal/metal nitride layer (M/MNx), a metal carbide layer (MCy), and a metal boride layer (MBz) (where 0.5≦x≦1, 0.42≦y≦1, 0.5≦z≦2).
US09337492B2 Electrochemical element
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrochemical element which has a high capacity and is low in cost. The electrochemical element of the present invention is an electrochemical element including an electrode for an electrochemical element, wherein a current collector of positive electrode and/or a current collector of negative electrode is a metal porous body having continuous pores and a mixture containing an active material is filled into the continuous pores.
US09337491B2 Electrode for a lithium battery and lithium battery
An electrode for a lithium battery, which electrode includes an electrode active material which can charge and discharge lithium ions (A), a carbonaceous conductive additive (B) and a binder (C). The carbonaceous conductive additive contains carbon fiber, the carbon fiber including a mixture of two kinds of carbon fibers having different diameter distributions on a number basis; and the fiber diameter distribution of the carbon fiber in the electrode has one or more maximum values at 5-40 nm and at 50-300 nm, respectively. Also disclosed is a lithium battery using the electrode. The electrode enables production of a lithium battery having a reduced discharge capacity decline.
US09337490B2 Lithium ion secondary battery
A lithium ion secondary battery 100A has negative electrode active material particles 710A which include graphite particles that are at least partially covered by an amorphous carbon film 750. The negative electrode, active material particles 710A have a TG weight-loss-on-heating onset temperature T1 which satisfies the condition 500° C.≦T1≦615° C. and a micro-Raman G-band half-width Gh which satisfies the condition 20≦Gh≦28. This configuration makes it possible to obtain a lithium ion secondary battery 100A in which the reaction resistance in a low-temperature environment can be kept low.
US09337487B2 Positive electrode active material precursor for lithium secondary battery, positive electrode active material manufactured by using thereof, and lithium secondary battery including same
The present disclosure relates to a positive electrode active material precursor for a lithium secondary battery, a positive electrode active material manufactured by using thereof, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same. More specifically, it relates to a positive electrode active material precursor for a lithium secondary battery as a secondary particle comprising transition metals, and formed by gathering of a plurality of primary particles having different a-axis direction length to c-axis direction length ratio, wherein the a-axis direction length to c-axis direction length ratio of the primary particle making up the secondary particle is increased from the center to the surface of the secondary particle; a positive electrode active material; and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same.
US09337478B2 Composite silicon or composite tin particles
The specification relates to a composite particle for storing lithium. The composite particle is used in an electrochemical cell. The composite particle includes a metal oxide on the surface of the composite particle, a major dimension that is approximately less than or equal to 40 microns and a formula of MM′Z, wherein M is from the group of Si and Sn, M′ is from a group of Mn, Mg, Al, Mo, Bronze, Be, Ti, Cu, Ce, Li, Fe, Ni, Zn, Co, Zr, K, and Na, and Z is from the group of O, Cl, P, C, S, H, and F.
US09337472B2 Cathode for a battery
An electrode for an electrochemical cell including an active electrode material and an intrinsically conductive coating wherein the coating is applied to the active electrode material by heating the mixture for a time and at a temperature that limits degradation of the cathode active material.
US09337470B2 Method and apparatus for in-situ drying investigation and optimization of slurry drying methodology
A method of drying casted slurries that includes calculating drying conditions from an experimental model for a cast slurry and forming a cast film. An infrared heating probe is positioned on one side of the casted slurry and a thermal probe is positioned on an opposing side of the casted slurry. The infrared heating probe may control the temperature of the casted slurry during drying. The casted slurry may be observed with an optical microscope, while applying the drying conditions from the experimental model. Observing the casted slurry includes detecting the incidence of micro-structural changes in the casted slurry during drying to determine if the drying conditions from the experimental model are optimal.
US09337465B2 Battery pack
Provided is a battery pack including: a plurality of unit cells; a battery holder in which the plurality of unit cells are mounted; an electrode tab arranged on the battery holder; and a bus bar of which portion is arranged on the electrode tab, wherein the battery holder includes a welding part that contacts the electrode tab.
US09337462B2 Electrolyte batteries
The invention relates to an electrolyte battery electrode component having a layer having a surface adjoined by electrolyte in the battery and provided with a fluid-conducting channel structure. In this context, it is envisaged that through the fluid-conducting structure has channels having channel depths in the range from 10 to 200 μm and/or at least 50% of the thickness of the active layer.
US09337459B2 Sealed secondary battery
An electrode group formed by winding a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate with a separator interposed therebetween is housed in a battery case, and a sealing plate seals an opening of the battery case. The sealing plate includes an upper metal plate, a valve, and a lower metal plate that are stacked, an insulating plate is placed on a portion of the electrode group near the opening of the battery case, one of the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate of the electrode group is connected to the lower metal plate through a lead, the lower metal plate and the insulating plate have a first opening and a second opening, respectively, and a ratio of S2 is within the range of 1.8-3.3, where S1 represents an area of the first opening, and S2 represents an area of the second opening.
US09337456B2 Frame member, frame assembly and battery cell assembly made therefrom and methods of making the same
A frame member for housing a battery cell, frame assembly and frame/battery cell assembly made therefrom, as well as respective methods of making the same, are disclosed. A frame member for housing a battery cell includes an integral frame having a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall having an attachment face and an opposed cooling face, and an attachment feature located on the attachment face and a complementary attachment feature located on the attachment face that is symmetrically opposed to the attachment feature about a plane of symmetry of the frame, the peripheral wall defining an opening that is configured to matingly receive a battery cell therein. A pair of frame members having a cooling member placed therebetween and attached to the respective attachment faces comprises a frame assembly. A frame/battery cell assembly includes a pair of frame assemblies having at least one battery cell placed therebetween.
US09337454B2 Battery pack including gas absorption portion
A battery pack comprising: a secondary battery including a safety valve; a gas absorption portion including a gas absorbent represented by zeolite and a container hermetically enclosing the gas absorbent; and a case housing the secondary battery and the gas absorption portion. The safety valve is configured to discharge a gas produced in the secondary battery at the time of abnormality. The container includes a principal surface facing the safety valve, for example, and when the gas is discharged, the container is unsealed by rupturing of at least the principal surface of the container by an effect of heat or pressure of the gas.
US09337452B2 Battery packs and systems including battery packs and electric apparatus
A battery pack may have a main connection section and an auxiliary connection section. The main connection section may be connectable with a plurality of electric apparatuses including a specific kind of electric apparatus and a non-specific kind of electric apparatus. The auxiliary connection section may be connectable with only the specific kind of electric apparatus.
US09337450B2 Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly and a cap plate. The electrode assembly is located in a case of the battery, and the cap plate a cap plate is over an opening of the case. The battery also includes a terminal and a gasket. The terminal includes a plurality of sealing protrusions. The gasket is located between the terminal and cap plate and contacts the plurality of sealing protrusions. Together, the sealing protrusions and gasket establish a barrier which prevents electrolyte solution in the case from reaching and eroding the terminal.
US09337441B2 OLED lighting panel and methods for fabricating thereof
Described herein are OLED lighting systems and devices, and methods related to fabricating such OLED lighting systems and devices. The methods can be used to produce OLED systems and devices of varying sizes without changing the underlying OLED unit design. In one embodiment, the OLED lighting system includes a cover that connects a plurality of OLED lighting units. The cover includes contacts that are accessible from outside the system, such that each OLED lighting unit connected to the cover can be controlled in series or in parallel.
US09337440B2 Organic luminescent display device
An organic luminescent display device according to the invention includes: an element substrate; an organic film; and an organic electro luminescent element formed on the organic film. The organic electro luminescent element includes: an anode formed on the organic film; a light emitting layer formed on the anode; and a cathode formed on the light emitting layer. The anode includes: an adhesion layer formed in contact with an upper surface of the organic film; a reflection layer and formed in contact with an upper surface of the adhesion layer; and a light transmitting contact layer formed on the reflection layer. An edge portion of an outer periphery of the adhesion layer is positioned outside an edge portion of an outer periphery of the reflection layer as viewed in a plan view.
US09337436B2 Transferable transparent conductive oxide
A method for fabricating a photovoltaic device includes forming an adhesion layer on a substrate, forming a material layer on the adhesion layer and applying release tape to the material layer. The substrate is removed at a weakest interface between the adhesion layer and the substrate by mechanically pulling the release tape to form a transfer substrate including the adhesion layer, the material layer and the release tape. The transfer substrate is transferred to a target substrate to contact the adhesion layer to the target substrate. The transfer substrate includes a material sensitive to formation processes of the transfer substrate such that exposure to the formation processes of the transfer substrate is avoided by the target substrate.
US09337434B2 Electronic device
A novel electronic device including a flexible display is presented. The electronic device has a flexible display including an organic light emission diodes and a plurality of columnar bodies linked together. Users can transform the shape of the electronic device into a tablet, an eBook, or a hand-held gaming device. The electronic device is configured to resize its main display area in accordance with the selected mode.
US09337431B2 Compound and organic light-emitting device including the same
A compound is represented by Formula 1: The substituents R1 to R14, Ar1 to Ar4, X, and Y of Formula 1 are described herein. An organic light emitting device includes at least one of the compound represented by Formula 1. The organic light-emitting device including the compound may have a low driving voltage, high efficiency, high brightness, and long lifespan.
US09337430B2 Organic electroluminescent device
The present invention relates to electronic devices, in particular organic electroluminescent devices, comprising compounds of the formula (1), to the corresponding compounds, and to a process for the preparation of these compounds.
US09337424B2 Magnetoresistive tunnel junction
A Magnetoresistive Tunnel Junction (MTJ) includes a magnetic reference layer disposed between a first electrode and a resistive layer. The junction also includes a magnetic free layer disposed between the resistive layer and a second electrode. The surface area of the free layer is less than the surface area of the reference layer.
US09337422B2 Chalcogenide switching device using germanium and selenium and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a chalcogenide switching device, which includes forming a first electrode on a substrate, forming a chalcogenide material composed of Gex and Se1-x formed on the first electrode, and forming a second electrode on the chalcogenide material, wherein the value x is greater than 0 and smaller than 1. A chalcogenide switching device manufactured by this method is also disclosed.
US09337421B2 Multi-layered phase-change memory device
The present invention relates to a phase-change memory device structure and the materials used. The structure comprises a substrate, a single or multiple sandwich-memory-unit(s), a first electrode, and a second electrode. The sandwich-memory-unit contains an upper barrier layer, a lower barrier layer, and a memory layer therebetween. The thickness of the memory-layer is less than 30 nm. The present invention provides a phase-change memory device with a high Tc and a low volume changing rate during phase-change.
US09337420B2 Variable resistance memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A variable resistance memory device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The variable resistance memory device may include a multi-layered insulating layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, on which a lower electrode is formed. The multi-layered insulating layer may include a first hole and a second hole, concentrically formed therein, to expose the lower electrode, wherein a diameter of the first hole is larger than a diameter of the second hole. A variable resistance material layer may be formed in the second hole to contact the lower electrode and an upper electrode may be formed in the first hole to contact the variable resistance material layer.
US09337419B2 Magnetic memory cell and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a magnetic memory cell, includes forming a tunnel barrier layer over a first magnetic layer, forming a second magnetic layer over the tunnel barrier layer, forming a mask over the second magnetic layer, etching an unmasked part of the second magnetic layer to an intermediate position of the second magnetic layer in a thickness direction of the second magnetic layer, and forming a metallic oxide layer by oxidizing an unetched part of the unmasked part of the second magnetic layer.
US09337418B2 Method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive random access memory device
A method of manufacturing magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device includes forming first and second patterns on a substrate in an alternating and repeating arrangement, forming a first capping layer on top surfaces of the first and second patterns, and removing first portions of the first capping layer and a portion of the second patterns thereunder to form first openings exposing the substrate. The method further includes forming source lines filling lower portions of the first openings, respectively, forming second capping layer patterns filling upper portions of the first openings, respectively, and removing second portions of the first capping layer and a portion of the second patterns thereunder to form second openings exposing the substrate. Then, contact plugs and pad layers are integrally formed and sequentially stacked on the substrate to fill the second openings.
US09337416B2 Memory element and memory apparatus with a plurality of magnetic layers and an oxide layer
A memory element has a layered structure, including a memory layer that has magnetization perpendicular to a film face in which a magnetization direction is changed depending on information, and includes a Co—Fe—B magnetic layer, the magnetization direction being changed by applying a current in a lamination direction of the layered structure to record the information in the memory layer, a magnetization-fixed layer having magnetization perpendicular to a film face that becomes a base of the information stored in the memory layer, and an intermediate layer that is formed of a non-magnetic material and is provided between the memory layer and the magnetization-fixed layer, a first oxide layer and a second oxide layer.
US09337413B2 High capaciy low cost multi-state magnetic memory
One embodiment of the present invention includes a multi-state current-switching magnetic memory element that includes a stack of two or more magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJs), each MTJ having a free layer and being separated from other MTJs in the stack by a seeding layer formed upon an isolation layer. The stack is for storing more than one bit of information, wherein different levels of current applied to the memory element cause switching to different states.
US09337405B2 Light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a light emitting device comprises (a) preparing a structure including a substrate, a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, and a p-side electrode and an n-side electrode formed on the semiconductor layer; (b) preparing a support member including a p-side wiring and an n-side wiring on the same surface thereof; (c) electrically connecting the p-side electrode and the n-side electrode of the structure to the p-side wiring and the n-side wiring of the support member, respectively, using an anisotropic conductive material containing conductive particles and a first resin; and after step (c), (d) removing the substrate from the structure.
US09337404B2 Substrate for mounting a plurality of light emitting elements
The present invention relates to a substrate (1) comprising: a first segment (5a) provided with a first contact pad (22a) for connection of a first light emitting element (2a); and a second segment (5b) provided with a second contact pad (22b) for connection of a second light emitting element (2b), wherein the substrate is provided with at least one through-hole (6a-c) that extends from an edge (8,9) of the substrate to a point within the substrate, such that a relative movement, in a plane of the substrate, can be achieved between the first segment (5a) of the substrate and the second segment (5b) of the substrate by applying a mechanical force to the substrate. This makes very accurate alignment to a multiple cavity optical system possible without adjusting the optics, thereby enabling a more convenient and time efficient process in production.
US09337403B2 Light emitting device package
Disclosed is a light emitting device package with improved light extraction efficiency. The light emitting device package includes a substrate, a light emitting device disposed on the substrate, and a light transmission unit disposed above the light emitting device, the light transmission unit being spaced from the light emitting device, wherein a distance between an upper surface of the light emitting device and the light transmission unit is 0.15 mm to 0.35 mm.
US09337401B2 Light emitting device package
A light emitting device package according to one exemplary embodiment includes a sealing material and organic particles. The organic particles enhance a heat discharge rate and thus reliability of the light emitting device package due to excellent thermal characteristics thereof. Moreover, the organic particles achieve an optical distribution effect to enhance light extraction efficiency of the light emitting device package.
US09337398B2 Phosphor in inorganic binder for LED applications
A method for fabricating an LED/phosphor structure is described where an array of blue light emitting diode (LED) dies are mounted on a submount wafer. A phosphor powder is mixed with an organic polymer binder, such as an acrylate or nitrocellulose. The liquid or paste mixture is then deposited over the LED dies or other substrate as a substantially uniform layer. The organic binder is then removed by being burned away in air, or being subject to an O2 plasma process, or dissolved, leaving a porous layer of phosphor grains sintered together. The porous phosphor layer is impregnated with a sol-gel (e.g., a sol-gel of TEOS or MTMS) or liquid glass (e.g., sodium silicate or potassium silicate), also known as water glass, which saturates the porous structure. The structure is then heated to cure the inorganic glass binder, leaving a robust glass binder that resists yellowing, among other desirable properties.
US09337394B2 Semiconductor light-emitting device
A semiconductor light-emitting device comprises a semiconductor stack comprising a side, a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the semiconductor stack further comprises a conductive via extending from the first surface to the second surface; a transparent conductive layer formed on the second surface; a first pad portion and a second pad portion formed on the first surface and electrically connected to the semiconductor stack; and an insulating layer formed between the first pad portion and the semiconductor stack and between the second pad portion and the semiconductor stack.
US09337392B1 Nanoscale solid state graphene terahertz emitter
A nanoscale solid state terahertz emitter employs a layered half-cylinder associated with a substrate. The half-cylinder is configured with a channel having a pre-determined channel length. The emitter is defined in a three-dimensional frame of reference. The layered half-cylinder includes a conductor layer bonded to the substrate. An insulator layer is bonded to the conductor layer. An arcuate-shaped graphene layer is bonded to the insulator layer along a pre-determined contact length.
US09337391B2 Semiconductor light emitting device, light emitting device package comprising the same, and lighting device comprising the same
A semiconductor light emitting device includes an n-type semiconductor layer, a border layer disposed on the n-type semiconductor layer, having band gap energy decreasing in a single direction, and represented by an empirical formula AlxInyGa1−x−yN (0≦x≦0.1, 0.01≦y≦0.1), an active layer disposed on the border layer and having a structure in which one or more InGaN layers and one or more GaN layers are alternately stacked, and a p-type semiconductor layer.
US09337389B2 Group-III nitride structure
Group-III nitride structure comprising at least one structure pyramid having a base having at least four sides. The structure pyramid comprises an inner pyramid having a base having at least four sides, which inner pyramid is made of a first group-III nitride. The inner pyramid is coated with an inner first layer made of a second group-III nitride and an outer second layer made of a third group-III nitride, wherein the second group-III nitride has a lower band gap than the first group-III nitride and a lower band gap than the third group-III nitride. The base of the structure pyramid is elongated resulting in an upper ridge creating at least one anisotropic quantum dot.Method for producing a group-III nitride structure comprising providing a substrate; providing a masking film on the substrate, which film comprises at least one elongated aperture; growth of a first group-III nitride on the substrate; deposition of an inner first layer of a second group-III nitride on the first group-III nitride; deposition of an outer second layer of a third group-III nitride on the second group-III nitride, wherein the second group-III nitride has a lower band gap than the first group-III nitride and a lower band gap than the third group-III nitride.
US09337385B2 Semiconductor light emitting element and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor light emitting element includes a substrate and a stacked body. The stacked body is aligned with the substrate. The stacked body includes first and second semiconductor layers, a light emitting layer, and first and second electrodes. The first semiconductor layer has a first face including first and second portions. The first portion is provided with a plurality of convex portions. The second portion is aligned with the first portion. The second semiconductor layer is provided facing the second portion. The light emitting layer is provided between the second portion and the second semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer is disposed between the second electrode and the light emitting layer. An interval of each of the convex portions is no less than 0.5 times and no more than 4 times a wavelength of a light emitted from the light emitting layer.
US09337381B2 Semiconductor buffer structure, semiconductor device including the semiconductor buffer structure, and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device using the semiconductor buffer structure
A semiconductor buffer structure includes a silicon substrate, a nucleation layer formed on the silicon substrate, and a buffer layer formed on the nucleation layer. The buffer layer includes a first layer formed of a nitride semiconductor material having a uniform composition rate, a second layer formed of the same material as the nucleation layer on the first layer, and a third layer formed of the same material with the same composition ratio as the first layer on the second layer.
US09337377B2 Methods of forming dilute nitride materials for use in photoactive devices and related structures
Atomic layer deposition (ALD) or ALD-like deposition processes are used to fabricate dilute nitride III-V semiconductor materials. A first composition of process gases may be caused to flow into a deposition chamber, and a group V element other than nitrogen and one or more group III elements may be adsorbed over the substrate (in atomic or molecular form). Afterward, a second composition of process gases may be caused to flow into the deposition chamber, and N and one or more group III elements may be adsorbed over the substrate in the deposition chamber. An epitaxial layer of dilute nitride III-V semiconductor material may be formed over the substrate in the deposition chamber from the sequentially adsorbed elements.
US09337375B2 Seed used for crystalline silicon ingot casting
The invention discloses a seed used for crystalline silicon ingot casting. A seed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a crystal and an impurity diffusion-resistant layer. The crystal is constituted by at least one grain. The impurity diffusion-resistant layer is formed to overlay an outer surface of the crystal. A crystalline silicon ingot fabricated by use of the seed of the invention has significantly reduced red zone and yellow zone.
US09337374B2 High productivity spray processing for the metallization of semiconductor workpieces
Processing equipment for the metallization of a plurality of semiconductor workpieces. A controlled atmospheric non-oxidizing gas region comprises at least two enclosed deposition zones, the controlled atmospheric non-oxidizing gas region is isolated from external oxidizing ambient. A temperature controller adjusts the temperature of the semiconductor workpiece in each of the at least two enclosed deposition zones. Each of the enclosed deposition zones comprising at least one spray gun for the metallization of the semiconductor workpiece. A transport system moves the semiconductor workpiece through the controlled atmospheric non-oxidizing gas region. A batch carrier plate carries the semiconductor workpiece through the controlled atmospheric non-oxidizing gas region. The controlled atmospheric non-oxidizing gas region further comprises a gas-based pre-cleaning zone.
US09337367B2 Multiple-junction photoelectric device and its production process
A multiple-junction photoelectric device includes sequentially, a substrate, a first conducting layer, at least two elementary photoelectric devices, at least one of the elementary photoelectric devices being made of microcrystalline silicon, and a second conducting layer. The first conducting layer has a surface facing the microcrystalline silicon elementary photoelectric device such that the surface: has a lateral feature size bigger than 100 nm, and a root-element-square roughness bigger than 40 nm, includes inclined elementary surfaces such that α50 is greater than 20°, where α50 is the angle for which 50% of the elementary surfaces of the surface of the first conducting layer have an inclination equal to or less than this angle, and includes valleys formed between two elementary surfaces and having a radius of curvature smaller than 100 nm.
US09337361B2 Photoelectric conversion device and manufacturing method thereof
In a method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device, a method for forming an embedded electrode is provided, which is suitable for a groove with a high aspect ratio. A first groove and a second groove intersecting with the first groove are formed in a crystalline silicon substrate, an i-type first silicon semiconductor layer, a second silicon semiconductor layer with one conductivity type, and a light-transmitting conductive film are sequentially formed on the surface of the crystalline silicon substrate and on the grooves, a conductive resin is injected into the first groove, and the second groove is filled with the conductive resin by a capillary action to form a grid electrode.
US09337359B2 Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a solar cell may include forming an emitter region that forms a p-n junction with a semiconductor substrate of a first conductive type, forming a passivation layer on the semiconductor substrate, forming a dopant layer containing impurities of the first conductive type on the passivation layer, and locally forming a back surface field region at the semiconductor substrate by irradiating laser beams onto the semiconductor substrate to diffuse the impurities into the semiconductor substrate.
US09337357B2 Bifacial solar cell module
A bifacial solar cell module includes a solar cell panel including a plurality of strings arranged in a row direction. Each of the plurality of strings is formed by electrically connecting a plurality of bifacial solar cells arranged adjacent to one another in a column direction using an interconnector. The bifacial solar cell module further includes a plurality of lead wires electrically connecting an interconnector of the bifacial solar cell positioned at an end of each string to a junction box. At least one of the plurality of strings includes the n bifacial solar cells, and other strings not including the n bifacial solar cells include more than n bifacial solar cells, where n is a positive integer equal to or greater than 1.
US09337354B2 Top port MEMS cavity package and method of manufacture thereof
A method for the manufacture of a package encasing a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) device provides a cover having a lid and sidewalls with a port extending through the lid. A first base component is bonded to the sidewalls defining an internal cavity. This first base component further includes an aperture extending therethrough. The MEMS device is inserted through the aperture and bonded to the lid with the MEMS device at least partially overlapping the port. Assembly is completed by bonding a second base component to the first base component to seal the aperture. The package so formed has a cover with a lid, sidewalls and a port extending through the lid. A MEMS device is bonded to the lid and electrically interconnected to electrically conductive features disposed on the first base component. A second base component is bonded to the first base component spanning the aperture.
US09337351B2 Three-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices including interposed floating gates
Provided are three-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices and methods of fabricating the same. The memory devices include semiconductor pillars penetrating interlayer insulating layers and conductive layers alternately stacked on a substrate and electrically connected to the substrate and floating gates selectively interposed between the semiconductor pillars and the conductive layers. The floating gates are formed in recesses in the conductive layers.
US09337350B2 Transistor with reduced parasitic capacitance and access resistance of the source and drain, and method of fabrication of the same
A transistor includes an active layer forming a channel for the transistor, an insulating layer disposed facing a lower face of the active layer, a gate turned toward an upper face of the active layer and a source and a drain disposed on both sides of the gate. At least one among the source and the drain extends at least partly through the active layer and into the insulating layer.
US09337349B2 Thin film transistor with a ring-shaped hole of a stopper layer and pixel structure having the thin film transistor
A thin film transistor including a gate, a channel, a stopper layer, a source and a drain is provided. The channel and the gate are overlapped. The stopper layer covers a portion of the channel and has a ring-shape hole exposing two opposite connecting portions of the channel. A portion of the stopper layer is disposed between the source and the channel and between the drain and the channel. The source and the drain are filled in the ring-shape hole of the stopper layer and electrically connected to the connecting portions of the channel. Moreover, a pixel structure including the thin film transistor is provided.
US09337345B2 Semiconductor device including multilayer wiring layer
The memory capacity of a DRAM is enhanced. A semiconductor memory device includes a driver circuit including part of a single crystal semiconductor substrate, a multilayer wiring layer provided over the driver circuit, and a memory cell array layer provided over the multilayer wiring layer. That is, the memory cell array overlaps with the driver circuit. Accordingly, the integration degree of the semiconductor memory device can be increased as compared to the case where a driver circuit and a memory cell array are provided in the same plane of a substrate containing a singe crystal semiconductor material.
US09337344B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
To provide a semiconductor device having a structure with which the device can be easily manufactured even if the size is decreased and which can suppress a decrease in electrical characteristics caused by the decrease in the size, and a manufacturing method thereof. A source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are formed on an upper surface of an oxide semiconductor layer. A side surface of the oxide semiconductor layer and a side surface of the source electrode layer are provided on the same surface and are electrically connected to a first wiring. Further, a side surface of the oxide semiconductor layer and a side surface of the drain electrode layer are provided on the same surface and are electrically connected to a second wiring.
US09337342B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
In a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, the amount of oxygen vacancies is reduced. Moreover, electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor are improved. The semiconductor device includes a transistor including a gate electrode over a substrate, a gate insulating film covering the gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor film overlapping with the gate electrode with the gate insulating film provided therebetween, and a pair of electrodes in contact with the oxide semiconductor film; and over the transistor, a first insulating film covering the gate insulating film, the oxide semiconductor film, and the pair of electrodes; and a second insulating film covering the first insulating film. An etching rate of the first insulating film is lower than or equal to 10 nm/min and lower than an etching rate of the second insulating film when etching is performed at 25° C. with 0.5 weight % of hydrofluoric acid.
US09337341B2 Semiconductor device having aluminum-containing layer between two curved substrates
The object of the invention is to provide a method for fabricating a semiconductor device having a peeled layer bonded to a base material with curvature. Particularly, the object is to provide a method for fabricating a display with curvature, more specifically, a light emitting device having an OLED bonded to a base material with curvature. An external force is applied to a support originally having curvature and elasticity, and the support is bonded to a peeled layer formed over a substrate. Then, when the substrate is peeled, the support returns into the original shape by the restoring force, and the peeled layer as well is curved along the shape of the support. Finally, a transfer object originally having curvature is bonded to the peeled layer, and then a device with a desired curvature is completed.
US09337337B2 MOS device having source and drain regions with embedded germanium-containing diffusion barrier
An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and an opening extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the opening is adjacent to the gate stack. A first silicon germanium region is in the opening, wherein the first silicon germanium region has a first germanium percentage. A second silicon germanium region is over the first silicon germanium region, wherein the second silicon germanium region has a second germanium percentage higher than the first germanium percentage. A third silicon germanium region is over the second silicon germanium region, wherein the third silicon germanium region has a third germanium percentage lower than the second germanium percentage.
US09337335B1 Structure and method to form localized strain relaxed SiGe buffer layer
A method includes forming a multilayered structure by providing a substrate having a semiconductor layer disposed on a top surface thereof, the semiconductor layer containing misfit dislocations and associated threading dislocations. The method further includes depositing a tensile strained dielectric layer on a top surface of the semiconductor layer to induce a compressive strain in the semiconductor layer and annealing the multilayered structure to cause the misfit dislocations and associated threading dislocations to propagate within the semiconductor layer. The method further immobilizes the propagating misfit dislocations and associated threading dislocations in a predetermined portion of the semiconductor layer. A multilayered structure formed by the method is disclosed wherein a semiconductor layer contains misfit dislocations and associated threading dislocations that are immobilized within a predetermined portion of the semiconductor layer, where other portions of the semiconductor layer surrounding the predetermined portion are locally strain relaxed portions.
US09337334B2 Semiconductor memory device employing a ferromagnetic gate
A semiconductor memory device including a channel region and a ferromagnetic gate is provided. The channel region can be formed within a semiconductor nanowire. The ferromagnetic gate is programmed with a selected orientation of magnetization by the electrical current that passes through the channel region in one direction or another. The orientation of the magnetization in the ferromagnetic gate can be detected by changes in the threshold voltage of a field effect transistor employing the ferromagnetic gate as a gate electrode, or can be detected by the resistance of the channel region that changes with the orientation of the magnetization in a two terminal device.
US09337331B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, and a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type provided on part of the first semiconductor layer in each of a first region and a second region separated from each other. A first distance is a distance between both ends of the first insulating film in a direction connecting the fourth semiconductor layer and the sixth semiconductor layer. The first distance in the first region is longer than the first distance in the second region. A second distance is a distance between the third semiconductor layer and the seventh semiconductor layer. The second distance in the first region is longer than the second distance in the second region.
US09337328B1 Super-junction trench MOSFETs with closed cell layout
A super-junction trench MOSFET with closed cell layout is disclosed, wherein closed gate trenches surrounding a deep trench in each unit cell. Trenched source-body contacts are disposed between the closed gate trenches and the deep trench. The deep trench has square, rectangular, circle or hexagon shape.
US09337325B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a buffer layer made of a nitride semiconductor, forming a channel layer made of a nitride semiconductor over the buffer layer, forming a barrier layer made of a nitride semiconductor over the channel layer, forming a cap layer made of a nitride semiconductor over the barrier layer, forming a gate insulating film so as to in contact with the cap layer; and forming a gate electrode over the gate insulating film, wherein compression strains are generated at an interface between the cap layer and the barrier layer and an interface between the channel layer and the buffer layer and a tensile strain is generated at an interface between the barrier layer and the channel layer by controlling compositions of the cap layer, the barrier layer, the channel layer, and the buffer layer.
US09337323B2 Trench isolation for bipolar junction transistors in BiCMOS technology
Device structures and design structures for a bipolar junction transistor. A first isolation structure is formed in a substrate to define a boundary for a device region. A collector is formed in the device region, and a second isolation structure is formed in the device region. The second isolation structure defines a boundary for the collector. The second isolation structure is laterally positioned relative to the first isolation structure to define a section of the device region between the first and second isolation structures.
