Document Document Title
US09349895B2 Encapsulating material for solar cell and solar cell module
An encapsulating material for solar cell excellent in a balance among properties including transparency, flexibility, adhesiveness, heat resistance, appearance, crosslinking properties, electrical properties and calender moldability. The encapsulating material includes an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer satisfying the following requirements: (a1) the content ratio of structural units derived from ethylene is from 80 to 90 mol % and the content ratio of structural units derived from α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms is from 10 to 20 mol %; (a2) MFR is equal to or more than 2 g/10 minutes and less than 10 g/10 minutes as measured under the conditions of a temperature of 190 degrees centigrade and a load of 2.16 kg in accordance with ASTM D1238; (a3) the density is from 0.865 to 0.884 g/cm3 as measured in accordance with ASTM D1505; and (a4) the shore A hardness is from 60 to 85 as measured in accordance with ASTM D2240.
US09349893B2 Photovoltaic module ground mount
A photovoltaic module ground mounting system can include a collapsible photovoltaic module mounting assembly framework.
US09349890B2 Solar cell and solar cell system
A solar cell includes an integrated structure and a reflector. The integrated structure includes a first electrode layer, a P-type silicon layer, an N-type silicon layer, and a second electrode layer arranged in the above sequence; a P-N junction near an interface between the P-type silicon layer and the N-type silicon layer; a photoreceptive surface exposing the P-N junction. The photoreceptive surface is on a curved surface of the integrated structure and is configured to receive incident light beams. The reflector is on another side of the integrated structure, opposite to the photoreceptive surface.
US09349888B2 Photovoltaic nanocomposite comprising solution processed inorganic bulk nano-heterojunctions, solar cell and photodiode devices comprising the nanocomposite
Photovoltaic nanocomposite and solar cell device including the photovoltaic nanocomposite, where the photovoltaic nanocomposite includes a film of solution processed semiconductor materials having an n-type material selected from n-type quantum dots and n-type nanocrystals, and a p-type material selected from p-type quantum dots and p-type nanocrystals, and where the n-type material has a conduction band level at least equal, compared to vacuum level, to that of the p-type material, the p-type material has a valence band at the most equal, compared to vacuum level, to that of the n-type material. at least a portion of the n-type material and at least a portion of the p-type material are present in a bulk nano-heterojunction binary nanocomposite layer having a blend of the n-type material and the p-type material.
US09349887B2 Three-dimensional thin-film solar cells
A three-dimensional thin-film solar cell comprising a three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate having a prism array design comprising a plurality dual-aperture unit cells with emitter junction regions and doped base regions. The three-dimensional thin-film solar cell comprises emitter metallization regions and base metallization regions.
US09349885B2 Multilayer transparent electroconductive film and method for manufacturing same, as well as thin-film solar cell and method for manufacturing same
A multilayer transparent electroconductive film is obtained by stacking a transparent electroconductive film (II) on a transparent electroconductive film (I), and in this structure, the transparent electroconductive film (I) contains one or more added elements selected from aluminum and gallium, and the content of the added elements is in a range represented by −2.18×[Al]+1.74≦[Ga]≦−1.92×[Al]+6.10. The transparent electroconductive film (II) contains one or more added elements selected from aluminum and gallium, and the content of the added elements is in a range represented by −[Al]+0.30≦[Ga]≦−2.68×[Al]+1.74. In this case, [Al] is the aluminum content expressed as the atomic ratio (%) Al/(Zn+Al) and [Ga] is the gallium content expressed as the atomic ratio (%) Ga/(Zn+Ga).
US09349881B2 Diode element and detecting device
Provided is a diode element, a detecting device, and the like which solve problems of a conventional lateral diode element. In the conventional element, a semiconductor interface appears in current path between two electrodes on a surface thereof, and thus noise caused by the interface is large. The diode element includes: a first-conductive-type low carrier concentration layer; a first-conductive-type high carrier concentration layer; and a Schottky electrode and an ohmic electrode which are formed on a semiconductor surface. The low carrier layer has a carrier concentration that is lower than that of the high carrier layer. The diode element includes a first-conductive-type impurity introducing region formed below the ohmic electrode, and includes a second-conductive-type impurity introducing region so as not to be in electrical contact with the Schottky electrode on the semiconductor surface between the Schottky and the ohmic. The second-conductive-type region is in contact with the first-conductive-type region.
US09349879B2 Non-volatile memory devices including blocking insulation patterns with sub-layers having different energy band gaps
A non-volatile memory device may include a semiconductor substrate and an isolation layer on the semiconductor substrate wherein the isolation layer defines an active region of the semiconductor substrate. A tunnel insulation layer may be provided on the active region of the semiconductor substrate, and a charge storage pattern may be provided on the tunnel insulation layer. An interface layer pattern may be provided on the charge storage pattern, and a blocking insulation pattern may be provided on the interface layer pattern. Moreover, the block insulation pattern may include a high-k dielectric material, and the interface layer pattern and the blocking insulation pattern may include different materials. A control gate electrode may be provided on the blocking insulating layer so that the blocking insulation pattern is between the interface layer pattern and the control gate electrode. Related methods are also discussed.
US09349878B2 Multi level programmable memory structure
A memory structure includes a memory cell, and the memory cell includes following elements. A first gate is disposed on a substrate. A stacked structure includes a first dielectric structure, a channel layer, a second dielectric structure and a second gate disposed on the first gate, a first charge storage structure disposed in the first dielectric structure and a second charge storage structure disposed in the second dielectric structure. The first charge storage structure is a singular charge storage unit and the second charge storage structure comprises two charge storage units which are physically separated. A channel output line physically connected to the channel layer. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the first gate at two sides of the stacked structure. A first source or drain and a second source or drain are disposed on the first dielectric layer and located at two sides of the channel layer.
US09349876B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory according to an embodiment includes: a semiconductor region; a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor region; a charge storage film formed on the first insulating film; a hydrogen diffusion preventing film formed on the charge storage film; a second insulating film formed on the hydrogen diffusion preventing film; a control gate electrode formed on the second insulating film; a hydrogen discharge film formed on the control gate electrode; and a sidewall formed on a side surface of a multilayer structure including the first insulating film, the charge storage film, the hydrogen diffusion preventing film, the second insulating film, and the control gate electrode, the sidewall containing a material for preventing hydrogen from diffusing.
US09349874B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to improve field effect mobility of a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor. Another object is to suppress increase in off current even in a thin film transistor with improved field effect mobility. In a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor layer, by forming a semiconductor layer having higher electrical conductivity and a smaller thickness than the oxide semiconductor layer between the oxide semiconductor layer and a gate insulating layer, field effect mobility of the thin film transistor can be improved, and increase in off current can be suppressed.
US09349873B1 Oxide semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
Provided is an oxide semiconductor device. A source, a drain, and a first gate are buried in a first dielectric layer, and the first gate is located between the source and the drain. A first barrier layer is located on the first dielectric layer, partially overlaps the source and the drain and overlaps the first gate. The first barrier layer includes a first opening and a second opening respectively corresponds to the source and the drain. An oxide semiconductor layer covers the first barrier layer and fills in the first opening and the second opening. A second barrier layer is located on the oxide semiconductor layer. A second gate is located on the second barrier layer and overlaps with the source, the drain, and the first gate.
US09349869B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
To reduce defects in an oxide semiconductor film in a semiconductor device. To improve the electrical characteristics and the reliability of a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor film. In a semiconductor device including a transistor including a gate electrode formed over a substrate, a gate insulating film covering the gate electrode, a multilayer film overlapping with the gate electrode with the gate insulating film provided therebetween, and a pair of electrodes in contact with the multilayer film, a first oxide insulating film covering the transistor, and a second oxide insulating film formed over the first oxide insulating film, the multilayer film includes an oxide semiconductor film and an oxide film containing In or Ga, the first oxide insulating film is an oxide insulating film through which oxygen is permeated, and the second oxide insulating film is an oxide insulating film containing more oxygen than that in the stoichiometric composition.
US09349868B1 Gate all-around FinFET device and a method of manufacturing same
A method for manufacturing a fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) device, comprises patterning a first layer on a substrate to form at least one fin, patterning a second layer under the first layer to remove a portion of the second layer on sides of the at least one fin, forming a sacrificial gate electrode on the at least one fin, and a spacer on the sacrificial gate electrode, selectively removing the sacrificial gate electrode, depositing an oxide layer on top and side portions of the at least one fin corresponding to a channel region of the at least one fin, performing thermal oxidation to condense the at least one fin in the channel region until a bottom portion of the at least one fin is undercut, and stripping a resultant oxide layer from the thermal oxidation, leaving a gap in the channel region between a bottom portion of the at least one fin and the second layer.
US09349866B2 Structure and method for FinFET device
The present disclosure provides an embodiment of a fin-like field-effect transistor (FinFET) device. The device includes a fin structure disposed over a substrate. The fin structure includes a semiconductor oxide layer disposed over the substrate, which has a top surface facing away from the substrate, a first semiconductor material layer disposed over and spaced apart from the semiconductor oxide layer, which has a top surface facing away from the substrate and an opposing bottom surface facing the substrate, and a dielectric sidewall spacer disposed along a sidewall of the semiconductor oxide layer and extending to the first semiconductor material layer. The device also includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the fin structure and a gate electrode layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode extends between the top surface of the semiconductor oxide layer and the bottom surface of the first semiconductor material layer.
US09349863B2 Anchored stress-generating active semiconductor regions for semiconductor-on-insulator finfet
After formation of a gate structure and a gate spacer, portions of an insulator layer underlying a semiconductor fin are etched to physically expose semiconductor surfaces of an underlying semiconductor material layer from underneath a source region and a drain region. Each of the extended source region and the extended drain region includes an anchored single crystalline semiconductor material portion that is in epitaxial alignment to the single crystalline semiconductor structure of the underlying semiconductor material layer and laterally applying a stress to the semiconductor fin. Because each anchored single crystalline semiconductor material portion is in epitaxial alignment with the underlying semiconductor material layer, the channel of the fin field effect transistor is effectively stressed along the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fin.
US09349862B2 Method of fabricating semiconductor devices
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a gate having a first material on a substrate and a layer of a second material overlaying the gate. Sidewall spacers are formed on opposite sides of the gate. A characteristic of a portion of the substrate between adjacent sidewall spacers is changed using the layer of second material and the sidewall spacers as a mask. An isotropic wet etch process is performed to remove the substrate portion with a changed characteristic to form a recess in the substrate. An orientation selective wet etching process is performed on the recess to shape the inner walls of the recess into sigma-shape. Changing a substrate characteristic in conjunction with isotropic wet etching prevents the substrate from being damaged, and therefore can obtain defect free epitaxial SiGe growth performance.
US09349861B1 Silicon-on-insulator substrates having selectively formed strained and relaxed device regions
A method of forming a semiconductor device substrate includes forming a donor wafer having a surface comprising regions of relaxed silicon and regions of relaxed silicon germanium (SiGe); epitaxially growing a silicon device layer on the surface of the donor wafer, wherein the silicon device layer comprises tensile strained silicon on the regions of relaxed silicon germanium of the donor wafer, and wherein the silicon device layer comprises relaxed silicon on the regions of relaxed silicon of the donor wafer; and transferring the silicon device layer from the donor wafer to a handle wafer comprising a bulk substrate and an insulator layer, so as to form a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate with the silicon device layer maintaining regions of tensile strained silicon and regions of relaxed silicon.
US09349857B2 Trench power MOSFET and manufacturing method thereof
A trench power MOSFET and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The gate of the trench power MOSFET includes an upper doped region and a lower doped region which have different types of doping to form a PN junction. As such, when the trench power MOSFET is in operation, a junction capacitance formed at the PN junction is in series with the intrinsic gate-to-drain capacitance. Accordingly, the effective capacitance between the gate and the drain may be reduced.
US09349856B2 Semiconductor device including first interface and second interface as an upper surface of a convex protruded from first interface and manufacturing device thereof
A semiconductor device includes a first n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, a second n-type semiconductor layer and a trench. The first n-type semiconductor layer includes a first interface and a second interface. The second interface forms an upper surface of a convex protruded from the first interface. The p-type semiconductor layer is stacked on the first n-type semiconductor layer and includes a first region stacked on the first interface and a second region stacked on the second interface. The first region is uniformly continuous with the second region. The second n-type semiconductor layer is stacked on the p-type semiconductor layer. The trench is depressed from the second n-type semiconductor layer through the p-type semiconductor layer into the convex of the first n-type semiconductor layer.
US09349849B2 Semiconductor device and electronic device including the semiconductor device
In a semiconductor device including a transistor, an oxygen release type oxide insulating film is formed in contact with a channel formation region of the transistor. The channel formation region is formed in an oxide semiconductor film. Oxygen is supplied from the oxide insulating film to the oxide semiconductor film. Further, an oxygen bather film which penetrates the oxide insulating film is formed around the channel formation region, whereby a diffusion of oxygen to the wiring, the electrode, and the like connected to the transistor can be suppressed.
US09349847B2 Semiconductor device and power converter
A semiconductor device of this invention (an IGBT with a built-in diode) includes: an n−-type drift layer 1; a p-type channel region 2 that is arranged in contact with the surface side of this n−-type drift layer 1; a gate electrode 5 that is provided in a trench T provided so as to penetrate this p-type channel region 2 and reach to the n−-type drift layer 1 through a gate insulating film 3; an n-type source region 4 that is provided so as to contact the trench T on the surface side of the p-type channel region 2; a high-concentration n-type region 6 that is arranged in contact with the back side of the n−-type drift layer 1; and a high-concentration p-type region 7 that is arranged in contact with the back side of this high-concentration n-type region 6; in which a junction of the high-concentration n-type region 6 and the high-concentration p-type region 7 is a tunnel junction. According to this semiconductor device, it is possible to form the IGBT and the diode on a single chip. Moreover, it is possible to avoid problems of “snap back” and “current concentration.”
US09349846B1 Lateral bipolar junction transistors having high current-driving capability
A bipolar junction transistor includes a common base region, a plurality of emitter regions disposed in the common base region and arrayed to be spaced apart from each other in a first diagonal direction, and a plurality of collector regions disposed in the common base region and arrayed to be spaced apart from each other in the first diagonal direction. The plurality of emitter regions and the plurality of collector regions are alternately arrayed in a second diagonal direction.
US09349842B2 Methods of forming semiconductor devices comprising ferroelectric elements and fast high-K metal gate transistors
Ferroelectric circuit elements, such as field effect transistors or capacitors, may be formed on the basis of hafnium oxide, which may also be used during the fabrication of sophisticated high-k metal gate electrode structures of fast transistors. To this end, the hafnium-based oxide having appropriate thickness and material composition may be patterned at any appropriate manufacturing stage, without unduly affecting the overall process flow for fabricating a sophisticated high-k metal gate electrode structure.
US09349840B2 Methods of forming stressed channel regions for a FinFET semiconductor device and the resulting device
An illustrative method includes forming a FinFET device above structure comprising a semiconductor substrate, a first epi semiconductor material and a second epi semiconductor material that includes forming an initial fin structure that comprises portions of the semiconductor substrate, the first epi material and the second epi material, recessing a layer of insulating material such that a portion, but not all, of the second epi material portion of the initial fin structure is exposed so as to define a final fin structure, forming a gate structure above and around the final fin structure, removing the first epi material of the initial fin structure and thereby define an under-fin cavity under the final fin structure and substantially filling the under-fin cavity with a stressed material.
US09349839B2 FinFET device structure and methods of making same
Embodiments of the present disclosure are a method of forming a semiconductor device, a method of forming a FinFET device, a FinFET device. An embodiment a method for semiconductor device, the method comprising forming a first dielectric layer over a substrate, forming a first hardmask layer over the first dielectric layer, and patterning the first hardmask layer to form a first hardmask portion with a first width. The method further comprises forming a first raised portion of the first dielectric layer with the first width, wherein the first raised portion is aligned with the first hardmask portion, and forming a first spacer and a second spacer over the first dielectric layer, wherein the first spacer and the second spacer are on opposite sides of the first raised portion, and wherein the sidewalls of the first spacer and the second spacer are substantially orthogonal to the top surface of the substrate.
US09349837B2 Recessing STI to increase Fin height in Fin-first process
A method includes forming a semiconductor fin over top surfaces of insulation regions, and forming a gate stack on a top surface and sidewalls of a middle portion of the semiconductor fin. The insulation regions include first portions overlapped by the gate stack, and second portions misaligned from the gate stack. An end portion of the semiconductor fin is etched to form a recess located between the second portions of the insulation regions. An epitaxy is performed to grow a source/drain region from the recess. After the epitaxy, a recessing is performed to recess the second portions of the insulation regions, with the second portions of the insulation regions having first top surfaces after the first recessing. A dielectric mask layer is formed on the first top surfaces of the second portions of the insulation regions. The dielectric mask layer further extends on a sidewall of the gate stack.
US09349836B2 Fin end spacer for preventing merger of raised active regions
After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.
US09349831B2 Integrated circuit device with well controlled surface proximity and method of manufacturing same
An integrated circuit device and method for manufacturing the integrated circuit device is disclosed. The disclosed method provides improved control over a surface proximity and tip depth of integrated circuit device. In an embodiment, the method achieves improved control by forming a doped region and a lightly doped source and drain (LDD) region in a source and drain region of the device. The doped region is implanted with a dopant type opposite the LDD region.
US09349830B2 Semiconductor element and manufacturing method and operating method of the same
A semiconductor element and a manufacturing method and an operating method of the same are provided. The semiconductor element includes a substrate, a first well, a first heavily doping region, at least a second heavily doping region, a gate layer, a third heavily doping region, and a fourth heavily doping region. The first well and the third heavily doping region are disposed on the substrate. The first and fourth heavily doping regions are disposed in the first well. The second heavily doping region is disposed in the first heavily doping region. The gate layer is disposed on the first well. The first, third, and fourth heavily doping regions having a first type doping are separated from one another. The first well and the second heavily doping region have a second type doping complementary to the first type doping.
US09349823B2 Methods of scaling thickness of a gate dielectric structure, methods of forming an integrated circuit, and integrated circuits
Methods of scaling thickness of a gate dielectric structure that overlies a semiconductor substrate, methods of forming an integrated circuit, and integrated circuits are provided. A method of scaling thickness of a gate dielectric structure that overlies a semiconductor substrate includes providing the semiconductor substrate. An interfacial oxide layer is formed in or on the semiconductor substrate. A high-k dielectric layer is formed over the interfacial oxide layer. An oxygen reservoir is formed over at least a portion of the high-k dielectric layer. A sealant layer is formed over the oxygen reservoir. The semiconductor substrate including the oxygen reservoir disposed thereon is annealed to diffuse oxygen through the high-k dielectric layer and the interfacial oxide layer from the oxygen reservoir. Annealing extends the interfacial oxide layer into the semiconductor substrate at portions of the semiconductor substrate that underlie the oxygen reservoir to form a regrown interfacial region in or on the semiconductor substrate.
US09349812B2 Semiconductor device with self-aligned contact and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device with a self-aligned contact and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein the method comprises the step of forming a 1st dielectric layer on gate structures, form a self-aligned contact trench between two gate structures, forming an 2nd dielectric layer on the 1st dielectric layer and in the self-aligned contact trench; patterning the 2nd dielectric layer into a 1st portion on the 1st dielectric layer and a 2nd portion filling in the self-aligned contact trench, using the 2nd dielectric layer as a mask to etch the 1st dielectric layer, and forming a metal layer and a self-aligned contact simultaneously in the 1st dielectric layer and in the self-aligned contact trench.
US09349809B1 Aspect ratio trapping and lattice engineering for III/V semiconductors
A method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method may include; forming a hardmask on a strained semiconductor, the strained semiconductor is on a substrate; relaxing edges of the strained semiconductor by forming first trenches through the hardmask and through the strained semiconductor; forming barrier layers in the first trenches; forming a second trench between adjacent barrier layers; and growing a second semiconductor layer on the strained semiconductor having relaxed edges.
US09349807B2 Semiconductor device having GaN-based layer
A semiconductor device includes a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate including one of Si and SiC; a second conductivity type semiconductor region at a surface of the semiconductor substrate, a GaN-based semiconductor layer on the semiconductor substrate, and a lateral semiconductor element at the GaN-based semiconductor layer and above the semiconductor region, the lateral semiconductor element having a first electrode and a second electrode electrically connected to the semiconductor region.
US09349806B2 Semiconductor structure with template for transition metal dichalcogenides channel material growth
Disclosed is a semiconductor structure comprising a single crystal substrate, a channel layer formed above the substrate from a transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) material, and a single crystal epitaxial buffer layer formed between the substrate and the channel layer, wherein the buffer layer is formed from material having a lattice constant mismatch of less than 5% with the lattice constant of the channel layer material. Also, disclosed is a method of forming a semiconductor structure comprising selecting a substrate formed from a single crystal material, preparing the substrate for template growth, growing a template on the substrate wherein the template is formed from single crystal material, and growing channel material on the template wherein the channel material is formed from a TMDC material and wherein the buffer layer material has a lattice constant mismatch of less than 5% with the lattice constant of the channel layer material.
US09349804B2 Composite wafer for bonding and encapsulating an SiC-based functional layer
A composite wafer includes a substrate and a SiC-based functional layer. The substrate includes a porous carbon substrate core and an encapsulating layer encapsulating the substrate core. The SiC-based functional layer comprises, at an interface region with the encapsulating layer, at least one of: a carbide and a silicide formed by reaction of a portion of the SiC-based functional layer with a carbide-and-silicide-forming metal. An amount of the carbide-and-silicide-forming metal, integrated over the thickness of the functional layer, is 10−4 mg/cm2 to 0.1 mg/cm2.
US09349801B2 Method and system for diamond-based oxygen sensor
A diamond based oxygen sensor is able to function in harsh environment conditions. The oxygen sensor includes a gateless field effect transistor including a synthetic, quasi-intrinsic, hydrogen-passivated, monocrystalline diamond layer exhibiting a 2-dimension hole gas effect. The oxygen sensor also includes a sensing layer comprising yttrium-stabilized zirconia deposited onto a surface of the gateless field effect transistor.
US09349800B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes: a first diamond semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type including a main surface having a first plane orientation; a trench structure formed in the first diamond semiconductor layer; a second diamond semiconductor layer formed on the first diamond semiconductor layer in the trench structure and having a lower dopant concentration than the first diamond semiconductor layer; a third diamond semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type formed on the second diamond semiconductor layer and having a higher dopant concentration than the second diamond semiconductor layer; a first electrode electrically connected to the first diamond semiconductor layer; and a second electrode electrically connected to the third diamond semiconductor layer.
US09349795B2 Semiconductor switching device with different local threshold voltage
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of switchable cells defining an active area of the semiconductor device, an outer rim, and an edge termination region arranged between the switchable cells and the outer rim. Each of the switchable cells includes a body region, a gate electrode structure and a source region. A source metallization is in ohmic contact with the source regions of the switchable cells. A a gate metallization is in ohmic contact with the gate electrode structures of the switchable cells. The active area defined by the switchable cells includes at least a first switchable region having a first threshold and at least a second switchable region having a second threshold which is higher than the first threshold. An area assumed by the first switchable region is larger than an area assumed by the second switchable region.
US09349794B2 Layer arrangement
A layer arrangement in accordance with various embodiments may include: a first layer having a side; one or more nanoholes in the first layer that are open towards the side of the first layer; a second layer filling at least part of the nanoholes and covering at least part of the side of the first layer, the second layer including at least one of the following materials: a metal or metal alloy, a glass material, a polymer material, a ceramic material.
US09349791B2 Semiconductor device having oxide semiconductor channel
It is an object to provide a semiconductor device having a new productive semiconductor material and a new structure. The semiconductor device includes a first conductive layer over a substrate, a first insulating layer which covers the first conductive layer, an oxide semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer that overlaps with part of the first conductive layer and has a crystal region in a surface part, second and third conductive layers formed in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, an insulating layer which covers the oxide semiconductor layer and the second and third conductive layers, and a fourth conductive layer over the insulating layer that overlaps with part of the oxide semiconductor layer.
US09349789B1 Coaxial carbon nanotube capacitor for eDRAM
A deep trench (DT) opening is provided in a semiconductor substrate and then conducting carbon nanotubes are formed within the DT. Each conducting carbon nanotube is coated with a high k dielectric material and thereafter the remaining volume of the DT is filled with a conductive material.
US09349788B2 Thin film capacitors embedded in polymer dielectric
A substrate comprising a capacitor comprising metal electrodes and a ceramic or metal oxide dielectric layer, the capacitor being embedded in a polymer based encapsulating material and connectable to a circuit via a via post standing on said capacitor.
US09349787B1 Integrated circuits with capacitors and methods of producing the same
Integrated circuits and methods for producing the same are provided. A method for producing an integrated circuit includes forming a capacitor trench through a dielectric layer, and forming a base layer overlying the dielectric layer and within the capacitor trench. A base layer via gap is formed in the base layer, where the base layer via gap is positioned overlying the dielectric layer and the first contact. A base plate and a shield are formed from the base layer, where the base plate is within the capacitor trench. A capacitor insulating layer is formed overlying the base plate, the base layer, and within the base layer via gap, and a via is formed through the base layer via gap. A second contact and a top plate are simultaneously formed, where the second contact is formed in the via and the top plate is formed in the capacitor trench.
US09349786B2 Fractal structures for fixed MEMS capacitors
An embodiment of a fractal fixed capacitor comprises a capacitor body in a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure. The capacitor body has a first plate with a fractal shape separated by a horizontal distance from a second plate with a fractal shape. The first plate and the second plate are within the same plane. Such a fractal fixed capacitor further comprises a substrate above which the capacitor body is positioned.
US09349785B2 Formation of semiconductor device with resistors
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, trench isolations, a sacrificial layer, a first resist protect oxide (RPO) layer, a second RPO layer and a silicide layer. The semiconductor substrate has first portions and second portions which are alternately disposed, and each of the second portions includes a first resist region with a first resistance, a second resist region with a second resistance and a silicide region. The second resistance is greater than the first resistance. The trench isolations are in the first portions. The sacrificial layer is on the first resist region. The first RPO layer is on the sacrificial layer. The first RPO layer together with the sacrificial layer have a first thickness. The second RPO layer is on the second resist region, in which the second RPO layer has a second thickness smaller than the first thickness. The silicide layer is on the silicide region.
US09349783B2 Display device
A display device includes at least two subpixels arranged in a first direction, a first data line connected to a first subpixel of the two subpixels, and a second data line connected to a second subpixel of the two subpixels. The first data line is arranged at a first side of the two subpixels and the second data line is arranged at a second side of the two subpixels. The first and second sides are opposing sides relative to the first and second subpixels.
US09349782B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display including a substrate; a scan line formed on the substrate and applying a scan signal; a data line and a driving voltage line intersecting the scan line and respectively applying a data signal and a driving voltage; a switching TFT connected to the scan line and data line; a driving TFT connected to a switching drain electrode TFT and the driving voltage line; an OLED connected to the driving drain electrode; a storage capacitor connected between the driving voltage line and the driving gate electrode; and a boosting capacitor including a first boosting capacitor plate connected to the driving gate electrode and a second boosting capacitor plate overlapping the first boosting capacitor plate and connected to the scan line, where an area of the first boosting capacitor plate of the boosting capacitor is larger than an area of the second boosting capacitor plate.
US09349779B2 Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display (OLED) device is disclosed. The OLED device includes a substrate configured to include a sub-pixel defined into an emission region and a driving region. A first bank pattern configured to define the emission region of the sub-pixel is formed on the substrate. A second bank pattern configured to include an opening, which exposes the emission region and a part of the driving region, is formed on a part of an upper surface of the first bank pattern. An organic emission layer is formed in the opening. As such, the occupied area of the organic emission layer becomes wider. Therefore, the thickness deviation of the organic emission layer is prevented or minimized.
US09349777B2 Display device and operating method thereof
A display device including a bendable display panel, and an operation method thereof. The display device includes a display panel including a flexible substrate and a display unit and a bending adjusting member fixed to a rear surface of the display panel, and changeable between a flat state and a bending state by external force. The bending adjusting member is bent in a width direction to form a curvature, has elasticity in the width direction and a longitudinal direction, and is maintained in any one state between the flat state and the bending state under a condition of non-application of external force.
US09349774B2 Organic light emitting diode display device and method of fabricating the same
An organic light emitting diode display device includes a substrate including a display and non-display regions at a periphery of the display region with red, green, blue and white pixel regions as one pixel group formed in the display region, and the display region divided into a first region and a second region; an organic emitting diode in each of the red, green, blue and white pixel regions; first to third power lines respectively disposed at an end of the first region, at an opposite end of the second region and a boundary of the first and second regions and connected to the organic emitting diode; a first drive integrated circuit connected to the first and third power lines; and a second drive integrated circuit connected to the second and third power lines, wherein the first and second regions are symmetric with respect to the third power line.
US09349772B2 Methods for fabricatingintegrated circuits with spin torque transfer magnetic randomaccess memory (STT-MRAM) including a passivation layer formed along lateral sidewalls of a magnetic tunnel junction of the STT-MRAM
A method of fabricating an integrated circuit includes depositing a bottom electrode layer, an MTJ layer, and a top electrode layer over a passivation layer and within a trench of the passivation layer and removing portions of the MTJ layer and the top electrode layer to form an MTJ/top electrode stack over the bottom electrode layer and at least partially within portions of the trench having being reopened by said removing. The method further includes forming a further passivation layer over the MTJ/top electrode stack, forming a further ILD layer of the further passivation layer, and reforming a top electrode layer over the ILD layer and over the MTJ/top electrode stack. Still further, the method includes removing portions of the bottom electrode layer, the further passivation layer, the further ILD layer, and the re-formed top electrode layer to form a bottom electrode/MTJ/top electrode stack.
US09349766B2 Solid-state imaging device
According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor layer, an organic photoelectric conversion layer, and microlenses. A plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are provided in the semiconductor layer. The organic photoelectric conversion layer is provided on a light receiving surface of the semiconductor layer, absorbs and photoelectrically converts light of a predetermined wavelength region, and transmits light of a wavelength region except for the predetermined wavelength region. The microlenses are provided at positions facing the respective light receiving surfaces of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements with the organic photoelectric conversion layer interposed therebetween, and concentrate incident light on the photoelectric conversion elements.
US09349762B2 Pixel array, image sensor including the same, and method of compensating for local dark current
A pixel array for an image sensor is provided. The pixel array includes a dark pixel which is configured to detect a local dark current in an active pixel block. The dark pixel is distinguished from an optical black pixel block which is arranged around the active pixel block and is configured to detect a global dark current. The pixel array is configured to compensate for dark shading, which is not compensated through global dark current compensation, using the local dark current output from the dark pixel which is arranged within the active pixel block.
US09349755B2 Array substrate and display device
Disclosed is an array substrate including gate lines (210), data lines (220) formed on a base substrate and a plurality of pixel units defined by intersecting the gate lines (210) and the data lines (220). Each pixel unit includes a TFT. In an overlapping area between an active layer (230) and a source (240) of the TFT, the active layer (230) includes at least two first tabs (231) beyond a gate (260) of the TFT which are located on both sides of a central line of the active layer (230) parallel to the gate line (210) respectively and the two first tabs (231) have a same width in a direction of gate line (210). The above-mentioned array substrate can guarantee that the gate-source capacitance is substantially identical to a predesigned capacitance even if the active layer experiences misalignment while being manufactured, thereby decreasing the error of the common electrode voltage Vcom. Further disclosed is a display device including the above-mentioned array substrate.
US09349754B2 Display device and method for manufacturing the same
A display device including a substrate including a display area and a non-display area, wherein the non-display area comprises a gate metal line positioned on the substrate, a gate insulating layer insulating the gate metal layer, a data metal line positioned on the gate insulating layer, and two or more protective layers positioned in a region in which the gate metal line and the data metal line overlap above the data metal line.
US09349752B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A first oxide insulating film is formed over a substrate. After a first oxide semiconductor film is formed over the first oxide insulating film, heat treatment is performed, so that hydrogen contained in the first oxide semiconductor film is released and part of oxygen contained in the first oxide insulating film is diffused into the first oxide semiconductor film. Thus, a second oxide semiconductor film with reduced hydrogen concentration and reduced oxygen defect is formed. Then, the second oxide semiconductor film is selectively etched to form a third oxide semiconductor film, and a second oxide insulating film is formed. The second oxide insulating film is selectively etched and a protective film covering an end portion of the third oxide semiconductor film is formed. Then, a pair of electrodes, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode are formed over the third oxide semiconductor film and the protective film.
US09349749B2 Semiconductor device including SIU butted junction to reduce short-channel penalty
A semiconductor device comprises first and second gate stacks formed on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The SOI substrate includes a dielectric layer interposed between a bulk substrate layer and an active semiconductor layer. A first extension implant portion is disposed adjacent to the first gate stack and a second extension implant portion is disposed adjacent to the second gate stack. A halo implant extends continuously about the trench. A butting implant extends between the trench and the dielectric layer. An epitaxial layer is formed at the exposed region such that the butting implant is interposed between the epitaxial layer and the dielectric layer.
US09349742B2 Embedded memory and methods of forming the same
An embedded flash memory device includes a gate stack, and source and drain regions in the semiconductor substrate. The first source and drain regions are on opposite sides of the gate stack. The gate stack includes a bottom dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, a charge trapping layer over the bottom dielectric layer, a top dielectric layer over the charge trapping layer, a high-k dielectric layer over the top dielectric layer, and a metal gate over the high-k dielectric layer.
US09349741B2 Recessed salicide structure to integrate a flash memory device with a high κ, metal gate logic device
An integrated circuit for an embedded flash memory device is provided. A semiconductor substrate includes a memory region and a logic region adjacent to the memory region. A logic device is arranged over the logic region and includes a metal gate separated from the semiconductor substrate by a material having a dielectric constant exceeding 3.9. A flash memory cell device is arranged over the memory region. The flash memory cell device includes a memory cell gate electrically insulated on opposing sides by corresponding dielectric regions. A silicide contact pad is arranged over a top surface of the memory cell gate. The top surface of the memory cell gate and a top surface of the silicide contact pad are recessed relative to a top surface of the metal gate and top surfaces of the dielectric regions. A method of manufacturing the integrated circuit is also provided.
