| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09370401B2 |
Millimeter-sized recognition signal badge and identification system for accurately discerning and sorting among similar kinds, shapes, and sizes of surgical instruments
The present invention is a discrete signal-identifying badge and operative system for recognizing, differentiating and distinguishing among the many kinds, shapes and sizes of surgical instruments and tools commonly used today for human and veterinary surgeries and in scientific research. The signal-identifying badge is a discrete millimeter-sized article of manufacture which can be easily affixed to an exposed surface of any type, any configuration and any dimension of surgical instrument or tool; and includes a well-cushioned and protected photovoltaic cell-integrated chip transponder unit embedded within a safeguarding three-tier stack construct. |
| US09370399B2 |
Flow rate monitor for fluid cooled microwave ablation probe
A microwave ablation system includes an antenna assembly configured to deliver microwave energy from a power source to tissue and a coolant source operably coupled to the power source and configured to selectively provide fluid to the antenna assembly via a fluid path. The system also includes a controller operably coupled to the power source and a sensor operably coupled to the fluid path and the controller. The sensor is configured to detect fluid flow through the fluid path and the controller is configured to control the energy source based on the detected fluid flow. |
| US09370395B2 |
Ablation clamp with malleable jaws
An apparatus for use with a clamp including a base member configured to be secured to the clamp and at least one energy transmission device carried by the base member. An apparatus for use with a clamp and a probe that carries at least one energy transmission device including a base member configured to be secured to the clamp and an engagement device associated with the base member and configured to engage the probe. A clamp including first and second clamp members, at least one of which is malleable, and a movement apparatus that moves at least one of the first and second clamp members relative to the other. A surgical system including a clamp with first and second clamp members and a device that removably mounts at least one electrode on at least one of the first and second clamp members. |
| US09370392B2 |
Heat-sensitive optical probes
A method of directing energy to tissue includes the initial steps of determining target tissue location and/or target tissue margins, positioning an ablation device for delivery of energy to target tissue, and positioning one or more heat-sensitive optical probes into a tissue region to be monitored. Each heat-sensitive optical probe is adapted to utilize spectral properties of light to access one or more optical fiber portions of the heat-sensitive optical probe in response to heat. The method also includes the steps of applying energy to the ablation device, continuing ablation while size and/or position of ablated zone which received heat above a threshold value is displayed on a monitor using one or more electrical signals generated by the one or more heat-sensitive optical probes, determining whether the ablated zone displayed on the monitor is larger than the target tissue margins, and terminating ablation if it is determined that the ablated zone displayed on the monitor is larger than the target tissue margins. |
| US09370388B2 |
Composite material bone implant
Radiolucent composite implants. Some embodiments include reconfiguration indicators. Some embodiments include radio-opaque markers, especially along contours. Some embodiments are provided in kit form with accessories such as radiolucent drill guides and/or drives. Some embodiments have fiber reinforcement adapted for various usage scenarios. Some embodiments include metal components, for example, to increase strength. Also described are manufacturing methods. |
| US09370384B2 |
Bone fixation rod and implantation device for insertion thereof
The present invention provides for a bone fixation device, an implantation instrument, and system which are useful in bone fixation surgeries. The bone fixation device of the instant invention allows the surgeon the ability to navigate the rod while being inserted into a pedicle screw assembly through a non-linear pathway by incrementally changing the direction of travel as desired. |
| US09370383B2 |
Minimally invasive splitable pedicle screw extender
The present application provides a tool for minimally invasive surgical procedures. The tool includes a first and second portion where each portion has an outer blade and an inner blade that is slidable along the outer blade. A removable connector connects the first and second portions. When removed, the first and second portions are separated by a gap extending the length of the tool. |
| US09370380B2 |
External bone fixation system
An external fixation assembly for bone fusion or separation is disclosed. The assembly includes a fracture fusion tube, with a bracket slidably engaged thereon. The assembly further includes a collet clamp connected to the bracket, with a ball collet rotatably seated within the clamp, the ball collet having an aperture for receiving a bone bin therethrough and perforations for a compression engagement with a bone pin. The assembly uses a single screw for threadably engaging the ball collet, the clamp and the bracket such that the position of the bone pin, ball collet and bracket are all fixed. |
| US09370374B1 |
Surgical acetabular grater adapter and associated method
An adapter and associated method is provided. One of the many embodiments of the present application is comprised of a one-piece adapter attachable along the backside of the shell component of an acetabular reaming tool, and having a geometric configuration approximating an annular collar. The adapter has a smooth peripheral surface including an area of greater circumference converging to an area of lesser circumference. When the adapter attaches to an acetabular grater shell component, the area of greater outer circumference is proximal to, and traverses the theoretical equator of, the shell component, and the area of lesser outer circumference is distal to the shell component and is the leading end of the adapter when the reaming tool is extracted from the surgical site. The contours and smooth surface of the adapter facilitate fast, safe, unimpeded extraction. |
| US09370367B2 |
Circular stapler with controlled tissue compression
There are provided torque limiting mechanisms for use in tissue clamping surgical instruments. The torque limiting mechanisms generally include a driven member, engageable with an approximating mechanism of the surgical instruments, and having a driven surface and a driving member having a driving surface engageable with the driven surface of the driven member. The driving member is rotatable relative to the driven member such that the driving surface of the driving member slips relative to or dissengages from the driven surface of the driven member at a predetermined engagement pressure. |
| US09370366B2 |
Circular stapler with controlled tissue compression
There are provided torque limiting mechanisms for use in tissue clamping surgical instruments. The torque limiting mechanisms generally include a driven member, engageable with an approximating mechanism of the surgical instruments, and having a driven surface and a driving member having a driving surface engageable with the driven surface of the driven member. The driving member is rotatable relative to the driven member such that the driving surface of the driving member slips relative to or dissengages from the driven surface of the driven member at a predetermined engagement pressure. |
| US09370364B2 |
Powered surgical cutting and stapling apparatus with manually retractable firing system
In one general aspect, various embodiments of the present invention can include a motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument having a drive shaft, a motor selectively engageable with the drive shaft, and a manual return mechanism configured to operably disengage the motor from the drive shaft and retract the drive shaft. In at least one embodiment, a surgeon, or other operator of the surgical instrument, can utilize the manual return mechanism to retract the drive shaft after it has been advanced, especially when the motor, or a power source supplying the motor, has failed or is otherwise unable to provide a force sufficient to retract the drive shaft. |
| US09370353B2 |
Suturing devices and methods
A surgical device for suturing body lumen is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. The device can include a body having a shaft and a foot for insertion into an opening in a body lumen. The device can include tissue ports between configured to receive tissue surrounding the opening in the body lumen. The foot can include a suture secured to needle capture devices. The device can include needles that can be advanced through tissue and into the needle capture devices. The needle capture devices can then be withdrawn, thereby harvesting the suture, which can then be used to close the opening in the body lumen. |
| US09370351B2 |
Anchor driver with suture clutch
A suture anchor driver has an elongated shaft, a handle at a proximal end of the shaft an anchor engagement at a distal end of the shaft and a clutch between the handle and the shaft. The clutch includes a slot for frictionally engaging a suture an engagement with the shaft and an engagement with the handle. The engagement with the shaft and the engagement with the handle are located with respect to one another such that driving torque applied to the handle urges open the slot to release its frictional engagement of the suture. |
| US09370345B2 |
Bioadhesive delivery catheter manifold with mixing fixture and methods
A bioadhesive delivery catheter includes a manifold, a dual lumen tube, and a mixing member. The manifold includes a delivery device passage and an injection port. The tube is insertable into the delivery device passage and includes first and second lumens positioned side-by-side. The first lumen extends proximal of the second lumen within the delivery device passage, and the second lumen is in flow communication with the injection port. The mixing member is positioned between a proximal inlet of the injection port and the second lumen and is configured to help mix a bioadhesive material that is delivered through the injection port into the second lumen. |
| US09370344B2 |
Method of fusing layers of biological tissue
A biocompatible material layer for use as an intermediary layer between body tissue surfaces to be fused in a body tissue fusion, wherein the material layer includes two sides opposite to one another, wherein the material layer is configured so that it provides portions with comparatively higher electrical resistance and portions with comparatively lower electrical resistance between body tissue surfaces to be fused. |
| US09370336B2 |
Model-based method for assessing acoustic signal quality in heart monitoring device
A model-based method for assessing acoustic signal quality in a heart monitoring device. The personal heart sound interval distribution of a person being actively monitored is compared with a modeled global heart sound interval distribution shared by most human beings after which processing action is taken consistent with the quality assessment. The error in the best fit between the personal interval distribution and the global interval distribution is presumed to be caused predominantly by noise, allowing the quality of the fit to serve as a proxy for the level of noise in the acoustic signal and used in making processing decisions. |
| US09370332B2 |
Robotic navigated nuclear probe imaging
Robotic navigation is provided for nuclear probe imaging. Using a three-dimensional scanner (19), the surface of a patient is determined (42). A calibrated robotic system positions (48) a nuclear probe about the patient based on the surface. The positioning (48) may be without contacting the patient and the surface may be used in reconstruction to account for spacing of the probe from the patient. By using the robotic system for positioning (48), the speed, resolution and/or quality of the reconstructed image may be predetermined, user settable, and/or improved compared to manual scanning. The reconstruction (52) may be more computationally efficient by providing for regular spacing of radiation detection locations within the volume. |
| US09370329B2 |
Map and ablate closed-loop cooled ablation catheter
A system for performing mapping and ablation functions includes a catheter sized and shaped for vascular access. The catheter includes an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A tip section positioned at the distal end of the catheter body and includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. One or more electrode structures are formed on an exterior surface of the tip section. The one or more electrode structures each includes a mapping electrode at the distal portion of the tip section and a contact pad electrically coupled to the mapping electrode. |
| US09370327B2 |
Medical devices with retractable needle and related methods
Needle safety assemblies and related methods are disclosed. Exemplary needle safety assemblies include a needle with a sharpened tip attached directly or indirectly to an elongate tube having a proximal end that is constrained from proximal axial movement. An elongate shield with a distal end opening and a body extends over at least a portion of the elongate tube. A needle holder is coupled to the elongate shield and fixed axially. The needle holder has a proximal opening sized and shaped to receive a sampling device, such as a vacutainer. A tab having a pin extends radially outwardly from the elongate tube and through a slot formed with the elongate shield, which is movable to move the needle. |
| US09370324B2 |
Hemodialysis patient data acquisition, management and analysis system
A hemodialysis patient data acquisition and management system resides on a host computer which receives information from one or more non-invasive, optical blood monitors associated with a hemodialysis system. When a patient is undergoing hemodialysis treatment, a sensor assembly monitors the patient's blood flowing through the hemodialysis system and a controller for the blood monitor generates data which includes at least an identification code for the patient undergoing the treatment on the respective system, and non-invasively determined blood data taken at the onset of the scheduled treatment, such as initial Hgb, HCT, and SAT values. A host computer communicates with the one or more optical blood monitors, preferably via a wireless network, and the patient's session commencement data is downloaded to the host computer. The host computer includes a patient database containing historical session commencement data for a plurality of patients, as well as screen displays for displaying historical data for individual patients, such as Hgb trends. The system also preferably provides a predictive algorithm for the patient's Hgb at the patient's next scheduled hemodialysis treatment session. The preferred system also includes software that provides a recommended dose of the anemia management drug for the patient. |
| US09370322B2 |
Modular docking station
A modular, multifunction dock system is disclosed. The dock system includes a dock housing with a dock receiver to interface with a data port for both a recorder and a transmitter. The dock system further includes a logic board that is contained within the dock housing. The logic board couples a memory and a processor to the dock receiver to enable dock functionality with both the recorder and the transmitter. Further included with the dock system is a coupling port to provide access through the dock housing to a socket coupled to the logic board and an input/output port to enable power and data transmission from the logic board to a data processor. The dock housing includes a mating arm that moves between a retracted and extended position. The mating arm fits within the coupling port and is terminated by a plug that couples with the socket. The dock system further includes a light emitting element on the exterior of the dock housing that is coupled to the logic board to provide visual feedback regarding the status of either the recorder or the transmitter when either are coupled to the dock receiver. |
| US09370319B2 |
Interactive virtual care
An interactive virtual care system may include a user sensory module to acquire multi-modal user data related to user movement. A data analysis module may compare the multi-modal user data to predetermined historical user data and/or statistical norm data for users to identify an anomaly in the user movement. |
| US09370318B2 |
Quantitative assessment of the skull
A technique for performing computational analysis of craniosynostosis from CT images is discussed. An image-computing platform assesses craniofacial malformations by using a shape analysis methodology for image processing. The shape of a patient's craniofacial anatomy is assessed in terms of a statistical shape model that incorporates normal shape variability. The model allows for the identification of a closest normal variant to a patient's anatomy rather than comparing the patient's anatomy to an age-specific average shape. Further, an image registration and segmentation method is discussed which enables obtaining a personalized anatomical model for each patient, thereby achieving a precise and systematic characterization of shape abnormality. Visual (qualitative) and quantitative surgical planning, as well as pre-operative and post-operative assessments are achieved. Further, automatic surgical planning for cranial vault reconstruction using tessellation algorithms to establish the relationship between patient's anatomy and the closest normal variant is discussed. |
| US09370315B2 |
Apparatus and method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles comprising bridge unit
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a field of view (28). The apparatus comprises selection means for generating a magnetic selection field (50) and drive and receiving means comprising one or more combined drive field and selection coils (441) for changing the position in space of the two sub-zones (52, 54) in the field of view (28) and for acquiring detection signals. A balanced bridge unit (160) comprising inductive or capacitive coupling elements (411, 421) is provided between the drive field signal generator unit (122) and the signal receiving unit (140) as a light-weight, inexpensive and easily implementable solution for reducing the harmonic background. |
| US09370311B2 |
Electrophysiology catheter design
The present invention relates to a method, device, and system for improved mapping and/or ablation of a tissue. The device may generally include an elongate body and a distal assembly affixed to the elongate body that includes a treatment electrode having a conductive mapping region and a selectively conductive ablation region that is conductive of high-frequency current and substantially non-conductive of low-frequency current. Alternatively, the device may generally include a treatment electrode having a conductive mapping or ablation region and a region that is coated with an electrically insulated but thermally conductive layer. |
| US09370309B2 |
Magnetoencephalography system and method for 3D localization and tracking of electrical activity in brain
A magnetoencephalogram (MEG) system is provided for use with a head. The MEG system includes a shell, and three three-axis gradiometers and a computing portion. Each three-axis gradiometer detects a magnetic field vector from a magnetic dipole in the head and generates a respective detected signal based on the respective magnetic field vector. Each three-axis gradiometer is disposed at a respective position of the shell. The computing portion determines a location of the magnetic dipole based on the first detected signal, the second detected signal and the third detected signal. |
| US09370305B2 |
Method and system for intelligent linking of medical data
Described herein are systems and methods for intelligently combining medical findings received across different modalities. The system comprises an extraction module extracting contextual information from an image of an area of interest including annotations, a feature selection module building a current feature vector using the extracted contextual information and the annotations, and a referencing engine computing a similarity score between the current feature vector and a prior feature vector of a prior image. The method comprises extracting contextual information from an image of an area of interest including annotations, building a current feature vector using the extracted contextual information and the annotations, and computing a similarity score between the current feature vector and a prior feature vector of a prior image. |
| US09370299B2 |
Display accessibility for color vision impairment
Examples that increase accessibility of color vision impaired users to information on a display are provided herein. A plurality of graphical elements using a first color palette are presented. A user input indicating that the user has a color vision impairment is received. The color vision impairment can be, for example, deuteranopia, protanopia, or tritanopia. At least some of the plurality of graphical elements can be presented using a second color palette designed for users with the color vision impairment. The user input indicating that the user has a color vision impairment can be received in response to presenting a color vision impairment test to the user. |
| US09370291B2 |
Suction foot for a floor cleaning machine
A suction foot for a floor cleaning machine having an outer body, which has side pieces having an L-shaped longitudinal cross-section comprising a first horizontal side piece and a second vertical side piece, which extends perpendicular to the first side piece, having an inner body, which is releasably attached to the outer body. The inner body is coupled to the outer body with a sliding movement that is perpendicular to the first horizontal side piece and parallel to the second vertical side piece. A tension band is provided to press a sealing strip against the inner body. The ends of the tension band engage with the ends of the inner body. |
| US09370290B2 |
System and method for autonomous mopping of a floor surface
A mobile robot configured to travel across a residential floor or other surface while cleaning the surface with a cleaning pad and cleaning solvent is disclosed. The robot includes a controller for managing the movement of the robot as well as the treatment of the surface with a cleaning solvent. The movement of the robot can be characterized by a class of trajectories that achieve effective cleaning. The trajectories include sequences of steps that are repeated, the sequences including forward and backward motion and optional left and right motion along arcuate paths. |
| US09370286B2 |
Self-righting cleaning appliance
A self-righting cleaning appliance of the cylinder type comprises a cyclonic separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, and a floor-engaging rolling assembly. The cleaning appliance is arranged so that it is urged to return to an upright position if it is tipped onto its side. |
| US09370272B2 |
Beverage production machine comprising features to facilitate capsule loading and unloading
Production machine (1) for beverages and liquid comestibles, the machine comprising: a housing (20); a capsule holder designed for insertion into the housing (20), wherein the capsule holder comprises a capsule receiving means (11); a liquid injection assembly (4a, 4b) provided in the housing (20). The capsule holder and the machine are designed such that the capsule holder can be transferred manually, via a relative movement of the capsule holder and the housing of the machine, at least between: —a first capsule loaded position, in which any capsule (30) received in the capsule holder is positioned ready for being engaged by the liquid injection assembly (4a, 4b) and, —a second capsule loading position adapted for loading a capsule outside of the housing (20). Complementary stopping means of the capsule holder and the housing are provided which are configured to automatically engage each other to stop the capsule holder in the second capsule loading position. The capsule holder (10) can be resiliently removed completely from the housing (20) for cleaning/replacing purposes and in a way that it is not damaged or does not require tools. |
| US09370269B2 |
Pillow
A pillow that includes two sheets of flexible material, joined together to define a space and that is inflatable to provide a cushioned support. The pillow has a head zone that provides cushioning for a user's head and two wings that are configured to extend away from the head zone such that the pillow is substantially U-shaped in the plane of the pillow, when deflated. A channel extends between the sheets of flexible material to connect the wings. The channel is positioned at a point in the head zone furthermost from the wing ends. The width of the channel increases from the center line such that when the pillow is inflated, the pillow has a substantially V-shaped profile that is formed about the centerline and centered on the channel. |
| US09370266B2 |
Method and apparatus of mounting advertising to a display
A frame that is fitted around the border of a display device such as, but not limited to, a television set is disclosed. The frame is configured to be removably mounted to the display device. According to one embodiment of the invention, the frame has multi-piece construction which provides for advertising panels to be removably inserted into the frame. The frame and the advertising panels may be constructed of a material which allows transmission of infrared and/or RF signals to pass through. Optionally, the frame and/or the advertising panels may include knock-out panels positioned over a receiver for an infrared and/or RF signal. A mounting system, such as a hook-and-loop fastening system, may be used to mount the frame to the display device. |
| US09370263B2 |
Cargo container and method for selling consumer fireworks utilizing the cargo container
A method for selling consumer fireworks is provided. The method includes disposing a cargo container having an outer housing and first and second shelving units at a location. The outer housing defines an interior region with the first and second shelving units disposed on opposite sides of the interior region such that a longitudinally extending aisle is located between the first and second shelving units. The method further includes disposing first and second consumer firework devices on the first and second shelving units, respectively. The method further includes determining a sales price of at least one of the first and second consumer firework devices that were selected by a consumer that entered through a consumer entrance into the interior region to view the firework devices. |
| US09370249B2 |
Chair with coupling companion stool base
A chair with a coupling companion stool base includes a frame that has: a claw extending downward from a second portion of a lower portion of the frame; a latch extending downward from and movably connected with a first portion of the lower portion; two legs adapted to support the frame upon a supporting surface extending downward from the lower portion; and a receptacle defined between the claw and the latch. The base supports the frame above a supporting surface and has a saddle with opposite back and front edges and a top surface that faces away from the supporting surface. The top surface may also define at least one of a work surface, a writing surface, and a sitting surface. The base releasably couples with the frame, having the saddle seated in the receptacle, the front edge seated in the claw, and the back edge captured by the latch. When decoupled, the chair portion may be used as casual floor rocker seating. |
| US09370247B1 |
Web-strapped furniture, web-strapping for furniture, and methods for web-strapping furniture
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention would provide web-strapping for upholstery of furniture, methods of providing web-strapping for upholstery of furniture, web-strapped furniture, and methods of web-strapping furniture. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention would provide an exemplary strap assembly of material for furniture upholstery comprising at least one fastener fastened into each end of the strap such that a tail end of each fastener is secured from extraction from the strap. In one exemplary strap assembly embodiment, fasteners would be fastened in each corner of each end of a strap so that a tail end of each fastener would be secured from extraction from the strap. Other exemplary embodiments would provide an exemplary article of furniture and methods of making an exemplary article of furniture, comprising said strap assemblies installed to span a space between opposing chair rails. |
| US09370243B2 |
Interlocking shelving and storage unit
This disclosure describes a shelving unit including a plurality of panels. The plurality of panels each includes a first edge; a second edge opposite the first edge; and a plurality of slots located at the first edge. One or more of the plurality of slots becomes narrower as the plurality of slots extends from the first edge to a center of the plurality of panels. The narrowing of the plurality of slots pinches an adjoining panel when assembled together to provide a secure joint. |
| US09370238B1 |
Duck call organizer
A duck or game call organizer includes a band to be worn on the duck hunter's body and several retractors located along the band. Each retractor provides a line to connect a respective call device so that the user may select a call device, extend it from the band and operate it, and release it. The retractor then retracts the call device to the band. The band may provide a cradle for each retractor to orient or align the call device in a predetermined position when it retracts. |
| US09370237B2 |
Active spinal support system
A wearable spinal support system having an upper body adapter engaging the head and/or torso of a wearer and a lower body adapter engaging the hips/pelvis, the upper and lower body adapters joined by an articulated structural column. The structural column is made up of stacked vertebral elements each having an aperture provided there through such that a tendon can be fed through the aligned apertures of the vertebral elements. The tendons are fixed at one end and each engaged to mechanical control element at the other end such that the tension/payout in each tendon is independently variable under direction of a controller receiving sensor feedback in order to support the loaded upper body of the wearer and position it relative to the lower body when desirable according to the controller. |
| US09370235B2 |
Concertina applicator
A cosmetic applicator with an applicator body, a wand, and a handle that is attached to the latter; the applicator body has a longitudinal axis that coincides with that of the wand; and the applicator body is composed of plates that are arranged in concertina-like fashion, are integrally joined to one another, and simultaneously constitute the support structure of the core-less applicator. |
| US09370229B2 |
Protective bag with support element
A protective bag for a portable electronic device is provided, which comprises a first cover, a second cover connecting the first cover, a support element and a pair of magnets for unfolding the support element. The first cover and the second cover can be folded relative to each other for covering two opposite sides of the portable electronic device. The support element is disposed on a first inner surface of the first cover and has a first foldable plate and a second foldable plate. The first foldable plate and the second foldable plate can be folded relative to each other for being received between the first cover and the second cover. The first foldable plate and the second foldable plate can be unfolded relative to each other as well for slanting the first foldable plate on the first inner surface with a support provided by the second foldable plate. |