US09337322B2 Thin-film transistor and method for manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a thin-film transistor comprises an oxide semiconductor layer formed on a part of a substrate, a first gate insulator film of a silicon dioxide film formed on the oxide semiconductor layer and by the CVD method with a silane-based source gas, a second gate insulator film of a silicon dioxide film formed on the first gate insulator film by the CVD method with a TEOS source gas, and a gate electrode formed on the second gate insulator film.
US09337320B2 Method of manufacturing zinc oxide thin film, method of manufacturing thin film transistor, zinc oxide thin film, thin film transistor, and transparent oxide wiring
A method of manufacturing a zinc oxide thin film includes: immersing a base having a conductive portion in at least part of the base, in a solution containing zinc ions, hydroxide ions, and zinc complex ions; and by applying an alternating current to the conductive portion, forming a zinc oxide thin film on a region of the base, the region including the conductive portion.
US09337318B2 FinFET with dummy gate on non-recessed shallow trench isolation (STI)
An embodiment fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device includes fins formed from a semiconductor substrate, a non-recessed shallow trench isolation (STI) region disposed between the fins, and a dummy gate disposed on the non-recessed STI region.
US09337315B2 FinFET spacer formation by oriented implantation
A FinFET having spacers with a substantially uniform profile along the length of a gate stack which covers a portion of a fin of semiconductor material formed on a substrate is provided by depositing spacer material conformally on both the fins and gate stack and performing an angled ion impurity implant approximately parallel to the gate stack to selectively cause damage to only spacer material deposited on the fin. Due to the damage caused by the angled implant, the spacer material on the fins can be etched with high selectivity to the spacer material on the gate stack.
US09337314B2 Technique for selectively processing three dimensional device
A method to selectively process a three dimensional device, comprising providing a substrate having a first surface that extends horizontally, the substrate comprising a structure containing a second surface that extends vertically from the first surface; providing a film on the substrate, the film comprising carbon species; and etching a selected portion of the film by exposing the selected portion of the film to an etchant containing hydrogen species, where the etchant excludes oxygen species and fluorine species.
US09337311B2 Electronic component, a semiconductor wafer and a method for producing an electronic component
An electronic component includes a semiconductor substrate defined by a generally planar first face, a generally planar second face and side faces extending between the generally planar second face and the generally planar first face. The semiconductor substrate has a curved contour between the generally planar second face and the side faces.
US09337310B2 Low leakage, high frequency devices
Low leakage, high frequency devices and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method of forming a device includes implanting a lateral diffusion drain implant in a substrate by a blanket implantation process. The method further includes forming a self-aligned tapered gate structure on the lateral diffusion drain implant. The method further includes forming a halo implant in the lateral diffusion drain implant, adjacent to the self-aligned tapered gate structure and at least partially under a source region of the self-aligned tapered gate structure.
US09337308B2 Semiconductor device and method for forming the same
A semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a first junction region formed at the bottom of a vertical pillar, a bit line formed below the first junction region, and an insulation film formed below the bit line. As a result, the 4F2-sized semiconductor device is provided and the bit line is configured in the form of a laminated structure of a conductive layer and a polysilicon layer, so that bit line resistance is reduced. In addition, the semiconductor device reduces ohmic contact resistance by forming silicide between the conductive layer and the polysilicon layer, and includes an insulation film at a position between the semiconductor substrate and the bit line, resulting in reduction of bit line capacitance. Therefore, the sensing margin of the semiconductor device is increased and the data retention time is also increased.
US09337304B2 Method of making semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes epitaxially-growing a strained material in a cavity of a substrate comprising a major surface and the cavity, the cavity being below the major surface. A lattice constant of the strained material is different from a lattice constant of the substrate. The method also includes forming a first metal layer over the strained material, and forming a dielectric layer over the first metal layer, wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness ranging from 1 nm to 10 nm. The method further includes forming a dummy poly-silicon over the dielectric layer, and forming an interlayered dielectric layer (ILD) surrounding the dummy poly-silicon. The method additionally includes removing the dummy poly-silicon over the dielectric layer, and forming a second metal layer over the dielectric layer.
US09337290B2 Layout architecture for performance improvement
An integrated circuit is provided. The integrated circuit includes a first contact disposed over a first source/drain region, a second contact disposed over a second source/drain region, a polysilicon disposed over a gate, the polysilicon interposed between the first contact and the second contact, a first polysilicon contact bridging the polysilicon and the first contact within an active region, and an output structure electrically coupled to the first polysilicon contact.
US09337289B2 Replacement gate MOSFET with a high performance gate electrode
In a replacement gate scheme, a continuous material layer is deposited on a bottom surface and a sidewall surface in a gate cavity. A vertical portion of the continuous material layer is removed to form a gate component of which a vertical portion does not extend to a top of the gate cavity. The gate component can be employed as a gate dielectric or a work function metal portion to form a gate structure that enhances performance of a replacement gate field effect transistor.
US09337288B2 Method of manufacturing MOS-type semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a MOS-type semiconductor device capable of increasing the thickness of a gate oxide film and obtaining high gate withstanding power and reduced switching loss without increasing a gate threshold voltage Vth is provided. A p-type well region is selectively formed on one principle surface of a semiconductor substrate having an n-type low impurity concentration layer by using an oxide film as a mask. Subsequently, a resist mask is formed on the surface of the p-type well region so as to be separated from the oxide film mask, and an n+-type source region is selectively formed from the separation portion. Subsequently, the oxide film mask is removed. Then, an oxide film is formed on the surface of the p-type well region, and the oxide film is removed. Subsequently, a gate electrode coated with a gate oxide film is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US09337287B2 Non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile memory device includes an isolation layer formed over a substrate to define an active region, a floating gate formed over the substrate, a selection gate formed over the substrate on one side of the floating gate and formed to be adjacent to the floating gate with a first gap from the floating gate, a control plug formed over the isolation layer on the other side of the floating gate and formed to be adjacent to the floating gate with a second gap from the floating gate, and a charge blocking layer formed to gap-fill the first gap and the second gap.
US09337280B2 Transistors, methods of forming transistors and display devices having transistors
A transistor, a display device, and associated methods, the transistor including a substrate; an active layer pattern disposed on the substrate, the active layer pattern including silicon and graphene; a gate insulating layer disposed on the active layer pattern; a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulating layer; an insulating interlayer covering the active layer pattern and the gate electrode; and a source electrode and a drain electrode in contact with the active layer pattern.
US09337278B1 Gallium nitride on high thermal conductivity material device and method
Embodiments include but are not limited to semiconductor devices including a barrier layer, a gallium nitride channel layer having a Ga-face coupled with the barrier layer, and a thermoconductive layer having a thermal conductivity of at least 500 W/(m·K) within 1000 nanometers of a Ga-face of the gallium nitride channel layer. The semiconductor device may be a high-electron-mobility transistor or a semiconductor wafer. Methods for making the same also are described.
US09337274B2 Formation of large scale single crystalline graphene
A method for transfer of a two-dimensional material includes forming a spreading layer of a two-dimensional material on a first substrate. The spreading layer has at least one monolayer. A stressor layer is formed on the spreading layer. The stressor layer is configured to apply stress to a closest monolayer of the spreading layer. The closest monolayer is exfoliated by mechanically splitting the spreading layer wherein at least the closest monolayer remains on the stressor layer. The at least one monolayer is stamped against a second substrate to adhere remnants of the two-dimensional material on the at least one monolayer to the second substrate to provide a single monolayer on the stressor layer. The single monolayer is transferred to a third substrate.
US09337273B2 Graphene-based semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is provided comprising a bilayer graphene comprising a first and a second adjacent graphene layer, and a first electrically insulating layer contacting the first graphene layer, the first electrically insulating layer comprising an electrically insulating material, and a substance suitable for creating free charge carriers of a first type in the first graphene layer, the semiconductor device further comprising an electrically insulating region contacting the second graphene layer and suitable for creating free charge carriers of a second type, opposite to the first type, in the second graphene layer.
US09337271B2 Silicon-carbide semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor
It is an object of the present invention to provide a silicon carbide semiconductor device that reduces an influence of an off-angle of a silicon carbide substrate on characteristics of the semiconductor device and achieves improved operational stability and reduced resistance. In a trench-gate silicon carbide MOSFET semiconductor device formed on the silicon carbide semiconductor substrate having the off-angle, a low-channel doped region is provided on a first sidewall surface side of the trench in a well region, and a high-channel doped region having an effective acceptor concentration lower than that of the low-channel doped region is provided on a second sidewall surface side of the trench in the well region.
US09337262B2 Structures and methods with reduced sensitivity to surface charge
The present application provides (in addition to more broadly applicable inventions) improvements which are particularly applicable to two-sided power semiconductor devices which use bipolar conduction. In this class of devices, the inventor has realized that two or three of the four (or more) semiconductor doping components which form the carrier-emission structures and control structures in the active device (array) portion of a two-sided power device can also be used, with surprising advantages, to form field-limiting rings around the active arrays on both surfaces. Most preferably, in some but not necessarily all embodiments, a shallow implant of one conductivity type is used to counterdope the surface of a well having the other conductivity type. This shallow implant, singly or in combination with another shallow implant of the same conductivity type, works to shield the well from the effects of excess charge at or above the surface of the semiconductor material.
US09337261B2 Method of forming microelectronic or micromechanical structures
The invention relates to transferring, in one exposure, a single-mask feature to form two features on an underlying material. Specifically, a doubled walled structure (i.e. a center opening flanked by adjacent openings) is formed. Advantageously, the openings may be sub-resolution openings. The center opening may be a line flanked by two other lines. The center opening may be circular and surrounded by an outer ring, thus forming a double wall ring structure. In an electronic fuse embodiment, the double wall ring structure is a via filled with a conductor that contacts a lower and upper level metal. In deep trench embodiment, the double wall ring structure is a deep trench in a semiconductor substrate filled with insulating material. In such a way the surface area of the trench is increased thereby increasing capacitance.
US09337259B2 Structure and method to improve ETSOI MOSFETS with back gate
A structure to improve ETSOI MOSFET devices includes a wafer having regions with at least a first semiconductor layer overlying an oxide layer overlying a second semiconductor layer. The regions are separated by a STI which extends at least partially into the second semiconductor layer and is partially filled with a dielectric. A gate structure is formed over the first semiconductor layer and during the wet cleans involved, the STI divot erodes until it is at a level below the oxide layer. Another dielectric layer is deposited over the device and a hole is etched to reach source and drain regions. The hole is not fully landed, extending at least partially into the STI, and an insulating material is deposited in the hole.
US09337253B2 Method and apparatus for constructing an isolation capacitor in an integrated circuit
At least one high voltage rated isolation capacitor is formed on a face of a primary integrated circuit die. The isolation capacitor AC couples the primary integrated circuit in a first voltage domain to a second integrated circuit in a second voltage domain. The isolation capacitor DC isolates the primary integrated circuit from the second integrated circuit die.
US09337250B2 Semiconductor package and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor package and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor package includes: a substrate having a plurality of conductive lands and a plurality of bonding pads surrounding the conductive lands formed on a surface thereof; a plurality of passive devices mounted on the conductive lands; an insulation layer formed on the surface and having a portion of the passive devices embedded therein; a semiconductor chip mounted on a top surface of the insulation layer; a plurality of bonding wires electrically connecting the semiconductor chip and the bonding pads; an encapsulant formed on the surface of the substrate to encapsulate the insulation layer, the bonding wires and the semiconductor chip, wherein a region of the semiconductor chip projected onto the substrate covers a portion of an outermost one of the passive devices. Therefore, the mounting density of the passive devices is improved.
US09337248B2 Display device including alignment mark and light shielding pattern
Disclosed is a display device that includes a substrate having an active area and a dead area around the active area; an alignment mark on the inside surface of the substrate in a part of the dead area; and a light-shielding pattern on a rear surface of the substrate in the dead area, the light-shielding pattern including a mark hole for exposing the alignment mark. By providing the light-shielding pattern on a display surface in the dead area, the display device has expanded active display area and improved visual appreciation.
US09337245B2 Method of manufacturing organic electroluminescence device
A method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescence device is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes forming color patterns on a substrate, and forming a pixel defining layer between the color patterns.
US09337243B2 Area sensor and display apparatus provided with an area sensor
An area sensor of the present invention has a function of displaying an image in a sensor portion by using light-emitting elements and a reading function using photoelectric conversion devices. Therefore, an image read in the sensor portion can be displayed thereon without separately providing an electronic display on the area sensor. Furthermore, a photoelectric conversion layer of a photodiode according to the present invention is made of an amorphous silicon film and an N-type semiconductor layer and a P-type semiconductor layer are made of a polycrystalline silicon film. The amorphous silicon film is formed to be thicker than the polycrystalline silicon film. As a result, the photodiode according to the present invention can receive more light.
US09337242B2 Display device
A display device is provided including a display region arranged with a plurality of main pixels formed from a group including a red pixel, green pixel, blue pixel and white pixel, wherein the main pixel includes an arrangement in which the white pixel is adjacent to a pixel other than the blue pixel, and the display region is arranged so that white pixels in each of the main pixels are mutually adjacent. In the main pixel, the white pixel may be adjacent to the green pixel. In addition, in the main pixel, the blue pixel may be adjacent to the red pixel.
US09337241B2 Pixel patterns for organic light-emitting diode display
An electronic device may include a display having an array of organic light-emitting diode display pixels. The display pixels may have subpixels of different colors. The subpixels may include red subpixels, green subpixels, and blue subpixels. The subpixels may be provided with shapes and orientations that improve manufacturing tolerances. Subpixels such as green and red subpixels may have hexagonal shapes while blue subpixel structures may be provided with diamond shapes coupled in pairs to form barbell-shaped blue subpixels. Subpixels can also be angled at 45° relative to horizontal. Subpixels ma have shapes that overlap adjacent display pixels. For example, an array of display pixels that has been rotated by 45° relative to the edges of a display substrate may have blue subpixels and or red subpixels that are shared between pairs of adjacent display pixels in an at of display pixels.
US09337238B1 Photo-induced MSM stack
Selector elements that can be suitable for nonvolatile memory device applications are disclosed. The selector element can have low leakage currents at low voltages to reduce sneak current paths for non-selected devices, and higher leakage currents at higher voltages to minimize voltage drops during device switching. The selector element can be based on multilayer film stacks (e.g. metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) stacks). The semiconductor layer of the selector element can include a photo-luminescent or electro-luminescent material. Conductive materials of the MSM may include tungsten, titanium nitride, carbon, or combinations thereof.
US09337237B2 Methods, structures and devices for increasing memory density
Non-volatile memory devices comprising a memory string including a plurality of vertically superimposed diodes. Each of the diodes may be arranged at different locations along a length of the electrode and may be spaced apart from adjacent diodes by a dielectric material. The electrode may electrically couple the diodes of the memory strings to one another and to another memory device, such as, a MOSFET device. Methods of forming the non-volatile memory devices as well as intermediate structures are also disclosed.
US09337236B2 Light emitting device having current blocking layer
A light emitting device includes a substrate, light emitting cells, each of the light emitting cells including a light emitting structure including lower and upper semiconductor layers, an upper electrode, and a lower electrode, a conductive interconnection layer electrically connecting a lower electrode of a first one of the light emitting cells and an upper electrode of a second one of the light emitting cells, and a current blocking layer disposed to extend from between the upper electrode and the upper semiconductor layer, wherein each light emitting cell further includes a conductive layer arranged to electrically connect the upper electrode of the second light emitting cell to the upper semiconductor layer of the second light emitting cell.
US09337232B2 Substrate stacked image sensor having a dual detection function
The present invention relates to a substrate stacked image sensor having a dual detection function, in which when first to fourth photodiodes are formed in a first substrate, a fifth photodiode is formed in a second substrate, and the substrates are stacked and combined with each other, the first to fourth photodiodes and the fifth photodiode are combined with each other to obtain a complete photodiode as an element of one pixel, and signals individually detected in each photodiode are selectively read or added to be read according to necessity. To this end, the first to fourth photodiodes are formed in the first substrate, the fifth photodiode is formed in the second substrate, the first to fourth photodiodes and the fifth photodiode make electrical contact with each other, and pixel array sizes of the first substrate and the second substrate are allowed to be different from each other, so that sensor resolution of the first substrate and sensor resolution of the second substrate are different from each other.
US09337223B2 Imaging systems with image pixels having adjustable responsivity
An imaging system may include an image sensor having an array of image pixels. Some image pixels in the array may be provided with responsivity adjustment structures. For example, broadband pixels in a pixel array may include responsivity adjustment circuitry. The responsivity adjustment circuitry may be configured to narrow the spectral response or to reduce the conversion gain of the broadband pixels in high light conditions. For example, a deep photodiode may divert charge away from a signal photodiode during an integration period. The deep photodiode may divert charge to a power supply or the charge may be transferred to a storage node and used in image processing, if desired. The responsivity adjustment circuitry may include channel-dependent conversion circuitry that is formed in pixels corresponding to a first color channel, while the conversion gains of pixels corresponding to a second color channel may remain fixed.
US09337217B2 Display device with barrier layer disposed at pre-cutting position and manufacturing method thereof
A display device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided, and the display device includes an array substrate, an opposite substrate and sealant frames between the array substrate and the opposite substrate, with a pre-cutting position disposed between two adjacent the sealant frames. The display device further includes a barrier layer between the array substrate and the opposite substrate and at a position corresponding to the above-mentioned pre-cutting position, and a material forming the barrier layer has an elongation at fracture smaller than that of a material forming the sealant frames. The display device can solve the problem of a large quantity of burrs caused by the sealant frames during the cutting process of a display screen under the precondition of reducing production costs.
US09337215B2 Method for fabricating active matrix substrate and method for fabricating display device
A gate line is formed on a pixel region, and a plurality of wiring layers are formed on a frame region. Next, a gate insulating layer and a semiconductor material layer are formed to cover the wiring layers and the gate line. Next, a first resist is formed to cover a portion of the semiconductor material layer over the pixel region, and second resists are formed to individually cover portions of the gate insulating layer between adjacent pairs of the wiring layers. Next, portions of the semiconductor material layer exposed from the first and second resists and are etched by dry etching to form semiconductor layers of semiconductor elements.
US09337214B2 Display device
To provide a display device with excellent display quality, in a display device including a signal line, a scan line, a transistor, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode in a pixel, the common electrode is included in which an extending direction of a region overlapping with the signal line differs from an extending direction of a region overlapping with the pixel electrode in a planar shape and the extending directions intersect with each other between the signal line and the pixel electrode. Thus, a change in transmittance of the pixel can be suppressed; accordingly, flickers can be reduced.
US09337213B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
This semiconductor device (100) includes: a gate electrode (3); a gate insulating layer (4); an oxide layer (50) which is formed on the gate insulating layer (4) and which includes a first conductor region (55) and a first semiconductor region (51) that overlaps at least partially with the gate electrode (3) with the gate insulating layer (4) interposed between them; a source electrode (6s) formed to contact with the upper surface of the first semiconductor region (51) of the oxide layer (50); a drain electrode (6d) which is formed to contact with the upper surface of the first semiconductor region (51) of the oxide layer (50) and which is electrically connected to the first conductor region (55); and a conductive layer (60) which is formed in contact with the upper surface of the oxide layer (50) and which a plurality of holes (66) or notches. The oxide layer (50) has a plurality of second conductor regions (57, 58), and each of which has a surface exposed inside respective one of the holes or notches of the conductive layer.
US09337212B2 Flexible display substrate and manufacturing method thereof, and flexible display device
The present invention provides a flexible display substrate, comprising a flexible base; an ultraviolet reflecting layer disposed on the flexible base and capable of reflecting ultraviolet light and transmitting visible light, comprising a stacked structure consisting of alternate first transparent material layers and second transparent material layers, wherein the numbers of the two kinds of transparent material layers are equal, and are at least two respectively, and the two kinds of transparent material layers also satisfy: 4nd=λ, wherein d is the thickness of any one of the transparent material layers, n is a refractive index of the transparent material layer and λ is the wavelength of ultraviolet light; and a display structure disposed above the ultraviolet reflecting layer. The present invention is applicable to flexible display substrates, particularly flexible array substrates comprising low-temperature polycrystalline silicon thin film transistors.
US09337211B2 Backplane of flat panel display and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are a backplane for a flat panel display device and a method of manufacturing the backplane. The method of manufacturing the backplane for a flat panel display device includes forming an insulation substrate on a glass substrate, forming a protection layer on the insulation substrate, the protection layer including a first opening exposing a portion of the insulation substrate, forming a first hole in the insulation substrate by removing the portion of the insulation substrate exposed by the first opening, and forming a transistor on the protection layer, the transistor including an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The insulation substrate may include a transistor area including the transistor, and a non-transistor area excluding the transistor and including the first hole.
US09337204B2 Memory cell
Memory cells are described with cross-coupled inverters including unidirectional gate conductors. Gate conductors for access transistors may also be aligned with a long axis of the inverter gate conductor. Contacts of one inverter in a cross-coupled pair may be aligned with a long axis of the other inverter's gate conductor. Separately formed rectangular active regions may be orthogonal to the gate conductors across pull up, pull down and access transistors. Separate active regions may be formed such that active regions associated with an access transistor and/or a pull up transistor are noncontiguous with, and narrower than, an active region associated with a pull down transistor of the inverter. The major components of 6T SRAM, and similar, memory cell topologies may be formed essentially from an array of rectangular lines, including unidirectional gate conductors and contacts, and unidirectional rectangular active regions crossing gate conductors of the inverters and access transistors.
US09337202B2 Semiconductor device with air gap and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a first conductive structure including a first conductive pattern that is formed over a substrate, a second conductive structure formed adjacent to a sidewall of the first conductive structure, and an insulation structure including an air gap that is formed between the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure, wherein the second conductive structure includes a second conductive pattern, an ohmic contact layer that is to formed over the second conductive pattern, and a third conductive pattern that is formed over the ohmic contact layer and is separated from the first conductive pattern through the air gap.
US09337197B1 Semiconductor structure having FinFET ultra thin body and methods of fabrication thereof
In one aspect there is set forth herein a semiconductor structure having fins extending upwardly from an ultrathin body (UTB). In one embodiment a multilayer structure can be disposed on a wafer and can be used to pattern voids extending from a UTB layer of the wafer. Selected material can be formed in the voids to define fins extending upward from the UTB layer. In one embodiment silicon (Si) can be grown within the voids to define the fins. In one embodiment, germanium based material can be grown within the voids to define the fins.
US09337192B2 Metal gate stack having TaAlCN layer
An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate; and a gate stack disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The gate stack further includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate; a multi-function blocking/wetting layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer, wherein the multi-function blocking/wetting layer comprises tantalum aluminum carbon nitride (TaAlCN); a work function layer disposed over the multi-function blocking/wetting layer; and a conductive layer disposed over the work function layer.
US09337189B2 Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; a first semiconductor layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode; a second semiconductor layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second electrode, and the second semiconductor layer having a lower impurity concentration than the first semiconductor layer; a first semiconductor region provided between part of the second semiconductor layer and the second electrode; a second semiconductor region provided between a portion different from the part of the second semiconductor layer and the second electrode, and the second semiconductor region being in contact with the first semiconductor region; and a third semiconductor region provided between at least part of the first semiconductor region and the second electrode.
US09337188B2 Metal-insulator-metal capacitor structure
A capacitor structure in a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, an isolation region having a top surface and a bottom surface, opposite the top surface, the bottom surface of the isolation region being disposed on the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The capacitor structure also includes a gate terminal structure disposed on the top surface of the isolation region and a diffusion contact structure disposed on the top surface of the isolation region and arranged parallel to the gate terminal structure. In some aspects, the gate terminal structure is connected to a first contact node and the diffusion contact structure is connected to a second contact node, in which the first and second contact nodes form opposing nodes of the capacitor structure.
US09337187B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a logic circuit and an active element circuit. The logic circuit is provided with semiconductor elements formed in a semiconductor substrate. The active element circuit is provided with transistors formed using semiconductor layers formed over a diffusion insulating film formed above a semiconductor substrate. The active element circuit is controlled by the logic circuit.
US09337183B2 Transformer input matched transistor
An RF power transistor package includes an input lead, an output lead, and an RF power transistor having a gate, a drain and a defined gain over an RF frequency range for which the RF power transistor is configured to operate. The RF power transistor package further includes a transformer electrically isolating and inductively coupling the gate of the RF power transistor to the input lead. The transformer is configured to block signals below the RF frequency range of the RF power transistor and pass signals within the RF frequency range of the RF power transistor. The RF power transistor package also includes a DC feed terminal for providing DC bias to the gate of the RF power transistor.
US09337180B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
The semiconductor device of the present invention includes: a MOSFET having a gate electrode formed via a gate insulating film over a semiconductor layer and source and drain regions formed in the semiconductor layer on both sides of the gate electrode; and a diode. The diode has an n+-type semiconductor region, a p-type semiconductor region and a p+-type semiconductor region. Then, the gate electrode is connected to the n+-type semiconductor region via an n-type semiconductor region formed so as to be connected to the n+-type semiconductor region. Also, the p+-type semiconductor region is connected to a semiconductor layer below the gate electrode. In this way, by providing the diode between the back gate and gate electrode of the MOSFET, breakage of the gate insulating film can be prevented.
US09337170B1 Contact arrangements for stackable microelectronic package structures
An apparatus relates generally to a microelectronic assembly. In such an apparatus, a contact arrangements are disposed on a first surface of a first substrate, including first contacts disposed as a first ring array; second contacts disposed interior to the first contacts as a second ring array; third contacts disposed interior to the second contacts as a third ring array; and fourth contacts disposed interior to the third contacts on the first surface as an innermost array. The first ring array, the second ring array, and the third ring array are concentric rings with the innermost array in a central region of the concentric rings. The first contacts and the fourth contacts are for interconnection with first microelectronic dies. The second contacts and the third contacts are for interconnection with second microelectronic dies.
US09337163B2 Low profile surface mount package with isolated tab
A surface mount package includes at least one semiconductor device and a POL packaging and interconnect system formed about the at least one semiconductor device that is configured enable mounting of the surface mount package to an external circuit. The POL system includes a dielectric layer overlying a first surface of the semiconductor device(s) and a metal interconnect structure extending through vias formed through the dielectric layer so as to be electrically coupled to connection pads on the semiconductor device(s). A metallization layer is formed over the metal interconnect structure that comprises a flat planar structure, and a double-sided ceramic substrate is positioned on a second surface of the semiconductor device(s), with the double-sided ceramic substrate being configured to electrically isolate a drain of the semiconductor device(s) from an external circuit when the surface mount package is joined thereto and to conduct heat away from the semiconductor device(s).
US09337162B2 Multi-component integrated circuit contacts
An integrated circuit connection is describe that includes a first, securing member and a second, connection member. The first member, in an embodiment, is a spike that has a portion of its body fixed in a layer of an integrated circuit structure and extends outwardly from the integrated circuit structure. The second material is adapted to form a mechanical connection to a further electrical device. The second material (e.g., solder), is held by the first member to the integrated circuit structure. The first member increases the strength of the connection and assists in controlling the collapse of second member to form the mechanical connection to another circuit. The connection is formed by coating the integrated circuit structure with a patterned resist and etching the layer beneath the resist. A first member material (e.g., metal) is deposited. The resist is removed. The collapsible material is fixed to the first member.
US09337157B2 Miniature passive structures for ESD protection and input and output matching
A miniature passive structure for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and input/output (I/O) matching for a high frequency integrated circuit is provided. The miniature passive structure includes at least one shunt stub and at least one load line. The shunt stub(s) each provide a corresponding ESD discharge path. The load line(s) are coupled to the shunt stub(s) and provide loading effects for the shunt stub(s).
US09337156B2 Method for manufacturing a digital circuit and digital circuit
A method for manufacturing a digital circuit is described comprising forming two field effect transistors, connecting the field effect transistors such that an output signal of the digital circuit in response to a predetermined input signal has an undefined logic state when the threshold voltages of the field effect transistors are equal and setting the threshold voltages of at least one of the field effect transistors such that the output signal of the digital circuit in response to the predetermined input signal has a predetermined defined logic state.
US09337154B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate comprising a front surface, side surfaces, a back surface, and a recessed edge between the side surfaces and either the front surface or the back surface, the front surface comprising an active region, the active region comprising at least one contact pad, a polymeric member disposed and contacted with the recessed edge of the substrate, a mold disposed over the front surface of the substrate and the polymeric member, and an interface between the mold and the polymeric member.
US09337153B2 EMI shielding and thermal dissipation for semiconductor device
A memory device including a metallic layer shielding electromagnetic radiation and/or dissipating heat, and a method of making the memory device, are disclosed. The metallic layer is formed on a metallic layer transfer assembly. The metallic layer transfer assembly and the unencapsulated memory device are placed in a mold and encapsulated. During the encapsulation and curing of the molding compound, the metallic layer is transferred from the shield to the encapsulated memory device.
US09337152B2 Formulation for packaging an electronic device and assemblies made therefrom
Disclosed and claimed herein is a formulation for packaging an electronic device and assemblies made therefrom.
US09337142B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Provided are a semiconductor device including an oscillator and a manufacturing method thereof, in which cost is low and design flexibility is high. The semiconductor device includes a wiring structure region and an oscillator region. The semiconductor device also includes, in the oscillator region, a metal resistive element as the same layer as a conducting film over uppermost metal wiring in the wiring structure region.
US09337141B2 Method of forming an inductor on a semiconductor wafer
A semiconductor device has a substrate with an inductor formed on its surface. First and second contact pads are formed on the substrate. A passivation layer is formed over the substrate and first and second contact pads. A protective layer is formed over the passivation layer. The protective layer is removed over the first contact pad, but not from the second contact pad. A conductive layer is formed over the first contact pad. The conductive layer is coiled on the surface of the substrate to produce inductive properties. The formation of the conductive layer involves use of a wet etchant. The second contact pad is protected from the wet etchant by the protective layer. The protective layer is removed from the second contact pad after forming the conductive layer over the first contact pad. An external connection is formed on the second contact pad.
US09337136B2 Method of fabricating a through-holed interposer
A through-holed interposer is provided, including a board body, a conductive gel formed in the board body, and a circuit redistribution structure disposed on the board body. The conductive gel has one end protruding from a surface of the board body, and an area of the protruded end of the conductive gel that is in contact with other structures (e.g., packaging substrates or circuit structures) is increased, thereby strengthening the bonding of the conductive gel and reliability of the interposer.
US09337129B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor element having an electrode facing a first direction; a first lead having a conductive distal end surface facing the electrode, and a rising portion which is connected to the distal end surface to extend away from the electrode; a conductive bonding material bonding the electrode of the semiconductor element to the distal end surface of the first lead; and a sealing resin covering the semiconductor element, at least a portion of the first lead, and the conductive bonding material.
US09337125B2 Integrated circuit devices including a via structure and methods of fabricating integrated circuit devices including a via structure
Integrated circuit devices are provided. The integrated circuit devices may include a via structure including a conductive plug, a conductive barrier layer spaced apart from the conductive plug, and an insulating layer between the conductive plug and conductive barrier layer. Related methods of forming integrated circuit devices are also provided.
US09337123B2 Thermal structure for integrated circuit package
One or more heat pipes are utilized along with a substrate in order to provide heat dissipation through the substrate for heat that can build up at an interface between the substrate and one or more semiconductor chips in a package. In an embodiment the heat pipe may be positioned on a side of the substrate opposite the semiconductor chip and through-substrate vias may be utilized to dissipate heat through the substrate. In an alternative embodiment, the heat pipe may be positioned on a same side of the substrate as the semiconductor chip and may be thermally connected to the one or more semiconductor chips.