US09349736B2 Method for manufacturing high-strength structural stacked capacitor
The instant disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing high-strength structural stacked capacitor. The novel feature of the instant disclosure is forming a part of upper electrode layer to cover the first/outer surface of each of the lower electrode layers before removing the sacrificial layer, and forming another part of upper electrode layer to cover the second/inner surface of each of the lower electrode layers after removing the sacrificial layer. Hence, the structure strength of the lower electrode layer in all process steps has been improved.
US09349735B2 Semiconductor device
An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure in which stored data can be stored even when power is not supplied in a data storing time and there is no limitation on the number of times of writing. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor which includes a first channel formation region using a semiconductor material other than an oxide semiconductor, a second transistor which includes a second channel formation region using an oxide semiconductor material, and a capacitor. One of a second source electrode and a second drain electrode of the second transistor is electrically connected to one electrode of the capacitor.
US09349733B2 Gate structure having spacer with flat top surface and method for forming the same
A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first gate structure formed over a substrate. The semiconductor structure includes a first spacer formed on a sidewall of the first gate structure. In addition, a top surface of the first spacer is parallel to a top surface of the substrate.
US09349730B2 Fin transformation process and isolation structures facilitating different Fin isolation schemes
Methods and semiconductor structures formed from the methods are provided which facilitate fabricating semiconductor fin structures. The methods include, for example: providing a wafer with at least one semiconductor fin extending above a substrate; transforming a portion of the semiconductor fin(s) into an isolation layer, the isolation layer separating a semiconductor layer of the semiconductor fin(s) from the substrate; and proceeding with forming a fin device(s) of a first architectural type in a first fin region of the semiconductor fin(s), and a fin device(s) of a second architectural type in a second fin region of the semiconductor fin(s), where the first architectural type and the second architectural type are different fin device architectures.
US09349729B2 Semiconductor structures and fabrication method thereof
A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; and forming a first dummy gate on the semiconductor substrate in the first region and a device layer on the semiconductor substrate in the second region. The method also includes forming a dielectric layer on of the first dummy gate and the device layer; and removing the first dummy gate to form a first trench. Further, the method includes forming a first metal layer on the first trench and the surfaces of the dielectric layer and the device layer; and performing a first planarization process onto the first metal layer using a polishing slurry having a first protective agent to form a first gate electrode in the first trench and form a protective layer on the device layer preventing the device layer being damaged during the first planarization process.
US09349728B1 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor thereon and a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer surrounding the MOS transistor; forming a source layer, a drain layer, a first opening between the source layer and the drain layer, and a second ILD layer on the MOS transistor and the first ILD layer, wherein the top surfaces of the source layer, the drain layer, and the second ILD layer are coplanar; forming a channel layer on the second ILD layer, the source layer, and the drain layer and into the first opening; and performing a first planarizing process to remove part of the channel layer so that the top surface of the channel layer is even with the top surfaces of the source layer and the drain layer.
US09349726B2 Semiconductor device fabrication method and structure
A semiconductor device, and a method of fabrication, is introduced. In an embodiment, a dummy gate stack is formed on a substrate. Lightly-doped source/drain regions and highly-doped source/drain regions are formed in the substrate on either sides of the dummy gate stack. An inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed over the substrate. Subsequently, the dummy gate stack is removed and a gate stack is formed in an opening in the ILD layer. The gate stack is formed by forming an interfacial layer in the opening of the ILD layer, forming a gate dielectric layer over the interfacial layer, forming a work function metal layer over the gate dielectric layer, and forming one or more gate electrode layers over the work function metal layer. Contacts are formed in the ILD layer and one or more metallization layers are formed over the ILD layer.
US09349724B2 Semiconductor device having capacitors
A semiconductor device including at least one first capacitor and at least one second capacitor. The at least one first capacitor includes a first storage node having a cylindrical shape. The at least one second capacitor includes a lower second storage node having a hollow pillar shape including a hollow portion, and an upper second storage node having a cylindrical shape and extending upward from the lower second storage node.
US09349720B2 Integrated circuit device
An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, an active element and a passive element. The active element is made of the semiconductor substrate. The passive element includes a functional element filled in a groove or hole provided in the semiconductor substrate along a thickness direction thereof and is electrically connected to the active element. The functional element has a Si—O bond region obtained by reacting Si particles with an organic Si compound.
US09349719B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor on a first side of a shallow trench isolation (STI) region and a second transistor on a second side of the STI region. The first transistor includes a first conductive portion having a second conductivity type formed within a well having a first conductivity type, a first nanowire connected to the first conductive portion and a first active area, and a first gate surrounding the first nanowire. The second transistor includes a second conductive portion having the second conductivity type formed within the well, a second nanowire connected to the second conductive portion and a second active area, and a second gate surrounding the second nanowire. Excess current from an ESD event travels through the first conductive portion through the well to the second conductive portion bypassing the first nanowire and the second nanowire.
US09349717B2 Noise cancellation for a magnetically coupled communication link utilizing a lead frame
An integrated circuit package includes an encapsulation and a lead frame with a portion of the lead frame disposed within the encapsulation. The lead frame includes a first conductor having a first conductive loop and a third conductive loop disposed within the encapsulation. The third conductive loop is wound in a direction relative to the first conductive loop such that the first conductive loop is coupled out of phase with the third conductive loop. The lead frame also includes a second conductor galvanically isolated from the first conductor. The second conductor includes a second conductive loop disposed within the encapsulation proximate to the first conductive loop to provide a communication link between the first and second conductors.
US09349716B2 Electrostatic discharge protection device
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device is disclosed including at least an NPN transistor and a PNP transistor coupled between a first node and a second node, wherein the ESD protection device may be configured to sink current from the first node to the second node in response to an ESD event. The transistors may be coupled such that a collector of the NPN may be coupled to the first node. A collector of the PNP may be coupled to the second node. A base of the NPN may be coupled to the emitter of the PNP. An emitter of the NPN may be coupled to a base of the PNP.
US09349709B2 Electronic component with sheet-like redistribution structure
An electronic component comprising an electrically conductive chip carrier comprising an electrically insulating core structure at least partially covered with electrically conductive material, at least one electronic chip each having a first main surface attached to the chip carrier, and a sheet-like redistribution structure attached to a second main surface of the at least one electronic chip and configured for electrically connecting the second main surface of the at least one electronic chip with the chip carrier.
US09349707B1 Contact arrangements for stackable microelectronic package structures with multiple ranks
An apparatus relates generally to a microelectronic assembly. In this apparatus, a first substrate and a second substrate each have opposing surfaces. Contact arrangements are disposed on a surface of the first substrate, including: first contacts disposed as a ring to provide a first array of the contact arrangements on such surface; and second contacts disposed interior to the ring of the first contacts to provide a second array of the contact arrangements on the first surface. The first contacts and the second contacts are for interconnection with first microelectronic dies and second microelectronic dies. The second microelectronic dies are disposed below the first microelectronic dies in same a package as the first microelectronic dies. The first microelectronic dies and the second microelectronic dies include at least two ranks thereof for commonly sharing the first contacts and the second contacts among the first microelectronic dies and the second microelectronic dies.
US09349703B2 Method for making high density substrate interconnect using inkjet printing
Generally discussed herein are systems and apparatuses that include a dense interconnect bridge and techniques for making the same. According to an example a technique can include creating a multidie substrate, printing an interconnect bridge on the multidie substrate, electrically coupling a first die to a second die by coupling the first and second dies through the interconnect bridge.
US09349702B2 Chip bonding method and driving chip of display
A chip bonding method for bonding a chip on a display panel is provided. The chip includes a joint face, a rear face, input bumps and output bumps. The joint face having a first symmetry axis line is opposite to the rear face. The input bumps and the output bumps are respectively located on two sides of the symmetry axis line and disposed on the joint face. The chip bonding method includes: calculating a first centroid collectively formed by contact faces of the input bumps and the output bumps, defining a straight line passing through the first centroid and parallel to the first symmetry axis line, and applying pressure on the rear face of the chip by a forcing face parallel to the joint face, wherein the forcing face has a second symmetry axis line aligned parallel to the straight line.
US09349701B2 Self-aligning conductive bump structure and method of fabrication
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a major surface and conductive bumps distributed over the major surface of the substrate. Each conductive bump of a first subset of the conductive bumps comprises a regular body and a second subset of the conductive bumps comprises a group of separate conductive bumps uniformly distributed around a periphery of a central opening.
US09349700B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming stress-reduced conductive joint structures
A semiconductor device has a substrate. A first conductive layer is formed over the substrate. A first insulating layer is formed over the substrate. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the second insulating layer. The second insulating layer is formed to include a cylindrical shape. The second conductive layer is formed as an under bump metallization layer. A first opening is formed in the second insulating layer. A second opening is formed in the second insulating layer around the first opening in the second insulating layer. An opening is formed in the first insulating layer over the first conductive layer. An opening is formed in the second insulating layer over the first conductive layer with the opening of the first insulating layer being greater than the opening of the second insulating layer.
US09349698B2 Integrated WLUF and SOD process
This disclosure relates generally to a wafer having a plurality of semiconductor chips having a major surface, a metal contact positioned on one of the plurality of semiconductor chips and having a side surface and contact surface, the contact surface substantially parallel to the major surface, wherein the contact surface defines a thickness of the metal contact relative to the major surface, an underfill layer abutting the one of the plurality of semiconductor chips and the side surface of the metal contact, the underfill layer having a top surface substantially parallel to the major surface, wherein the top surface of the underfill layer defines a thickness of the underfill layer relative to the major surface, the thickness of the underfill layer being not greater than the thickness of the metal contact, and a solder bump formed in electrical contact with the contact surface of the metal contact.
US09349693B2 Semiconductor device with an isolation structure coupled to a cover of the semiconductor device
A system and method for packaging a semiconductor device that includes a structure to reduce electromagnetic coupling are presented. The semiconductor device is formed on a substrate. A cover is affixed to the substrate so as to extend over the semiconductor device. An isolation structure of electrically conductive material is coupled to the cover in between components of the semiconductor device, with the isolation structure being configured to reduce inductive coupling between those components during an operation of the semiconductor device. In one version, the isolation structure includes a first leg extending from a ground connection along a side wall of the cover to a cross member contiguous with a primary cover wall that extends over the semiconductor device between the components to be isolated electromagnetically.
US09349692B2 Integrated voltage regulator with embedded passive device(s) for a stacked IC
A stacked integrated circuit includes a first tier IC and a second tier IC. Active faces of the first tier IC and the second tier IC face each other. An interconnect structure, such as microbumps, couples the first tier IC to the second tier IC. An active portion of a voltage regulator is integrated in the first semiconductor IC and coupled to passive components (for example a capacitor or an inductor) embedded in a packaging substrate on which the stacked IC is mounted. The passive components may be multiple through vias in the packaging substrate providing inductance to the active portion of the voltage regulator. The inductance provided to the active portion of the voltage regulator is increased by coupling the through via in the packaging substrate to through vias in a printed circuit board that the packaging substrate is mounted on.
US09349686B2 Reduced height M1 metal lines for local on-chip routing
Systems and methods are directed to an integrated circuit comprising a reduced height M1 metal line formed of an exemplary material with lower mean free path than Copper, for local routing of on-chip circuit elements of the integrated circuit, wherein the height of the reduced height M1 metal line is lower than a minimum allowed or allowable height of a conventional M1 metal line formed of Copper. The exemplary materials for forming the reduced height M1 metal line include Tungsten (W), Molybdenum (Mo), and Ruthenium (Ru), wherein these exemplary materials also exhibit lower capacitance and lower RC delays than Copper, while providing high electromigration reliability.
US09349683B2 Chip-on-film package having bending part
A chip-on-film package comprises a film substrate comprising upper and lower surfaces, and a side having a bending part. A first output interconnection formed on the upper surface of the film substrate extends from a semiconductor chip disposed on the upper surface toward the bending part. A second output interconnection includes an upper output interconnection formed on the upper surface of the film substrate, and a lower output interconnection formed on the lower surface and extending onto the bending part. An input interconnection includes an upper input interconnection formed on the upper surface of the film substrate and a lower input interconnection formed on the lower surface and extending away from the bending part. Through-vias are formed to pass through the film substrate and electrically connect the upper output interconnection to the lower output interconnection, and the upper input interconnection to the lower input interconnection.
US09349681B1 Semiconductor device package and manufacturing method thereof
Methods and systems for a semiconductor device package with a die to interposer wafer first bond are disclosed and may include bonding a plurality of semiconductor die comprising electronic devices to an interposer wafer, and applying an underfill material between the die and the interposer wafer. Methods and systems for a semiconductor device package with a die-to-packing substrate first bond are disclosed and may include bonding a first semiconductor die to a packaging substrate, applying an underfill material between the first semiconductor die and the packaging substrate, and bonding one or more additional die to the first semiconductor die. Methods and systems for a semiconductor device package with a die-to-die first bond are disclosed and may include bonding one or more semiconductor die comprising electronic devices to an interposer die.
US09349676B2 Chip rotated at an angle mounted on die pad region
A package includes: a plurality of lead frames configured to extend inwardly from an outer circumferential portion of the package; a die pad region surrounded with the lead frames in a plane view; a semiconductor chip mounted on the die pad region; a plurality of bonding pads disposed on the semiconductor chip; and a plurality of bonding wires configured to connect the lead frames and the bonding pads, respectively, wherein the bonding wires are respectively connected to front end portions of the lead frames by bonding with an angle ranging from 45 to 135 degrees with respect to a trace of front end portions of the lead frames in the plane view.
US09349675B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes preparing a lead frame provided with a die pad having an upper surface and a plurality of leads being arranged so as to be aligned on a side of the die pad and each including a wire joint part at a distal end on the side of the die pad, after the preparing the lead frame, mounting a semiconductor chip having a main surface and a plurality of electrode pads formed on the main surface, on the upper surface of the die pad, and after the mounting the semiconductor chip, electrically connecting a first electrode pad among the plurality of electrode pads of the semiconductor chip and a first lead among the plurality of leads to each other via a first wire.
US09349670B2 Semiconductor die assemblies with heat sink and associated systems and methods
Semiconductor die assemblies with heat sinks are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor die assembly includes a stack of semiconductor dies and a mold material surrounding at least a portion of the stack of semiconductor dies. A heat sink is disposed on the stack of semiconductor dies and adjacent the mold material. The heat sink includes an exposed surface and a plurality of heat transfer features along the exposed surface that are configured to increase an exposed surface area compared to a planar surface.
US09349662B2 Test structure placement on a semiconductor wafer
A method of fabricating integrated circuit devices is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of spaced integrated circuit dies on a semiconductor wafer and forming a dedicated test die on the semiconductor wafer adjacent the plurality of spaced integrated circuit dies, the dedicated test die including a test structure having a first width when viewed in a top view and being operable to generate wafer evaluation data. Further, the method includes forming a scribe line region interposed between the plurality of spaced integrated circuit dies, the scribe line region having a second width defined by a distance between adjacent integrated circuit dies when viewed in a top view, the second width being smaller than the first width, and the scribe line region being free of test structures.
US09349658B1 Methods of forming fin isolation regions on finFET semiconductor devices using an oxidation-blocking layer of material
One illustrative embodiment involves forming a plurality of trenches in a substrate so as to define a fin, forming a first oxidation-blocking layer of insulating material in the trenches so as to cover a portion, but not all, of the sidewalls of the lower portion of the fin, forming a second layer of insulating material above the first oxidation-blocking layer of insulating material, and performing a thermal anneal process to convert part, but not all, of the lower portion of the fin positioned above the first oxidation-blocking layer of insulating material into an oxide fin isolation region positioned under the fin.
US09349653B2 Manufacturing method of semiconductor structure for preventing surface of fin structure from damage and providing improved process window
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure is provided. The manufacturing method includes the following steps. A substrate is provided. A fin structure and an inter-layer dielectric layer are formed on the substrate. A plurality of gate structures is formed on the substrate. A cap layer is formed on the gate structures. A hard mask is formed on the cap layer. A first patterned photoresist layer covering the gate structures is formed on the hard mask. The hard mask is etched and patterned to form a patterned hard mask, such that the patterned hard mask covers the gate structures. A second patterned photoresist layer including a plurality of openings corresponding to the fin structure is formed on the patterned hard mask. The cap layer and the inter-layer dielectric layer are etched to form a plurality of first trenches exposing part of the fin structure.
US09349648B2 Hybrid wafer dicing approach using a rectangular shaped two-dimensional top hat laser beam profile or a linear shaped one-dimensional top hat laser beam profile laser scribing process and plasma etch process
Methods of dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. In an example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits involves forming a mask above the semiconductor wafer, the mask composed of a layer covering and protecting the integrated circuits. The mask is then patterned with a top hat laser beam profile laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask with gaps, exposing regions of the semiconductor wafer between the integrated circuits. The semiconductor wafer is then plasma etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to singulate the integrated circuits.
US09349646B2 Wafer processing method including a filament forming step and an etching step
A wafer processing method for dividing a wafer along a plurality of division lines to obtain a plurality of individual chips. The wafer processing method includes a filament forming step of applying a pulsed laser beam having a transmission wavelength to the wafer along each division line in the condition where the focal point of the pulsed laser beam is set inside the wafer in a subject area to be divided, thereby forming a plurality of amorphous filaments inside the wafer along each division line, and an etching step of etching the amorphous filaments formed inside the wafer along each division line by using an etching agent to thereby divide the wafer into the individual chips along the division lines.
US09349645B2 Apparatus, device and method for wafer dicing
An apparatus, device and method for wafer dicing is disclosed. In one example, the apparatus discloses: a wafer holding device having a first temperature; a die separation bar moveably coupled to the wafer holding device; and a cooling device coupled to the apparatus and having a second temperature which enables the die separation bar to fracture an attachment material in response to movement with respect to the wafer holding device. In another example, the method discloses: receiving a wafer having an attachment material applied to one side of the wafer; placing the wafer in a holding device having a first temperature; urging a die separation bar toward the wafer; and cooling the attachment material to a second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature, until the attachment material fractures in response to the urging.
US09349642B2 Method of forming contact layer
A method of forming a contact layer on a substrate having a contact hole to make a contact between the substrate and a buried metal material, includes disposing the substrate in a chamber, introducing a Ti source gas, a reducing gas and an Si source gas into the chamber, and converting the Ti source gas, the reducing gas and the Si source gas into plasma to form a TiSix film on the substrate. A portion of the TiSix film in a bottom of the contact hole corresponds to the contact layer.
US09349638B2 Memory device
A memory device according to embodiments includes a cell array region. The cell array region comprises a plurality of transistors sharing a word line, a plurality of memory elements, and a plurality of first contacts configured to connect the plurality of transistors with the plurality of memory elements, respectively, and aligned with a pitch. The memory device further comprises a second contact positioned at the pitch, along an extension of a row of the plurality of first contacts, outside the cell array region, and configured to be in contact with the word line.
US09349637B2 Method for void-free cobalt gap fill
Provided herein are methods of depositing void-free cobalt into features with high aspect ratios. Methods involve (a) partially filling a feature with cobalt, (b) exposing the feature to a plasma generated from nitrogen-containing gas to selectively inhibit cobalt nucleation on surfaces near or at the top of the feature, optionally repeating (a) and (b), and depositing bulk cobalt into the feature by chemical vapor deposition. Methods may also involve exposing a feature including a barrier layer to a plasma generated from nitrogen-containing gas to selectively inhibit cobalt nucleation. The methods may be performed at low temperatures less than about 400° C. using cobalt-containing precursors.
US09349636B2 Interconnect wires including relatively low resistivity cores
A dielectric layer and a method of forming thereof. An opening defined in a dielectric layer and a wire deposited within the opening, wherein the wire includes a core material surrounded by a jacket material, wherein the jacket material exhibits a first resistivity ρ1 and the core material exhibits a second resistivity ρ2 and ρ2 is less than ρ1.
US09349632B2 Isolation trench fill using oxide liner and nitride etch back technique with dual trench depth capability
An oxide layer is formed over a substrate having a smaller isolation trench and a large isolation trench. A nitride layer is formed over the oxide layer such that it completely fills the smaller isolation trench and lines the larger isolation trench. The nitride layer is etched back to form a recess in the nitride layer in the smaller isolation trench while at least a portion of the nitride layer lining the larger isolation trench is completely removed. A layer of HDP oxide is deposited over the substrate, completely filling the smaller and larger isolation trenches. The HDP oxide layer is planarized to the upper surface of the substrate. The deeper larger isolation trench may be formed by performing an etching step after the nitride layer has been etched back, prior to depositing HDP oxide.
US09349631B2 Method for defining an isolation region(s) of a semiconductor structure
Methods for defining an isolation region of a semiconductor structure are provided. The method includes, for instance: providing a semiconductor structure with a recess therein; disposing an insulator layer conformally within the recess in the semiconductor structure to partially fill the recess; modifying at least one material property of the insulator layer to obtain a densified insulator layer within the recess, where the modifying reduces a thickness of the densified insulator layer compared to that of the insulator layer; and depositing at least one additional insulator layer within the recess over the densified insulator layer, where the densified insulator layer within the recess defines, at least in part, an isolation region of the semiconductor structure.
US09349628B2 Method and an alignment plate for engaging a stiffener frame and a circuit board
Methods and apparatus for coupling a stiffener frame to a circuit board are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for engaging a stiffener frame and a circuit board positioned in a fixture is provided. The method includes positioning an alignment plate on the stiffener frame, such that a downwardly facing shoulder of a bottom opening of the alignment plate is seated on a setback of the stiffener frame, wherein the bottom opening of the alignment plate is larger than the a top opening of the alignment plate. The circuit board is positioned on the stiffener frame. The alignment plate restrains movement of the circuit board relative to the stiffener frame with a peripheral wall of a the top opening of the alignment plate.
US09349625B2 Substrate conveyance method and substrate processing apparatus
Provided is a substrate conveyance method where a segment which can simultaneously hold M pieces of substrates defined by an integer M of 2 or more is provided, and a substrate conveyance part can simultaneously convey N pieces of substrates defined by an integer N of 2 or more which is not a divisor of the integer M from the segment or toward the segment. The substrate conveyance part performs a substrate conveyance cycle repeatedly where when N pieces of variables ik defined by integers k of 1 to N are arbitrary integers of 0 or more and not more than (M/N) and satisfy a relationship of M=N×i1+ . . . +1×iN, a conveyance step where a substrate conveyance step of simultaneously conveying (N−k−1) pieces of substrates from the segment or toward the segment by the substrate conveyance part is performed ik times is performed with respect to the conveyance step where the number of times of the substrate conveyance steps is defined by each variable which is a natural number out of N pieces of variables ik.
US09349624B2 Semiconductor wafer monitoring apparatus and method
Metrology methods and apparatus for semiconductor wafer fabrication in which data for metrology is obtained by detecting a measurable property of a monitored entity, which is either (i) a wafer transporter (e.g. a FOUP) loaded with one or more wafers to be monitored, or (ii) a plurality of wafers. Performing metrology measurements on a loaded wafer transporter enables the step of extracting wafer (s) from the transporter for metrology measurements to be omitted. Moreover, metrology measurement may be obtained while transporting the wafer (s) between treatment locations. By considering a plurality of wafers as a unit, a single measurement representing a combination of individual wafer responses is obtained. All wafers contribute to the metrology measurement without the need to perform individual wafer measurements.
US09349623B2 Fine temperature controllable wafer heating system
Disclosed are a method and a system for processing wafers in fabricating a semiconductor device where disposing chemicals and wafer heating are needed for chemical reaction. A wafer is placed above a wafer heater such that a second surface faces the wafer heater, and heated from the second surface. A chemical layer is formed on an opposing first surface. The wafer heater is sized and configured to be capable of heating the entire second surface, and adapted to produce a locally differential temperature profile if needed. During heating, an actual temperature profile on the wafer may be monitored and transmitted to a computing system, which may generate a target temperature profile and control the wafer heater to adjust local temperatures on the wafer according to the target temperature profile. A supplemental heater for heating the chemicals may be used for finer control of the wafer temperature.
US09349619B2 Plasma etching method and plasma etching apparatus
A plasma etching apparatus includes a processing chamber; a holding unit for holding the substrate within the processing chamber; an electrode plate facing the holding unit; a plurality of supply parts arranged at different radial positions with respect to the substrate for supplying processing gas to a space between the holding unit and the electrode plate; a high frequency power supply that supplies high frequency power to the holding unit and/or the electrode plate to convert the processing gas supplied to the space into plasma; an adjustment unit that adjusts a supply condition for each of the supply parts; and a control unit that controls the adjustment unit to vary the supply condition between a position where an effect of diffusion of processing gas on an active species concentration distribution at the substrate is dominant and a position where an effect of flow of the processing gas is dominant.
US09349618B2 Substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing apparatus capable of removing deposits attached on a component of a lower temperature in a gap between two components, temperatures of which are greatly different from each other, without degrading a working ratio of the substrate processing apparatus. In the substrate processing apparatus, a chamber receives a wafer, a focus ring surrounds the wafer disposed in the chamber, a side surface protective member transmits a laser beam, a laser beam irradiating apparatus irradiates the laser beam to the side surface protective member, an inner focus ring of the focus ring is disposed adjacent to the wafer and is cooled down and an outer focus ring surrounds the inner focus ring and is not cooled down in a focus ring, and a facing surface of the side surface protective member faces a gap between the inner focus ring and the outer focus ring.
US09349613B1 Electronic package with embedded materials in a molded structure to control warpage and stress
A method and system are provided for an electronic package with embedded materials in a molded structure to control warpage and stress. A first material can be deposited on a substrate with a semiconductor die. The substrate can be a coreless substrate. The substrate with the semiconductor die can be placed in a mold tool that when closed defines a space about the semiconductor die. A second material, such as an epoxy mold compound, for example, can be applied to the defined space to produce a mold cap in which the first material is at least partially embedded in the second material. The first and second materials can have a different modulus and/or coefficient of thermal expansion. The first material can be used to cover electrical components on a surface of the substrate. In some instances, more than one material can be at least partially embedded in the second material.
US09349611B2 Stackable semiconductor package and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor package includes a set of stud bumps, which can be formed by wire bonding technology and can be bonded or joined to a semiconductor element to form a stacked package assembly. Since the process of bonding the semiconductor element to the stud bumps can be carried out without reflow, an undesirable deformation resulting from high temperatures can be controlled or reduced.
US09349607B1 Method of forming line pattern
A method of forming a line pattern including following steps. First of all, a substrate having a first region and a second region is provided. Next, a directed self-assembly (DSA) material layer is formed on the substrate, covering the first region and the second region. Then, the DSA material layer in the second region is removed, to form a patterned DSA material layer. After these, an annealing process is performed to enable only the DSA material layer in the first region and to form a plurality of first stripe structures and a plurality of second stripe structures arranged alternately in a first direction.
US09349606B2 Metal hardmask all in one integrated etch
A method for forming conductive contacts in a dielectric layer is provided. Partial vias are etched into the dielectric layer through a via mask. Trenches are etched into the dielectric layer through a trench mask, wherein the etching the trenches completes and over etches the vias to widen bottoms of the vias. Tops of the trenches or vias are rounded.
US09349601B2 Ruthenium complex, method for producing same, and method for producing ruthenium-containing thin film
The present invention is to provide a ruthenium complex represented by formula (1a), (2), (3), etc., which is useful for producing a ruthenium-containing thin film both under the conditions using an oxidizing gas as the reaction gas and under the conditions using a reducing gas as the reaction gas: wherein R1a to R7a, R8, R9 and R10 to R18 represents an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 6, etc., and n represents an integer of 0 to 2.
US09349600B2 Semiconductor device manufacturing method and semiconductor device
A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes: forming an element isolation insulating film in a semiconductor substrate; forming a first film on a surface of the semiconductor substrate; forming a second film on the element isolation insulating film and on the first film; forming a first resist pattern that includes a first open above the element isolation insulating film in a first region; removing the second film on the element isolation insulating film in the first region to separate the second film in the first region into a plurality of parts by performing first etching; forming a third film on the second film in the first region; forming a first gate electrode on the third film in the first region; and forming a first insulating film that includes the first to third films under the first gate electrode by patterning the first to third films.
US09349590B2 Method for manufacturing nitride semiconductor layer
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a nitride semiconductor layer is disclosed. The method can include forming a first lower layer on a major surface of a substrate and forming a first upper layer on the first lower layer. The first lower layer has a first lattice spacing along a first axis parallel to the major surface. The first upper layer has a second lattice spacing along the first axis larger than the first lattice spacing. At least a part of the first upper layer has compressive strain. A ratio of a difference between the first and second lattice spacing to the first lattice spacing is not less than 0.005 and not more than 0.019. A growth rate of the first upper layer in a direction parallel to the major surface is larger than that in a direction perpendicular to the major surface.
US09349587B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and method of processing substrate and substrate processing apparatus
In a low-temperature, a silicon nitride film having a low in-film chlorine (Cl) content and a high resistance to hydrogen fluoride (HF) is formed. The formation of the silicon nitride film includes (a) supplying a monochlorosilane (SiH3Cl or MCS) gas to a substrate disposed in a processing chamber, (b) supplying a plasma-excited hydrogen-containing gas to the substrate disposed in the processing chamber, (c) supplying a plasma-excited or heat-excited nitrogen-containing gas to the substrate disposed in the processing chamber, (d) supplying at least one of a plasma-excited nitrogen gas and a plasma-excited rare gas to the substrate disposed in the processing chamber, and (e) performing a cycle including the steps (a) through (d) a predetermined number of times to form a silicon nitride film on the substrate.
US09349586B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, substrate processing system and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
A thin film having excellent etching resistance and a low dielectric constant is described. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a thin film on a substrate, removing first impurities containing H2O and Cl from the thin film by heating the thin film at a first temperature higher than a temperature of the substrate in the forming of the thin film, and removing second impurities containing a hydrocarbon compound (CxHy-based impurities) from the thin film in which heat treatment is performed at the first temperature by heating the thin film at a second temperature equal to or higher than the first temperature.
US09349585B2 Pattern formation method
According to an embodiment, a guide pattern having a first opening pattern and a second opening pattern shallower than the first opening pattern, is formed on a film to be processed. A directed self-assembly material is set into the first and second opening patterns. The directed self-assembly material is phase-separated into first and second phases in the first and second opening patterns. A third opening pattern is formed by removing the first phase. The third opening pattern in the second opening pattern is eliminated, and the second and third opening patterns are transferred to the film to be processed, by one etching to be processed from the tops of the second and third opening patterns.
US09349584B2 Method for depositing a film and film deposition apparatus
A method for depositing a film is provided. In the method, an object to be processed is accommodated in a process chamber, and an insulating film made of a polymer thin film is deposited on a surface of the object to be processed by supplying a first source gas composed of an acid anhydride and a second source gas composed of a diamine into the process chamber that is evacuated. Next, the insulating film is modified so as to have a barrier function by stopping the supply of the second source gas into the process chamber and continuously supplying the first source gas into the process chamber.
US09349571B2 Particle optical system
A particle optical system comprises a beam generating system (3) configured to generate a plurality of particle beams (5) and to direct the plurality of particle beams (5) onto an object plane (7), a first deflector arrangement (35) arranged in the beam path of the particle beams (5) upstream of the object plane (7) and configured to deflect the plurality of particle beams (5) before they are incident on the object plane (7), an object holder (15) configured to hold an object (17) to be inspected in the object plane (7), a plurality of detectors (27) configured to receive and to detect the plurality of particle beams (5) having traversed the object plane (7), wherein the detectors are arranged in a detection plane (21) on a side of the object plane (7) opposite to the beam generating system (3), at least one first particle optical lens (19) configured to collect particles of the particle beams emanating from the object plane on the detectors (27), and a controller (31) configured to control the first deflector arrangement (35) in order to deflect locations of incidence (9) of the particle beams (5) on the object plane (7) by deflecting the particle beams (5).
US09349570B2 Method and apparatus for sample extraction and handling
An improved method and apparatus for extracting and handling samples for S/TEM analysis. Preferred embodiments of the present invention make use of a micromanipulator and a hollow microprobe probe using vacuum pressure to adhere the microprobe tip to the sample. By applying a small vacuum pressure to the lamella through the microprobe tip, the lamella can be held more securely and its placement controlled more accurately than by using electrostatic force alone. By using a probe having a beveled tip and which can also be rotated around its long axis, the extracted sample can be placed down flat on a sample holder. This allows sample placement and orientation to be precisely controlled, thus greatly increasing predictability of analysis and throughput.
US09349569B2 Charged particle beam system
A charged particle beam system capable of suppressing drift of a functional component used in association with a sample is offered. The charged particle beam system (1000) images the sample (S) by irradiating the sample with a charged particle beam (EB). The system includes the functional component (such as a sample holder (20)), drive portions (40, 50) for moving the sample holder (20), and a controller (60) for controlling the drive portions (40, 50). The controller (60) controls the drive portions (40, 50) to vibrate the sample holder (20) such that its amplitude is driven to decrease with time.
US09349567B2 Charged particle beam device
An evacuation structure of a charged particle beam device includes: a vacuum chamber provided with a charged particle source; vacuum piping connected to the vacuum chamber; a main vacuum pump which is connected via the vacuum piping and evacuates the inside of the vacuum chamber; a non-evaporable getter pump disposed at a position between the vacuum chamber and the main vacuum pump in the vacuum piping; and a coarse evacuation port connected at a position between the vacuum chamber and the non-evaporable getter pump in the vacuum piping The coarse evacuation port includes: a coarse evacuation valve that opens and closes the coarse evacuation port; and a leak valve to open the vacuum chamber to the atmosphere.
US09349566B1 Charged particle beam device, beam deflector device and methods of operating thereof
A charged particle beam device (100) is described. The charged particle beam device includes a beam source (150) for generating a charged particle beam (101); a lens device (160); and a beam deflector device (110) for deflecting the charged particle beam with respect to a direction of incidence (A). The beam deflector device includes: a first deflector (112) providing a first magnetic deflection field (B1) for deflecting the charged particle beam by a first half of a deflection angle (α); a second deflector (114) providing a second magnetic deflection field (B2) for deflecting the charged particle beam by a second half of the deflection angle (α); and a rotation-free lens arranged between the first deflector (112) and the second deflector (114) for at least partially compensating for a dispersion introduced by at least one of the first deflector and the second deflector, wherein the lens device (160) is configured for creating a crossover (X) of the charged particle beam at the position of the rotation-free lens.