| US09370221B1 |
Shock absorbing and pressure releasing damper apparatus for footwear
A shock absorbing and pressure releasing damper apparatus for footwear includes: an upper board having upper mounting portions on a bottom thereof; a lower board arranged at the bottom of the upper board and having lower mounting portions corresponding to the upper mounting portions of the upper board on a top thereof; a middle cushion member disposed between the upper and lower board and including slits; elastic members arranged between the upper mounting portions and the lower mounting portions; magnetic members arranged inside the upper and lower mounting portions of the upper and lower boards and at centers of the elastic members. |
| US09370219B1 |
Footwear system
A sole is formed of a body portion and an insert. The body portion has a front and a rear, interior and exterior edges, and upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface being formed with a recess having forward and rearward and intermediate regions. The recess has a circular aperture in the rearward region. The insert is formed with upper and lower surfaces and is positioned within the recess. The recess is formed with a cylindrical portion positioned in the circular aperture. Next provided is an upper adapted to hold the sole and insert to the foot of a wearer. |
| US09370215B1 |
Helmet cover
A helmet cover that has an outer skin, an impact absorbing material and at least one vent comprising an aperture tough the helmet cover is described. A helmet cover vent may be aligned with a vent in a helmet, thereby providing for improved ventilation and cooling, and may be attached to a helmet. A helmet cover vent may be configured as a tapered or flared vent, and may be an air capture vent. The impact absorbing material may be configured over substantially the entire helmet cover surface, or may cover only a portion of the surface. In one embodiment, the impact absorbing material is configured as a discrete pad that is located where impact is most common, such as on the front, sides, or back of the helmet cover. A discrete pad may be interchangeable, allowing for customizing the type and location of impact absorption on the helmet cover. |
| US09370214B1 |
Helmet having blunt force trauma protection
A helmet having blunt force trauma protection includes a prior art helmet and a replaceable impact layer. The replaceable impact layer preferably includes at least one gas cell layer, a removable attachment system and an outer layer of sheet material. The at least one gas cell layer includes a plurality of gas cells created between two plastic sheets. Each cell will burst upon a pre-determined impact. The plurality of cells preferably have a hexagon shape, but other shapes may also be used, such as round or square. The removable attachment system is preferably hook and loop fasteners, but other suitable removable attachment systems may also be used. At least one first pad of hook and loop fasteners is attached to an exterior surface of a prior art helmet and at least one second pad of hook and loop fasteners is attached to a bottom surface of the replaceable impact layer. |
| US09370208B2 |
Protective apparatus with a varied thickness lattice support structure
Aspects of the present invention relate to a protective apparatus that is comprised of an impact shell and an impact attenuating component. In particular, the impact shell is comprised of a lattice structure on the posterior side of the shell that protrudes from the shell and allows the impact attenuating structure to be offset or spaced from the posterior surface of the shell in at least a middle portion of the shell. The amount of protrusion of the lattice from the posterior surface of the shell reduces as the lattice extends from a middle portion of the shell outwardly towards a medial and/or lateral portion. The lattice structure provides improved impact attenuation characteristics and increased structural strength while reducing materials. |
| US09370205B2 |
Electronic cigarette
An electronic cigarette includes a battery assembly, an atomizer assembly and a cigarette bottle assembly. An external thread electrode is located in one end of battery assembly. An internal thread electrode is located in one end of atomizer assembly. The battery assembly and the atomizer assembly are connected by the screwthread electrode. The cigarette bottle assembly is inserted into the other end of the atomizer assembly and both form a cigarette type or cigar type body. |
| US09370202B2 |
Encapsulated metal ion nanoclusters
A metal ion nanocluster having a formula of X(OH)aYbZcMd(H2O)e. X, Y, Z, M, a, b, c, d, and e are defined herein. The nanocluster has a particle size of 2 to 500 nm and a molecular weight of 3500 to 1000000 Dalton. Also disclosed are a composition containing the nanocluster and a method of preparing the nanocluster. |
| US09370201B2 |
Potato piercing apparatus
A potato piercer having a top assembly with a handle. The top assembly includes a first plate having a bottom surface and a plurality of piercing stakes secured to the bottom surface. The potato piercer further includes a bottom assembly having a second plate and a plurality of piercing stakes secured to the top surface of the second plate. The potato piercer has a housing sized and configured to receive a potato for piercing. The housing has a roof with a plurality of apertures for receiving the top assembly stakes, a floor with a plurality of apertures for receiving the bottom assembly stakes, and a cavity for receiving the potato. There is an actuator assembly operatively coupled to the top and bottom assemblies, whereby a force applied to the handle causes the actuator assembly to translate the potato piercer from a non-piercing configuration to a piercing configuration. |
| US09370198B2 |
Deformable container and dispensing machine
A deformable container for single serving of a viscous or semi-solid product from an associated dispensing machine, the deformable container having a cylindrical or conical shape with two opposing end walls and at least one collapsible side wall connecting the first and second end walls, wherein one end wall is provided an opening with a cover through which the product is dispensed from the container. The collapsible side wall may have a cylindrical shape with a plurality of pleats arranged in an accordion-like shape, and be configured to collapse on itself into a substantially flattened position while maintaining a vertical alignment of each pleat. The collapsible side may be conical with a plurality of pleats arranged in a corrugated-like shape, and be configured to collapse on itself into a substantially flattened position wherein the pleats are arranged horizontally next to each other. The container may additionally include a lock mechanism for maintain the flattened shape. |
| US09370196B2 |
Palm-based fractionated oil and fat, oil and fat composition and food product containing the same
An oil and fat composition is provided having superior operability and processability, in terms of a liquefying phenomenon of sugar, tackiness and texture of fried doughnuts, filling condition and hardness of shortening, and solidifying time of coating chocolate, by the superior crystallization-promoting effect. A palm-based fractionated oil and fat has 70-90% by weight of the tripalmitin content to triglyceride and 1-8% by weight of the unsaturated fatty acid content to total fatty acid. The oil and fat comprises a hard part obtained by, for example, performing a crystallization operation of palm super stearin with iodine value 10-17 so that the slurry SFC is 20% or less, and fractionating the slurry so that the hard part yield is 26% by weight or less. The fractionation is preferably performed so that a numerical value of the hard part yield/the slurry SFC is 10 or less. |
| US09370195B2 |
Left/right determination system for arm part of pig carcass
An apparatus is disclosed for left/right determination of the arm part of a pig carcass before it is deboned. A plurality of clampers move around on an endless track. At a suspension station, a work is suspended from each clamper. There are left/right and front/back determination stations where it is determined whether a left-side or right side, and a front-side portion or back-side portion is facing a side irradiated by X-rays. Based on results of the determinations, posture of the work is corrected by a clamper rotating device. At an X-ray imaging station, it is controlled so that the front-side portion of the work faces the side irradiated by the X-rays and a longer side faces a movement direction of the endless track. An X-ray image of the work is obtained to determine a target coordinate of a bone-part surface required for incision making and deboning processes. |
| US09370191B2 |
Cosmetic formulation
The present invention relates generally to nail polish formulations for application to natural or artificial finger- or toenails, where the nail polish formulation comprises grapefruit seed extract that imparts antifungal and other antimicrobial properties. |
| US09370189B2 |
Controlling Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells with GM-CSF
The present invention relates to host immune factors and antibiotics and, more particularly, to a system and method for controlling and reducing the antibiotic tolerance of bacterial persister cells with host immune factors. |
| US09370187B2 |
Selenium-based biocidal formulations and methods of use thereof
Biocidal compositions containing organoselenium compounds are disclosed, as well as methods of producing and using same. |
| US09370184B2 |
6-pyridone-2-carbamoyl-azoles and their use as herbicides
6-Pyridone-2-carbamoylazoles of the general formula (I) are described as herbicides. In this formula (I), W, X and Z represent radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl, and other radicals such as halogen. Q represents a 5-membered radical such as oxadiazyl. |
| US09370183B2 |
Use of ALS inhibitor herbicides for control of unwanted vegetation in ALS inhibitor herbicide tolerant Brassica, such as B. napus, plants
The present invention relates to the use of the ALS inhibitor herbicides for controlling unwanted vegetation in ALS inhibitor herbicide tolerant Brassica plants, more especially, the present invention relates to the use of ALS inhibitor herbicides for control of unwanted vegetation in Brassica growing areas which Brassica plants comprise non-transgenic mutations of their endogenous acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes I and III. |
| US09370181B2 |
Pest controlling composition and method for controlling pest
The present invention provides a composition having an excellent controlling activity on a pest. The composition comprising a compound represented by Formula (1) and one or more carbamate compound(s) selected from Group (A) shows an excellent controlling activity on a pest. Group (A): a group consisting of alanycarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosulfan, cloethocarb, ethiofencarb, fenobucarb, fenothiocarb, fenoxycarb, furathiocarb, isoprocarb, metolcarb, methomyl, methiocarb, oxamyl, pirimicarb, propoxur, XMC, thiodicarb and xylylcarb. |
| US09370180B2 |
Methods and compositions for the generation of peracetic acid on site at the point-of-use
Methods and compositions for the generation of a peroxyacetic acid sanitizer in proximity to the point-of-use are disclosed. These methods comprise introducing a hydrogen peroxide-acetyl precursor solution to water, mixing, and then adding an aqueous source of a alkali metal or earth alkali metal hydroxide. Triacetin is a preferred acetyl precursor and is converted rapidly and with a high conversion rate into peracetic acid. These methods produce solutions with a high level of peracetic acid. Methods for preparing the hydrogen peroxide-acetyl precursor solution are also provided. Also disclosed are solid compositions comprising a liquid acetyl precursor, a water-soluble source of hydrogen peroxide, and a water-soluble source of alkalinity. The solid composition is a freely-flowable solid that is used as a bleaching agent and a stain remover for the treatment of articles such as fabrics, dentures, textile garments, and equipment used in the food and beverage industry. |
| US09370179B2 |
Stable encapsulated formulation of clomazone
A storage stable capsule suspension formulation comprising clomazone encapsulated within a polymeric shell wall of microcapsules, a process for the preparation thereof and method of controlling weeds utilizing said formulation. |
| US09370175B2 |
Sprayer with easily locatable operational controls, hill assist, pivotal hose reel, and agitation boost
A vehicle mounted sprayer has a plurality of spray booms equipped with downwardly facing spray nozzles. A control console includes a rounded palm rest with the most often used operational spray controls placed directly ahead of the palm rest for easy actuation by the operator as the operator rests the palm of one hand on the palm rest. A pivotal hose reel for manual spraying has pivotal motion about a vertical axis into one of a plurality of adjusted positions relative to the sprayer to ease unwinding and rewinding of the hose from the hose reel. A hill assist system holds the sprayer on a hill for a predetermined time to give the operator enough time to place the sprayer into forward motion up the hill from a standing stop. The spray through the booms can be selectively added to flow in a tank agitation system to boost agitation effectiveness. |
| US09370174B2 |
Sinker for fishing
A sinker or float that releasably clamps around a line, such as a fishing line, including two members shaped to define a channel for the line when in a closed position. A locking means is provided to releasably lock the two members in the closed position. Each of the members has at least a portion of high or low density material to provide a sinking or floating effect. A jacket may be provided that retains the high or low density material therein. The jacket may also include a hinge portion such that the two members can be hingedly opened and closed. |
| US09370170B2 |
Remote monitoring systems
A system includes sensors for transmitting data on a low power and/or short range transmission link, and one or more coordinators in wireless communication with the sensors. The coordinators convert signals received via the low power and/or short range transmission link to a longer range transmission link. A base station is in wireless communication with the coordinators via the longer range transmission link so that data generated by the sensors is transferred to the base station via the coordinators. |
| US09370165B2 |
Pet crate
An apparatus for housing an animal includes a top portion wherein an upper flange is disposed along the lower edge of the bottom portion. A locking member is movably mounted to the upper flange. The apparatus may also include a bottom portion wherein a lower flange is disposed along the upper bottom edge of the bottom portion. The locking member engages with the lower flange when the locking member is in the outwardly extending locking orientation, which is at least partially defined by the locking member structured to engage at least a portion of the lower flange in an abutting relation to prevent detachment of the bottom portion from the top portion while disposed in the outwardly extending locking orientation. The apparatus may include a biasing mechanism structured to normally dispose and maintain the locking member in the outwardly extending locking orientation. |
| US09370162B2 |
Hybrid spinach variety 51-332 RZ
The present invention relates to a Spinacia oleracea seed designated 51-332 RZ, which exhibits medium bolting, an erect plant habit, smooth mature leaves with a three-sided shape and resistance to downy mildew (Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae) races Pfs1 to Pfs13 and strain UA4410. The present invention also relates to a Spinacia oleracea plant produced by growing the 51-332 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the spinach cultivar, represented by spinach variety 51-332 RZ. |
| US09370161B2 |
Hybrid spinach variety 51-331 RZ
The present invention relates to a Spinacia oleracea seed designated 51-331 RZ, which exhibits medium bolting, an erect plant habit, smooth mature leaves and resistance to downy mildew (Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae) races Pfs1 to Pfs13 and strain UA4410. The present invention also relates to a Spinacia oleracea plant produced by growing the 51-331 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the spinach cultivar, represented by spinach variety 51-331 RZ. |
| US09370158B1 |
Maize hybrid X05F864
A novel maize variety designated X05F864 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X05F864 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05F864 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05F864, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05F864. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05F864. |
| US09370155B2 |
Soybean variety 01046182
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046182. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046182. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046182 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046182 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09370154B2 |
Inbred rice line 143007
An inbred rice line designated 143007 is disclosed. Seeds of inbred rice line 143007 were deposited under the Budapest Treaty (ATCC Accession PTA-121603), plants of rice line 143007 and methods for producing a rice plant by crossing line 143007 with itself or another rice line are also disclosed. Hybrid rice seeds and plants are produced by crossing inbred rice line 143007 with another rice line. |
| US09370153B2 |
Rice hybrid HR140003
A rice hybrid designated HR140003 is disclosed. Seeds of rice hybrid HR140003, the plants of rice hybrid HR140003, and methods for producing a rice plant by crossing the hybrid HR140003 with a plant of the same genotype, or rice plant not of the same genotype, are also disclosed. Methods of growing and producing blends of rice seeds including seeds of rice hybrid HR140003, are disclosed. |
| US09370148B1 |
Inbred corn line XHH39
An inbred corn line, designated XHH39, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line XHH39, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line XHH39 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line XHH39 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line XHH39, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line XHH39 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods. |
| US09370144B2 |
Inbred tomato line PSQ9Z11-9045
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line PSQ9Z11-9045. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line PSQ9Z11-9045, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US09370142B2 |
Remote-controlled vertical ascending and descending workstation
An apparatus designed for climbing poles, trees and other such columnar objects. The apparatus is a remote-controlled work station that provides a scaffold for mounting semi-robotic articulated arms and video cameras. The articulated arm has a quick-release coupler on an end thereof that is able to repeatedly and releasably couple attachments thereto, such as saws, blades, and other pruning objects. The device includes an expandable frame that may be opened and closed to fit around the vertical structure to be climbed. The frame has horizontal and vertical supports, drive system compression supports, and wheels. A drive system is mounted to each of the drive system compression supports. The drive system includes motorized tracked-climbers that are maintained in contact with the vertical structure to be climbed via adjustable independent suspension. The suspension uses adjustable spring shocks and drive system slide rails to connect the frame to the drive system. |
| US09370141B2 |
Spreader system for an agricultural harvester
A spreader system for an agricultural harvester, including a hood assembly comprising a rotatable first hood and second hood, and wherein the first and second hoods cover a portion of a respective first and second discs and are configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, in the first position the first and second hoods block upward and rearward flow of a first agricultural material, a second agricultural material, an airflow, or a combination thereof, in the second position the first and second hoods are configured to facilitate upward and rearward flow of the first agricultural material, the second agricultural material, the airflow, or the combination thereof. |
| US09370140B2 |
Single sensor automatic control of a large bale loader
An improved control system for managing rotation of a bale loading arm in a bale loader in which a single position sensor combined with a purposefully designed sensor target enable loading arm position to be efficiently determined by a controller in order to direct the actuator movements based upon loading arm position necessary for automated operation of a bale loading cycle. |
| US09370137B2 |
Agricultural implement having diverse hitch and gang operation modes
An agricultural implement (10) has front and rear gangs (12, 13) of rotatable tillage tools arranged to follow each other along a line of travel. The front and rear gangs (12, 13) are mounted to a main frame (21F), which is mechanically linked to a hitch frame (22) by a self-leveling linkage system (32, 33). The linkage system (32, 33) includes a spring assembly (48) arranged to allow relative movement between the hitch frame (22) and the main frame (21F) when the implement (10) is in a lowered field working position. The linkage system (32, 33) has a pivoting cam (41) for changing the field working preload of the spring assembly (48) to provide multiple hitch operation modes. The linkage system (32, 33) is arranged to make the main frame (21F) level and the hitch frame (22) rigid relative to the main frame (21F) when the implement (10) is in a raised position. The linkage system (32, 33) also includes an adjustable stop device (43) that limits upward hitch movement to provide multiple rear gang hitch operation modes. |
| US09374936B2 |
Workpiece mounting apparatus
A workpiece mounting apparatus includes a transfer apparatus having a nozzle, a first imaging unit, and an image processor. The nozzle has opposed first and second ends, a suction hole at the first end, and a transparent end face member sealing the second end. The first imaging unit captures a first pattern for positioning a workpiece. The image processor identifies a reference position of the workpiece based on the first pattern captured. The workpiece mounting apparatus also includes a substrate support supporting a substrate with a second pattern for positioning, a second imaging unit for capturing the second pattern, and a positioning unit for controlling position of the nozzle. The image processor identifies a mounting target position on the substrate, based on the second pattern capture, and the positioning unit controls the nozzle to mount the workpiece on the substrate, when the reference position coincides with the mounting target position. |
| US09374933B2 |
Shielding device and electronic device having the same
A shielding device and an electronic device having the same are disclosed. The shielding device is disposed on a circuit board for covering an electronic component. The shielding device comprises a first case and a second case. The first case comprises a first limiting structure and a second limiting structure. The second case is mounted on the circuit board and includes a frame and a first slot. The frame forms an opening. When the first case is connected with the second case, the second limiting structure can move along a first direction to a bottom of the frame and is prevented from moving along a second direction. The first slot corresponds to the first limiting structure to allow the first limiting structure to be inserted into the first slot along the first direction and the first limiting structure is prevented from moving along the second direction. |
| US09374930B2 |
Fan holding structure, heat-dissipating module with the fan holding structure and electronic device having the same
A heat-dissipating module including a fan holding structure and a fan is disclosed. The fan holding structure includes: a carrying body, at least one resilient clamping member, at least one resilient engaging member, and a plurality of resilient fixing members. The at least one resilient clamping member and the resilient fixing members are arranged on the carrying body. An electronic device includes an opening and at least one engaging member. The resilient engaging member corresponds to the engaging member, so that the heat-dissipating module with the fan holding structure is detachably arranged at the opening. The fan of the heat-dissipating module can be quickly and effectively detached and attached through the at least one resilient clamping member and the resilient fixing members. |
| US09374924B2 |
DIN rail mounted enclosure assembly and method of use
A mounting enclosure assembly configured to mount an electronic component onto a DIN rail. The mounting enclosure assembly includes a mounting bracket having a slot configured to receive the DIN rail therein. The mounting enclosure assembly further includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively engage the DIN rail. The locking mechanism includes a release button and a protrusion positioned proximate the slot and configured to releasably engage a first flange of the DIN rail. The locking mechanism further includes a first hinged armature connected to the release button and the first protrusion, wherein the first protrusion is configured to disengage the first flange of the DIN rail when the release button is depressed. Other embodiments of the mounting enclosure assembly, as well as methods directed to the mounting enclosure assembly, are further disclosed. |
| US09374918B2 |
Stand assemblies for portable electronic devices
Adjustable stand assemblies for portable electronic devices are provided, which allow portable electronic devices to stand-alone in multiple incline positions in both portrait and landscape orientations. |
| US09374917B2 |
Method for placing an electronic printed card in contact with a plurality of contact elements in a housing receiving or surrounding the electronic printed card and housing
A method for placing an electronic printed card in contact with contact elements in a housing receiving or surrounding card. The card is received in the housing and has a plurality of contact recesses. The contact elements have a first end on the outer side of the housing and a second end on the inner side of the housing, and each comprises, at the second end, a flexible extension capable of being positioned in a first rest position and a second contact position. In a first step the electronic printed card is positioned relative to the housing such that the two ends of the contact elements are located facing the contact recesses, the flexible extensions being positioned in their first position. Then the card is electrically contacted by the plurality of contact recesses and the flexible extensions of the second end of the contact elements, in their second position. |
| US09374915B2 |
Backplane configuration for use in electronic crate systems
The invention relates to a backplane configuration for use in an electronic crate system, said backplane configuration comprising a first-type backplane and a second-type backplane; wherein the first-type backplane is coupled to the second-type backplane by mechanical connection means; wherein the first-type backplane and the second-type backplane are spatially separated from each other by a distance which is sufficient such that electromagnetic interferences between the first-type backplane and the second-type backplane are eliminated or at least minimized; and wherein the first-type backplane is adapted to be electrically coupled with at least one first-type module, and the second-type backplane is adapted to be electrically coupled with at least one second-type module. |
| US09374906B2 |
Method for pretreating a frame or carrier element for making a circuit board, and the frame or carrier element
In a method for pre-treating a frame or carrier element for use in the production of a printed circuit board, wherein after the pre-treatment the frame or carrier element is coupled with at least one circuit board element and subjected to at least one processing or treatment step, particularly at an elevated temperature, together with the circuit board element, in particular mounting or populating of the circuit board element, it is provided that the frame or support or carrier element is subjected to a heat treatment at temperatures between 120° C. and 350° C., in particular 200° C. to 300° C., for a time period (ttot) of 5 to 300 seconds, in particular 10 to 200 seconds, whereby frame or carrier elements can be provided, which are reliably stable in terms of shape and dimensions. |
| US09374903B2 |
Multilayer printed wiring board for mounting semiconductor element
A multilayer printed wiring board for mounting a semiconductor element includes a core substrate, a first laminated structure on first surface of the substrate and including a conductive circuit layer on the first surface of the substrate, a resin insulating layer and the outermost conductive circuit layer, and a second laminated structure on second surface of the substrate and including a conductive circuit layer on the second surface of the substrate, a resin insulating layer and the outermost conductive circuit layer. The outermost conductive layer in the first structure has solder pads positioned to mount a semiconductor element and solder bumps formed on the pads, respectively, the outermost conductive layer in the second structure has solder pads positioned to mount a wiring board, and the outermost conductive layers in the first and second structures have thicknesses formed greater than thicknesses of the conductive layers on the surfaces of the substrate. |
| US09374902B2 |
Package including an underfill material in a portion of an area between the package and a substrate or another package
Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including semiconductor packages, e.g. memory packages, having a substrate or a first package, and a second package coupled to the substrate or the first package, wherein the second package includes at least one die and an underfill material disposed in a portion, but not an entirety, of an area between the package and the substrate or the first package. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US09374897B2 |
Printed wiring board
A printed wiring board includes three or more than three through holes. An inner wall of the through hole is covered by conductive coating. Same size leads of an electronic component are inserted into the through holes. The through holes are soldered by dip soldering the printed wiring board in melting solder. The through holes have two or more diameters. The diameter of the through hole having more adjacent through holes is not larger than the diameter of the through hole having less adjacent through holes. |
| US09374893B2 |
Production method of metallized substrate
A production method for a metallized substrate to produce a metallized substrate which comprises: a sintered nitride ceramic substrate; a titanium nitride layer formed on the sintered substrate; and a metal layer containing copper, silver and titanium formed on the titanium nitride layer. The method comprises: a step of layering a first paste layer containing copper powder and titanium hydride powder on the sintered nitride ceramic substrate, to produce a first layered body; a step of layering a second paste layer containing silver-copper alloy powder on the first paste layer of the first layered body, to produce a second layered body; and a step of firing the second layered body, to thereby form the titanium nitride layer and the metal layer on the sintered nitride ceramic substrate. |
| US09374891B2 |