US09337119B2 Stacked semiconductor die assemblies with high efficiency thermal paths and associated systems
Semiconductor die assemblies having high efficiency thermal paths. In one embodiment, a semiconductor die assembly comprises a package support substrate, a first semiconductor die electrically mounted to the package support substrate, and a plurality of second semiconductor dies. The first die has a stacking site and a peripheral region extending laterally from the stacking site, and the bottom second semiconductor die is attached to the stacking site of the first die. The assembly further includes (a) a thermal transfer structure attached to the peripheral region of the first die that has a cavity in which the second dies are positioned and an inlet, and (b) an underfill material in the cavity. The underfill material has a fillet between the second semiconductor dies caused by injecting the underfill material into the cavity through the inlet port of the casing.
US09337117B2 Chip package and method of manufacturing the same
A package comprises a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device comprises an active surface and side surfaces. The active surface has a contact pad. The package also comprises a mold covering the side surfaces of the semiconductor device. The package further comprises an interconnection line coupled with the contact pad and extending over the active surface of the semiconductor device. The package additionally comprises an under-bump metallurgy (UBM) layer over the interconnection line. The package also comprises a seal ring structure extending around and outside an upper periphery of the semiconductor device on the mold, the seal ring structure comprising a seal layer extending on a same level as at least one of the interconnection line or the UBM layer.
US09337115B2 Chip package and method for forming the same
A chip package is provided. The chip package includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto. The substrate includes a sensing device and a conducting pad therein. The sensing device and the conducting pad are adjacent to the first surface. The conducting pad has a sidewall laterally protruding from a sidewall of the substrate. An encapsulation layer is attached to the first surface of the substrate to cover the sensing device and the conducting pad. A redistribution layer is disposed on the second surface of the substrate and extends to contact the sidewall of the conducting pad. An end of the redistribution layer protrudes from the first surface of the substrate and is level with a third surface of the encapsulation layer that is opposite to the first surface. A method of forming the chip package is also provided.
US09337114B2 Ceramic board, method manufacturing thereof, image sensor package and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein is a ceramic board and the manufacturing method and an image sensor package and a manufacturing method thereof, the ceramic board including a ceramic body in which an upper surface is formed with a first groove, a second groove is formed in the first groove, and the second groove is formed with a through hole; a first electrode pad formed in the first groove; and a second electrode pad formed at any one of the upper surface, a lower surface and the both surfaces of the ceramic body, electrically connected to the first electrode pad.
US09337112B2 Semiconductor device having test structure
A semiconductor device is provided. First and second pads are electrically connected to a plurality of test structures. Each test structure includes an active region, active patterns, gate electrodes and an electrode pattern. The active region includes a rounded corner portion. The active patterns protrudes from the semiconductor substrate and extends in parallel in a first direction. The gate electrodes crosses over the active patterns in a second direction. One gate electrode is electrically connected to the first pad. The electrode pattern is disposed at a side of the gate electrode electrically connected to the first pad. The electrode pattern is electrically connected to the second pad. The electrode pattern crosses over the active patterns. An overlapping area of the electrode pattern and the active patterns in each test structure is different from an overlapping area of the electrode pattern and the active patterns in other test structures.
US09337111B2 Apparatus and method to attach a wireless communication device into a semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes an RFID chip positioned between a first die and a second die attached to a support substrate. The RFID chip is free of electrical connections to the dice and the support substrate. The RFID chip is sized to correspond to an interposer board. Data pertaining to operating characteristics of the dice are stored to and read from the RFID chip during back-end processing to determine abnormalities and improve yield. Said data may be stored to a database corresponding to the RFID chip in the package. A method of making a semiconductor package having an RFID chip positioned between dice is provided. The package is traceable by customers via the data stored to the RFID chip and the database.
US09337110B2 Semiconductor device having metal gate electrode and method of fabrication thereof
The present disclosure provides a method including providing a substrate having a first opening and a second opening on the substrate. A blocking layer is formed in the first opening. A second metal gate electrode is formed the second opening while the blocking layer is in the first opening. The blocking layer is then removed from the first opening, and a first metal gate electrode formed. In embodiments, this provides for a device having a second gate electrode that includes a second work function layer and not a first work function layer, and the first gate electrode includes the first work function layer and not the second work function layer.
US09337109B2 Multi-threshold voltage FETs
A multi-threshold voltage (Vt) field-effect transistor (FET) formed through strain engineering is provided. An embodiment integrated circuit device includes a first transistor including a first channel region over a first buffer, the first channel region formed from a III-V semiconductor material and a second transistor including a second channel region over a second buffer, the second channel region formed from the III-V semiconductor material, the second buffer and the first buffer having a lattice mismatch. A first strain introduced by a lattice mismatch between the III-V semiconductor material and the first buffer is different than a second strain introduced by a lattice mismatch between the III-V semiconductor material and the second buffer. Therefore, the threshold voltage of the first transistor is different than the threshold voltage of the second transistor.
US09337098B1 Semiconductor die back layer separation method
In one embodiment, semiconductor die are singulated from a semiconductor wafer having a backmetal layer by placing the semiconductor wafer onto a carrier tape with the backmetal layer adjacent the carrier tape, forming singulation lines through the semiconductor wafer to expose the backmetal layer within the singulation lines, and separating portions of the backmetal layer using a fluid.
US09337093B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The semiconductor device includes an insulating film that is formed using a cyclic siloxane having a six-membered ring structure as a raw material; a trench that is formed in the insulating film; and a interconnect that is configured by a metal film embedded in the trench. In the semiconductor device, a modified layer is formed on a bottom surface of the trench, in which the number of carbon atoms and/or the number of nitrogen atoms per unit volume is larger than that inside the insulating film.
US09337090B2 Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating layer laminated on the semiconductor substrate, a first metal wiring pattern embedded in a wire-forming region of the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer laminated on the first insulating layer, a second metal wiring pattern embedded in a wire-forming region of the second insulating layer and first dummy metal patterns embedded each in a wire-opposed region opposing to the wire-forming region of the second insulating layer and in a non-wire-opposed region opposing to a non-wire-forming region other than the wire-forming region of the second insulating layer, the wire-opposed region and the non-wire-opposed region each in a non-wire-forming region other than the wire-forming region of the first insulating layer.
US09337087B1 Multilayer structure in an integrated circuit for damage prevention and detection and methods of creating the same
Various embodiments facilitate die protection for an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, a multilayer structure is formed in multiple levels and along the edges of a die to prevent and detect damages to the die. The multilayer structure includes a support layer, a first plurality of dielectric pillars overlying the support layer, a metal layer that fills spaces between the first plurality of dielectric pillars, an insulation layer overlying the first plurality of dielectric pillars and the metal layer, a second plurality of dielectric pillars overlying the insulation layer, and a second metal layer that fills spaces between the second plurality of dielectric pillars.
US09337083B2 Multi-layer metal contacts
A method for forming metal contacts within a semiconductor device includes forming a first-layer contact into a first dielectric layer that surrounds at least one gate electrode, the first-layer contact extending to a doped region of an underlying substrate. The method further includes forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and forming a second-layer contact extending through the second dielectric layer to the first-layer contact.
US09337078B2 Heat dissipation through device isolation
According to a structure herein, a silicon substrate has an active device in the silicon substrate. A dielectric film is on the active device. An isolation trench is in the dielectric film surrounding the active device. The trench extends through the dielectric film and at least partially into the silicon substrate. A core is in the isolation trench. The core comprises material having thermal conductivity greater than silicon dioxide and electrical conductivity approximately equal to silicon dioxide.
US09337074B2 Attaching device and attaching method
An attaching device configured to attach a substrate and a support via an adhesive layer is provided with support holding members. Holding tools of the support holding members are configured to hold the support with oblique surface parts (contact members) of the holding tools without coming into contact with a surface of the support, which is to be attached to the substrate. The attaching device attaches, to the substrate, the support of which the surface is held not to be contacted.
US09337069B2 Method for glass sheet semiconductor coating
A system (20) and method for coating semiconductor material on glass sheets is performed by conveying the glass sheets vertically suspended at upper extremities thereof through a system (20) having a housing (22) including a vacuum chamber (24). The glass sheets are conveyed on shuttles (42) through an entry load lock station (26) into the housing vacuum chamber (24), through a heating station (30) and at least one deposition station (32, 34) in the housing (22), and to a cooling station 36 prior to exiting of the system through an exit load lock station (28). The resultant semiconductor coated glass sheet (G) has tong marks (44′) formed during the coating processing.
US09337065B2 Systems and methods for drying a rotating substrate
A system for drying a surface of a substrate is provided. The system for drying a surface of a substrate comprising: a rotary support; a first dispenser fluidly coupled to a source of liquid, the first dispenser positioned above the surface of the substrate so as to be capable of applying a film of the liquid to the surface of the substrate; a second dispenser fluidly coupled to a source of drying fluid with a supply line, the second dispenser positioned above the surface of the substrate so as to be capable of applying the drying fluid to the surface of the substrate; and a proportional valve operably coupled to the supply line between the second dispenser and the source of drying fluid, the proportional valve capable of being incrementally adjusted from a closed position to an open position.
US09337062B2 High frequency module and manufacturing method thereof
A high frequency module includes: a semiconductor chip provided over a first surface side of a resin layer; a first waveguide provided over the first surface side of the resin layer and sealed together with the semiconductor chip by a resin; a wire provided over a second surface side of the resin layer and electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip and extending to a position of the first waveguide; a second waveguide bonded to the first waveguide; and a metal plate provided over the first surface side of the resin layer at a position opposite to the first waveguide and electrically coupled to the wire, wherein a part of the wire extending to the position of the first waveguide serves as an antenna coupler.
US09337057B2 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
Provided are methods for fabricating semiconductor devices. The methods for fabricating the semiconductor devices may include forming a first interlayer insulation film including a trench on a substrate, forming a high-k layer along an inner sidewall and a bottom surface of the trench, forming a first work function control film including impurities along the high-k layer, removing the impurities from the first work function control film to reduce surface resistance of the first work function control film by about 30% to about 60% and forming a gate metal in the trench.
US09337056B2 Semiconductor device manufacturing method
A semiconductor device manufacturing method for etching a multilayer film using a mask is provided. The method includes (a) supplying a first gas containing hydrogen, hydrogen bromide, nitrogen trifluoride and at least one of hydrocarbon, fluorocarbon and fluorohydrocarbon into the processing chamber and exciting the first gas to etch the multilayer film from a top surface of the multilayer film to a predetermined position in a stacked direction of the multilayer film; and (b) supplying a second gas that does not substantially contain hydrogen bromide and contains hydrogen and nitrogen trifluoride and at least one of Thydrocarbon, fluorocarbon and fluorohydrocarbon into the processing chamber and exciting the second gas to etch the multilayer film from the predetermined position of the multilayer film to a top surface of the etching stop layer.
US09337045B2 Methods of forming a semiconductor circuit element and semiconductor circuit element
The present disclosure provides a method of forming a semiconductor circuit element and a semiconductor circuit element, wherein the semiconductor circuit element is formed on the basis of a replacement gate process replacing a dummy gate structure of a semiconductor device of the semiconductor circuit element by a gate oxide structure and a gate electrode material, wherein the gate oxide structure comprises a high-k material that is in the ferroelectric phase. In some illustrative embodiments herein, a semiconductor device is provided, the semiconductor device having a gate structure disposed over an active region of a semiconductor substrate. Herein, the gate structure comprises a spacer structure and a dummy gate structure which is replaced by a gate oxide structure and a gate electrode material, wherein the gate oxide structure comprises a ferroelectric high-k material.
US09337041B2 Anisotropic dielectric material gate spacer for a field effect transistor
Capacitive coupling between a gate electrode and underlying portions of the source and drain regions can be enhanced while suppressing capacitive coupling between the gate electrode and laterally spaced elements such as contact via structures for the source and drain regions. A transistor including a gate electrode and source and drain regions is formed employing a disposable gate spacer. The disposable gate spacer is removed to form a spacer cavity, which is filled with an anisotropic dielectric material to form an anisotropic gate spacer. The anisotropic dielectric material is aligned with an electrical field such that lengthwise directions of the molecules of the anisotropic dielectric material are aligned vertically within the spacer cavity. The anisotropic gate spacer provides a higher dielectric constant along the vertical direction and a lower dielectric constant along the horizontal direction.
US09337037B2 Method for obtaining a heterogeneous substrate for the production of semiconductors
A method for obtaining a heterogeneous substrate intended for use in the production of a semiconductor comprises the following steps: (a) obtaining a first substrate (2) made from a type II-VI or type III-V material and a second substrate (1), each substrate being substantially planar and each substrate having a pre-determined surface area; (b) grinding a non-through recess (10) into the second substrate (1), the surface area of said recess being greater than the surface area of the first substrate, such that the first substrate can be housed in the recess; (c) depositing a bonding material (15) in the recess (10); (d) depositing the first substrate (2) in the recess (10) of the second substrate and securing the first substrate in the second substrate at a temperature below 300° C.; and (e) leveling the first and second substrates in order to obtain a heterogeneous substrate having a substantially planar face (30).
US09337036B2 Method of forming copper sulfide film for reducing copper oxidization and loss
Effects of copper oxide formation in semiconductor manufacture are mitigated by etching with sulfide plasmas. The plasmas form protective copper sulfide films on copper surfaces and prevent copper oxide formation. When copper oxide formation does occur, the sulfide plasmas are able to transform the copper oxide into acceptable or more conductive copper compounds. Non-oxide copper compounds are removed using clear wet strips.
US09337032B2 Method of forming pattern of semiconductor device
A method of forming a pattern of a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate, forming a photoresist layer by coating a resist composition including an acid generator and a first resin, the first resin having an acid-labile group, exposing the photoresist layer, forming a photoresist pattern by negatively developing the photoresist layer using a developing solution including an organic solvent, coating a capping composition including a second resin and the organic solvent on the substrate having the photoresist pattern formed thereon, and attaching a capping layer on upper and side surfaces of the photoresist pattern, by baking the capping composition and developing the capping composition using the developing solution including the organic solvent.
US09337025B2 Method of laser separation of the epitaxial film or of the epitaxial film layer from the growth substrate of the epitaxial semiconductor structure (variations)
The present invention proposes variations of the laser separation method allowing separating homoepitaxial films from the substrates made from the same crystalline material as the epitaxial film. This new method of laser separation is based on using the selective doping of the substrate and epitaxial film with fine donor and acceptor impurities. In selective doping, concentration of free carries in the epitaxial film and substrate may essentially differ and this can lead to strong difference between the light absorption factors in the infrared region near the residual beams region where free carriers and phonon-plasmon interaction of the optical phonons with free carriers make an essential contribution to infrared absorption of the optical phonons. With the appropriate selection of the doping levels and frequency of infrared laser radiation it is possible to achieve that laser radiation is absorbed in general in the region of strong doping near the interface substrate-homoepitaxial film. When scanning the interface substrate-homoepitaxial film with the focused laser beam of sufficient power, thermal decomposition of the semiconductor crystal takes place with subsequent separation of the homoepitaxial film. The advantage of the proposed variations of the method for laser separation of epitaxial films in comparison with the known ones is in that it allows to separate homoepitaxial films from the substrates, i.e., homoepitaxial films having the same width of the forbidden gap as the initial semiconductor substrate has. The proposed variations of the method can be used for separation of the epitaxial films. Besides, the proposed method allows using the high-effective and inexpensive infrared gas silicon dioxide CO2 or silicon oxide CO lasers for separation of the epitaxial films.
US09337022B1 Virtual relaxed substrate on edge-relaxed composite semiconductor pillars
A method of creating a virtual relaxed substrate includes providing a bulk semiconductor substrate, and creating a layer of strained semiconductor material on the substrate, a non-zero lattice mismatch of less than about 2% being present between the substrate and the layer of strained semiconductor material, and the layer of strained semiconductor material having a thickness of from about 50 nm to about 150 nm. The method further includes etching through the layer of strained semiconductor material and into the substrate to create shaped pillars separated by slits and sized to achieve edge effect relaxation throughout each shaped pillar, merging a top portion of the pillars with single crystal growth of epitaxial material to create a continuous surface while substantially maintaining the slits, and creating a virtual relaxed substrate by creating a layer of epitaxial composite semiconductor material over the continuous surface.
US09337021B2 Thin film structure and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a thin film structure capable of remarkably reducing the defect density of gallium nitride (GaN), and a method of fabricating the same. The thin film structure includes a supporting substrate including sapphire, and an epilayer disposed on the supporting substrate and including gallium nitride (GaN). An upper part of the supporting substrate facing the epilayer includes a layer of sapphire into which silicon (Si) is diffused or ion-implanted through a top surface of the supporting substrate.
US09337018B2 Methods for depositing films with organoaminodisilane precursors
A method for forming a silicon-containing film on at least one surface of a substrate by a deposition process selected from a chemical vapor deposition process and an atomic layer deposition process, the method comprising: providing the at least one surface of the substrate in a reaction chamber; introducing at least one organoaminodisilane precursor comprising a Si—N bond, a Si—Si bond, and a Si—H3 group represented by the following Formula I below: wherein R1 and R2 are defined herein; and introducing a nitrogen-containing source into the reactor wherein the at least one organoaminodisilane precursor and the nitrogen-containing source react to form the film on the at least one surface.
US09337014B1 Processing system architecture with single load lock chamber
A substrate processing system architecture includes an MOCVD reactor processing module coupled to a single three-level load lock chamber. The load lock has a heater at a first stationary location, a cold plate at a second secondary location, and a three-level transport system between the heater and cold plate. The transport system has two-position carrier transfer assembly with upper and lower stages, where the upper stage may move between an intermediate transfer level and an upper level proximate to the heater while the lower stage moves between a lower level proximate to the cold plate and the transfer level. The choreography of substrate transport between external loader, load lock and reactor allows substrates to be processed in the reactor while other substrates are post-process cooled, unloaded, and a new substrate loaded and preheated.
US09337010B2 Fluorescent lighting with aluminum nitride phosphors
A fluorescent lamp includes a glass envelope; at least two electrodes connected to the glass envelope; mercury vapor and an inert gas within the glass envelope; and a phosphor within the glass envelope, wherein the phosphor blend includes aluminum nitride. The phosphor may be a wurtzite (hexagonal) crystalline structure Al(1-x)MxN phosphor, where M may be drawn from beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, zinc, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, ytterbium, bismuth, manganese, silicon, germanium, tin, boron, or gallium is synthesized to include dopants to control its luminescence under ultraviolet excitation. The disclosed Al(1-x)MxN:Mn phosphor provides bright orange-red emission, comparable in efficiency and spectrum to that of the standard orange-red phosphor used in fluorescent lighting, Y2O3:Eu. Furthermore, it offers excellent lumen maintenance in a fluorescent lamp, and does not utilize “critical rare earths,” minimizing sensitivity to fluctuating market prices for the rare earth elements.
US09337006B2 Inlet sampling method and device
An inlet apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a first conduit for sampling, and a second and third conduit for directing flow throughout the inlet apparatus. Flow may be induced in two opposite directions through the second conduit, which affect the flow of gas through the first conduit for sampling. The various conduits of the apparatus may be connected to a device for inducing flow in different directions. The duration of the flow in a particular direction affects the amount of sample gas that enters a detection device.
US09337002B2 Corrosion resistant aluminum coating on plasma chamber components
Components of semiconductor material processing chambers are disclosed, which may include a substrate and at least one corrosion-resistant coating formed on a surface thereof. The at least one corrosion-resistant coating is a high purity metal coating formed by a cold-spray technique. An anodized layer can be formed on the high purity metal coating. The anodized layer comprises a process-exposed surface of the component. Semiconductor material processing apparatuses including one or more of the components are also disclosed, the components being selected from the group consisting of a chamber liner, an electrostatic chuck, a focus ring, a chamber wall, an edge ring, a plasma confinement ring, a substrate support, a baffle, a gas distribution plate, a gas distribution ring, a gas nozzle, a heating element, a plasma screen, a transport mechanism, a gas supply system, a lift mechanism, a load lock, a door mechanism, a robotic arm and a fastener. Methods of making the components and methods of plasma processing using the components are also disclosed.
US09337001B2 Microwave processing apparatus and control method thereof
A microwave processing apparatus includes: a processing chamber; a microwave introducing unit for generating microwaves and introducing the microwaves into the chamber; and a control unit for controlling the microwave introducing unit. The microwave introducing unit has microwave sources for generating the microwaves and transmission lines for transmitting the microwaves into the chamber and introduces parts of the microwaves into the chamber simultaneously, and the control unit switches a first state of introducing said parts of the microwaves into the chamber to a second state of generating a microwave by one of the microwave sources and introducing into the chamber.
US09336999B2 Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
In a plasma processing apparatus including a first radio-frequency power supply which supplies first radio-frequency power for generating plasma in a vacuum chamber, a second radio-frequency power supply which supplies second radio-frequency power to a sample stage on which a sample is mounted, and a matching box for the second radio-frequency power supply, the matching box samples information for performing matching during a sampling effective period which is from a point of time after elapse of a prescribed time from a beginning of on-state of the time-modulated second radio-frequency power until an end of the on-state and maintains a matching state attained during the sampling effective period from after the end of the on-state until a next sampling effective period.
US09336998B2 Apparatus and method for dynamic control of ion beam energy and angle
In one embodiment a method of etching a substrate includes directing a first ion beam to the substrate through an extraction plate of a processing apparatus using a first set of control settings of the processing apparatus. The method may further include detecting a signal from the substrate that indicates a change in material being etched by the first ion beam from a first material to a second material, adjusting control settings of the processing apparatus to a second set of control settings different from the first set of control settings based on the second material, and directing a second ion beam to the substrate through the extraction plate using the second set of control settings.
US09336992B2 Ion implantation apparatus
An ion implantation apparatus includes: a lens electrode unit including a plurality of electrode sections for parallelizing an ion beam; and a vacuum unit that houses the lens electrode unit in a vacuum environment. The vacuum unit includes: a first vacuum container having a first conductive container wall; a second vacuum container having a second conductive container wall; and an insulating container wall that allows the first vacuum container and the second vacuum container to communicate with each other and that insulates the first conductive container wall from the second conductive container wall. An insulating member is provided that insulates at least one electrode section of the lens electrode unit from at least one of the first conductive container wall and the second conductive container wall, and the insulating member is housed in the vacuum environment together with the lens electrode unit.
US09336990B2 Semiconductor process pumping arrangements
A semiconductor process pump configured to mitigate losses in pump speed during operation. The semiconductor process pump may include a housing having an inlet port for receiving gas molecules therethrough, wherein a forward-most terminus of the inlet port defines an inlet face, one or more working surfaces disposed within the housing, and a mounting flange disposed on an exterior of the housing for facilitating attachment of the pump to a gas enclosure, wherein a forward-most terminus of the mounting flange defines a flange face. The flange face may be offset from the inlet face rearwardly along the housing by a distance d. Thus, when the semiconductor process pump is mounted to a wall of a gas enclosure, the housing may extend into the wall and the inlet face may be disposed within or immediately adjacent the interior of the gas enclosure.
US09336988B2 Multi charged particle beam writing apparatus, and multi charged particle beam writing method
A multi charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a charge amount distribution calculation unit to calculate a charge amount distribution whose charge amount charged by perpendicular incidence of a representative beam of multiple beams in a writing region of a target object, a position correction unit to calculate, using the charge amount distribution, a corrected position of an irradiation position of each beam where a positional deviation amount including a positional deviation amount of an irradiation position due to a charge amount, dependent on the irradiation position of each beam of the multiple beams has been corrected, and a writing unit to write a pattern on the target object by controlling an irradiation amount of each beam such that a formation position of an irradiation pattern of each beam of the multiple beams is to be a corresponding corrected position.
US09336987B2 Charged particle beam apparatus
A charged particle beam apparatus including a column irradiating a sample with a charged particle beam, a detector detecting a secondary particle emitted from the sample, an image data generating section generating image data indicating two-dimensional distribution of an amount of the secondary particle detected by the detector, and a controller that respectively sets first and second position adjustment irradiation frames for first and second beam condition on a surface of the sample in the image data, form a first and second irradiation traces by respectively irradiating the first and second position adjustment irradiation frames with the charged particle beams of the first and second beam conditions, correct a position of the second processing irradiation frame, based on a position displacement amount between a predetermined position of the first irradiation trace and a predetermined position of the second irradiation trace.
US09336986B2 Electron beam data storage system and method for high volume manufacturing
The present disclosure provides for many different embodiments of a charged particle beam data storage system and method. In an example, a method includes dividing a design layout into a plurality of units; creating a lookup table that maps each of the plurality of units to its position within the design layout and a data set, wherein the lookup table associates any repeating units in the plurality of units to a same data set; and exposing an energy sensitive layer to a charged particle beam based on the lookup table.
US09336985B2 Method for creating S/TEM sample and sample structure
An improved method and apparatus for S/TEM sample preparation and analysis. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods for TEM sample creation, especially for small geometry (<100 nm thick) TEM lamellae. A novel sample structure and a novel use of a milling pattern allow the creation of S/TEM samples as thin as 50 nm without significant bowing or warping. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide methods to partially or fully automate TEM sample creation, to make the process of creating and analyzing TEM samples less labor intensive, and to increase throughput and reproducibility of TEM analysis.
US09336984B2 Charged particle beam device and measuring method using the same
In an SEM provided with an ExB deflector for deflecting secondary electrons outside an optical axis of a primary electron beam between an electronic source and an object lens for condensing the primary electron beam and irradiating a sample with the beam, a unit to decelerate the secondary electrons deflected in the ExB deflector, and a magnetic generator for deflecting the decelerated secondary electron are provided, and a plurality of energy filters and detectors are arranged around the magnetic generator. That is, by separating loci of the secondary electrons incident on the energy filters and of the secondary electrons reflected at the energy filters by the magnetic generator, both of the secondary electrons are concurrently detected.
US09336977B1 Electrical switching apparatus and secondary disconnect assembly with terminal retention and correction features therefor
A secondary disconnect assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a power circuit breaker. The secondary disconnect assembly includes a cradle assembly and a terminal block mount. The cradle assembly includes a cradle housing, an inner cradle movably disposed within the cradle housing, a number of retention members, and at least one stop member. The terminal block mount structured to receive a plurality of terminal blocks. The terminal block mount includes a number of protrusions each being removably coupled to the inner cradle. The retention members cooperate with the protrusions to retain the protrusions in a desired position with respect to the inner cradle. The at least one stop member cooperates with the inner cradle to correctly align the inner cradle with respect to the terminal block mount.
US09336974B2 Gas circuit breaker
A pair of arcing contacts 3 and 5 facing each other are placed in a tank 1 to perform opening and closing operation, and a puffer cylinder 7 is coaxially provided on the circumference of one arcing contact 5. A puffer chamber 9 is comprised of the puffer cylinder 7, a fixed piston 6, and a hollow rod 8. An insulating nozzle 4 forming a space communicating with the puffer chamber 9 is provided. An exhaust tube 2 for exhausting and cooling hot gas discharged from an arc produced in the insulating nozzle 4 is provided on the circumference of the other arcing contact 3. A structure 11 for temporarily reducing the flow path area is provided on the inner circumferential surface at short of the end portion of the exhaust tube 2.
US09336973B2 Switch mechanism for activating different switches and portable electronic device therewith
A switch mechanism includes a button, a pressing component, a linking component and an activating component. The button is for moving in a first direction or a second direction. The pressing component is connected to a bottom side of the button and is for pressing a first switch component when the button moves in a first direction. An end of the linking component is connected to the button, and the linking component is driven by the button in a second direction as the button moves in the second direction. The activating component is detachably contacted with the linking component, and the activating component is driven by the linking component when the linking component moves to an activating position in the second direction, so as to activate a second switch component in a third direction.
US09336968B2 Keyboard and method for assembling keyboard and portable electronic device
A keyboard applicable to a portable electronic device includes a flexible circuit board, a plurality of keys, a flexible frame, a first support plate, and a second support plate. The flexible circuit board has a first and a second surface. The plurality of keys is disposed on the first surface. The flexible frame is disposed on the first surface and has a plurality of through holes for keys to pass through. The first support plate is disposed on the second surface, and a part of the periphery of the first support plate is connected to the flexible frame. The second support plate is disposed on the second surface and adjacent to the first support plate, and a part of the periphery of the second support plate is connected to the flexible frame. Additionally, also provided is a method for assembling a keyboard and a portable electronic device.
US09336967B2 Switch device and timepiece
A switch device including a case having a through hole, a cylindrical member including a first cylindrical section having a small diameter arranged in the through hole of the case and a second cylindrical section having a large diameter arranged on an outer portion of the case, an operation member including a shaft section slidably inserted into the first cylindrical section and a head section slidably arranged in the second cylindrical section, a waterproof member provided between an inner peripheral surface of the second cylindrical section and an outer peripheral surface of the head section, and a vent passage that allows air inside the second cylindrical section and air outside the case to pass through a vent hole provided in the cylindrical member and a gap between an outer surface of the cylindrical member and an outer surface of the case for ventilation.
US09336966B2 Indicator lamp
An indicator lamp is disclosed, in particular for an electromechanical command device. The indicator lamp includes a housing and a light source, which is arranged in the housing and emits light when supplied with energy. Furthermore, a lens arrangement is provided, including a first lens unit, which is arranged in the propagation direction of the light emitted by the light source and is built such that light beams emitted by the light source exit substantially parallel from a side of the first lens unit that faces away from the light source. The lens arrangement includes a second lens, which is arranged on the side of the first lens unit that faces away from the light source and is built such that some of the light beams exiting from the first lens unit are directed with respect to the propagation direction towards a transparent side surface of the housing.
US09336964B2 Electrical circuit breaker
The invention relates to an electrical circuit breaker comprising an arc formation chamber and an arc extinguishing chamber, the arc formation chamber being at least partially bounded by a side flange or at least a part of a side wall consisting of a polymeric composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a triazine based flame retardant, at most 0-5 wt. % of phosphorous or halogen containing flame retardants, and 0-15 wt. % of a reinforcing agent, wherein thermoplastic polymer comprises a polyamide with a melting temperature of at least 260° C. and the triazine based flame retardant comprises at least 20 wt. % of melam, wherein the weight percentages (wt. %) are relative to the total weight of the polymeric composition.
US09336960B2 Method of manufacturing a push rod of a vacuum interrupter
A method is disclosed of manufacturing a push rod for switching a vacuum interrupter by moulding the push rod with a plastic material. The push rod can include a core component configured for receiving a spring element. The push rod can also include a rod component which may include another second material, wherein a core component is embedded in the rod component to form the push rod.
US09336958B2 Nanoporous ceramic composite metal
Since pseudo-capacitance transition metal oxides (for example, MnO2) have high theoretical capacitance and are eco-friendly, inexpensive, and abundant in the natural world, pseudo-capacitance transition metal oxides are gaining attention as promising capacitor electrode materials. However, pseudo-capacitance transition metal oxides have relatively low electronic conductivity and limited charging and discharging rates, and it is therefore difficult to use pseudo capacitance transition metal oxides for high output power applications. If a plating process accompanying a liquid-phase precipitation reaction is performed on a nanoporous metal such as nanoporous gold (NPG) to deposit a ceramic material (for example, MnO2 or SnO2) on the surface of a core metal (for example, NPG), a nanoporous metal-ceramic composite having particular structural characteristics and comprising a metal core part and a ceramic deposition part can be obtained. This hybrid material is a good functional material and exhibits excellent functions when used as an electrode material for high-performance super capacitor (SC) devices or as an electrode material for LIB.