US09349559B2 Low-profile electronic circuit breakers, breaker tripping mechanisms, and systems and methods of using same
Embodiments provide a low-profile, electronic circuit breaker. The electronic circuit breaker includes a housing containing first and second electrical branches coupled to respective first and second load terminals, and an electronic processing circuit within the housing adapted to monitor an electrical condition of the first and second electrical branches, wherein a maximum transverse width (Wt) of the housing is limited to occupy only a single standard breaker panelboard location. Circuit breakers including triggering mechanisms and tripping units are also disclosed. System and method aspects are provided, as are other aspects.
US09349558B2 Mechanically acuated heat switch
A heat switch has a first contact, a plug of thermally conductive material, and a mechanical actuator attached to the plug of thermally conductive material, the mechanical actuator arranged to move the plug into contact with the first contact in a first position and to move the plug out of contact with the first contact in a second position responsive to an input signal.
US09349552B2 Touchpad with capacitive force sensing
Described herein are techniques related to a touchpad with capacitive force sensing. The described techniques may determine the point or region of a user-engagement surface contacted by a user. In addition, the described techniques may also determine a force of the user's finger press on the user-engagement surface using one or more capacitance force-sensors. Furthermore, the described techniques may offer active tactile feedback (i.e., haptics) to the user's finger touching the user-engagement surface. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09349551B2 Keyboard with elastic member disposed on touch panel
A keyboard including a touch panel having an input operation surface; and an elastic plate-like member disposed and superimposed on the input operation surface of the touch panel. The elastic plate-like member is locally and elastically deformable by a pressing force. The elastic plate-like member includes an input region adapted to be elastically deformed toward the input operation surface by the pressing force so as to permit input operation of the touch panel, and a non-input region not permitting input operation of the touch panel irrespective of presence or absence of elastic deformation by the pressing force.
US09349547B2 Switching module for voltage regulator
The present disclosure provides techniques for an improved switching module for voltage regulators or transformers with voltage regulating taps. The switching module disclosed herein includes a first bypass switch and a second bypass switch coupled to the first bypass switch, at least one prime mover coupled to and configured to actuate at least one of the first bypass switch and the second bypass switch, and at least one load breaking switch coupled between the first and second bypass switches. In certain example embodiments, a separate prime move is configured to actuate each of the bypass switches and the load breaking switch. In certain other example embodiments, one or more of the bypass switches and the load breaking switch is actuated by a shared prime mover.
US09349544B2 Hybrid energy storage devices including support filaments
A novel hybrid lithium-ion anode material based on coaxially coated Si shells on vertically aligned carbon nanofiber (CNF) arrays. The unique cup-stacking graphitic microstructure makes the bare vertically aligned CNF array an effective Li+ intercalation medium. Highly reversible Li+ intercalation and extraction were observed at high power rates. More importantly, the highly conductive and mechanically stable CNF core optionally supports a coaxially coated amorphous Si shell which has much higher theoretical specific capacity by forming fully lithiated alloy. Addition of surface effect dominant sites in close proximity to the intercalation medium results in a hybrid device that includes advantages of both batteries and capacitors.
US09349538B2 Polypropylene film for capacitor
A biaxially-oriented polypropylene film for an ultra-thin capacitor that has superior heat resistance, withstand voltage performance and long-term durability. The film has a stereoregularity in which mesopentad fraction (mmmm) as determined by measurement of high temperature nuclear magnetic resonance (high temperature NMR) is between 94% and 98%, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 250,000 to 450,000, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 4 to 7, and on a molecular weight distribution curve, a difference determined by subtracting the differential distribution value when the logarithm of molecular weight Log(M)=6 from the differential distribution value when Log(M)=4.5 that is 9% to 15%. The film is fabricated using a polypropylene raw material resin in which the composition of the aforementioned molecular weight distribution has been adjusted by peroxidative decomposition treatment of a polypropylene resin.
US09349536B2 Multilayer ceramic electronic component
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes: a ceramic body including dielectric layers; an oxide film formed on one surface of the ceramic body; first and second external electrodes formed on both sides of the oxide film on one surface of the ceramic body; a first internal electrode formed on the dielectric layer and including a first electrode lead-out portion exposed to the first external electrode and a first insulating lead-out portion exposed to the oxide film and having a composite-metal-oxide region formed in an exposed edge portion thereof; a second internal electrode facing the first internal electrode, having the dielectric layer interposed therebetween, and including a second electrode lead-out portion exposed to the second external electrode and a second insulating lead-out portion exposed to the oxide film, having a composite-metal-oxide region formed in an exposed edge portion thereof, and overlapped with the first insulating lead-out portion to form additional capacitance.
US09349535B2 Method and apparatus for manufacturing isotropic magnetic nanocolloids by pulsed laser ablation
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for manufacturing highly isotropic magnetic nanoparticles. In particular, manufacturing of spherical and amorphous particles suspended in a solvent by irradiating alloy targets submerged in a solvent using nanosecond-scale laser pulses is disclosed. The absence of shape and crystalline anisotropy in the particles yields a colloidal suspension with excellent soft magnetic properties which can be used to improve the performance of various medical diagnostic devices and consumer electronics.
US09349533B2 Secondary-side power receiving circuit for contactless power feed equipment
A PWM module is provided to output a driving pulse to a switching device in synchronization with a synchronizing pulse having a frequency twice the frequency of the high-frequency current of a primary-side induction line. The PWM module performs output voltage feedback control such that the output voltage of an output capacitor is set at a reference voltage. The module outputs, to the switching device, the driving pulse having a half width of the pulse width of a driving pulse that can be outputted, at the start of power supply to the primary-side induction line. Moreover, the module forcibly performs the output voltage feedback control if an output voltage of the output capacitor does not increase to the reference voltage within a reference time.
US09349521B2 Primary side module and transformer with same
A transformer includes a primary side module, a secondary winding structure, and a magnetic core assembly. The primary side module includes a primary winding structure, a first covering structure and a second covering structure. The primary winding structure has a first opening. The first covering structure includes a second opening corresponding to the first opening and a first receiving recess for accommodating the primary winding structure. The first receiving recess is covered and sealed by the second covering structure. The second covering structure includes a third opening corresponding to the first opening. The first opening, the second opening and the third opening are in communication with each other to be defined as a channel. The secondary winding structure includes a fourth opening, which is in communication with the channel. The magnetic core assembly is partially embedded within the channel and the fourth opening.
US09349519B2 Multilayer chip electronic component and board having the same
A multilayer chip electronic component may include: a ceramic body including a plurality of dielectric layers; an inductor part disposed within the ceramic body and including first and second internal electrodes; a capacitor part disposed within the ceramic body and including third to fifth internal electrodes; and first and second external electrodes disposed on first and second end surfaces of the ceramic body, a third external electrode extended from a second main surface of the ceramic body to first and second side surfaces, and a fourth external electrode extended from a first main surface of the ceramic body to the first and second side surfaces. The capacitor part may be composed of first and second capacitor parts, and the inductor part and the capacitor part may be connected in parallel to each other.
US09349518B2 Cable connector assembly
A cable connector assembly (100) includes a connector (1), a cable (2) connected to the connector, a magnetic element (3) encircling the cable, and a housing (4) covering the magnetic element. The housing includes a front wall (40) adjacent to the connector, a rear wall (41) away from the connector, and a side wall (42) with closed periphery connecting the front and the rear wall, a receiving space (43) defined in the housing and running through the front and the rear wall to form a first hole (401) on the center of the front wall and a second hole (411) on the center of the rear wall. The housing includes a first projection (44) between the first hole and an outer edge of the front wall to weaken the concentrated stress generated by the cable wound on the housing.
US09349514B2 Magnetic waterproof cover for vehicle door handles and method of assembly
A vehicle door handle cover includes a flexible waterproof sheet and a flexible waterproof handle attached to the sheet. The handle may be removable, and preferably has a length that is longer than the length of the sheet, such that the handle is retained in an outwardly bowed position in use. Magnets connected to the sheet adhere to a metal vehicle body to attach the cover to the vehicle in a removable manner. The magnets may be retained within first and second magnet holders that are inserted into pockets formed in the sheet. Barbs formed on the holders help retain the holders within the pockets. Each magnet is positioned with the polarity of the magnet in the same direction, and the magnets on the holders align such that the holders attract one another, allowing the vehicle door handle cover to be folded into a storage position.
US09349513B2 Method of reducing multipole content in a conductor assembly during manufacture
A method for manufacture of a conductor assembly. The assembly is of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or in which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced. In an example embodiment one or more first coil rows are formed. The assembly has multiple coil rows about an axis with outer coil rows formed about inner coil rows. A determination is made of deviations from specifications associated with the formed one or more first coil rows. One or more deviations correspond to a magnitude of a multipole field component which departs from a field specification. Based on the deviations, one or more wiring patterns are generated for one or more second coil rows to be formed about the one or more first coil rows. The one or more second coil rows are formed in the assembly. The magnitude of each multipole field component that departs from the field specification is offset.
US09349505B2 Electric cable
An electric cable for improving flexibility of an insulating resin portion of the electric cable expressed by a secant modulus value is provided. In an electric cable 10a in which an outer periphery of a conductor 11 made of wires with diameters from 0.15 to 0.5 mm and having a cross-sectional area of 20 mm2 or more is covered with an insulating resin 12 including a flame retardant, a ratio of an electric cable diameter to a conductor diameter is from 1.15 to 1.40, and a secant modulus of the insulating resin 12 is from 10 to 50 MPa.
US09349502B2 Automotive wire
The present invention is an automotive wire provided with a conductor including at least one solid wire composed of a core and a metal film that covers the surface of the core, and an insulator that covers the conductor, wherein the core is composed of carbon steel, and the metal film has a thickness of 12.4 μm to 29.6 μm.
US09349497B2 Electrode active material having core-shell structure
Disclosed is an electrode active material having a core-shell structure, which includes: (a) a core capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions; and (b) a shell including a polymer or an oligomer having a glass transition temperature of 25° C. or less when impregnated with an electrolyte, wherein a surface of the core is coated with the shell. Also, an electrode manufactured by using the electrode active material and a secondary battery including the electrode are disclosed. The shell (b) suppresses the formation of an SEI layer during initial charge of a battery, and prevents initial capacity reduction.
US09349494B2 X-ray beam shaper
An imaging system (500) includes a focal spot (508) that rotates along a path around an examination region and emits a radiation beam that traverses a field of view of the examination region and a subject or object therein. The system further includes a detector array (520) that is located opposite the radiation source, across the examination region. The detector array detects radiation traversing the field of view and outputs a signal indicative of the detected radiation. The system further includes a beam shaper that is located between the radiation source and the examination region. The beam shaper rotates with the focal spot and, relative to the focal spot, in an opposite direction of the focal spot with a same angular frequency as the rotating of the focal spot and attenuates the radiation beam which reduces a flux density across the detector array at each rotational angle of the focal spot.
US09349491B1 Repair of memory devices using volatile and non-volatile memory
Apparatus and methods for hybrid post package repair are disclosed. One such apparatus may include a package including memory cells and volatile memory. The volatile memory may be configured to store defective address data corresponding to a first portion of the memory cells that are deemed defective post-packaging. The apparatus may also include a decoder configured to select a second portion of the memory cells instead of the first portion of the memory cells when received current address data corresponding to an address to be accessed matches the defective address data stored in the volatile memory. The apparatus may also include non-volatile memory in the package. The apparatus may also include a mapping logic circuit in the package. The mapping logic circuit may be configured to program the replacement address data to the non-volatile memory subsequent to the defective address data being stored to the volatile memory.
US09349490B2 Error correction in differential memory devices with reading in single-ended mode in addition to reading in differential mode
A differential memory device includes of memory locations having a direct memory cell and a complementary memory cell. A corresponding method includes receiving a request of reading a selected data word associated with a selected code word, reading a differential code word representing a differential version of the selected code word, verifying the differential code word according to an error correction code, setting the selected data word according to the differential code word in response to a positive verification. The method further includes reading at least one single-ended code word representing a single-ended version of the selected code word, verifying the single-ended code word according to the error correction code, and setting the selected data word according to the single-ended code word in response to a negative verification of the differential code word and to a positive verification of the single-ended code word.
US09349489B2 Systems and methods to update reference voltages in response to data retention in non-volatile memory
A data storage device includes non-volatile memory and a controller. The controller is configured to, at a first time, determine a first count of storage elements having threshold voltages within a voltage range that corresponds to a first reference voltage. The controller is further configured to, at a second time, determine a second count of storage elements having threshold voltages within the voltage range. The controller is further configured to calculate an updated first reference voltage at least partially based on the first reference voltage, the first count, and the second count.
US09349487B2 Electronic device
An electronic device comprising a semiconductor memory unit that may include a variable resistance element configured to be changed in a resistance value thereof in response to current flowing through both ends thereof, a toggle data generation unit configured to generate toggle data of which logic value toggles with a predetermined cycle, in a first mode for testing reliability of the variable resistance element, a data transfer line configured to transfer data inputted from an outside, and a driving unit configured to flow current which is changed in its direction with the predetermined cycle, through the variable resistance element in response to the toggle data in the first mode, and flow current through the variable resistance element in a direction determined in response to the data of the data transfer line, in a second mode in writing date into or reading data from the variable resistance element.
US09349483B2 One-time programmable memory and system-on chip including one-time programmable memory
A one-time programmable (OTP) memory includes an OTP cell array including a plurality of OTP cells that each include a programming transistor configured to change irreversibly when programmed; a temperature compensation reference voltage generating unit configured to sense a temperature of the OTP cell memory and generate a reference voltage such that as the sensed temperature changes, the reference voltage generated by the temperature compensation reference voltage generating unit changes in a manner that is inversely proportional the change in the sensed temperature; and a temperature compensation operating voltage generating unit configured to receive the reference voltage to generate an operating voltage that is proportional to the reference voltage and is applied to the OTP cell array.
US09349480B2 Erase techniques and circuits therefor for non-volatile memory devices
Disclosed herein is a method that comprises applying a first voltage to a memory cell, applying again the first voltage to the memory cell when the memory cell have not been shifted to an erased condition, and applying a second voltage to the memory cell when the memory cell have not still been shifted to an erased condition, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage.
US09349479B1 Boundary word line operation in nonvolatile memory
One or more word lines in a Multi Level Cell (MLC) block are identified as being at high risk of read disturb errors and data is selectively copied from such high risk word lines to a location outside the MLC block where the copy is maintained. Subsequent read requests for the data may be directed to the copy of the data outside the MLC block.
US09349474B2 Apparatuses and methods for limiting string current in a memory
Apparatuses, current control circuits, and methods for limiting string current in a memory are described. An example apparatus includes a memory cell string including a memory cell. The example apparatus further includes a sense circuit configured to sense a current through the memory cell string, and a select gate configured to couple the memory cell string to a source based on a select gate voltage. The example apparatus further includes a current control circuit coupled to the select gate. The current control circuit is configured to limit current through the memory cell string during a memory access operation based on a reference current.
US09349473B1 Data sampling circuit module, data sampling method and memory storage device
A data sampling circuit module, a data sampling method and a memory storage device are provided. The method includes: receiving a differential signal and generating a sensing voltage pair according to the differential signal, where the sensing voltage pair includes a first sensing voltage and a second sensing voltage, a voltage value of the first sensing voltage is related to a first differential signal of the differential signal, and a voltage value of the second sensing voltage is related to a second differential signal of the differential signal; and receiving the sensing voltage pair and outputting a sampling data stream according to a clock of the differential signal and a voltage relative relationship of the sensing voltage pair.
US09349472B2 Flash memory device with sense-amplifier-bypassed trim data read
A non-volatile memory device includes a two-dimensional array of non-volatile memory cells where a first portion of memory cells being configured as an one-time-programmable memory area; a bypass read-out circuit configured to sense a signal level on a bit line in response to a memory cell in the one-time-programmable memory area being selected and to generate a first signal indicative of the signal level on the bit line; and a trim data latch circuit having an input terminal configured to receive the first signal. The trim data latch circuit is configured to store a signal related to the first signal as a trim data value and to provide trim data value to circuitry of the non-volatile memory device. The trim data value may be applied to adjust a signal level of the circuitry of the non-volatile memory device.
US09349471B2 Nonvolatile memory device, storage device having the same, and operation and read methods thereof
A method is for operating a nonvolatile memory device, the nonvolatile memory device including at least one string connected to a bit line, the at least one string including a plurality of memory cells connected in series, each of the plurality of memory cells being connected to a respective word line among a plurality of word lines and stacked in a direction perpendicular to a substrate. The method includes applying a word line voltage needed for an operation to a first word line among the word lines, applying a recovery voltage higher than a ground voltage to the first word line after the operation, and then floating the first word line.
US09349469B2 Program verify with multiple sensing
A sense circuit is coupled to a bit line of a memory array. Control circuitry coupled to the sense circuit controls a program operation for a memory cell. After a program phase in which the memory cell in the memory array is programmed, in a program verify phase the control circuitry causes the sense circuit to sense data stored on the memory cell multiple times during the program verify phase. The multiple times include a first time sensing data from the memory cell and a second time sensing data from the memory cell.
US09349468B2 Operational amplifier methods for charging of sense amplifier internal nodes
Rather than supply an internal node of a non-volatile memory's sense amplifier from a supply level through a transistor by applying a voltage to the transistor's gate to clamp the node, the internal node is supplied by an op-amp through a pass gate. The op-amp receives feedback from above the pass gate. This allows a desired voltage level to be more quickly and accurately established on the node. Using a two-step reference level for the op-amp can further increases speed and accuracy. Biasing the op-amp with the external power supply can offer additional advantages.
US09349464B2 Non-volatile semiconductor device
A non-volatile semiconductor device includes first and second selecting transistors; multiple memory cells that are stacked above the substrate; multiple word lines that are connected to control gates of the multiple memory cells; selecting gate lines that are each connected to a gate of one of the selecting transistors; a bit line connected to the first selecting transistor; a source line connected to the second selecting transistor; and a control circuit configured to execute an erasing loop that includes an erase operation and a verifying operation. The control circuit increases an erasing voltage in accordance with the number of times the erasing loop is repeated.
US09349462B1 Flash memory and programming method thereof
A programming method of an NAND flash memory is provided, for narrowing a distribution width of a threshold voltage. The method includes a step of verification reading for verifying a threshold voltage of a selected memory cell after a programming voltage is applied to a selected word line. The verification reading further includes a step of pre-charging a voltage to a bit line, a step of discharging the pre-charged bit line to a source line, and a step of reading the voltage of the bit line after the discharging step. Regarding the discharge period from starting the discharging of the bit line to starting the read out, the discharge period of the verification reading after the initial programming voltage is applied is set longer than the discharge period of the verification reading after the subsequent programming voltage is applied.
US09349461B1 Applying substantially the same voltage differences across memory cells at different locations along an access line while programming
An embodiment of a method of programming might include applying a first voltage difference across a first memory cell to be programmed, where applying the first voltage difference comprises applying a first channel bias voltage to a channel of the first memory cell, and applying a second voltage difference, substantially equal to the first voltage difference, across a second memory cell to be programmed while applying the first voltage difference across the first memory cell, where applying the second voltage difference comprises applying a second channel bias voltage to a channel of the second memory cell. The first channel bias voltage is different than the second channel bias voltage, and the first memory cell and the second memory cell are commonly coupled to an access line and are at different locations along a length of the access line.
US09349453B2 Semiconductor memory cell and driver circuitry with gate oxide formed simultaneously
The present disclosure provides for semiconductor structures and methods for making semiconductor structures. In one embodiment, isolation regions are formed in a substrate, and wells are formed between the isolation regions. The wells include a first low voltage well and a second low voltage well in a logic region of the substrate, and a memory array well in an NVM region of the substrate. A first layer of oxide is formed over the first low voltage well and the memory array well, and a second layer of oxide is formed over the second low voltage well, the second layer being thinner than the first layer. Gates are formed over the wells, including a first gate over the first low voltage well, a second gate over the second low voltage well, and a memory cell gate over the memory array well. Source/drain extension regions are formed around the gates.
US09349450B2 Memory devices and memory operational methods including single erase operation of conductive bridge memory cells
Memory devices and memory operational methods are described. One example memory system includes a common conductor and a plurality of memory cells coupled with the common conductor. The memory system additionally includes access circuitry configured to provide different ones of the memory cells into one of a plurality of different memory states at a plurality of different moments in time between first and second moments in time. The access circuitry is further configured to maintain the common conductor at a voltage potential, which corresponds to the one memory state, between the first and second moments in time to provide the memory cells into the one memory state.
US09349449B2 Resistance change type memory
A resistance change type memory includes a memory cell including a first resistance change element as a memory element; a reference cell including a second resistance change element and a first element having a resistance value which is not higher than a resistance range of the first and second resistance change elements; and a read circuit including a first input terminal connected to the memory cell, and a second input terminal connected to the reference cell.
US09349445B2 Select devices for memory cell applications
Select devices for memory cell applications and methods of forming the same are described herein. As an example, one or more non-ohmic select devices can include at least two tunnel barrier regions formed between a first metal material and a second metal material, and a third metal material formed between each of the respective at least two tunnel barrier regions. The non-ohmic select device is a two terminal select device that supports bi-directional current flow therethrough.
US09349443B2 Method and system for programming multi-level cell memory
A method and a system for programming a multi-level cell (MLC) memory are provided. A first count is 1 initially. The method comprises the following steps. A first energy is set. The first energy is applied to alter a resistance of a cell of the MLC memory. The first count is increased by 1 after performing the step of applying the first energy. In the step of setting the first energy, the first energy is a ⁢ ⁢ first ⁢ ⁢ initial ⁢ ⁢ energy a ⁢ ⁢ predetermined ⁢ ⁢ value initially and the first energy is changed by increasing or decreasing the ⁢ ⁢ first ⁢ ⁢ initial ⁢ ⁢ energy the ⁢ ⁢ predetermined ⁢ ⁢ value the ⁢ ⁢ first ⁢ ⁢ count .
US09349437B2 Memory cell having built-in read and write assist
A memory cell having integrated read and write assist functionality includes a storage element and first and second switching circuits. The first switching circuit is configured to selectively couple a first internal storage node of the storage element with a first bit line. The second switching circuit is configured to selectively couple a second internal storage node of the storage element with a second bit line. During a read operation, at least one of the first and second switching circuits is configured to increase a switching threshold of at least one inverter in the storage element. During a write operation, at least one of the first and second switching circuits is configured such that ground bounce associated with at least one of the first and second switching circuits assists in writing a logical state of the memory cell.
US09349436B2 Semiconductor memory and method of making the same
A semiconductor cell comprises a plurality of metal layers. A first layer comprises a VDD conductor, a bit-line, and a complimentary bit-line. Each of the VDD conductor, the bit-line, and the complementary bit-line extend in a first direction. A second layer comprises a first VSS conductor and a first word-line. The VSS conductor and the first word-line extend in a second direction different than the first direction. A third layer comprises a second VSS conductor. The second VSS conductor extends in the first direction. A fourth layer comprises a second word-line. The second word-line extends in the second direction. The first word-line is electrically coupled to the second word-line.
US09349434B1 Variable strobe for alignment of partially invisible data signals
A method of sampling data signals in response to a timing signal includes receiving data signals that are skewed relative to each other. Each data signal has a valid-data window having an extent such that, when a data signal is received, an invisible portion of the valid-data window is outside an observation window and a visible portion of the valid-data window is inside the observation window. The method further includes, for each of the data signals, identifying a designated location within the valid-data window that is part way across the extent of the valid-data window, and for each of the data signals, aligning the data signal such that the designated location aligns with the timing signal.
US09349433B2 Hidden refresh of weak memory storage cells in semiconductor memory
In an example, the present invention provides a computing system. The system has a memory interface device comprising a counter, a dynamic random access memory device coupled to the memory interface device. The device comprises a plurality of banks, each of the banks having a subarray, each subarray having a plurality of memory cells. The device has a data interface coupled to the plurality of banks. The device has an address interface coupled to the plurality of banks, and a particular pre-charge command configured to be transferred to the memory interface device. The counter is adapted to count a measured time duration from a first time when data are available at the data interface to a second time when a pre-charge command is received by the address interface.
US09349432B2 Reference voltage modification in a memory device
A method and apparatus for modifying a reference voltage between refreshes in a memory device are disclosed. The memory array may include a plurality of memory cells. The memory device may also include a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier may be configured to read data from the plurality of memory cells using a reference voltage. The memory device may also include a sense amplifier reference voltage modification circuit. The sense amplifier reference voltage modification circuit may be configured to detect a triggering event and modify the reference voltage in response to detecting a triggering event.
US09349430B2 Memory device and memory system including the same
A memory device includes: a plurality of memory blocks; an address counting block suitable for generating a counting address that is changed when all the memory blocks are refreshed; a target address generation block suitable for generating a target address, which is an address of a word line requiring an additional refresh operation, in the memory blocks; and a refresh control block suitable for controlling a 1st number of the memory blocks to be refreshed when a refresh command is inputted a 1st number of times and controlling a 2nd number of the memory blocks to be refreshed when the refresh command is inputted a 2nd number of times, wherein the refresh control block controls a word line corresponding to the counting address to be refreshed and controls a word line corresponding to the target address to be refreshed during a target refresh operation.
US09349427B2 Method for screening arrays of magnetic memories
A testing method is described that applies a sequence external magnetic fields of varying strength to MRAM cells (such as those with MTJ memory elements) in chips or wafers to selectively screen out cells with low or high thermal stability factor. The coercivity (Hc) is used as a proxy for thermal stability factor (delta). In the various embodiments the sequence, direction and strength of the external magnetic fields is used to determine the high coercivity cells that are not switched by a normal field and the low coercivity cells that are switched by a selected low field. In some embodiment the MRAM's standard internal electric current can be used to switch the cells. Standard circuit-based resistance read operations can be used to determine the response of each cell to these magnetic fields and identify the abnormal high and low coercivity cells.
US09349424B2 Semiconductor apparatus configured to manage an operation timing margin
A semiconductor apparatus may include a read path configured to transmit data from the semiconductor apparatus in response to a read command and at least one read operation control signal, and an operation control circuit configured to receive a plurality of divided clock signals and the read command to identify the one of the plurality of divided clock signals that is relatively better matched to the received read command to manage timings associated with at least one of the read operation control signals.
US09349423B2 Single node power management for multiple memory devices
Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a node to couple to a plurality of memory devices, memory cells, and a module to perform an operation on the memory cells, to cause at least one change in a level of a signal at the node in order to make a request to perform a particular stage of the operation such that the request is detectable by the memory devices, and to perform the particular stage of the operation after the request is acknowledged. Other embodiments are described.
US09349418B2 Semiconductor device and method for driving the same
A novel semiconductor device where multilevel data can be written and read. The semiconductor device includes first to fifth transistors, a capacitor, a bit line, and a power supply line. Write operation is performed in such a manner that first data is supplied to a gate of the fifth transistor through the first transistor; the first transistor is turned off; second data is supplied to a second electrode of the capacitor through the second transistor to convert the first data into third data; and the second electrode of the capacitor are made electrically floating. The second electrode of the capacitor is initialized to GND through the third transistor. Read operation is performed by charging or discharging the bit line through the fourth transistor and the fifth transistor. The first to third transistors are preferably oxide semiconductor transistors.
US09349417B2 Electronic apparatus and cover mechanism therefor
An electronic apparatus includes an apparatus casing, using a cover mechanism, and a device unit, disposed inside the apparatus casing. The apparatus casing includes a casing body, a pivotal device, a pivot locking mechanism, and a door. The casing body structurally constrains the door to move in a direction at a side of the casing body. After sliding, the door is engaged with the pivotal device and drives the pivot locking mechanism to unlock the pivotal device so that the door can rotate to another side of the casing body by the pivotal device relative to the casing body. A manipulation area of the casing body is therefore exposed. Thereby, a user can manipulate the device unit through the manipulation area; the inner surface of the door keeps facing toward the casing body so that the apparatus casing can keep its aesthetic appearance.
US09349415B1 Qualifying a recording head based on symmetry of a cross-track profile
A signal is recorded over at least part of a track a heat-assisted recording medium via a heat-assisted magnetic recording head. Symmetry of a cross-track profile of the recorded signal is determined, and the recording head is qualified based on the symmetry of the cross-track profile.
US09349413B2 User interface for video preview creation
Providing a method for creating and displaying portions of videos called video previews. The video previews may be associated with a predefined duration of a full video, such that the video preview is generated from a portion of the full video. The video previews are configured to play a series of images associated with images from the portion of the full video when the video preview is activated.
US09349412B2 EPG realignment
Arrangements detailed may cause a television channel received via the tuner to be recorded for a period of time to create a channel-specific file. The channel-specific file may include multiple television programs. User input that requests playback of a first television program of the plurality of television programs from the channel-specific file may be received. A front-end adjustment time period for playback of the first television program may be determined. A start time from which playback commences in the channel-specific file may be at least partially based on the front-end adjustment time period and a scheduled start time of the television program.
US09349409B1 Video data organization
In organizing video data, an analysis can be performed to determine whether the video data meets specifications for organization on storage media. Potential breaks in the video data may be identified for organizing the video data on discrete physical portions of the storage media. A buffer space may be calculated based on an identified potential break for spacing the video data around the potential break to meet the data organization specifications.
US09349407B2 Data storage medium surface smoothing method and associated apparatus
A method for smoothing a medium includes depositing a magnetic layer onto a base, depositing an overcoat layer onto an outer surface of the magnetic layer, and burnishing an outer surface of the overcoat layer. Further, the method includes at least one of (i) directing a first ion beam comprised of first energetic ions toward the outer surface of the magnetic layer at a first shallow grazing angle and smoothing the outer surface of the magnetic layer via etching engagement between the first ion beam and the outer surface of the magnetic layer; and (ii) directing a second ion beam comprised of second energetic ions toward the outer surface of the overcoat layer at a second shallow grazing angle and smoothing the outer surface of the overcoat layer via etching engagement between the second angled ion beam and the outer surface of the overcoat layer.
US09349403B2 Lubricant for magnetic recording medium, magnetic recording medium, manufacturing method of magnetic recording medium, and magnetic recording and reproducing device
A lubricant for a magnetic recording medium of the present invention includes an organic compound having a fullerene skeleton, and the organic compound having the fullerene skeleton is expressed by the general formula (i), and at least one hydroxyl group on a terminal of the organic compound having the fullerene skeleton is substituted by any one of hydrogen, a methyl group, and a trifluoro methyl group, in which A is a group in which any one hydroxyl group on a terminal of a fluoro compound is not included, and R1 is an organic group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms.
US09349401B1 Electronic system with media scan mechanism and method of operation thereof
An apparatus includes: a media; a head over the media; a read channel, coupled to the head, configured to extract data from the media; control circuitry, coupled to the read channel, configured to execute a read command; and wherein the read channel is further configured to: generate, based on extracting the data from the media, a data condition indicator, and provide, for use by the control circuitry, the data and the data condition indicator.
US09349400B1 Magnetic recording disk drive with adjustable data track pitch and compensation for repeatable runout (RRO)
A hard disk drive with adjustable data track pitch has repeatable runout (RRO) fields stored in he servo sectors for each servo sector of each servo track, and thus without the need to store the RRO fields in the data tracks. The RRO fields for each servo sector have a radial length of at least two servo tracks (i.e., equal to or greater than twice the servo track pitch). The RRO fields in each servo track are shifted radially from RRO fields in adjacent servo tracks and circumferentially spaced from RRO fields in adjacent servo tracks. The read head reads two different RRO fields from the two servo tracks closest to the data track and the servo electronics interpolates a RRO value from these two RRO values. Thus even if the data track pitch is changed, RRO values can be obtained.
US09349399B2 Preventing damage to storage devices within a storage system due to movement of the storage system
A method implemented in a storage system that has moveable storage devices includes a motion controller receiving movement related data of a storage device from at least one sensor associated with the storage device. In response to the received movement related data indicating at least one pre-identified condition, a park command is issued that triggers the reading head of the storage device to enter a parked state in which the storage device is protected from damage that can occur due to motion of the reading head while the pre-identified condition exists.
US09349398B1 Microactuator bonding having increased adhesive exposure for more thorough adhesive cure
In a dual stage actuated suspension, conductive adhesive is both sandwiched between a microactuator and a grounded stainless steel layer of the suspension, and also extends at least partially onto a wrap-around portion of the microactuator's ground electrode. The conductive adhesive that extends onto the wrap-around portion of the electrode has an exposed edge for more complete exposure and curing during the cure step.
US09349397B2 Higher stability read head utilizing a partial milling process
In one embodiment, a method for forming a magnetoresistive read head includes forming a fixed layer having a first ferromagnetic material that has a fixed direction of magnetization above a lower shield layer, forming a free layer having a second ferromagnetic material positioned above the fixed layer, the free layer having a non-fixed direction of magnetization, forming a first mask above the free layer, the first mask having a predetermined width based on a track width of a magnetic medium, etching the free layer down to the fixed layer using the first mask as a guide, wherein substantially none of the fixed layer is etched, and wherein the fixed layer extends beyond both sides of the free layer in a cross-track direction, and forming magnetic domain control films on both sides of the free layer in the cross-track direction, the magnetic domain control films including a soft magnetic material.
US09349388B1 Data writer front shield with varying throat height
A data storage device employing a data writer may configure the data writer with at least a write pole that is separated from a front shield on an air bearing surface. The front shield can be arranged to continuously extend from the air bearing surface a first throat height distal the write pole and a second throat height proximal the write pole with the first and second throat heights being different.
US09349386B2 System and method for processor wake-up based on sensor data
A system for processor wake-up based on sensor data includes an audio buffer, an envelope buffer, and a processor. The audio buffer is configured to store a first data from a sensor. The first data is generated according to a first sampling rate. The envelope buffer is configured to store a second data, which is derived from the first data according to a second sampling rate, which is less than the first sampling rate. The processor is configured to wake up periodically from an idle state and read the second data from the envelope buffer. If the second data indicates an activity, the processor is configured to read the first data from the audio buffer. If the second data does not indicate an activity, the processor is configured to return to the idle state.
US09349380B2 Apparatus and method for generating bandwidth extension signal
An apparatus for generating a bandwidth extended signal includes an anti-sparseness processing unit to perform anti-sparseness processing on a low-frequency spectrum; and a frequency domain high-frequency extension decoding unit to perform high-frequency extension encoding in the frequency domain on the low-frequency spectrum on which the anti-sparseness processing is performed.