Injection moulded circuit carrier having an integrated circuit board
An electronic unit has a circuit board that is integrated into an injection molded circuit carrier. A hearing aid is provided with such an electronic unit. In order to reduce the complexity and size of an electronic unit with an injection molded circuit carrier and a circuit board, the circuit board is integrated into the injection molded circuit carrier by introducing the circuit board into the plastic mold such that the surface of a first side of the circuit board lies within the plastic mold and the surface of a second side of the circuit board is substantially flush with the surface of the plastic mold. At least one conductive track of the circuit board is electrically conductively connected to at least one conductive track of the injection molded circuit carrier. |
| US09374890B2 |
Chip substrate having a lens insert
A chip substrate includes: a conductive layer being stacked in one direction and constituting a chip substrate; an insulator being alternately stacked with the conductive layer and electrically separating the conductive layer; and a lens insert having: a depression reaching down to a predetermined depth from a specified area of an upper surface of the chip substrate overlapping with the insulator; and a predetermined number of sides on the upper surface wherein arcs are formed at regions where the sides are met with each other. Since the space for inserting a lens can be formed to have a shape comprising straight lines, and a lens to be inserted can also be manufactured in a shape comprising straight lines, therefore the manufacturing process for a lens to be inserted into the chip substrate can be further simplified. |
| US09374889B2 |
Interposer and electronic component package
An interposer includes a wiring member including a first inorganic substrate, a reinforcement member including a second inorganic substrate, and an adhesive part interposed between the wiring member and the reinforcement member. Each of the first and second inorganic substrates includes first and second surfaces. Multiple inorganic insulating layers formed on the first surface of each of the first and second inorganic substrates have the same layer configuration and are arranged symmetrically in a vertical direction with the adhesive part centered therebetween. An inorganic insulating layer and an organic insulating layer formed on the second surface of each of the first and second inorganic substrates have the same layer configuration and are arranged symmetrically in the vertical direction with the adhesive part. An organic insulating layer formed on the second surface of each of the first and second inorganic substrates is an outermost insulating layer. |
| US09374887B1 |
Single-resonator double-negative metamaterial
Resonances can be tuned in dielectric resonators in order to construct single-resonator, negative-index metamaterials. For example, high-contrast inclusions in the form of metallic dipoles can be used to shift the first electric resonance down (in frequency) to the first magnetic resonance, or alternatively, air splits can be used to shift the first magnetic resonance up (in frequency) near the first electric resonance. Degenerate dielectric designs become especially useful in infrared- or visible-frequency applications where the resonator sizes associated with the lack of high-permittivity materials can become of sufficient size to enable propagation of higher-order lattice modes in the resulting medium. |
| US09374886B2 |
Signal line path and manufacturing method therefor
A signal line that is easily inflected includes a laminated body including at least insulator layers that include flexible material and are laminated from a positive direction side in a z axis direction to a negative direction side therein in this order. A ground conductor is securely fixed to a main surface on the positive direction side of the insulation sheet in the z axis direction. A signal line is securely fixed to a main surface on the positive direction side of the insulator layer in the z axis direction. A ground conductor is securely fixed to a main surface on the positive direction side of the insulator layer in the z axis direction. The ground conductors and the signal line define a stripline structure. The laminated body is inflected so that the insulator layer is located on an inner periphery side, compared with a location of the insulator layer. |
| US09374885B2 |
Ceramic elements module
A ceramic elements module including ceramic elements that have a plurality of lower inserting grooves; an electronic component that is mounted on a lower surface of the ceramic elements; and a heat sink that is coupled with a lower part of the ceramic elements mounted with the electronic component and has a first penetrating hole corresponding to the lower inserting groove and a second penetrating hole into which the electronic component is inserted. |
| US09374883B2 |
Plasma light source apparatus and plasma light generating method
A plasma light source apparatus is provided. The plasma light source apparatus includes a chamber, a laser generating part, and a curved mirror. The chamber includes a plasma source gas for generating laser induced plasma. The laser generating part is spaced apart from the chamber and generates a hollow laser beam. The curved mirror is disposed between the chamber and the laser generating part. The curved mirror is configured to reflect and to condense the generated hollow laser beam into the chamber to generate the laser induced plasma in the chamber, and to reflect light emitted from the generated laser induced plasma. |
| US09374882B2 |
Final focus assembly for extreme ultraviolet light source
An extreme ultraviolet light system includes a target material delivery system configured to produce a target material; and a beam delivery system that is configured to receive an amplified light beam emitted from a drive laser system and to direct the amplified light beam toward a target location that receives the target material. The beam delivery system includes a final focus assembly that focuses the amplified light beam at a focal location to enable interaction between the amplified light beam and the target material to cause the target material to be converted into a plasma that emits extreme ultraviolet light. The final focus assembly includes at least one transmissive optical element having at least one curved surface through which the amplified light beam travels; and at least one reflective optical element having at least one curved surface on which the amplified light beam is reflected. |
| US09374879B2 |
X-ray equipment
The X-ray equipment related to the embodiment is configured from a plurality of pressure rising units, a switching unit, and a switching control unit. The plurality of pressure rising units are connected to the battery unit and generate direct current voltage. The switching unit switches over the plurality of pressure rising units and supplies direct current voltage to the X-ray generating unit. The switching control unit transmits switching instructions to the switching unit for switching over the pressure rising unit after receiving voltage supply instructions with respect to the X-ray generating unit until said voltage supply instructions terminate. The switching control unit controls discharging of the condenser inside the pressure rising unit switched over by the switching instructions and the control of commencing charging of the condenser inside the pressure rising unit following termination of discharging. |
| US09374877B2 |
ESD protection device and method for producing the same
Provided is an ESD protection device having high insulation reliability and good discharge characteristics. An ESD protection device includes a first discharge electrode and a second discharge electrode that are disposed so as to face each other, a discharge auxiliary electrode (18) formed so as to span between the first discharge electrode and the second discharge electrode, and an insulator base that holds the first discharge electrode, the second discharge electrode, and the discharge auxiliary electrode (18). The discharge auxiliary electrode (18) includes an aggregate of a plurality of metal particles (24) each having a core-shell structure including a core portion (22) that contains, as a main component, a first metal and a shell portion (23) that contains, as a main component, a metal oxide containing a second metal. A pore (26) is present in at least part of the shell portion (23). |
| US09374871B2 |
Method and system for controlling a plurality of light modules in a light and/or signaling system based on failure event of the plurality of light module
A method and system are disclosed for controlling a plurality of light modules in a lighting and/or signaling system by deactivating a light emission from at least one of the plurality of light modules in the event of a failure of another of the plurality of light modules. The method or system has a first light module suitable for performing a part of a first regulatory lighting and/or signaling function, and a second light module suitable for performing a part of a second regulatory lighting and/or signaling function separate from the first function. A third light module is also provided for selectively performing at least another part of the first function and at least another part of the second function. Light emission from the first and second light modules is deactivated in the event of failure of the third light module. |
| US09374870B2 |
Networked lighting infrastructure for sensing applications
A network using existing streetlights is described. Each street light becomes a node in the network, and each includes a power terminal for receiving electrical power, a light source coupled to the power terminal, a processor coupled to the power terminal, a network interface coupled between the processor and the network of lighting systems, and a sensor coupled to the processor for detecting a condition at the node, and in response providing information about that condition to the processor. |
| US09374868B2 |
Lighting device
In a lighting device (101), a primary control unit (103) is arranged to select, on the basis of an obtained lighting device control command, a broadcast communication mode or an addressing communication mode of a control unit interface (113), and to communicate at least one light generation control command to at least one light unit interface (117) of at least one respective light unit (107) of a group of light units (107) of the lighting device (101) via a control unit interface (113) of the primary control unit (103) using the selected communication mode. |
| US09374866B2 |
Organic EL illumination module and illumination apparatus including same
An organic EL module includes a flat plate-like light emitting panel configured to use an organic EL element; and a holding member configured to hold the light emitting panel. The holding member includes: a conductive member serving as at least a part of the holding member, and a capacitance component is provided between the conductive member and an electrode layer, the electrode layer being provided in the light emitting panel to supply a driving voltage thereto. |
| US09374864B2 |
Lighting device and light fixture
A controller circuit is configured to adjust the number of light-emitting diodes that a current flows from a rectifier circuit through so that: the number of light-emitting diodes, which are lit, of the plurality of light-emitting diodes increases according to a value of a pulsating voltage during a time period that the value of the pulsating voltage increases; and the number of light-emitting diodes, which are lit, of the plurality of light-emitting diodes decreases according to the value of the pulsating voltage during a time period that the value of the pulsating voltage decreases. Light-emitting diodes, which start to emit light by a higher voltage value, of the plurality of light-emitting diodes are disposed at a position nearer to an outside of a mounting region of a substrate than light-emitting diodes, which start to emit light by a lower voltage value, of the plurality of light-emitting diodes. |
| US09374860B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device includes a first light source composed of first LEDs each configured to emit light with a first color temperature, a second light source composed of second LEDs each configured to emit light with a second color temperature lower than the first color temperature, a lighting circuit, and a control circuit. The number of second LEDs is less than that of the first LEDs. The lighting circuit is configured to cause the first and second light sources to light on by supplying first and second drive currents to the first and second light sources, respectively. The control circuit is configured to control lighting conditions of the first and second light sources so that: total light intensity of the first light source varies in response to a dimming signal; and total light intensity of the second light source is kept constant independently of the dimming signal. |
| US09374853B2 |
Method for joining two dissimilar materials and a microwave system for accomplishing the same
The present disclosure provides a method for joining two materials, and a system for accomplishing the same. The method for joining two materials, in this aspect, includes placing an article including two dissimilar materials within a waveguide structure, the article located between a microwave source and reflective surface of the waveguide structure. The method for joining the two materials, in this aspect, further includes subjecting the article to microwaves from the microwave source while changing a relative position of the article with respect to the reflective surface to dynamically change a microwave field distribution within the waveguide and join the two dissimilar materials. |
| US09374849B2 |
Node and link formation method
A node receives, from a neighboring node that is a node in the neighborhood, neighboring node information indicating a node that neighbors the neighboring node and determines whether a common neighboring node is present, the common neighboring node being common amongst a neighboring node and a node indicated by the received neighboring node information. When it is determined that the common neighboring node is present, the node registers, in a storage unit, information that a link on a simplex path is to be formed with the common neighboring node or the neighboring node that is the source of the neighboring node information. Alternatively, when it is determined that the common neighboring node is not present, the node registers, in the storage unit, information that a link on a duplex path is to be formed with the neighboring node that is the source of the neighboring node information. |
| US09374844B2 |
Electronic device, connection destination switching method and storage medium
According to one embodiment, a electronic device includes a detector, a first connection processor and a second connection processor. The detector is configured to detect, when the electronic device is connected to a first apparatus which is a connection destination of the first wireless communication, a second apparatus which is a connection destination of the second wireless communication. The first connection processor is configured to connect the electronic device to the detected second apparatus. The second connection processor is configured to switch the connection destination of the first wireless communication from the first apparatus to a third apparatus when the second apparatus is detected or the device is connected to the second apparatus. |
| US09374841B2 |
Communicative connection method among multiple devices
A communicative connection method among multiple devices is disclosed herein. The communicative connection method includes steps of: sensing a motion pattern on each of the devices; broadcasting the motion pattern on each of the devices; comparing the motion patterns from the devices; and, forming a first wireless communicative connection among a group of at least two devices sharing one common motion pattern. |
| US09374840B2 |
Verification method for the verification of a connection request from a roaming mobile entity
The invention is related to a verification method for the verification of a Connection Request (CR) from a Roaming Mobile Entity (10) requesting connection to a Mobile Network (100). Further, the invention is related to a computer program product being stored on a computer readable medium and to a Mobile Communication Network (100) for communication comprising at least one International Provider Entity (IPE) and multiple local Mobile Management Entities (MME). |
| US09374838B2 |
Method for performing handover, user equipment, and radio communication system
A mobile station in a wireless communication network. The mobile station includes a radio communication that transmits an access request message to a base station via a first communication resource, and receives a timing adjustment in response to the access request message from the base station. The mobile station also includes an adjustment value storage unit that stores the timing adjustment, and a control unit that adjusts access timing corresponding to a second communication resource based on the timing adjustment value stored in the adjustment value storage unit. The radio communication unit then communicates with the base station via the first communication resource and the second communication resource. |
| US09374837B2 |
Preventing misuse of random access procedure in wireless communication system
A method for preventing misuse of a random access procedure including transmitting a random access preamble, receiving a random access response message which includes a random access response that is scrambled using the identity of the random access preamble transmitted by the mobile station, checking that the random access response is in response to the random access preamble transmitted by the mobile station, and decoding the random access response. |
| US09374834B2 |
Techniques for RTS/CTS usage for wireless networks
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to techniques for RTS/CTS usage in a wireless network. According to an example embodiment, a network performance may be measured within a wireless network. A variety of parameters may be measured at a wireless node to determine a network performance. In addition, it may be determined whether the network performance has reached a degraded performance threshold. A frame is transmitted via the wireless network. If the network performance has reached the degraded performance threshold, the frame may be transmitted using a Request-to-Send/Clear-to-Send (RTS/CTS) protection. In another example embodiment, a frame may be transmitted using RTS/CTS protection if an estimated transmission time for the frame exceeds a transmission time threshold. |
| US09374833B2 |
Method and device for exchanging data in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method and device for exchanging data in a wireless communication system. A base station exchanges at least one of a cell identifier (ID) of a higher layer parameter, a cyclic shift parameter nDMRS(1) and a group assignment physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) parameter #ss with another base station through an X2 interface and performs scheduling of a terminal on the basis of the exchanged information. |
| US09374828B2 |
Channel allocation for a multi-device communication system
A channel allocation method for a communication network defines a definite purpose channel group that carries signals for definite purpose system devices, such as non-flight critical applications in an aircraft, and a public channel group that carries signals for user devices, such as wireless PDAs, phones and computers used by passengers. By pre-allocating discrete channel groups for different definite purpose system devices and by separating definite purpose channels (for definite purpose system devices) from public channels (for user devices), the invention allows wireless definite purpose system devices and wireless user devices to co-exist in the same operating environment without creating signal interference that could degrade the performance of the devices. |
| US09374825B2 |
Method for establishing a transmission between mobile terminals of the same group pertaining to a shared-resource radiocommunication network operating in a direct mode
A transmission of information is established between an emitting mobile terminal and at least one receiving mobile terminal of the same group of terminals pertaining to a shared-resource radiocommunication network operating in a direct mode includes the step of emitting by the emitting terminal of a transmission request to inform the other receiving terminals of the group of its intention to transmit information. Each receiving terminal of the group then determines whether, on the basis of at least one pre-defined selection strategy, it will accept the transmission of information. If it will, the receiving terminal transmits a return signal comprising data relating to the emitting terminal to the other terminals of the group. Then, the emitting terminal checks whether it respects the transmission conditions. If it does, the emitting terminal transmits the information to the other terminals in its group via at least one resource allocated to the group. |
| US09374824B2 |
Tail optimization protocol for cellular radio resource allocation
Power and resource efficiency of a mobile network device are increased. In one aspect, a Tail Optimization Protocol (TOP) enables cooperation between a mobile device and an associated radio access network to eliminate idle periods (e.g., tails) when possible. Various systems and methods described herein can leverage the ability of applications and/or their associated connections to accurately predict a long tail time, from which a mobile device can notify an associated cellular network on such an imminent tail in order to allow the cellular network to immediately release tail resources. Various other aspects provided herein realize TOP via fast dormancy and/or other similar notification mechanisms, which enable a handset or other device to notify a cellular network for immediate resource release. |
| US09374823B2 |
Receiving method and apparatus
Provided is a radio communication base station device which can prevent lowering of use efficiency of a channel communication resource for performing a frequency diversity transmission when simultaneously performing a frequency scheduling transmission and the frequency diversity transmission in a multicarrier communication. In the device, a modulation unit (12) executes a modulation process on Dch data after encoded so as to generate a Dch data symbol. A modulation unit (22) executes a modulation process on the encoded Lch data so as to generate an Lch data symbol. An allocation unit (103) allocates the Dch data symbol and the Lch data symbol to respective subcarriers constituting an OFDM symbol and outputs them to a multiplexing unit (104). Here, when a plurality of Dch are used for a Dch data symbol of one mobile station, the allocation unit (103) uses Dch of continuous channel numbers. |
| US09374819B2 |
Method and device for receiving control information in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. Particularly, the present invention pertains to a method for receiving a PDCCH signal in a wireless communication system and a device therefor, and the method comprises: receiving a subframe that includes a PDCCH search space, monitoring a plurality of PDCCH candidates in the PDCCH search space, and performing an operation according to a PDCCH signal if the PDCCH signal indicated to the UE is detected, wherein if the subframe is a first subframe, the PDCCH search space is configured in a first time domain of the subframe, if the subframe is a second subframe, the PDCCH search space is configured in a second time domain of the subframe, and the first time domain and the second time domain are multiplexed at the subframe by time division multiplexing (TDM). |
| US09374818B2 |
Receiver, communication system and in-store equipment monitoring system
To avoid occurrence of communication conflict at the transmission time of re-transmission data without losing real-time performance of data transmission with respect to data missing during communication, thereby enabling excellent data transmission a reception controller allocates time slots for transmission of second data (re-transmission) transmitted from transmitters on the basis of a re-transmission request message according to a reception condition of first data (latest data) and the reception controller transmits an acknowledgement message (ACK) for the first data with a slot time being embedded in an acknowledgement message for every reception-success transmitter. |
| US09374815B2 |
Mapping of control information to control channel elements
The invention relates to a new structure of a control channel region within a sub-frame of a 3GPP-based based communication system using OFDM in the downlink. This new structure of a control channel region is inter alia particularly suitable for conveying physical downlink control channel information from a donor eNodeB to a relay node. The control channel region is divided in CCEs that have equal size irrespective of the presence of further cell-specific and/or UE-specific reference signals within the control channel region. This is achieved by dividing the control channel region in plural sub-CCEs that are combined to CCEs all having equal size (in terms of resource elements that can be used for the signaling of control information). The control channel region is divided in the frequency domain and/or time domain in a FDM respectively TDM fashion in order to obtain the sub-CCEs. |
| US09374814B2 |
DCI transmission method and device under cross-band carrier aggregation
The present application relates to the field of communications, and disclosed are a DCI transmission method and device under cross-band carrier aggregation. The method is: for LTE-A UE which aggregates carriers having different TDD uplink/downlink configurations, according to a pre-arranged rule or high-layer signaling configuration information, determining whether a DAI and a UL index are contained in a DCI format which is used by a PDCCH for scheduling a PUSCH, and determining a CSS and a USS respectively and separately. Accordingly, it can be ensured that the size of a DCI which is transmitted in a CSS does not change, thus ensuring the normal transmission of common cell information, and at the same time, in a USS, according to the actual needs, a specific bit field in the DCI can be determined rationally, thus supporting the UL multi-frame scheduling and/or the resource overhead control of an ACK/NACK over a PUSCH. |
| US09374812B2 |
Radio base station and radio communication method
To provide a radio communication method when a macro-base station and micro-base station are regarded as a plurality of transmission points and the plurality of transmission points performs downlink communications using a plurality of carriers, in the radio communication method of the invention, a macro-base station (10) forming a macro-cell determines whether or not a micro-base station transmits a non-data signal that is at least one of a synchronization signal, broadcast signal, measurement reference signal and downlink control signal using a capacity carrier (ST102), and transmits instruction information for instructing the micro-base station (20) to start transmission of the non-data signal using the capacity carrier to the micro-base station when it is determined that the micro-base station transmits the non-data signal (ST103), and the micro-base station (20) starts transmission of the non-data signal using the capacity carrier based on the instruction information from the macro-base station (10) (ST104). |
| US09374810B2 |
Scheduling of downlink data resources
There is provided a control entity for a communication network, a base station including such a control entity and a user equipment for communication with such a base station. The control entity includes a controller for providing a downlink control signal (e.g. a downlink assignment) scheduling a downlink data resource in a first time slot wherein the controller is configured for providing the downlink control signal over a downlink control resource in an earlier time slot which is chronologically earlier than the first time slot. |
| US09374808B2 |
Method for transmitting control information and apparatus for same
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transmitting uplink control information in the wireless communication system, which supports carrier aggregation and operates by a TDD, and comprises the steps of: generating a first HARQ-ACK set with respect to a first cell by using an L1 value; generating a second HARQ-ACK set with respect to a second cell by using an L2 value; and transmitting bit values, which correspond to the first and second HARQ-ACK sets are transmitted through a PUSCH from a subframe n, wherein L1=min (M1, W) and L2=min (M2, W) when the value (W) of a UL DAI corresponding to the PUSCH is 1 or 2, and L1=L2=W when the value (W) of the UL DAI corresponding to the PUSCH is 3 or 4, wherein min (A, B) represents a smaller number from A and B, M1 corresponds to the number of downlink subframes that correspond to an uplink subframe n with respect to the first cell, M2 corresponds to a the number of downlink subframes that correspond to the uplink subframe n with respect to the second cell, wherein the first cell and the second cell have different UL-DL configurations. |
| US09374797B2 |
Mobile communication devices and methods for handling a combined attach or routing area update procedure successful for PS domain services only
A communication device is provided with a wireless module and a controller module. The wireless module performs wireless transceiving to and from a service network. The controller module performs a combined attach or RAU procedure by transmitting an attach or RAU request message to the service network via the wireless module, and receives an attach or RAU accept message for the combined attach or RAU procedure, which includes a reject cause for CS domain services, from the service network via the wireless module. Also, the controller module prohibits retrying the combined attach or RAU procedure to obtain the CS domain services, in response to the attach or RAU accept message including the reject cause for the CS domain services. |
| US09374787B2 |
Method and apparatus of smart power management for mobile communication terminals using power thresholds
A method is provided for use in a mobile communication terminal configured to support a plurality of applications, wherein each application is executed by performing one or more tasks. The method includes, in response to a scheduling request from an application, obtaining an indication of power supply condition at a requested run-time of at least one of the tasks. The method further includes obtaining a prediction of a rate of energy usage by the task at the requested run-time, estimating, from the predicted rate of energy usage, a total amount of energy needed to complete the task, and making a scheduling decision for the task. The scheduling decision comprises making a selection from a group of two or more alternative dispositions for the task. The selection is made according to a criterion that relates the run-time power-supply condition to the predicted rate of energy usage by the task and to the estimate of total energy needed to complete the task. |
| US09374784B2 |
Terminal device, wireless base station wirelessly communicating with the same, and wireless communication system using terminal device and wireless base station
A terminal device 2 transmits a wireless frame having a frame length or amplitude that represents the ID of a wireless base station 1 to be woken up to the wireless base station 1. The wireless base station 1 detects the wakeup ID from the frame length or amplitude of the wireless frame from the terminal device 2, and, if the detected wakeup ID is identical with its own ID, transitions from a sleep mode to an operating mode. In this case, the wireless frame is the same wireless frame as that transmitted and received by the wireless communication module of the terminal device 2 to and from the wireless base station 1. |