US09336957B2 Method of preparing counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell
The following description relates to a method of low temperature sintering a catalyst layer that formed on one side of a counter electrode using a laser. It is possible to prepare a counter electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on a flexible substrate easily because the method can be applied to a conducting substrate made of plastic materials as well as a conducting glass substrate.
US09336956B2 Tantalum capacitor and method of manufacturing the same
A tantalum capacitor includes a capacitor body containing tantalum powder and having a tantalum wire extending downwardly; a molded part enclosing the capacitor body and exposing an end portion of the tantalum wire; a positive electrode lead frame disposed on a lower surface of the molded part and connected to the end portion of the tantalum wire; a negative electrode lead frame disposed on the lower surface of the molded part; and a conductive adhesive layer disposed between the capacitor body and the negative electrode lead frame.
US09336955B2 Niobium alloy, sintered body thereof, and capacitor using the same
The present invention relates to a niobium alloy for capacitors comprising as an alloy component from 0.01 to 10 atom % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of the elements belonging to Groups 2 to 16 of the periodic table and further comprising diniobium mononitride crystals of from 0.1 to 70 mass %, wherein a powder of the niobium alloy has an average particle size of 0.05 to 5 μm and a BET specific surface area of 0.5 to 40 m2/g, a granulated product of the niobium alloy having an average particle size of 10 to 500 μm, a sintered body of the powder of the niobium alloy or granulated product thereof, a capacitor and a producing method thereof using the sintered body. A niobium capacitor using the powder of the niobium alloy of the present invention or a granulated product thereof has high capacitance and small leakage current value and is excellent in high-temperature property and heat resistance property.
US09336952B2 Multilayer ceramic electronic part and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a multilayer ceramic capacitor including a ceramic body including a plurality of dielectric layers, a plurality of first and second internal electrodes disposed in the ceramic body to be alternately exposed to first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body, having the dielectric layer therebetween, first and second electrode layers electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes, respectively, a conductive resin layer formed on the first and second electrode layers and in regions of the ceramic body adjacent to the first and second electrode layers, and a coating layer formed between a portion of an outer surface of the ceramic body on which the conductive resin layer is to be formed and the conductive resin layer.
US09336950B2 Multilayer ceramic capacitor having electrode lead outs that are overlapped and have curved surfaces, and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a multilayer ceramic capacitor including: a ceramic body; a plurality of first and second internal electrodes including first and second body portions and first and second lead out portions, respectively; first and second external electrodes formed on one surface of the ceramic body, respectively; and an insulating layer formed on one surface of the ceramic body and covering exposed portions of the first and second lead out portions, wherein inner connection portions between the first and second body portion and the first and second lead out portions may have a concave curved surface, respectively.
US09336945B2 Multilayer ceramic capacitor
There is provided a multilayer ceramic capacitor including: a ceramic body having a plurality of dielectric layers stacked in a width direction; a plurality of first and second internal electrodes disposed in the ceramic body to be alternately exposed to the first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body, respectively, with the dielectric layers interposed therebetween; a plurality of first dummy electrodes; a plurality of second dummy electrodes; first and second external electrodes; first and second plating layers; and first and second terminal electrodes.
US09336941B1 Multi-row coupled inductors and associated systems and methods
A multi-row coupled inductor has length, width, and height and includes a magnetic core including (1) opposing first and second plates separated from each other in the height direction, and (2) one or more pairs of coupling teeth. Each of the one or more pairs is separated from each other in the widthwise direction, and each of the one or more pairs includes a first coupling tooth and a second coupling tooth separated from and opposing each other in the lengthwise direction. The multi-row coupled inductor further includes: (1) a respective first winding wound around the first coupling tooth, and (2) a respective second winding wound around the second coupling tooth. The first winding mirrors the second winding in each of the one or more pairs, when seen looking toward the magnetic core cross-sectionally in the height direction.
US09336938B2 Wiring substrate and method for manufacturing the wiring substrate
A wiring substrate includes a first insulating layer, a first magnetic layer that is a first plating film formed on the first insulating layer, a flat coil formed on the first magnetic layer, and a second magnetic layer that is a second plating film formed on the flat coil.
US09336934B2 Method for selectively activating magnetic nanoparticle and selectively activated magnetic nanoparticle
Provided is a method of selective activation for a magnetic nanoparticle having a magnetic vortex structure. The method of selective activation for a magnetic nanoparticle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes providing a magnetic nanoparticle having a magnetic vortex structure; applying a first magnetic field to the magnetic nanoparticle so that the magnetic nanoparticle has a resonance frequency; and activating the magnetic nanoparticle by applying a second magnetic field having the resonance frequency to the magnetic nanoparticle.
US09336930B2 Composite cable and method of manufacturing composite cable
A composite cable that includes plural cables connectable to respective connection portions arranged on a substrate, and an outer coat that covers the cables, the composite cable including: a position fixation portion, in which the cables are fixed in positions so as to be parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction of the cables; and a twist portion, in which the cables extending from an end portion of the position fixation portion are twisted together, wherein in the position fixation portion, an arrangement pattern of the cables on a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cables is mirror symmetric to an arrangement pattern of the connection portions.
US09336929B2 Artificial lift equipment power cables
A power cable for artificial lift equipment can include one or more conductor assemblies, each including a copper conductor, a conductor shield with resistivity less than about 5000 ohm-m surrounding the conductor, insulation, an insulation shield having a resistivity less than about 5000 ohm-m surrounding the insulation, a metallic shield surrounding the insulation shield, and a polymer barrier surrounding the metallic shield. Such a cable may include a jacket molded about the one or more conductor assemblies and optionally armor surrounding the jacket. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09336928B2 Communication wire
The present invention relates to an improved insulated conductor with a low dielectric constant and reduced materials costs. The conductor (12) extends along a longitudinal axis and an insulation (14, 14<1>) surrounds the conductor (12). At least on channel (16, 16<1>) in the insulation (14, 14<1>) extends generally along the longitudinal axis to form an insulated conductor. Apparatuses and methods of manufacturing the improved insulated conductors are also disclosed.
US09336926B2 Elongated, ductile, ridged, coil-retaining member
An insulated cable that includes conductors has a first interface at one end that is configured to detachably attach to a first electronic device and a second interface at the other end that is configured to detachably attach to a second electronic device so that the first electronic device and the second electronic device are interconnected. An elongated, ductile, ridged, coil-retaining member is attached at the other end of the insulated cable, and it is configured to hold the electric signal cable in a wound state when the elongated, ductile, ridged, coil-retaining member is wrapped on itself such that ridges on a surface of the elongated, ductile, ridged, coil-retaining member are received by valleys on the surface of the elongated, ductile, ridged, coil-retaining member in order to limit a translatory motion of the elongated, ductile, ridged, coil-retaining member when it is subjected to a tensile stress.
US09336925B1 Siloxanes, doped siloxanes, methods for their synthesis, compositions containing the same, and films formed therefrom
In one aspect, the present invention provides undoped and doped siloxanes, germoxanes, and silagermoxanes that are substantially free from carbon and other undesired contaminants. In a second aspect, the present invention provides methods for making such undoped and doped siloxanes, germoxanes, and silagermoxanes. In still another aspect, the present invention provides compositions comprising undoped and/or doped siloxanes, germoxanes, and silagermoxanes and a solvent, and methods for forming undoped and doped dielectric films from such compositions. Undoped and/or doped siloxane compositions as described advantageously provide undoped and/or doped dielectric precursor inks that may be employed in forming substantially carbon-free undoped and/or doped dielectric films.
US09336918B2 Sample-containing cell for X-ray microscope and method for observing X-ray microscopic image
Observation samples in a sample solution are held due to absorption or the like on a rear face of a first X-ray transmission film. In a mirror body, while an X-ray emission film and X-ray transmission films are bent to be convex outward due to a pressure difference, an X-ray transmission film is bent to be convex toward the X-ray transmission film side due to gas expansion in a second cavity part. This bending results in widening of a gap between the first and second X-ray transmission films in their center part more compared with a gap between their end parts. However, there is almost no change between the X-ray transmission films.
US09336916B2 Tc-99m produced by proton irradiation of a fluid target system
Methods for producing Tc-99m radioisotope by proton irradiation of a fluid target matrix. A method of producing Tc-99m includes irradiating a fluid target matrix comprising Mo-100 with a proton beam to transform at least a portion of Mo-100 to Tc-99m. Optionally, the fluid target matrix further includes at least one of O-18, O-16, or N-14, which upon exposure to the proton beam concurrently transform at least a portion of O-18 to F-18, at least a portion of O-16 to N-13, at least a portion of the O-16 to O-15, or at least a portion of N-14 to C-11. The method further includes isolating Tc-99m and optionally at least one of F-18, N-13, O-15, or C-11 from the irradiated fluid target matrix. An additional source of Tc-99m is available from the decay of Mo-99 that is co-produced from the Mo-100 during irradiation with the proton beam.
US09336915B2 Target apparatus and isotope production systems and methods using the same
A target apparatus for a radioisotope production system. The target apparatus includes a production chamber that is configured to contain a starting liquid. The production chamber is configured to receive a particle beam that is incident upon the starting liquid thereby generating radioisotopes and transforming a portion of the starting liquid into vapor. The target apparatus also includes a condensing chamber and a fluid channel that fluidly couples the production and condensing chambers and is configured to allow the vapor to flow from the production chamber to the condensing chamber. The condensing chamber is configured to transform the vapor into a condensed liquid.
US09336910B2 Control rod/control rod drive mechanism couplings
A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel, and a control rod assembly including at least one movable control rod comprising a neutron absorbing material, a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) for controlling movement of the at least one control rod, and a coupling operatively connecting the at least one control rod and the CRDM. The coupling includes a first portion comprising a first material having a first density at room temperature, and a second portion comprising a second material having a second density at room temperature that is greater than the first density. In some embodiments the coupling includes a connecting rod including a hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube comprising a first material having a first density and a filler disposed in the hollow or partially hollow connecting rod tube, the filler comprising a second material having a second density greater than the first density.
US09336898B2 Shift register unit, gate driver, and display device
Provided are a shift register unit, a gate driver and a display device. The shift register unit comprises: a pull-up control module, a pull-up module, a reset module, and a denoise module for holding a signal output from the first output terminal when the signal has a level higher than a first preset threshold and outputting the held signal from a second output terminal when a signal input from a denoise control signal input terminal has a level higher than a second preset threshold. The signal output from the first output terminal is filtered by using the signal output from the first output terminal and the signal input from the denoise control signal input terminal, and thus burrs in the signal output from the first output terminal are eliminated, that is, noise is eliminated, solving the problem that a defective display picture due to the noise in the output signal.
US09336893B2 Erase algorithm for flash memory
A non-volatile memory device includes a sector pass/fail indicator circuit configured to store a pass/fail indicator for each sector in a first block of memory cells. The pass/fail indicator has a first value indicating the respective sector has failed erase verification and has a second value indicating the respective sector has passed erase verification. The sector pass/fail indicator circuit set the respective pass/fail indicators to the second value for one or more sectors in the first block after the respective sectors pass erase verification following a previous block erase operation of the first block. The first block is subjected to subsequent block erase operation where only word lines associated with the sectors having a pass/fail indicator having the first value are biased to the first bias voltage level.
US09336892B1 Reducing hot electron injection type of read disturb in 3D non-volatile memory
Read disturb due to hot electron injection is reduced in a 3D memory device by controlling the magnitude and timing of word line and select gate ramp down voltages at the end of a sensing operation. In an example read operation, the magnitude of a selected word line voltage is increased to be equal to pass voltages of unselected word lines, and the selected and unselected word line are ramped down at the same time, to avoid creating a channel gradient. In an example verify operation, the above procedure can be followed when the selected word line is at a source-side or middle range among all word lines. When the selected word line is at a drain-side among all word lines, a source-side select gate can be ramped down before the selected word line and a drain-side select gate can be ramped down after the selected word line.
US09336888B2 Non-volatile memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
This technology relates to nonvolatile memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same. A nonvolatile memory device can include a memory cell array configured to include a plurality of strings, a page buffer unit connected to the plurality of strings, respectively, and configured to sense data, and a switching unit disposed between the memory cell array and the page buffer unit and configured to comprise a variable resistor.
US09336883B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A method of operating a semiconductor memory device includes, applying a read voltage to a selected word line to which a selected memory cell is coupled and applying a pass voltage to non-selected word lines to which non-selected memory cells are coupled, reading data stored in the selected memory cell by sensing the voltage of a bit line associated with the selected memory cell and the non-selected memory cells, discharging the non-selected word lines, and discharging the selected word line after the non-selected word lines are discharged.
US09336880B2 Nonvolatile memory device and method of controlling the same
A nonvolatile memory device comprises a memory cell comprising a variable resistance element connected between a couple of wirings and a control circuit applying a voltage between the couple of wirings connected to the memory cell. In data rewriting, the control circuit repeats a first voltage application step of applying a first write voltage between the couple of wirings and a first verify step of applying a first voltage lower than the first write voltage between the couple of wirings and comparing a cell current through the cell with a first threshold current, the steps repeated until a magnitude relation of the cell current and the first threshold current satisfies a first condition. If the first condition is satisfied, the circuit performs a second voltage application step of applying a second write voltage between the couple of wirings.
US09336878B2 Method and apparatus for healing phase change memory devices
A first memory cell including a phase change material. The first memory cell is programmable to store one data value of a plurality of data values. The plurality of data values are represented by a plurality of non-overlapping ranges of resistance of the first memory cell. At least one testing pulse is applied to the first memory cell to establish a cell resistance of the first memory cell in an intermediate range of resistance, the intermediate range of resistance in between first and second adjacent ranges in the plurality of non-overlapping ranges of resistance representing the plurality of data values. After applying the at least one testing pulse to the first memory cell, it is determined whether to apply at least one healing pulse to repair the first memory cell, depending on relative values of (i) the cell resistance in the intermediate range of resistance and (ii) a reference resistance in the intermediate range of resistance.
US09336872B2 Nonvolatile logic and security circuits
In some examples, a nonvolatile storage element may be configured to store a state or value during a low power or powered down period of a circuit. For example, the nonvolatile storage element may include a bridge of resistive elements that have a resistive state that may be configured by applying voltages to multiple drive paths. A sense amplifier may be connected to the bridge in order to resolve a voltage differential associated with the bridge to ether power or ground and, thereby determine the state associated with on the nonvolatile storage element.
US09336871B2 Resistance change memory
According to one embodiment, a resistance change memory includes the following configuration. A first inverter includes first input and first output terminals and first and second voltage terminals. A second inverter includes second input and second output terminals and third and fourth voltage terminals. The second input terminal is connected to the first output terminal. The second output terminal is connected to the first input terminal. First and second transistors are connected to the first and second output terminals, respectively. Third and fourth transistors are connected to the first and third voltage terminals, respectively. A fifth transistor is connected between the first voltage terminal and the first memory cell. A sixth transistor is connected to the third voltage terminal. A controller turns on the first and second transistors, after turning off the fifth and sixth transistors.
US09336870B1 Methods for resistive switching of memristors
The present invention is directed generally to resistive random-access memory (RRAM or ReRAM) devices and systems, as well as methods of employing a thermal resistive model to understand and determine switching of such devices. In particular example, the method includes generating a power-resistance measurement for the memristor device and applying an isothermal model to the power-resistance measurement in order to determine one or more parameters of the device (e.g., filament state).
US09336867B2 Phase change memory coding
An integrated circuit phase change memory can be pre-coded by inducing a first resistance state in some cells and the memory, and a second resistance state and some other cells in the memory to represent a data set. The integrated circuit phase change memory is mounted on a substrate after coding the data set. After mounting the integrated circuit phase change memory, the data set is read by sensing the first and second resistance states, and changing cells in the first resistance state to a third resistance state and changing cells in the second resistance state to a fourth resistance state. The first and second resistance states maintain a sensing margin after solder bonding or other thermal cycling process. The third and fourth resistance states are characterized by the ability to cause a transition using higher speed and lower power, suitable for a mission function of a circuit.
US09336866B2 Storage device and a write method thereof
A write method of a storage device includes determining whether to perform a coarse program operation based on information about memory cells of a memory device, in response to a determination that the coarse program operation is to be performed, programming data in the memory device by performing the coarse program operation and a fine program operation, and in response to a determination that the coarse program operation is not to be performed, programming data in the memory device by performing the fine program operation.
US09336862B2 Sense amp activation according to word line common point
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with controlling when a sense amplifier is activated are described. In one embodiment, a device includes detection logic connected to a plurality of word lines in a memory and configured to generate a signal upon detecting one of the plurality of word lines being activated. The device includes a sense amplifier configured to read a value from a bit line associated with an activated word line of the plurality of word lines upon receiving the signal.
US09336858B2 Semiconductor memory device and driving method thereof
A semiconductor device which stores data by using a transistor whose leakage current between source and drain in an off state is small as a writing transistor. In a matrix including a plurality of memory cells in which a drain of the writing transistor is connected to a gate of a reading transistor and the drain of the writing transistor is connected to one electrode of a capacitor, a gate of the writing transistor is connected to a writing word line; a source of the writing transistor is connected to a writing bit line; and a source and a drain of the reading transistor are connected to a reading bit line and a bias line. In order to reduce the number of wirings, the writing bit line or the bias line is substituted for the reading bit line in another column.
US09336856B2 Device and apparatus having address and command input paths
A device includes a plurality of input terminals, a control circuit, and a plurality of signal buses. Each of the signal buses is coupled between the control circuit and an associated one of the plurality of input terminals and includes one or more first buffers, one or more second buffers and at least one latch circuit coupled between the one or more first buffers and the one or more second buffers. The one or more first buffers of one of the signal buses are different in number from the one or more first buffers of a different one of the signal buses.
US09336850B2 Semiconductor device
The data in a volatile memory may conventionally be lost even in case of a very short time power down or supply voltage drop such as an outage or sag. In view of the foregoing, an object is to extend data retention time even with a volatile memory for high-speed data processing. Data retention time can be extended by backing up the data content stored in the volatile memory in a memory including a capacitor and an oxide semiconductor transistor.
US09336849B2 Memory device with shared read/write circuitry
In some examples, a memory device may be configured to read or write multiple bit cells as part of the same operation. In some cases, the tunnel junctions forming the bit cells may be arranged to utilize shared read/write circuitry. For instance, the tunnel junctions may be arranged such that both tunnel junctions may be written using the same write voltages. In some cases, the bit cells may be configured such that each bit cell is driven to the same state, while in other cases, select bit cells may be driven high, while others are driven low.
US09336847B2 Method and apparatus for generating a reference for use with a magnetic tunnel junction
Methods and apparatus for generating a reference for use with a magnetic tunnel junction are provided. In an example, provided is a magnetoresistive read only memory including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) storage element, a sense amplifier having a first input coupled to the MTJ storage element, and a reference resistance device coupled to a second input of the sense amplifier. The reference resistance device includes a plurality of groups of at least two reference MTJ devices. Each reference MTJ device in a respective group is coupled in parallel with each other reference MTJ device in the respective group. Each group is coupled in series with the other groups. This arrangement advantageously mitigates read disturbances and reference level variations, while saving power, reducing reference resistance device area, and increasing read speed.
US09336844B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a clock shifter configured to shift an active control signal by a predetermined number of clocks and output a shift signal according to a test signal; a command selection block configured to select any one of the active control signal and the shift signal according to the test signal, and output an active command signal; an active control block configured to control an active state of a bank active signal according to the active command signal; and an address latch block configured to latch an internal address according to the active command signal and the active control signal, and output a row address to a core region.
US09336843B2 Program-disturb decoupling for adjacent wordlines of a memory device
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to memory operations regarding programming bits into a memory array.
US09336832B1 Heat-assisted rotating disk magnetometer for ultra-high anisotropy magnetic measurements
An apparatus comprises a spindle to rotate a magnetic recording medium and a magnetic field generator to expose a track of the medium to a DC magnetic field. The magnetic field generator is configured to saturate the track during an erase mode and reverse the DC magnetic field impinging the track during a writing mode. A laser arrangement heats the track during the erase mode and, during the writing mode, heats the track while the track is exposed to the reversed DC magnetic field so as to write a magnetic pattern thereon. A reader reads the magnetic pattern and generates a read signal. A processor is coupled to the reader and configured to measure one or more magnetic properties of the track using the read signal. The apparatus can further comprise a Kerr sensor that generates a Kerr signal using the magnetic pattern.
US09336828B2 Recording medium containing moving picture data and additional information thereof and reproducing method and apparatus of the recording medium
The present invention relates to a recording medium containing moving picture data and additional information thereof and to reproducing method and apparatus of the recording medium. The present recording medium has script files including additional information about moving picture data, e.g., scene descriptive text and introduction of characters, etc. In addition, information linking each script file with a section of moving picture data to be presented with contents of the script file is included in a link data file or is contained in a filename of the script file. In reproduction of the recording medium, a script file linked with presently reproduced moving picture data section is determined and searched for based on the link data file or every filename of the script files, and contents of the found script file are presented together with the presently reproduced moving picture data. Furthermore, previously presented additional information is removed depending on data or filename of the found script file.
US09336824B2 Scene detection using weighting function
In one embodiment, a method includes analyzing characteristics of a media program to label parts of the media program with a plurality of labels where parts of the media program that are determined to be substantially similar are labeled with a same label. The method then analyzes different partitionings of a sequence of the labels to determine partitions for the media program based on a weighting function that is configured to weight the different partitionings based on portions created from the partitions in the different partitionings. Then, a partitioning for the media program is outputted based on comparing the different partitionings of the sequence of labels using the weighting function. The outputted partitioning partitions the media program into a set of portions and provides points for insertion of information for a service in the media program.
US09336822B2 Recording tape cartridge and brake member provided thereto
A recording tape cartridge of the present invention includes: a reel formed with an engagement portion on a bottom portion of a reel hub; a resin brake member moving toward and away from the bottom portion of the reel hub, and selectively adopting a rotation locked position and a rotation permitted position; a resin release member being capable of movement in a reel axial direction and rotating as a unit with the reel; and a projection portion that projects out in the reel axial direction from an axial center portion of either the brake member or the release member, that is formed with a housing portion housing a spherical member that contacts the other out of the brake member or the release member, and that is formed with a lip portion jutting out from an opening end portion of the housing portion toward a reel radial direction inner side.
US09336819B2 Apparatus and method for writing data based on drive state
Disclosed are an apparatus and method for writing data based on a drive state. In one embodiment, a method may comprise receiving a command to store data to a first area of a data storage device, detecting whether the data storage device is in a first state indicating a lowered write reliability, and writing the data to a second area when the first state is detected, the second area having a higher write reliability than the first area. In another embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a processor configured to receive a command to write data to a first area of a data storage device, detect whether the data storage device is in a first mode indicating a reduced writing reliability relative to a second mode, and write the data to a second area of the data storage device when the first mode is detected.
US09336818B1 Method for reducing adjacent track interference effects in a data storage system
A system and method is disclosed for improved operation of a data storage device such as a hard disk drive. The overhead for data rewriting may be reduced by the periodic remapping of logical block addresses to avoid excessive adjacent track interference effects on data blocks having lower data writing rates. It may employ the indirection system to remap data “hot spots” to new locations neighboring on spare data blocks. In circumstances where it is not possible to write data next to spare data blocks, the active LBA may be periodically moved after a predefined number of write operations.
US09336817B1 Spindle motor and disk drive apparatus
A spindle motor is used in a disk drive apparatus including a cover member to be attached to the spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a rotor portion; a bearing portion; a stator portion; a base portion molded by casting, and arranged to contain the rotor portion, the bearing portion, and the stator portion; and a screw attachment member fixed to the base portion, and including a screw hole. The base portion includes a plate portion arranged to extend radially with respect to a central axis, and a wall portion arranged to extend in an axial direction from a radially outer edge of the plate portion. The wall portion is arranged to support at least a portion of the cover member. An inside surface of the base portion includes a metal surface subjected to a cutting process. The screw attachment member is arranged on the wall portion.
US09336815B1 Dynamic write once read many tape cartridge designation
A data storage library is described that essentially provides a write once and read many (WORM) conversion station located inside of the data storage library. After receiving a request to store data in a WORM arrangement on a tape cartridge in the data storage library and appropriate tape cartridge is selected from a scratch pool of tape cartridges, brought by a robotic transporter to a WORM station where the tape cartridge is converted into a WORM tape cartridge. The WORM tape cartridge can be converted back to a non-write disabled tape cartridge at the WORM station.
US09336814B1 Inverse tapered waveguide for use in a heat assisted magnetic recording head
A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) transducer is coupled with a laser for providing energy and has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR transducer includes a write pole, at least one coil, and an inverse tapered waveguide optically coupled with the laser. The write pole is configured to write to a region of the media. The coil(s) energize the write pole. The inverse tapered waveguide includes an entrance distal from the ABS, a bottom proximate to the ABS, a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The first side and the second side diverging such that at least a portion of the inverse tapered waveguide between the bottom and the top is wider than the entrance.
US09336812B1 Adaptive control of tracking servo system of optical heads in optical storage devices
A system and method for controlling positioning of an optical pickup unit relative to at least one track of an optical data storage medium include an adaptive track position feedback controller that compensates for defocus of an optical beam relative to the optical data storage medium associated with movement across the medium and/or disturbances in distance between a lens of the optical pickup unit relative to the optical data storage medium. A track position feedback controller may include an adaptive term or parameter based on a focus (or defocus) error signal generated by a focus position feedback controller and associated sensors or detectors of a quadrature photodiode integrated circuit (PDIC).
US09336811B2 Information recording apparatus, information reproducing apparatus and recording media
An apparatus for recording information in an optical-information recording media by holography includes a signal-light irradiation unit, a reference-light irradiation unit, a reference light angle adjustment unit, and a positioning unit for positioning irradiation positions of the signal light and the reference light. The optical-information recording media is divided into N (N≧2) recording regions, M multiplexed information can be recorded in the respective recording regions by the reference light angle adjustment unit which changes the angle of the reference light at M angles (θ1, θ2, . . . , and θM) corresponding to a multiplexing number (M≧2), management information for the M multiplexed information is multiplexed and recorded in the same recording region as a-th information (1≦a≦M) with a reference light angle θa, and the management information on all the N recording regions are recorded at a common reference light angle.
US09336801B2 Slider for magnetic recording apparatus with projection comprising optical turning element and methods of fabrication thereof
An apparatus includes a slider, a light source disposed upon an outer surface of the slider and a projection extending above the outer surface of the slider. The light source comprises a resonant cavity aligned with the outer surface of the slider. The projection comprises an optical turning element that is optically coupled to the light source. Also included are methods of fabrication thereof.
US09336800B2 Near-field transducer peg encapsulation
A near field transducer with a peg region, an enlarged region disposed adjacent the peg region, and a barrier material disposed between the peg region and the enlarged region. The barrier material reduces or eliminates interdiffusion of material between the peg region and the enlarged region.
US09336795B1 Speech therapy system and method with loudness alerts
A speech therapy system includes a portable voice-monitoring assembly with a voice-sensing first subassembly and a loudness-alert-producing second subassembly. The second subassembly (e.g., a microcontroller-outfitted electronic circuit) produces loudness alerts using a selected one of multiple loudness alert types to better aid the user keep speech characteristics (e.g., speech volume) within a specified range of acceptable voicing. Preferably, the second subassembly records a USAGE TIME parameter, and changes the loudness alert type if the USAGE TIME parameter exceeds a specified value. Preferably, the second subassembly records an EFFECTIVENESS parameter, based upon the duration of use required before the user adjusts their speech to acceptable voicing, and changes the loudness alert type if the EFFECTIVENESS parameter falls below a specified value. Preferably, alerts are included to indicated when voicing levels exceed user-inputted maximum and minimum levels. The methodology of the present invention proceeds accordingly.
US09336793B2 Controller for audio device and associated operation method
A controller for an audio device is provided. The controller receives a first collected sound signal and a second collected sound signal respectively provided by two microphones, and includes an echo cancellation module and a beamforming module. The echo cancellation module performs echo cancellation on the first collected sound signal to accordingly provide an intermediate signal. The beamforming module performs beamforming by utilizing the echo-cancelled intermediate signal and the non-echo-cancelled second collected sound signal.
US09336791B2 Rearrangement and rate allocation for compressing multichannel audio
Provided are methods and systems for rearranging a multichannel audio signal into sub-signals and allocating bit rates among them, such that compressing the sub-signals with a set of audio codecs at the allocated bit rates yields an optimal fidelity with respect to the original multichannel audio signal. Rearranging the multichannel audio signal into sub-signals and assigning each sub-signal a bit rate may be optimized according to a criterion. Existing audio codecs may be used to quantize the sub-signals at the assigned bit rates and the compressed sub-signals may be combined into the original format according to the manner in which the original multichannel audio signal is rearranged.
US09336785B2 Compression for speech intelligibility enhancement
A speech intelligibility enhancement (SIE) system and method is described that improves the intelligibility of a speech signal to be played back by an audio device when the audio device is located in an environment with loud acoustic background noise. In an embodiment, the audio device comprises a near-end telephony terminal and the speech signal comprises a speech signal received over a communication network from a far-end telephony terminal for playback at the near-end telephony terminal.
US09336781B2 Content-aware speaker recognition
A content-aware speaker recognition system includes technologies to, among other things, analyze phonetic content of a speech sample, incorporate phonetic content of the speech sample into a speaker model, and use the phonetically-aware speaker model for speaker recognition.
US09336779B1 Dynamic image-based voice entry of unlock sequence
Embodiments described herein may help to provide a lock-screen for a computing device. An example method involves: (a) while a computing device is locked, displaying an interface that comprises a fixed arrangement of input regions, wherein an image from a set of images is displayed in each input region, and wherein each input region is associated with an image-name for the image that is displayed in the input region, (b) receiving audio data that comprises speech, (c) detecting a sequence of one or more of the image-names in the speech, (d) determining an input sequence based on the input regions that are associated with the detected sequence of image-names, (e) determining whether or not the input sequence matches a predetermined unlock sequence, and (f) if the input sequence matches the predetermined unlock sequence, then unlocking the computing device.
US09336778B2 Method and system for using conversational biometrics and speaker identification/verification to filter voice streams
A method and system for using conversational biometrics and speaker identification and/or verification to filter voice streams during mixed mode communication. The method includes receiving an audio stream of a communication between participants. Additionally, the method includes filtering the audio stream of the communication into separate audio streams, one for each of the participants. Each of the separate audio streams contains portions of the communication attributable to a respective participant. Furthermore, the method includes outputting the separate audio streams to a storage system.