US09349374B2 Voice-controlled three-dimensional fabrication
An additive three-dimensional fabrication system includes voice control for user interaction. This voice-controlled interface can enable a variety of voice-controlled functions and operations, while supporting interactions specific to consumer-oriented fabrication processes.
US09349373B1 Biometrics platform provider
Systems and methods for analyzing digital recordings of the human voice in order to find characteristics unique to an individual. A biometrics engine may use an analytics service in a contact center to supply audio streams based on configured rules and providers for biometric detection. The analytics service may provide call audio data and attributes to connected engines based on a provider-set of selection rules. The connected providers send call audio data and attributes through the analytics service. The engines are notified when a new call is available for processing and can then retrieve chunks of audio data and call attributes by polling an analytics service interface. A mathematical model of the human vocal tract in the call audio data is created and/or matched against existing models. The result is analogous to a fingerprint, i.e., a pattern unique to an individual to within some level of probability.
US09349370B2 Speech recognition terminal device, speech recognition system, and speech recognition method
A speech recognition terminal device communicable with a speech recognition device includes a request device for requesting the speech recognition device to carry out speech recognition of a acquired speech command, a determination device for determining a filler word filling a waiting time until a result of the requested speech recognition is obtained from the speech recognition device, a filler speaking device for outputting the determined filler word during the waiting time, and a response device for responding to the user based on the acquired result of the speech recognition when the result of the speech recognition is acquired from the speech recognition device.
US09349367B2 Records disambiguation in a multimodal application operating on a multimodal device
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for record disambiguation in a multimodal application operating on a multimodal device, the multimodal device supporting multiple modes of interaction including at least a voice mode and a visual mode, that include: prompting, by the multimodal application, a user to identify a particular record among a plurality of records; receiving, by the multimodal application in response to the prompt, a voice utterance from the user; determining, by the multimodal application, that the voice utterance ambiguously identifies more than one of the plurality of records; generating, by the multimodal application, a user interaction to disambiguate the records ambiguously identified by the voice utterance in dependence upon record attributes of the records ambiguously identified by the voice utterance; and selecting, by the multimodal application for further processing, one of the records ambiguously identified by the voice utterance in dependence upon the user interaction.
US09349365B2 Voice based automation testing for hands free module
An electronic control unit (ECU) of a hands-free module may be tested by an automated voice based testing tool in a first device. The tool reads test input data from an Excel input file. The tool generates simulated audible voice commands in a specified language, accent, pitch, volume or speed to test the hands-free module. The voice commands are transmitted via a speaker to a hands-free module microphone. The hands-free ECU is coupled to a CAN bus and the tool receives CAN bus information corresponding to hands-free module operations. The tool outputs test verdict information and/or CAN bus message logs as text in an Excel file.
US09349361B2 Movable sensing device for stringed musical instruments
Apparatuses and systems are disclosed for movable sensing for stringed instruments. A string selector module selects one or more strings of a stringed instrument in response to a user of the stringed instrument positioning at least a portion of the string selector module over the one or more selected strings. The stringed instrument includes a plurality of strings, and the plurality of strings includes the one or more selected strings and one or more unselected strings. A sensor module produces an electrical signal in response to vibration of the one or more selected strings.
US09349358B2 Method for synchronizing at least one multimedia peripheral of a portable communication device with an audio file, and corresponding portable communication device
A method for synchronizing a number R greater than or equal to 1 of multimedia peripherals (6) of a portable communication device with an audio file (1), comprising the steps of extracting a number P greater than or equal to 1 of basic synchronization signals (SYNCi) according to a first sat of parameters (20); generating, from said P basic synchronization signals, a number Q greater than or equal to 1 of synchronization command signals (COMk) according to a second set of parameters (30) defining rules to convert basic synchronization signals into signals adapted to the type of peripheral to be synchronized; and selecting, among said Q synchronization commend signals, R synchronization signals (PSYNCk) for controlling R peripheral drivers (5) driving said R multimedia peripherals (40), according to a third set of parameters (40).
US09349354B1 Acoustic weight system and a stringed musical instrument including the same
An acoustic weight system for a stringed musical instrument is disclosed herein. The acoustic weight system includes one or more acoustic braces, tone bars, or ribs configured to be attached to one or more walls of a musical instrument body; and one or more weights coupled to the one or more acoustic braces, tone bars, or ribs by attachment means. The acoustic weight system is configured to change a resonant frequency of the one or more walls of the musical instrument body in order to modify a sound and/or tone of the stringed musical instrument. A stringed musical instrument, which includes acoustic weight system, is also disclosed herein.
US09349353B2 Method and apparatus for efficient storage of frequency values for a display device
A device and corresponding operational method for storing frequency values to a memory of the device, comprising an internal memory and an external memory, are provided. A frequency value in a memory cell of the internal memory is actualized by an increment or a decrement. After a specific number of increments and decrements in the memory cells of the internal memory, a maximum frequency value of the frequency values stored in the memory cells of the internal memory is determined, and the maximum frequency value is transferred to a corresponding memory cell of the external memory. The memory cell of the internal memory that contains the transferred maximum frequency value is reset. After a period, content of each memory cell of the internal and external memory is read, and each memory cell of the internal and external memory is reset.
US09349352B2 Transmission system, external input device, and program for converting display resolution
A transmission system includes an external input device which transmits display data to a transmission terminal that is connected to another transmission terminal to be able to communicate therewith. Once the resolution on a display device of the transmission terminal has been modified, the external input device receives first resolution information representing the resolution that has been modified from the transmission terminal, and thereafter converts the resolution of the display data based on the first resolution information and second resolution information representing the resolution on a display device of the external input device. The external input device then transmits the display data that has the converted resolution to the transmission terminal so that the transmission terminal transmits the display data to the other transmission terminal.
US09349347B2 Apparatus and method for controlling screen brightness in portable terminal
An apparatus and a method for controlling a screen brightness in a portable terminal, by which consumption of current by the portable terminal can be reduced by reducing the brightness of the display while a screen is being loaded for display. The apparatus preferably includes: a display unit for changing a screen brightness value thereof depending on whether data is operated, and displaying a screen thereof having the changed screen brightness value; and a controller for performing a control operation for changing the screen brightness value while the data is operated, and performing a control operation for causing the changed screen brightness value to return to a screen brightness value before the change when the operation of the data is completed.
US09349345B2 Systems and methods for performing color adjustment of pixels on a color display
System and methods are provided for performing saturation adjustment of one or more pixels. In one embodiment, an input color value of a pixel is received. The input color value includes an input saturation component. An adjusted color value is extracted from a predetermined look-up table that maps the input color value to the adjusted color value, the adjusted color value having an adjusted saturation component that is different from the input saturation component. The adjusted color value is output.
US09349343B2 Vehicular apparatus and external device screen image display system
A vehicular apparatus connected to an external device having a display unit and obtaining picture cell information of each picture cell of the display unit includes: a vehicular display unit for displaying a screen image, which is displayed on the display unit, according to the picture cell information; a control content memory device for storing a control content in connection with picture cell related screen image information, which is determined by the picture cell information; a picture cell related screen image information determination device for determining the picture cell related screen image information based on the picture cell information; and a control device for determining the control content based on the picture cell related screen image information determined by the picture cell related screen image information determination device and a stored content in the control content memory device, and for executing a determined control.
US09349341B2 Panel driving circuit, booster circuit for liquid crystal pixel data and driving method thereof
A booster circuit for liquid crystal pixel data includes first, second and third signal control switches and a first storage capacitor. The first signal control switch is ON through a driving of a first control pulse and electrically coupled to a data voltage. The second signal control switch is ON through a driving of the first control pulse and electrically coupled to a reference voltage. The third signal control switch is ON through a driving of a second control pulse and electrically coupled to the data voltage. The first storage capacitor includes two terminals. The first storage capacitor has its first terminal electrically coupled to the reference voltage through the second signal control switch and electrically coupled to the data voltage through the third signal control switch and its second terminal electrically coupled to the data voltage through the first signal control switch and for providing an output voltage.
US09349338B2 Display device and method for driving same
A memory access section 16 writes, in a memory (10), a received image signal, in a case where a current frame is one that is located right before a frame in a scanning signal. On the other hand, the memory access section 16 does not write, in the memory (10), a received image signal, in a case where the current frame is one that is located right before a frame in a pause period. This allows a further reduction in electric power used to write, in the memory (10), an image signal received from outside.
US09349336B2 Display device having higher aperture ratio and lower power consumption
A display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a column direction and in a row direction, as well as a data line connected to a pixel of a k-th column (where ‘k’ is a natural number) and a (k+1)-th column in an odd-numbered row of the pixels, and connected to a pixel of a (k−1)-th column and a (k+2)-th column in an even-numbered row of the pixels. A data driving part is configured to apply a data signal to the data lines.
US09349331B2 Shift register unit circuit, shift register, array substrate and display apparatus
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a technique of liquid crystal display, and provide a shift register unit circuit, a shift register, an array substrate and a display apparatus. A first TFT is added in the shift register unit circuit and is used to pull down the level of a node PU when a frame start signal is at a high level and a forward clock signal changes from a low level to the high level, such that a H-line defect generated in an output signal caused by a coupling effect of a coupling circuit can be avoided, which is advantageous for increasing productivity and yield rate of products.
US09349329B2 Displays with light leakage reduction structures
An electronic device is provided with a display such as a liquid crystal display. The display includes a display module having an array of display pixels and a backlight unit configured to provide backlight to the array of display pixels. The array of display pixels includes display pixels in a central region surrounded by display pixels in a border region. To minimize light leakage from the display, display control circuitry drives the display pixels in the central region according to a first gray level mapping function and drives the display pixels in the border region according to a second gray level mapping function. Light leakage reduction structures may be used to reduce the intensity of backlight received by display pixels in the border region relative to the intensity of backlight received by display pixels in the central region.
US09349328B2 Backlight apparatus, method for controlling the same, and image display apparatus
Disclosed is a backlight apparatus comprising a plurality of light sources; and a control unit which drives the plurality of light sources at an identical driving frequency and which performs pulse-width modulation control for a turned-on period and a turned-off period of each of the light sources; wherein the control unit is capable of setting a duty ratio for each of the light sources and each of driving cycles; and the control unit sets the duty ratio for at least two of the light sources respectively so that a condition, in which one cycle period composed of one turned-on period and one turned-off period is N times the driving cycle, is fulfilled, and the duty ratio is 0 or 1 in at least one driving cycle of N pieces of the driving cycles for constructing the one cycle period if N is not less than 2.
US09349326B2 Image display apparatus and control method therefor
An image display apparatus according this invention includes: a light-emitting unit configured to emit light; a display panel configured to display an image by transmitting the light from the light-emitting unit at a transmittance based on an input image signal; and a control unit configured to set a plurality of lighting periods respectively having different lengths on a frame-by-frame basis and control lighting and extinction of the light-emitting unit in such a manner that the light-emitting unit is lit during the lighting periods and extinguished during a period other than the lighting periods, wherein the control unit makes the number of lighting periods within one frame larger when a brightness of the image is bright than when the brightness of the image is dark.
US09349323B2 Display device and method for driving same
In a pixel circuit, during a period during which an organic EL element is not emitting light, transistors are in an “on” state and the organic EL element is reversed-biased by a low-level power-supply potential and a reverse-biasing power-supply potential. A reverse-direction voltage determined by a reverse-direction current that depends on the degree to which degradation of the organic EL element has progressed is thus written to a capacitor. A data voltage is then supplied to the capacitor via another capacitor, bringing the drive voltage of a transistor that controls the current that drives the organic EL element to Vsig+Voledr. This makes it possible to minimize decreases in the emission luminance of an electrooptical element such as an organic EL element due to degradation thereof over time.
US09349321B2 Pixel circuit and display
A pixel circuit and a display are configured to reduce a size of the pixel circuit, so as to further reduce pixel pitch, increase the number of the pixels contained in per unit area and improve picture display quality. The pixel circuit includes: a first pixel sub-circuit and a second pixel sub-circuit, as well as an initialization module (31) and a data voltage writing module (32) connected to the first pixel sub-circuit and the second pixel sub-circuit; wherein the initialization module (31) is connected to a reset signal terminal and a low potential terminal, and is configured to initialize the first pixel sub-circuit and the second pixel sub-circuit under the control of a reset signal inputted from the reset signal terminal; the data voltage writing module (32) is connected to a data voltage terminal and a gate signal terminal, and is configured, under the control of a signal inputted from the gate signal terminal, to firstly write a first data voltage to the first pixel sub-circuit and the second pixel sub-circuit and perform compensation on a driving module (332) of the second pixel sub-circuit, and then to write a second data voltage to the first pixel sub-circuit and perform compensation on a driving module (331) of the first pixel sub-circuit.
US09349319B2 AMOLED driving circuit, AMOLED driving method, and AMOLED display device
In embodiments of the present disclosure, there are provided an AMOLED driving circuit, an AMOLED driving method and an AMOLED display device. The AMOLED driving circuit includes a light emitting device, a first switching transistor, a voltage regulator, a driving transistor and a capacitor. The driving transistor in the AMOLED driving circuit drives the light emitting device to emit light under the control of the voltage regulator, a driving current provided by the driving transistor is independent of Vth of the driving transistor, so that the driving current flowing through the light emitting device is prevented from being affected by the poor uniformity and drift of Vth, the uniformity in the driving currents flowing through the light emitting devices is enhanced, and thus the uniformity in the brightness of the AMOLED is improved.
US09349316B2 Organic light-emitting display device with signal lines for carrying both data signal and sensing signal
An organic light-emitting display device having a signal line that is shared by a first column of pixels and a second column of pixels to transmit a data signal and a sensing signal. The organic light-emitting display device includes a plurality of columns of pixels, and a plurality of signal lines extending between the plurality of columns of pixels. Each of the plurality of signal lines is configured to transmit a data signal from a data driver to the first column of pixels at first times. The data signals control the operation of an organic light-emitting element in the first column of pixels. The same signal line transmits a sensing signal from the second column of pixels to the data driver at second times. The sensing signal represents a variable property of an electrical component in a pixel of the second column of pixels.
US09349314B2 Time-divisional driving organic electroluminescence display
A time-divisional driving organic electroluminescence display in which a power supply line for supplying a power supply voltage is shared by two pixels coupled with the power supply line, and the power supply line is substantially parallel to and interposed between two data lines installed to drive the two pixels. Each pixel is arranged between a data line and the power supply line.
US09349312B2 AMOLED display device and method for precisely compensating aging thereof
The present invention relates to an AMOLED display device, which includes a display panel; a data processor, which processes image data from a video source and compensation data from a compensation unit and outputs compensated image data, the image data having a first color depth, the compensation data and the compensated image data having a second color depth that is greater than the first color depth; a frame rate control module, which adjusts the compensated image data to the first color depth; a timing controller, which generates a timing control signal; a driver, which drives the display panel; a display measurement module, which measures homogeneity of displaying of the display panel; and a compensation unit, which generates compensation data of second color depth. The present invention also provides a method for precisely compensating an AMOLED display device.
US09349307B1 Forty-eight by fourteen foot outdoor billboard to be illuminated using only two lighting assemblies
A forty-eight foot wide outdoor billboard can be illuminated at night using only two lighting assemblies. First and second areas of a display surface of the billboard are simultaneously illuminated by emitting light from a number of LEDs mounted in a common plane and redirecting the light toward the display surface using a plurality of optical elements. Each optical element is disposed over only one associated LED and includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion arranged to direct the light toward the first area of the display surface so that visual media content of the display surface is visible without any additional light.
US09349304B2 Demonstrating an active vibration isolation system
Active vibration isolation (AVVI) systems are becoming more available in various markets, one such market being vehicle operator seating. Unfamiliarity with the performance of such systems may cause users initial perceptions of system performance to be unfavorable. AVI systems can include a demonstration system capable of providing simulations too users of various types of vibration isolation systems under various input conditions, so that users can be introduced to the system benefits over other systems before using an AVI equipped product in its intended application.
US09349298B2 System and method for on-line interactive learning and feedback
A system and method for on-line interactive learning and feedback is provided. The system elicits user responses and provides a means for the users to evaluate responses and receive feedback from other users and from subject matter experts.
US09349297B1 System and method for nutrition analysis using food image recognition
The present disclosure provides a system and method for determining a nutritional value of a food item. The system and method utilizes a food container as a model to adjust various types of distortions that exists in an instant image of the food container that retains the food item. The instant image may be compared to the model image of the food container to correct any distortions. The food container includes a boundary which has a predetermined color. The predetermined color of the boundary can be used to adjust the color configuration of the instant image, thereby increasing the accuracy of the food identification.
US09349296B2 Methods and systems for dynamically providing contextual weather information
Methods and systems are provided for providing dynamic information. Routing data for a vehicle is integrated with weather data for an area to generate contextual weather information. The contextual weather information is presented with respect to a predetermined route of the vehicle.
US09349293B2 Method and apparatus for providing vehicle synchronization to facilitate a crossing
An approach is provided for determining at least one intention to perform at least one crossing of at least one object within proximity of at least one first vehicle. The approach involves determining at least one second vehicle within proximity of the at least one crossing, the at least one first vehicle, or a combination thereof. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, a signaling among at least one first device associated with the at least one first vehicle and at least one second device associated with the at least one second vehicle, wherein the signaling causes, at least in part, a synchronization of at least one movement, at least one stop, the at least one intention to perform the at least one crossing, or a combination thereof among the at least one first vehicle, the at least one second vehicle, at least one cloud service, or a combination thereof in response to the at least one request.
US09349292B2 Vehicle with traffic flow reminder
A vehicle system having at least one sensor configured to output a range signal and a range-rate signal. The range signal represents a distance from a host vehicle to the front vehicle and the range-rate signal represents range-rate information of the front vehicle relative to the host vehicle. A processing device is configured to output an alarm signal based on the range signal, the range-rate signal, and whether a driver of the host vehicle is determined to be distracted.
US09349291B2 Vehicle intersection monitoring system and method
A vehicle intersection monitoring method includes exchanging host and remote vehicle information including information pertaining to host and remote vehicle locations and headings, respectively, and determining whether the host and remote vehicles are travelling on converging paths based on the host vehicle and/or remote vehicle information. The method further includes determining a possibility of the host and remote vehicles contacting each other at a contact location based on host and remote vehicle travel times from the host vehicle and remote vehicle locations, respectively, to the contact location that is determined based on the host and remove vehicle information, determining a threshold value based on a current moving state of the host vehicle while the possibility of the host and remote vehicles contacting each other exists, and evaluating whether to perform a threat mitigation operation based on a condition of the host vehicle in relation to the threshold value.
US09349290B2 Self-reported tracking methods including a trip plan with an expected duration or expected return
A trip plan is received at an in-vehicle application on a memory of an in-vehicle infotainment unit or at an application on a mobile device memory. The trip plan includes an expected trip duration and/or an expected trip return. An in-vehicle bus facilitates monitoring for a return event, or a mobile device monitoring system facilitates monitoring for a return event. In an example, a notification that the return event has been recognized is received at one of the applications. The return event is identified as having occurred prior to or at the expiration of the expected trip duration and/or return. In another example, one of the applications recognizes that the expected trip duration and/or the return has expired and that no notification of the return event has been received, and a pending alert notification is transmitted to another party.
US09349289B1 Informational traffic light system that provides traffic light specific incentive information based on traffic light timing
A system receives data describing a light state of a traffic light and timing status of the traffic light. The light states include a first state indicating the traffic light is displaying a stop signal, and a second state indicating the traffic light is not displaying a stop signal. The timing status describes the time remaining of current state to transition to another state. The system determines, based on the state of the traffic light and the timing status, one of a plurality of messages on the display device. The messages include a first message to shut off an engine.
US09349288B2 Self-configuring traffic signal controller
Embodiments describe new mechanisms for signalized intersection control. Embodiments expand inputs beyond traditional traffic control methods to include awareness of agency policies for signalized control, industry standardized calculations for traffic control parameters, geometric awareness of the roadway and/or intersection, and/or input of vehicle trajectory data relative to this intersection geometry. In certain embodiments, these new inputs facilitate a real-time, future-state trajectory modeling of the phase timing and sequencing options for signalized intersection control. Phase selection and timing can be improved or otherwise optimized based upon modeling the signal's future state impact on arriving vehicle trajectories. This improvement or optimization can be performed to reduce or minimize the cost basis of a user definable objective function.
US09349287B1 System for obtaining vehicular traffic flow data from a tire pressure monitoring system
An embedded Tire Pressure Monitoring sensor is incorporated into vehicular wheels and a secured central server is used to track the unique identification code of each sensor. The TPMS is installed by the vehicular manufacturer in accordance with the federally mandated TREAD Act of 2000. When a vehicle enters the radius of a first encrypted TPM sensor detection transceiver, its TPM sensor identification codes are recorded and time-stamped via an encrypted TPM sensor detection transceiver. If the vehicle enters the area of a second encrypted TPM sensor detection transceiver, the sensor codes will be recorded and time-stamped a second time, encrypted and sent to the secured central server. Using the two encrypted, time-stamped signals, the secured central server calculates traffic flow data.
US09349284B2 Regional driving trend modification using autonomous vehicles
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and a computer system for modifying regional driving habits. A computer determines a first value associated with a regional driving habit for a region. The computer determines a second value associated with a target driving habit, wherein the second value is not substantially equivalent to the first value. The computer determines that a number of at least semi-autonomous vehicles in an area is above a threshold value. The computer transmits information instructing the number of at least semi-autonomous vehicles to operate based on the second value.
US09349283B2 Remote operation system and remote controller
In one aspect, when a user directs a remote controller (13) toward a television set (11), causing the remote controller (13) and the television set (11) to enter the wireless communication region of each other, the remote controller (13) and the television set (11) establish a wireless link to each other. When the user directs the remote controller (13) toward an air conditioner (12), causing the remote controller (13) and the air conditioner (12) to enter the wireless communication region of each other, the remote controller (13) and the air conditioner (12) establish a wireless link to each other. The remote controller (13) and the television set (11) are out of the wireless communication region of each other at this point, and the wireless link between the two is thus disconnected.
US09349281B2 Frequency hopping for smart air springs
The subject invention relates to an air spring height sensor comprising a transmitter unit (102) for transmitting a height measuring signal, a receiver unit (101) for sensing a height signal, a carrier frequency switching unit (103), and an evaluation unit (200). The receiver unit and the transmitter unit are adapted for being mounted to opposing mounting elements (10, 20) of an air spring (1). The transmitter unit is switchable between different carrier frequencies (121, 122) of a height measuring signal. The evaluation unit comprises a frequency filter (213) being switchable between different carrier frequencies, wherein the carrier frequency switching unit is adapted for switching the carrier frequency of the frequency filter at a predetermined first point of time and the corresponding carrier frequency of the transmitter unit at a predetermined second point of time, wherein the first point of time is prior to the second point of time.
US09349277B2 Personal security devices and methods
According to some aspects of the present invention there is provided a device for initiating a distress signal to a mobile communication device. The device may comprise a first and second mechanical element. The mechanical elements receive a pulling force when a distress event occurs, producing a motion of one mechanical element relative to the other mechanical element to irrevocably connect a persistent electrical connection loop between a power source and a wireless communication unit. The wireless communication unit may comprise a processing unit, a non-volatile memory value of a device identification code, and a communication interface. When the wireless communication unit is connected to the power source, a distress signal may be sent to a mobile communication device using the communication interface, and the distress signal may comprise the device identification code.
US09349271B2 Methods, user equipment, property device, and computer program products for detecting movement of the property device and of indicating such movement at the user device
Short or middle range capabilities are activated at a user device, if not already active, in response to receiving a first message initiated at the property device via a wireless wide range connection. a response message, indicating that the short or middle range capabilities of the user device are active, is transmitted to the property device, via a wireless wide range connection. In response to receiving a second message initiated at the property device and indicating a failed scanning for the user device by the property device via a wireless wide range connection, an alarm indicating movement of the property device and that the property device is located out of range for the short or middle range capabilities of the user device is activated at the user device. At the property device, failed scanning processe(s) triggers the property device to initiate alarm activation at the user device.
US09349269B2 Glass breakage detection system and method of configuration thereof
A glass breakage detector system including an audio sensor, room-specific evaluation function generating functionality operative to generate at least one room-specific audio signal alarm evaluation function based on at least one of at least one acoustic parameter characterizing a room in which the audio sensor is located and at least two of the following environmental parameters: a size of the room, at least one size of at least one glass element in the room, at least one type of the at least one glass element in the room and at least one distance between the at least one glass element and the audio sensor, and alarm generation functionality operative to receive outputs from the audio sensor and to generate a glass breakage alarm when the outputs from the audio sensor fulfill criteria established by the at least one room-specific audio signal alarm evaluation function.
US09349262B2 Security system providing a localized humanly-perceivable alert for identifying a facility to emergency personnel
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for guiding emergency personnel to a location in a facility proximate to an alarm that has been generated. In one aspect, a method may include detecting an alarm condition at a facility protected by a security system and determining a location at the facility of the alarm condition. The method may further include causing at least one indicator at the facility, which is proximate to the determined location of the alarm condition, to generate an identifying alert that is humanly perceivable from an exterior of the facility such that emergency personnel can identify the facility based at least in part on the identifying alert. In some aspects, the method may also include notifying a security representative of the alarm condition, and receiving a notification from the security representative indicating that emergency personnel are dispatched to the facility.
US09349247B2 User interface manager for a skill wagering interleaved game
Systems for a networked gaming system are disclosed, including an entertainment game controller connected to a game world controller, and constructed to: communicate an initialization request; receive a plurality of transaction identifiers; communicate game world information and a transaction identifier; receive a gambling outcome and game world resources; display gambling outcome; integrate game world resources; a real world controller connected to the game world controller, and constructed to: receive a wager request; determine gambling outcome; communicate gambling outcome; the game world controller connected to the entertainment game controller and to the real world controller, and constructed to: receive initialization request; determine whether or not the player is authorized; generate plurality of transaction identifiers; communicate plurality of transaction identifiers; receive game world information and transaction identifier; determine whether the transaction identifier is valid; communicate wager request; receive gambling outcome; determine game world resources; and communicate gambling outcome and game world resources.
US09349243B2 Gaming system and method providing a multiplay game with resultant symbols
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a multiplay game with resultant symbols. The game is associated with a plurality of reel sets each including a plurality of reels. Each reel is associated with one or more symbol display areas. For each reel set, each symbol display area associated with a reel of that reel set is associated with a symbol display area associated with one of the reels of each other reel set. The gaming system independently generates and displays certain of the symbols on the reels of the respective reel sets at the corresponding symbol display areas. If associated symbol display areas display symbols having a designated relationship with one another, the gaming system forms a resultant symbol from those symbols. The gaming system determines any awards based on the resultant symbols and not based on any non-resultant symbols.
US09349242B2 Gaming machine with visual and audio indicia changed over time
A gaming machine having features for increasing player appeal is set forth. The machine generally includes a processor, a display, and a memory device. The processor randomly selects one of a plurality of outcomes of the gaming machine in response to a wager. The display displays visual elements to be viewed by the player. The memory device is coupled to the processor and stores at least two data sets for producing at least two different types of visual and/or audio elements in the basic game or bonus game, or at least two different types of bonus game formats. The processor selects one of the two data sets in response to the occurrence of a predetermined time, a number of wager inputs by players of the gaming machine, or after determining a favorite play content based on the number of wager inputs by players.
US09349240B2 Gaming terminal with an inclined input interface
A gaming terminal includes a first display screen operative to display a wagering game that includes a lower section. A second display screen is operative to display images of input buttons and includes a touchscreen operative to receive inputs at the input buttons to play the wagering game. The second display screen is smaller than the first display screen. The second display screen is positioned forwardly relative to the lower section of the first display screen such that the second display screen is closer than the first display screen to a player position in front of the gaming terminal. The second display screen is inclined relative to horizontal such that an imaginary plane containing the second display screen intersects the lower section of the first display screen thereby creating an infinity pool effect when viewing the first display screen relative to the second display screen.
US09349239B2 Automated medicament dispenser with screw singulator
An automated medicament dispensing machine for dispensing and counting individual medicaments. A medicament supply bin holds a plurality of medicaments. A singulator extends into the medicament supply bin and functions to singulate the plurality of medicaments. The singulator includes a trough that extends into the medicament supply bin. A helix is positioned over the top of the trough. The helix is uncovered at its top. A motor is connected to the helix and rotates the helix so that excess medicaments fall backwards along the trough or into the medicament supply bin as individual medicaments are singulated.
US09349237B2 Method of authenticating a printed document
A method for authenticating a printed document which carries barcode that encode authentication data, including word bounding boxes for each word in the original document image and data for reconstructing the original image. The printed document is scanned to generate a target document image, which is then segmented into text words. The word bounding boxes of the original and target document images are used to align the target document image. Then, each word in the original document image is compared to corresponding words in the target document image using word difference map and Hausdorff distance between them. Symbols of the original document image are further compared to corresponding symbols in the target document image using feature comparison, symbol difference map and Hausdorff distance comparison, and point matching. These various comparison results can identify alterations in the target document with respect to the original document, which can be visualized.
US09349236B2 Solutions for relay attacks on passive keyless entry and go
A passive entry system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: a mobile device to be carried by a user, said mobile device comprising a low-frequency transceiver for short range communication, an ultra-high-frequency transceiver for long range communication and information concerning access, such as an access code, which is transmittable by said transceivers; and a locking device which is to be unlocked by the mobile device, said locking device comprising a low-frequency transceiver for short-range communication and an ultra-high frequency transceiver for long range communication to receive said information concerning access, such the access code. The transceivers of the mobile device communicates with the transceiver of the locking device and exchange information concerning access, such as said access code, to the locking system via the respective transceivers, wherein the communication range of the ultra-high-frequency transceiver of the mobile device is limited to a short range in a normal operating mode of the mobile device.
US09349229B2 Data recording apparatus for a vehicle
In order to carry out data recording efficiently, a data recording apparatus for a vehicle in the present invention determines whether a predetermined event occurs in a vehicle. When it is determined that a predetermined event occurs, generally at least data indicating a vehicle state is recorded in a recording part from an occurrence of the predetermined event until a predetermined period of time elapses. Also, it is determined whether, at a time when it is determined that the predetermined event occurs, the recording in the recording part is actually being carried out. When it is determined that the recording is actually being carried out, the data indicating the vehicle state at that time is recorded in the recording part instead of recording the data based on the occurrence of the predetermined event at least from the occurrence of the predetermined event until the predetermined period of time elapses.
US09349228B2 Driver scorecard system and method
Systems and methods are directed to monitoring and assessing driver behavior. A system comprises an interface configured to receive vehicle data acquired by a computer system of a vehicle, a wireless transceiver configured to effect communications with a central office via one or more networks, a display, memory configured to store scoring algorithms, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive at least some of the vehicle data, and generate, in substantially real-time and independently from the central office, a plurality of scores for a plurality of scoring parameters using the stored scoring algorithms and the received vehicle data. The processor is also configured to update, in substantially real-time and independently from the central office, the plurality of scores during a predetermined period of time, and cooperate with the display to present the plurality of scores on the display during the predetermined period of time.
US09349226B2 Systems and methods for detecting faults within operative sub-systems of a vehicle
A vehicle may include at least one operative sub-system that includes at least one sensor configured to output one or more sensor signals related to the at least one operative sub-system. A fault detection system may be in communication with the operative sub-system(s). The fault detection system is configured to generate at least one early warning signal based on the one more sensor signals, and determine at least one derivative of the early warning signal(s).
US09349223B1 System for advertising vehicle information wirelessly
A system and apparatus for advertising vehicle information using network names includes a wireless transceiver removably attached to the data port of a vehicle. The transceiver creates a wireless network having a unique name. The transceiver advertises vehicle specific information as part of the wireless network name. The transceiver communicates the network name to an app running on a wireless user computing device. A plurality of unique network names may be collected by the app and stored for use in researching additional information about each vehicle having such a transceiver mounted thereon.
US09349222B2 Focused illuminated guide for clearly identifying where a user should position a time card in a time clock to assure that the time clock provides a properly positioned printing on the time card
A time clock clearly identifies where a user should position a time card therein. The clock and a printer platen are fixed relative to a base, and has the time card rests thereon. A printing mechanism moves relative to the base and has a target area, it is traversable between a print position and an idle position, and it impresses the time indicia onto the time card while in the print position. A ribbon shield is fixed relative to the base. A focused illuminated guide is fixed relative to the base, and in combination with the ribbon shield, guides the time card with respect to the printing mechanism to clearly identify where the user should position the time card in the time clock.
US09349221B2 Printer apparatus and control method therefor
When a medium is set to a printer apparatus, a first printing condition for a longer boarding ticket of two types of boarding ticket length is read and set, the medium is started to be conveyed. Upon detection of a cue mark of the medium, the medium is advanced by a predetermined distance and the apparatus is set to a print-standby state of a second boarding ticket to wait to receive data. Upon reception of first printing data, printing is started under the first printing condition. When the cue mark is detected, if printing is completed, subsequent printing is performed under the first printing condition. If the cue mark is detected before printing is completed, a second printing condition for a shorter boarding ticket is read and set and the printing is performed under the second printing condition.
US09349220B2 Curve correction in volume data sets
Certain embodiments provide a computer apparatus comprising a display and a processor running a visualization application for visualizing a three-dimensional patient image data set including an anatomical feature of interest. The visualization application is operable to: a) display on the display at least one view of the image data set together with a curve which is intended to follow a path relevant for the anatomical feature of interest, but which may include one or more deviations from the path; and b) initiate an editing session for the curve by selecting a portion of the curve associated with a deviation from the path for correction, the editing session comprising: (i) presenting an MPR view including the selected portion of the curve; (ii) defining a trend line which approximately follows the anatomical path in the vicinity of the selected portion of the curve; (iii) amending under user control any desired part of the selected portion of the curve in the MPR view to make corrections to the curve; (iv) rotating under user control the MPR view about a rotational axis which is parallel to the trend line in order to permit a user to review the corrections in three dimensions in the image data set; (v) iterating under user control the amending and rotating steps as desired to make and review further corrections; and (vi) terminating the editing session under user control by accepting or rejecting the corrections; and c) display at least one view of the image data set together with the curve incorporating amendments from the editing session.