| US09374780B2 |
Power management for RAN-WLAN integration
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for modified power management for UEs in a wireless communication system that utilizes one or more RANs for communication. For example, certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a technique for controlling when the UE is placed in a low power state in the first RAN based, at least in part, on inactivity of the UE in the first RAN. Certain aspects of the present disclosure also relate to controlling when to modify one or more network bearers between the first RAN or the second RAN and the core network based, at least in part, on at least one of inactivity on the one or more network bearers or inactivity in both the first RAN and the second RAN. According to certain aspects, the first RAN may include a WWAN and the second RAN may include a WLAN. |
| US09374779B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing transmit power
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and an apparatus for reducing transmit power. The method includes allocating initial bandwidth to all terminals scheduled in a current timeslot in a cell; calculating remaining bandwidth in the current timeslot and remaining system bandwidth; if the remaining system bandwidth is greater than preset threshold bandwidth, reducing transmit power or a frequency domain to calculate expanded bandwidth; calculating a transmit power reduction value corresponding to the terminal in a current scheduling timeslot, and a time domain system power reduction value, or a final frequency domain system power reduction value of each terminal; when the time domain system power reduction value is not less than a preset threshold, or when a final frequency domain transmit power reduction value of each terminal is not less than a preset threshold, reducing transmit power of a base station. |
| US09374777B2 |
Systems, methods and media for mobile management entity (MME) selection by evolved node B (eNodeB)
A method for mobile management entity (MME) selection includes receiving at a base transceiver station (BTS) a message from each of multiple MMEs including information for advertising functionalities of each of the MMEs. The functionalities include at least one type of communications session supported by each of the MMEs. The method also includes receiving at the BTS a message from a user equipment (UE) to request for a communications session. The request message includes session type information indicating a type of session requested by the UE. At least one of the MMEs is capable of serving the requested type of session. The method further includes generating a list of candidate MMEs capable of serving the requested type of communications session from the MMEs by matching the session type information with the capability information, and selecting a serving MME from the list based on the information relating to the advertised functionalities. |
| US09374776B2 |
Cell search control method, cell search control apparatus, mobile communication terminal, computer program and storage medium
A cell search for recovering service provided to a mobile communication terminal that has a first communication subsystem capable of accessing a first access network and a second communication subsystem capable of accessing a second access network is performed with reduced power consumption. If the first communication subsystem looses coverage, the cell search is performed using a list of neighboring cells provided by the second communication subsystem and covered by other access network, rather than performing cell search in a full-band searching manner. If the list of cells remains unchanged and the first communication subsystem cannot successfully camp on a cell after a first number of attempts, a time interval for cell search is increased, so as to avoid meaningless search under poor network quality, and thus to reduce the power consumption of the mobile communication terminal. |
| US09374775B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing location-aware Wi-Fi access
Methods and systems for providing location-aware WiFi access for a portable device include receiving, at a mobile communication device, locations and ranges for a set of one or more WiFi access points from a location provider system. The mobile communication device uses the locations and ranges to determine whether to power on a WiFi transceiver, and to determine for which WiFi access points to scan if the WiFi transceiver is powered on. |
| US09374773B2 |
Traffic steering across cell-types
Concepts and technologies are described herein for traffic steering across cell-types. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a mobile device enables radio access network (“RAN”) selection across multiple cell-types, including, but not limited to, macro cells, metro cells, femto cells, pico cells, and the like, based upon network conditions, local device information, and/or other information such as policies and user profiles. The local device information can include, but is not limited to, mobility state information, performance measurement information, battery utilization information, channel quality information, and user overrides. |
| US09374771B2 |
Message acknowledgement method, apparatus, and system
A message acknowledgement method includes: An access point sends a beacon frame, receives an uplink frame sent by a terminal, and sends an acknowledgement frame for the uplink frame, where the acknowledgement frame includes offset time, and the offset time is a difference between a time point when the access point sends the acknowledgement frame and a time point when the access point sends the beacon frame; compares the difference that is obtained through calculation by the terminal and is between the time point when the terminal receives the acknowledgement frame and the time point when the terminal lately receives a beacon frame with the offset time carried in the acknowledgement frame, and if a difference between the two is within a preset error range, determines that the acknowledgement frame received by the terminal is sent by the access point associated with the terminal. |
| US09374766B2 |
Dynamic control of cell reselection parameters
Dynamic cell resource management in wireless networking. By way of example, user terminal access parameters can be dynamically modified based on changing load conditions at one or more cells of a wireless network. For instance, resource capacity of a wireless network cell can be monitored over time to identify a potential resource overload condition. If such a condition occurs, a load management algorithm can be executed that progressively restricts or de-restricts user terminal access parameters based on changing load conditions. In particular aspects, the load management algorithm can analyze relative cell load of neighboring cells to implement coordinated load sharing. By dynamically modifying user access parameters, traffic can be directed toward or away from cells operating at low or high capacity, respectively. |
| US09374760B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing priority information in a wireless device
A user equipment capable of performing reselection in a wireless network is disclosed. The user equipment comprises: 1) a controller configured to perform reselection between cells according to a priority-based reselection (PBR) algorithm using priority information; 2) transceiver circuitry configured to operate in cells using at least one radio access technology and to receive incoming messages including the priority information; and 3) a memory configured to store the received priority information. The controller is further configured to compare the received priority information with defined limits stored in the memory and to determine if the received priority information exceeds the defined limits. |
| US09374756B1 |
Secure wireless device handoff
Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software for rolling over a data communication from one communication network to another. In one example, a wireless communication device may initiate a Voice over Long Term Evolution communication using Long Term Evolution or LTE. However, during the communication, the device may be required to transition to a different communication format such as CDMA2000. In response to this transition, an IP multimedia subsystem is configured to gather information about the subscriber equipment and provide this information to a media gateway controller to transition the communication. |
| US09374755B2 |
Method and apparatus for handover in wireless communication network with carrier aggregation
The invention proposes a method to support a handover of a service of a user equipment between a source eNB and a destination eNB in a wireless communication network with carrier aggregation, which includes the steps of: the destination eNB determining a primary component carrier jointly with the source eNB; transmitting a handover command to be transmitted to the user equipment to the source eNB, the handover command including indication information of the primary component carrier and dedicated preamble assignment information; the source eNB receiving the handover command to be transmitted to the user equipment from the destination eNB and forwarding the handover command to the user equipment; and then the user equipment accessing the destination eNB in response to the handover command. Also apparatuses performing the foregoing method in the source eNB, the destination eNB and the user equipment are proposed correspondingly. The technical solution of the invention improves the smoothness and efficiency of handing over a service of a user equipment between two eNBs in a carrier aggregation scenario and simplifies data transmission between the source eNB and the destination eNB in the handover procedure of the user equipment. |
| US09374748B2 |
Method of controlling interference in heterogeneous network
Provided is a method of controlling interference in a heterogeneous network environment. The method includes: a first operation of measuring, by a terminal located in a coverage area of a macro cell base station, signal strengths of the macro cell base station and a small cell base station, and broadcasting or unicasting, by the small cell base station, data having a cell range expansion (CRE) value; a second operation of transmitting a CRE flag value to the small cell base station by performing a hand-off to the small cell base station according to a result of comparison of the signal strengths of the small cell base station and the macro cell base station, which is obtained from the first operation; and a third operation of respectively counting terminals located in a CRE area and terminals located in a coverage area of the small cell base station, based on the CRE flag value received through the terminal at a predetermined period for measurement, and transmitting the counting data to the macro cell base station. |
| US09374746B1 |
Systems/methods of spatial multiplexing
Responsive to a first orientation of a first device relative to a second device, a first element of a signaling alphabet is used to convey information to/from the first device while a second element of the signaling alphabet is precluded from usage to convey information to/from the first device while said second element is being used to convey information to/from the second device. Moreover, responsive to a second orientation of the first device relative to the second device, the first element and the second element of the signaling alphabet are used to convey information to/from the first device while said first and second elements are also being used to convey information to/from the second device. Systems/methods relating to smart antennas are also disclosed. |
| US09374745B2 |
Method for reporting a measurement report of a measurement event
The present invention discloses a method for reporting a measurement report of a measurement event, including: determining that a measurement event is generated in a user equipment UE in an activated state of discontinuous reception DRX mode; judging whether a first time to trigger corresponding to the measurement event is valid when it is determined that there is a measurement event generated; using, when it is judged that the first time to trigger is valid, the first time to trigger to time the measurement event; using, when it is judged that the first time to trigger is invalid, a second time to trigger to time the measurement event, such that the UE is in next one or next several activated states of DRX mode after the generation of the measurement event. The present invention can improve a success rate of mobility handover between cells or wireless link quality. |
| US09374744B2 |
Apparatus and method for seamless handoff of a service between different types of networks
Apparatus and method for seamless handoff of a service between different types of networks. The system may include a first user equipment, a second user equipment, a first network, a second network, and an application server. The first user equipment and the second user equipment may be configured to communicate with each other initially through a first data path of the service. The first network may be configured to determine whether the first user equipment should change its access network from the first network. The second network may be configured to allocate a new bearer and a second network IP address to the first user equipment when the first network requests the first user equipment to change its access network from the first network to the second network. The application server may be configured to modify the first data path based on the second network IP address and the new bearer, to form a second data path of the service through which the first user equipment and the second user equipment communicate after handoff of the service from the first network to the second network. The first data path of the service may pass through the first network and the second data path of the service may be formed to pass through the second network. |
| US09374740B2 |
Method for handing over a terminal during a non steady VoIP call, network element, device and system
The present invention provides a method for handing over a terminal from a packet switching domain to a circuit switching domain during a non steady state of a call, a network element managing service centralization and continuity, an access device, a network element managing mobility of a terminal, as well as a communication system at least comprising at least a terminal, a network element managing service centralization and continuity, an access device and a network element managing mobility of a terminal. The method comprises a first network element anchoring the call based on the call setup request received from the terminal, and storing a provisional response returned to the terminal and the state of the call; the terminal detecting that a handover is necessary and sending a measurement report to an access network; the access network deciding to request a second network element for handover, upon detection of a signaling bearer while the measurement report meets handover condition; the second network element deciding to send the first network element a PS to CS handover request upon detection of the signaling bearer, after receiving a request for handover from the access network; and after reception of said handover request, if the first network element detects that the call is in the non steady state, than it checks the previously stored provisional response and sends the provisional response to a third network element, whereby completing the session handover procedure and updating the remote end. |
| US09374738B2 |
Enhanced inter-radio access technology (IRAT) cell reselection
A cell reselection technique establishes a data call on a different radio access technology (RAT) when a background application requests initiation of a data call while camped on a serving RAT. Rather than setting up the data call immediately on the serving RAT, a user equipment (UE) determines signal quality of the other RAT. When the signal quality is good, the UE delays call setup until after reselecting to the other RAT. |
| US09374735B2 |
Method and apparatus for data flow management
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising a memory configured to store a flow management policy, at least one processing core configured to evaluate the flow management policy, while the apparatus is attached to a first radio access technology, to determine a priority order between at least a second and a third radio access technology with respect to at least one first flow active between the apparatus and the first radio access technology, the at least one processing core being further configured to cause at least one of the at least one first flow to be transferred to the third radio access technology responsive to a determination that for the at least one first flow, the third radio access technology is preferable to the second radio access technology, wherein at least one second flow active between the apparatus and the first radio access technology is not caused to be transferred. |
| US09374733B2 |
Packing source data packets into transporting packets with fragmentation
A communication system and method are disclosed for transmitting packets of information in at least one first format over a communications link that utilizes packets of information in a second format. In certain embodiments, the packets of information in a first format are converted to packets of information in the second format prior to transmission via the communications link by packing and fragmenting the information in the first format in a coordinated manner. Embodiments may also utilize packing subheaders and fragmentation control bits in the packing and fragmentation processes. |
| US09374731B2 |
Method and radio network node for managing radio resources
A set of radio resources are allocated to a first user equipment (110). The radio network node (130) receives a request for radio resources from a second user equipment (120) being associated with a first or second category. Furthermore, the radio network node (130) measures an inactivity time period of the first user equipment (110). Then, the radio network node (130) releases the set of radio resources when the inactivity time period exceeds a threshold to be applied dependent on the category of the request. The releasing of the set of radio resources is triggered by the request. |
| US09374730B2 |
Method and apparatus for handover in a mobile station supporting radio access technology
A method and apparatus supports Inter-Radio Access Technology (IRAT) Packet Switch (PS) handover during a simultaneous voice and data (SVD) mode in a mobile station that supports a Radio Access Technology (RAT). The method includes determining a state in which a data call is connected through a first system and a voice call is connected through a second system. The MS determines whether handover to the second system should be performed for the data call. A measurement report message that indicates a set of active base stations (BSs) of voice call connection in the second system is generated. And the measurement report message is transmitted to a serving BS of the data call connection in the first system. |
| US09374727B2 |
Calibration and tracking to assist inter-frequency measurements of LTE cell by WLAN radio
An apparatus for wireless communication obtains a first metric of a cell based on signals received by a WWAN radio tuned to a common frequency, and a second metric of the cell based on signals received by a WLAN radio tuned to the common frequency. The apparatus determines a calibration factor based on the first and second metrics, and performs cell search and cell measurement based on the calibration factor and signals received by the WLAN radio tuned to a target frequency. The common frequency may be a serving frequency of the WWAN, in which case the first and second metrics are one of frequency or power metrics and the calibration factor is one of a frequency offset and a power offset. The common frequency may also be a target frequency for inter-frequency measurements of the WWAN, in which case the calibration factor is based primarily on power measurements. |
| US09374725B2 |
Generic interface for wireless cellular networks
A generic interface may be provided for parameters relating to one or more wireless networks. In one implementation, a method may include monitoring parameters relating to a 3G wireless network and a 4G wireless network. The method may also include receiving a request, from a network element, to create a custom interface for the parameters relating to the 3G wireless network and the 4G wireless network, the request including an indication of a subset of the parameters that are to be included in the custom interface. The method may further include providing the custom interface to the network element in order to provide the subset of the parameters to the network element. |
| US09374719B2 |
Channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) handling for network assisted interference cancellation
A method of wireless communication includes transmitting channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration information to a user equipment (UE). The CSI-RS configuration information is transmitted so that the UE may mitigate interference caused by interfering CSI-RSs. The CSI-RS configuration may be a CSI-RS configuration of a neighbor cell. |
| US09374717B2 |
Transmitting indication of access point loading
An access point is identified for providing service for an access terminal. In some aspects, the identification of an access point is based on loading at one or more access points. In some implementations, an access terminal selects a cell (e.g., the cell that provides maximum throughput) based on the cell load at one or more cells. In some implementations, load estimation is based on information acquired by an access terminal from nearby access points. |
| US09374713B2 |
Method and device for intelligent frequency hopping in a shared frequency band
A non-Bluetooth device operates in a same frequency band as Bluetooth devices by employing a method of intelligent frequency hopping. The method includes: scanning a frequency band for frequency hopping communications in the frequency band by one or more Bluetooth communication devices communicating according to a Bluetooth communication protocol; determining a first frequency hopping sequence utilized by the one or more Bluetooth communication devices according to the Bluetooth communication protocol; determining a second frequency hopping sequence within the frequency band to avoid interference from the frequency hopping communications by the one or more Bluetooth communication devices; and establishing a wireless communication connection between two non-Bluetooth devices, the wireless communication connection operating in the frequency band according to a second wireless communication protocol different than the Bluetooth communication protocol, and using the second frequency hopping sequence. |
| US09374711B2 |
Monitoring unauthorized access point
A monitoring system, monitoring server, method, and program that, when an unauthorized access point is installed, effectively block wireless communications performed by the unauthorized access point, a monitoring system including a monitoring server for monitoring an unauthorized access point and multiple terminals connected to the monitoring server via a network is provided. The terminals acquire radio wave information from radio waves transmitted by an access point, and transmit the radio wave information to the monitoring server. The monitoring server detects an unauthorized access point using terminal information including the radio wave information received from the terminals, designates a terminal as a pseudo-access point using intensity of radio waves transmitted by the unauthorized access point, and instructs the terminal to transmit radio waves. The terminal transmits radio waves in accordance with the instruction from the monitoring server. |
| US09374708B2 |
Method and system for encrypting terminal using subscriber identity module card
A method for encrypting a terminal with a subscriber identity card includes: a terminal storing the unique identity number of a subscriber identity card; the terminal detecting an operation of a user and authenticating a current user according to authentication conditions set by the user. Authenticating the current subscriber refers to that the terminal reads the unique identity number of the current subscriber identity card, and compares the read unique identity number of current subscriber identity card with the stored unique identity number of subscriber identity card; if they are the same, the terminal is controlled to enter a normal working state; and if they are different, the terminal locks by itself or disables the access of current user. The present document encrypts a mobile terminal with a subscriber identity card, so as to make the encryption technique of the terminal more secure and reliable, and improve the user experience. |
| US09374707B2 |
Secure connection for wireless devices via network records
Technologies are generally described for a system to establish a secure connection between a wireless device and another device or a recognized service using device network records. According to some examples, the wireless device may send an authentication request to initiate a communication session with another wireless or a recognized service. The authentication request may be encrypted with a first secret, or a hash, synthesized by the device based on the network records associated with the device. The device may be authenticated using the network's copy of the network records. The network may similarly authenticate the identity of the recognized service or other device. The network may synthesize a second secret based on the network records, and may provide the second secret to the recognized service or other device to enable a communication session secured by the second secret. |
| US09374706B2 |
Wireless sensor network and central node device thereof
The invention is directed to a wireless sensor network system. The wireless sensor network system is adapted for a medication information security environment, and the wireless sensor network system comprising a first sensor node, a second sensor node and a central node. The first sensor node sends a request for registration and a user identification. The central node generates and stores a first set of random number and a second set of random number when receiving the request for registration and the user identification. The central node sends the first set of random number and the second set of random number to the first sensor node and the second sensor node respectively. |
| US09374705B2 |
Methods, devices and system for verifying mobile equipment
Disclosed is a method for verifying Mobile Equipment (ME), which includes that: an Ad Hoc hotspot, after determining that the ME transmitting equipment information is legal equipment, transmits corresponding ME information generated according to the equipment information to operating company database equipment, and receives verification key information returned by the operating company database equipment; and the Ad Hoc hotspot, after receiving a key verification request from the ME, verifies the ME by utilizing the corresponding verification key information, notifies the ME that the ME passes the verification if the ME passes the verification, and establishes a connection with the ME. The disclosure also discloses devices and a system for verifying the ME. By the disclosure, the Ad Hoc hotspot can provide different service for ME of different telecommunication operating companies, the quality of service of the Ad Hoc hotspot provided by the telecommunication operating company for its own customers using ME is ensured, and an Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of the telecommunication operating company is further ensured. |
| US09374704B2 |
Method and apparatus for device-to-device communication
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises transceiver circuitry configured to receive information from a fixed network node, initiate sending information toward the fixed network node and initiate communication with at least one peer node, the peer node being a mobile node. The apparatus further comprises a memory configured to store information received from the fixed network node, and logic circuitry operably connected to the memory, configured to derive internet protocol address information from the information received from the fixed node and to initiate sending the internet protocol address information to the at least one peer node. |
| US09374703B2 |
Customizable serviceability mechanism
An approach is provided in which a mobile device collects serviceability data from applications executing on the mobile device based upon one or more serviceability state changes provided by a server. The mobile device filters the collected serviceability data according to one or more collection filter rules provided by the server and, in turn, sends the filtered serviceability data to the server accordingly. |
| US09374700B2 |
Global local SIM
A communication system includes a telephone network having a mobile communication switching center, a plurality of subscriber terminals, and routing logic. The system further including a plurality of wireless access points located in different countries, wherein each of the subscriber terminals is identified by a telephone number, the telephone numbers being selected from a block of telephone numbers in international format, but which have not been allocated to any particular country, the wireless access points being configured to pass all signals from any of the subscribers' terminals having telephone numbers within the number block to the mobile communication switching center which contains MNO core infrastructure. A method is also provided. The system and method create a network in which SIM-enabled mobile phone can be used worldwide as if on a local network, and without roaming charges. |
| US09374699B2 |
Proximity-based service registration method and related apparatus
A Proximity-based Service (ProSe) registration method for a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system, used in a Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes: receiving an attach request or a tracking area update request for requesting ProSe UE registration from the UE; retrieving ProSe subscription information and ProSe preference settings related to the UE from a home subscriber server (HSS) of the wireless communication system and storing the ProSe subscription information and the ProSe preference settings related to the UE as a ProSe context of the UE; and transmitting a ProSe registration request including a ProSe identifier of the UE and the ProSe preference settings related to the UE to a ProSe server of the wireless communication system. |
| US09374697B2 |
Method of selecting an active SIM for an emergency service and multi-SIM device utilizing the same
A method of selecting an active SIM for an emergency service and a multi-SIM device utilizing the same are disclosed. The method, adopted by the multi-SIM device, includes: receiving a request for an emergency call on a first SIM camping on an LTE network; determining whether a second SIM camps on a second communications network which supports an emergency service; and when the second communications network supports the emergency service, performing the emergency call from the second SIM. |
| US09374695B2 |
Mobile communications system, base station, and mobile terminal for distributing emergency messages
A mobile communications system including a mobile terminal 1 and a base station 2 which relays communications between a network and the mobile terminal 1, in which the base station 2 can deliver information to the mobile terminal 1 by using an MBMS, in which the base station 2 sets a flag indicating presence or absence of emergency information to a control channel used for the MBMS, and notifies the presence or absence of the emergency information to the mobile terminal 1 by using the description of the flag set to the control channel for the MBMS. |