US09336773B2 System and method for standardized speech recognition infrastructure
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for selecting a speech recognition model in a standardized speech recognition infrastructure. The system receives speech from a user, and if a user-specific supervised speech model associated with the user is available, retrieves the supervised speech model. If the user-specific supervised speech model is unavailable and if an unsupervised speech model is available, the system retrieves the unsupervised speech model. If the user-specific supervised speech model and the unsupervised speech model are unavailable, the system retrieves a generic speech model associated with the user. Next the system recognizes the received speech from the user with the retrieved model. In one embodiment, the system trains a speech recognition model in a standardized speech recognition infrastructure. In another embodiment, the system handshakes with a remote application in a standardized speech recognition infrastructure.
US09336771B2 Speech recognition using non-parametric models
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for using non-parametric models in speech recognition. In some implementations, speech data is accessed. The speech data represents utterances of a particular phonetic unit occurring in a particular phonetic context, and the speech data includes values for multiple dimensions. Boundaries are determined for a set of quantiles for each of the multiple dimensions. Models for the distribution of values within the quantiles are generated. A multidimensional probability function is generated. Data indicating the boundaries of the quantiles, the models for the distribution of values in the quantiles, and the multidimensional probability function are stored.
US09336770B2 Pattern recognition apparatus for creating multiple systems and combining the multiple systems to improve recognition performance and pattern recognition method
Provided is a pattern recognition apparatus for creating multiple systems and combining the multiple systems to improve the recognition performance, including a discriminative training unit for constructing model parameters of a second or subsequent system based on an output tendency of a previously-constructed model so as to be different from the output tendency of the previously-constructed model. Accordingly, when multiple systems are combined, the recognition performance can be improved without trials-and-errors.
US09336769B2 Relative semantic confidence measure for error detection in ASR
An apparatus that calculates a confidence measure of a target word string specified in a recognition result includes: an alternative candidate generator which generates an alternative candidate word string in the position of the target word string; a classifier training unit which trains a classifier which is configured to discriminate between the target word string and the alternative candidate word string; a feature extractor which extracts a feature value representing an adjacent context in the position of the target word string; and a confidence measure calculator which determining whether the true word string in the position of the target word string is the target word string or the alternative candidate word string by using the classifier and the feature value and calculates a confidence measure of the target word string on the basis of the determination result.
US09336764B2 Recording and playback device, storage medium, and recording and playback method
A recording and playback device according to the present invention stores in a memory section sound data for an amount of time corresponding to a beat which is acquired from an external source, and creates loop sound data in bar units by connecting a plurality of stored sound data. Then, the recording and playback device performs an operation to overlap newly acquired sound data onto the loop sound data while the loop sound data is being repeatedly replayed, and store the overlapping sound data in the memory section.
US09336763B1 Computing device and method for processing music
A computing device converts each input signal corresponding to a key of a music keyboard into a tone of the musical instrument associated with the key. The computing device outputs each tone of the musical instrument using an audio device connected to the computing device. The computing device converts each tone of the musical instrument into a note and stores the note into a musical score.
US09336762B2 Electronic music instrument with touch-sensitive means
An electronic music instrument is provided comprising at least one input element configured to trigger an output sound signal when pressed. The electronic music instrument further comprises a controlling device adapted to alter at least one parameter of at least one output sound signal triggered with the at least one input element. Furthermore, the electronic music instrument comprises a housing adapted to house the at least one input element and the controlling device. The controlling device comprises at least one touch-sensitive means wherein the parameter of the at least one output sound signal is altered corresponding to the position of at least one marker. The controlling device is adapted to set the position of the at least one marker by a simulation of a physical system, and wherein the state of the simulated physical system is alterable by a touching gesture on the at least one touch-sensitive means.
US09336761B1 Impact responsive portable electronic drumhead
A portable electronic drumhead sensor which converts impact forces exerted by a drumstick or hand into electrical pulses input to headphones to thereby simulate sounds of an acoustic drumhead includes a Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) lamination coated with an electrically conductive polymer ink, a spacer lamination, and a flexible electrode lamination having on an inner surface thereof interdigitated electrodes, the electrode lamination elastically contacting the FSR lamination in response to impact forces on the outer surface of either lamination to momentarily reduce electrical resistance between the electrodes. An annular ring-shaped embodiment of the sensor positionable on an acoustic drumhead has an upwardly protruding resilient bumper strikable to produce electronically synthesized rim-shot sounds. Optionally, the sensor may include a planar resistor connected to a row of electrodes which enables determination of the position where a force has been exerted on the sensor as well as the magnitude of the force.
US09336753B2 Executing secondary actions with respect to onscreen objects
In a computer system receiving input from a user via at least a keyboard and a pointing device, in which input via the pointing device causes corresponding movement of a pointing image on a display screen of the computer system, user input may be received via the pointing device to point the pointing image at an onscreen object on the display screen. In response to the user activating a key on the keyboard while the pointing image is pointing at the onscreen object, a secondary action with respect to the onscreen object may be executed.
US09336750B2 Backlight control method and device and liquid crystal display device
Embodiments provide a backlight control method and device and a liquid crystal display device, which relate to the liquid crystal display field and are used to achieve the purposes of meeting the requirements on different image quality enhancements in different display regions of the liquid crystal screen and improving the display quality and the sense of display layering of pictures. The method comprises: dividing n backlight subregions into m backlight regions; acquiring an average backlight value of each backlight region among the m backlight regions; searching, from a pre-acquired gain search table, a gain value corresponding to the average backlight value of each backlight region among the m backlight regions; adjusting backlight values of backlight subregions contained in each backlight region correspondingly according to the gain value corresponding to each backlight region; and outputting adjusted backlight values of the n backlight subregions. The embodiments are applicable to backlight adjustment scenes.
US09336745B2 Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The display apparatus is coupled to a video signal supply source through at least one connector. The display apparatus includes: a main storage unit which stores extended display identification data (EDID) therein corresponding to the at least one connector; a temporary storage unit which loads the EDID thereto from the main storage unit; and a controller which loads the EDID stored in the main storage unit to the temporary storage unit if power is supplied, and controls to transmit the EDID corresponding to an EDID requesting signal, among the EDID loaded to the temporary storage unit, through the at least one connector if the EDID requesting signal is received through the at least one connector.
US09336741B2 Video processing circuit, video processing method, liquid crystal display device, and electronic apparatus
A video processing circuit includes a boundary detection unit which detects a boundary between a first pixel in which an application voltage which is designated by a video signal Vid-in is lower than a first voltage and a second pixel which exceeds a second voltage in which the application voltage is higher than the first voltage in a normally black mode; and a correction unit which corrects a video signal in which an application voltage to a liquid crystal element corresponding to the first pixel which comes into contact with a boundary detected by the boundary detection unit is designated to be a video signal in which a correction voltage which is higher than the application voltage is designated in a part of period of one frame period, and a correction voltage which is lower than the application voltage is designated in other periods of the one frame period.
US09336739B2 Liquid crystal display device
An object is to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of image display according to an environment around the liquid crystal display device, e.g., in a bright environment or a dim environment. Another object is to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying an image in both modes of a reflective mode in which external light is used as a light source and a transmissive mode in which a backlight is used. In order to achieve at least one of the above objects, a liquid crystal display device is provided with a region (a reflective region) where display is performed with reflection of incident light through a liquid crystal layer and a region (a transmissive region) where display is performed with transmission of light from a backlight and can switch the transmissive mode and the reflective mode. In the case where a full-color image is displayed, a pixel portion includes at least a first region and a second region, a plurality of lights of different hues are sequentially supplied to the first region according to a first order, and a plurality of lights of different hues are also sequentially supplied to the second region according to a second order which is different from the first order.
US09336737B2 Array substrate, display device and control method thereof
An array substrate, a display device and a control method thereof are disclosed. The array substrate includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines which are intercrossed to define pixels arranged in an array. The gate lines include n gate line groups and n+1 main gate lines; each gate line group includes a first gate line and a second gate line which are adjacent to each other; the first gate line is provided corresponding to a first transistor, and the second gate line is provided corresponding to a second transistor and a switching element; both the first gate line and the second gate line in the ith gate line group are connected with the ith main gate line; a gate electrode of the first transistor is connected with the first gate line, a source electrode connected with a corresponding data line, a drain electrode connected with a pixel electrode; a gate electrode of the second transistor is connected with one end of the switching element in a pixel unit, a source electrode connected with a corresponding data line, a drain electrode connected with a pixel electrode; and the other end of the switching element is connected with a main gate line in the (i+1)th row and configured to control on/off operation of the second transistor.
US09336732B2 Circuits for controlling display apparatus
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators.
US09336726B2 Liquid crystal display device including backlight unit and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display device includes: a light emitting diode array unit including at least two groups of light emitting diode arrays for emitting light; a light emitting diode driving unit for supplying at least two pulse width modulation signals having different phases from each other to the at least two groups of light emitting diode arrays, respectively; a liquid crystal display panel for displaying images using the light from the light emitting diode array unit; and a timing controller for controlling the light emitting diode driving unit and the liquid crystal display panel.
US09336724B2 Backlight unit, method for driving the same, and liquid crystal display device using the same
A backlight unit, a method for driving the same, and a liquid crystal display device using the same are disclosed, in which a feedback voltage received in a controller to adjust a driving voltage to be supplied to a light-emitting diode string is smaller than a difference between the driving voltage and a string voltage, the backlight unit comprising a driving-voltage supplier; an LED string for receiving a driving voltage from the driving-voltage supplier, and generating a voltage drop corresponding to a string voltage; a feedback voltage generator for generating a first feedback voltage whose value is smaller than a difference between the driving voltage and the string voltage; and a controller for supplying a control signal to control the driving-voltage supplier based on the first feedback voltage.
US09336723B2 In-cell touch for LED
A touch screen having touch circuitry integrated into a display pixel stackup. The touch screen can include a transistor layer, an LED layer and a first layer. The first layer can operate as an LED cathode during a display phase and as touch circuitry during a touch sensing phase. The transistor layer can be at least partially utilized for transitioning between the display phase and the touch sensing phase. The touch screen can be fabricated to reduce or eliminate damage to the LED layer.
US09336722B2 Organic light emitting display comprising a sink current generator that generates an initialization current corresponding to bit values of initialization data
A pixel circuit for an organic light emitting display is disclosed. The pixel uses both current and voltage driving methods. A voltage based on an input current and on an input voltage is stored, and current for an organic light emitting diode is generated based on the stored current.
US09336715B2 Pixel, display device and driving method with simultaneous writing and emisson
A display device comprising a plurality of pixels is disclosed. In one aspect, each pixel of the display device comprises a first capacitor connected between a data line and a first node, a reference voltage transistor configured to apply a reference voltage on the first node, a driving transistor having a gate connected to a second node and configured to control a drive current flowing from a first power supply voltage to an organic light emitting diode in response to a voltage of the second node applied to the gate of the driving transistor, a light emitting transistor configured to apply the first power supply voltage to an electrode of the driving transistor in response to a light emission signal applied to a gate of the light emitting transistor, a second capacitor connected between the second node and an anode of the organic light emitting diode, and a relay transistor configured to electrically connect the first node and the second node in response to a write signal applied to a gate of the relay transistor.
US09336712B2 Display device
To alleviate an afterimage phenomenon caused by a hysteresis characteristic of a drive transistor. Current driven type light emitting elements 3 are provided for each of pixels 6 that are arranged in a matrix shape, and current of the light emitting elements 3 is controlled using drive TFTs 2 that operate by receiving data voltage on a gate. At least two power supply voltages (PVDDa, PVDDb) for supply to each pixel are provided, one being set to a voltage such that current corresponding to a data voltage flows in the drive TFT 2, the other being set to a voltage beyond a variation range of data voltage and that reverse biases the drive TFT 2, and the two power supply voltages are switched and supplied to each pixel 6.
US09336709B2 Displays with overlapping light-emitting diodes and gate drivers
An electronic device may be provided with a display. The display may be formed from an array of organic light-emitting diode display pixels. Each display pixel may have an organic light-emitting diode having an anode and a cathode and may have an associated pixel circuit for controlling the light-emitting diode. The anodes may be formed from patches of metal arranged in an array on the display. The display pixels may be controlled using data lines and gate lines. The gate lines may control thin-film transistors in the pixel circuits. Gate driver circuitry along the left and right edges of the display may supply signals to the gate lines. The pixel circuits may be located in the center of the display between the gate driver circuitry. Some of the anodes may overlap the pixel circuits and some of the anodes may overlap the gate driver circuitry.
US09336708B2 Organic light emitting diode display and repairing method thereof
An organic light emitting device includes a substrate including a display unit configured to display an image and a peripheral portion surrounding the display unit, a plurality of scan lines on the substrate and extending in a first direction, a plurality of data lines on the substrate and intersecting the scan lines in a second direction, a plurality of pixels at the display unit and connected to the scan lines and the data lines, a repair ring surrounding the display unit, a plurality of driving pads on the peripheral portion and connected to ends of the plurality of data lines, a pair of dummy driving pads on the peripheral portion and connected to ends of the repair ring, and a driving circuit configured to transmit a data signal to the plurality of driving pads and to the pair of dummy driving pads.
US09336703B2 Pixel array structure and display apparatus including the same
A pixel array structure for populating the display area of a display device includes a repeated first pixel group that consists of one or more first colored subpixels, three or more second colored subpixels and two or more third colored subpixels. The respective numbers of the first colored subpixels, the second colored subpixels, and the third colored subpixels that are provided within the first pixel group are in a respective ratio of 1:3:2. In one embodiment, an input RGB image is remapped to have luminance values corresponding to Cyan-Magenta-Yellow coordinates and the latter are used in combination with subpixel rendering (SPR) to drive the colored subpixels of the pixel array structure.
US09336702B2 Display apparatus and method of driving the same using photonic and electrophoresis principle
A display apparatus includes an image data comparator which receives first, second and third color image data, extracts first, second and third image data from the first, second and third color image date by comparing gray scale values of the first, second and third color image date such that each of grayscale values of the second and third image data is greater than or equal to a gray scale value of the first image data, and compares the gray scale value of the first image data with a predetermined gray scale value, a driving circuit which generates a gray scale signal based on a result of the comparison and generates first and second color signals based on the first, second or third image data, and a pixel including a first sub-pixel which receives the gray scale signal, second and third sub-pixels which receive the first and second color signals, respectively.
US09336700B2 Light feedback on physical object selection
A highlighting method and an interaction system (100) include at least one controllable light emitting source (110) linked to an item (120); and a processor (140) configured to turn on the controllable light emitting source (110) in response to user selection of the item (120). The controllable light emitting source (110) may be embedded in a mat (210) or a strip (430). The mat (210) may include a matrix of photo detectors or pressure sensors configured to detect the base or footprint of the item (120) when placed on the mat (210). The periphery of the product or the footprint may be illuminated upon selecting the product. Alternatively or additionally, a background surface behind the product may be illuminated upon selection thereof.
US09336694B2 Dynamically programmable abdominal simulator system
A dynamically-changeable abdominal simulator system comprises a patient manikin having an abdominal cavity covered by a sheet of synthetic skin, an array of inflatable elements emplaced within the abdominal cavity covering respectively distinct areas of pressurization of the abdominal cavity and supplied with pressurized medium under separate and independent inflation control for each of the inflatable elements in order to simulate a wide range of abdominal ailments and/or conditional expressions thereof. An inflation manifold and an electronic control module operable therewith control the supply of pressurized medium to the inflatable elements. The electronic control module can communicate with an external computer that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for the user to control the training simulation routines to be performed on the manikin.
US09336691B2 Medical device and procedure simulation
A device is disclosed that includes an interface member including a material and a manipulandum movable in a degree of freedom. The manipulandum is able to penetrate the material. A sensor is configured to output a position signal based on the position of the manipulandum. An actuator is configured to output haptic feedback by applying a compressive force to the material based on the position signal. In other embodiments, a method is disclosed that includes receiving a position signal associated with a position of a manipulandum, where at least a portion of the manipulandum penetrates the interface material. Haptic feedback is output by varying a density of the interface material based on the position signal.
US09336690B2 Training mechanism for drug delivery device
The present invention relates to a cartridge for a drug delivery device comprising of a body of substantially cylindrical shape, a piston slidably disposed in the body along two opposite axial directions, along a distal and along a proximal direction, and at least one friction means operably engaged with the piston to generate a pre-defined friction force between the piston and an inside wall of the body, when the piston is displaced relative to the body, wherein in response to an axial displacement of the piston relative to the body in distal direction and in proximal direction, the at least one friction means is adapted to generate respective proximal and distal friction forces that are different in magnitude.
US09336688B2 Tactile display and operating system therefor
A tactile display includes a base; movable pins having free ends for tactile sensing by a user, the pins arranged in rows and columns and movable between an extended position and retracted position with respect to the base so as to selectively display tactilely sensible data; a resilient element for supporting each pin in the extended position when at rest, and further operative to urge the pin from the retracted position to the extended position in the presence of an opposing force; one or more reset elements for lowering the pins from the extended position to the retracted position; row stoppers for lockably engaging rows of pins when in the second position.
US09336687B2 Method for providing learning courses via a service center supporting a variety of products
A service center receives a request from a remote device for accessing a learning course describing operations of a product that has been registered with the service center. In response to the request, a media stream representing the learning course is transmitted to the remote device to allow a user of the remote device to navigate the learning course, without requiring the user to directly access a training facility of a product provider associated with the registered product. User interaction with the learning course is tracked and analyzed to generate an analysis result, where the analysis result is utilized to generate or identify a subsequent learning course specifically tailored to the user. The analysis result is transmitted to the product provider to allow the product provider for the purpose of determining customer satisfaction.
US09336686B2 Tablet-based welding simulator
Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a computer program product and processor based computing system that provides processing means for executing coded instructions and input means for interacting with said processing means to create a virtual welding environment. The system establishes an objective to change a functional or operational state of a virtual article, and directs the end user to perform at least one virtual welding operation for changing its functional state. The system trains new users and inexperienced welders on the fundamental aspects of welding and other technical aspects.
US09336685B2 Video lesson builder system and method
An online video lesson builder system and method. The remotely-located system generates a single interface having a lesson index display area and a video display area for displaying data presentation (e.g., video) content associated with a lesson. A section control menu provides edit and assembly control buttons for editing and assembling the lesson and for segmenting the lesson into a plurality of time sections, each time section being associated with a key concept of the lesson.
US09336680B2 Method for detecting a wheel of a vehicle
A rotating wheel of a vehicle is detected by evaluating the Doppler shift of a measuring beam emitted by a detector unit passed by the vehicle, reflected by the wheel and returned in Doppler-shifted form. In a relative position to the wheel, the vehicle comprises an onboard unit, which can establish a radio communication with a transceiver having a known location in the detector unit. The direction and distance of the onboard unit from the transceiver are measured on the basis of at least one radio communication between the same. The radiation direction or radiation position of the measuring beam is controlled in accordance with the measured direction and distance and taking into consideration the aforementioned relative position and location. The relative position is stored in the onboard unit and is read from the onboard unit by way of a radio communication for the purpose of the aforementioned consideration.
US09336675B2 Methods and systems for presenting prioritized incident content
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for presenting prioritized incident content. One embodiment takes the form of a method that includes receiving one or more status alerts from one or more public-safety devices associated with one or more public-safety responders. The method also includes correlating one or more of the received status alerts with one or more media sessions involving one or more of the public-safety responders. The method also includes prioritizing one or more of the media sessions based on prioritization criteria that includes the one or more status alerts correlated with those media sessions. The method also includes presenting one or more of the prioritized media sessions in a chronological view on respective user interfaces of one or more public-safety communication devices.
US09336668B2 Alarming pinless security tag
Systems (100) and methods (1200) for operating a security tag (132) of an Electronic Article Surveillance system. The methods involve: sliding a sidewall (202) of an article (102) into a clip structure (208) of the security tag; rotating at least one pawl (604) of the security tag so that the pawl is transitioned from a retracted position in which an engagement surface (606) of the pawl is disposed within a housing (302) of the security tag to an engaged position in which the engagement surface of the pawl extends out and away from the housing of the security tag; and applying a clamping force by the pawl to the article whereby the article is clamped between the engagement surface of the pawl and a vertical elongate member (406) of the clip structure.
US09336664B2 Crime prevention system using sensor module
Provided is a crime prevention system using a sensor module capable of sensing all directions. The crime prevention system using a sensor module may be applied to buildings in which internal structures and crime prevention environments are various, have relatively low power consumption, and be simply installed.
US09336663B1 Alarm system and enclosure
An alarm system described herein can be used in commercial, public, or governmental buildings and can be activated by any individual when an intruder poses imminent threat; can contain a portable, removable, self-defense mechanism; can notify everyone within the building of the threat; records surveillance video; and can immediately notify police of an intruder posing serious threat to the public. There remains a vital need in public, commercial, residential and governmental buildings for a robust intruder alarm system that protects the public, warns other patrons, notifies the police, and records crime scene information. The embodiments disclosed herein attempt to provide a method and apparatus for protecting people in the presence of a threatening intruder.
US09336660B2 Overhead hazard warning systems
An overhead hazard warning system for an elevated work platform comprises a projector coupled to the work platform and configured to project a pattern of light downwardly to produce a visual indication on a surface below the work platform, a range finder configured to produce an elevation signal representative of a height of the projector relative to the surface below the work platform, and a controller connected to receive the elevation signal and configured to control the projector based on the elevation signal.
US09336658B2 Gaming machine and methods of allowing a player to play gaming machines having modifiable reel features
A method of allowing a player to play a gaming machine is described herein. The game includes a plurality of reels, each reel having a reel strip. The method includes initiating a primary game, responsively spinning the reels, randomly determining an outcome of the primary game and responsively stopping the reels to display the primary game. The method includes detecting if a triggering condition occurs in the primary game outcome, the triggering condition being defined as the at least one trigger symbol being displayed in at least one reel of the plurality of reels in the primary game outcome, and responsively modifying a reel feature of a reel strip associated with the at least one reel to generate an outcome of a secondary game including the modified reel strip.
US09336651B2 Wagering game with advancing target elimination feature
A wagering game is provided including an advancing target elimination game, which may be a base or bonus game. In this game, targets are shown to be advancing toward an objective, and the player is given selectable indicia with which to stop the targets. Each pick election may eliminate (or partially damage) a certain number and/or pattern of targets, with a credit value being awarded for each enemy eliminated. The bonus is played by taking turns between a phase of enemy target appearance and movement and a phase of player pick for enemy target elimination. These two phases alternate until an end-bonus condition is achieved.
US09336650B2 Conducting a side bet in a game
Systems and methods for conducting a side bet in a game include receiving side bet parameters that control how the side bet is conducted. The side bet parameters may include a specified in-game event. Gameplay of the game by participants of the side bet may be monitored to determine whether the in-game event has occurred for one of the participants. If so, funds associated with the side bet may be apportioned to the winning participant.
US09336649B2 Present wagering game content in multiple windows
In some embodiments, a method including determining a first wagering game content and a second wagering game content, wherein the first wagering game content is related to a first wagering game, and wherein the second wagering game content is related to a second wagering game. The method can also include determining, based on priority rules, a first display priority for the first wagering game content, and a second display priority for the second wagering game content. The method can also include presenting, based on the first display priority, the first wagering game content. The method can also include presenting, based on the second display priority, the second wagering game content after the presenting of the first wagering game content, and detecting player inputs. The method can also include assigning priority values to the player inputs, and responding to the player inputs in an order related to the priority values.
US09336647B2 Attract based on mobile device
A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The gaming system is configured to detect the presence of portable electronic devices and determine their locations in a casino environment and determine whether to initiate an attract feature. Based on the determined location of the portable electronic device, nearby gaming devices, such as electronic gaming machines can be selected for use in generating an attract feature for a patron. The generated attract feature can include outputting content to one or more EGMs and/or a patron's portable electronic device. The gaming devices selected for use in an attract feature and/or the content associated with the attract feature can be affected by patron specified preferences. In one embodiment, the patron specified preferences can be entered and stored using an application executed on their portable electronic device.
US09336646B2 System and method of centralized random number generator processing
A networked gaming system and method with a central true random number generator (“TRNG”) for generating random numbers (“RNs”). The RNs are supplied to electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”) on a network and are used to determine game outcomes. The system and method are configured to gather requests for RNs from EGMs in batches that are coordinated by a RNG server where the RNG server receives RN requests from EGMs and routes the requests in batches to the central TRNG. The central TRNG responds to the RNG server with a batch of RNs that are then distributed to the EGMs within an acceptable response time.
US09336639B2 Radio frequency identification tagging
A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag has an electronic identification circuit coupled to an antenna, wherein the RFID tag is arranged to communicate with a RFID tag reader via the antenna, using RF energy. The tag comprises means sensitive to light (such as a photodiode, phototransistor, photocell or a solar cell) for controlling (in particular inhibiting) communication between the RFID tag reader and the RFm tag. The tag can for example be embedded in or on a high-value object such as a banknote. The existence of the banknote cannot be detected e.g. by criminals in the absence of light (e.g. while the banknote is located in a wallet), but the authenticity of the banknote can be verified in legitimate use.
US09336638B2 Media item validation
A method of validating a media item, comprising: for each of a plurality of sensors that sense a media item, determining a respective validation score indicating a likelihood that the sensed media item is valid; and determining if the media item is valid responsive to the plurality of validation scores. Apparatus for validating a media item and a document processing module are also provided.
US09336632B2 Methods for generating multiple data reports in vehicles
Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate generally to generating multiple, multivariant prognostic data reports in aircraft. A plurality of data collection requests, one from each of a plurality of stakeholders, is received at the aircraft. A unique portion of onboard memory is associated with each of the data collection requests. Concurrently, according to the associated data collection requests, parametric data is collected and recorded as a report into each one of the unique portions of memory associated with each data collection request.
US09336626B2 Imaging apparatus capable of generating three-dimensional images, three-dimensional image generating method, and recording medium
An imaging apparatus generates a 3D model using a photographed image of a subject and generates a 3D image based on the 3D model. When a corresponding point corresponding to a point forming the 3D model does not form a 3D model generated using a photographed image photographed at a different photographing position, the imaging apparatus determines that the point is noise, and removes the point determined as noise from the 3D model. The imaging apparatus generates a 3D image based on the 3D model from which the point determined as noise is removed.
US09336620B2 Advanced data visualization solutions in high-volume data analytics
A system and method for creating a visual perspective of operational information that facilitates rapid decision making. The system and method merges existing data sources from any number of computer-fed external data sources through an applications server to display data sets in easily recognizable, repeatable images (tiles) uniquely designed for a user's application. The system and method creates visual perspectives of data that accelerate decision-making and problem-solving processes by displaying repeatable images (tiles) that display performance results versus expected performance criteria in high-volume, intuitive displays.
US09336617B1 Assigning values to objects using a two-dimensional data input plane
A two-dimensional data input plane represents a set of objects along an x-axis and a set of values that can be assigned to the objects along a y-axis. Plotting a point on the graph causes a value corresponding to the horizontal component of the point to be assigned to an object corresponding to the vertical component of the point. In one example, a device includes a user interface to display a graph, identifiers for a set of objects along an x-axis of the graph, and a set of values along a y-axis of the graph, and a processor to receive a selection of an intersection of one of the identifiers of the objects along the x-axis and one of the values along the y-axis from the user interface, and to assign the one of the values to the one of the objects corresponding to the one of the identifiers.
US09336616B2 Power transmission network state visualization
A method and system are provided for visualizing and displaying a state of a power transmission network to an operator, for the supervision of the network. The method and system are provided for visualizing or contouring a power transmission network state by displaying to an operator output data values interpolated at output data locations from input data including geographically distributed input data sensor locations and corresponding dynamically updated input data values. The method includes dividing a geographical area of interest into triangles, wherein a triangle vertex is defined at each input data location within the area, determining, for each triangle, closest input data locations according to a closeness criteria, and interpolating by weighting or scaling at each output data location within a triangle the input data values of a number of closest input data locations to generate output data values corresponding to the output data locations.
US09336615B2 Plant information display method and display apparatus
A plant information display method for displaying elements related to a plant in a tree view of hierarchical representation comprises the steps of a tree view display step of displaying plural tree view representations based on different viewpoints side by side and a relation display step of graphically displaying a relation between elements separately contained in the plural tree view representations, which are displayed in the tree view display step.In this method, plural tree view representations based on different viewpoints are displayed side by side and a relation between elements, which are separately contained in the plural tree view representations displayed side by side, is graphically displayed.
US09336613B2 Apparatus for generating assignments between image regions of an image and element classes
An apparatus for generating assignments between image regions of an image of an object and element classes includes an assigning unit (13) for assigning element classes to image regions of an element image of the object, which is indicative of a distribution of the element classes, depending on region and/or boundary features, which are determined depending on image values of a provided object image and provided first preliminary assignments. Thus, the resulting element image with the assignments to the element classes is not necessarily based on the provided object image only, but can also be based on the provided preliminary assignments. If the quality of the assignments defined by the element image would be restricted due to restrictions of the provided object image, these restrictions of the provided image can therefore be compensated by the preliminary assignments such that the quality of the resulting element image can be improved.
US09336612B2 Contrast-dependent resolution image
A method for processing one or more reconstructed images includes receiving a first reconstructed image having a first image resolution and receiving a second reconstructed image having a second image resolution. The first resolution is greater than the second resolution. The method further includes generating a contrast-dependent resolution image by combining the first and second reconstructed images single image so that the first reconstructed image contributes to a greater degree to the contrast-dependent resolution image for higher contrasts regions of the images and the second reconstructed image contributes to a greater degree to the contrast-dependent resolution image for lower contrasts regions of the images.
US09336609B2 Image and message encoding system, encoding method, decoding system and decoding method
An image and message encoding system, encoding method, decoding system and decoding method are provided. The encoding method includes the following steps. An original image having a first resolution is provided. A message data is provided. The original image and the message data are combined to be an integrated image having a second resolution. The second resolution is greater than the first resolution.
US09336606B2 Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, and computer program product
An image capturing apparatus includes: an image input unit that inputs an image; a designating unit that receives designation of an initial tracking-target region that is a first region in a first image frame of time-series image frames input from the image input unit; a feature value extracting unit that extracts a predetermined feature value from a target region in the first image frame; a first search unit that searches for a second region obtained by changing a size of the first region and by determining whether the feature value extracted from the second region satisfies a predetermined condition for enabling successful tracking and sets the second region as a new initial tracking-target region; and a second search unit that searches for a region similar to the newly set initial tracking-target region as a tracking-result region in a second image frame subsequent to the first image frame.
US09336602B1 Estimating features of occluded objects
A number of images of an environment may be obtained over time. In some images, a portion of an object included in the environment may be occluded by another object in the environment. In these images, features of the occluded portion of the object may be absent. The absent features may be estimated based on features generated from previous images including the object where the occluded portion of the object was not occluded in the previous images. In some cases, the absent features may be estimated based on data associated with a reference object that corresponds to the occluded object with the reference object being included in a catalog of reference objects.
US09336596B2 System and methods to efficiently measure stereoscopic disparity and to generate related mismatch images
Embodiments of the invention include a system and methods for measuring disparity and mismatch of stereoscopic images of three-dimensional video, which may indicate a level of discomfort on the part of the viewer. Measuring these parameters may also be used to give an indication that certain processes have or have not adversely effected perceived depth (i.e. through conversion from disparity to depth given a display size and viewing distance), verify camera setup or 2-dimension to 3-dimension synthesizing processes. Generating the indications and other data about the stereoscopic images uses techniques that allow processing with much less computing resources than was possible in previous systems.