US09349212B2 System and method for analyzing and imaging three-dimensional volume data sets using a three-dimensional sampling probe
System and method for analyzing and imaging three-dimensional volume data sets using a three-dimensional sampling probe. A number of sampling probes can be created, shaped, and moved interactively by the user within the whole three-dimensional volume data set. As the sampling probe changes shape, size, or location in response to user input, the image is re-drawn at a rate sufficiently fast to be perceived as real-time by the user. In this manner, the user can more easily and effectively visualize and interpret the features and physical parameters that are inherent in the three-dimensional volume data set.
US09349210B2 Methods of and apparatus for using textures in graphics processing systems
A graphics virtual texturing system in which textures stored in a storage medium of a host system are divided into respective pages that are then loaded into a local memory of a graphics processing system for use. If the texture page that is required for performing a texturing operation at an originally desired level of detail (52) is not present in the local memory of the graphics processing system (53), the virtual texture lookup process loops back to try to sample the texture at an increased level of detail (55), and so on, until texture data that can be used is found in the local memory of the graphics processing system (53). This allows the texturing operation to proceed using texture data for the texel positions in question from a higher level (less detailed) mipmap in place of the originally desired texture data.
US09349208B2 Viewing three dimensional digital slides
Systems, methods, and media for providing a view of a digital slide image. In an embodiment, a digital slide image file is accessed. The digital slide image file may comprise a plurality of first image planes representing an image of at least a portion of a slide specimen at varying focal depths. Then, a three-dimensional object is constructed from the digital slide image file. The three-dimensional image object is constructed by determining a surface that crosses two or more of the plurality of first image planes, and determining image data that are interior to the determined surface, based on one or more of the plurality of first image planes. A view is generated from the three-dimensional image object.
US09349207B2 Apparatus and method for parsing human body image
An apparatus and method for parsing a human body image may be implemented by acquiring a depth image including a human body, and detecting a plurality of points in the acquired depth image by conducting a minimum energy skeleton scan on the depth image.
US09349206B2 Editing animated objects in video
In one aspect, in general, a method includes receiving, in a user interface of a video editing application executing on a computer system, an indication from a user of the video editing application to edit an animated object associated with a video clip displayed in the user interface, receiving, by the video editing application executing on the computer system, data specifying an editing location of the animated object, and determining, by the video editing application executing on the computer system, a frame of the video clip associated with the editing location of the animated object, the determination based on the data specifying the editing location of the animated object. Other aspects may include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.
US09349201B1 Command sentinel
A video server is configured to provide streaming video to players of computer games over a computing network. The video server can provided video of different games to different players simultaneously. This is accomplished by rendering several video streams in parallel using a single GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The output of the GPU is provided to graphics processing pipelines that are each associated with a specific client/player and are dynamically allocated as needed. A client qualifier may be used to assure that only clients capable of presenting the streaming video to a player at a minimum level of quality receive the video stream. Video frames provided by the video server optionally include overlays added to the output of the GPU. These overlays can include voice data received from another game player. These overlays may be used to prevent presentation of non-allowed input controls.
US09349197B2 Left ventricle epicardium estimation in medical diagnostic imaging
The left ventricle epicardium is estimated in medical diagnostic imaging. C-arm x-ray data is used to detect an endocardium at different phases. The detected endocardium at the different phases is compared to sample endocardiums at different phases. The sample endocardiums have corresponding sample epicardiums. The transformation between the most similar sample endocardium or endocardiums over time and the detected endocardium over time is applied to the corresponding sample epicardium or epicardiums. The transformed sample epicardium over time is the estimated epicardium over time for the C-arm x-ray data.
US09349195B2 Apparatus and method for spatially referencing images
Provided is a method of spatially referencing a plurality of images captured from a plurality of different locations within an indoor space by determining the location from which the plurality of images were captured. The method may include obtaining a plurality of distance-referenced panoramas of an indoor space. The distance-referenced panoramas may each include a plurality of distance-referenced images each captured from one position in the indoor space and at a different azimuth from the other distance-referenced images, a plurality of distance measurements, and orientation indicators each indicative of the azimuth of the corresponding one of the distance-referenced images. The method may further include determining the location of each of the distance-referenced panoramas based on the plurality of distance measurements and the orientation indicators and associating in memory the determined locations with the plurality of distance-referenced images captured from the determined location.
US09349194B2 Method for superpixel life cycle management
A method and an apparatus for life cycle management for superpixels associated to frames of a sequence of frames are described. An area occupied by a superpixel in a frame of the sequence of frames is monitored. In case the area of the superpixel becomes smaller than a specified first value, the superpixel is terminated in the later frame. In case the area of the superpixel becomes larger than a specified second value, the superpixel is split in the later frame.
US09349193B2 Method and apparatus for moving object detection using principal component analysis based radial basis function network
A method for moving object detection based on a Principal Component Analysis-based Radial Basis Function network (PCA-based RBF network) includes the following steps. A sequence of incoming frames of a fixed location delivered over a network are received. A plurality of Eigen-patterns are generated from the sequence of incoming frames based on a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) model. A background model is constructed from the sequence of incoming frames based on a Radial Basis Function (RBF) network model. A current incoming frame is received and divided into a plurality of current incoming blocks. Each of the current incoming blocks is classified as either a background block or a moving object block according to the Eigen-patterns. Whether a current incoming pixel of the moving object blocks among the current incoming blocks is a moving object pixel or a background pixel is determined according to the background model.
US09349190B2 Ultrasound image processing apparatus
Ultrasonic image data from a plurality of time phases are stored in an image storage unit (22). A pattern matching unit (30) searches the image data in a search time phase for moving points corresponding to set points in the image data in a reference time phase, on the basis of a correlation operation performed on the image data. In this way, moving points for set points are searched across a plurality of time phases. A diagnostic information generating unit (40) then determines the main direction of movement of the set points across the plurality of time phases based on the moving points searched across the plurality of time phases, and diagnostic information is obtained by evaluating the movement of the set points with reference to the main direction.
US09349189B2 Occlusion resistant image template matching using distance transform
A computing device performs matching between a target image and one or more template images. The computing device receives image data and performs an edge detection algorithm on the image data. The edge detection algorithm includes a distance metric based on angles between gradient vectors in the image data and gradient vectors in one or more templates. The computing device matches a building model to the image data based on results of the edge detection algorithm, wherein the building model is associated with the one or more templates.
US09349181B2 Lost vehicle recovery utilizing associated feature pairs
According to the embodiments described herein, a method for lost vehicle recovery utilizing associated feature pairs may include, for a materials handling vehicle determined to be lost, creating a plurality of associated feature pairs by retrieving a subsequent set of camera data from a camera comprising two-dimensional UV space information, forming pairs from the UV space information, and associating each formed pair with pairs from each of a plurality of three-dimensional global feature points of an industrial facility map. The method may further include calculating a best estimate pose from calculated vehicle poses of the associated feature pairs based on a highest-rated pair of the plurality of associated feature pairs, using an accumulated odometry to update the best estimate pose to a current localized position, updating the seed position as the current localized position, and operating the materials handling vehicle utilizing the updated seed position.
US09349178B1 Synthetic data-driven hemodynamic determination in medical imaging
In hemodynamic determination in medical imaging, the classifier is trained from synthetic data rather than relying on training data from other patients. A computer model (in silico) may be perturbed in many different ways to generate many different examples. The flow is calculated for each resulting example. A bench model (in vitro) may similarly be altered in many different ways. The flow is measured for each resulting example. The machine-learnt classifier uses features from medical scan data for a particular patient to estimate the blood flow based on mapping of features to flow learned from the synthetic data. Perturbations or alterations may account for therapy so that the machine-trained classifier may estimate the results of therapeutically altering a patient-specific input feature. Uncertainty may be handled by training the classifier to predict a distribution of possibilities given uncertain input distribution. Combinations of one or more of uncertainty, use of synthetic training data, and therapy prediction may be provided.
US09349177B2 Extracting bullous emphysema and diffuse emphysema in E.G. CT volume images of the lungs
An processor (118) includes a bullous emphysema identifier (206) that processes voxels of the volumetric image data and identifies voxels corresponding to bullous emphysema, a two dimensional projection image generator (206) that generates a 2D bullous emphysema projection image based on the voxels corresponding to bullous emphysema, wherein an intensity of a contour of a bulla in the 2D bullous emphysema projection image is based on a size of the bulla, and a feature highlighter (210) that highlights the bullous emphysema in the 2D bullous emphysema projection image using second first indicia.
US09349175B2 Apparatus, system, and process for determining characteristics of a surface of a papermaking fabric
Apparatuses, processes, and systems for implementing techniques for determining characteristics of a papermaking fabric. The techniques include forming a representation of a portion of the surface of the fabric, with the representation showing the knuckles and pockets in the surface. The representation can be formed, for example, in pressure measurement film, in wax paper, or as a photograph. An image is generated from the representation, and the image is analyzed to determine characteristics of the surface of the fabric, such as knuckle sizes and pocket sizes. The depth of pockets in the fabric can also be determined. The techniques can be used in processes for analyzing wear of a fabric, and for obtaining a fabric for making a paper product with a particular three-dimensional structure.
US09349174B2 Absolute phase measurement with secondary pattern-embedded fringe
Multiple images of a scene are captured while a phase-shifted fringe embedded with a secondary pattern is projected onto the scene. A wrapped phase map is generated based on the captured images, and a continuous region mask is determined to segment the wrapped phase map into multiple continuous regions. A period disparity of the fringe is determined for each region based at least in part on the embedded secondary pattern, and the regional period disparities are applied to a spatially unwrapped phase map to produce an absolute phase map and finally a depth map.
US09349171B2 Statistical property preserved bad line correction
The present disclosure presents systems and methods for correcting image artifacts on an x-ray image. X-ray images are obtained and processed with a correction algorithm that generates corrected pixel lines having pixels with corrected pixel values. The corrected pixel lines can then be processed with a filtering algorithm that generates filtered pixel line having pixels with a filtered pixel value. The bad pixel lines are replaced by the filtered pixel lines to generate corrected x-ray images.
US09349169B2 Sampling-based multi-lateral filter method for depth map enhancement and codec
A preferred method receives a color image and a corresponding raw depth map from a sensor or system. Unreliable regions are determined in the raw depth map by calculating pixel reliabilities for pixels throughout the depth map. Information is collected from the color image, for corresponding pixels in the unreliable regions of the raw depth map, from neighboring pixels outside the unreliable regions. The depth of pixels in the unreliable regions is updated with information collected from the reliable regions. Robust multi-later filtering is conducted on the adjusted depth map to produce an enhanced depth map.
US09349167B2 Image processing method and image processing apparatus
An image processing method includes: (a) reducing an original image to a reduced image; (b) generating a first correction value for each of pixels in the reduced image; (c) generating a second correction value for each of pixels in an intermediate image, using information on the pixel and the first correction value; (d) generating a third correction value for each of pixels in the original image, using the second correction value for the pixel in the intermediate image; and (e) correcting the original image, using the third correction value for each of the pixels in the original image. In step (d), the third correction value is generated with an amount of calculation for each of the pixels in the original image smaller than an amount of calculation for each of the pixels in the intermediate image in generating the second correction value.
US09349153B2 Correcting image capture distortion
The disclosure relates generally to improving readability of machine-readable information, despite signal capture distortion. One claim recites a method comprising: obtaining input data, the input data representing imagery or video, the input data comprising test data and a machine-readable signal; determining characteristics associated with the test data to determine information regarding signal capture distortion of the input data; based on at least the characteristics, determining an amount of correction or counteracting to be applied to the input data; using a programmed processor, applying a determined amount of correction or counteracting to the input data; and analyzing corrected or counteracted input data to obtain the machine-readable signal. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well.
US09349151B2 Fingerprinting of data
A fingerprinting apparatus, including: a plurality of receiving units to receive a plurality of input datasets, each of the plurality of input datasets divided into a plurality of input segments, at least one of the plurality of input datasets uniquely marked; a selector to select at least one input segment from one of at least two different input datasets of the plurality of input datasets; and at least one combiner to arrange the selected at least one input segment to produce an output dataset having a plurality of output segments, such that the number of output segments is equal to the number of input segments in each input dataset.
US09349149B2 Power management apparatus and method
A power management apparatus and method are disclosed. The power management apparatus includes a communication unit to receive power management data including information about a pricing system being used by a consumer of power, a controller to create a power management screen on which the amount of power consumed is displayed according to the pricing system being used by the consumer, and an output unit to output the power management screen. According to the power management apparatus, a power consumer can be provided with information about various electricity pricing systems. Furthermore, information about current power rates and information on current power consumption can be displayed such that the consumer checks the information and efficiently uses power.
US09349148B2 Methods and apparatus for adaptive multisensor analisis and aggregation
The present invention is directed to a self consistent method for adaptive implementation of overflying multi sensor measurements and derivation of conclusions and determinations “agregants”, derived and/or developed from the measured results and/or resulting from science-based processing design to integrate and process the measured results and other data and scientific knowledge. Furthermore, the aggregants may be pertinent to determination of status and proactive management models of the at least one distributed resource by a single or repeatable implementation of one or several steps.
US09349145B2 System and method for gathering and presenting credit information and loan information for individuals and small businesses
Engines, systems and methods are disclosed for capturing inputs from an existing or prospective small business owner through an Internet-based graphical user interface, gathering small business and consumer credit data from external sources, combining with data sourced from a database of lender preferences specifying particular loan application characteristics and delivering an output of information, educational lessons, loan qualification offers, and a heuristic assessment of funding likelihood.
US09349144B1 Auction-based requesting of electronic resources
Shared electronic resources can be allocated to customers by auction when there is contention among the customers for the resources. Each customer can receive a bid pool for a shared electronic resource. A customer may prioritize a request by withdrawing a bid amount from the customer's bid pool and submitting the bid amount with a request for the shared resource. A resource provider may assess the capacity of the shared resource to process requests and conduct an auction at various times, such as during periods of congestion, to determine the requests that the shared resource will process at a given time. The auction can be concluded when an auction price is determined, and those requests including bids greater than or equal to the determined auction price can be selected for processing by the shared resource.
US09349143B2 System and method for generating an electronic catalog booklet for online computer users
A system and method for generating an electronic catalog booklet for online computer users is disclosed. The system and method in an example embodiment includes providing access to a database of item listings; enabling selection of a plurality of item listings from at least some of the item listings provided in the database; enabling arrangement of the plurality of selected item listings on a plurality of pages in a computer-generated electronic catalog booklet; recording an identifier of the computer-generated electronic catalog booklet; and recording information associating each of the plurality of selected item listings with the identifier of the computer-generated electronic catalog booklet.
US09349142B2 Reflow of data presentation using tracking data
In an example embodiment, a script defining a flow of a user interface is distributed to a user application operating on a client device. Then interactions between users on one or more client devices and one or more server devices are tracked. The script is then modified based on the information about the interactions, the modification changing the flow. The modified script may then be distributed to the user application, thus causing a modification in the flow of the user interface of the user application.
US09349134B1 Detecting illegitimate network traffic
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes emulating a user web browsing session including directing a web browser installed on a computer system to visit one or more websites. The method also includes logging network traffic delivered to the computer system in response to the web browser visiting the one or more websites. In addition, the method includes identifying network traffic requested by an application installed on the computer system and delivered to the web browser in response to the web browser visiting the one or more websites.
US09349133B2 System for providing coupon service using receipts and method for providing coupon service using the same
Disclosed is a system for providing a coupon service using receipts and a method for providing a coupon service using the same. More specifically, the invention relates to the system and the method that extract coupon information from the image of a receipt provided by a customer or a distribution store in order to accumulate points for a corresponding coupon given to the customer, wherein the consumer and the distribution store are respectively regestered as a member and a member store of the coupon service provider.
US09349131B2 Interactive digital advertising system
A interactive digital advertising system including a soft-copy display including at least an information display region and a command control region, a digital image capture system positioned to capture a time sequence of images of users located in a field-of-view of the soft-copy display, and a storage memory storing a library of advertisements. A time sequence of images is analyzed to detect a plurality of users, and at least one of the users is designated to be a controlling user. The captured images are displayed in the command control region, wherein the detected users are demarked using graphical elements. The captured time sequence of images is analyzed to determine one or more demographic attributes relating to the designated controlling user, and a particular advertisement from the library of advertisements is selected and displayed in the information display region responsive to the determined demographic information.
US09349126B2 Method and apparatus for using sensors on a portable electronic device to verify transactions
The present disclosure involves a system. The system includes a computer memory storage module configured to store executable computer programming code. The system includes a computer processor module operatively coupled to the computer memory storage module. The computer processor module is configured to execute the computer programming code to perform the following operations: detecting, from a mobile electronic device, a request to engage in an activity electronically; receiving sensor data gathered by one or more sensors of the mobile electronic device; determining, based on the sensor data received from the mobile electronic device, whether the request to engage in the activity is authorized by a user of the mobile electronic device; and alerting the user if it has been determined that the request to engage in the activity is unauthorized.
US09349125B2 System and method of loading a transaction card and processing repayment on a mobile device
The embodiments described herein provide in one aspect, a method of loading a transaction card account onto a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a memory and a contactless reader, the method comprising: reading, via the contactless reader, transaction card information from a physical contactless transaction card corresponding to the transaction card account; sending a retrieval message, to an issuer server, to retrieve a card security credential for the transaction card account, the retrieval message comprising the transaction card information for identifying the transaction card account at the issuer server; receiving, from the issuer server, a card security credential for the transaction card account; and storing, the transaction card information and the card security credential as a transaction card corresponding to the transaction account, on the memory of the mobile device.
US09349122B2 System and method for programming point of sale devices
A system for programming point of sale devices is provided. The system includes a terminal programming system that can program point of sale devices provided by different manufacturers and having different proprietary operating systems. A communications interface is connected to the terminal programming system that receives update requests from the plurality of point of sale devices, such as when the point of sale devices call in to the system or when the point of sale devices respond to a poll.
US09349121B2 Professional service scheduling system and method
In one aspect, a method of providing a search of professionals includes: receiving, at a professional services scheduling server, a professional services inventory value for the professional, the professional services inventory value defining a quantity of professional services units offered by the professional; updating a memory to store the professional services inventory value in a profile associated with the professional; scheduling a booking of the professional associated with the professional services inventory value; adjusting the professional services inventory value stored in the profile for the professional associated with the scheduled booking to account for the scheduled booking; receiving a search request from a remote system associated with a prospective client; selecting search results, wherein selecting search results includes comparing the adjusted professional services inventory value to a predetermined threshold; and providing the search results to the remote system associated with the prospective client.
US09349120B2 System and method for silencing notifications for a message thread
Methods, systems, and computer programming products are provided for silencing message threads. Incoming messages related to the same matter are grouped into one or more message threads. A user can select to silence a message thread. Once a message thread has been silenced, the user will no longer receive notifications of new messages added to the thread. Methods, systems, and computer programming products display new incoming electronic messages flagged as silenced in the inbox together with any message thread not flagged as silenced.
US09349117B2 Integration method and electronic device
The invention provides an integration method for an electronic device having a display and an integrated database storing learning data corresponding to an individual. The display displays an operative frame having icons representing categories respectively and each of the learning data is associated to at least one of the categories. The method comprises displaying a first set of learning data associated to one of the categories at the operative frame and receiving a first signal. When the first signal is for selecting one of the icons representing another one category, a second set of learning data associated to another one category is displayed at operative frame. When the first signal is for selecting one datum among the displayed first set of learning data, a third set of learning data is displayed at the operative frame, wherein the third set of learning data is related to the selected datum.
US09349115B2 Data management and control using data importance levels
Data management and control, including obtaining an importance level associated with a data item, identifying a data entry interface as a source of the data item, associating the importance level with the data entry interface, and performing an action corresponding to the association of the importance level with the data entry interface.
US09349112B2 Computerized apparatus for transfer between locations
A computerized apparatus useful for causing transfer of items (tangible or otherwise) from at least one location to another. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a portable user-operated apparatus having at least one input device enabled to receive input identifying the item(s) to be transferred, and a wireless interface to interface with a nearby computer system (e.g., desktop computer, kiosk, or other device) to cause the computer system to invoke the transfer via a remote entity. In one variant, the transfer involves inputting barcode data via the portable device, and resultant shipment of consumable items to the user's location. In another variant, the transfer is an electronic transfer of a data structure such as an MP3 music file.
US09349110B2 Enterprise product management system and method
A comprehensive enterprise product management system to effectuate efficient product time to market. The system includes a process model and a data model. The process model consists of entities that represent typical concepts in a trade setting and relationships among these entities. The data model represents the complexity of a product, including defining the entities that comprise the product and the relationship among these entities. The process model and the data model accommodate the dynamic characteristics associated with both product definition and channels of trade.
US09349105B2 Machine learning with incomplete data sets
Machine learning solutions compensate for data missing from input (training) data and thereby arrive at a predictive model that is based upon, and consistent with, the training data. The predictive model can be generated within a learning algorithm framework by transforming the training data to generate modality or similarity kernels. Similarity values can be generated for these missing similarity values.
US09349102B2 Scalable traffic classifier and classifier training system
A traffic classifier has a plurality of binary classifiers, each associated with one of a plurality of calibrators. Each calibrator trained to translate an output score of the associated binary classifier into an estimated class probability value using a fitted logistic curve, each estimated class probability value indicating a probability that the packet flow on which the output score is based belongs to the traffic class associated with the binary classifier associated with the calibrator. The classifier training system configured to generate a training data based on network information gained using flow and packet sampling methods. In some embodiments, the classifier training system configured to generate reduced training data sets, one for each traffic class, reducing the training data related to traffic not associated with the traffic class.
US09349101B2 Systems and methods for partitioning sets of features for a bayesian classifier
The technology disclosed relates to methods for partitioning sets of features for a Bayesian classifier, finding a data partition that makes the classification process faster and more accurate, while discovering and taking into account feature dependence among sets of features in the data set. It relates to computing class entropy scores for a class label across all tuples that share the feature-subset and arranging the tuples in order of non-decreasing entropy scores for the class label, and constructing a data partition that offers the highest improvement in predictive accuracy for the data set. Also disclosed is a method for partitioning a complete set of records of features in a batch computation, computing increasing predictive power; and also relates to starting with singleton partitions, and using an iterative process to construct a data partition that offers the highest improvement in predictive accuracy for the data set.
US09349100B2 Method for providing a prompt for real-time cognitive assistance
Techniques for providing a prompt for real-time cognitive assistance. A method includes analyzing input from at least one environmental sensor to identify context information pertaining to a user situation, identifying a likely subsequent cognitive task of the user in the user situation based on the context information and use of a learned model, determining an action with respect to information to be suggested to the user via a corresponding prompt, wherein the determining is based on the likely subsequent cognitive task, the context information and information learned from at least one previous user situation, computing a confidence value to represent a level of certainty in the action, and providing the prompt to the user if the action has a confidence value greater than a threshold value corresponding to the action.
US09349099B2 Inferring user preferences from an internet based social interactive construct
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a computer program product embodied in a computer readable medium that, when executing on one or more computers, helps determine an unknown user's preferences through the use of internet based social interactive graphical representations on a computer facility by performing the steps of (1) ascertaining preferences of a plurality of users who are part of an internet based social interactive construct, wherein the plurality of users become a plurality of known users; (2) determining the internet based social interactive graphical representation for the plurality of known users; and (3) inferring the preferences of an unknown user present in the internet based social interactive graphical representation of the plurality of known users based on the interrelationships between the unknown user and the plurality of known users within the graphical representation.
US09349098B1 Cognitive medical and industrial inspection system and method
The present invention relates to inspection of medical patients including, but not limited to, phonocardiography, auscultation and ultrasound medical imaging and other non-acoustical inspection techniques; and industrial non-destructive testing and evaluation of materials, structural components and machinery; and more particularly to the incorporation of cognitive artificial intelligence into an inspection system and method that utilizes cognitive mathematical techniques which emulate the cognitive processing abilities of the human brain including, but not limited to, symbolic cognitive architectures and inference process algebras, to analyze data collected from infrasound acoustical sensors (0.1 Hz-20 Hz), audible acoustical sensors (20 Hz to 20 kHz), ultrasound acoustical sensors and transmitters above 20 kHz, data collected from other non-acoustical inspection devices and systems including, but not limited to electrocardiography (EKG), computed-tomography (CT), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromagnetic testing (ET), magnetic particle inspection (MT or MPI), magnetic flux leakage testing (MFL), liquid penetrant, radiographic (x-ray and gamma ray), eddy-current testing, low coherence interferometry, and combinations thereof (i.e., multi-modality inspection data); fuse this data resulting in the generation of new metadata; and then utilize cognitive mathematical techniques to interpret this data against inspection signatures that characterize conditions being diagnosed. The present invention has the ability to also identify and anticipate abnormal conditions that fall outside known inspection signature patterns; and communicate the inspection results to an operator thereby simplifying the initial inspection and diagnosis for medical patients and industrial objects; minimizing false negative and false positive initial inspection results and lowering costs.
US09349095B1 Creation and utilization of relational tags
A system is described which allows a user to define a relational tag. The relational tag describes how a first item is related to a second item within an identified qualifying context. For instance, the relational tag may state that the first item is ranked higher than or lower than the second item. When utilized by many users, the system forms a graph of interconnected items. The system can perform comparative analysis within this graph. For instance, based on the relational tags, the system can determine which item is the top-ranking item or bottom-ranking item within the graph.
US09349094B2 Optimal non-recursive method for finding a minimal subset satisfying an upward-closed property
According to an aspect, a method for providing a minimal explanation to a set of unsatisfiable constraints involves retrieving a minimal subset of constraints that remain together unsatisfiable. The method includes iterating over a list of n constraints, and building a minimal explanation to a set of unsatisfiable constraints by determining which constraint to add to the set of unsatisfiable constraints. Building includes accelerating by removing an increasing number of constraints until removed further constraints makes the set of constraints satisfiable. A dichotomic search is performed on the removed further constraints. The average observed distance is identified between successive constraints in the set of unsatisfiable constraints. A plurality of 2k further constraints located in the list of constraints is removed at the average observed distance from the most recently added constraint. Testing whether a current selected subset is unsatisfiable is performed for the first log2(n) added constraints.
US09349093B2 Generating a prediction function using a genetic algorithm and a reduced number of factors
Methods and systems to reduce the number of factors or variables that need to be considered in generating a function such as a prediction function. The methods and systems may involve receiving a first set of factors and a data set associated with the first set of factors, calculating an importance value of each factor in the first set of factors, and selecting, based on the importance values, a second set of factors. In some embodiments, the methods and systems also include generating the prediction function based on the data set and the second set of factors.
US09349088B2 Systems, devices, and methods for displaying a barcode at a computing device
Embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein generally facilitate the display of a barcode at a computing device for capture by another computing device. In accordance with one example embodiment, a barcode is generated at a first computing device, the barcode is displayed on a display screen associated with the first computing device, and one or more display properties of the barcode are dynamically modified while it is displayed at the first computing device until the barcode is successfully captured (e.g. by a camera) at a second computing device.
US09349081B2 Image forming apparatus and method of creating evaluation data
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section which forms an image on a sheet, a reading section which reads the image formed on the sheet by the image forming section, and a control section. The control section allows the image forming section to form a reference image for evaluation of image quality, allows the reading section to read the reference image at a resolution lower than a resolution at which the reference image is formed, obtains read values of the reference image, the resolution of which has been made higher than the resolution of the reference image read by the reading section using the read reference image, and creates evaluation data based on the obtained read values.
US09349071B2 Device for detecting pupil taking account of illuminance and method thereof
The present disclosure relates to a device for detecting a pupil taking account of illuminance and a method thereof, and provides a device for detecting a pupil taking account of illuminance capable of improving detection accuracy of the pupil by detecting a driver's pupil from an image using an adaptive threshold based binarization technique based on a lookup table in which sizes of the pupil corresponding to illuminance are written, and a method thereof.
US09349059B2 Three-dimensional object detection device
A three-dimensional object detection has an image capturing device, a three-dimensional object detection unit, a high-luminance area assessment unit and a controller. The image capturing device captures images of an area including a right-side detection area or a left-side detection area rearward of a vehicle. The three-dimensional object detection unit detects a three-dimensional object based on the images acquired by the image capturing device. The high-luminance area assessment unit accesses a first detection area including a high-luminance area complying with a predetermined reference on either the right-side detection area or the left-side detection area. The controller suppresses detection of the three-dimensional object based on image information of the first detection area that was detected, and maintains or promotes detection of the three-dimensional object based on image information of a second detection area other than the first detection area within the right-side detection area or the left-side detection area.
US09349053B2 Method and system of identifying non-distinctive images/objects in a digital video and tracking such images/objects using temporal and spatial queues
A method and system to identify and locate images/objects which may be characterized as non-distinctive or “featureless” and which would be difficult to locate by conventional means comprises a plurality of steps including identifying first and second frame markers, increasing granularity between the frame markers, identifying at least one dominant object between the frame markers, normalizing its shape and identifying its edges, dissecting the dominant object into at least two equally sized sections; identifying shape and characteristics of at least one section (the analyzed section) of the dominant object thereby creating section data; applying geometric modeling such that section data from the analyzed section is used to determine overall shape, facets and configuration of the dominant object, thereby forming a geometric model; comparing geometric model to a known reference database of objects like the non-distinctive object (the reference object); and assessing the probability that the geometric model so formed represents the desired non-distinctive object.
US09349050B2 Microstructure analysis method, program for same, and microstructure analysis apparatus
Plural of virtual curved surface solids, each of which is a curved surface solid formed by a combination of plural of virtual spheres, is placed so as to fill in space voxels, referring to porous-body data in which positional information is associated with voxel-type information (step S100). Information regarding a flow rate for each space voxel when a fluid passes through a porous body is derived by executing a fluid analysis based on the porous-body data (step S110). A flow-rate-weighted mean diameter Ru, which is a weighted average obtained by weighting an equivalent diameter R′i for each virtual curved surface solid with a volume Vi and an average flow rate Ui for each virtual curved surface solid, is derived based an information regarding the virtual curved surface solids and information regarding the flow rate for each space voxel (step S120).
US09349049B2 Motion capture and analysis system
Portable wireless mobile device motion capture and analysis system and method configured to display motion capture/analysis data on a mobile device. System obtains data from motion capture elements and analyzes the data. Enables unique displays associated with the user, such as 3D overlays onto images of the user to visually depict the captured motion data. Ratings associated with the captured motion can also be displayed. Predicted ball flight path data can be calculated and displayed. Data shown on a time line can also be displayed to show the relative peaks of velocity for various parts of the user's body. Based on the display of data, the user can determine the equipment that fits the best and immediately purchase the equipment, via the mobile device. Custom equipment may be ordered through an interface on the mobile device from a vendor that can assemble-to-order customer built equipment and ship the equipment.
US09349048B2 Method of tracking moving object, method of determining display state of moving object, and control apparatus for tracking moving object
A method of tracking a moving object includes measuring displacement of an object to be tracked, obtaining a particle of the object to be tracked using the measured displacement, and tracking the object using pose information of the object in an image thereof and the obtained particle. A control apparatus includes an imaging module to perform imaging of an object and generates an image, and a tracking unit to acquire displacement and pose information of the object using the generated image of the object, to set a particle of the object using the acquired displacement of the object, and to track the object using the pose information of the object and the particle.
US09349046B2 Smart optical input/output (I/O) extension for context-dependent workflows
Systems, methods, and computer program products for smart, automated capture of textual information using optical sensors of a mobile device are disclosed. The textual information is provided to a mobile application or workflow without requiring the user to manually enter or transfer the data without requiring user intervention such as a copy/paste operation. The capture and provision context-aware, and can normalize or validate the captured textual information prior to entry in the workflow or mobile application. Other information necessary by the workflow and available to the mobile device optical sensors may also be captured and provided, in a single automatic process. As a result, the overall process of capturing information from optical input using a mobile device is significantly simplified and improved in terms of accuracy of data transfer/entry, speed and efficiency of workflows, and user experience.
US09349041B2 Information processing device, specifying method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium
An information processing device includes an acquiring unit that acquires target information representing a shooting target shown in an image shot by a user and biological information acquired from the user when the image is shot for each plurality of images shot by the user. The information processing device includes an extracting unit that extracts biological information corresponding to target information representing the shooting target from the biological information acquired by the acquiring unit for each shooting target. The information processing device includes a specifying unit that specifies the user's emotion for the shooting target using the biological information extracted by the extracting unit.
US09349040B2 Bi-modal depth-image analysis
A depth-image analysis system calculates first mode skeletal data representing a human target in an observed scene if a portion of the human target is observed with a first set of joint positions, and calculates second mode skeletal data representing the human target in the observed scene if the portion of the human target is observed with a second set of joint positions different than the first set of joint positions. The first mode skeletal data and the second mode skeletal data have different skeletal joint constraints.
US09349039B2 Gesture recognition device and control method for the same
A gesture recognition device configured to detect a gesture from acquired image and generate command issued to a control target instrument according to the gesture, the gesture recognition device comprising: an image acquisition unit configured to acquire an image; a gesture acquisition unit configured to detect a target region performing a gesture from the acquired image, and acquire the gesture based on motion or a shape of the detected target region; a face detection unit configured to detect a face comprised in the acquired image; a correlation unit configured to correlate the detected target region with the detected face using a human body model representing a shape of a human body; a personal identification unit configured to identify a user corresponding to the detected face; and a command generation unit configured to generate a command issued to the control target instrument based on the identified user and the acquired gesture.
US09349037B2 Skin colour probability map
A data processing system for performing face detection on a stream of frames of image data, the data processing system comprising: a face detector configured to detect a first face candidate in a first frame by performing face detection within first search tiles defined for the first frame; a color measurement unit configured to calculate a set of color parameters including an average color of the first face candidate expressed according to a predefined color space; a transformation unit configured to: transform a second frame into the predefined color space, one of the axes of the color space being substantially oriented in the direction of maximum variation according to a predetermined distribution of skin color; and form a skin color probability map for the second frame by calculating the probability that a given color is a skin color from a measure of the color space distance of that color from the calculated average color; and a search tile generator configured to generate second search tiles based on the skin color probability map for use by the face detector, the second search tiles defining areas of the second frame within which the face detector is to perform face detection so as to detect one or more second face candidates in the second frame.