| US09374694B2 |
Social network service providing system and method for setting relationship between users based on motion of mobile terminal and information about time
A social network service providing system and method for setting a relationship between users based on a motion of a mobile terminal, and information about time. The social network service providing system may include a request receiver to receive, from a mobile terminal, a request generated in accordance with a motion of the mobile terminal, an information providing unit to provide location information of the mobile terminal, and information about at least one of a local time when the request is transmitted by the mobile terminal, and an arrival time when the request is received, a mobile terminal identifying unit to identify at least one other mobile terminal based on the location information and the information about the at least one of the local time and the arrival time, and a user information providing unit to provide information about a user of the at least one other mobile terminal. |
| US09374689B1 |
Apparatus and method for supporting telephonic synthetic identities
A machine has a processor and a memory connected to the processor. The memory stores instructions executed by the processor to match a communication sender number or a communication receiver number associated with a communication to a synthetic identity. A parameter associated with the synthetic identity is selected. Delivery of the communication is coordinated such that the recipient of the communication views the parameter upon receipt of the communication. |
| US09374687B2 |
Method and system for notification between mobile terminals during communication
The present application discloses methods, devices, servers, and systems for notification between mobile terminals during communication. When two mobile terminals are in an active communication session, sometimes one terminal fails to respond to the other terminal due to various reasons such as distractions, additional responsibilities, or technical difficulties. The mobile terminal that is not getting a response may then utilize the process herein disclosed to notify the other terminal that a response is expected. By shaking or other convenient approaches, a mobile terminal may send out a notification request during an active communication session. The other terminal may return a notification response indicating whether the other terminal is in a current communication with a third mobile terminal or is in an idle status. |
| US09374686B2 |
Mobile phone
A mobile phone provided with a push-to-talk function and methods for operating a mobile phone provided with a push-to-talk function are disclosed. An operation receiving module is configured to receive a user operation. A display control module is configured to cause a display module to display both first information relevant to a push-to-talk call and second information relevant to a function other than the push-to-talk, if the user operation for executing the function other than the push-to-talk is received during the push-to-talk call. |
| US09374684B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting CSG information
A method and an apparatus for transmitting CSG information are disclosed. In the method, a base station obtains CSG reporting configuration information, determines a CSG information reporting condition is met according to the CSG reporting configuration information, and transmits CSG information of a cell that a UE is located to a mobility management entity. |
| US09374683B2 |
Method and apparatus for device to device multicast communication in cellular mobile systems
Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for device-to-device (D2D) multicast communication in a cellular mobile communication system. The method for D2D communication may include transmitting a server designation request message requesting registration as a server terminal to a base station, and transmitting service information using a D2D multicast or broadcast communication scheme based on a radio resource allocated by the base station. |
| US09374682B2 |
Method and system for managing real-time audio broadcasts among a group of users
An information exchange method and system, a server and an instant messaging client are provided. The method may include: when receiving a chat session request message sent by a first instant messaging client in an intercom group, receiving, by a server, chat session audio information transmitted by the first instant messaging client; and when receiving a chat session stop message sent by the first instant messaging client, distributing, by the server, the chat session audio information to instant messaging clients, except the first instant messaging client, in the intercom group for real-time playing. The instant messaging client implements an intercom talk function based on a network, thereby saving the purchase cost and improving the confidentiality and stability of information exchange. |
| US09374676B1 |
Mobile communication station having selectable position latency for position estimation in a wireless network
Mobile communication stations (STA) and a method for position estimation in a wireless network having access points (APs) are disclosed. The STA is configured to perform position estimation operations, with respect to the APs, based on a position latency parameter, a rate parameter, a power parameter, and an accuracy parameter. An upper layer of the STA may send the parameters to a position provider that generates the position estimation measurements and transmits the results back to the upper layer wherein the results include the position of the STA prior to the present time and the length of time from the present time to the time that the STA was at that particular position. |
| US09374674B2 |
Method and apparatus for recognizing indoor location using received signal strength intensity map
An apparatus for recognizing an indoor location using an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Intensity) map, includes an environment information acquirer configured to acquire indoor environment information and store the acquired indoor environment information on a node basis; a numerical map creator configured to create a numerical map; a field intensity creator configured to create the RSSI map; a dead-reckoning sensor configured to locate an area less than several meters within which the environment information acquire is actually located to locate a more accurate location within the area; a path information producer configured to produce path information including movable potential trajectories; and an initializer configured to initialize an initialization location of one or more candidate entities and fingerprint information. |
| US09374671B1 |
Systems and methods to track regions visited by mobile devices and detect changes in location patterns
Systems and methods including mobile devices determining their location using a location determination system, such as a global positioning system. A database stores the identifiers of cells representative of predefined regions in a hierarchical grid system. The location coordinates as function of time are converted to visitation patterns of the mobile devices to the predefined regions, based on converting the coordinates to cell identifiers and searching the database to find matches between the cell identifiers representing the regions and the cell identifiers representing the mobile device locations. For example, mobile devices having similar visitation patterns can be identified and divided into two groups; and information relevant to a region is transmitted to one of the group but not another. The visitation patterns of the two group after the transmission is identified and compared to measure a difference. |
| US09374665B2 |
Location option control for minimization of drive test in LTE systems
A method of providing location option control for Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) in LTE systems is provided. In one embodiment, a UE or an eNB receives an MDT location request that comprises an MDT location option configuration having one or more location options. The UE or eNB determines a first location option based on the MDT location option configuration and initiates positioning for MDT measurements, reporting, and logging according to the first location option. In one novel aspect, each location option is associated with a priority. In addition to MDT measurements, reporting, and logging, a UE determines the best positioning procedure from a list of available location options. In one novel aspect, under a specific positioning objective, the UE prioritizes the list of available location options based on the signal strength and/or quality of cellular and WLAN signals. |
| US09374663B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing positional information using wireless fidelity (WIFI) information
A method and apparatus for providing positional information using wireless network information is provided. A method of providing positional information at a mobile terminal may include collecting WI-FI access point (AP) information by scanning for a WI-FI AP in a vicinity of the mobile terminal, extracting facility information associated with a facility associated with the WI-FI AP, and determining the positional information of the mobile terminal based on the extracted facility information. |
| US09374662B2 |
Enhancing positioning in multi-PLMN deployments
Network sharing allows different core network operators to connect to a shared radio access network. The operators may share the radio network elements, and may also share the radio resources themselves. Examples of radio access sharing architectures include GWCN and MOCN. In such multi-PLMN deployment scenarios, operators are also interested in sharing measuring nodes due to their expense. To enable sharing, method(s), apparatus(es), and/or system(s) are proposed in which network nodes may perform joint selection of positioning nodes and PLMNs; in which positioning nodes of different PLMNs may communicate; in which a positioning node may obtain and use assistance data associated with a PLMN different from that of the positioning node; and to coordinate positioning measurement. |
| US09374656B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatically pairing a mobile endpoint device to an output device using a card swipe authentication
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for automatically pairing a mobile endpoint device to an output device using a card swipe authentication are disclosed. For example, the method detects a card swipe of an access card at the output device, determines that the mobile endpoint device associated with the access card is authorized for remote user interface (UI) access of the output device, establishes a secure session between the mobile endpoint device and the output device, sends a notification to the mobile endpoint device, wherein the notification comprises configuration information that was used to establish the secure session and pair the output device to the mobile endpoint device, receives a command from the mobile endpoint device via the secure session and forwards the command to the output device to execute the command. |
| US09374655B1 |
Managing a transmission power level
A user device may include a transmission power manager to control a transmission power level of a wireless transceiver based on a location of a human body proximate the user device as detected by a proximity sensor. In response to at least one of a power up of the user device or initialization of a wireless transceiver, the transmission power manager may restrict a transmission power level of the wireless transceiver to one of a plurality of power states. The transmission power manager may then operate to detect a step in proximity sensor data obtained by the proximity sensor. Then, in response to detecting the step in the proximity data, the transmission power manager may restricting the transmission power level of the wireless transceiver and determine a proximity threshold value based at least in part on the detected step and the proximity sensor data. |
| US09374650B2 |
System and method for embedding conductive traces into hearing assistance device housings
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for embedding a conductive trace for a hearing assistance device housing. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of forming a hearing assistance device housing. The housing is constructed of plastic including a photo conductive dopant, in various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the housing is laser printed to activate the photo conductive dopant on the surface of the plastic to provide a conductive trace on a surface of the housing. The housing is plated using an electroless process to increase the conductivity of the conductive trace, in various embodiments. |
| US09374647B2 |
Method and apparatus using head movement for user interface
A hearing device, a hearing device controller and a method of controlling a hearing device are provided. A hearing device includes a movement estimation unit configured to estimate a head movement using audio signals, and a hearing device control unit configured to control an operation of the hearing device based on the estimated head movement. |
| US09374646B2 |
Binaural enhancement of tone language for hearing assistance devices
Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for binaural enhancement of tone language for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method for enhancing pitch in a hearing assistance system having a first and second hearing assistance device. A signal is received using a microphone of the first hearing assistance device. Pitch detection is performed on the signal to obtain a pitch value. The pitch value is wirelessly transmitted from the first hearing assistance device to the second hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the pitch value of the first hearing assistance device is combined with a pitch value of the second hearing assistance device. The gain is adjusted based on the combined pitch value, in various embodiments. |
| US09374644B2 |
Acoustic transducer and microphone
An acoustic transducer has a vibrating film and a fixed film formed above an opening portion of a substrate, and at least a first sensing portion and a second sensing portion that detect sound waves using change in capacitance between a vibrating electrode provided in the vibrating film and a fixed electrode provided in the fixed film, convert the sound waves into electrical signals, and output the electrical signals. In the first sensing portion and the second sensing portion, the fixed film is used in common, and the vibrating electrode is divided into a first sensing region and a second sensing region that respectively correspond to the first sensing portion and the second sensing portion. In the first sensing portion, a protrusion portion that protrudes toward the vibrating electrode is provided on a region of the fixed film that opposes the first sensing region. |
| US09374640B2 |
Method and system for optimizing center channel performance in a single enclosure multi-element loudspeaker line array
A multi-element single enclosure loudspeaker system uses all of the available driver elements in a linear array of loudspeaker drivers for purposes of reproducing center channel program material, whether discrete within a multichannel mix (such as Dolby Digital 5.1™) or derived from a 2-channel mixdown via any appropriate means (such as SRS™ or Dolby ProLogic™ algorithms), in a manner that provides optimized intelligibility of dialog, improved overall clarity, natural timbre and dynamics of music or other effects and wide bandwidth for a wide range of seating/viewing locations for (domestic) home theater environments. |
| US09374639B2 |
Audio apparatus and method of changing sound emission mode
An audio apparatus includes a main body, a plurality of speakers provided in the main body, a storage section configured to store a conversion table which indicates a correspondence between postures of the main body and control contents of audio signals to be supplied to the speakers, and a control section configured to refer to the conversion table of the storage section, and control the audio signals to be supplied to the speakers in accordance with a posture of the main body. |
| US09374637B2 |
Electronic system and electronic device thereof
An electronic system and an electronic device thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a first housing, a speaker module, a second housing, and a bearing. The first housing has a first hole. The speaker module is disposed in the first housing, and a sound generated by the speaker module is transmitted out of the electronic device through the first hole. The second housing has a bearing surface facing to the first housing. The bearing is disposed between the first housing and the second housing. The second housing and the first housing move relative to each other by using the bearing, so the first housing covers or exposes a portion of the bearing surface. |
| US09374636B2 |
Hearing device, method and system for automatically enabling monitoring mode within said hearing device
Aspects of the invention relate to a hearing device for automatically enabling monitoring within the hearing device including an electronic module arranged for collecting environment data of the hearing device, wherein environment data is based on events in the vicinity of the hearing device, at least one sound reproducing unit arranged for receiving a first audio signal, wherein the electronic module includes a processor arranged to mix the received first audio signal and a monitored ambient sound signal based on the collected environment data. Aspects of the invention also related to a system and a method for automatically enabling monitoring within the hearing device. |
| US09374633B2 |
Audio amplifier attachable to speaker system by way of magnetic coupler and method therefor
An audio system comprises a first enclosure for housing a first audio component and a second enclosure for housing a second audio component. The first enclosure includes a surface having a plurality of first structures, the first structures comprising one selected from a group consisting of a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of receptacles. The second enclosure includes a surface having a plurality of second structures, the second structures comprising the other one from the group consisting of the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of receptacles. The protrusions are configured to be inserted into the receptacles along a first direction such that the first enclosure is maintained in a first position relative to the second enclosure in the presence of a shear force that is applied in a direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. |
| US09374627B2 |
Remote viewing of multimedia content
A method and system for remote viewing of multimedia content using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) is configured to duplicate multimedia content displayed on a first MCDN terminal device and route the duplicate multimedia content to a second MCDN terminal device. The MCDN terminal devices may be coupled to a local network at an MCDN client premises. The MCDN terminal devices may also include wireless telephony devices for mobile remote viewing functionality. The method may include transcoding of the multimedia content into a format suitable for the second MCDN terminal device. |
| US09374626B2 |
Use of digital TV bandwidth for web cache pre-loading
Generally, this disclosure provides systems, devices, methods and computer readable media for the use of digital TV (DTV) bandwidth for web cache pre-loading. A system may include a receiver module configured to receive a digital television (DTV) signal. The system may also include a data extraction module configured to extract the web cache data from the DTV signal, wherein the web cache data is encoded within the spectral bandwidth of the DTV signal. The system may further include a network interface configured to transmit the extracted web cache data to a device that includes a web cache pre-loading service. |
| US09374609B2 |
Remote control device transaction setup in a home network
A technique of using a remote control device to identify a source for transferring content on a home network, a renderer for rendering the content and a pathway within a home network to couple the source to the renderer to transfer the content. The remote control device then transmits control information to the source to set a control parameter value within the source to send the content and transmits control information to the renderer to set a control parameter value within the renderer to receive the content. The commands from the remote configure parameter values associated with a media layer in the source and/or the renderer to initiate a hand-shake to effect the content transfer, so that the source and the renderer need not initiate the hand-shake between themselves. |
| US09374602B2 |
Method and apparatus for entropy-coding/entropy-decoding video data using different binarization methods
Provided are a method and apparatus for entropy-encoding/entropy-decoding video data. The method of entropy-encoding video data includes binarizing coefficients of the frequency domain, which are generated by transforming a residual block of a current block into the frequency domain, using different binarization methods and performing binary arithmetic coding on the binarized coefficients. In this way, the coefficients are binarized adaptively according to whether the frequencies of the coefficients are high or low, thereby improving the compression efficiency of the video data. |
| US09374601B1 |
Prevention of image artifact
Systems and methods are provided for processing images (or other such instances of content) to detect which of the images exhibit artifacts when modified, such as by applying standard transformation algorithms to modify the images. Such techniques enable transformation algorithms to be applied to the detected images to minimize or prevent artifacts. In some embodiments, the headers of the detected images can be tagged with transformative instructions that indicate which transformation algorithms to apply. Responsive to a request from a web client to modify and render one of the detected images, embodiments obtain the requested image, read the transformative instructions in the header, apply the transformation algorithm specified in the header to modify the image so as to minimize or prevent artifacts, and render the modified image. |
| US09374597B2 |
Inter-image prediction method and device and corresponding encoding method and device
A method and device for predicting a block of pixels of an image for encoding/decoding same. The method comprises a step of defining a causal vicinity of said block to be predicted, a step 2 of searching for candidate patches during which a set of candidate patches is formed from at least one patch belonging to an image other than the image to which the block to be predicted belongs, each patch being formed from a block and from a causal vicinity of said block, and a step 3 of block prediction during which the block is predicted at least from the block of at least one patch of said set of candidate patches. |
| US09374595B2 |
Method and device for generating a prediction block to encode and decode an image
A method for decoding an image according to the present invention comprises the steps of: restoring a residual block by performing inverse quantization and inverse transformation for the entropy-decoded residual block; generating a prediction block by performing intra prediction for a current block; and restoring an image by adding the restored residual block to the prediction block, wherein the step of generating the prediction block further comprises a step for generating a final prediction value of a pixel to be predicted, on the basis of a first prediction value of the pixel to be predicted, which is included in the current block, and of a final correction value that is calculated by performing an arithmetic right shift by a binary digit 1 for a two's complement integer representation with respect to an initial correction value of the pixel to be predicted. Thus, the operational complexity during image encoding/decoding can be reduced. |
| US09374593B2 |
Data decompressing device and non-transitory computer readable medium for detecting whether initial portion of compressed image data corresponds to specific pattern
A data decompressing device includes an effective code length detector and a determining unit. The detector detects an effective code length of an initial portion of compressed image data to be decompressed, and supplies the detected effective code length to a decompressing unit to decompress data having the effective code length from a head of the image data. The determining unit determines whether or not the initial portion of the image data corresponds to a specific pattern in which a block end code follows a code representing a specific DC difference value, and if having determined that the initial portion of the image data corresponds to the specific pattern, notifies the decompressing unit of the detection of the specific pattern without waiting for the detection of the effective code length, to allow the decompressing unit to output a predetermined decompression result corresponding to the specific DC difference value. |
| US09374591B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding video, and method and apparatus for decoding video
A method of decoding an image including extracting information that indicates an intra prediction mode applied to a current block to be decoded, from a bitstream; determining one of neighboring pixels adjacent to the current block and filtered neighboring pixels filtered from the neighboring pixels as reference pixels, based on at least one of a size of the current block and an intra prediction mode of the current block; performing intra prediction on the current block using the extracted information and the determined reference pixels, wherein, when the current block has a size of N×N, where N is integer, the neighboring pixels include 2N neighboring pixels adjacent to an upper side and an upper right side of the current block and 2N neighboring pixels adjacent to a left side and a below left side of the current block. |
| US09374590B2 |
Methods and systems for image intra-prediction mode management
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for ordering, communicating and applying pixel intra-prediction modes. |
| US09374582B2 |
Apparatus of decoding video data
Provided is an apparatus that derives a luma intra prediction mode and a chroma intra prediction mode, determines a size of a luma transform unit and a size of a chroma transform unit using luma transform size information, adaptively filters the reference pixels of a current luma block based on the luma intra prediction mode and the size of the luma transform unit, generates prediction blocks of the current luma block and the current chroma block and generates a residual luma residual block and a chroma residual block. Therefore, the distance of intra prediction becomes short, and the amount of coding bits required to encode intra prediction modes and residual blocks of luma and chroma components is reduced and the coding complexity is reduced by adaptively encoding the intra prediction modes and adaptively filtering the reference pixels. |
| US09374581B2 |
Signaling of picture order count to timing information relations for video timing in video coding
In an example, the disclosure provides for receiving a coded video sequence comprising encoded pictures of a video sequence and receiving timing parameters for the coded video sequence that include an indication of whether a picture order count (POC) value for each picture in the coded video sequence that is not a first picture in the coded video sequence according to a decoding order is proportional to an output time of the picture relative to an output time of the first picture in the coded video sequence in a video parameter set (VPS) syntax structure referenced by the coded video sequence. Another example provides for encoding pictures of a video sequence to generate the coded video sequence comprising the encoded pictures and signaling timing parameters for the coded video sequence by signaling the indication in the VPS syntax structure referenced by the coded video sequence. |
| US09374579B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding video, and method and apparatus for decoding video
Disclosed is a method of encoding a video, the method including: splitting a current picture into at least one maximum coding unit; determining a coded depth to output a final encoding result according to at least one split region obtained by splitting a region of the maximum coding unit according to depths, by encoding the at least one split region, based on a depth that deepens in proportion to the number of times the region of the maximum coding unit is split; and outputting image data constituting the final encoding result according to the at least one split region, and encoding information about the coded depth and a prediction mode, according to the at least one maximum coding unit. |
| US09374576B2 |
Fused region-based VDR prediction
An input image is divided into non-overlapping regions. For each of the non-overlapping regions, first output data is predicted with a first prediction function, parameters related thereto and region-specific input image data. For each region with prior-predicted neighbor regions, a pixel border portion, adjacent to the neighbor region, is defined. For the pixels in the defined border portion, second output data is predicted with a second prediction function, parameters related thereto, input image data from the border portion of the current region, and input prediction parameter data from the neighbor region. The first output prediction data is fused with the second output data to predict a final set of output prediction values. |
| US09374575B2 |
Method of processing three-dimensional image data and a display apparatus for performing the same
A method of processing three-dimensional image data includes demodulating a first transmission signal into image data which is image data for a left-eye or image data for a right-eye, wherein the first transmission signal is received during an enable period of a frame; demodulating a second transmission signal into identification data, where the second transmission signal is received during a blanking period of the frame, and the identification data identifies the image data of a subsequent frame; identifying whether the image data of the subsequent frame is the image data for the left-eye or the image data for the right-eye based on the identification data; and processing the image data based on an identified result from the identifying whether the image data of the subsequent frame is the image data for the left-eye or the image data for the right-eye. |
| US09374566B2 |
Optical micro-projection system and projection method
An optical micro-projection system comprising the following components: at least one laser light source (200, 400, 402, 600); at least one movable mirror (102, 103, 203) for deviating light from said light source to allow generation of images on a projection surface (104, 301, 303, 306, 603); a self mixing module for measurement of the distance (604) between the projection source and a projection surface, said self mixing module comprising:—at least one photodiode (401, 601) for monitoring the light emission power of the laser light source;—an optical power variation counter for counting optical power variations (605); successive displacements of said mirror allowing the self mixing module providing successive projection distance measurements of a plurality of points of said projection surface. A projection method for optical micro-projection system and a distance measurement method are also provided. |