US09336595B2 Calibration device, method for implementing calibration, and camera for movable body and storage medium with calibration function
A calibration device capable of calculating an installation parameter of a camera without storing graphical features of road marking in advance or without requiring another technique. An acquiring unit acquires images captured by the camera before and after a vehicle moves, and an extracting unit extracts two feature points from each of the images captured before and after the vehicle moves. A calculating unit calculates a camera installation parameter on the basis of a positional relationship of coordinates of the two feature points in the image before the vehicle moves and coordinates of the two feature points after the vehicle moves that correspond to the feature points before the vehicle moves.
US09336588B2 Joint assemblies and method of inspecting thereof
A joint assembly is provided. The joint assembly includes a first component including a first bond surface and a second component including a second bond surface coupled to the first bond surface such that a bond line is defined therebetween. At least one of the first and second components includes a plurality of contrast particles that diffuse across the bond line when a predetermined amount of heat and pressure are applied to the first and second components.
US09336579B2 System and method of performing multi-level integration
A particular method includes generating a first result of a first integration operation performed on a first subset of elements of the plurality of elements. The first integration operation is associated with a first level of integration. The method includes generating a second result of a second integration operation performed on the first subset of elements. The second integration operation is associated with a second level of integration. The method further includes performing a third integration operation on a second subset of elements of the plurality of elements. The third integration operation is associated with the second level of integration. The third integration operation is performed based on the first result and the second result.
US09336578B2 Interactive tone mapping for high dynamic range video
A user interactive video tone mapping method is provided that can be used for the tone reproduction of high dynamic range (HDR) content on low dynamic range (LDR) displays. The method comprises the steps of selecting a frame of a video sequence; providing a user interface for a user to manually apply scribble marks to the frame; manually applying N scribble marks to the frame, N being a whole number of value 1 or greater; and tone mapping the video sequence responsive to the scribble marks.
US09336575B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
An image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire an input image represented with a plurality of color components including at least first and second color components, a correlation calculation unit configured to calculate a grayscale direction correlation indicating whether grayscale directions of the first color component and the second color component are identical or opposite for a region of interest in the input image, a high frequency component calculation unit configured to calculate a high frequency component of the first color component for the region of interest, and a correction unit configured to correct the second color component for the region of interest using the high frequency component of the first color component calculated by the high frequency component calculation unit in accordance with a method depending on the grayscale direction correlation calculated by the correlation calculation unit.
US09336574B2 Image super-resolution for dynamic rearview mirror
Method for applying super-resolution to images captured by a camera device of a vehicle includes receiving a plurality of image frames captured by the camera device. For each image frame, a region of interest is identified within the image frame requiring resolution related to detail per pixel to be increased. Spatially-implemented super-resolution is applied to the region of interest within each image to enhance image sharpness within the region of interest.
US09336570B2 Demosaicking system and method for color array based multi-spectral sensors
A computer-implemented demosaicking system and method that can receive an image (or many images that represent individual frames of a video) at a demosaicking processor from a multi-spectral band camera. The image can include four or more band images that each correspond to an unique spectral band obtained by the multi-spectral band camera. A clustering module can perform spectral clustering of the four or more band images to identify multiple clusters. For each of the plurality of clusters, a weights module can determine a cluster weight by computing correlations between each of the unique spectral bands in each cluster. A super-resolution module can perform super-resolution for each of the unique spectral bands by utilizing the cluster weights from the weights module. The super-resolution module can iteratively apply the super-resolution for each of the unique spectral bands and a value for each unique spectral band can be updated after each iteration.
US09336568B2 Unmanned aerial vehicle image processing system and method
An unmanned aerial vehicle image processing system includes a digital camera mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle, an autopilot controller installed in the unmanned aerial vehicle and pre-loaded with a base image, and a computer device. The autopilot controller programs a flight path as a series of mission lags to cover a target polygon on the base image in a lawnmower pattern for controlling the unmanned aerial vehicle to perform a flight mission in which the autopilot controller records plural GPS/INS data and triggers the digital camera to take plural photos which are further calibrated to generate plural calibrated photos corresponding to the plural GPS/INS data, respectively. The computer device processes the plural calibrated photos to generate plural projected photos by using the corresponding plural GPS/INS data, respectively, and stitches the plural projected photos to a mosaic image by a photo-stitching process.
US09336567B2 Content-aware weighted image manipulations
A method in a computing device for performing intelligent weighted image manipulations is described. The method includes determining whether edge image features are distributed evenly across an image. When the edge image features in the image are not distributed evenly across the image, the method further includes cropping the image at the bounds of an overlay region of a desired size that is set at a position within the image to include a largest number of the edge image features. According to an embodiment, when the edge image features in the image are distributed evenly across the image, the method further includes cropping the image at the bounds of the overlay region of a desired size that is set at the center of the image.
US09336557B2 Apparatus and methods for processing of media signals
Methods and apparatus for processing media signals. In one embodiment, a data processing device processes fixed and variable rate data using a first and second processing unit. The processing comprises real-time processing of audio/video signals by a graphics processing unit (GPU) and/or central processing unit (CPU). The processing units process data efficiently by establishing one processor as always processing variable rate data, and using one or more schemes for determining processor will process fixed rate data. A shared memory enables the processors to communicate with one another in order to determine which will process the fixed rate data. In one scheme for determining which of the processors will process the fixed rate data the second processor need merely be unlocked. In another embodiment, the second processor must be unlocked and immediately available.
US09336556B2 Image processing apparatus and method thereof
Pattern information of a color filter array and algorithm information of color interpolation processing used in photography of input image data are obtained. Comparative image data is generated from the input image data using the pattern information and algorithm information. The comparative image data and input image data are compared to detect alteration of the input image data.
US09336555B1 Record-time optimization of display lists
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a display list. Graphics processing commands are identified for generation of one or more graphical images on a computer device. During an initial recording of a graphics display list to include the graphics processing commands, if a sub-list of the display list is determined to not include any drawing commands, the display list is recorded so that commands on the sub-list are not executed when the display list is executed.
US09336551B1 Bidding on electronic resources
Systems and methods involve managing exhaustible electronic resources, such as IPv4 addresses. A spot market for the electronic resources is operated to enable users to obtain units of the electronic resources. Potential users may provide pricing criteria. When a spot price for units of the electronic resources satisfies the pricing criteria for a potential user, the potential user may be given access to a requested number of units of the electronic resources.
US09336550B2 Interactive sale generation and purchase coordination digital media
A computer implemented method and a sales management system (SMS) for generating sales through interactive digital content (IDC) integrate multiple electronic commerce service providers (ECSPs) for facilitating purchase of multiple sale items from within digital media. The SMS preferably inserts an indicator element at a predefined location within the IDC in the digital media that, when activated, invokes a display of multiple sale item indicators. When a sale item indicator is activated, the SMS retrieves sale item information associated with the sale item, and selects an ECSP for completing the purchase of the sale item. The SMS displays a dynamic interactive display element (DIDE) linked to the activated sale item indicator. The DIDE displays sale item information and provides direct purchasing options. The SMS renders a content display interface associated with the selected ECSP based on a selection of one of the purchasing options for initiating purchase of the sale item.
US09336549B2 Systems and methods for performing in-store and online transactions
Items are added to a transaction on a user mobile device. In-store items may be added by scanning and on-line only items may be added to the transaction. Payment for the transaction may be invoked on the mobile device and processed in a single transaction. A verification code may be transmitted to the mobile device, scanned by an employee device, which uses the code to obtain a listing of the items of the transaction. The employee device sends verification to the server, which, in response, sends an electronic receipt to the mobile device. Recommendations for online products, including possible substitutions are provided. Where a desired quantity of an in-store item exceeds available inventory, an online order for the excess quantity may be added to the transaction.
US09336548B2 Wish list product availability notification for a social network-based wish list
Systems, methods, and computer program products provide for generating a social network-based wish list of products desired by members of the social network and which are authorized to be purchased by other members of the social network on behalf of the member requesting the product. The present invention provides for automatically notifying a member of the social network that they are currently located at physical location, such as a retail store or the like, that currently has available one or more of the products on the wish list. The notifications may take the form of alerts communicated on the member's mobile communication device. Automatic notification occurs via a mobile communication device that is capable of identifying current location, determining that the current location has products available, and determine that one or more of the products currently available at the location are currently listed on the wish list.
US09336545B2 Vending machine and methods for vending items
A vending machine for use in a vehicle includes: a vending housing operable to dispense at least one of a plurality of items stored within the vending housing; a display screen; and a processor coupled to the display screen and the vending housing. A vending computer program is configured to execute on the processor. The vending computer program, when executing, displays a selection of items on the display screen that can be purchased and dispensed from the vending housing and receives an identification of at least one item to be purchased. The program then receives a payment indicator indicating that payment has been received for the at least one item and controlling the vending machine to dispense that at least one item for which payment has been received. The vending machine is compact enough to be placed into a vehicle such as a taxi cab.
US09336543B2 System and method for facilitating transactions through a network portal
A merchant/vendor portal enables potential business partners to establish business relationships and settle accounts in an on-line environment. The portal includes an open network interface, a registrant database in which data associated with a portal registrant are stored, a distribution contract manager for presenting to a registered merchant a distribution contract associated with a registered vendor and for verifying acceptance of the distribution contract by the registered merchant, and a transaction manager for managing transactions in accordance with the accepted distribution contracts.
US09336538B2 Systems and methods for providing advertising services to devices with an advertising exchange
Methods and systems are described for providing advertising services to a device with an advertising exchange. In one embodiment, a system receives a configuration call from a device upon initiation of a software application and associated advertising services software on the device. The system sends a configuration file to the device in response to the configuration call. The configuration file includes different options for obtaining an advertisement (ad) to play on the device during an ad play event. The options include playing an ad cached on the device, obtaining at least one ad from an ad store of the system, and obtaining at least one ad from an advertising exchange that includes third party participants.
US09336537B2 System and method of providing a particular number of distributions of media content through a plurality of distribution nodes
The invention relates to systems and methods of providing a particular number of distributions of media content through a plurality of distribution nodes, which individually distribute the media content to users and/or other distribution nodes. The system may provide the media content and an allocation of the media content to a distribution node. The allocation may specify whether the distribution node may distribute the media content (e.g., a binary indication) or a number of times that the distribution node may distribute the media content during a time interval. By keeping track of allocations to and distributions by various distribution nodes, the system may adjust allocations and distributions to ensure adherence to the limit. For instance, the system may turn off distribution by some distribution nodes while allowing distribution by others. The system may also or instead reduce allocations or time intervals during which the various distribution nodes may distribute the media content.
US09336536B1 Pre-generating blank application instances to improve response time
Techniques are described for providing an instance of a software application to a potential customer. The application instance can be configured specifically for the potential customer. When a customer request is received from the potential customer, the backend server can determine whether a blank application instance is available in an application instance repository. If available, the blank application instance can be configured using customer data of the potential customer and then provided to the potential customer. By retrieving a blank application instance from the repository rather than generating one on the fly, the backend server can process the customer request in a shorter period of time. In some examples, a clone job can be scheduled to create additional blank application instances to repopulate the application instance repository. The clone job can be created after a configured application instance is provided to the potential customer.
US09336531B2 Downloading system, and unit, method and program for the same
Each of two or more terminals includes calling relationship transmission means which transmits calling relationship information regarding an application (or content data) to a management unit and download means which downloads an application. The management unit includes calling relationship statistics storage means which stores calling relationship statistical information generated based on the calling relationship information received from the terminals. An application server includes attribute generating means which generates attribute data, including information representing applications having high probabilities of being called up during the execution of an application as related applications, for each application managed by the application server based on the calling relationship statistical information. The download means further downloads an application based on the attribute data generated by the attribute generating means.
US09336528B2 System and method for overlay advertising and purchasing utilizing on-line video or streaming media
A system and method for overlay advertising and purchasing utilizing on-line and streaming media. In at least one embodiment, a viewer user receiving on-line video or streaming media is able to pause content and be directed, on the same media player, to a product panel to select product(s) to be purchased, customized, or to receive additional static or dynamic information. The method and system also provides for network connectivity to other web-based and physical services and tracking systems to determine traffic to and from the on-line video or streaming media content.
US09336527B2 Collaborative website presence
Website presence includes receiving aggregated website presence information describing website presence information for one or more objects of a website, and displaying the aggregated website presence information based at least in part on a website object profile for an object of the website. Cross-website presence includes receiving aggregated website presence information from a first one or more websites, and publishing the received aggregated website presence information to one or more subscribing websites. The website presence information describes one or more of the state of a website object regarding its participation in a communication session, the ability of the website object to participate in a communication session, and the willingness of the website object to participate in a communication session. Each of the one or more objects represents an entity associated with the website.
US09336524B2 System and method for tracking the secondary gift card marketplace
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for tracking a secondary gift card marketplace. A system configured to practice the method collects data related to a secondary market, which includes a transaction associated with a gift card, the transaction not involving an issuer of the gift card, processes the collected data, and presents at least a portion of the processed collected data in a user interface. The system can detect fraud in the secondary market. Gift cards can include at least one of gift cards and gift codes. The collected data can further include a plurality of transactions associated with gift cards. In one aspect, each gift card transaction in the plurality of gift card transaction does not involve an original issuing merchant of a gift card. The collected data can further include pricing, demographic, geographic, or other information related to the gift card transactions.
US09336515B2 Computer-implemented method and system for enabling network communication using sponsored chat links
A computer-implemented method and system for enabling network communication using common search queries and sponsored chat links is disclosed. Various embodiments relate to a computer-implemented system and method for receiving a sponsored concept from a sponsoring company, receiving a search query from a user, determining if the sponsored concept and the user search query fit within match criteria, generating for the user, if the sponsored concept and the user search query fit within match criteria, a link enabling the user to initiate a private conversation between the user and an agent of the sponsoring company, the link being a user interface element that can be activated by the user, the private conversation being accessible only to the user and the agent of the sponsoring company, and initiating a private conversation between the user and the agent of the sponsoring company upon activation of the link.
US09336512B2 Digital media and social networking system and method
Disclosed is computer implemented digital media systems and methods, including software application tools and related methods that employ a SOAP XML packet process or other software application or process to enable a user to embed, assemble and/or associate one or more digital elements (e.g., audio, video, or text), individually or collectively, with or within a digital element (e.g., an image), using a computer system such as a mobile, tablet or desktop device. For example, the disclosed photo application system and method empower users to automatically create a chronological timeline display of the user's photos uploaded into the system, to add text captions, voice, audio narration, and/or video clips that will play with a chronological slideshow. The disclosure provides a social networking application that allows users to uniquely create and share rich digital media content through applications, email, SMS/text, and transmission through interfaces with external applications.
US09336509B1 Crossdocking transshipments without sortation
Systems and methods may be provided for determining, assigning and directing containers for transshipment between facilities without using an item-level sortation process and moving containers from a receiving area of a facility to an outbound dock without placing the items into inventory. A facility may or may not have item-level sortation processing. Data indicating received items is received. A determination is made for which of the received containers are for transshipment from the materials handling facility based on multiple factors. Containers in receiving that are determined for transshipment may be directed from receive to outbound docks without placing the items into inventory and without using an item-level sortation process. Pallets may be transshipped without placing the items into inventory and without depalletization. A facility with sortation may switch from item-level sortation of transshipments to container-level crossdock transshipment when a sortation process of a processing line approaches or exceeds capacity.
US09336507B2 System and method for providing a price quotation for a transportation service providing equipment selection capability
A method and system for computing the price for shipping goods. The method includes causing a computer to deliver first information to a user prompting the user to enter at the computer information about a rail transportation service for shipment of goods by one or more railcars. Information about a basic pool of railcars is received and filtered based on one or more filtering criteria to produce a filtered pool of railcars. The computer is then caused to deliver second information to the user prompting the user to select at the computer one or more railcars among the filtered pool of railcars for the shipment of goods. A price for the shipment of the goods is then computed at least in part on the basis of the rail transportation service and the one or more characteristics of the railcars in the filtered pool of railcars selected by the user.
US09336503B2 Value at risk insights engine
A method for risk mitigation comprises calculating on at least one processor, a likelihood of occurrence for a risk event, a degree of disruption for the risk event and a disruption time for the risk event. Each risk event is in a list of risk events. The likelihood of occurrence is based on a frequency of risk of the risk event. The degree of disruption is based on a severity of risk of the risk event. The disruption time is based on a duration of restoring an asset to a condition prior to the risk event. A value at risk based on the likelihood of occurrence, the degree of disruption and the disruption time is determined for the risk event. A mitigation action is determined to reduce the value at risk. An indication of the mitigating action is presented on a user interface.
US09336499B2 Preview related action list
Previewing content included in an enterprise database associated with an enterprise system is disclosed. A first indication is received for an overlay object associated with an object from the enterprise database that is being displayed. an action list is dynamically determined associated with the object being displayed using a first method to retrieve actions from the enterprise system that are associated with the object being displayed. The action list is provided to the overlay object. Content associated with the object is dynamically determined using a second method to retrieve content from the enterprise system. The content is provided to the overlay object. The overlay object is displayed to preview the content included in the enterprise database and to provide the action list.
US09336496B2 Computer-implemented system and method for generating a reference set via clustering
A computer-implemented system and method for generating a reference set via clustering is provided. A collection of unclassified documents is obtained and grouped into clusters. N-documents are selected from each cluster and are combined as reference set candidates. One of the n-documents from each cluster is located closest to a center of that cluster. A classification code is assigned to each of the reference set candidates. Two or more of the reference set candidates are grouped as a reference set of classified documents.
US09336495B2 Query generation and time difference features for supervised semantic indexing
Semantic indexing methods and systems are disclosed. One such method is directed to training a semantic indexing model by employing an expanded query. The query can be expanded by merging the query with documents that are relevant to the query for purposes of compensating for a lack of training data. In accordance with another exemplary aspect, time difference features can be incorporated into a semantic indexing model to account for changes in query distributions over time.
US09336494B1 Re-training a machine learning model
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training machine learning models. The models can include models for predicting a next transaction price or a next transaction price direction for one or more financial products, for classifying particular debit or credit card transactions as likely being anomalous or fraudulent or not, or for classifying particular financial claims processing transactions, e.g., insurance, health care, or employee expense claims transactions, as likely being anomalous or fraudulent or not.
US09336493B2 Systems and methods for clustering time series data based on forecast distributions
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for clustering time series based on forecast distributions. A method for clustering time series based on forecast distributions may include: receiving time series data relating to one or more aspects of a physical process; applying a forecasting model to the time series data to generate forecasted values and confidence intervals associated with the forecasted values, the confidence intervals being generated based on distribution information relating to the forecasted values; generating a distance matrix that identifies divergence in the forecasted values, the distance matrix being generated based the distribution information relating to the forecasted values; and performing a clustering operation on the plurality of forecasted values based on the distance matrix. The distance matrix may be generated using a symmetric Kullback-Leibler divergence algorithm.
US09336491B2 Identification of power system events using fuzzy logic
A method for analyzing an electrical power system using fuzzy logic includes: (a) acquiring data representing a signal of interest of the power system; (b) analyzing the signal using at least one fuzzy logic rule; and (c) based on the analysis, detecting and classifying at least one power system event within the power system.
US09336490B2 Combinatorics method for probabilistic geolocation
A method and system for geolocation. The method and system determines the geographic history of a target of interest (i.e., the probability that a sample of interest passed though a defined location) given a combination of spatially attributable input data and weighing distributions, and modifying the probability for each possible location using the equation P ⁡ ( x ) = ∑ k K ⁢ ( w ⁡ ( k ) · n x ) ∑ k K ⁢ ( w ⁡ ( k ) · n t ) , where P(x) is the probability that the sample of interest passes through a given geographic location X, nt is the total number of possible legal travel routes for the sample of interest, nx is the number of legal travel routes including location X, k is the travel route's cardinality, and w(k) is the assigned weight for cardinality k from the user-defined weighting function.
US09336488B2 Leaf node ranking method in decision trees for spatial prediction and its recording medium
The present inventions generally relate to a leaf node ranking method in decision trees for spatial prediction and its recording medium. The leaf node ranking method in decision trees includes a learning step to form a decision tree having one root node, in which each parent node has multiple child nodes, using training data sets for spatial prediction; and a leaf node ranking step from the decision tree that finishes the learning. In the learning step, each node of the decision tree stores both the number of classes according to class distribution of training data and structures for storing the number. In the leaf node ranking step, a rank of a leaf node is determined using the number of classes according to class distribution, which is stored in each node on a path from the root node to the leaf node.
US09336486B2 Attribute value estimation device, attribute value estimation method, program, and recording medium
The present invention provides an attribute value estimation device capable of yielding highly accurate estimation results even when people from multiple races are estimation targets. The attribute value estimation device for estimating, from data input thereto, an attribute value of the data includes: a data acquisition unit (1) that acquires data for which an attribute value is to be estimated; a discrete quantity estimation unit (2) that estimates the attribute value as a discrete quantity based on the data acquired by the data acquisition unit (1) and in accordance with a previously learned determination criterion; a first LSPC (3) that estimates the attribute value as a discrete quantity based on data input from the discrete quantity estimation unit (2); and an integration unit (4) that integrates a first discrete quantity estimation value estimated by the discrete quantity estimation unit (2) and a second discrete quantity estimation value estimated by the first LSPC (3).
US09336482B1 Predicting likelihoods of conditions being satisfied using recurrent neural networks
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for predicting likelihoods of conditions being satisfied using recurrent neural networks. One of the systems is configured to process a temporal sequence comprising a respective input at each of a plurality of time steps and comprises: one or more recurrent neural network layers; one or more logistic regression nodes, wherein each of the logistic regression nodes corresponds to a respective condition from a predetermined set of conditions, and wherein each of the logistic regression nodes is configured to, for each of the plurality of time steps: receive the network internal state for the time step; and process the network internal state for the time step in accordance with current values of a set of parameters of the logistic regression node to generate a future condition score for the corresponding condition for the time step.
US09336479B2 Portable object and information transmission system
A portable object (10) comprises an integrated circuit (11), a first pad (12) that is mechanically and electrically connected to the integrated circuit (11) and a second pad (13) that is mechanically and electrically connected to the integrated circuit (11). The portable object (10) is designed for data transfer by capacitive coupling of the first pad (12) to a first conducting line (33) and of the second pad (13) to a second conducting line (34), when the portable object (10) is brought in vicinity to the first and the second conducting line (33, 34).
US09336476B1 Method of making RFID devices on fabrics by stitching metal wires
An RFID device assembly is fabricated by stitching an electrically conductive wire into a fabric as a pattern that forms an antenna. The two ends of the electrically conductive wire are positioned for coupling to antenna contact pads on an RFID device. The RFID device is attached to the fabric either before or after the electrically conductive wire is stitched to the fabric.
US09336470B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and recording medium that reduces load for generation of tone-correction data
An image forming apparatus includes a print device, a spectral reflectance acquiring unit, and a tone-correction-data generation unit. The print device prints a chart including patches of a plurality of tones of color. The spectral reflectance acquiring unit acquires a spectral reflectance for the patches in the chart printed by the print device. The tone-correction-data generation unit generates tone-correction data for correction of tone characteristics of the print device. The tone-correction-data generation unit generates the tone-correction data based on the spectral reflectances in a range of specific partial wavelengths among the spectral reflectances in the range of whole wavelengths acquired by the spectral reflectance acquiring unit.
US09336461B2 Electronic card connector having ejecting mechanism
An electronic card connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a number of terminals (2) retained in the insulative housing, a metal shell (4) having an elastic piece (4), and an ejecting mechanism (5) located on a side of the insulative housing. The ejecting mechanism includes a slider (51) and a resilient mechanism. The slider is urged by the elastic piece to assume a final position when an electronic card is fully inserted. A part of the resilient mechanism is moveable forwardly to engage the slider and then is backwardly moveable together with the engaged slider to eject the inserted electronic card.
US09336458B2 Image processing device, method and program
An image processing device includes a candidate point extracting unit configured to extract a plurality of candidate points belonging to a predetermined structure from image data, a shape model storing unit configured to store a shape model representing a known shape of the predetermined structure, the shape model being formed by a plurality of model labels having a predetermined connection relationship, and a corresponding point selecting unit configured to select a mapping relationship between the candidate points and the model labels from a set of candidate mapping relationships.
US09336450B2 Methods and systems for selecting target vehicles for occupancy detection
Methods and systems for selecting a target vehicle for occupancy detection utilizing vehicle identification information. The vehicle identification information (e.g., license plate information) can be obtained from a vehicle identification unit (e.g., ALPR) to identify a vehicle approaching a high occupancy measurement zone. The vehicle identification information from the vehicle identification unit can be transferred to a vehicle occupancy unit having a flash illuminator unit and an image-capturing unit. The flash illuminator unit and the image-capturing unit are not enabled if the vehicle's occupancy state has already been measured at a prior location based on the vehicle identification information. The vehicle occupancy detection unit and the vehicle identification unit work together in a coordinated fashion to reduce the number of times the flash illuminator unit needs to fire and extends the life of the illuminator unit, thus reducing the cost of maintenance.
US09336445B2 Method and a system for occupancy location
A method for occupancy location includes capturing a spatially coded image of a scene, identifying a region of interest in the image, generating a pixel plausibility index for each image pixel in the region of interest, and classifying pixels as relating to occupancy responsive to the pixel plausibility index.
US09336443B2 Method and apparatus for organizing digital media based on face recognition
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for organizing digital media, particularly digital photos, using face recognition. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a computer-based method for organizing digital photos comprises: extracting objects of interest from a plurality of photographs; cropping said plurality of photographs to generate images of isolated objects of interest; applying a recognition algorithm to determine the similarity of isolated objects of interest with a reference; displaying a plurality of objects arranged as a function of the determined similarity; and receiving user input to associate said objects with a particular classification.
US09336442B2 Selecting images using relationship weights
A method of making a selected-image collection including providing a set of relationships between an individual and a plurality of different persons, each relationship in the relationship set having a pre-determined relationship weight value; providing a collection of images, the image collection including images having at least two persons of the plurality of different persons present in the images; using a processor to select from the relationship set a relationship weight value corresponding to each person present in each image in the image collection; assigning an image weight value to each image in the image collection, the image weight value corresponding to a combination of the selected relationship weight value(s); and selecting images from the image collection based on the image weight values to make the selected-image collection.
US09336441B2 Bathymetric techniques using satellite imagery
Techniques for improving overhead image bathymetry include obtaining depth information from image data based on one or more of the spectral domain, the angular domain (e.g., stereo or photogrammetry), the temporal domain (e.g., monitoring the movement of waves in a body of water), or any other suitable domain, together with a priori information about the area of interest. These different pieces of depth information from the various different domains are combined together using any combination of Optimal Estimation and Continuity Constraints to improve the accuracy of the results.
US09336439B2 System and method for the long range acquisition of iris images from stationary and mobile subjects
Described is a system which is capable of capturing images of the iris up to distances of 11 meters with a resolution of 150-200 pixels across the diameter. The system incorporates velocity estimation and focus tracking modules such that that images may be acquired from moving subjects.
US09336438B2 Iris cameras
An iris camera for capturing an image of an iris of a user is described. The iris camera comprises: a lens; an image sensor for capturing an image produced by the lens; a processor for analyzing the degree of focus of successive images produced by the sensor and for controlling a lens position adjustment motor to move the lens to a position where a subsequent captured image potentially has an increased degree of focus; and a proximity sensor for providing an initial measurement of the distance between the lens and the user. The processor is arranged to user the initial distance measurement obtained by the proximity sensor as a starting point for capturing images of the iris to effect a fine-focus adjustment.
US09336435B1 System, method, and computer program product for performing processing based on object recognition
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for providing suggestions based on object recognition. In operation, at least one option for adding at least one additional indicia for being displayed among the indicia is displayed, utilizing the touchscreen of the mobile device. Additionally, a user input is received in connection with the at least one option, utilizing the touchscreen of the mobile device. Still yet, after receiving the user input in connection with the at least one option for, a plurality of suggestions is identified, utilizing the at least one processor of the mobile device. The suggestions each correspond with at least one face that has been recognized in at least one of a plurality of images accessible via the mobile device.
US09336429B2 Necrotic cell region detection apparatus and method of the same, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium to store a necrotic cell region detection program
A necrotic cell region detection apparatus includes an image acquiring unit, a segmentation unit, a band separate unit, a feature value calculating unit, a luminance calculating unit, and a judging unit. The image acquiring unit acquires a cell image. The segmentation unit divides the cell image into multiple regions so that a local imaging properties. The band separate unit separates a low-band image and a high-band image. The judging unit forms a feature space composed of the texture feature value calculated by the feature value calculating unit and the luminance average value calculated by the luminance calculating unit, and judges a region formed by necrotic cell in the feature space.
US09336426B2 Biometric authentication device, biometric authentication method, and computer readable, non-transitory medium
A biometric authentication device includes: a memory configured to store an enrollment feature data; a biometric sensor that obtains a biometric image of a user; and a circuitry configured to: obtain a surface reflection degree of the biometric image; extract a comparison-use feature data from the biometric image; perform a comparing based on a similarity between the comparison-use feature data and the enrollment feature data; and reflect a correction coefficient and the surface reflection degree related to a region of the biometric image to the similarity.
US09336424B2 Barcode reader, barcode reading method, and barcode reading program
There is provided a barcode reader that decode of a barcode is possible with easy processes even in a case where reflectivity around the barcode is higher than reflectivity at bright portions of the barcode. The barcode reader comprises: an edge deleter configured to delete the position information and polarity information on an unnecessary edge which arises due to a difference between a strength of a reflected light from a quiet zone of the barcode and a strength of a reflected light from an adjacent portion of the quiet zone, wherein, on detecting two successive edges which have the same polarity, the edge deleter determines an edge which is closer to an end portion of a scan as the unnecessary edge and deletes the position information and polarity information on the unnecessary edge.
US09336423B2 Analyte meter including an RFID reader
A glucose monitoring system, includes a glucose sensor strip or package of strips. The strip includes a substrate and a glucose monitoring circuit that has electrodes and a bodily fluid application portion of selected chemical composition. An antenna is integrated with the glucose sensor strip. A RFID sensor chip is coupled with the glucose sensor strip and the antenna. The chip has a memory containing digitally-encoded data representing calibration and/or expiration date information for the strip.
US09336421B1 System and method for RFID-enabled information collection
Methods, apparatuses and systems for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection are disclosed, including an enclosure, a collector coupled to the enclosure, an interrogator, a processor, and one or more RFID field sensors, each having an individual identification, disposed within the enclosure. In operation, the interrogator transmits an incident signal to the collector, causing the collector to generate an electromagnetic field within the enclosure. The electromagnetic field is affected by one or more influences. RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting reflected signals containing the individual identifications of the responding RFID sensors to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the reflected signals, measures one or more returned signal strength indications (“RSSI”) of the reflected signals and sends the RSSI measurements and identification of the responding RFID sensors to the processor to determine one or more facts about the influences. Other embodiments are also described.
US09336419B2 Decoupled contactless bi-directional systems and methods
A contactless bi-directional device including first and second generally mutually electromagnetically decoupled contactless loop antennas which are arranged in at least partially mutually overlapping orientation, first and second contactless communication chips, each of the first and second communications chips being connected to a corresponding one of the generally mutually electromagnetically decoupled contactless loop antennas, thereby providing bi-directional communication.