US09349035B1 Multi-factor authentication sensor for providing improved identification
A mobile device configured to authenticate a user, an authentication system, and method for use of the mobile device and authentication system are described that include a biometric sensor, a touchscreen sensor, and/or a fingerprint sensor, where the biometric sensor, the touchscreen sensor, and/or the fingerprint sensor are coupled to a controller configured to authenticate a computing device user. In implementations, the mobile device that employs example techniques in accordance with the present disclosure includes an authentication device, including a biometric sensor configured to receive biometric information from the user; and a fingerprint sensor configured to receive fingerprint information from the user; and a controller configured to authenticate the user, where the authentication device, including the biometric sensor and the fingerprint sensor, is coupled to the controller.
US09349033B2 Standard calibration target for contactless fingerprint scanners
A contactless, three-dimensional fingerprint scanner apparatus, method, and system are described. The contactless fingerprint scanner can provide either, or both, topographical contrast of three-dimensional fingerprint features and optical contrast of a three-dimensional fingerprint surface. Data captured from scanning of a target with known geometric features mimicking fingerprint features can be examined as images or surface plots and analyzed for fidelity against the known target feature specifications to evaluate or validate device capture performance as well as interoperability. The target can be used by scanner vendors and designers to validate their devices, as well as to perform type certification.
US09349032B1 RFID loss-prevention using angle-of-arrival
An RFID loss-prevention system (LPS) permits authorized items to leave a facility and may perform a security action if an unauthorized item leaves the facility. A checkout reader first authorizes an item tagged with an RFID tag to exit a facility by reading an identifier from the tag, obtaining an exit authorization, and sending the identifier to a database. A reader system configured to direct at least two beams along a facility exit path reads tagged items exiting the facility, determines at least one of a travel direction and a tag location, and uses the determination to indicate that a tag is exiting or has exited the facility. The LPS then uses the database to determine if the exiting/exited tag is authorized to leave the facility.
US09349031B2 Method, computer program product, and changing station for tracking a process
A method for tracking processes and/or services, which concern at least one object, in which a reading device detects data or attributes of a data carrier associated with the object or container thereof, wherein the data describe the object, comprising the following steps: a) identifying the object by detecting the data of the data carrier by means of the reading device and b) detecting a process or a service and/or the data obtained therefrom concerning the object, is further developed in that, between steps a) and b), a selection of processes and/or services from a plurality is made depending on the detected data, and the selection is offered to an operating person to be carried out. The invention also relates to a computer program product for setting up a computer system with regard to programming, and a changing station for carrying out the method.
US09349024B2 Assigning a data item to a storage location in a computing environment
A computer implemented method assigns a data item to a storage location in a computing environment. A request to store a data item is detected. A determination is made as to whether a volatile memory in the second computer comports with an isolation rule for the data item. In response to determining that the volatile memory in the second computer comports with the isolation rule for the data item, access time for data in the volatile memory in the second computer is compared with access time for data in a local hard drive in a first computer. The data item is then selectively stored in either the volatile memory in the second computer or the local hard drive in the first computer as determined by their relative access times.
US09349023B2 Database encryption system, method, and program
A user apparatus connected to database apparatus via network comprises: unit that manages key information in order to encrypt and decrypt; storage unit that stores security configuration information of data and/or metadata; application response unit that determines whether or not encryption is necessary for database operation command, and if encryption is necessary, selects encryption algorithm corresponding to data and/or metadata, performs encryption, and transmits result to database control unit to cause database control unit to execute database operation, if encryption is not necessary, transmits database operation command to database control unit to cause database control unit to execute database operation, and receives processing result transmitted by database control unit, and if decryption or conversion of data and/or metadata of processing result is necessary, performs necessary decryption or conversion, and returns response to database operation command; and security configuration unit that configures security information of data stored in database.
US09349022B2 Providing integrated role-based access control
An example method includes, identifying a request from a user associated with a user role. The request corresponds to: an application request to access a first module in an enterprise application; and a data request to access a first portion of a database through the first module. The method also includes: responsive to a first determination that, based on the user role, the application request by the user is permissible: granting the application request; and responsive to a second determination that, based on the user role, the data request by the user is permissible: granting the data request to access the first portion of the database through the first module. The user role is associated with a plurality of access permissions, each specifies: an exhaustive set of application requests permitted to the user role; and an exhaustive set of data requests permitted to the user role.
US09349018B1 Preventing content data leak on mobile devices
Preventing enterprise or other protected content data from “leaking” from being under secure management on a device, for example by virtue of being viewed using an untrusted app on the device, is disclosed. An indication is received that a content to be provided to a first mobile application on a mobile device is to be protected against unauthorized access at the mobile device using unauthorized applications other than the first mobile application. The content is encrypted while in transit to the mobile device, using a key associated with a second mobile application authorized to be used to access the content at the mobile device.
US09349017B2 System and method for authentication
A multi-functional device is attached to a secure network and includes a control circuit. The control circuit receives indications as to whether a user is authenticated to use the multi-functional device and in response, generates and sends a control signal to the multi-functional device. As long as the multi-functional device continues to receive the control signal, the multi-functional device remains in an operational mode to allow the authenticated user to access the multi-functional device functions. If the multi-functional device ceases to receive the control signal, the multi-functional device deactivates itself.
US09349011B2 Methods and apparatus to identify a degradation of integrity of a process control system
Methods and apparatus to identify a degradation of integrity of a process control system are disclosed. An example method includes identifying a file on a file system of the process control system. The example method further includes determining if the file is identified in a system profile, the system profile identifying files expected to be present. A degradation of integrity of the process control system is identified when the file is not identified in the system profile.
US09349010B2 Managing update attempts by a guest operating system to a host system or device
Attempts to update confirmation information or firmware for a hardware device can be monitored using a secure counter that is configured to monotonically adjust a current value of the secure counter for each update or update attempt. The value of the counter can be determined every time the validity of the firmware is confirmed, and this value can be stored to a secure location. At subsequent times, such as during a boot process, the actual value of the counter can be determined and compared with the expected value. If the values do not match, such that the firmware may be in an unexpected state, an action can be taken, such as to prevent access to, or isolate, the hardware until such time as the firmware can be validated or updated to an expected state.
US09349002B1 Android application classification using common functions
Known malicious Android applications are collected and their functions are extracted. Similarity values are calculated between pairs of functions and those functions with a low similarity value are grouped together and assigned a unique similarity identifier. A common set of functions or common set of similarity identifiers are identified within the applications. If at least one function in the common set is determined to be malicious then the common set is added to a blacklist database either by adding functions or by adding similarity identifiers. To classify an unknown Android application, first the functions in the application are extracted. These functions are then compared to the set of functions identified in the blacklist database. If each function in the set of functions is present (either by matching or by similarity) in the group of extracted functions from the unknown application then the unknown application is classified as malicious.
US09348996B2 Method and device for the authentication of at least two agricultural devices coupled via a data bus
A method for the authentication of at least two agricultural devices coupled via a data bus includes subjecting the each of the agricultural devices to authentication, automatically and independently of every of the agricultural device by use of an authentication device, which is also coupled to the data bus. The method also includes allowing a direct data exchange or indirect data exchange between the successfully authenticated agricultural devices, automatically. If authentication of the at least two data devices is unsuccessful, data exchange between the unsuccessfully authenticated agricultural devices is disallowed.
US09348995B2 Nonvolatile memory device having authentication, and methods of operation and manufacture thereof
A memory device package encloses two separate die, one being a standard nonvolatile memory integrated circuit (“IC”) die, and the other being any suitable authentication IC die. Either die may be stacked upon the other, or the die may be placed side-by-side. The external contacts may correspond to the power and signal requirements of the standard nonvolatile memory IC die so that the pin-out of the memory device package may present a standard pinout. The power and signal requirements of the authentication IC die may be satisfied with some or all of the pins for the nonvolatile memory integrated circuit die, or with other unused pins of the device package. One or more additional external contacts may be added exclusively for the authentication integrated circuit die. One or more signals may be dedicated as between the standard nonvolatile memory IC die and the authentication IC die.
US09348987B2 Electronic device including finger-operated input device based biometric matching and related methods
An electronic device may include a finger-operated input device, and a finger sensor carried by the finger-operated input device to sense a user's finger. The electronic device may further include a processor to perform applications and perform at least one device function responsive to an operation of the finger-operated input device. The processor may acquire finger-matching biometric data of the user's finger responsive to each operation of the finger-operated input device. The processor may further authenticate the user based upon an authentication request from one of the applications. The authentication may be based upon a match of most recently acquired finger-matching biometric data and finger-enrollment biometric data.
US09348985B2 Behavioral fingerprint controlled automatic task determination
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: determining a behavioral fingerprint associated with a network-accessible user, the behavioral fingerprint providing a current status of the network-accessible user; and controlling one or more devices automatically as a function of the determined behavioral fingerprint and a direction received from the network-accessible user. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US09348982B2 Information processing system, an operating device, and a computer-readable storage medium
An information processing system, an operating device, and computer-readable storage medium. The operating device acquires, from an operation application program installed in the operating device, function information that indicates a function provided by the operation application program, acquires use authority information that is stored in a use-authority information storage device and is related to user identification information on an operating user that operates the operating device, determines whether the operating user has authority to use the function provided by the operation application program by using the use authority information acquired and the function information acquired, and performs the function when the operating user has the authority to use the function.
US09348981B1 System and method for generating user authentication challenges
A system and method for generating user authentication challenges based on risk level is provided. A login request from a user is received. The login request includes identifying information associated with the user sending the login request. A risk analysis based on the identifying information associated with the user sending the login request is performed. A level of risk is identified. The level of risk is part of a risk index that includes multiple levels of risk. An authentication challenge based on the identified level of risk is generated. The login request is allowed or denied based on the completion on the authentication challenge.
US09348979B2 Privacy sensitive persona management tools
The disclosed tools include enhanced and flexible tools to enable users who may be business competitors to share non-generic data in a substantially generic and in a substantially equitable manner. The resulting incentive to more freely share data between competitors will benefit users such as brand owners and enhance content delivered to their end users based on shared data.
US09348973B2 Method and system providing improved data matching for virtual planning
A scanning structure having at least one surface with a shape adapted to conform to a portion of a craniofacial space is described. The scanning structure includes at least one surface object, which is at least partly identifiable from a first set of data, and where a first coordinate is identifiable based on the surface object. The scanning structure includes at least one volume object, which is at least partly identifiable from a second set of data, and where a second coordinate is identifiable based on the volume object. The surface object can be arranged in relation to the at least one volume object such that the first coordinate and the second coordinate have a pre-defined relationship to each other.
US09348962B2 Hierarchical design of integrated circuits with multi-patterning requirements
Systems and methods for avoiding restrictions on cell placement in a hierarchical design of integrated circuits with multi-patterning requirements are described. The method may be provided implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions operable to assign a color to each pattern shape in a first cell, assign a color to each pattern shape in a second cell, characterize quantities of interest for each pattern shape in the first cell, determine that the colors assigned in the first cell are all one to one mappable to the colors assigned in the second cells, characterize quantities of interest for each pattern shape in the second cell using the quantities of interest characterized for the first cell, and model the quantities of interest for the first cell and the second cell.
US09348956B2 Generating a simulated fluid flow over a surface using anisotropic diffusion
A fluid-flow simulation over a computer-generated surface is generated using a diffusion technique. The surface is comprised of a surface mesh of polygons. A boundary-layer fluid property is obtained for a subset of the polygons of the surface mesh. A gradient vector is determined for a selected polygon, the selected polygon belonging to the surface mesh but not one of the subset of polygons. A maximum and minimum diffusion rate is determined along directions determined using the gradient vector corresponding to the selected polygon. A diffusion-path vector is defined between a point in the selected polygon and a neighboring point in a neighboring polygon. An updated fluid property is determined for the selected polygon using a variable diffusion rate, the variable diffusion rate based on the minimum diffusion rate, maximum diffusion rate, and the gradient vector.
US09348954B2 Non-transitory, computer readable storage medium, method of controlling analytical support device, and analytical support device
A non-transitory, computer readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to conduct a processing, the processing has creating a solid figure surrounding an object and a solid figure surrounding a plurality of components of a group of components included in the object, based on design information related to the object, determining elements belonging to the solid figure surrounding the plurality of components from a plurality of elements partitioned and divided from the created solid figure surrounding the object, generating a spatial model that represents a space in which the plurality of components exist, based on the determined elements that belong to the solid figure surrounding the plurality of components, and outputting a result of the generating.
US09348952B2 Method for predicting HVAC energy consumption
A method for predicting energy consumption of an HVAC system is provided. The method includes providing a model for an indoor temperature of a building, a model for an operating state of the HVAC system, and predicted future outdoor temperatures. Utilizing at least the models for the indoor temperature and the operating state of the HVAC system and the predicted future outdoor temperatures, a predicted future energy consumption of the HVAC can be estimated.
US09348951B2 Robust design method for a textile-manufacturing-dedicated, high-efficient, energy-saving, multiphase asynchronous motor
Robust design method for a textile-manufacturing-dedicated multiphase asynchronous motor, including the steps: designing a motor with design variables for a high-efficient, energy-saving, multiphase asynchronous motor; selecting a number of controllable variables and their level values to build an inner orthogonal table; selecting a number of noise factors and their level values to build an outer orthogonal table; using a Taguchi method, determining the optimal combination of level values of the controllable variables and corresponding values ranges for a tolerance design, resulting in an optimal design scheme; producing technical drawings for each parts of the motor according to the optimal design scheme and producing a physical motor; comparing the performance of the physical motor with the predetermined performance target and repeating the above steps as many times as necessary until the performance target is met and the motor achieves the optimal balance between the quality and cost.
US09348949B2 Sound proof helmet
Novel methods and systems for acoustic proofing are disclosed. A sound proof helmet can be designed by optimizing several layers of different materials, thickness, and physical properties. The thickness of the layers can be smaller than the wavelength of the sound waves which are meant to be reduced.
US09348947B2 Systems and methods for visualizing and manipulating graph databases
Systems and methods for visualizing and manipulating graph databases in accordance embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a graph database manipulation device includes a processor and a memory configured to store a graph database manipulation application, wherein the graph database manipulation application configures the processor to obtain a graph database including a set of nodes and a set of edges, determine a source node within the set of nodes, locate a set of related nodes based on the source node and the set of edges, recursively locate a set of sub-related nodes based on the set of related nodes and the set of edges, generate a representation of the set of related nodes from the perspective of the source node, and recursively update the generated representation of the set of sub-related nodes from the perspective of the source node and the related nodes.
US09348944B2 Remote computer diagnostic system and method
The system enables a call center to manage requests from remote computing clients for service. The system provides a number of software tools that allow technicians to perform routine maintenance and correct problems remotely. At the front-end, the system enables requests to be submitted by customers via various mediums, accesses a calendar to determine technician availability, determines the urgency of the request, and schedules an appropriate technician to address the reported problem. The system further includes tools that enable a technician to access a remote computing client to perform a number computer maintenance and diagnostics. Other tools enable the technician to correct problems that are detected through diagnostics. Calls to the call center are recorded and maintained in order to track pending issues and identify potential areas of improvement.
US09348942B2 Promoting philanthropy
Among other things, a user can navigate a database of philanthropic charities systematically to select a set of charities of interest, by interactively specifying in any order a succession of one or more (e.g., up to five) different criteria to narrow the selection from more general to more specific. A result of applying each of the criteria is displayed in real time to the user.
US09348940B2 Generating differences for tuple attributes
A sequence of tuples, each having one or more attributes, is received at one of one or more processing elements operating on one or more processors. Each processing element may have one or more stream operators. A first stream operator may be identified as one that only processes an instance of a first attribute in a currently received tuple when a difference between an instance of the first attribute in a previously received tuple and the instance of the first attribute in the currently received tuple is outside of a difference threshold. A second stream operator may generate a difference attribute from a first instance of the first attribute in a first one of the received tuples and a second instance of the first attribute in a second one of the received tuples. The difference attribute may be transmitted from the second stream operator to the first stream operator.
US09348938B2 Methods for manipulating web pages
A method of filtering a web page or other computer file is provided. A web page is analyzed and segmented into regions or segments. At least one of the regions is selected for display. Selected regions are manipulated to enhance the visibility of preferred regions of the web page. In one embodiment, the manipulation comprises presenting the image of the page in accordance with a selected mathematical transform.
US09348936B2 Heuristic caching to personalize applications
Heuristic caching techniques are used to improve application usability within the constraints of computing resources. A user's behavior in connection with an application is recorded and used to intelligently determine which transitions of a user interface of the application to cache. In addition, the user may have one or more characteristics. Such characteristics may also be used to identify other users so that the other users' behavior in connection with the application can be used for intelligently determining which transitions of the user interface to cache.
US09348928B2 Generating an electronic form locally on a client computer from input parameters
A computer displays a screen that includes a uniform resource locator (URL). In response to a selection of a uniform resource locator (URL) by an end-user at a computer, the computer intercepts a request within the computer to prevent the request from being sent to another computer. The computer determines whether the URL includes one or more parameters that define a field with a missing value, and that need entry of one or more input values from the end-user. The computer generates an electronic form utilizing the one or more parameters to formulate a field, within the electronic form, for each of the one or more parameters. The computer displays the electronic form including the field for each of the one or more parameters, which enables the end-user to enter information into the field within the electronic form.
US09348923B2 Software asset management using a browser plug-in
A software asset management method comprising storing URL data for each of a first plurality of software entities, obtaining, by means of a first browser plug-in, first data indicative of a URL from which a browser has obtained content, comparing, for at least one of the first plurality of software entities, the URL data of the respective software entity with the first data, and communicating the first data to a first computer other than a computer hosting the browser subject to a first condition that, for each of the first plurality of software entities, the comparing reveals that the first data does not match the URL data of the respective software entity.
US09348918B2 Searching content in distributed computing networks
A distributed search system includes a central server having an index of data, wherein the index of data is also available on a plurality of computing devices in a distributed computing network, the plurality of computing devices being distinct from the central server, each the computing device having a cache in which the computing device automatically stores data generated during the course of the computing device's access to another computing network distinct from the distributed computing network.
US09348917B2 Electronic document retrieval and reporting using intelligent advanced searching
An approach is provided for retrieving electronic documents. The approach provides a Web-based graphical user interface that allows users to construct complex queries that include Boolean clauses, proximity clauses and/or keyword phrases, without requiring the users to have a working knowledge of query languages. The Web-based graphical user interface also allows users to specify a semantic meaning for one or more search terms. The approach also allows users to generate various reports for search results. Various filters may be applied to manage the amount of reporting data and semantic meanings may be applied to increase relevancy. A time cost estimator provides an estimated review time for search results. Also included are approaches for using the results of simple searches to perform advanced searches, for estimating the cost and/or time for reviewing search results and for performing tagging analysis and for using logical custodians.
US09348915B2 Ranking search results
Content items and other entities may be ranked or organized according to a relevance to a user. Relevance may take into consideration recency, proximity, popularity, air time (e.g., of television shows) and the like. In one example, the popularity and age of a movie may be used to determine a relevance ranking Popularity (i.e., entity rank) may be determined based on a variety of factors. In the movie example, popularity may be based on gross earnings, awards, nominations, votes and the like. According to one or more embodiments, entities may initially be categorized into relevance groupings based on popularity and/or other factors. Once categorized, the entities may be sorted within each grouping and later combined into a single ranked list.
US09348913B2 Selecting sporting events based on event status
Accessing one or more sets of sporting event data, each of which being associated with a particular one of one or more sporting events, and each of which comprising one or more sporting event data that indicate at least current event status of the associated sporting event at a current time. For each of the sporting events, calculating a value by applying the set of sporting event data associated with the sporting event to one or more algorithms, each of which having been determined for a particular sport to which the sporting event is categorized, comparing the value to a threshold requirement, and if the value satisfies the threshold requirement, then displaying the sporting event data associated with the sporting event.
US09348910B2 System, method and computer program product for creating mobile custom views for tenants of an on-demand database service
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for creating mobile custom views for tenants of an on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for creating mobile custom views for tenants of an on-demand database service can enable embodiments to allow tenants to create and push instructions for generating user-defined views to mobile devices, etc. The ability of embodiments to provide such feature may allow tenants to efficiently and effectively create interfaces on mobile devices.
US09348904B2 System and method for digital signal processing
The present invention provides methods and systems for digital processing of an input audio signal. Specifically, the present invention includes a high pass filter configured to filter the input audio signal to create a high pass signal. A first filter module then filters the high pass signal to create a first filtered signal. A first compressor modulates the first filtered signal to create a modulated signal. A second filter module then filters the modulated signal to create a second filtered signal. The second filtered signal is processed by a first processing module. A band splitter splits the processed signal into low band, mid band, and high band signals. The low band and high band signals are modulated by respective compressors. A second processing module further processes the modulated low band, mid band, and modulated high band signals to create an output signal.
US09348893B2 Providing answers to questions using logical synthesis of candidate answers
A method, system and computer program product for generating answers to questions. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving an input query, decomposing the input query into a plurality of different subqueries, and conducting a search in one or more data sources to identify at least one candidate answer to each of the subqueries. A ranking function is applied to each of the candidate answers to determine a ranking for each of these candidate answers; and for each of the subqueries, one of the candidate answers to the subquery is selected based on this ranking. A logical synthesis component is applied to synthesize a candidate answer for the input query from the selected the candidate answers to the subqueries. In one embodiment, the procedure applied by the logical synthesis component to synthesize the candidate answer for the input query is determined from the input query.
US09348891B2 Online data fusion
An online data fusion system receives a query, probes a first source for an answer to the query, returns the answer from the first source, refreshes the answer while probing an additional source, and applies fusion techniques on data associated with an answer that is retrieved from the additional source. For each retrieved answer, the online data fusion system computes the probability that the answer is correct and stops retrieving data for the answer after gaining enough confidence that data retrieved from the unprocessed sources are unlikely to change the answer. The online data fusion system returns correct answers and terminates probing additional sources in an expeditious manner without sacrificing the quality of the answers.
US09348889B2 Requirements framework
A computing device may be configured to interact with a requirement object using an object-based requirements framework. The computing device may further provide a design to the object-based requirements framework. The design may comply with design criteria of the object-based requirements framework. The computing device may also determine whether the design complies with the requirement object. The determining may be based on the interacting, and may produce a result.
US09348888B1 Iterative filter expression processing for filtering embedded data objects
A computerized device filters a set of first data objects each including primitive-valued fields and object-valued fields each specifying a respective second data object as an embedded object. A filter object specifies filter criteria as a set of filter expressions. Each first data object and its respective embedded second filter objects are processed according to the filter expressions. The processing includes iterated execution of a filter expression loop, a first iteration producing a first filter test result for each primitive-valued field of the first data object and initiating a second iteration for each object-valued field of the first data object, and the second iteration producing a second filter test result for each primitive-valued field of the respective embedded second filter object. A given first data object is included in a final set of filtered objects only if both the first and second filter test results are success test results.
US09348883B2 Systems and methods for replication replay in a relational database
Systems and methods for replication replay in a relational database are disclosed. In one embodiment, a relational database includes a master database and a slave database, and events performed on the master database are stored in a log. A portion of the log is provided to a slave replay system associated with the slave database, and the slave replay system identifies a first table row associated with a first event of the portion of the log and a second table row associated with a second event in the portion of the log. The slave replay system replays the first and second events on the slave database in parallel if the first and second rows are different rows with unique sets of values, and otherwise replays the first and second events serially.
US09348878B2 Iterative approach to detect outliers
An iterative approach to detect outliers may automatically detect outliers in a data set. The iterative approach may include calculating a mean and an average deviation for a list. The iterative approach may further include calculating the deviations of values of a list if the average deviation is not zero. Any values where the calculated deviation of the point or value is greater than the mean may be selected. The selected points may be set as a second list. The second list may be used by the iterative approach until no points are selected for the second list. The previous list is the set of outliers from the data set.
US09348867B2 Method for using multiple plans to achieve temporal and archive transparency performance
An approach for using multiple plans in a database management system to access current data and history data is provided. The approach provides a first access plan for a query, stores the first plan as a first section in an application package. The first access plan is capable of accessing the current data. The approach determines whether a bind option for the query is detected. In response to determining that the bind option is detected, the approach provides a second access plan for the query and stores the second access plan as a second section in the application package. The second access plan is capable of accessing the current data and the history data.
US09348862B2 Systems and methods for enhancing user data derived from digital communications
A computer-implemented method for enhancing and utilizing user data derived from digital interactions includes receiving a submission generated by input into a client side application interface by a first user on a first computing device, and determining, based on attributes of the submission, that the submission is in response to an issue-specific communication advertising information concerning a first issue, the issue-specific communication indicating a request for a financial transaction, and that that the financial transaction related to the issue-specific communication is requested. The method includes generating a first dataset associated with the first user, searching one or more additional datasets for additional data to be associated with data elements of the first dataset, associating the additional data from the one or more additional datasets with the first user, and generating a data model corresponding to the first user.
US09348857B2 Probabilistically finding the connected components of an undirected graph
A method for probabilistically finding the connected components of an undirected graph. The method includes identifying a first edge, having a first and second vertex, and inserting information detailing the first and second vertex of the first edge into a bloom filter associated with a root node of a bloom filter data structure. A first node, connected to the root node, is created, comprising an associated bloom filter containing information associated with the first and second vertex of the first edge. The method includes identifying a second edge, having a first and second vertex, and inserting information detailing the first and second vertex of the second edge into a bloom filter associated with the root node of the bloom filter data structure. A second node, connected to the root node, is created, comprising an associated bloom filter containing information associated with the first and second vertex of the second edge.
US09348856B2 Data movement from a database to a distributed file system
Provided are techniques for data movement. An activity is created that overrides existing security, that is associated with a user, that defines one or more source tables in a relational database and one or more target tables that are available to the user for the activity, and that provides security credentials of an author of the activity for use by the user, wherein the one or more target tables represent data in one or more target files in a file system. The activity is executed using the security credentials of the author to move data in a source table of the one or more source tables to a target file of the one or more target files, wherein a target table of the one or more target tables is defined over the target file. Access is provided to the user to the moved data using the target table.
US09348849B1 Backup client zero-management
The system for backup client management comprises an input interface and a processor. The input interface is configured to receive an indication of a client system. The processor is configured to provide an indication to the client system of authentication for remote command execution; provide a command to the client system to retrieve an installer; provide a command to the client system to execute the installer; and provide a backup command to the client system to execute a backup client agent.
US09348848B2 Methods and apparatus for identifying tables in digital files
A method for identifying a table in a digital file includes extracting lines from a layout of the digital file, wherein the lines comprise horizontal lines and vertical lines. The method also includes identifying intersected line groups, wherein each intersected line group comprises a horizontal line of the extracted horizontal lines and a vertical line of the extracted vertical lines, the horizontal line and the vertical line intersecting with each other. The method further includes determining whether the number of intersected lines in each intersected line group is larger than a first threshold. If yes, the method further includes identifying an area in which the intersected line groups are located as a table area. If no, the method further includes performing vertical projection on characters in the area, and identifying the area as a table area based on results of the vertical projection.
US09348847B2 Data access control apparatus and data access control method
A data access control apparatus has a management information table in which identification information of a storage node specified as one to which transmission of a reference request is inhibited and a reference condition are associated with each other. When a reference condition and a reference request are received, a transmission processing unit transmits the received reference condition and a reference request to storage nodes except a storage node associated with the received reference condition in the management information table. A registration processing unit determines, based on a response from each storage node to which the reference request has been transmitted, a storage node in which no data matching the received reference condition is stored, and registers identification information of the determined storage node in the management information table in association with the received reference condition.
US09348846B2 User-navigable resource representations
A method and system for providing user-navigable search results returns a resource representation for a resource, such as a web site or other Internet accessible object. The resource representation may be navigable by a user in a manner mirroring navigation of the resource. The resource representation may include a plurality of indicators representing menu links selected from resource links associated with the resource. Selection of an indicator may cause content associated with the indicator, such as resource links and related snippets, to be displayed. A hierarchical arrangement of elements in the resource representation may correspond to a hierarchical arrangement of navigable content in the resource.
US09348843B1 Systems and methods for location based services in a matching service
The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for operation of an online matching service, and more particularly to systems and methods that provide matching services to the users of an online matching service based on the current geographic locations of the users. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a matching system server coupled to a public network and accessible to one or more users. The matching system server includes a database that stores match profile data associated with the one or more users, wherein the match profile data includes self-identified preferences. The system is configured to identify compatible matches between users based at least in part of the users' location.
US09348838B2 Data backup, storage, transfer and retrieval system, method and computer program product
A data storage system including a virtual server on a network managing a plurality of user accounts, each user account including one or more files; the virtual server adapted to verify user access information for a particular user account; the virtual server transferring over the network information relating to files stored on the virtual server in the particular user account to a verified user on a user computer; the virtual server further adapted to transfer files associated with the particular user account to and from the user computer.
US09348836B2 Determining a preferred modified version from among multiple modified versions for synchronized files
A server stores files and manages the synchronization of those files across client devices in accordance with user preferences that may be embodied in change management rules. A first version of a file has been designated to be synchronized across at least a first client and a second client. The first client accesses the first version of the file and creates a first modified version of the file, and the second client accesses the first version of the file and creates a second modified version of the file. When the first and second clients attempt to re-synchronize their respective modified versions of the file, the server determines a preferred version from among the available modified versions of the file according to change management rules. Then, the preferred version is stored by the server and is subsequently served for synchronization across the client devices.
US09348832B2 Method and device for reassembling a data file
Embodiments provide a method for reassembling a data file from a starting file fragment and a plurality of file fragments stored on a digital storage device. The method includes determining, from the plurality of file fragments, one or more matched file fragments which match the starting file fragment based on a first predetermined criterion; associating the one or more matched file fragments with the starting file fragment; and determining one or more candidate data files based on the one or more matched file fragments. The method further includes checking if more than one file fragments have been determined to match the starting file fragment based on the first predetermined criterion. If more than one matched file fragments have been determined to match the starting file fragment based on the first predetermined criterion, the method further includes selecting a candidate data file from the candidate data files determined for the matched file fragments as the reassembled data file based on a second predetermined criterion.
US09348831B1 Persistent file system objects for management of databases
In a mirrored database system, a careful write of intentions to perform the system actions is recorded in a persistent file system objects table that is flushed to disk prior to the actions being taken. The table durably and accurately records identities of file system objects that were in use by the database to facilitate creation and deletion of physical file directories and files on a database during crash recovery and during mirror resynchronize. In the event of a failure, crash recovery may quickly and easily identify file system objects which need to be cleaned up by reference to the persistent file system objects table. Similarly, resynchronization of the mirror database can be performed quickly by referring to the persistent file system table data to detect changes since the last database checkpoint.
US09348829B2 Media management system and process
A system and method for managing a plurality content items employs an ingest station which may digitize the content items, generate metadata corresponding to each of the content items, and store the metadata and the content items in a storage medium or mediums. The content items may be audio content, video content, or audio/video content. The system and method may provide an association between the metadata and a corresponding content item to facilitate retrieval of the content item. The content items may be retrieved, at least in part, by searching the metadata and employing the association between the metadata and a corresponding content item to locate the desired content item.
US09348828B1 System and method of enhanced backup and recovery configuration
This disclosure relates to a method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for backing up data. In some embodiments, this includes a backup server locating one or more instances of data associated with a list of identifiers, wherein each instance of data comprises one or more target volumes and associated journal volume; the enablement of replication; and replication.
US09348822B2 System and method for generating notifications related to new media
A method of generating notifications related to availability of new media content is provided. The method includes receiving a notification subscription including a request to monitor for new media content. The method also includes detecting new media content based on the subscription, and if a change is detected, determining an access right and transmitting a notification of the new media content. The metadata of the new media content is used in the subscriptions to determine when to generate notifications. Media content may include media articles, media selections, theatrical media releases, live content, or miscellaneous media sources.
US09348821B2 Method and system for content management
A computer-implemented method for content management includes receiving a text string from a user as a search term, sending the search term to a content aggregation server, receiving search results from a search term search executed by the content aggregation server the search results containing social network content from social network accounts of the user, content aggregation channel content, and search engine result content, where the social network content, content aggregation content and search engine content are derived from the search team, presenting the search results to the user along with filtering and channelization options, receiving filtering and channelization option configuration from the user, recording the filtering and channelization option configuration as a new content channel, and updating new content channel content by requesting re-execution of the search term search by the content aggregation site in response to a user access of the new content channel.
US09348811B2 Obtaining data from electronic documents
Techniques for obtaining information from an electronic document include accessing a set of related electronic documents; identifying a product page associated with the set of related electronic documents using a page recognition model, the product page comprising a plurality of terms; filtering the plurality of terms into a first set of terms and a second set of terms, the first set of terms and the second set of terms including different terms of the plurality of terms, each term in the first set of terms identified as potentially being associated with a product name, and each term in the second set of terms identified as not being associated with a product name; and identifying each term in the first set of terms as being associated with a product name or not being associated with a product name with a name recognition model.
US09348810B2 Model learning method
A present method includes first updating, based on a weight of each training sample (TS), a first score for each of features, which is a cue when extracting a correct structure from each TS, to calculate a model defined by first scores; performing, for each TS, a processing including identifying a maximum score among second scores, each of which is assigned, by the model, to either of candidate structures other than the correct structure among candidate structures derived from the TS; and first calculating a difference between the identified maximum score and a second score assigned by the model to the correct structure; and second calculating a confidence degree based on an upper limit value of errors, which is defined by the differences; second updating the weight of each TS based on the confidence degree and the differences; and repeating the first updating, performing, second calculating and second updating.
US09348809B1 Modifying a tokenizer based on pseudo data for natural language processing
Techniques for training a tokenizer (or word segmenter) are provided. In one technique, a tokenizer tokenizes a token string to identify individual tokens or words. A language model is generated based on the identified tokens or words. A vocabulary about an entity, such as a person or company, is identified. The vocabulary may be online data that refers to the entity, such as a news article or a profile page of a member of a social network. Some of the tokens in the vocabulary may be weighted higher than others. The language model accepts the weighted vocabulary as input and generates pseudo sentences. Alternatively, regular expressions are used to generate the pseudo sentences. The pseudo sentences are used to train the tokenizer.