| US09374560B2 |
Systems and methods for managing a status change of a multimedia asset in multimedia delivery systems
Systems and methods are disclosed which detect a change in the status of a multimedia asset in a multimedia delivery system, and take steps to make the multimedia asset available after the status change. The multimedia asset can then be locally recorded on the user's digital video recorder (DVR) before the status changes. Alternatively, the user can be directed to an equivalent asset, for example, video-on-demand (VOD). The user may also receive a notification, which can be displayed on a TV or computer monitor or send to a remote device, for example to a mobile phone as an email or a short message. The user may be able to purchase the asset and/or initiate recording the asset. The status can be, for example, an expiration date of an asset, or a change of the source or format of an asset. |
| US09374558B2 |
Digital signage display
A digital signage network employs a common data model and a subscription system to disseminate data gathered from a plurality of data sources to a number of displays. The network nodes interact with each other as content sources, content consumers, or both, with some systems acting as consumers to upstream sources and acting as sources to downstream consumers. The presentation of the data on a digital signage display allows for real-time binding of live data to provide a rich display effect. |
| US09374553B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying and merging recorded segments belonging to the same program
Systems and methods for providing an interactive media guidance application for merging recorded video segments that are from the same program are provided. In response to a recording interruption, the interactive media guidance application may record multiple video segments. After recording the segments, the interactive media guidance application may search for and merge these segments to form a single recording. In some embodiments, the interactive media guidance application may detect the presence of a previously recorded segment. After detecting the previously recorded segment, the interactive media guidance application may automatically record the video following the end of the previously recorded segment. The interactive media guidance application may use data associated with the segments and other media cues to match the segments. The interactive media guidance application may also identify the duration of the recorded video content and provide choices for recording the video again. |
| US09374552B2 |
Streaming game server video recorder
A content provider may operate computing nodes configured to provide graphics rendering services to a client running a game or other application. A graphics frame may be rendered and encoded in a format compatible with a client's display device. A second version of the frame may be encoded in a format having selected storage characteristics and compatible with a plurality of display types. The frame may be added to the end of a video stored by the content provider. Frames may be deleted from the video to prevent the video from exceeding a maximum length. |
| US09374546B2 |
Location-based context for UI components
An Intelligent TV having a silo manager, a panel manager and a panel controller. The various managers and controllers managing a global panel and an application panel. The global panel includes various types of information and the various types of input and content available. The global panel includes various information including, for example, Live TV information, on demand information, media center information, application information, HDMI 1 information, HDMI 2 information, HDMI 3 information, component 1 information, component 2 information, AV 1 information, AV 2 information, VGA information, as well as an option to hide undetected inputs. The application panel is dynamic and can optionally change based on one or more of context and content of the underlying application being viewed. The application panel can include various subcategories of information, with the number and type of the subcategories also capable of being dynamic based on the underlying context or content. |
| US09374544B2 |
Image capture device, image processing method, and program
According to the present invention, provided is an image capture device, an image processing method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program capable of detecting a direction of incidence of abnormal oblique incident light and reducing an effect of color mixture caused by the abnormal oblique incident light. An image capture device 10 includes an abnormal oblique-incident-light detection portion 34 and a correction portion 36. An abnormal oblique-incident-light detection portion 34 detects abnormal oblique incident light originated from a first direction by comparing the pixel data of first first-direction same-color adjacent pixels, second first-direction same-color adjacent pixels, first first-direction different-color adjacent pixels, and second first-direction different-color adjacent pixels. |
| US09374541B2 |
Imaging device and camera system including sense circuits to make binary decision
An imaging device includes: a pixel array section having an array of pixels, each of which has a photoelectric converting device and outputs an electric signal according to an input photon; a sense circuit section having a plurality of sensor circuits each of which makes binary decision on whether there is a photon input to a pixel in a predetermined period upon reception of the electric signal therefrom; and a decision result IC section which integrates decision results from the sense circuits, pixel by pixel or for each group of pixels, multiple times to generate imaged data with a gradation, the decision result IC section including a count circuit which performs a count process to integrate the decision results from the sense circuits, and a memory for storing a counting result for each pixel from the count circuit, the sense circuits sharing the count circuit for integrating the decision results. |
| US09374534B2 |
Display and method for displaying multiple frames thereof
A display and a method for displaying multiple frames thereof are provided. In the method, a source device is connected by a video cable. A multiple frame displaying request sent by the source device is received through the video cable. Then, an original resolution of the display is divided into several adjusted resolutions according to the number of frames in the request, and at least one resolution data respectively recording the adjusted resolutions is sent to the source device. At least one video stream sent by the source device is received through the video cable, and frames of the at least one video stream are respectively displayed on at least one corresponding display region of the display. |
| US09374532B2 |
Cascaded camera motion estimation, rolling shutter detection, and camera shake detection for video stabilization
An easy-to-use online video stabilization system and methods for its use are described. Videos are stabilized after capture, and therefore the stabilization works on all forms of video footage including both legacy video and freshly captured video. In one implementation, the video stabilization system is fully automatic, requiring no input or parameter settings by the user other than the video itself. The video stabilization system uses a cascaded motion model to choose the correction that is applied to different frames of a video. In various implementations, the video stabilization system is capable of detecting and correcting high frequency jitter artifacts, low frequency shake artifacts, rolling shutter artifacts, significant foreground motion, poor lighting, scene cuts, and both long and short videos. |
| US09374529B1 |
Enabling multiple field of view image capture within a surround image mode for multi-LENS mobile devices
A user activation of an image capture function of a mobile device is received. The image capture function is for a surround image mode. Two or more camera LENSs are approximately concurrently activated. Responsive to activating the LENSs, two or more front-side images from a first camera LENS and two or more rear-side image from a second camera LENS are optically captured. Content from the front-side images and content from the rear-side images are recorded in a non-transitory storage medium of the mobile device within a single file for a surround mode image. |
| US09374528B2 |
Panoramic expansion image display device and method of displaying panoramic expansion image
A panoramic image display device divides a panoramic expansion image into at least two panoramic images and displays the panoramic images. The panoramic expansion image display device including: a clipping reference position setting unit that sets a clipping reference position for the panoramic expansion image; an object detection unit that detects an object as a display target from the panoramic expansion image; a clipping position determination unit that determines a clipping position of the panoramic image according to a relationship between a detected object position and the clipping reference position; and a display image generation unit that displays the panoramic image clipped from the panoramic expansion image at the clipping position. |
| US09374526B2 |
Providing frame delay using a temporal filter
A temporal filter in an image processing pipeline may insert a frame delay when filtering an image frame. A given pixel of a current image frame may be received and a filtered version of the given pixel may be generated, blending the given pixel and a corresponding pixel of a reference image frame to store as part of a filtered version of the current image frame. If a frame delay setting is enabled, the corresponding pixel of the reference image frame may be provided as output for subsequent image processing inserting a frame delay for the current image frame. During the frame delay programming instructions may be received and image processing pipeline components may be configured according to the programming instructions. If the frame delay setting is disabled, then the filtered version of the given pixel may be provided as output for subsequent image processing. |
| US09374523B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging method
An imaging apparatus and an imaging method supply an optimum amount of image data to another apparatus. When a PDA has a maximum transfer rate of 1.5 Mbps, a mobile phone determines that the maximum speed of communication with the PDA is low, reduces the amount of moving image data captured by a CCD of the mobile phone accordingly, and supplies the captured moving image data to the PDA. The PDA therefore displays a low-quality moving image on its display unit. When the PDA has a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbps, the CPU of the mobile phone leaves unchanged the amount of moving picture data captured by the CCD and supplies the captured moving image data to the PDA. The PDA then displays a high-quality moving image on its display unit. The foregoing may be advantageously applied to digital cameras. |
| US09374520B2 |
Digital image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same
A digital image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. When the composition of a subject displayed on a display of the apparatus is changed during application of a first shutter-release signal, a current auto-focus (AF) region moves along with the subject and displayed on the display at the same time as the subject. The apparatus can further display an initial AF region on the display in a manner distinguishable from the current AF region. After the composition of the subject is changed, while the current AF region moving along with the subject is being displayed on the display, when the application of the first shutter-release signal is interrupted, an AF region is reset as the initial AF region. Also, an image file can be generated and stored after application of a second-shutter release signal which occurs after application of the first shutter-release signal. |
| US09374518B2 |
Focus detection sensor
A focus detection sensor and an image pickup system are provided. The focus detection sensor includes photoelectric conversion units converting light into charges, memory units storing the charges generated by the photoelectric conversion units as pixel signals, transfer units transferring the charges generated by the photoelectric conversion units to the memory units, reset units resetting the photoelectric conversion units and the memory units, a detection unit outputting a first detection signal in accordance with the pixel signals stored in the memory units, and a mode switching determination unit performing switching from a first operation mode in which the transfer units are set to a transfer state in a charge accumulation period after the photoelectric conversion units are reset to a second operation mode in which the transfer units are set to a non-transfer state. |
| US09374517B2 |
Guided photography and video on a mobile device
In an example embodiment, an item listing process is run in an item listing application. Upon reaching a specified point in the item listing process, a camera application on the user device is triggered (or the camera directly accessed by the item listing application) to enable a user to capture images using the camera, wherein the triggering includes providing a wireframe overlay informing the user as to an angle at which to capture images from the camera. |
| US09374515B2 |
Electronic element supporting base and electronic device
An electronic element supporting base and an electronic device applying the same are provided. The electronic element supporting base comprises a fixing portion and a carrying part. The fixing portion is suitable for being fixed to a frame of the electronic device as a fulcrum for the electronic element supporting base. The carrying part is suitable for carrying a plurality of electronic elements, wherein a gap exists between the carrying part and the frame, and a gap exists between the carrying part and the circuit board. When the electronic device receives an impact, the suspended design of the electronic element supporting base allows the carrying part to oscillate through the gaps, and the electronic element supporting base will not be squeezed, which prevents the electronic elements on the electronic element supporting base from being shifted. |
| US09374514B2 |
Methods and apparatus relating to a camera including multiple optical chains
Camera methods and apparatus are described where the camera device includes multiple optical chains. In various embodiments two or more of the optical chains include light redirection devices such as mirrors or prisms. Sensors corresponding to multiple different optical chains, but not necessarily all optical chains, are parallel to each other. In some embodiments sensors corresponding to different optical chains are located in the same plane at the front or rear of the camera. However other sensor mounting positions are also possible. |
| US09374502B2 |
Method for converting a full colour image to a monochrome image
A method for converting a full color image to a monochrome image is provided, wherein the color values of pixels are decomposed in a luminance and a chrominance component. Both components are converted to a grayscale value representing an intensity of a pixel. The luminance grayscale value is in a limited range close to a light end of the available grayscale. The chrominance grayscale value is closer to the dark end of the available grayscale when the chrominance component of the color value is larger. The darkest value of the two converted values is selected for a corresponding pixel. The effect of this conversion is that colored pixels are darker than colorless pixels, which is useful to highlight parts of a monochrome image that stand out because of their color in a full color image. It is particularly useful to help color blind people recognize colored parts of an image. |
| US09374501B2 |
Methods and devices for form-independent registration of filled-out content
A device for registration of content in a filled-out application form is disclosed. The device is configured for scanning at least one portion of the filled-out application form. The device is configured for extracting filled-out content from the scanned form. The geometrical features of the master form are retrieved. The master form includes one or more anchor fields. Each anchor field has one or more anchor zones and at least one anchor segment. At least one anchor segment has global adjustment parameters and geometrical features. The extracted filled-out content is related to the retrieved geometrical features of a master form to create a new geometrical representation of the extracted filled-out content of the scanned application form. The new representation of the filled-out content based on the global adjustment parameters for the at least one anchor segment is globally adjusted. The globally adjusted filled-out content based on the geometrical features for the anchor segments is locally adjusted. |
| US09374499B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus displays, in a case where a second search condition in which a condition is added to a first search condition is set with a data processing apparatus which satisfies the first search condition being displayed on the map, a data processing apparatus which satisfies the second search condition and a data processing apparatus which satisfies the first search condition and does not satisfy the second search condition on the map in a distinguishable manner. |
| US09374493B2 |
Image scanner and image scanning method
An image scanner includes: a lid or a backing sheet as a cover unit on which a pattern is depicted; a sensor unit configured to scan a document between a platen and the cover unit; and an image processing unit configured to set a threshold value using information on a first transmitted pattern of the pattern, obtained through the document, and perform image processing based on the threshold value. |
| US09374489B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of setting initial display screen, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus equipped with a customization function and a resume function, which is capable of enabling a user to select one of these functions and thereby displaying an initial display screen intended by the user. A user is prompted to make a selection as to whether to display a user-customized screen or to display a screen displayed at logout time, as an initial screen to be displayed after start or reactivation of the image forming apparatus. The display of the initial screen after the start or reactivation of the image forming apparatus is controlled based on the selection made by the user. |
| US09374484B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A printing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are provided. The printing apparatus includes a printing unit to form an image on a printing medium, a scanning unit pivotally coupled to the printing unit, and a cover unit pivotally coupled to the scanning unit and having a pressing protrusion. The printing apparatus includes a first member rotatably mounted to the scanning unit to latch the scanning unit to the printing unit when the cover unit is in an open state with respect to the scanning unit, and a second member mounted to the scanning unit to rotate the first member to unlatch the scanning unit from the printing unit when pressed by the pressing protrusion of the cover unit moving from the open state to a closed state with respect to the scanning unit. |
| US09374482B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method for displaying preview image, and recording medium
When an input unit receives a predetermined operation on a preview image during execution of a real-time preview, an image processing apparatus stores information that specifies the preview image for which the predetermined operation has been received, in a specific information storage unit. The image processing apparatus executes a first preview display of displaying a preview image for which the predetermined operation has been received or a preview image for which the predetermined operation has not been received among preview images of a job after completion of the real-time preview, based on the information stored in the specific information storage unit. |
| US09374468B2 |
Inbound contact center call disconnect buffer
A contact center is described along with various methods and mechanisms for administering the same. Methods are provided that detect a communications channel loss in a communication between a customer and a resource of a contact center. The method determines when the communications channel loss occurred. When the communications loss occurs prior to an objective of the customer being resolved the method reserves an incoming communication route for the customer to call back and reach the same resource when the call back is made in a predetermined and limited amount of time. |
| US09374467B2 |
Collaboration system and method
A system for enabling collaboration between two or more customer contact campaigns running within a call center environment includes at least one outbound contact server (OCS) resident on a digital medium, the OCS including an automated dialer application resident on a digital medium thereon or accessible thereto for dialing contact numbers from contact records assembled for the running campaigns, a call monitoring and recording system executing from software on a digital medium, for monitoring call dialing progress and business results of completed calls, a central data repository for storing dialing progress and business results data collected by the running outbound campaigns, and a data sharing mechanism executing from software resident on a digital medium, accessible to each campaign running on the OCS for sharing collected data among the running campaigns. Shared data received by individual campaign instances is processed by the receiving campaign against one or more pre-configured business rules to determine whether to modify campaign contact records, campaign dialing patterns and or campaign dialing methods. |
| US09374461B2 |
Business directory assistance via STB
A set-top box (STB) obtains a listing of businesses responsive to a request for a business directory search from a customer. The STB receives, from a customer, a selection of a business from the listing of businesses to call. The STB performs one of: initiating, at the STB, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call to a phone number associated with the business and connecting the VoIP call to a mobile device, or other VoIP device, associated with the customer via a VoIP network, or initiating, at the STB, establishment of a call between a phone number associated with the business and a mobile device associated with the customer via a telephone network. The STB sends data associated with the request for the business directory search to a billing server for billing the customer for the request for the business directory search received at the STB. |
| US09374460B2 |
System and method for detecting call-through events for advertising impressions sent to mobile wireless devices
An arrangement is described for capturing and reporting call-through events in connection with phone numbers embedded in advertising impressions sent to mobile wireless devices. A call-through event is said to occur when a phone number embedded within an advertising impression is called from the mobile device. The system includes a call-through detector on the device that captures data related to a call-through event and communicates the captured data for one or more phone numbers over the network to a server. The server collects the captured data from various mobile devices and can correlate those with the advertisements sent to the mobile devices. A call detail information record sent from a device may contain detailed information about the context in which the call was made from the mobile device, including, for example, time of day or device location. |
| US09374456B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for providing ring tones
Ring tones and other alerts are processed based on social networks. A person's contact information, as an example, may be associated with a social network. Each different social network may also have its own custom ringtone or other alert. Calls, texts, and other electronic messages may thus processed with the alert of the social network. |
| US09374455B2 |
Systems and methods for providing emergency callback procedures
Enhanced services, such as call restriction, call forwarding, anonymous call rejection, and proprietary services, may interfere with an emergency callback potentially preventing the callback from reaching the intended destination. Systems and methods for processing emergency calls to eliminate emergency callback failure in response to an emergency call being released are provided herein. |
| US09374453B2 |
Audio processing for multi-participant communication systems
Audio processing is provided to determine whether an audio issue is present within a multi-participant communication system such as a teleconference or videoconference bridge or a trunk dispatch system. Audio issues such as background noise, background conversations, or other unwanted audio that is being interjected into the multi-participant conversation and that may be dominating the audio are detected by measuring characteristics of audio samples taken from the communication ports of the multi-participant communication system. A correction may then be applied to the audio received through the communication port by a processor of the multi-participant communication system without intervention by an administrator, such as by muting the port, applying a noise cancellation to audio from the port, or time-shifting the audio from the port. |
| US09374438B2 |
Systems and methods for caching augmented reality target data at user devices
Systems and methods are disclosed for transmitting, to user devices, data for potential targets predicted to be identified in an augmented reality application. One method includes receiving a request for target data related to at least one physical object within an image of a real-world environment captured at the device; identifying a current target representing the physical object within a virtual environment corresponding to the real-world environment; determining at least one potential future target to be identified at the device based on identified coincident target requests; and sending to the device target data for each of the current and potential future targets based on the determination, wherein the device presents the target data for the current target within the virtual environment displayed at the device and store the target data for the potential future target in a local memory of the device. |
| US09374437B2 |
Schema validation proxy
Systems and methods to provide a schema validation proxy to capture and validate messages against their schemas are discussed. The messages are part of web services being called from a client system at a server system. In example embodiments, a request message is received from a client system at a proxy system. Upon receipt of the request message, an automatic download of a schema definition file is triggered. The request message is validated against one or more schemas from the downloaded schema definition file. The request message is forwarded to the server system and the proxy system waits for the response. The corresponding response message is received by the proxy system and is validated against its schema. One or more log files are created to record results of the validating. The log files include a consolidated log file providing an overview of the results during a session. |
| US09374436B2 |
Loading a re-directed web page on a web browser of a client device in a communications system
In an embodiment, a client device transmits a request for an initial web page to a proxy server. The proxy server requests the initial web page on behalf of the client device in response to the client device's request. The proxy server then executes a web page redirection procedure that is independent of interaction with the client device and results in the proxy server obtaining web page content. The proxy server delivers the web page content to a proxy client application on the client device along with instructions for simulating, on the client device, the web page redirection procedure between the proxy client application and a mobile web browser on the client device. The proxy client application on the client device then simulates the web page redirection procedure that occurred at the proxy server as instructed. |
| US09374428B2 |
Distance-dependent or user-dependent data exchange between wireless communication devices
In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a second user of a social-networking system authorized to receive data of a first data type from a first wireless device, the identifying based on one or more attributes of one or more edges between nodes in a social graph of the social-networking system, one of the nodes corresponding to a first user and another of the nodes corresponding to the second user. The method also includes determining a distance between the second user and the first wireless device. The method further includes sending the data of the first data type when the distance is less than a specific distance. |
| US09374427B2 |
Geographical location based cloud storage
A system and method to manage files on an online cloud storage system are disclosed. In some embodiments, files stored on the online cloud storage system may be associated with a geographical location and a geographical range. A location of a user may be received. The system and method may determine a level of access to the file for the user based on the location of the user and the geographical location and geographical range of the file. If the location of the user is within the geographical range of the geographical location of the file, then the user may be given a level of permission to access the file stored on the online cloud storage system. |
| US09374426B2 |
Remote-session-to-go method and apparatus
Examples of systems and methods are provided for communication and for facilitating establishing a remote session between a client device and a remote server. The system may facilitate establishing a trusted relationship between the client device and a host device. The system may be configured to receive login information from the host device for a first remote session established between the host device and the remote server. The system may facilitate continuing the first remote session previously established between the host device and the remote server as a continued remote session between the client device and the remote server. |
| US09374422B2 |
Secure distributed data storage
A method of securely distributing and storing content may include receiving user content and identifying a number of storage servers that are configured to receive portions of the user content. The method may also include dissecting the user content into content portions for storage in the storage servers. The number of content portions may be selected to be equal to the identified number of storage servers, and the user content may be dissected into the content portions using a randomized dissection pattern. The method may additionally include transmitting each of the plurality of content portions to separate storage servers. Each of the storage servers may be independent from the transmitting computer system and from each other. Each of the storage servers may be operated according to a common protocol, such that each of the storage servers can store any of the content portions. |
| US09374419B2 |
Controlling registration floods in VoIP networks via DNS