US09336405B2 Photographic copy prevention of a screen image
A method for preventing photographic capture of a displayed image on an electronically controlled screen using a photographic capture device is provided. The method includes intercepting an image for display; generating a plurality of subset frames based on the intercepted image; dividing the intercepted image into a plurality of subsections; generating a pseudo random number on each of the subsections within the plurality of subsections using a pseudo random number generator; mapping, on each of the subset frames within the plurality of subset frames, a group of subsections within the plurality of subsections that share a common generated pseudo random number; and determining a frame rate value for displaying the plurality of subset frames, which enables human visualization of the plurality of subset frames as a single perceived frame.
US09336404B2 Privacy-protective data transfer and storage
A method is performed at a computer system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs executed by the one or more processors. The method includes receiving a first data transmission from a first client system, where the first data transmission including a first document, the first document having one or more portions that are marked as private; encrypting the marked portions of the first document using a key; and sending a second data transmission to a destination system, where the second data transmission includes a second document, the second document including the encrypted marked portions of the first document and a remainder of the first document that is not marked as private. The key is unavailable to the destination system. The second document is stored at the destination system.
US09336403B2 Managing restricted tagged content elements within a published message
A computer encrypts only a restricted tag element from among a plurality of content elements to be electronically published as a message for access by a plurality of users, wherein decryption of the encrypted restricted tag element is limited to a selection of at least one user from among the plurality of users. The computer outputs the plurality of content elements for electronic publication through an interface accessible to the plurality of users, wherein the plurality of users are enabled to access the plurality of content elements of the message published through the interface, wherein only the selection of at least one user is enabled to decrypt the encrypted restricted tag element in the plurality of content elements to access the underlying restricted tag element within the message published through the interface.
US09336402B2 Secure data in removable storage devices via encryption token(s)
Systems, methods, and devices that secure data on removable storage devices are presented. A token component can interface with a communication port on a host device. One or more removable storage devices can interface with one or more other communication ports on the host device. The token component includes a security component that, when interfaced with the host device, is employed to automatically and simultaneously enable access, encrypt data being stored in, and decrypt data being retrieved from the removable storage devices. When the token component is not interfaced with the host device, the removable storage devices are secured so that they cannot be accessed and data stored thereon cannot be retrieved and decrypted. A user optionally can utilize a password, which can be entered when the token component is interfaced with the host device, to facilitate controlling access to the removable storage devices and data encryption/decryption.
US09336401B2 Implementing enhanced security with storing data in DRAMs
A method, system and memory controller for implementing enhanced security in a memory subsystem including DRAM in a computer system. A memory includes a register to hold scrambling information transmitted from a memory controller; and scrambling circuitry on the memory to scramble at least one of bank select bits and data bits responsive to the scrambling information in the register.
US09336399B2 Information asset placer
A computer-implemented method for the placing of information assets, including: discovering information about a new or changed information asset; determining one or more characteristics of an ideal location for the information asset; determining one or more characteristics of one or more locations in an information technology environment; determining the compatibility of the information asset with the location(s) by comparing the characteristic(s) of the ideal location to the characteristic(s) of the actual location(s); reporting the compatibility to a user; and optionally suggesting alternative placement locations. The locations may be part of one or more locational schemas.
US09336398B2 Apparatus and method for manifesting event to verify security of mobile application
An apparatus and method for manifesting an event to verify the security of a mobile application are provided. The apparatus for manifesting an event to verify the security of a mobile application includes a tester application production unit, a tester application execution unit, and a tester application daemon execution unit. The tester application production unit produces a tester application for testing an application to be tested based on application information which is extracted from the application to be tested. The tester application execution unit executes the application to be tested by manifesting an event included in the extracted application information, and extracts a user view object output to a screen of a smart device when the application to be tested is executed. The tester application daemon execution unit generates a touch event based on the extracted user view object, and performs a screen change.
US09336397B2 Combining type-analysis with points-to analysis for analyzing library source-code
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for statically analyzing a library that includes obtaining native method annotations associated with native methods invoked by the library and extracting facts corresponding to the library from the library to obtain library facts. The library is written in a first programming language. The method also includes constructing a type-object lattice, modeling an abstracted heap using the type-object lattice, expressing abstracted heap update operations as heap update rules, and constructing, based on the library, a most general application (MGA) for the library. The method additionally includes analyzing the library using the native method annotations, the library facts, the MGA, the abstracted heap, and the heap update rules to obtain results, storing the results of the analysis, and performing an action based on the results.
US09336393B2 System and method for protecting files stored on an electronic device
An electronic device includes a security system which provides for protection of designated files stored on an electronic device. For example, an electronic device may receive user input selecting a file for protection processing. The user input may select the file for encryption and automatic decryption under certain predetermined conditions and/or for automatic saving to a remote storage device after the device has been reported stolen, for instance. After receiving the user input selecting the file for protection processing, the electronic device may automatically receive theft information from a remote server, wherein the theft information indicates whether the electronic device has been reported stolen. After determining whether the electronic device has been reported stolen, the electronic device may automatically process the selected file according to the selected protection processing, wherein the processing is contingent on whether the electronic device has been reported stolen. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09336391B2 Verification of intellectual property core trusted state
Secure initialization of the state of an electronic circuit. A processor determines the trusted state of one or more architecture state registers of an intellectual property core. The processor clears entries in a memory of the intellectual property core. The processor verifies that state machines, included in execution logic of the intellectual property core, have not generated output.
US09336382B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for securing user documents
The invention is directed to systems, methods and apparatus for securing documents. The system comprises a server having a processor and a data storage device for storing documents, at least one document provider connected to the server, the at least one document provider operable to provide user documents to the server for storage in the data storage device, the user documents containing at least one object of security concern, and at least one document consumer connected to the server, the at least one document consumer operable to receive the user documents containing the at least one object of security concern from the server. The processor in the server is operable to determine whether to provide the at least one object of security concern to the at least one document consumer based on at least one security setting, and based on the decision either provide the documents with the at least one object of security concern or provide a replacement documents without the security of concern and an indication on each replacement document that that the at least one object of security concern has been excluded.
US09336381B1 Entropy-based detection of sensitive information in code
Techniques are described for identifying security credentials or other sensitive information based on an entropy-based analysis of information included in documents such as source code files, object code files, or other types of files. A baseline information entropy may be determined for one or more documents, indicating a baseline level of randomness for information in the document(s). One or more of the documents may be analyzed to identify the presence of high entropy portions that have an information entropy above a threshold value. The threshold value may be based on the baseline information entropy, or based on other criteria such as a programming language of the document(s). Because security credentials may have a higher level of information entropy than the surrounding code, any high entropy portions of the document(s) may be identified as potential security risks.
US09336379B2 Reputation-based safe access user experience
Reputation-based resource lookup may include determining the reputation of resources that are to be accessed. Based on the reputation of the resource, a user experience is provided. Protection can be provided from known and suspicious resources, by providing warnings, such as unique graphical visual warnings and textual messages. Furthermore, additional information may be provided as to the desired resource. A user may be further required to go through several pages or asked various questions before accessing a resource.
US09336378B2 Credential sharing
A credential can be shared by one user with other users when sharing conditions are met. Sharing conditions can include a time, time range, date, date range and the geographic location of a user with whom the credential is to be shared. The credential can be shared so that it is not visible or accessible in plaintext to the shared-with user. Sharing conditions can include conditions that, when met, result in the revocation of a shared credential.
US09336377B2 Synchronized sign-on methods for non-programmatic integration systems
Methods and systems for automatically signing a user on to an integration application when a user signs on to another application and signing a user off when the user signs off of the other application. The integration application automatically non-programmatically collects data from a mapped location of a mapped source reference of the other application. The collected data includes a user identifier value. The integration continuously monitors the collected user identifier value for a difference in the collected user identifier value. If the collected user identifier value is recognized by the integration application, the user is signed into the integration application using the collected user identifier value, and if a difference in the collected user identifier value is detected, the user is signed off of the integration application.
US09336375B1 Restricting access to data on portable storage media based on access to a private intranet
Systems, products, and methods are disclosed for enabling access to encrypted data stored on a portable storage medium. In one embodiment, an attempt to communicate with a certain intranet is made. If this attempt succeeds, then access is granted to the data stored on the portable storage device, but if access to the intranet is not granted, then access to the data stored on the portable storage device is also not granted. Denying access can include preventing the portable storage device from even being recognized by a requesting device, being recognized but not presented, or can include showing that such encrypted data exists, but denying access to the data in an unencrypted format.
US09336372B2 Lost account information recovery method and associated apparatus and system
A method, apparatus and system for securely managing account information are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method is performed at a computer system having one or more processors and memory for storing programs to be executed by the one or more processors. The method includes receiving a request associated with an account. The request includes location verification information. The method includes retrieving, in response to the request, information of a set of predefined locations associated with the account. The method also includes comparing information of the set of predefined locations with the received location verification information to determine whether the received location verification information satisfies a predefined condition. The method further includes sending a response to the request to a destination associated with the account when the received location verification information satisfies the predefined condition. The response includes confidential information associated with the account.
US09336369B2 Methods of licensing software programs and protecting them from unauthorized use
In one embodiment, a method for controlling use of a software licensed product is provided. The method comprises tracking a usage of the software licensed product by a plurality of user computers within an intranet; and for all but one instance of the usage of the software licensed product, terminating the usage of the software license product.
US09336367B2 Site directed management of audio components of uploaded video files
A system, method and various software tools enable a video hosting website to automatically identified unlicensed audio content in video files uploaded by users, and initiate a process by which the user can replace the unlicensed content with licensed audio content. An audio replacement tool is provided that enables the user to permanently mute the original, unlicensed audio content of a video file, or select a licensed audio file from a collection of licensed audio, and insert the selected in place of the original audio.
US09336366B2 Method and apparatus for identifying installed software and regulating access to content
A system and method for controlling use of content in accordance with usage rights associated with the content and determined in accordance with the environment of a user device. A request is received for secure content from a user device and the integrity of the environment of the user device is verified. Appropriate usage rights are retrieved based upon the results of the verification of integrity and the content is rendered on the user device in accordance with the appropriate usage rights.
US09336363B2 Method and system for secure deployment of information technology (IT) solutions in untrusted environments
Described herein are techniques related to shielding data, thereby enabling the shielded data to be distributively placed in untrusted computing environments for cost effective storage. A method and system may include a trusted agent operable in a trusted computing environment. The trusted agent includes a transformation knowledge key generator and a data transformer. The transformation knowledge key generator is operable to generate a transformation knowledge key, the transformation knowledge key being generated with at least two shielding algorithms to shield the data. The data transformer is operable to transform the data into N segments of shielded data using the transformation knowledge key. A communications agent securely coupled to the trusted agent is operable to securely transfer one or more of the N segments of shielded data to one or more storage devices in untrusted computing environments.
US09336360B1 Analysis and display of a precis of global licensing activities
The system and method provide an efficient and effective way to provision views of up to date ongoing activities associated with the works of a client (e.g., global registration of rights relating to licensing of multimedia material) by territory and content. The system provides the client a way to configure a selection précis of up to date activities and extract from a full complement of data (e.g., royalty administration and rights management life cycle metrics) received from global partners responsible for collecting work rights information. The system reformats the data received from partners into a unified format, applies compression rules to obtain an optimized summary of the data, and filters the summarized data according to the predetermined client customized preferences.
US09336359B2 Device certificate individualization
A method of generating a device certificate. A method of generating a device certificate comprising, constructing a device certificate challenge at a device, sending information to a device certificate individualization server in response to the device certificate challenge, validating the device certificate challenge by the device certificate individualization server, and validating the device certificate response by the device.
US09336356B2 Restricting network and device access based on presence detection
In an example embodiment, a technique that applies a network policy responsive to specified events, or triggers, to a networked device. If a specified event occurs, the network policy may restrict the device's access to the network. For example, if a user walks away from their networked device, such as a laptop, the device's network access changes. For example, depending upon the policy, network traffic may be blocked or otherwise restricted.
US09336354B1 Systems and methods for simulation of hemodialysis access and optimization
Systems and methods are disclosed for simulating or optimizing hemodialysis access. One method includes receiving a patient-specific anatomic model of a patient's vasculature; computing a pre-treatment hemodynamic characteristic of a pre-treatment geometry of a portion of the anatomic model; simulating a post-treatment geometry of a vascular access in the portion of the anatomic model; computing a post-treatment hemodynamic characteristic of the post-treatment geometry of the portion of the anatomic model having the vascular access; and generating a representation of the pre-treatment hemodynamic characteristic or the post-treatment hemodynamic characteristic.
US09336352B2 Power injector with help functionality
A power injector (10) with help functionality is disclosed. What may be characterized as a ‘help output’ may be displayed on a graphical user interface (11) in response to a request for help. This help output may be based upon a current state of the power injector (10), may be accompanied by a cross-reference to an operator's manual for the power injector (10), may be expanded to provide additional detail, or any combination thereof. At least one system screen that relates to the help output may be displayed (e.g., simultaneously, sequentially). The help functionality may be in the form of having the power injector (10) incorporate help mode logic (256) that is configured to allow a user to view and obtain information on the various system screens that would be presented when using the power injector (10) to deliver a fluid, but without actually operating the power injector (10) to deliver fluid.
US09336350B2 Medical image display apparatus and method
A medical image display apparatus and method, which divide a screen region into a first region whose length is relatively greater than a width thereof and on which an entire lower-limb image and a division boundary line dividing the lower-limb image in a widthwise direction, and a second region adjacent to the first region, and enlarge and display a part of the lower-limb image including the division boundary line on the second region. Thereby, it is possible to minimize work for image enlargement and repetitive movement in reading a computed tomography image and to reduce the reading time.
US09336349B2 Method for producing RNA-containing probe for detecting a target nucleotide
An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and useful method for producing an RNA-containing probe for detecting a target nucleotide, a simple and useful method, device, and system for processing nucleotide sequence information, and a simple and useful method for detecting a target nucleotide. The present invention provides a method for processing nucleotide sequence information, the method comprising the step of generating partial nucleotide sequences which has 7 to 14 nucleotides and a Tm value of 25 to 40° C. and in which a target nucleotide or a nucleotide adjacent to the target nucleotide is located at a position between 3 and 5 nucleotides from the 3′ or 5′ end. The method according to the present invention is useful for simply and efficiently producing an RNA-containing probe for detecting a target nucleic acid, without the basis of researchers' experiences or guess, and are extremely useful not only in the field of genetic engineering, but also in the field of medical research.
US09336347B2 Capacitor array and layout design method thereof
A layout design method is provided for generating capacitor arrays being described in four steps: first, the wiring mode of unit capacitors is defined allowing the wire being connected to the upper plate to parallel that to the lower one, second, a capacitor array layout is designed with capacitors being distributed in Mh lines, Mh is the maximum of capacitors' lines, the line numbers of Class 1 to Class K capacitors are defined in the unilateral capacitor array, third, the wiring mode is set for capacitor array making sure the lengths of the wires to the upper and lower plates of unit capacitors are equal, at last, parasitic parameters are characterized in ways that verify the layout. A capacitor array is provided as well. By eliminating capacitance mismatching caused by parasitic capacitance, the method works to generate a well-matched capacitor array in an easy and efficient way.
US09336341B2 Memory frame proxy architecture for synchronization and check handling in a simulator
A simulation technique that handles accesses to a frame of memory via a proxy object provides improved throughput in simulation environments. The proxy object, if present, processes the access at a head of a linked list of frames. If a check frame is not inserted in the list, the memory frame handles the request directly, but if a check frame is inserted, then the check operation is performed. The check frame can be a synchronization frame that blocks access to a memory frame while the check frame is present, or the check frame may be a breakpoint, watch or exception frame that calls a suitable handling routine. Additional check frames may be chained between the interface and the memory subsystem to handle synchronization, breakpoints, memory watches or other accesses to or information gathering associated with the memory frame.
US09336340B1 Evaluating management operations
Described is a method and system for use in evaluating management operations. A current storage configuration in connection with a data storage system is captured. A management operation event relating to the data storage system is simulated without affecting the data storage system. The management operation event is simulated using the current storage configuration in connection with the data storage system. A management operation event output is provided for enabling evaluation of the potential affect of the management operation event in the data storage system in response to simulating the management operation.
US09336338B2 Global solutions of smart building-grid energy management models
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for optimizing a cost of electric power generation in a smart site energy management model, including providing a cost function that models a smart building-grid energy system of a plurality of buildings on a site interconnected with electric power grid energy resources and constraints due to a building model, an electric grid model, and a building-grid interface model, where decision variables for each of the building model, the electric grid model, and the building-grid interface model are box-constrained, and minimizing the cost function subject to the building model constraints, the electric grid model constraints, and building-grid interface model constraints.
US09336336B2 2D image arrangement
Disclosed is a method of designing a dental restoration for a patient, wherein the method includes providing one or more 2D images, where at least one 2D image includes at least one facial feature; providing a 3D virtual model of at least part of the patient's oral cavity; arranging at least one of the one or more 2D images relative to the 3D virtual model in a virtual 3D space such that the 2D image and the 3D virtual model are aligned when viewed from a viewpoint, whereby the 3D virtual model and the 2D image are both visualized in the 3D space; and modeling a restoration on the 3D virtual model, where the restoration is designed to fit the facial feature of the at least one 2D image.
US09336334B2 Key-value pairs data processing apparatus and method
Data processing apparatuses and data processing methods are provided. The data processing apparatus includes a storage unit, an interface, and a processor. The storage unit stores a first key-value set including a plurality of first key-value pairs. Each of the first key-value pairs has a first key and a first value. The interface receives an instruction regarding a set operation and a function. The processor generates a plurality of second keys by applying the set operation to the first keys. Each of the second keys includes at least one of the first keys. The processor generates a second value for each of the second keys by applying the function to at least one datum corresponding to the at least one first key comprised in the second key. Each second key and the corresponding second value form a second key-value pair and the second key-value pairs form a second key-value set.
US09336332B2 Programmatic data discovery platforms for computing applications
Systems, methods and techniques for discovering, managing and/or representing data are described. In particular, systems and methods for acquiring, representing, and disseminating data independently of, for example, the nature of the data sources or the data storage infrastructure, are described. Such discovery, management and/or representation may be enabled by various manners of integration into pre-existing network architecture, enabled via system(s) or method(s) implemented remotely from pre-existing network architecture, and/or enabled via programmatic integration into existing computing applications such as Web applications.
US09336330B2 Associating entities based on resource associations
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for associating resources based on resource associations. One of the methods includes receiving a first profile, wherein the first profile is for a first author, wherein the first profile links to one or more first documents, wherein the first author is an author of each of the one or more first documents; identifying, one or more second authors, wherein each of the one or more second authors is a co-author of one or more of the first documents; calculating, respective co-author scores for each of the one or more second authors; ranking, the one or more second authors based on their respective co-author scores; and associating, the one or more second authors with the first profile, the first profile includes a listing of the one or more second authors in an order according to the ranking.
US09336327B2 Mapping and query translation between XML, objects, and relations
Described is programmatic access to persistent XML and relational data from applications based upon explicit mappings between object classes, XML schema types, and relations. The mappings are used in data access, that is, they drive query and update processing. A query may be processed into a query for accessing the XML data and another query for second type for accessing the relational data. Mappings support strongly-typed classes and loosely-typed classes, and may be conditional upon other data, may decouple query and update translation performed at runtime from schema translation used at compile time, and/or may be compiled into transformations that produce objects from XML data and transformations that produce XML data from objects. Mappings may be generated automatically or provided by the developer.
US09336323B2 Method and system for accelerating surfing the internet
The delivery of content is improved from a user's perspective by encouraging the cache of user devices to maintain more current data prior to requesting web pages that would invoke the download of the more current data. A cache simulation of the cache in the user devices is maintained. When objects within the cache simulator are expected to require updating, actions are taken to encourage the user device to update the cache. The actions include modifying markup language files that are downloaded to the user device to invoke the update. For instance, artificial URL's that request the updated objects, embedded scripts, user selection objects, or the like are used to invoke an update process.
US09336317B2 System and method for searching aliases associated with an entity
A search system for collecting aliases associated with an entity name, includes a storage module configured to store at least one first lexical pattern, a search module coupled to the storage module and configured to obtain a plurality of first snippets from a database according to the entity name, and an alias extracting module coupled to the storage module and the search module separately and configured to, according to the entity name and the first lexical pattern, determine whether any first alias exists in the first snippets. If a first alias exists, the alias extracting module extracts it out and stores it in the storage module.
US09336313B1 Systems and methods for performing single and multi threaded searches and complex pattern matching in a solid state drive
System and methods for enhanced data processing and analysis in a storage device, such as a solid state drive (SSD) include an SSD having a data storage and a controller. The data storage stores a plurality of data sets. The controller has a pattern buffer and a data engine. The controller receives a query, processes the query to extract a pattern, loads the pattern into the pattern buffer, and accesses the data storage. The data engine searches a data subset from the data storage for instances of the pattern using a rolling window method. The controller generates a result from the search.
US09336312B2 Vertical-based query optionalizing
In one embodiment, one or more computing devices receive a search query; the computing devices identify in the search query a search term associated with a first object type of multiple object types; the computing devices modify the search query by optionalizing the search term in the search query; the computing devices also send the search query as modified for execution against a first data store storing objects of the first object type.
US09336306B2 Automatic evaluation and improvement of ontologies for natural language processing tasks
Mechanisms are provided for modifying an ontology for use with a natural language processing (NLP) task. A model of the ontology is obtained that comprises nodes representing concepts of the ontology and edges between nodes representing relationships between associated nodes of the ontology. A spreading activation operation is performed on the model of the ontology with the spreading activation operation matching a portion of a textual source to a matching node of the model and identifying related nodes to the matching node through edges of the model associated with the matching node to thereby generate an activation network. The activation network is evaluated with regard to a chosen NLP task to determine a performance metric for the NLP task associated with the nodes of the model. Based on the results, one of the model or a configuration of the activation network may be modified.
US09336304B2 Patent analytics system
In an example embodiment, there is a method of maintaining a database of patent claim entries. The patent claim entries are associated with one or more patent documents as well as one or more parameters characterizing a patent claim. The database may be accessed to retrieve a selection of one or more patent claim entries. This may be accomplished by retrieving the one or more parameters associated with the selection of the one or more patent claim entries. Additionally, one or more of the parameters characterizing a patent claims may be selected. A report chart is presented on a display device. The report chart depicts relationships between the selected parameters and the one or more patent claim entries retrieved from the database. The relationships are depicted as a plurality of data points. Also a visualization option may be selected and the report chart may be modified based on the selection. The visualization options may include highlighting related data points, presenting claim language associated with a data point, and presenting more parameters associated with the data point.
US09336303B2 Computer-implemented system and method for providing visual suggestions for cluster classification
An embodiment provides a computer-implemented system and method for providing visual suggestions for cluster classification. One or more clusters comprising uncoded documents from a set are obtained. A different set of reference documents that are each classified with a code is designated. A cluster center in one of the clusters is identified. The cluster center is compared to one or more of the reference documents. Those of the reference documents that are similar to the cluster are identified based on the comparison. The classification codes of each of the similar reference documents are visually represented as a suggestion for assigning one of the classification codes to the cluster.
US09336300B2 Client-side search templates for online social networks
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an unstructured text query from a first user of an online social network; and accessing, from a data store of the mobile client system, a set of nodes of a social graph of the online social network. The social graph includes a number of nodes and edges connecting the nodes. The nodes include a first node corresponding to the first user and a number of second nodes that each correspond to a concept or a second user associated with the online social network. The method also includes accessing, from the data store of the mobile client system, a set of grammar templates. Each grammar template includes one or more non-terminal tokens and one or more query tokens. The query tokens include references to zero or more second nodes and one or more edges and each grammar template is based on a natural-language string.
US09336298B2 Dialog-enhanced contextual search query analysis
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer-storage media for a method of contextually analyzing terms within a search query. In one embodiment, a received search query is classified into a domain category. Additionally, information is assigned to a schema associated with the domain by analyzing the search query. Further, at least one search result that helps a user complete a task within the domain is provided based on the information in the schema.
US09336294B2 Autonomically defining hot storage and heavy workloads
In defining database objects for storage in a storage hierarchy, frequencies of accesses of a plurality of database objects over a predetermined time period are observed. A mean and standard deviation for the plurality of database objects are computed based on the observed frequencies of accesses of the plurality of database objects. A z-score for a given database object is determined based on a comparison of the frequency of access for the given database with the mean and standard deviation computed for the plurality of database objects by the computing processor; and a level in the storage hierarchy corresponding to the z-score of the given database object is determined. The given database object may then be stored at the level in the storage hierarchy corresponding to the z-score of the given database object.
US09336285B2 Presenting content in accordance with a placement designation
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for presenting content in accordance with a placement designation. A user interface is provided for designating that a content item is to be presented in a search suggestion control along with search suggestions for completing a search string. Requests for content are processed, including evaluating a partial form of a received search string, identifying search suggestions for completing the partial form of the search string, and presenting the content item in the search suggestion control along with search suggestions that match campaign terms.
US09336282B2 Systems and methods for identifying and analyzing internet users
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for generating reports enhancing an understanding of Internet users based on their generated content and actions taken by others in response to the generated content.
US09336279B2 Hidden text detection for search result scoring
A method for creating a hidden text data index for ranking computerized query search results that includes generating a render tree based on a document object model (DOM) tree for a web page. The render tree includes nodes that correspond to text that will be visually displayed by a client device when executed. The method includes comparing nodes corresponding to text of the DOM tree with the nodes corresponding to text of the render tree to identify the nodes in the DOM tree that will not be visually displayed when executed by the client device. The method also includes creating a hidden text data index for the nodes corresponding to text of the DOM tree not in the render tree. The hidden text data index identifies nodes corresponding to text of the DOM tree as hidden that will not be visually displayed when executed by the client device.
US09336278B2 User experience and user flows for third-party application recommendation in cloud storage systems
A cloud computing system identifies when to recommend applications to a user and what recommendations to make. When the user makes a request related to the applications associated with the user, the cloud computing system identifies the subject of the request. The cloud computing system identifies criteria for recommending applications based on the subject, scores applications available to the user based on the identified criteria, and filters applications based on their scores to recommend applications to the user.
US09336277B2 Query suggestions based on search data
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating query suggestions based on search data. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, by one or more computers, a first query, determining query refinements based on the first query, generating, from the query refinements, refinement clusters, each refinement cluster corresponding to a particular topic and each refinement cluster including query refinements that are determined to belong to the particular topic to which the refinement cluster corresponds, ranking the refinement clusters, and selecting the refinement cluster that is highest in the ranking relative to other refinement clusters in the ranking as a first search refinement cluster for the first query.
US09336270B2 Techniques for accessing a parallel database system via external programs using vertical and/or horizontal partitioning
Techniques for accessing a parallel database system via an external program using vertical and/or horizontal partitioning are provided. An external program to a database management system (DBMS) configures external mappers to process a specific portion of query results on specific access module processors of the DBMS that are to house query results. The query is submitted by the external program to the DBMS and the DBMS is directed to organize the query results in a vertical or horizontal manner. Each external mapper accesses its portion of the query results for processing in parallel on its designated AMP or set of AMPS to process the query results.
US09336268B1 Relativistic sentiment analyzer
Sentiment analyzer systems may include feedback analytics servers configured to receive and analyze feedback data from various client devices. Feedback data may be received and analyzed to determine feedback context and sentiment scores. In some embodiments, natural language processing neural networks may be used to determine sentiment scores for the feedback data. Feedback data also may be grouped into feedback aggregations based on context, and sentiment scores may be calculated for each feedback aggregation. Sentiment analyzer outputs and corresponding output devices may be determined based on the sentiment scores and feedback contexts.
US09336267B2 Method and system for navigation and visualization of data in relational and/or multidimensional databases
A computer-implemented design tool for the navigation and visualization of data in at least one relational and/or multidimensional database. The design tool allows a user to partition a display screen into a plurality of frames, to insert and configure controls within each frame to form a dashboard, the controls defining queries to the database(s) and any rules associated with those queries, and to create the dashboards in multiple levels for each of the frames. Configuring the controls permits a user to define drill actions for the controls within each dashboard to target dashboards in any of the multiple levels, both within the same frame as the starting dashboard, as well as in any or all of the other frames. The user-defined drill actions provide for powerful and highly flexible multi-path and multi-level navigation to achieve visualization of data in the database(s), by displaying on the display screen a respective target dashboard of any one of the multiple levels in each frame according to the controls selected by the user.
US09336265B2 System and method for processing web service transactions using timestamp data
A system is provided that is adapted to service web-based service requests. In one implementation, a caching service is provided for storing and servicing web service requests. In one implementation, virtual computer systems may be used to service requests in a more reliable manner. Different operating modes may be configured for backup redundancy and the caching service may be scaled to meet service requests for a particular application. Also, methods are provided for exchanging timestamp information among web service transaction systems to reduce the amount of processing capability and bandwidth for ensuring database consistency.
US09336262B2 Accelerated transactions with precommit-time early lock release
A system, method and computer product for accelerating parallel database transactions. One or more data processors execute a first transaction on a database. The first transaction includes a transactional lock associated with each of one or more records to update the one or more records during the first transaction, and a pre-commit command to request acknowledgement of committing the updating of the one or more records during the first transaction. The one or more data processors execute a second transaction on the database in parallel with the first transaction. The second transaction includes a transactional lock associated with each of one or more records to update the one or more records during the second transaction, and a pre-commit command to request acknowledgement of committing the updating of the one or more records during the second transaction. The transactional locks of the first and second transactions are released before flushing log records associated with the first and second transactions.
US09336259B1 Method and apparatus for historical analysis analytics
A computer-implemented method is disclosed in which multiple disparate data sources having a different schemas are gathered, and relationships between the data sources are determined. A blended data set is created from the multiple data sources based on the determined relationships. A current behavior of a computing system is determined, with the current behavior being indicative of an anomaly. From the blended data set, historical behaviors of the same computing system or a similar computing system are determined. The current behavior is correlated to the historical behaviors to obtain a correlation, and a response to the anomaly is determined based on the correlation. A complementary computing device and computer program product are also disclosed.
US09336258B2 Reducing database locking contention using multi-version data record concurrency control
Managing a multi-version data record database is provided. A mapping is maintained between a logical record identifier and committed and uncommitted physical record identifiers corresponding to data records using an indirection mapping table. Entries are updated within an index to point to the logical record identifier instead of the committed and uncommitted physical record identifiers. The committed physical record identifier corresponding to a data record is read from the indirection mapping table to access a committed version of the data record while a writer is modifying the data record to prevent the writer from blocking a reader. An uncommitted physical record identifier corresponding to the data record is written in the indirection mapping table to insert a new uncommitted version of the data record within a data table while the reader is reading the committed version of the particular data record to prevent the reader from blocking the writer.
US09336257B2 Systems and methods providing a soft exit state for secondary business objects locks
According to some embodiments, a primary business object BOA is established along with a plurality of secondary business objects that depend from the primary business object BOA in a hierarchy. The primary business object BOA may place a lock on a secondary business object BOB and facilitate an update of data associated with the secondary business object BOB. The secondary business object BOB may then detect when a database commit has been executed, responsive to that detection, the secondary business object BOB may remove the lock associated with the secondary business object BOB.