US09348808B2 Content-based automatic input protocol selection
Technologies for selecting an input protocol based on an input content are generally disclosed. In one example, a method for selecting an input protocol based on an input content can include: acquiring the input content; analyzing the input content; extracting one or more indivisible individual units from the input content; calculating a similarity between a first frequency of occurrence of the one or more indivisible individual units and a second frequency of occurrence of the one or more indivisible individual units, wherein the second frequency of occurrence of the one or more indivisible individual units is predetermined with a second value of frequency of occurrence; ranking the similarity; identifying the input protocol based on the similarity; and selecting a first ranked input protocol having a highest similarity.
US09348807B2 Apparatus and method for providing a condition builder interface
An apparatus and method for providing a user interface through which a user may generate a conditional expression are provided. The user interface provides guidance to a user as to the proper parts of the conditional expression to include in the conditional expression as the user constructs the conditional expression. Thus, as the user completes parts of the conditional expression, the guidance that is offered is updated based on the current context of the conditional expression. This guidance may include listings of variables, attributes and/or functions that are most appropriate to be entered next in the conditional expression, help text, and the like.
US09348805B1 Learning parsing rules and argument identification from crowdsourcing of proposed command inputs
Systems, methods and apparatus for learning parsing rules and argument identification from crowdsourcing of proposed command inputs are disclosed. Crowdsourcing techniques are used to generate rules for parsing input sentences. A parse is used to determine whether the input sentence invokes a specific action, and if so, what arguments are to be passed to the invocation of the action.
US09348802B2 System and method for synchronizing bi-directional document management
Systems and methods consistent with various disclosed embodiments provide for collaborating information over a computer network. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for collaborating information over a network. The system may include a storage device and one or more processors. The processor(s) may maintain documents in the storage device and publish content links to the documents in a workspace rendered by a collaboration platform. The processor(s) may provide content to the collaboration platform in response to a content link selection by a reviewer and receive the reviewer's changes, with the collaboration platform temporarily storing the document in a virtual memory for rendering to the reviewer and deleting it after the communication session ends. The processor(s) may synchronize the changes bi-directionally from the workspace with the original document through a collaboration document, such that the original document remains unaltered, and by re-publishing an updated content link to the workspace.
US09348801B2 System and method for automatic page layout
The present disclosure includes a system and method for automatic page layout. One automatic page layout method includes dividing a plurality of ordered graphical items into groups, and bisecting a space into regions having a reading order corresponding to an order of the ordered graphical items, each region corresponding to one of the groups and being sized according to a first layout characteristic of the ordered graphical items of the region's corresponding group in proportion to a second layout characteristic of the plurality of ordered graphical items. An output is caused in which each region has been filled with that region's associated group of ordered graphical items.
US09348794B2 Population of context-based data gravity wells
A method and/or system sorts data into data gravity wells on a data gravity wells membrane. A hashing logic executes instructions to convert raw data into a first logical address and first payload data, wherein the first logical address describes metadata about the first payload data. A hardware XOR unit compares the first logical address to a second logical address to derive a Hamming distance between the first and second logical addresses, wherein the second logical address is for a second payload data. A hardware data vector generator creates a data vector for the second payload data, wherein the data vector comprises the Hamming distance between the first and second logical addresses. A hardware data vector sorter then sorts data vectors into specific hardware data gravity wells on a data gravity wells membrane according to the Hamming distance stored in the data vector.
US09348793B2 Method and system for adjusting performance based on vehicle occupants
A vehicle having a system is provided. The system has at least one operating output. The system includes an occupant module and a vehicle system module. The occupant module receives at least one occupant signal indicative of occupants currently located within the vehicle, and determines a current number and location of occupants in the vehicle based on the occupant signal. The vehicle system module receives as input the current number of occupants located in the vehicle. The vehicle system module is configured for determining whether the current number of occupants located in the vehicle is less than a total number of occupants the vehicle is configured to seat. The vehicles system module is configured for adjusting the at least one operating output of the system if the current number of occupants located in the vehicle is less than the total number of occupants the vehicle is configured to seat.
US09348792B2 Coarse-grained reconfigurable processor and code decompression method thereof
A coarse-grained reconfigurable processor having an improved code compression rate and a code decompression method thereof are provided to reduce a capacity of a configuration memory and reduce power consumption in a processor chip. The coarse-grained reconfigurable processor includes a configuration memory configured to store reconfiguration information including a header storing a compression mode indicator and a compressed code for each of a plurality of units and a body storing at least one uncompressed code, a decompressor configured to specify a code corresponding to each of the plurality of units among the at least one uncompressed code within the body based on the compression mode indicator and the compressed code within the header, and a reconfigurator including a plurality of PEs and configured to reconfigure data paths of the plurality of PEs based on the code corresponding to each unit.
US09348790B2 Method for efficient use of content stored in a cache memory of a mobile device
A method for cache management of a mobile device communicatively connected to a network component via a network is provided. The method comprises receiving by the network component a request from the mobile device for a data item, the request accompanied by a unique identifier associated thereto, the data item residing in the cache; fetching the data item from at least a server communicatively connected to the network component; generating a unique identifier respective of the fetched data item; and comparing the generated unique identifier and the received unique identifier to determine whether the data item in the cache is the same as the data item fetched from the at least a server.
US09348788B2 Real-time asynchronous event aggregation systems
A real-time asynchronous event aggregation system, method, and network device are configured to capture real-time asynchronous events, and to pass them as input to one or more aggregation engines to determine a reputation for a target. The aggregation engine(s) may then send out notifications where a reputation category changes for a target, indicating that an action may be taken to inhibit spam messages from the target, highlight a display of content from the target, or the like. As such, the event-driven aggregation engines may be designed to capture real-time asynchronous events, such as reputation reports for a wide variety of activities, including, but not limited to spam and/or not-spam messages, determining a reputation on a posting of comments to a movie, a blog posting, a play list posting, or the like. In one embodiment, a reputation of the sender of the reputation event may also be determined.
US09348787B2 Method and system for processing analysis data
Data for a plurality of samples collected by an LC/MS, GC/MS or other systems are converted into a two-dimensional table format without losing information and with a light load, thereby allowing a multivariate analysis processing to be efficiently performed. After LC/MS data on a plurality of samples are obtained and the respective extracted ion chromatograms (XICs) are created (S1 and S2), the correction of the retention-time difference, the waveform processing and the like are performed (S3 and S4), followed by the creation of a one-dimensional table in which the signal-strength values are arranged for each XIC. Then, one-dimensional tables of a plurality of XICs for one sample are joined together in order of m/z value to create an elongate one-dimensional table (S5). The elongate one-dimensional tables of a plurality of samples are arranged in another dimensional direction to obtain a two-dimensional table (S6).
US09348786B2 Semiconductor memory device with plural memory die and controller die
A semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory die and a controller die. The controller die is connected to an internal control bus. The controller die is configured to provide to a selected one of the memory die an internal read command responsive to an external read command. The selected memory die is configured to provide read data to the controller in response to the internal read command; wherein latency between receipt by the controller die of the external read command and receipt of the read data from the selected memory die differs for at least two of the memory die when selected as the selected memory die.
US09348783B2 Apparatus and method emulating a parallel interface to effect parallel data transfer from serial flash memory
Apparatus and method emulating a parallel interface to effect parallel data transfer from serial flash memory are provided. A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) may be coupled to a processor via a data bus. A serial flash memory may be coupled to the FPGA via a serial interface. The FPGA may be programmed to emulate a parallel interface by converting a serial data stream of boot code or operating software received from the serial flash memory to a parallel data stream to effect parallel data transfer over the data bus to the processor. The FPGA may be responsive to respective logic signals set by the processor to start access to the serial flash memory by pointing to at least one predefined location corresponding to at least one starting address of data to be transferred to the processor without using a plurality of address lines to access the serial flash memory.
US09348778B2 Transactional memory that performs an ALUT 32-bit lookup operation
A transactional memory (TM) receives a lookup command across a bus from a processor. The command includes a memory address, a starting bit position, and a mask size. In response to the command, the TM pulls an input value (IV). The memory address is used to read a word containing multiple result values (RVs) and multiple key values from memory. Each key value indicates a single RV to be output by the TM. A selecting circuit within the TM uses the starting bit position and mask size to select a portion of the IV. The portion of the IV is a key selector value. A key value is selected based upon the key selector value. A RV is selected based upon the key value. The key value is selected by a key selection circuit. The RV is selected by a result value selection circuit.
US09348776B2 Receiver and method for data processing
The present invention discloses a receiver and a method for data processing. The receiver includes a system on chip and a memory, where the system on chip is connected to the memory through an external buffer bus; the system on chip includes an LLR subsystem, a controller, a rate matching module, an incremental redundancy IR reconstructing module, and a combiner, where the LLR subsystem is connected to the controller and the rate matching module respectively; the controller is connected to the IR reconstructing module, and the rate matching module and the IR reconstructing module are connected to the combiner respectively; and the controller stores LLR data currently corresponding to a data block demodulated by the LLR subsystem into a memory, and read LLR data historically corresponding to the data block and stored in the memory into the IR reconstructing module when the data block is a retransmitted data block.
US09348768B2 Method for implementing encryption in storage card, and decryption method and device
A method for implemented encryption in a memory card, and a decryption method and device, and the method includes: receiving an input encryption key; requesting a subscriber identity card for authenticating the encryption key; after the authentication is successful, using the encryption key to encrypt plaintext data selected in the memory card the to generate encrypted data; generating encryption status information, wherein the encryption status information describes non-confidential information of the encrypted data. By using the encryption key in the subscriber identity card to encrypt data in the memory card, a user can freely select the data to be encrypted in the memory card, thereby enhancing data security in the memory card, facilitating the user operation, and enhancing the user experience.
US09348767B2 Accessing private data about the state of a data processing machine from storage that is publicly accessible
According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for operating a data processing machine is described in which data about a state of the machine is written to a location in storage. The location is one that is accessible to software that may be written for the machine. The state data as written is encoded. This state data may be recovered from the storage according to a decoding process. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US09348766B2 Balanced P-LRU tree for a “multiple of 3” number of ways cache
In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided methods, systems, mechanisms, techniques, and apparatuses for implementing a balanced P-LRU tree for a “multiple of 3” number of ways cache. For example, in one embodiment, such means may include an integrated circuit having a cache and a plurality of ways. In such an embodiment the plurality of ways include a quantity that is a multiple of three and not a power of two, and further in which the plurality of ways are organized into a plurality of pairs. In such an embodiment, means further include a single bit for each of the plurality of pairs, in which each single bit is to operate as an intermediate level decision node representing the associated pair of ways and a root level decision node having exactly two individual bits to point to one of the single bits to operate as the intermediate level decision nodes representing an associated pair of ways. In this exemplary embodiment, the total number of bits is N−1, wherein N is the total number of ways in the plurality of ways. Alternative structures are also presented for full LRU implementation, a “multiple of 5” number of cache ways, and variations of the “multiple of 3” number of cache ways.
US09348763B2 Asymmetric co-existent address translation structure formats
An address translation capability is provided in which translation structures of different types are used to translate memory addresses from one format to another format. Multiple translation structure formats (e.g., multiple page table formats, such as hash page tables and hierarchical page tables) are concurrently supported in a system configuration. This facilitates provision of guest access in virtualized operating systems, and/or the mixing of translation formats to better match the data access patterns being translated.
US09348759B2 Direct memory access (DMA) address translation with a consecutive count field
DMA translation table entries include a consecutive count (CC) field that indicates how many subsequent translation table entries point to successive real page numbers. A DMA address translation mechanism stores a value in the CC field when a translation table entry is stored, and updates the CC field in other affected translation table entries as well. When a translation table entry is read, and the CC field is non-zero, the DMA controller can use multiple RPNs from the access to the single translation table entry. Thus, if a translation table entry has a value of 2 in the CC field, the DMA address translation mechanism knows it can access the real page number (RPN) corresponding to the translation table entry, and also knows it can access the two subsequent RPNs without the need of reading the next two subsequent translation table entries.
US09348755B2 List-based prefetching
A computer implemented method for prefetching data for a processor into a first memory, wherein in a recording mode, a prefetching unit for a processor performs the steps of a method. The method includes: receiving one or more first addresses from the processor; filtering the one or more first addresses; providing a recording-list including the filtered one or more first addresses; receiving at least one second address from the processor; receiving a playback-list including all or a subset of the first addresses of the recording-list; comparing the at least one second address with each of the first addresses in the playback-list for identifying a matching address; if a matching address is identified, fetching data from a second memory; and transferring the fetched data to a first memory.
US09348747B2 Solid state memory command queue in hybrid device
Systems and methods are disclosed for improving performance in of storage device latency. In an embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a controller configured to receive a first data access command at a device including a nonvolatile solid state memory and a disc memory, and when the first data access command is directed to the nonvolatile solid state memory, store the first data access command to a first command queue for the nonvolatile solid state memory. In another embodiment, a method may comprise receiving, at a data storage device, a first data access command, storing the first data access command in a first command queue, determining whether the data access command is directed to a Flash memory or a disc memory, and storing the first data access command in a second command queue when the first data access command is directed to the Flash memory.
US09348746B2 Method and system for managing block reclaim operations in a multi-layer memory
A multi-later memory and method for operation is disclosed. The memory includes at least one flash memory die having multiple layers and a controller configured to execute block reclaim operations in a layer of the flash memory die until a net gain of at least one additional free block has been made in the layer. The method may include relocating data from reclaim blocks to relocation blocks within the same layer, or within a same partition in the same layer until a net gain of one free block has been achieved and an integer number of relocation blocks has been filled with relocated data. The method may also include moving data from reclaim blocks in a first layer into destination blocks in a second layer until a net gain of at least one free block has been achieved in the first layer.
US09348741B1 Systems and methods for handling write data access requests in data storage devices
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for optimizing handling of data access requests. In one embodiment, a data storage device including non-volatile memory and magnetic media includes a controller that defers writing data to the magnetic media by first writing to the non-volatile memory and reporting to the host a write complete status. However, in cases where the non-volatile memory includes Multi-Level Cell (MLC) memory, if the write data is to be written to an upper page of an MLC cell, a backup power source such as a capacitor may be needed to avoid the paired page corruption problem. Embodiments of the invention avoid the problem without the use of a backup power source by writing deferred write data to a portion of the MLC memory that is operating in Single-Level Cell (SLC) mode, i.e., only the lower pages of the memory cells are written.
US09348740B2 Memory access controller, multi-core processor system, memory access control method, and computer product
A memory access controller includes a semiconductor circuit configured to classify into a first group of cores having made an exclusive access request to shared memory and a second group of cores not having made an exclusive access request to the shared memory, multiple cores capable of accessing the shared memory; detect a core having completed the exclusive access among the first group of cores; and send to a core among the first group of cores and standing by for the exclusive access, a notification of release from a standby state, when detecting a core having completed the exclusive access.
US09348735B1 Selecting transactions based on similarity of profiles of users belonging to different organizations
Selecting a transaction for a certain user based on similarity of a profile of the certain user to profiles of users belonging to different organizations involves executing the following: receiving activity data obtained by monitoring activity of the users on software systems; identifying transactions executed by the users on the software systems; generating profiles of the users, based on the transactions, indicating transactions executed by the users; receiving a profile of the certain user, which indicates transactions executed by the certain user; and selecting, based on similarity of at least some of the profiles of the users to the profile of the certain user, a certain transaction that was executed by a user with a similar profile to the profile of the certain user.
US09348734B2 Generation of automated tests for business software solution packages
Systems and methods to provide generation of automated tests for business software solution packages are provided. In example embodiments, a user selection of a selection option that customizes a solution package for a process is received. A customized solution package is created based on the user selection of the selection option. An automated test comprising a predefined test unit assigned to the user selection of the selection option is generated. The automated test is executed to determine operability of the customized solution package.
US09348733B1 Method and system for coverage determination
A method, system and non-transitory computer readable storage medium for coverage determination of DUT tests. The method may include obtaining via an input device a selection of a subset of interest of coverage reports included in one or a plurality of saved merged coverage reports. The method may further include using a processing unit, finding a saved merged coverage report of said one or a plurality of saved merged coverage reports that has the smallest number of unwanted coverage reports. The method may also include using the found saved merged coverage report to obtain a merged coverage report that corresponds to the subset and merging the merged coverage report with the newly gathered coverage reports into a new merged coverage report.
US09348731B2 Tracing the execution path of a computer program
The invention relates to tracing the execution path of a computer program comprising at least one module including a plurality of instructions. At least one of these instructions is a branch instruction. Each branch instruction is identified and evaluated to be one of true and false. An evaluation of true results in a unique identifier being pushed into a predefined area of storage. This unique identifier is associated with the instructions executed as a result of an evaluation of true.
US09348728B2 Trace capture of successfully completed transactions for trace debugging of failed transactions
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for trace capture of successfully completed transactions for trace debugging of failed transactions. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for trace capture of successfully completed transactions for trace debugging of failed transactions is provided. The method includes storing entries in a log with information pertaining to successfully completed transactions in a transaction processing system executing in memory of a host server, detecting a failed transaction in the transaction processing system, generating a trace for the failed transaction, and providing with the generated trace an entry from the log with information pertaining to a successful completion of the failed transaction.
US09348726B2 Detecting potential class loader problems using the class search path sequence for each class loader
A method, system and computer program product for identifying potential class loader problems prior to or during the deployment of the classes to the production environment. A set of class loaders is loaded into memory. The set of class loaders is arranged hierarchically into parent-child relationships. The class search path sequence for each class loader in the hierarchy is generated to detect and identify potential class loader problems. Those class loaders with a duplicate class in its class search path sequence are identified as those class loaders that may pose a potential problem. A message may then be displayed to the user identifying these class loaders as posing a potential problem. By identifying these class loaders prior to or during the deployment of the classes to the production environment, class loader problems may be prevented from occurring.
US09348724B2 Method and apparatus for maintaining a workload service level on a converged platform
A management server is provided in a computer system having one or more hosts, one or more storage systems and one or more switches, the hosts having a plurality of virtual machines, each virtual machine being defined according to a service level agreement. The management server is operable to manage the virtual machines and resources associated with the virtual machines; receive a notification of an event from a node in the computer system; determine if the event affects a service level agreement for any of the virtual machines defined in the computer system, the service level agreements listing required attributes for the corresponding virtual machines; allocate a new resource for a virtual machine whose service level agreement is affected by the event; and move the virtual machine whose service level agreement is affected by the event to the newly allocated resource.
US09348719B2 Automated test equipment and control method thereof
An automated test system for a semiconductor device to concurrently perform multiple device tests is provided. The system may include at least one test client, at least one test site and a test server. The at least one test client is configured to receive a test request of at least one worker and to display a test response. The at least one test site is configured to test at least one device under test (DUT). The test server is configured to communicate with the at least one test client and the at least one test site, divide and/or drive the at least one test site in response to the test request of the at least one test client, and transmit a response of the at least one test site to the at least one test client.
US09348718B2 Apparatus and method for computer debug
A computer debug module for use in a computer at least includes a power sequence monitor module. The power sequence monitor module includes a monitor unit, a register, and an output control unit. The monitor unit is configured to monitor a plurality of power sequence signals relative to the computer and generate a monitor result. The register is configured to store the monitor result. When the power sequence monitor module operates in a debug mode, the output control unit generates a detection signal according to the stored monitor result and transmits the detection signal to an output device.
US09348717B2 Storage failure processing in a shared storage architecture
The disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for coordinating management of a shared disk storage between nodes. Particularly, a messaging protocol may be used to communicate notifications regarding each node's perception of the shared storage's state. The nodes may use the messaging protocol to achieve consensus when recovering from a storage device failure. Some embodiments provide for recovery when localized failures, such as failures at an adapter on a node, occur.
US09348712B1 Policy-based volume caching in a clustered storage system
Described herein is a novel technique for implementing a policy-based caching engine in a storage system cluster (cluster) to automatically implement volume caching at select nodes of the cluster in optimizing cluster performance. The novel caching engine may be implemented in a management console of the cluster storing policy information related to volume caching operations requested by the caching engine. Policy information may include node or cluster attributes, operational events, and a pre-defined cached volume configuration of import to the user. Based on the stored policy information, the caching engine may determine a set of nodes on which to initiate a volume caching operation and generate a request for such operation to be performed on a particular node. Only select nodes in the cluster may thus implement volume caching to thereby conserve processing resources for more critical operations at other select nodes in the cluster.
US09348711B2 Copy control apparatus and copy control method
A copy control apparatus includes a processor. The processor is configured to record, in update location information, an update count for each of sectional areas obtained by sectioning a copy-source area. The update count indicates a number of updates of data in a sectional area. The update count is indicative of more than two values. The processor is configured to perform first copy of copying data in the copy-source area to a copy-destination area based on the update location information. The processor is configured to deter the first copy for data in a sectional area for which an update count indicating more than a predetermined number is recorded in the update location information.
US09348709B2 Managing nodes in a distributed computing environment
Various embodiments of systems and methods for managing a plurality of nodes in a distributed computing environment are described herein. Initially a request to process a to-be-processed request is received. Next one or more nodes from a plurality of nodes, included in a cluster, is identified to process the to-be-processed request. Next the to-be-processed request is divided into a plurality of sub-requests. Next the plurality of sub-requests are assigned to the identified one or more nodes and the generated additional node. A node failure of one of the one or more identified nodes is identified. Finally, one or more of the plurality of sub-requests assigned to the failed node is re-assigned to another node of the plurality of nodes.
US09348707B2 Dynamically adjusting the number of replicas of a file according to the probability that the file will be accessed within a distributed file system
In a distributed file system with a number of replicas of a file set to two or more replicas, a computer sets a timer to track a time since a last access to the file, wherein the replicas of the file are distributed across two or more nodes within the distributed file system. Responsive to an access to the file prior to the timer reaching a first timer window threshold, the computer resets the timer. Responsive to the timer matching a first timer window threshold, the computer automatically reduces a number of replicas of the file within the distributed file system, wherein the probability that the file will be accessed prior to the first timer window threshold is greater than the probability that the file will be accessed after the first timer window threshold.
US09348705B1 Memory controller system with non-volatile backup storage
The present invention is directed to computer storage systems and methods thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide an isolated storage control system that includes both a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The non-volatile memory comprises a data area and a metadata area. In power failure or similar situations, content of the volatile memory is copied to the data area of the non-volatile memory, and various system parameters are stored at the metadata area. When the system restores its operation, the information at the metadata area is processed, and the content stored at the data area of the non-volatile memory is copied to the volatile memory. There are other embodiments as well.
US09348699B2 Memory system
According to the embodiments, a memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory and a writing-loop-count monitoring unit that monitors a loop count of an applied voltage to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory required for data writing of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory as a writing loop count. Moreover, the memory system includes a management table for managing the writing loop count in block unit that is a unit of data erasing and a life managing unit that determines a degraded state of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory based on the management table.
US09348690B2 Correctable configuration data compression and decompression system
An apparatus has a shared fuse array and a plurality of x86-compatible microprocessors disposed on a die. The shared fuse array has a plurality of semiconductor fuses programmed with compressed configuration data and error checking and correction (ECC) codes accessible by a plurality of x86-compatible microprocessors and another plurality of semiconductor fuses programmed with uncompressed system hardware configuration data that is employed to initialize control circuit elements within the plurality of x86-compatible microprocessors. The plurality of microprocessor cores is disposed on the die, where each of the plurality of microprocessors is coupled to the shared fuse array and is configured to access all of the compressed configuration data during power-up/reset, for initialization of elements within the each of the plurality of microprocessors. The each of the plurality of microprocessors includes a reset controller that is configured to access the compressed configuration data and the ECC codes, to correct errors in said compressed configuration data resulting in corrected compressed configuration data, to decompress the corrected compressed configuration data, and to distribute decompressed configuration data to initialize the elements.
US09348688B2 Correlating trace data streams
A data processing apparatus is provided with trace circuitry for generating a plurality of trace streams including an instruction trace stream 10 and a data trace stream 12. The instruction elements within the instruction trace stream and the data elements within the data trace stream are marked with key values KV such that a match may be made between data elements and corresponding instruction elements. When predetermined conditions are met, synchronization markers 66 are inserted in both the instruction trace stream 10 and the data trace stream 12 in order to permit a precise correlation to be made between the instruction elements and the data elements when the data is subsequently analyzed.
US09348687B2 Determining a number of unique incidents in a plurality of incidents for incident processing in a distributed processing system
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for determining a number of unique incidents in a plurality of incidents for incident processing in a distributed processing system are provided. Embodiments include an incident analyzer identifying within the plurality of incidents, attribute combination entries of location identifications and incident types and analyzing each location identification in each attribute combination entry according to a sequence of the attribute combination entries including creating attribute pairs. The incident analyzer is also configured to count the attribute pairs. The number of attribute pairs is the number of unique incidents in the plurality of incidents.
US09348685B2 Intermediate database management layer
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for using an intermediate database management layer to manage communications between an application layer and a database layer. The database management layer can receive an initial communication from the application layer and transmit a subsequent communication to a particular database based upon a rule. The rules can specify the particular database based upon the initial communication and an availability status of the database. The rules specify criteria by which the initial communication is identified and logic specifying the particular database to receive the subsequent communication based upon the identification of the initial communication. The rules can specify a plurality of potential particular databases to receive the subsequent communication and an order in which to select one of the databases to receive the subsequent communication based upon the determined availability status of each of the potential particular databases.
US09348682B2 Methods for transitioning control between two controllers of a storage system
Described herein are techniques for transitioning control between a first and second controller of a storage system. In such transition, the first controller transmits a message to a memory element shared by the first and second controllers, the message capable of notifying the second controller of an imminent failure of the first controller. The second controller receives the message from the shared memory element, the message notifying the second controller of an imminent failure of the first controller. Subsequent to transmitting the message to the shared memory element, the first controller becomes unavailable to facilitate access to the storage devices of the storage system. Subsequent to receiving the message from the shared memory element, the second controller becomes available to facilitate access to the storage devices of the storage system.
US09348678B1 Partitioned application environment
A partitioned application environment is disclosed. In various embodiments, a request associated with an application environment in which an application is running is received from the application. A determination is made to fulfill the request at least in part via a call to a node at which application code associated with the application is running in an application environment partition provided at the node. A call associated with the request is sent to the node, based at least in part on the determination.
US09348674B2 Aysnchronous communications having compounded responses
A first request to execute a first task is received from a first module in a first address space and by a second module in a second address space. The first task is placed into a task queue for execution in the second address space. Pending responses not yet returned to the first module that are results of execution for other tasks in the second address space are extracted by the second module from a response queue. Requests for the other tasks were previously sent by the first module to the second module for execution in the second address space. The pending responses are compounded. The pending responses and a return value for acknowledgement the first request to execute the first task are combined, by the second module into a combined communication. The combined communication is transmitted by the second module to the first module in the first address space.
US09348668B2 System and method for supporting a server-side event model in a distributed data grid
A server-side event model provides a general-purpose event framework which simplifies the server-side programming model in a distributed data grid storing data partitions distributed throughout a cluster of nodes. A system provides event interceptors which handle events associated with operations and maps the event interceptors to event dispatchers placed in the cluster. Advantageously, the system supports handling critical path events without the need for interactions from the client-side thereby avoiding unnecessary delays waiting for client responses. Additionally, the system can defer completion of an operation in the distributed data grid pending completion of event handling by an event interceptor. The system enables the data grid to employ more types of events and define different event interceptors for handling the events while avoiding client interaction overhead.
US09348664B2 Acceleration prediction in hybrid systems
Predicting acceleration in a hybrid system may comprise determining a number of cross system calls in a first host-accelerator computer architecture running a workload. Host machine overhead and accelerator overhead in the first host-accelerator computer architecture associated with each of the cross system calls may be determined. Communication delay associated with each of the cross system calls in the first host-accelerator computer architecture running a workload may be determined. An application response time may be predicted for a candidate application to be run in a second host-accelerator computer architecture, based at least on the determined host machine overhead, the accelerator overhead, and the communication delay associated with each of the cross system calls in the first host-accelerator computer architecture running a workload.
US09348657B2 Method and system of synchronizing processors to the same computational point
A system for synchronizing central processing units (CPU) includes a schedule module that communicates a synchronization point, a first CPU that writes a first memory address to a first register in response to the first CPU reaching the synchronization point, and a second CPU that writes a second memory address to a second register in response to the second CPU reaching the synchronization point. The system further includes a first logical AND module that writes a first value to a third register based on the first and second memory addresses and a second logical AND module that writes a second value to a fourth register based on the first and second memory addresses. The system also includes a scheduler module that selectively generates a processor sync signal based on the first and second value.
US09348656B2 Apparatus and method for managing power among a plurality of processors sharing a thermal platform
A method and apparatus includes a multi-processor apparatus including a plurality of integrated circuit processors having a shared thermal platform. Each processor has at least one subsystem operable at a plurality of different power settings, at least one internal thermal parameter detector providing power data related to the processor, and a power management unit. The method and apparatus illustratively shares power data from the at least one internal thermal parameter detector of each processor between the power management units of the plurality of processors; compares the shared power data from the plurality of processors to a thermal design power limit for the shared thermal platform; and controls a power setting of the at least one subsystem of the plurality of processors within the shared thermal platform based on the comparison of the shared power data to the thermal design power limit for the shared thermal platform.
US09348655B1 Migrating a VM in response to an access attempt by the VM to a shared memory page that has been migrated
A hypervisor of a source host receives a request to migrate a group of virtual machines from the source host to a destination host. The hypervisor of the source host determines that a first virtual machine being migrated to the destination host shares a memory space on the source host with a second virtual machine on the source host. Upon receiving a request from the second virtual machine on the source host to access a first memory page of the shared memory space on the source host that has been migrated to the destination host, the hypervisor of the source host initiates migration of the second virtual machine to the destination host.
US09348653B2 Virtual machine management among networked servers
Virtual machine management among networked servers coupled for data communications with a data communications network that includes a network device and a Virtual Machine Management Module (‘VMMM’), where VM management includes: monitoring, by the network device, network traffic of applications executing in virtual machines of the servers; determining, in dependence upon the monitored network traffic, whether a particular application's network traffic exceeds a predetermined threshold, the particular application executing in a particular virtual machine of a particular server; if the particular application's network traffic exceeds the predetermined threshold, allocating, by the VMMM, an additional virtual machine in a different server; and instantiating, by the VMMM, in the additional virtual machine at least one application.
US09348650B2 Determining an optimal computing environment for running an image based on performance of similar images
Aspects of the present invention provide an approach that evaluates a locally running image (e.g., such as that for a virtual machine (VM)) and determines if that image could run more efficiently and/or more effectively in an alternate computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, embodiments of the present invention evaluate the local (existing/target) image's actual and perceived performance, as well as the anticipated/potential performance if the image were to be migrated to an alternate environment. The anticipated/potential performance can be measured based on another image that is similar to the existing/target image but where that image is running in a different computing environment. Regardless, the system would display a recommendation to the end user if it were determined that the image could perform better in the alternate environment (or vice versa).
US09348642B2 Transaction begin/end instructions
A TRANSACTION BEGIN instruction and a TRANSACTION END instruction are provided. The TRANSACTION BEGIN instruction causes either a constrained or nonconstrained transaction to be initiated, depending on a field of the instruction. A constrained transaction has one or more restrictions associated therewith, while a nonconstrained transaction is not limited in the manner of a constrained transaction. The TRANSACTION END instruction ends the transaction started by the TRANSACTION BEGIN instruction.
US09348639B2 J2EE application versioning strategy
The present invention is a method, system, and computer program product enabling multiple versions/releases of a J2EE application to be served to clients from a single application server. One or more JNDI proxies are situated between each client and the application server. The JNDI proxies allow a same public “service name” to be utilized by different clients to access different programs/services on the application server. The JNDI proxies do this by translating the service name into a non-public “alias name” on behalf of the client. The alias name is a private name that the service provider who administers the application server understands and uses to locate the specific version of programs/services that the clients need.
US09348637B2 Dynamic configuration of a home multiprocessor system
A multiprocessor system used in home environment includes multiple processors that run different real-time applications. A dynamic configuration system runs on the multiple processors and includes a device manager, configuration manager, and data manager. The device manager automatically detects and adds new devices to the multiprocessor system, and the configuration manager automatically reconfigures the real-time applications. The data manager identifies the type of data generated by the new devices and identifies which devices in the multiprocessor system are able to process the data.
US09348632B2 Data assignment and data scheduling for physical machines in a virtual machine environment
A data assignment method for a physical machine having multiple virtual machines (VMs) running thereon includes receiving data to be processed from a scheduler for assigning job data; storing the received data to be processed into a single queue; and in response to an idle VM being among the multiple VMs, assigning data in the queue to the idle VM to be processed by the idle VM.
US09348626B2 Mobile device maintaining adequate security and data partitioning between user mode and business mode
One or more embodiments of the invention facilitate switching between a host environment of a mobile device and a guest environment of the mobile device. One method comprises configuring the host environment to launch a user interface (UI) proxy application upon receiving an indication by a user on a user interface (UI) of the mobile device of a desire to switch from the host environment to the guest environment. Upon a launch of the UI proxy application as a result of receiving the indication, the UI proxy application initiates a request to wake-up the guest environment and facilitates access by a hardware framebuffer of the mobile device to contents of a memory buffer that is updated with display data for the guest environment as a result of a waking-up of the guest environment.
US09348625B2 Application access to native and bundled libraries
An application executing on a computing device may invoke a function call of a first function. The computing device may support a bundled application library of functions and a native library of functions. It may be determined that code for executing the first function exists in both the bundled application library and the native library, and the application may execute the first function using the code in the native library. While the application continues execution on the computing device, the application may invoke a function call of a second function. It may be determined that, of the bundled application library and the native library, the code for executing the second function exists in the bundled application library. The application may execute the second function using the code in the bundled application library.
US09348621B2 Using hardware transactional memory for implementation of queue operations
Using hardware transactional memory (HTM) for queue operations includes invoking a first operation for a concurrent linked queue of an interpretive program using a Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler of a virtual machine, wherein the first operation does not use HTM, determining whether a data processing system executing the virtual machine supports HTM, and responsive to determining that the data processing system does support HTM, detecting, using a processor and within the first operation, a call to a second operation that is that is configured, in byte code, to return an indication of a failed hardware transaction. Responsive to detecting the second operation, a machine code implementation of the first operation that includes a machine code implementation of the second operation is generated. The machine code implementation of the second operation is an implementation of the first operation that does use HTM.