A mechanism controls global synchronization, or registration floods, that may result when a large number of endpoints in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network such as an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) come online simultaneously after a catastrophic failure. The mechanism allows the Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure to efficiently control the overload condition by registering user end points with backup border elements, and by staggering and by randomizing the time-to-live (TTL) parameter in registrations with backup border elements. |
| US09374415B1 |
Remote peripheral controller
A system and method for remote peripheral control are presented. Network access protocols are detected for accessing a network from a server device. An application program is activated on the server device in response to an application activation command from a peripheral device. The application program is interfaced with server application commands from the peripheral device using the network access protocols. A remote server interface control module is interfaced with the server device via the network access protocols. The application program on the server device is activated with the application activation command. The application program is controlled with the server application commands using the network access protocols, and a custom user interface configured to the application program is provided for a user to control the application program without configuring network access to the server device. |
| US09374414B2 |
Embedding global and collective in a torus network with message class map based tree path selection
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for embedding a global barrier and global interrupt network in a parallel computer system organized as a torus network. The computer system includes a multitude of nodes. In one embodiment, the method comprises taking inputs from a set of receivers of the nodes, dividing the inputs from the receivers into a plurality of classes, combining the inputs of each of the classes to obtain a result, and sending said result to a set of senders of the nodes. Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for embedding a collective network in a parallel computer system organized as a torus network. In one embodiment, the method comprises adding to a torus network a central collective logic to route messages among at least a group of nodes in a tree structure. |
| US09374411B1 |
Content recommendations using deep data
Disclosed are various embodiments for recommending content for users. A user is associated with a user preferred character that is represented in a first network content. A library is referenced to identify a recommended character based at least upon the user preferred character, the recommended character being represented in a second network content, the library associating the preferred character to the recommended character according to a relationship score. A recommendation is sent for presentation of the second network content. |
| US09374404B2 |
Streaming media flows management
A method, system and a computer program product. The method may include: receiving a plurality of chunk requests from clients that are hosted on user devices; generating, in response to a first chunk request of the plurality of chunk requests, a first set of chunk requests for receiving different bit rate versions of the first chunk; sending to a media streamer the first set of chunk requests; receiving, from the media streamer, the different bit rate versions of the first chunk; generating a first new chunk, based on bit rate allocated for streaming of a media flow to the first client; wherein the first new chunk comprises a plurality of frames selected from at least two bit rate versions of the first chunk; and assisting in streaming to the first client, the first new chunk. |
| US09374398B2 |
System and method for maintaining associations within a social network for a user
A system and method for maintaining associations within a social network for a user are provided. A device proximate a user device is identified. It is determined whether the identified device is associated with an entity having a pre-established association with a user of the user device within the social network. The user is associated with the entity within the social network if the identified device is not associated with an entity having a pre-established association with the user. The user-entity association is maintained within the social network based upon whether the entity and the user device remain proximate. |
| US09374389B2 |
Method and system for ensuring an application conforms with security and regulatory controls prior to deployment
Asset security compliance data ensuring defined asset security policies are applied to the creation and/or operation of assets to be used to implement an application and application deployment security compliance data for ensuring compliance with one or more application deployment security policies associated with the deployment of assets used to implement the application is generated. The asset security compliance data is then used to ensure each asset used to implement the application is created and used in compliance with asset security policies and the application deployment security compliance data is used to ensure that each asset used to implement the application is deployed in compliance with the application deployment security policies. |
| US09374386B2 |
Application malware filtering for advertising networks
Application malware filtering for advertising networks is disclosed. For example, techniques for providing a system and process for detecting malicious ad content (e.g., or other undesirable ad content) distributed by advertising (ad) networks are disclosed. In some embodiments, application (“app”) malware filtering for advertising networks includes receiving ad content; processing the ad content; and automatically determining whether the ad content is associated with a malicious app. |
| US09374383B2 |
Events from network flows
In one embodiment, a system includes a processor to receive network flows, for each of one of a plurality of event-types, compare each one of the network flows to a flow-specific criteria of the one event-type to determine if the one network flow satisfies the flow-specific criteria, for each one of the event-types, for each one of the network flows satisfying the flow-specific criteria of the one event-type, assign the one network flow to a proto-event of the one-event type, test different combinations of the network flows assigned to the proto-event of the one event-type against aggregation criteria of the one event-type to determine if one combination of the network flows assigned to the proto-event of the one event-type satisfies the aggregation criteria for the one event-type and identifies an event of the one event-type from among the network flows of the proto-event. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US09374381B2 |
System and method for real-time malware detection based on web browser plugin
According to a method and system for real-time malware detection based on web browser plugin, the method and system may connect a web server of a web site through a web browser module, execute a security module through a browser plugin of the web site, update a database for a browser cache of the web site from the web server by the security module, cache a web content of the web site from the web server, match cache data of the web content with the database, and warn about the web content if data matched with the cache data of the web content does not exist in the database. |
| US09374375B2 |
Systems and methods for publishing datasets
Systems and methods for publishing datasets are provided herein. According to some embodiments, methods for publishing datasets may include receiving a request to publish a dataset to at least one of an internal environment located within a secured zone and an external environment located outside the secured zone, the request comprising at least one selection criteria, selecting the dataset based upon the at least one selection criteria, the dataset being selected from an index of collected datasets, and responsive to the request, publishing the dataset to at least one of the internal environment and the external environment. |
| US09374373B1 |
Encryption techniques for improved sharing and distribution of encrypted content
In an embodiment, content may be encrypted by a first device using a dual hash chain technique, where the first device maintains a forward hash chain and a second device maintains a backward hash chain, and content keys for encrypting content are derived using values of the forward and backward hash chains. The second device may not have knowledge of a seed used to generate the forward hash chain, and therefore may be unable to generate the content keys, reducing a likelihood that the encrypted content becomes compromised. Additionally, embodiments provide for techniques for using proxy re-encryption (PRE) to re-encrypt content, such that the encrypted content may be provided to and decrypted by a requesting device without knowledge of the forward and backward hash chains. Additionally, embodiments provide techniques for distributing encrypted content to a requesting device with fine-grained access control. |
| US09374371B2 |
Authentication apparatus and method thereof, and computer program
According to one embodiment, there is provided an authentication apparatus, including: a communication unit, a verifier and a connection configuration checker. The communication unit receives a message related to network access authentication on a first communication apparatus, the message including an address of the first communication apparatus and more than zero address of an authentication relay. The verifier verifies an authenticity of the first communication apparatus in response to receipt of the message by the communication unit. The connection configuration checker identifies a first destination to which the first communication apparatus intends to connect, on the basis of the address of the first communication apparatus or the address of the authentication relay included in the message when verification succeeds, and determines whether to authorize connection by the first communication apparatus to the first destination or not. |
| US09374369B2 |
Multi-factor authentication and comprehensive login system for client-server networks
Embodiments are directed to a system and method for authenticating a user of a client computer making a request to a server computer providing access to a network resource through an authentication platform that issues a challenge in response to the request requiring authentication of the user identity through a reply from the client computer, determining one or more items of context information related to at least one of the user, the request, and the client computer, and determining a disposition of the request based on the reply and the one or more items of context information. The reply includes a user password and may be provided by an authorizing client device. |
| US09374367B2 |
Method for generating a soft token, computer program product and service computer system
A method is provided for generating a soft token by which attributes of a user may be authenticated. A request to generate the soft token is transmitted from an electronic device of the user to a service provider computer via a first secure connection. After receiving the request, the service computer generates a one-time password, records the password as a session identifier, and transmits the password to the electronic device. The password is output by the electronic device via a user interface. The user enters the password into a user computer system, from where it is transmitted, via a second secure connection, to the service computer system. If the recorded password agrees with the received password, one or more attributes are read from an ID token of the user and a corresponding soft token is generated and transmitted to the electronic device or user computer system. |
| US09374366B1 |
System and method for anti-phishing authentication
A method and system for providing security against phishing attacks. The method can include receiving a login ID from a client, and providing an encrypted commitment to the client. The method can also include receiving a one-time password (OTP) from the client, and validating the OTP. The method can also include sending a commitment key, to be authenticated by the client, receiving a static password from the client and authenticating the client. Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for providing security against phishing attacks. The system can include one or more servers configured to receive a login ID from a client, and provide an encrypted commitment to the client. The processors can be configured to receive a one-time password (OTP) from the client, validate the OTP, send a commitment key, to be authenticated by the client, receive a static password from the client and authenticate the client. |
| US09374362B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing radio communication with an object in a local environment
A method and apparatus for providing radio communication with an electronic object in a local environment are disclosed. For example the method receives via a mobile endpoint device of a user at least one first digital certificate associated with the local environment from a trusted source, and a second digital certificate from the electronic device deployed in the local environment via a wireless connection. The method then authenticates the electronic device using the at least one first digital certificate and the second digital certificate. |
| US09374361B2 |
Cross-native application authentication application
A user device stores first authentication information used to grant access to a resource associated with a first application, and configuration information relating to a second application. The user device receives an authentication request from the second application requesting second authentication information. Based on the configuration information relating to the second application, the user device determines whether the first authentication information contains some or all of the requested second authentication information. The user device generates an authentication response to the authentication request, using the first authentication information, and sends the authentication response to the second application in order to permit access to a resource associated with the second application. |
| US09374360B2 |
System and method for single-sign-on in virtual desktop infrastructure environment
A system and a method for single-sign-on (SSO) in a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environment are disclosed. The system includes a VDI service server configured to provide a virtual desktop environment to a user terminal according to a request from the user terminal, and a VDI authentication interworking gateway configured to receive VDI environment information of the user terminal from the VDI service server and carry out delegated user authentication for a target system in the virtual desktop environment using the VDI environment information. |
| US09374359B2 |
Generating a data display in view of user activities
A method and system for collecting, aggregating, and displaying type specific content in an inbox like view are described. An inbox manager collects information about data objects that are stored locally and stored remotely. This information may be stored as inbox information on a local computing system. Using the inbox information, the inbox manager creates an inbox view of merged inbox items from the local data objects and the remote data objects. The inbox view is configured to display the inbox items as being merged into a single view regardless of where the respective data objects are stored. |
| US09374356B2 |
Mobile oauth service
A framework, which conforms to the OAuth standard, involves a generic OAuth authorization server that can be used by multiple resource servers in order to ensure that access to resources stored on those resource servers is limited to access to which the resource owner consents. Each resource server registers, with the OAuth authorization server, metadata for that resource server, indicating scopes that are recognized by the resource server. The OAuth authorization server refers to this metadata when requesting consent from a resource owner on behalf of a client application, so that the consent will be of an appropriate scope. The OAuth authorization server refers to this metadata when constructing an access token to provide to the client application for use in accessing the resources on the resource server. The OAuth authorization server uses this metadata to map issued access tokens to the scopes to which those access tokens grant access. |
| US09374352B2 |
Content restriction compliance using reverse DNS lookup
A method for alerting Internet content providers of the age or other personal information of a computer user, which includes receiving a reverse DNS lookup query from an Internet content provider; and providing the age information of the computer user, in addition to a host name, from a reverse map zone file in response to the request. The personal information may be used by the content provider to select appropriate content for the requesting host, for example for complying with content restrictions. A system of alerting an Internet content provider of the age or other personal information of a computer user is also provided. |
| US09374350B2 |
Authenticating method of communicating connection, gateway apparatus using authenticating method, and communication system using authenticating method
An authenticating method of communicating connection between a terminal and a gateway apparatus, the method including transmitting authentication information and first intrinsic identification information that is intrinsic identification information of the terminal from the terminal to the gateway apparatus and requesting the authentication; authenticating the communicating connection by using at least one of the first intrinsic identification information and the authentication information; and when the authenticating is successful, generating at least one authentication key by using at least one of the first intrinsic identification information and second intrinsic identification information that is intrinsic identification information of the gateway apparatus, thereby increasing communication security between the terminal and the gateway apparatus. |
| US09374348B2 |
System and method to enable unlicensed mobile access across terminals
A method and apparatus is provided for establishing a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) call through an Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) Network by enabling Voice over IP (VoIP) access into a GSM network from various IP-enabled mobile device terminals and a mechanism to authenticate and use such terminals without any change to the UMA or GSM network. |
| US09374346B2 |
Agile network protocol for secure communications using secure domain names
A network device comprises a storage device storing an application program for a secure communications service, and at least one processor configured to execute the application program for the secure communications service so as to enable the network device to send a request to look up a network address of a second device based on an identifier associated with the second device, receive an indication that the second device is available for the secure communications service, the indication including the requested network address and provisioning information for a secure communication link, connect to the second device over the secure communication link, using the received network address of the second device and the provisioning information for the secure communication link, and communicate at least one of video data and audio data with the second device using the secure communications service via the secure communication link. |
| US09374342B2 |
System and method for testing network firewall using fine granularity measurements
A device may verify whether pinholes in a perimeter protection device are open and may determine pinhole opening and closing delays. The method for determining the pinhole opening delay may include sending a stream of packets for passing through the pinhole in the network perimeter protection device. The packets in the stream may be sent at known time intervals. The method may include receiving one or more of the packets in the stream, wherein the received packets passed through the pinhole. The pinhole opening delay may be based on an indication of the position of the first one of the packets received in the stream and the known time intervals. The pinhole closing delay may be based on the number of packets having passed through the pinhole, after sending a session termination message, and the known time intervals. |
| US09374337B2 |
Systems and methods for supporting IP ownership in a cluster
While each node in a cluster of nodes sources connections with the same IP if each node allocates a port on this IP independently, there may be port clashes. Also, the return traffic is not guaranteed to hit the originating node. These issues are addressed by allocating a port in such a way that the response traffic hashes back to the originating node. A good hash is chosen such that the ports are equally divided among the nodes. When a node leaves, the other nodes take over the port range used by this node. When a node joins, the node takes back its share of ports. |
| US09374335B2 |
System and method for distributing messages to particular mobile devices
A message distribution system comprising an analytics system to receive an inquiry with qualifiers to generate an estimate of the number of mobile devices associated the with qualifiers, wherein the qualifiers comprise at least one characteristic associated with at least one of a mobile device, a mobile device user, or a mobile device owner, generating an estimate of the number of mobile devices associated with the qualifiers at a future time which may receive messages, and transmit the estimate of the number of mobile devices to a common campaign system. The system comprises a common campaign system to provide the qualifiers for selection, transmit the inquiry with the qualifiers to at least the analytics system to receive an estimate of the number of mobile devices associated with the qualifiers, and receive the estimate of the number of mobile devices associated with the qualifiers. |
| US09374331B2 |
Time-managed electronic mail messages
Systems, method sand computer program products for facilitating the automatic deletion of received emails after a user-selectable time period has elapsed are disclosed. In various embodiments, email messages contain a header field referred to as an “Expiration Time” header field that dictates the length of time the email will reside in a designated Inbox prior to its automatic deletion by an email server. The server is able to automatically delete the received email as long as the email is residing in a folder that is synched to the server. A user receiving the email has access to the Expiration Time Header field and can modify its value if desired and allowed by the sender. The user can move the retrieved email to a folder that is not synched to the server, thus preventing the email from being automatically deleted by the server. |
| US09374327B2 |
Intelligent chat system
The disclosure herein describes an intelligent chat system. During operation, the system monitors content provided by participants of an online chat, and automatically obtains, from a data source, additional information based on the monitored content. The system then presents the obtained additional information to the chat participants without the need for the chat participants to request the additional information. |
| US09374325B2 |
Hash perturbation with queue management in data communication
A method for hash perturbation with queue management in data communication is provided. Using a first set of old queues corresponding to a first hash function, a set of data packets corresponding to a set of session is queued. At a first time, the first hash function is changed to a second hash function. A second set of new queues is created corresponding to the second hash function. A data packet is dequeued from a first old queue in a set of old queues. A second data packet is selected from a second queue in the set of old queues. A new hash value is computed for the second data packet using the second hash function. The second data packet is queued in a first new queue such that the second packet is in position to be delivered first from the first new queue. |
| US09374324B2 |
Determining virtual adapter access controls in a computing environment
A control component of a computing environment initiates sending of request(s) over a network of the computing environment by an activated virtual adapter. The activated virtual adapter is hosted on a physical adapter of a host system coupled to the network, and is for use by a guest, hosted by the host system, in performing data input and output. The request(s) retrieve access control information from the network indicative of access control(s) enforced in controlling access by the activated virtual adapter to network component(s). The initiating provides indication(s) to the physical adapter, absent involvement of the guest, that the request(s) be sent by the virtual adapter. Based on the initiating, the control component obtains the access control information from the physical adapter, and determines, based on that information, the access control(s) being enforced by the network in controlling access by the activated virtual adapter to the network component(s). |
| US09374322B2 |
Optimization of multi-stage hierarchical networks for practical routing applications
Significantly optimized multi-stage networks, useful in wide target applications, with VLSI layouts using only horizontal and vertical links to route large scale sub-integrated circuit blocks having inlet and outlet links, and laid out in an integrated circuit device in a two-dimensional grid arrangement of blocks are presented. The optimized multi-stage networks in each block employ several rings of stages of switches with inlet and outlet links of sub-integrated circuit blocks connecting to rings from either left-hand side only, or from right-hand side only, or from both left-hand side and right-hand side; and employ shuffle exchange links where outlet links of cross links from switches in a stage of a ring in one sub-integrated circuit block are connected to either inlet links of switches in the another stage of a ring in the same or another sub-integrated circuit block. |
| US09374321B2 |
Data center switch
A method of transferring data in a network is provided. Data is received at a sub-switch of a first bundled switch having a plurality of sub-switches, the sub-switch being configured to only couple to connections external to the first bundled switch. The method also includes transferring the data from the first bundled switch using a multi-lane cable coupled to a second bundled switch, a first end of the multi-lane cable coupled to a sub-switch in the first bundled switch and a second end of the multi-lane cable coupled to at least two sub-switches in the second bundled switch. |
| US09374317B2 |
Providing provisioning and data flow transmission services via a virtual transmission system
One or more devices, including one or more virtual elements associated with a virtual transmission system that emulates one or more physical devices of a physical transmission system, may receive provisioning information for a client device; provision the client device to prepare the client device to receive or transmit a data flow via the one or more virtual elements based on the provisioning information; receive the data flow; and transmit the data flow from the client device or to the client device via the one or more virtual elements based on provisioning the client device. The data flow may be transmitted or received via the one or more virtual elements to circumvent one or more gateways of the physical transmission system. |
| US09374315B2 |
Spare resource election in a computing system
A computing system comprising multiple computing resources in which one resource assumes spare status using a spare election algorithm. According to the algorithm each computing resource on initialization requests permission to assume spare state from the other computing resources. Then if all of the other computing resources grant the permission the requesting computing resource assumes spare state. If one of the other computing resources does not grant the permission to the requesting resource then the requesting resource assumes normal state. |
| US09374310B2 |
Systems and methods of inter data center out-bound traffic management
An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a first network device that forms at least part of a first set of network devices. The first network device provides an interface between a local first server rack and a cloud and has one or more processors in communication with a memory. The first network device is configured to receive information from a second set of network devices that identifies a default gateway for a virtual machine running on a remote server rack. The first network device is also configured to create a local destination address entry associated with information, to store the entry in an address table in the memory, and to receive a packet having the information identifying the default gateway as a destination address. The first network device is further configured to forward the packet into the cloud on in proxy for the default gateway. |
| US09374307B2 |
Group session management for policy control
At present some situations occur where a policy control at individual user level is not enough. For example, where a plurality of users surpasses a load limit in a certain location area, which could imply a risk of network congestion, policy control decisions in conventional architectures have to be made by submitting corresponding orders for each user affected by the decision, thus resulting in a higher signalling and processing load. To overcome these drawbacks, the present specification provides for new network entities and method to monitor and control a plurality of users, as dynamically determined according to different selection criteria, in order to compile users-related aggregated reports, to establish dynamic group of users whom specific policy control rules can be applied, and to map orders and information between group and user level. |
| US09374302B2 |
Distributed methodology for peer-to-peer transmission of stateful packet flows
Techniques for enabling peer-to-peer transmission of stateful packet flows in a virtualized network environment are provided. In certain embodiments, a computer system receives a packet belonging to a stateful flow between a first virtual machine and a second virtual machine, accesses flow associating information (e.g., network address) from the packet, determines a second computer system comprising a state analysis owner for the stateful flow, using the flow associating information, and transmits the first packet to the second computer system. |
| US09374298B2 |
Grace state and pacing in link aggregation
In one embodiment, one or more indicia of stress are monitored. Based on the one or more indicia of stress, it is determined a stress condition exists. In response to the stress condition, one or more link aggregation actors and partners are caused to enter a grace state for a grace period. While the one or more link aggregation actors and partners are in the grace state, link aggregation formation is paced on a plurality of links by delaying formation of one or more new link aggregation groups on the plurality of links until a hold is released. Upon expiration of the grace period, the grace state is exited. |
| US09374297B2 |
Method for implicit session routing
An example method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a packet of a session from a previous hop router at a service zone of a service chain; recording the previous hop router for the session; determining an appliance to service the packet in the service zone using load balancing; recording an appliance identity for servicing the session in the service zone; determining a next hop router in the service chain for the packet using load balancing; and recording the next hop router for the session. |