US09336254B2 Database performance estimation device and database estimation method
A database performance estimation device includes: a unit that switches at least two types of calculation methods according to configuration mode data and performs the switched calculation method to acquire a child block searching time (d) and a leaf block scanning time (s); a unit that switches at least two types of calculation methods according to the configuration mode data and performs the switched calculation method to acquire an entry inserting time (i); and a unit that calculates an average time required for identifying a target leaf block per one manipulation performed to the index block, an average time required for searching for a target entry in the identified leaf block, and an average time required for inserting a target entry in the identified leaf block, and estimates the total of the average times calculated above as an average processing time per one manipulation performed to the index block.
US09336252B2 Mobile application cache based on extreme scale technology
Storing data from mobile devices may comprise receiving an asynchronous communication from a mobile device over a wireless network notifying that data was dropped in a synchronizing folder; computing a hash value associated with the data; determining based on the computed hash value, a partition of an object grid comprising a plurality of virtual machines; and storing the data on the partition.
US09336250B1 Systems and methods for efficiently backing up data
A computer-implemented method for efficiently backing up data may include (1) identifying a volume scheduled for a backup by a computing system, (2) determining that resource usage of the computing system will fall below a predetermined threshold for a period of time, (3) identifying at least one unit of data in the volume of data to copy to a backup image for the backup during the period of time, (4) in response to determining that the resource usage of the computing system will fall below the predetermined threshold for the period of time, copying the unit of data to the backup image during the period of time, (5) taking the snapshot of the volume, and (6) copying at least one additional unit of data from the snapshot to the backup image to make the backup image consistent with the snapshot. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09336249B2 Decision tree with just-in-time nodal computations
A computer-implemented method is disclosed for efficiently processing a large number of records. In the method, a computer system may obtain a plurality of records and a decision tree. The decision tree may include a distinction node corresponding to a distinction requiring completion of a computation. Due to the fact that the computation may be, in the overall context of the process, computationally expensive, it may initially be left uncomputed. Accordingly, if the distinction node is never reached when records are being processed, no computation time gets wasted. However, if and when the distinction node is reached, the computer system may complete the computation and make the distinction based on results of the computation.
US09336243B2 Image information search
To inform a user that image data including an image of the user or the like is posted on a network, an information providing apparatus includes an acquisition unit for acquiring an action log including a history of a set of a user's positions and dates and times when the user was at the positions. The apparatus further includes a search unit for searching for image data that has been captured at a location and a date and time corresponding to a position of the user and a date and time included in the action log from image data posted on a network. The apparatus also includes a matching unit for detecting image data that includes an image relating to the user from pieces of image data found by the search unit.
US09336238B2 Mobile wireless object recognition and control
A system, handheld devices, and methods for object tracking and control. The system tracks and controls items, people, and their interactions. The handheld mobile wireless device provides item specific information, instruction, and supervision. A plurality of handheld devices is configured to be used by different people, and communicate with a central database. A handheld device comprises a camera for scanning an image of an object, a display for displaying information, and a wireless network connection to the database for sending and receiving data. The system recognizes the object and identifies a person. The database includes information regarding people and their roles, permissions, and authorized or assigned tasks; objects and tools; object specific instructions; and the handheld devices. The instructions include documents, checklists, pictures, audio, and video. An observer, or the system, can monitor performance of the tasks, and provide corrective feedback.
US09336235B2 Location-based recommendations
A method includes receiving a request to perform a search; identifying a data structure, of a group of data structures, from which to perform the search, based on a location associated with a user device and a search area within which the user device is located, where the data structure stores information associated with at least one geographic area that is intersected by the search area; retrieving, from the data structure, search results associated with subject matter identified in the request, where the search results are associated with locations within the geographic area; identifying, from the data structure, other user devices that performed searches based on the subject matter; retrieving, from the data structure, other search results based on prior searches, associated with other subject matter, that were performed by the other user devices; and sending, to the user device, the search results or the other search results.
US09336232B1 Native file access
In one aspect, a method includes enabling a REST interface to have access to a volume, receiving a request to allow a native file access to the volume and allowing an application to use a native file interface to have access to the volume while preventing the modifications to the volume through the REST interface if the request is received.
US09336230B1 File replication
A method, system, and computer program product for use in replication comprising intercepting an IO for a file at an application layer at the production site, determining if the file is being replicated, and based on a determination the file is being replicated, sending the IO to a first data recovery appliance and recording the IO in a journal.
US09336227B2 Selective synchronization in a hierarchical folder structure
A technique is described to selectively synchronize content on a client database with content from a server database. As the user traverses a hierarchical folder structure of the client database, he may run into content that has been deleted or moved in the server database. If the content is something that the user wishes to store locally, the content can be stored as an orphan. An orphan is content stored on the client that cannot be traversed by the hierarchical folder structure. When the user traverses to a node in the hierarchical folder structure that is missing an object existing on the server, a determination can be made as to whether the orphan object is the missing object. If so, the orphan object can be connected once against to the hierarchical folder structure. This may minimize the content that needs to be re-downloaded from the server.
US09336226B2 Criteria-based data synchronization management
In general, a data synchronization management system is disclosed in which files (and/or other data) are synchronized among two or more client computing devices in connection with a backup of those files. Synchronization polices specify files to be synchronized based on selected criteria including file data, metadata, and location information. In general, files are initially copied from a primary client computing device to secondary storage. Thereafter, files to be synchronized are identified from the secondary storage, and copied to other client computing devices. Additionally, synchronized files may be viewed and accessed through a cloud and/or remote file access interface.
US09336225B2 Encoding of variable-length data with unary formats
Embodiments provide methods and systems for encoding and decoding variable-length data, which may include methods for encoding and decoding search engine posting lists. Embodiments may include different encoding formats including group unary, packed unary, and/or packed binary formats. Some embodiments may utilize single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instructions that may perform a parallel shuffle operation on encoded data as part of the decoding processes. Some embodiments may utilize lookup tables to determine shuffle sequences and/or masks and/or shifts to be utilized in the decoding processes. Some embodiments may utilize hybrid formats.
US09336223B2 Selective erasure of expired files or extents in deduplicating virtual media for efficient file reclamation
Expired files in the deduplicating virtual media are selectively erased using a backup application for notifying a backup repository of which expired files are no longer required. The space of the expired files is reclaimed for reuse. Virtual space of the expired files is reserved for allowing the backup application to seek past the reclaimed space to subsequent data in the deduplicating virtual media.
US09336221B2 Image processing system, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium, that are capable of displaying a list of folders
An MFP displays a screen including a list of a part of a plurality of folders and an index key. When the index key is operated, the screen is updated so that a folder having a name starting from a first character from among the plurality of folders is displayed. When the same index key is operated again, the screen is updated so that a folder having a name starting from a second character subsequent to the first folder from among the plurality of folders is displayed. Image data generated by reading an image on a document is stored in a selected folder.
US09336215B2 Table format for map reduce system
A key-value store provides column-oriented access to data in a distributed and fault tolerant manner. Data can be inserted into the data store and data can be retrieved either randomly or sequentially from the data store at high rates. Keys for a table are ordered and the entire table is divided into key ranges. Each key range is handled by a table which itself is divided into key ranges called a partition. Partitions are also divided into segments. Such recursive division into smaller and smaller key ranges provides parallelism. At the highest level, operations on tablets can be distributed to different nodes. At lower levels, different threads can handle operations on individual segments. Large-scale restructuring operations can be decomposed into operations on individual segments so that a global lock on larger objects does not need to be kept across the entire operation.
US09336201B2 Regular expression word verification
The present disclosure is directed to a method of verifying a compound word. The method includes receiving an input signal indicative of a textual input and accessing a rule and a lexical data structure from data stores. The rule is applied to the textual input to determine whether the textual input is a valid compound word. An output signal is provided that is indicative of whether the textual input is a compound word.
US09336200B2 Assisting document creation
Assistance for document creation in a computer system which allows at least one agent to be registered therein is provided. The computer system causes the at least one agent to monitor input by a user during the document creation, acquire information on the input obtained by the monitoring, retrieve at least one content from multiple contents accumulated in a storage unit based on the acquired information, and transmit the retrieved at least one content to a display unit to display the retrieved content on a screen.
US09336196B2 Methods, systems, and apparatus for optimization using statistical estimation
Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer program products for utilizing a split dictionary are described. A mean and a standard deviation of a length of a plurality of records in a dictionary may be computed. A split condition may be determined based on the computed mean and the computed standard deviation. The dictionary may be split into a plurality of split dictionaries based on the split condition.
US09336195B2 Method and system for dictionary noise removal
A method and system of removing noise from a dictionary using a weighted graph is presented. The method can include mapping, by a noise reducing agent executing on a processor, a plurality of dictionaries to a plurality of vertices of a graphical representation, wherein the plurality of vertices is connected by weighted edges representing noise. The plurality of dictionaries may further comprise a plurality of entries, wherein each entry further comprises a plurality of tokens. The method can include selecting a subset of the weighted edges, constructing an acyclic graphical representation from the selected subset of weighted edges, and determining an ordering based on the acyclic graphical representation. The selected subset of weighted edges may approximate a solution to the Maximum Acyclic Subgraph problem. The method can include removing noise from the plurality of dictionaries according to the determined ordering.
US09336192B1 Methods for analyzing text
A method for analyzing sentiment in media, topic targeted sentiment, and semantic vector calculation explanation functions.
US09336191B2 System, method and computer readable medium for recording authoring events with web page content
A web page that includes content form fields may be modified to include an event observer module and an authored content module. The authored content module adds a hidden “events observed” field to the form fields. Events generated during the authoring of content by a user are recorded by the event observer module. When the content is submitted from a client browser to the web server, the events generated during the authoring of the content are added to the events observed field and submitted with the content. The web server uses the events to determine a DOM of the web page and compare the observed DOM with a stored DOM for that web page and that particular interaction. The page structure may be optionally modified by the web server to enhance the analysis of the DOM comparison. The web server analysis facilitates detection of non-human content submission at a client browser.
US09336189B2 Systems and methods for providing fused images to remote recipients for descrambling and interpretation
Disclosed are systems and methods for using a hands free computing device. The device includes a processor, a head movement measuring component, screen, camera, microphone, and memory. Responsive to sensing an instruction by a user, an image is captured by the camera and displayed on the screen. There is recorded, using the microphone, an audible catch phrase provided by the user for the image. The audible catch phrase is converted to text that is superimposed on the image thereby making a fused image. The user identifies one or more remote recipients of the fused image by making one or more predetermined head movements to select from among recipient candidates. The fused image is communicated, with the text phrase formatted for scrambled display, to the one or more remote recipients. The fused image is displayed on remote devices associated with such recipients with the text phrase scrambled.
US09336188B2 Generating a statistical tree for encoding/decoding an XML document
A method and apparatus for generating a statistical tree representing an extensible markup language Schema (XSD) is disclosed. Components of the XSD are prioritized according to predefined rules. A root node representing said XSD is created. Pairs of child nodes are generated from the root node. Each pair comprises at least one genuine node, and each pair of generated child nodes is appended to a parent node which is a genuine node. The path to each of said child nodes from a respective parent genuine node is represented with a binary sequence. At least one genuine node is allocated to a corresponding component of said XSD, the allocation being based on the prioritization of the component. Methods, apparatus and computer program products for generating a statistical tree representing an extensible markup language Schema (XSD), for encoding an extensible markup language (XML) document utilizing a statistical tree representing an extensible markup language Schema (XSD), and for decoding an XML document represented by a binary encoded sequence also are disclosed.
US09336187B2 Mediation computing device and associated method for generating semantic tags
A computing device, computer system and associated method are provided to mediate a conversation in a manner that facilitates the inclusion of semantic tags within the conversation. In the context of a method, user input may be received relating to maintenance of a system. The method also determines, with processing circuitry, a candidate tag based upon semantic context of the user input. Additionally, the method provides an indication of the candidate tag to the user and receives a response from the user regarding validity of the candidate tag with respect to the semantic context of the user input. The method may also store the maintenance report including the user input and an associated tag. A corresponding mediation computing device and an associated computer system are also provided.
US09336185B1 Generating an electronic publication sample
A system and method for generating an electronic publication (e.g., an e-book) sample having an end point designated in accordance with a set of heuristics. A start reading location is identified within the content of an electronic publication. A sample block is identified which includes a percentage of the content following the start reading location. A set of heuristics (e.g., rules) configured to identify an end point for the e-book sample is applied to a selected portion of the content within the sample block. The end point of the sample block is designated according to the set of heuristics and the electronic publication sample having the designated end point is stored.
US09336183B2 Vehicle information processing system and driving assistance system
A vehicle information processing system includes a database that mutually associates and stores driving operation information of a driver and position information of a vehicle for each candidate of an assistance area; and a specification unit that determines a vehicle stop based on the information stored in the database, and specifies an assistance area based on stop frequency in the same area. By this configuration, the assistance area can be specified by learning a driving action of the driver based on the database which stores information for each vehicle, and an assistance that is appropriate for the driver can be performed for each vehicle.
US09336179B2 Computer subsystem and computer system with composite nodes in an interconnection structure
The present invention provides a computer subsystem and a computer system. The computer subsystem includes L composite nodes, each composite node includes M basic nodes, each basic node includes N central processing units CPUs and one node controller NC, where any two CPUs in each basic node are interconnected, each CPU in each basic node is connected to the NC in the basic node, the NC in each basic node has a routing function, any two NCs in the M basic nodes are interconnected, and a connection between the L composite nodes formed through a connection between NCs enable communication between any two NCs to require at most three hops. The computer subsystem and the computer system according to embodiments of the present invention can reduce the kinds and the number of interconnection chips, and simplify an interconnection structure of a system, thereby improving reliability of the system.
US09336178B2 Optimizing content and communication in multiaccess mobile device exhibiting communication functionalities responsive of tempo spatial parameters
A content and traffic managing system operatively associated with and a computer implemented method of managing traffic of a mobile device exhibiting communication functionality. The mobile device is connectable to users and to content providers via communication links. The system tracks various parameters over time, and schedules communication, both in relation to predefined or projected content responsive of the following: users' content related behavior, users' communication behavior, users' external behavior, and parameters of communication links. The method comprises: (i) tracking users' content related behavior, communication behavior and users' external behavior over time; (ii) tracking parameters of communication links over time; (iii) scheduling and initiating communication related to predefined or projected content responsive of the above mentioned criteria at time slots selected such that the communication is performed in view of users' predefined or projected preferences in accordance with the parameters of communication links.
US09336175B2 Utilization-aware low-overhead link-width modulation for power reduction in interconnects
Methods and apparatus relating to low-overhead utilization-aware link-width modulation to reduce power consumption in interconnects are described. In one embodiment, link width modulation logic adjusts the width of an interconnect link. More particularly, the link width modulation logic causes the interconnect link to transition from a first width to a second width based on comparison of a utilization value associated with the interconnect link against at least one of a plurality of utilization threshold values. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US09336173B1 Method and switch for transferring transactions between switch domains
The disclosure generally relates to a PCIe switch that includes a selectively transparent bridge that selectively allows transactions to traverse between multiple PCIe domains without the encumbrance of each root complex entity requiring knowledge of the selectively transparent bridge. The bridge that enables the transactions is invisible to the root complex entity in a host and drive switch domain of the PCIe switch. No address translation of the transactions is required because the drive switch domain address map is a subset of the host switch domain address map. The bridge allows for extremely low latency transactions between host systems and storage drives because the bridge allows the storage drive to read the Direct Memory Access (DMA) Scatter-Gather List (SGL) directly from host memory. The bridge also allows I/O data reads and writes from the storage drive directly to the host memory without store and forward within a RAID controller's memory.
US09336171B2 Connection rate management in wide ports
A method for managing a request for an outbound connection is provided. The method includes the step of receiving the request for the outbound connection. The request includes a specified connection speed. The method also includes the step of comparing the request for the outbound connection to a plurality of outbound connection options. A further step of the method includes selecting an outbound connection from the plurality of outbound connection options. The selected outbound connection has a connection speed at least equal to the specified connection speed. The selected outbound connection also has the lowest connection speed of the outbound connection options having a connection speed at least equal to the specified connection speed.
US09336170B2 Universal serial bus device and charging and enumeration method
A universal serial bus device includes: a core circuit having a first pin and a second pin, and having an input impedance looking into the core circuit from the first pin and the second pin; and a charging control circuit, coupled to the core circuit, arranged for providing a voltage source having a predetermined voltage to one of the first pin and the second pin and for providing a current source having a predetermined current to the other of the first pin and the second pin; wherein the input impedance of the core circuit is configured to make the predetermined voltage and the predetermined current substantially intact when an external charger charges a battery device of the universal serial bus device.
US09336168B2 Enhanced I/O performance in a multi-processor system via interrupt affinity schemes
Disclosed herein is a method for improving Input/Output (I/O) performance in a host system having multiple CPUs. Under this method, various interrupt affinity schemes are provided, which associate multiple processors, interrupts, and I/O channels for sending the interrupts, thereby allowing the interrupts to be almost evenly loaded among the multiple I/O channels and processors. Also, data locality (“warm cache”) can be achieved through the interrupt affinity schemes that associate each interrupt to its source processor, namely, the processor originating the I/O request that results in the interrupt.
US09336161B2 Keyboard-video-mouse system and method of providing and using the same
Some embodiments include keyboard-video-mouse systems. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.
US09336159B2 Managing a cache for storing one or more intermediate products of a computer program
A method, program product and a system is provided for managing a cache. The method includes analyzing at least an intermediate product of a computer program. The intermediate product is produced by the computer program in response to a set of control inputs. The method also includes determining a resource measure associated with the first intermediate product and determining a resource measure value for the first intermediate product using a first set of control inputs> The first intermediate product is stored in the cache upon determination that the resource measure value exceeds a predetermined resource threshold.
US09336156B2 Method and apparatus for cache line state update in sectored cache with line state tracker
A processing device and method for cache control including tracking updates to the line state of a cache superline are described. In response to a request pertaining to a superline, a cache controller of the processing device can perform one or more read-modify-write (RMW) operations to (a) a line state vector of a line state array and (b) a counter of the line state array. Based on a determination that one or more requests to the superline have completed, the line state vector from the line state array can be written to a tag array. The cache controller can track pending line state updates to a superline outside of the tag array, and a line state update can occur in the cache controller, rather than awaiting completion of all outstanding operations on a superline. Updates to multiple line states can be maintained simultaneously, and up-to-date ECCs computed.
US09336155B2 Statistical cache promotion
Storing data in a cache is disclosed. It is determined that a data record is not stored in a cache. A random value is generated using a threshold value. It is determined whether to store the data record in the cache based at least in part on the generated random value.
US09336154B2 Data bus efficiency via cache line usurpation
Embodiments of the current invention permit a user to allocate cache memory to main memory more efficiently. The processor or a user allocates the cache memory and associates the cache memory to the main memory location, but suppresses or bypassing reading the main memory data into the cache memory. Some embodiments of the present invention permit the user to specify how many cache lines are allocated at a given time. Further, embodiments of the present invention may initialize the cache memory to a specified pattern. The cache memory may be zeroed or set to some desired pattern, such as all ones. Alternatively, a user may determine the initialization pattern through the processor.
US09336150B2 Performing asynchronous discard scans with staging and destaging operations
A controller receives a request to perform staging or destaging operations with respect to an area of a cache. A determination is made as to whether one or more discard scans are being performed or queued for the area of the cache. In response to determining that one or more discard scans are being performed or queued for the area of the cache, the controller avoids satisfying the request to perform the staging or the destaging operations with respect to the area of the cache.
US09336140B1 Efficient management of hierarchically-linked data storage spaces
Data storage management by determining, for leaf and summary storage spaces of a data storage space hierarchy having at least two leaf storage spaces descending from at least one summary storage space, an invariant leaf attribute value for each leaf attribute type, an invariant summary attribute value for each descending leaf attribute type as a sum of the invariant leaf attribute values of all leaves descending from the summary storage space, and for each leaf, a variable leaf attribute value for each leaf attribute type, and, for each summary storage space, a variable summary attribute value for each descending leaf attribute type, where for each summary storage space, and for each storage space immediately descending from the summary storage space, each variable leaf attribute value of the immediately descending storage space is expressed as a proportion of the variable summary attribute value for the same attribute type.
US09336138B2 Method and apparatus for implementing garbage collection within a computing environment
An approach is provided for obtaining memory management information associated with a computing environment, processing the memory management information to determine one or more computing devices within the computing environment experiencing full garbage collection, and resetting memory of the one or more computing devices to correct the full garbage collection.
US09336136B2 Apparatus, systems, and methods for providing wear leveling in solid state devices
Embodiments of the present disclosure provides a memory-efficient mechanism for identifying memory blocks with a low wear count. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure provides a mechanism for identifying a memory block whose wear count is within the bottom p % of all wear counts associated with memory blocks in a storage system. If a memory controller always performs the garbage collection operation on a memory block whose wear count is within the bottom p % of all wear counts, then the memory controller is expected to utilize the remaining memory blocks (e.g., memory blocks whose wear count is within the upper (100−p) % of all wear counts) efficiently and level the wear count of at least the remaining memory blocks.
US09336134B2 Apparatus and method for accessing a non-volatile memory blade using multiple controllers in a non-volatile memory based storage device
Various systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for accessing a storage device are described. In certain example embodiments, an active/active fault tolerant storage device comprising two or more controllers may be implemented. In one embodiment, each controller may be coupled to the non-volatile memory (NVM) blades comprising the non-volatile memory (NVM) storage medium. In one example implementation, a standardized protocol, such as Peripheral Component Interconnect Express protocol may be used for communicating amongst the various components of the controller and also the NVM storage medium.
US09336130B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing basic input/output system (BIOS) data and non-BIOS data on the same non-volatile memory
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing BIOS data and non-BIOS data on the same non-volatile memory. According to one aspect, a system for providing BIOS data and non-BIOS data on the same non-volatile memory includes a controller for controlling access by a host to a non-volatile memory for storing data, the data including BIOS data and non-BIOS data. The controller includes a first bus interface for communicating data to and from the host via a first bus of a first bus protocol, a second bus interface for communicating data to and from the host via a second bus of a second bus protocol, and a third interface for communicating data to and from the non-volatile memory. The first bus comprises a bus that is operable after power-on reset and before BIOS is accessed.
US09336129B2 System and method for bank logical data remapping
A method and system are disclosed for remapping logical addresses between memory banks of discrete or embedded multi-bank storage device. The method may include a controller of a storage device tracking a total erase count for a storage device, determining if an erase count imbalance greater than a threshold exists between banks, and then remapping logical address ranges from the highest erase count bank to the lowest erase count bank to even out wear between the banks. The system may include a controller that may maintain a bank routing table, an erase counting mechanism and execute instructions for triggering a remapping process to remap an amount of logical addresses such that an address range is reduced for a hotter bank and increased for a colder bank.
US09336128B2 Method and system for code analysis using symbolic types
A method for code analysis includes generating, by a computer processor, an execution path through software code. Generating the execution path includes adding, for an object having an undefined class, a first symbolic type constraint to a path condition of the first execution path based on a first statement in the execution path, and adding, for the object having the undefined class, a second symbolic type constraint to the path condition of the execution path based on a second statement in the first execution path. The method further includes the computer processor making a determination that the path condition of the execution path is infeasible based on the first symbolic type constraint of the object being inconsistent with the second symbolic type constraint of the object, and discarding the execution path based on the determination.
US09336126B1 Client-side event logging for heterogeneous client environments
A testing model for heterogeneous client environments is enabled. A test of a computer system state transition may be specified. The test specification may include elements corresponding to test actions that cause the computer system state transition and elements corresponding to test conditions that are evaluated to generate the test results. A collection of pre-assembled executable components suitable for implementing specified tests at a wide variety of clients may be maintained, and particular test specifications may be mapped to a corresponding and optimal implementation subset of the collection. Test results may be determined based on one or more outputs of the implementation subset of executable components. A vendor and version independent browser driver may include code capable of identifying an operational set of browser capabilities among the superset of considered browser capabilities independent of vendor or version identification by a browser under test.
US09336123B1 Method and system for automatically establishing a component description format (CDF) debugging environment
A system and method are provided for establishing an automated debugging environment in an Electronic Design Automation (EDA) work flow. A user interface is provided for interfacing with a user by displaying a list of debuggable parameters, accepting a selection thereof from a user, and automatically locating both the callback function which sets the selected parameter, and the source code file which contains the callback function. Additionally, it is determined whether the callback function sets solely the selected parameter, or several different parameters, and an automatic breakpoint is set accordingly to break only responsive to the selected parameter. On execution of the modified callback function, execution will be arrested by the automatically-set intelligent breakpoint and a debugging user interface will be generated and provided to the user with a display of the relevant source code, callback function, parameter names and values, system state, and the like. Upon completion of the debugging process, the automatically-set breakpoint will be removed or modified to remove the automatically-set portion of the breakpoint.
US09336121B2 Capture and display of historical run-time execution traces in a code editor
A program code execution is monitored. Variable type and value information the one or more variables in the program code take during the execution of the program code are stored, and compiled over multiple execution of the program code as historical run-time execution traces. A code editor user interface may present the historical run-time execution traces for inspection, whether or not the program code is currently executing. Statistical properties associated with the variable type and value information may be computed. Future variable type and value the one or more variables might take during future execution of the program code may be predicted.
US09336116B2 Automatic correlation accelerator
Automatic correlation, in which an automatic correlation accelerator tool accesses at least a first and a second recording of a base script that defines operations executed in testing performance of a system. The tool causes the system to execute the first recording of the base script and the second recording of the base script and stores, in electronic storage, dynamic value data that describes dynamic values generated during execution of the first recording of the base script and during execution of the second recording of the base script. The tool automatically, without human intervention, analyzes the stored dynamic value data to identify candidates for correlation within the base script and generates a correlated script based on the identified candidates for correlation and the base script.
US09336115B1 User interface driven real-time performance evaluation of program code
A device may receive an indication to perform a performance evaluation on program code. The device may partition the program code into multiple program code portions based on receiving the indication to perform the performance evaluation. The device may execute a first program code portion of the multiple program code portions. The device may determine that the first program code portion has finished executing, and may determine a performance characteristic associated with execution of the first program code portion based on determining that the first program code portion has finished executing. The device may execute a second program code portion, of the multiple program code portions, and may provide information that identifies the performance characteristic while the second program code portion is being executed.
US09336105B2 Evaluation of multiple input signature register results
Provided is an apparatus that includes a processor comprising a plurality of processing cores and a corresponding plurality of LBIST modules, each LBIST module corresponding to one of the plurality of processing cores; a MISR read out connection, comprising a compare value register, a plurality of MISR registers equal in number to the plurality of cores, each MISR register corresponding to one of the plurality of processing cores and a corresponding plurality of XOR logic gates, each XOR logic gate coupled to the compare value register and a corresponding one of the MISR registers and configured to signal whether or not the event the compare value register and the corresponding MISR register match and logic, stored and executed on the processor, for transmitting the signals generated by the plurality of XOR logic gates.
US09336103B1 Using a network bubble across multiple hosts on a disaster recovery site for fire drill testing of a multi-tiered application
A DR site is maintained containing multiple VMs distributed across multiple hosts to which a multi-tiered application can be failed over from a production site. A network bubble is created in which the multi-tiered application can be fire drill tested without conflicting with the production instance. Each VM is cloned, and cloned VMs communicate using private IP addresses. A virtual switch is created on each host, and configured for cloned VM communication. On each host, a virtual router is configured with both a public virtual adapter and a private virtual adapter. The source VMs communicate using public IP addresses over the physical channel, via the external virtual switches on the hosts, and are available for failover from the production site. The cloned VMs communicate using private IP addresses via the virtual switches and private virtual adapters of the virtual routers, thereby forming the network bubble.
US09336098B2 Method of synchronizing data
A method for use in a database cluster is provided. A given transaction is executed at a first given node of the database cluster. The first given node identifies one or more keys referenced by the given transaction. The first given node then assigns a key type to each of the one or more keys referenced by the given transaction. Accordingly, the key type is selected from a group including: exclusive; semi-exclusive; and/or shared.
US09336097B2 Salvaging hardware transactions
A transactional memory system salvages a partially executed hardware transaction. A processor of the transactional memory system determines information about an about-to-fail handler for transactional execution of a code region of a hardware transaction. The processor saves state information of the hardware transaction, the state information usable to determine whether the hardware transaction is to be salvaged or to be aborted. The processor detects an about-to-fail condition during the transactional execution of the hardware transaction. The processor, based on the detecting, executes the about-to-fail handler using the information about the about-to-fail handler, the about-to-fail handler determining whether the hardware transaction is to be salvaged or to be aborted.
US09336092B1 Secure data deduplication
Data chunks encrypted using an encryption key are backed up to a server. Each chunk is associated with plain and encryption signatures. The plain signature is based on an unencrypted version of a chunk. The encryption signature is based on an encrypted version of the chunk. A new data chunk is identified and a new plain signature for the new chunk is calculated. A request is made for a current key and the new chunk is encrypted using the current key to obtain a new encryption signature. The new encryption and plain signatures are sent to the server for comparison against the existing encryption and plain signatures. If the new encryption signature does not match an encryption signature of an existing chunk and the new plain signature matches a plain signature of the existing chunk, the new chunk is transmitted to the server to replace the existing chunk.
US09336089B2 Processing apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
A processing apparatus includes a first memory, a second memory, a capacitor, and a processor coupled to the first memory and the second memory. The processor is configured to cause power feeding from the capacitor, and execute a first processing to cause the first memory to hold data, after the power feeding is caused from the capacitor, cause a battery to start power feeding in at least one of a case where the power feeding from an external power source is not started after being halted and an output voltage of the capacitor has fallen below a first value, and a case where the power feeding from the external power source is not started after being halted and a first time period has elapsed, and execute a second processing to write the data from the first memory into the second memory during the power feeding from the battery.
US09336088B2 Method and apparatus for managing and verifying car traveling information, and system using the same
The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for managing and verifying car traveling information, and a system using the same. The method for managing car traveling information includes receiving traveling image data and traveling record data; extracting computation data for integrity computation from at least one of the traveling image data and the traveling record data; generating integrity verification data by computing predetermined identification number data and the computation data; and generating integrity traveling data by combining the traveling image data, the traveling record data and the integrity verification data. In this way, integrity of an image from a black box for cars can be easily verified while maintaining an original copy of the image and related traveling record data.
US09336086B2 Apparatuses and methods including error correction code organization
Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having first memory cells, a first access line configured to access the first memory cells, second memory cells, and a second access line configured to access the second memory cells. One of such apparatuses can include a controller configured to cause data to be stored in a memory portion of the first memory cells, to cause a first portion of an error correction code associated with the data to be stored in another memory portion of the first memory cells, and to cause a second portion of the error correction code to be stored in the second memory cells. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
US09336085B2 Memory system and memory controller
A memory system according to the embodiment comprises a memory device including plural memory cells capable of storing d bits of data and operative to read/write data at every page; and a memory controller operative to control the memory device. The memory controller includes a page buffer operative to hold page data to be read from/written in a page of the memory device and send/receive the page data to/from the memory device, a data processing unit operative to detect and correct an error in the page data by processing target data in a finite field Zp modulo p generated based on the page data (p is a prime that satisfies 2