US09348619B1 Interactive datasheet system
A user interface is provided for selection of a previously specified scenario from a plurality of previously specified scenarios. Each previously specified scenario includes a previously specified topology of the electronic system, one or more previously specified parameter values applied to the electronic system, a previously specified traffic profile, and respective precompiled values of one or more measurands. In response to user selection of one of the previously specified scenarios, the precompiled values of the measurands are displayed. The user interface further provides for specification of a scenario. In response to user specification of a scenario, traffic emulation circuitry in the programmable IC is configured to execute the scenario. The value of the at least one measurand is computed and displayed.
US09348618B2 Systems and methods for enhancing firmware
A measuring instrument includes at least one processor having at least one processor internal resource. The measuring instrument may also include at least one hardware component external to the processor and at least one storage component. Firmware may be stored in the storage component and is accessible by the processor. The firmware includes at least one application; a virtualized hardware system having routines that emulate at least one processor internal resource; and at least one application programming interface between the application and the virtualized hardware system.
US09348614B2 Verification of shared display integrity in a desktop sharing system
A system and related operating methods that achieve shared screen verification are presented here. One operating method begins by establishing a desktop sharing session between a publisher device and a viewer device, during which the publisher device renders a publisher display and the viewer device renders a viewer display that corresponds to the publisher display. The method continues by capturing first framebuffer data for a frame of the publisher display, capturing second framebuffer data for the corresponding frame of the viewer display. The method processes the first framebuffer data and/or the second framebuffer data to obtain processed framebuffer data having a consistent display resolution. Thereafter, the method compares the processed second framebuffer data to the processed first framebuffer data to obtain a measure of quality.
US09348613B2 User context and behavior based user interface recommendation
Systems and methods to provide graphical user interface recommendations based on user context information and behavior are provided. In example embodiments, tracking data associated with automatically tracked actions performed at a device of a user with respect to at least one screen are received. One or more recommendations of a customized screen for an application is determined based at least in part on the tracking data for the user. The one or more recommendations of a customized screen for the application are provided to the user.
US09348610B2 Replacement of virtual functions
Techniques are described for replacement of virtual functions. In one or more implementations, a call to a virtual function is intercepted and redirected to a shim module associated with a replacement function. The shim module is configured to adjust a pointer (e.g., a “this” pointer) for the virtual function. In at least some embodiments, the pointer can be adjusted based on information retrieved from symbol data for the virtual function. The replacement function can utilize the adjusted pointer to access an object instance associated with the virtual function. For example, the replacement function can use the adjusted pointer to access data and/or functionalities of the object instance.
US09348606B2 Fast computer startup
Fast computer startup is provided by, upon receipt of a shutdown command, recording state information representing a target state. In this target state, the computing device may have closed all user sessions, such that no user state information is included in the target state. However, the operating system may still be executing. In response to a command to startup the computer, this target state may be quickly reestablished from the recorded target state information. Portions of a startup sequence may be performed to complete the startup process, including establishing user state. To protect user expectations despite changes in response to a shutdown command, creation and use of the file holding the recorded state information may be conditional on dynamically determined events. Also, user and programmatic interfaces may provide options to override creation or use of the recorded state information.
US09348593B2 Instruction address encoding and decoding based on program construct groups
Coding circuitry comprises at least an encoder configured to encode an instruction address for transmission to a decoder. The encoder is operative to identify the instruction address as belonging to a particular one of a plurality of groups of instruction addresses associated with respective distinct program constructs, and to encode the instruction address based on the identified group. The decoder is operative to identify the encoded instruction address as belonging to the particular one of a plurality of groups of instruction addresses associated with respective distinct program constructs, and to decode the encoded instruction address based on the identified group. The coding circuitry may be implemented as part of an integrated circuit or other processing device that includes associated processor and memory elements. In such an arrangement, the processor may generate the instruction address for delivery over a bus to the memory.
US09348589B2 Enhanced predicate registers having predicates corresponding to element widths
Systems, apparatuses and methods for utilizing enhanced predicate registers which specify the element width and which elements are to be processed. The predicate size is dynamic, depending on the contents of the enhanced predicate register used for an instruction rather than being a static quality of a specific instruction. Specifying the element size in the enhanced predicate registers results in fewer instructions in an instruction set.
US09348585B2 System and method for estimating impact of software updates
A system and method of estimating impact of software updates includes obtaining usage measures for an instance of a software application, analyzing the software update of the software application by comparing base code for the software application to updated code for the software application, identifying one or more lines of interest from the base code based on the comparing, and aggregating the usage measures for the instance associated with the lines of interest to determine an impact factor. The base code corresponds to source code for the instance. The updated code corresponds to source code for the software application after the software update is applied to the base code. In some examples, the system and method further include normalizing the impact factor based on a length of time used to collect the usage measures, a number of lines of code in the base code, and a number of lines of code in the updated code.
US09348576B2 Methods and systems for upgrading and installing application packages to an application platform
Systems and methods for installing and upgrading application packages to an application platform. Application packages may be uploaded to a directory by developing users (developers) for installation by subscribing users (subscribers). Alternatively, a developer may send identification information to a subscribing user to allow that user to access and install that application package created by the developer. Application packages may also be upgraded. If a developer changes the original source package, a subscriber can choose to pull into their organization the change(s) made by the publisher while preserving any data rows the subscriber had created since first importing the package.
US09348575B2 Update of a data-carrier application
In a method for updating or installing a data storage medium application which can be executed on a secure data storage medium, the data storage medium is used in a telecommunications terminal. Updating data for the data storage medium application are first integrated into a terminal application certificate of a terminal application to be installed on the telecommunications terminal. Next the terminal application is installed in the telecommunications terminal and the data storage medium application in the data storage medium is configured according to the updating data. The terminal application certificate functions as a data container for the transparent updating data to be forwarded to the data storage medium. The updating data may relate to access rights of the terminal application to a data storage medium application already installed in the data storage medium or to a data storage medium application to be newly installed in the data storage medium.
US09348572B2 Rewarding mobile app installations without a software development kit in the mobile app
In an embodiment, a method comprises transmitting, from a mobile computing device to a server computer, first data identifying a selection at the mobile computing device of an app that is not associated with an identification module associated with the server computer that would allow the server computer to identify the device; receiving, at the mobile computing device from the server computer, second data identifying zero or more apps lacking the identification module that have been selected previously using the mobile computing device; determining whether a protocol handler for each of the zero or more apps lacking the identification module is in the mobile computing device; in response to determining that a particular protocol handler for one of the apps is in the mobile computing device, transmitting to the server computer a message specifying that the particular protocol handler is in the mobile computing device; communicating a reward to any of: a particular one of the apps that is associated with the particular protocol handler, or a user account associated with the mobile computing device; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.
US09348571B2 Method, device, and program storage device for autonomous software life cycle management
A method of searching for and installing a software product on a device is provided. One or more capabilities needed by the device to be served by a software product are determined. The one or more capabilities needed by the device are communicated from a software life cycle management agent on the device to a yellow pages agent outside the device, the communicating comprising formulating a request comprising a list of the capabilities encoded in a description language that defines the capabilities semantically. Then locations of one or more software products matching the one or more capabilities needed by the device may be received from the yellow pages agent. One of the one or more software products to install may be selected based on automatically evaluated criteria. Then the selected software product may be downloaded using its received location, and the selected software product may be installed on the device.
US09348564B2 Intelligent device framework
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate consistent experiences with respect to control or configuration of a feature or function of a device. In particular, a reusable graphical user interface (GUI) component can be employed to interact with a specific feature or function of the device rather than to a specific device or application.
US09348563B1 Bi-directional editing between visual screen designer and source code
In an example embodiment, a change pertaining to a first element in a visual representation of a screen of a hybrid application in a screen design tool of an application development tool in an enterprise mobility platform is detected. A library of elements is accessed to retrieve a first code-generating algorithm corresponding to the first element, the first code-algorithm designed to create a first block of source code written in a scripting language that can be rendered as a user interface representation. A code preview tool of the application development tool is caused to display source code written in the scripting language, the source code displayed by the code preview tool reflecting the change pertaining to the first element by the code preview tool adding, changing, or removing the first block of source code corresponding to the first element to or from a previously displayed version of the source code.
US09348559B2 Interconnecting portal components with dialog state transitions
In one embodiment, a method for interconnecting portlets is disclosed. A first view is displayed on a computing device, wherein the first view is associated with a software application in a first state and includes a first portlet. A first event is received from the first portlet. A state model for the software application is accessed, wherein the state model includes a plurality of transitions between states of the software application, and wherein one transition of the plurality of transitions is triggered to bring the software application into a second state based on a type of the first portlet and data associated with the type of the first portlet. The one transition is executed to bring the software application into the second state, and a second view is displayed, wherein the second view is associated with the software application in the second state.
US09348556B2 Method and device for noise suppression in a data processing arrangement
A method and device for noise suppression in a data processing device may have input data entered into a storage device and saved as storage data, the storage data may be processed by a data processor and may be output as output data from the storage device. The input data may be scaled with an input scaling value from a scaling device, and the output data may be scaled with an output scaling value from the scaling device. When the input scaling value may be altered, the storage data may also be altered for noise suppression. The storage device and/or the scaling device may be configured and/or actuated such that the storage data may be changed in accordance with a change in the input scaling value. Some or all of the storage data may be changed in accordance with a change in the input scaling value, and upon a change in the input scaling value by a change value the storage data may also be changed with the same change value. Upon a change in the input scaling value, the output scaling value may be changed, and upon a change in the input scaling value by the change value, the output scaling value may be changed by the same change value. The output scaling value may be the inverse of the input scaling value, and the input scaling value may be changed if a value of the input data goes above or below a threshold value. The input scaling value may also be changed if a predetermined number of the input data values of the input data and/or the input data values for a predetermined duration go above or below a threshold value (e.g., in averaged or weighted manner). Upon going above the threshold value, the input scaling value may be set at a predetermined value. Upon going above or below the threshold value, the input scaling value may be changed by a scaling step value as the change value. A change in the storage data may occur at the same time as a change in the input scaling value, and a change in the output scaling value may occur at the same time as a change in the input scaling value.
US09348553B2 Electronic display tiling apparatus and method thereof
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for substantially eliminating the appearance of seams between tiled panels of a display. Non-imaging magnification may be used to substantially eliminate the appearance of seams. Additionally, the appearance of seams between the tiled panels of a display may be substantially eliminated by employing propagation based elimination. The methods disclosed can be used to generate substantially seamless 2D and 3D displays. Additionally, a method and apparatus for achieving substantially uniform panel brightness and color correction may be addressed. The substantially seamless tiled displays may employ specific data formats for use in displaying images on the individual displays which may be tiled together to form a larger, substantially seamless tiled display and may employ other techniques not utilized in known video wall applications. These functions may include an intensity envelope in addition to substantially complying with the Digital Cinema Initiative (“DCI”) security concerns.
US09348551B2 Mobile terminal device, and method and computer readable medium for the same
A mobile terminal device is provided, which includes a control device configured to acquire contents data, output screen data for controlling a display unit to display thereon images based on the acquired contents data, acquire, in response to an accepting unit accepting a selecting operation of selecting one or more images from among the images displayed on the display unit based on the screen data, image selection data for identifying specific contents data, of the acquired contents data, corresponding to the one or more images selected by the selecting operation, and transmit, in response to a near field wireless communication unit establishing near field wireless communication with a printer, a print instruction to print the specific contents data corresponding to the one or more images selected by the selecting operation, based on the acquired image selection data.
US09348548B2 Print control system
A print control system 1 includes a control server 10 that opens a communication path for asynchronous duplex communication, generates print data, and outputs the generated print data by the opened communication path; and a printer 12 that opens a communication path, receives the print data by the opened communication path, and prints based on the received print data.
US09348546B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming system with rewritable print and permanent print function
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming job created and transmitted by an job creation unit including an image to be printed, a receiving unit that receives a request of print setting to the image, a display unit that displays a setting screen having a setting unit to designate a setting of rewritable print or permanent print per page in response to receive the request of print setting, a memory unit that stores the setting of rewritable print or permanent print per page set by operating the setting screen, in addition to the image as the image forming job, and an image forming unit that receives the image forming job from the job creation unit and forms images on a sheet based on the setting in the image forming job.
US09348544B2 Printer
In one example a media authorization code may be authenticated in a printer to authorize the colorant supply to print when a counter does not exceed a predetermined amount of authorized media units.
US09348541B2 Image processing apparatus and method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes an identifier that calculates, between multiple items of first document data and multiple items of second document data, a first degree of similarity of a pair of each page of the first document data and each page of the second document data, based on a page order of the first and second document data, extracting a pair of pages of which a second degree of similarity is calculated based on the first degree of similarity, calculating the second degree of similarity of the extracted pair of pages based on images of the first and second document data, and identifies a page of the second document data that corresponds to a page of the first document data, based on the second degree of similarity.
US09348540B2 Output management device, output management system, and output management method
An output management device including: an acquiring unit that acquires a list of output data; a storage unit that stores sharing information of the data storage device; a first judgment unit that judges a state of a first output control device; a second judgment unit that judges the state of the second output control devices, when judged that the first output control device is not working and the data storage device is shared with the first and second output control device, and a setting unit that sets the output data possible to output when the first judgment unit judged that the first output control device is working or the second judgment unit judged that at least one of the second output control devices is working, and sets the output data impossible to output when the second judgment unit judged that all the second output control devices are not working.
US09348538B2 Selective deduplication
Methods and apparatuses for performing selective deduplication in a storage system are introduced here. Techniques are provided for determining a probability of deduplication for a data object based on a characteristic of the data object and performing a deduplication operation on the data object in the storage system prior to the data object being stored in persistent storage of the storage system if the probability of deduplication for the data object has a specified relationship to a specified threshold.
US09348533B2 Memory image capture via memory write from a running system
Techniques for memory image capture via memory write from a running system are described. In at least some embodiments, a request is received for an image of a portion of memory. Images of memory can be used for a variety of purposes, such as diagnosing and repairing error conditions for hardware and/or software, detecting unwanted and/or malicious processes (e.g., malware), general systems maintenance, and so forth. According to one or more embodiments, various techniques can be implemented to capture an image of a portion of memory. For example, an intermediate write to memory can be employed to write the image of the portion of memory to a memory buffer. Alternatively or additionally, an image of a portion of memory can be captured directly to storage.
US09348531B1 Negative pool management for deduplication
A method may comprise caching a portion of a pool of unique data blocks in a memory, the pool of unique data blocks comprising a plurality of unique blocks, at least some of the plurality of blocks in the pool of unique data blocks being referred to in at least one reference file. A list of blocks may be updated with any block in the cached portion of the pool of unique data blocks that is not referred to by at least one reference in the reference file(s). Different portions of the pool of unique data blocks may then continue to be cached and the list of blocks not referred to by at least one reference may be updated until the remaining portions of the pool of unique data blocks are cached. The blocks in the list of blocks may then be deleted from the pool of unique data blocks.
US09348530B2 Presentation of virtual arrays using n-port ID virtualization
A storage array presents virtual arrays to hosts through use of virtual port IDs. The storage array includes groups of logical units of storage. The groups are coupled to a switch through at least one physical port. Each group is assigned a unique virtual port ID for each physical port to which it is coupled. The virtual port IDs are assignable by the switch. The virtual port IDs are used by hosts coupled to the switch to exchange data with the groups to which the virtual port IDs are assigned. Further, a zoning table in the switch can associate each virtual port ID to a host facing port on the switch. In this case each host can communicate only with groups of logical units that are assigned virtual IDs associated with the host facing port to which it is coupled.
US09348527B2 Storing data in persistent hybrid memory
Storing data in persistent hybrid memory includes promoting a memory block from non-volatile memory to a cache based on a usage of said memory block according to a promotion policy, tracking modifications to the memory block while in the cache, and writing the memory block back into the non-volatile memory after the memory block is modified in the cache based on a writing policy that keeps a number of the memory blocks that are modified at or below a number threshold while maintaining the memory block in the cache.
US09348526B2 Placement engine for a block device
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for implementing a reliable placement engine for a block device. The method includes the steps of tracking one or more parameters associated with a plurality of real storage devices (RSDs), generating a plurality of RSD objects in a memory associated with a first node, generating a virtual storage device (VSD) object in the memory, and selecting one or more RSD objects in the plurality of RSD objects based on the one or more parameters. Each RSD object corresponds to a particular RSD in the plurality of RSDs. The method also includes the step of, for each RSD object in the one or more RSD objects, allocating a block of memory in the RSD associated with the RSD object to store data corresponding to a first block of memory associated with the VSD object.
US09348524B1 Memory controlled operations under dynamic relocation of storage
A computing device is provided and includes a plurality of nodes. Each node includes multiple chips and a node controller at which the multiple chips are assignable to logical partitions. Each of the multiple chips includes processors and a memory unit configured to handle local memory operations originating from the processors. The node controller includes a dynamic memory relocation (DMR) mechanism configured to move data having a DMR storage increment address relative to a local one of the memory units without interrupting a processing of the data by at least one of the logical partitions. During movement of the data by the DMR mechanism, the memory units are disabled from handling the local memory operations matching the DMR storage increment address and the node controller handles the local memory operations matching the DMR storage increment address.
US09348522B2 Software indications and hints for coalescing memory transactions
A transactional memory system that utilizes indications for the coalescing of outermost memory transactions, the coalescing causing committing of memory store data to memory for a first transaction to be done at transaction execution (TX) end of a second transaction a processor of the transactional memory system executes one or more coalescing instructions for controlling coalescing of a plurality of outermost transactions. Based on the execution of the one or more coalescing instructions, the processor determines whether two outermost transactions are to be coalesced. Based on determining that two outermost transactions are to be coalesced, the processor coalesces at least two outermost transactions included in the plurality of outermost transactions.
US09348519B1 System and methods for optimizing multiple data streams throughput to maximize overall throughput of a backup application
A system and method for controlling a backup of a plurality of computing devices to a distinct storage is provided. The method comprises: determining, based at least on a write speed parameter and backup data parameter of each computing device, whether a throughput and/or a speed of a backup of computer devices can be improved; calculating, in response to a positive result of the determining, new write speeds for the individual computing devices; and sending the new write speeds to at least the corresponding ones of the computing devices. The new write speeds of individual ones of the plurality of computers are balanced such that each computing device completes backup at substantially the same time.
US09348518B2 Buffered automated flash controller connected directly to processor memory bus
A mechanism is provided for buffer linking in a buffered solid state drive controller. Responsive to the buffered flash memory module receiving from a memory bus of a processor a memory command specifying a write operation, the mechanism initializes a first memory buffer in the buffered flash memory module. The mechanism associates the first memory buffer with an address of the write operation. The mechanism performs a compare operation to compare a previous and a next address with respect to an address associated with the first memory buffer with a plurality of buffers. The mechanism assigns a link tag to at least one buffer identified in the compare operation and the first memory buffer to form a linked buffer set. The mechanism writes to the first memory buffer based on the memory command. The mechanism builds at least one input/output command to persist contents of the linked buffer set and writes the contents of the linked buffer set to at least one solid state drive according to the at least one input/output command.
US09348516B2 Storage controller, storage system, method of controlling storage controller, and computer-readable storage medium having storage control program stored therein
A storage system includes: a first storage unit; a second storage unit that has an access speed higher than an access speed of the first storage unit; and a storage controller that collects load information about respective loads in a plurality of areas in the first storage unit, selects a candidate area in the first storage unit which is to be migrated, based on the collected load information, and migrates data in the selected candidate area, to the second storage unit.
US09348508B2 Automatic detection of user preferences for alternate user interface model
A method for automatic detection of user preferences for alternate user interface model includes operating a digital device with an active user interface model and receiving one or more input signals from a user of the digital device. The method includes comparing the one or more input signals with one or more latent user interface models and determining if one of the latent user interface models has a higher likelihood given the one or more input signals than the active user interface models. The method also includes responsively substituting the latent user interface with the highest likelihood given the one or more input signals for the active user interface model.
US09348506B2 Method and apparatus for adapting a content package comprising a first content segment from a first content source to display a second content segment from a second content source
An apparatus may include a user interface configured to display a content package including a first content segment from a first content source. A gesture interpreter may be configured to receive a gesture input in a positional relationship to the first content segment. The apparatus may further include a content relationship manager which may be configured to determine relationships between content segments such that a content segment selector may select a second content segment relating to the first content segment from a second content source. Further, the apparatus may include a content package adaptor configured to adapt the content package to provide for display of the second content segment. In some instances the content package adaptor may adapt the content package by providing for display of a second content package, for example from a different application than an application which the first content segment is from.
US09348505B2 Dynamic image presentation
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for efficiently organizing images in a display. A size of an image is scaled by an image scale factor, while an aspect ratio for the image is maintained, where the image scale factor comprises a combination of a first scale distance and a second scale distance. The scaled image is filled into a first display line, if the size of the scaled image is not greater than an amount of display space remaining in the first display line; otherwise the scaled image is filled into a second display line. The image is expanded to mitigate white space in the display after the scaling, while maintaining the image's aspect ratio. This can be performed for a collection of images presented on a display to provide an enhanced user experience.
US09348503B2 Information input device, information input method, information input control program, and electronic device
The present invention provides an information input device, in which information is inputted by easy operations, even if a display unit size is limited. An information input device of the present invention has: a display unit displaying a plurality of figures; a detecting unit arranged in front of the display unit or behind the display unit, and detecting whether a physical contact from an outside exists or not and a contacted position at which the physical contact exists; and a control unit deciding a figure displayed on the display unit and a position at which the figure is displayed, and inputting information based on a signal from the detecting unit, and when the detecting unit detects the physical contact exists, the control unit determines a first figure displayed at a nearest position to the contacted position in the plurality of figures based on the contacted position and decides a second figure displayed at a position surrounding the contacted position based on a kind of the first figure.
US09348501B2 Touch modes
Touch modes are described. In one or more implementations, a first mode of interaction is supported with a user interface displayed by a display device of a computing device having touchscreen functionality, the first mode usable to interact directly with a user interface using the touchscreen functionality. A second mode of interaction is supported with the user interface displayed by the display device of the computing device, the second mode usable to control a cursor using the touchscreen functionality to interact with the user interface.
US09348498B2 Wrapped content interaction
Techniques for wrapped content interaction are described. In implementations, scrolling instrumentalities are employed that enable wrapped content to be navigated via various types of input, such as mouse input, keyboard input, touch input, and so on. Examples of wrapped content include a wrapped list of items, a wrapped document, a wrapped web page, and so on. Interaction with wrapped content that is initiated within a window in which the wrapped content is displayed can proceed outside the visual bounds of the window such that the content can be scrolled as looped content.
US09348490B2 User interface with configuration, registration, and runtime selection of views
A method, system and computer program product for providing a configurable user interface comprises receiving, by a server computer, a request for information to be rendered in a user interface; and in response to the request, sending, by the server computer, the information to be rendered and an identifier related to one of a plurality of user interface components. Also, in response to the request, the server computer sends a registry of the plurality of user interface components, wherein the registry comprises a respective entry for each of the plurality of user interface components. More particularly, the respective entry for a particular one of the plurality of user interface components comprises: a) a location of a configuration associated with the particular one user interface component; and b) a plurality of attributes and corresponding attribute values associated with the particular one user interface component.
US09348487B2 Apparatus and method for generating cognitive avatar
One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for generating a cognitive avatar, and according to one or more of the above embodiments of the present invention, the process of allowing the user to select images, which are recognized as similar, from face images of various impressions which are classified as a plurality of impression groups and are stored, is repeatedly performed, and an avatar, which corresponds to the target face which the user intends to generate as the avatar, by a cognitive approach based on the repeatedly performed user's selection, so that a natural avatar, which is similar to the target face, may be expressed without a separate analysis or re-analysis process for the target face.
US09348484B2 Docking and undocking dynamic navigation bar for expanded communication service
A navigation bar is provided for switching between modules within an expanded communication service such as email, calendar, contacts, tasks, etc. and for providing preview peeks associated with each module to a user. A temporary preview of a module may be provided upon a hover action over predefined navigation bar locations such as icons and/or textual identifiers without actually needing to switch to a module. One or more preview panes may be docked or pinned to a dynamically selected or user defined location on the main user interface so that they are permanently displayed within the main user interface. Users may be enabled to undock one or more of the docked preview panes through a user interface control. New or interesting activity within each module may be highlighted by displaying an information badge next to a module name, for example.
US09348481B2 Viewing and editing media content
Among other things, a method includes displaying, in a user interface of a video editing application, an interface enabling a user of the video editing application to mark ranges in video clips presented in the user interface, the ranges of the video clips each representing a portion of video content of each respective clip, and at least some of the ranges of the video clips being displayed as marked simultaneously, receiving, from the user, a selection of multiple marked ranges of video clips, and establishing a relationship between the selected multiple ranges of the video clips.
US09348476B2 Display device with integrated touch screen and driving method thereof
A display device with integrated touch screen is provided. The display device includes a panel configured to include a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of sensing electrodes and a display driver IC configured to apply a common voltage to the plurality of driving electrodes and the plurality of sensing electrodes when the panel operates in a display driving mode, and when the panel operates in a touch driving mode, generate a pulse-modulated driving pulse according to a timing pulse and a pulse modulation control signal to apply the pulse-modulated driving pulse to the plurality of driving electrodes, and respectively receive a plurality of sensing signals from the plurality of sensing electrodes.
US09348472B2 Touch screen driver and method for driving touch screen
A touch screen driver includes a touch screen including Tx channels, Rx channels crossing the Tx channels, and sensor nodes formed at crossings of the Tx channels and the Rx channels, a Tx driving circuit supplying a driving pulse to the Tx channels, an Rx driving circuit which samples voltages of the sensor nodes supplied through the Rx channels in response to Rx sampling clocks and converts the sampled voltages into digital data, and a touch controller which modulates the Rx sampling clocks based on an RC delay deviation between the Rx channels, supplies the modulated Rx sampling clocks to the Rx driving circuit, differently controls sampling times of the Rx channels, and analyzes the digital data using a previously determined touch recognition algorithm.
US09348471B2 Method and apparatus for improving touch sensitivity of touch screen panel
A method and an apparatus for improving touch sensitivity of a capacitive type touch screen panel are provided. In the method, the apparatus sequentially drives a plurality of transmitting channels of the touch screen panel using a predetermined scan frequency. The apparatus determines a sequential touch count by simultaneously scanning a plurality of receiving channels of the touch screen panel wherein the sequential touch count is the number of sequentially touched receiving channels. Also, the apparatus specifies a scan unit to be used for dividing the plurality of receiving channels into groups on the basis of the sequential touch count and for sequentially scanning the groups of the receiving channels. The apparatus determines a touch coordinate by sequentially scanning the plurality of receiving channels using the specified scan unit.
US09348468B2 Detecting multi-touch inputs
Determining a touch contact location is disclosed. A signal that has been disturbed by a touch input on a surface is received. The received signal is transformed to determine a spatial domain signal. The spatial domain signal is compared with an expected signal associated with a potential location of a source of a disturbance caused by the touch input. The touch contact location of the touch input is determined based at least in part on the comparison.
US09348467B2 Radial layout for acoustic wave touch sensor
Surface acoustic waves in a radial pattern are used to detect touch. Different radial transducer arrangements may allow for locating multiple simultaneous touches without ambiguity. Instead of transmitting along a line to be reflected at multiple points, the surface acoustic waves are transmitted radially. The surface acoustic waves are transmitted along different angles in an angular span spread out over at least part of the touch region. Using acoustic waves traveling along intersecting paths, a point location of a touch may be determined by detection, in part, of at least one angle.
US09348466B2 Touch discrimination using fisheye lens
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a system and method of touch discrimination using a fisheye lens. According to one embodiment, touch discrimination is provided using a touch-enabled display and an imaging device equipped with a fisheye lens and housed within the display. Furthermore, image data captured using the fisheye lens of the imaging device is utilized to detect a touch on a surface of the display along with the user associated with said touch.
US09348463B2 Retroreflection based multitouch sensor, method and program
A detection apparatus includes a multilocation sensor. The apparatus includes a sheet in communication with the sensor, which when a plurality of locations of the sheet are simultaneously activated, the sensor senses these locations, simultaneously with retroreflection.
US09348461B2 Input system
An input system includes an electronic device and a touchpad device. When the application program installed in the electronic device is activated, a target object is displayed on a display screen of the electronic device. A projection device of the touchpad device generates an object projection image of the target object. When the user moves the object projection image with the hand, the touchpad device detects a moving trajectory of the hand and generates the moved object projection image. Consequently, the target object shown on the electronic device is synchronously moved with the object projection image.
US09348458B2 Gestures for touch sensitive input devices
Methods and systems for processing touch inputs are disclosed. The invention in one respect includes reading data from a multipoint sensing device such as a multipoint touch screen where the data pertains to touch input with respect to the multipoint sensing device, and identifying at least one multipoint gesture based on the data from the multipoint sensing device.
US09348455B2 Display apparatus, display control method, and program
There is provided a display apparatus capable of reducing user annoyance by displaying display information in an appropriate output format. Touch panel 12 detects a touch to a display surface of display device 11. Sensor section 13 detects an apparatus orientation. Display control section 14 changes an output format of display information displayed on a display surface according to the apparatus orientation. When the touch is detected, display lock detecting section 15 locks the changed output format of display information.
US09348451B2 Channel scan architecture for multiple stimulus multi-touch sensor panels
A channel scan architecture for detecting touch events on a touch sensor panel is disclosed. The channel scan architecture can combine drive logic, sense channels and channel scan logic on a single monolithic chip. The channel scan logic can be configured to implement a sequence of scanning processes in a panel subsystem without intervention from a panel processor. The channel scan architecture can provide scan sequence control to enable the panel processor to control the sequence in which individual scans are implemented in the panel subsystem. Type of scans that can be implemented in the panel subsystem can include a spectral analysis scan, touch scan, phantom touch scan, ambient light level scan, proximity scan and temperature scan.
US09348449B2 Noise reduction method and system for touch detection device
Noise reduction method and system for a touch detection device are disclosed. The noise reduction method includes: step A, performing a synchronous sampling on the touch detection nodes in one same group and storing the sampling data; step B, comparing each sampling data against a corresponding reference data to calculate a differential data which, as a detection data, replaces a corresponding original sampling data; step C, calculating statistics of the replacing detection data to screen out valid data to calculate a DC offset component indicative of a noise ingredient; and step D, obtaining noise-filtered detection data by subtracting the DC offset component from each detection data.
US09348448B2 Liquid crystal display integrated touch screen panel
A display device includes a liquid crystal display with an integrated touch screen panel including a first substrate having a plurality of gate wires and a plurality of data wires and having a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode. The display device also includes a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, an insulating layer on the pixel electrode, a plurality of transparent electrodes arranged in a first direction on the insulating layer, a plurality of metal electrodes forming coupling parts attached to predetermined sides of the transparent electrodes and forming driving wires that receive driving signals, a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged on the second substrate in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US09348445B2 Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program
Provided are an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program, which simply switch to a display method which a user desires. When an information processing device (100) in which two touch panels (40, 50) are rotatably connected by a hinge (30) is in a two-screen state, the current screen mode is switched to another screen mode by carrying out a re-fold operation which, via a prescribed angle within a prescribed time, returns the information processing device (100) to an original state.
US09348444B2 Information processing apparatus and storage medium for storing information processing program
An input coordinate point on the display surface of a display device is obtained from a pointing device. Based on the input coordinate point, a moving velocity is set, and based on the moving velocity, an object is moved to a position in the virtual space, the position corresponding to the input coordinate point. The input coordinate point may belong to different areas of the display surface and the moving velocity is determined based on the area where the input coordinate point belongs. Then, the display device is caused to display the virtual space within the display area.
US09348442B2 Input apparatus
An input apparatus (for example, a mobile terminal apparatus (100)) includes a display unit (60) that displays a plurality of operation position displays (for example, operation position displays (61 to 66)); and a detection unit that contactlessly detects an operation which corresponds to an operation position set in a specific space of a front of the input apparatus in correspondence to each of the plurality of operation position displays. The detection unit includes a first piezoelectric element (an oscillation piezoelectric element (31)) that oscillates ultrasound toward the front space of the input apparatus; a second piezoelectric element (a reception piezoelectric element (21)) that detects the ultrasound which is oscillated by the first piezoelectric element; and a determination unit that determines whether or not an operation is performed on a certain operation position based on a result of detection performed by the second piezoelectric element.
US09348438B2 Advanced in-cell touch optical pen
A user input device communicatively coupled to a memory is disclosed. The user input device may include a user-manipulated portion; a surface contact portion of the user-manipulated portion, the surface contact portion disposed at an end of the user-manipulated portion; a first light source contained substantially within the user-manipulated portion, the first light source emitting light through the surface contact portion; a user input detector at an external surface of the user-manipulated portion; and an optical receiver at an external surface of the user-manipulated portion, the optical receiver configured to communicate a plurality of data associated with an object external to the user input device to the memory.
US09348435B2 Motion-based view scrolling system with proportional and dynamic modes
The present invention provides a system and methods for motion-based scrolling of a relatively large contents view on an electronic device with a relatively small screen display. The user controls the scrolling by changing the device's tilt relative to a baseline tilt. The scrolling control can follow a Proportional Scroll mode, where the relative tilt directly controls the screen position over the contents view, or a Dynamic Scroll mode where the relative tilt controls the scrolling speed. The present invention obtains a criterion for automatically selecting the best scrolling mode when the dimensions of the contents view change. The baseline tilt is updated when the screen reaches an edge of the contents view to eliminate the creation of a non responsive range of tilt changes when the user changes tilt direction.
US09348433B2 Optical touch sensing structure
An optical touch sensing structure includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of optical particles with metallic composition. The optical particles with metallic composition are disposed on the transparent substrate. When an infrared is incident on each of the optical particles with metallic composition, the infrared is reflected by each of the optical particles with metallic composition.
US09348430B2 Method and apparatus for transitioning in-process applications to remote devices
A method and apparatus that incorporate teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving at a mobile communication device a video stream from a computing device. The video stream is associated with images generated by a software application and is transmitted by the computing device responsive to a request to redirect control of the software application to the mobile communication device. The method may also include presenting the streamed video at the mobile communication device and transmitting to the computing device a stimulation of a remote user input function associated with the mobile communication device, where the transmitted stimulation corresponds to at least one action of a plurality of associable actions that can be executed by the software application. Additional embodiments are disclosed.