| US09374294B1 |
On-demand learning in overlay networks
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for on-demand learning of routing information. The system receives a first packet directed to an endpoint device in a network, the first packet including a destination address associated with the endpoint device. Next, the system determines that the destination address does not have an associated network node identified in a routing table, and lists the destination address in a pending learning cache table to yield a pending learning entry. Based on the pending learning entry, the system then modifies the routing table to identify a network address of the associated network node for the destination address, wherein modifying the routing table is performed in response to receiving a second packet from the endpoint device, and wherein the network address of the associated network node is identified based on the second packet. |
| US09374293B2 |
Method for dynamically adjusting resource and scheduling device
The present invention provides a method for dynamically adjusting a resource and a scheduling device. By adopting the method for dynamically adjusting a resource and the scheduling device that are provided in the present invention, when routing is performed according to the adjusted routing table, a resource only needs to process a session in a number segment allocated to the resource itself, thereby avoiding an error caused by scheduling across number segments, improving correctness of the method for dynamically adjusting a resource, avoiding that a resource cannot be released because a service session exists for a long time, and improving resource utilization of the method for dynamically adjusting a resource. |
| US09374285B1 |
Systems and methods for determining network topologies
A controller may control client switches in a network including client and non-client switches. The controller may maintain a link discovery table including entries that identify links between client switches. The controller may classify the links as direct or broadcast links. To classify links of the link discovery table, the controller may direct client switches to send broadcast and directed discovery packets from switch ports. Client switches that receive the discovery packets from other client switches may forward the discovery packets to the controller. The controller may use the discovery packets to classify the links of the link discovery table. The controller may classify ports as broadcast or regular ports based on the classified links. Non-client broadcast domains of the network topology may be identified from the broadcast ports using the broadcast and direct links of the link discovery table. |
| US09374284B2 |
Web page performance scoring
A browser-based tool is provided that loads a Webpage, accesses the document object model (DOM) of the page, collects information about the page structure and parses the page, determines through the use of heuristics such factors as how much text is found on the page and the like, produces statistical breakdown of the page, and calculates a score based on performance of the page. Key to the operation of the invention is the ability to observe operation of the Webpage as it actually loads in real time, scoring the page for several of various performance factors, and producing a combined score for the various factors. |
| US09374279B2 |
Motion-activated display of messages on an activity monitoring device
Methods, systems and devices are provided for motion-activated display of messages on an activity monitoring device. In one embodiment, method for presenting a message on an activity monitoring device is provided, including the following method operations: storing a plurality of messages to the activity monitoring device; detecting a stationary state of the activity monitoring device; detecting a movement of the activity monitoring device from the stationary state; in response to detecting the movement from the stationary state, selecting one of a plurality of messages, and displaying the selected message on the activity monitoring device. |
| US09374276B2 |
CDN traffic management in the cloud
Embodiments include determining attributes of a property using an incubation pool. An incubation period is identified based on estimated attributes for the property, and based on rules that define a minimum and a maximum incubation time. The property is added to the incubation pool, and load and patterns for the property are analyzed. A load size and/or a traffic type for the property is identified based on the incubation. Embodiments also include offloading traffic within a CDN. A load balancer agent determines that traffic at an edge data center should be offloaded to the other edge data centers. The load balancer agent sends a request, including a determined priority level. The load balancer agent receives one or more replies indicating that resources are available for use. The load balancer agent sorts the replies and offloads traffic to at least one edge data center. |
| US09374275B2 |
Rapid application development using a content management system
An online content management system enables rapid application development by an application developer using an application development system to create a content application configured to execute on a client device. A designated folder on the application development system is designated for sharing with the client device. Configuration data containing parameters for controlling the operation of the content application is stored in the designated folder. The content application on the client device reads the configuration data from the designated location and applies the parameters on execution and thereafter. When the configuration data is modified on the application development system, the modified data is synchronized by the content management system to the client device. The content application on the client device reads the modified configuration data and applies the modified parameters during execution. |
| US09374273B2 |
Dynamic HTTP load balancing
The invention is a method and apparatus for facilitating facilitates load balancing in a server farm. In accordance with various aspects of the invention, all of the information about each server necessary for a load balancing program to define and execute a load balancing algorithm is stored at a predetermined URL for each server. The load balancer can query the predefined URL, which returns the necessary information. The load balancer then dynamically configures the load balancing algorithm in accordance with the returned information. |
| US09374272B2 |
Data processing apparatus, computer-readable recording medium, and data processing system
A data processing apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive an input of user information, a determining unit configured to determine a destination corresponding to the user information, a preparing unit configured to prepare a computer program for enabling an information terminal device to which the computer program is installed to use a data processing function provided by the data processing apparatus and configuration information related to the data processing function, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit instruction information giving an instruction as to how the computer program and the configuration information are acquired to the destination thus determined over a network. |
| US09374269B2 |
Method and devices for matching data between a manager and an agent in a management network
A method operates management network of a telecommunication network, which includes a manager and an agent who communication network using an object model. According to said object model, objects are assigned to classes of objects. The manager sends a request to the agent once the data has been matched. Following the request, the manager receives data from the agent (OMC1) exclusively on objects and/or alerts regarding which a change has been made since a specific moment in time. |
| US09374265B1 |
GFP frame filter
A GFP frame filter is provided to filter GFP frame data based on extracted GFP header data. The header data comprises EXI, PTI, and UPI fields. The header data can also comprise a generic header that can be customized to provide additional GFP frame filtering applications. The GFP frame filter comprises a plurality of programmable filters arranged to process GFP header data in parallel according to various programmable filter configurations. The plurality of programmable filters can be configured to operate in conjunction in a particular sequence. |
| US09374263B2 |
Latency differential mitigation for real time data streams
Techniques for mitigating effects of differing latencies associated with real time data streams in multimedia communication networks. For example, a technique for mitigating a latency differential between a first media path and a second media path, over which a first device and a second device are able to communicate, includes the following steps. A training phase is performed to determine a latency differential between the first media path and the second media path. Prior to the first device switching a media stream, being communicated to the second device, from the first media path to the second media path, the first device synchronizes the media stream based on the determined latency differential such that a latency associated with the switched media stream is made to be substantially consistent with a latency of the second media path. |
| US09374261B2 |
Signal modulator and signal modulating method
A signal modulator includes: a modulating circuit; a first signal trace block arranged to conduct a first in-phase oscillating signal to the modulating circuit, and conduct a first quadrature-phase oscillating signal to the modulating circuit; and a second signal trace block arranged to conduct a second in-phase oscillating signal to the modulating circuit, and conduct a second quadrature-phase oscillating signal to the modulating circuit, and a phase difference of the first in-phase oscillating signal caused by the first signal trace block substantially equals a phase difference of the second quadrature-phase oscillating signal caused by the second signal trace block, a second quadrature-phase oscillating signal to the modulating circuit, and a phase difference of the second in-phase oscillating signal caused by the second signal trace block substantially equals a phase difference of the first quadrature-phase oscillating signal caused by the first signal trace block. |
| US09374260B2 |
Method and apparatus for directly detected optical transmission systems based on carrierless amplitude-phase modulation
Methods and apparatus for directly detected optical system based on gapped CAP modulation and DSP Methods for generation and reconstruction of gapped CAP signal are disclosed. An apparatus for direct detection transmission for CAP modulated signal with two unbalanced optical sidebands separated by gaps is disclosed, in which a gapped CAP signal is generated, converted, and passed to an optical filter for unbalanced sidebands generation and wavelength locking before being transmitted over an optical link. Direct detection is performed on the optical signal and passed to gapped matching filters. Channel equalization is performed and the signal information is decoded to binary data. |
| US09374253B2 |
DM-RS based decoding using CSI-RS-based timing
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method of wireless communication that includes receiving one or more channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resources. The method further includes performing timing estimation based on the one or more CSI-RS resources, receiving a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) based transmission, and utilizing the timing estimation to decode the DM-RS based transmission. |
| US09374251B2 |
Power adaptation avoidance during crosstalk measurements
In one embodiment, the access node includes a vectoring control unit for estimating crosstalk coefficients between a set of subscriber lines based on crosstalk measurements carried out over the set of subscriber lines during a crosstalk measurement phase, and a vectoring processing unit for jointly processing, for crosstalk mitigation, signals to be transmitted over, or received from, the set of subscriber lines based on the estimated crosstalk coefficients. The access node further includes a controller configured to either postpone the execution of power adaptation over a particular line out of the set of subscriber lines after the completion of the crosstalk measurement phase, or to postpone the crosstalk measurement phase after the completion of power adaptation over the particular line. |
| US09374250B1 |
Wireline receiver circuitry having collaborative timing recovery
Some embodiments include apparatus and methods having an input to receive an input signal, additional inputs to receive clock signals having different phases to sample the input signal, and a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) having DFE slices. The DFE slices include a number of data comparators to provide data information based on the sampling of the input signal, and a number of phase error comparators to provide phase error information associated with the sampling of the input signal. The number of phase error comparators of the DFE slices is not greater than the number of data comparators of the DFE slices. |
| US09374244B1 |
Remote browsing session management
A process is directed to the generation and processing of server identification data by a network computing provider. A client computing device transmits data identifying a server associated with a content source. The identification data can include a digital certificate signed by a third-party certificate authority, a DNS record from a third-party DNS server, etc. The network computing provider comprises one or more physical computing devices for processing the identification data received from any number of client computing devices. The network computing provider can alert the client computing device, content source, or DNS server when erroneous or potentially fraudulent identification data is detected. The network computing provider can also store the identification data and provide content sources and DNS servers with access to the identification data received from client computing devices. |
| US09374242B2 |
Using evaluations of tentative message content
A system, method, computer program product, and carrier are described for obtaining one or more evaluation parameters in association with a message content destination selection and transmitting at least a tentative-message-content evaluation result from an application of the one or more evaluation parameters to tentative-message-content. |
| US09374238B2 |
Multicast group transmission method and wireless network apparatus using the same
A wireless network apparatus provides a communication connection for a wireless device. The wireless network apparatus comprises a determining module used for outputting a first determining result when the wireless device is joining a multicast group and enables a power-saving mode thereof; a media queue module used for transmitting media information to the wireless device by either a direct-transmission mode or a deferred-transmission mode; and a control module used for controlling the media queue module to disable the deferred-transmission mode and enable the direct-transmission mode to transmit the media information to the wireless device based on the first determining result outputted by the determining module. |
| US09374235B2 |
Method for implementing communication between different networks and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for implementing communication between different networks, where the method includes: receiving a multicast data obtaining request supporting a first network protocol, and determining multicast data identity information (MDID) of multicast data that needs to be obtained; obtaining, according to the MDID, in a multicast manner and from a network device supporting a second network protocol, the multicast data that needs to be obtained, and buffering the multicast data that needs to be obtained; establishing, for the multicast data that needs to be obtained, a multicast group supporting the first network protocol; and sending the multicast data that needs to be obtained by a user apparatus to the user apparatus which joins the multicast group supporting the first network protocol. |
| US09374224B2 |
System and methods for encrypting data
A system and associated methods for encrypting data are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a key manager is located in memory on an at least one computing device and configured for creating and managing an at least one encryption key to be used for encrypting the data. An at least one key file is also located in memory on the at least one computing device and is associated with an at least one authorized user. The key file contains a key field comprising a pseudo random string of bytes and a unique hash value used to associate the key file to the user. A set of base characters are randomly selected from the key field, such that the base characters are a subset of the key field. An encryption key is generated by inputting the base characters into an encryption algorithm. The data is encrypted using the encryption key. |
| US09374223B2 |
Methods and apparatus for including a confidential structural component in a third party remote product simulation
A method of allowing inclusion of a structural component which is the confidential property of an owner in a third party remote product simulation, the method comprising, in owner modelling software: importing a component model including geometry of the component, mesh data and at least one material property of the component; encrypting a secure part of the component model which is to remain confidential to the owner using a software key, and leaving an interface part of the component model unencrypted; adding a restriction to the component model before the component model is exported, the restriction specifying simulation result data which is not to be visible to the third party; and exporting the partially encrypted component model to the third party for use in third party modelling software. |
| US09374216B2 |
Multi-wire open-drain link with data symbol transition based clocking
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product are described. The apparatus generates a receive clock signal for receiving data from a multi-wire open-drain link by determining a transition in a signal received from the multi-wire open-drain link, generating a clock pulse responsive to the transition, delaying the clock pulse by a preconfigured first interval if the transition is in a first direction, and delaying the clock by a preconfigured second interval if the transition is in a second direction. The preconfigured first and/or second intervals are configured based on a rise time and/or a fall time associated with the communication interface and may be calibrated by measuring respective delays associated with clock pulses generated for first and second calibration transitions. |
| US09374213B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling in-device coexistence interference in wireless communication system
Method and apparatus for controlling in-device coexistence (IDC) interference in a wireless communication system are described in the present invention. The present invention includes transmitting UE capability information whether the UE has a capability to measure IDC, to a base station (BS); receiving measurement configuration information whether the UE is allowed to send IDC indication, from the BS; and transmitting the IDC indication and at least one of measurements which are a measurement in consideration of IDC and a measurement without consideration of IDC to the BS. It is possible to control reducing occurrence of in-device coexistence interference. |
| US09374209B2 |
Transmission signal generation apparatus, transmission signal generation method, reception signal apparatus, and reception signal method
Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication is provided which allows high accuracy estimation of frequency offset, high accuracy estimation of a transmission path fluctuation and high accuracy synchronization/signal detection. Pilot symbol mapping is provided for forming pilot carriers by assigning orthogonal sequences to corresponding subcarriers among OFDM signals which are transmitted at the same time from respective antennas in the time domain. Even when pilot symbols are multiplexed among a plurality of channels (antennas), this allows frequency offset/phase noise to be estimated with high accuracy. |
| US09374208B2 |
Method for channel allocating in wireless access system
A method for allocating uplink and downlink physical channels to improve throughput of a wireless access system is disclosed. A method for allocating channels to optimize a wireless access system which supports radio frequencies comprises configuring one or more physical channels in a transmitter; allocating first physical channels to a receiver considering features of the one or more physical channels; and transmitting one or more control channels to the receiver through a predetermined physical channel of the first physical channels, the control channels including configuration information of the first physical channels allocated to the receiver. |
| US09374203B2 |
Method and device for allocating multi transmission timing to at least one timing advance group in a wireless access system for supporting carrier aggregation
The present invention relates to methods of allocating a Timing Advance (TA) value used for at least one timing advance group in a wireless access system for supporting carrier aggregation (CA). According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of adjusting transmission timing for at least one TA group in a wireless access system for supporting CA includes: receiving, by a terminal, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signal including a reserved bit indicating at least one TA group; receiving a medium access control (MAC) message including at least one TA value corresponding to at least one TA group; and transmitting an uplink signal by applying a TA value corresponding to a TA group in the TA group that the reserved bit indicates. At this point, each of the at least one TA group may include at least one primary cell. |
| US09374201B2 |
Packet number determination mechanism
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for determining a packet number for a packet, based on a transmit packet number (TPN), transmitted with the packet, a locally maintained base packet number (BPN), and a value of the TPN relative to one or more edges of a locally-maintained receive window. An example method generally includes receiving a packet having a transmitted packet number (TPN), maintaining a base packet number (BPN), maintaining a receive window defined by a first edge a and a second edge b, determining a value i of the TPN relative to at least one of the first edge a or the second edge b of the receive window, and calculating a packet number (PN) for the packet based on the TPN, the BPN, and the determination. |
| US09374200B2 |
TTI bundling and collision avoidance
A radio device/user equipment determines that a later received grant of bundled uplink resources collides with an earlier received grant of bundled uplink resources. The earlier received grant has associated with it an active re-transmission process. In response to that collision determination, at least a re-transmission (HARQ) buffer associated with the earlier received grant is flushed. In one embodiment all HARQ buffers are flushed; in another the HARQ buffer associated with the earlier received grant is flushed while the one associated with the later received grant is not. Several ways are described to determine whether there is a collision: whether the later received grant aligns with a boundary of the resources granted by the earlier received grant, and whether there is an actual collision among the different HARQ processes. Calculating HARQ process numbers is also described where an offset is used to account for the grants allocating bundled TTIs. |
| US09374198B2 |
Methods and systems for HARQ protocols
Methods described herein are for wireless communication systems. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for a HARQ process, in which the HARQ process includes a first transmission of an encoder packet and at least one retransmission. The method involves allocating a transmission resource for each respective transmission. The method involves transmitting control information from a base station to a mobile station for each respective transmission. The control information includes information to uniquely identify the HARQ process and an identification of one of a time resource, a frequency resource and a time and frequency resource that is allocated for the transmission. In some embodiments of the invention, specific control information is signalled from a base station to a mobile station to enable RAS-HARQ operation. In some embodiments of the invention, retransmission signaling in included as part of regular unicast signaling used for both first transmission and retransmissions. In some embodiments of the invention, a 3-state acknowledgement channel and associated error recovery operation enables the base station and mobile station to recover from control signaling error and reduce packet loss. |
| US09374194B2 |
Transmission system error detection and correction system and method
One embodiment describes a method for real time error correction in a data transmission system that includes receiving a first communication signal on a first programmable logic device from a second programmable logic device via a first serial link, receiving a second communication signal on the first programmable logic device from the second programmable logic device via a second serial link, in which the first serial link and the second serial link are disposed in parallel with each other and are configured to communicate over a single conduit, and the first communication signal and the second communication signal are representative of identical information. The method further includes comparing the first communication signal and the second communication signal in the first programmable logic device to detect an error in data in the first communication signal, the second communication signal, or both, and when the error is detected, correcting the error in real time in the first programmable logic device based at least in part on the comparison of the first communication signal and the second communication signal. |
| US09374191B2 |
Outer loop link adaptation for device resumption
Outer loop link adaptation for device resumption. A user equipment (UE) and base station (BS) may be in communication in a first network (e.g., an LTE network). Communication between the UE and the BS may be interrupted, e.g., due to a long fading environment, the UE tuning away to a second network (e.g., a CDMA network). Accordingly, the measured error rate may increase dramatically. After resumption from the interruption, a negative offset may be applied to a reported SINR value from the UE due to the previous increase in error rate. Upon improvement in the error rate, a larger, positive offset adjustment may be added to the negative offset, allowing the estimated SINR to return to reported SINR more quickly. Additionally, the error rate estimation may be adjusted to converge to a more recently measured more quickly by decreasing a feedback filter coefficient. |
| US09374187B2 |
Distributed antenna system and method
A distributed antenna system includes a plurality of remote units configured to service different regions of a service area, and a head-end unit configured to process and transmit downlink signals from base stations to the remote units over optical cables, and to process and transmit uplink signals from the remote units to the base stations, wherein the remote units are configured to adjust or filter a level of downlink signals from the head-end unit and to transmit the adjusted or filtered downlink signals to mobile stations, and to process and transmit uplink signals from mobile stations to the head-end unit over the optical cables. |
| US09374186B1 |
Method and apparatus for construction of compact optical nodes using wavelength equalizing arrays
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to an optical node comprising of at least two optical degrees; a plurality of directionless add/drop ports; and at least one wavelength equalizing array, wherein the at least one wavelength equalizing array is used to both select wavelengths for each degree, and to perform directionless steering for the add/drop ports. |
| US09374179B2 |
Supervision of faults in a receiver chain based on noise floor monitoring
A method for supervision of faults in a receiving signal chain of a wireless communication comprises providing (210) of data representing measured received powers in the receiving signal chain at a number of time instances. The method further comprises determining of (220) a noise floor value at a number of time instances based on the data representing measured received powers. A time evolution of the determined noise floor values is registered (230) and any occurrence of a fault in the receiving signal chain is detected (240) based on the registered time evolution. An arrangement for performing supervision of faults in a receiving signal chain is also presented. |
| US09374178B2 |
Method, system and device for determining transport block size
The present invention and its embodiments are made to provide for a feasible solution for determining transport block size in a wireless communication system. The method comprising of selecting plurality of transport block sizes near to the queue size of the user data and calculating the code rate for the plurality of selected transport block sizes and calculating code rate derived from Channel Quality Information (CQI) index. The method further comprising of comparing the code rates of the plurality of selected transport block sizes with the code rate derived from CQI index and filtering the selected transport block sizes having number of zero padding below a threshold value and having code rates equal or less than the code rate derived from CQI index and selecting one transport block for each modulation order from among the filtered transport block sizes which require lower number of Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) to transmit. The method further comprising of determining one transport block size from among each modulation order by calculating the modulation order derived from CQI index to be used, such that the PRBs of the determined transport block size is less than a threshold value on comparison with the PRBs of other filtered transport block sizes having lower PRBs. The method further comprising of indicating the physical layer to transmit the user data with higher power if the modulation order of the determined transport block size is greater than the modulation order of the calculated modulation order derived from CQI. |
| US09374176B2 |
Automatic gain control sub-circuit management
Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a reader device for managing operation of an automatic gain control (AGC) sub-circuit on a host device computing device. In some implementations, a reader device of the subject technology can include a controller, a noise generator, noise coupling circuitry, and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the reader device can provide an intentional noise signal to the host device via a signal path where the intentional noise signal is configured to establish a substantially stable gain amount at the AGC sub-circuit. |
| US09374173B2 |
Integrated control for silicon photonics
In an example, the present invention includes an integrated system on chip device. The device is configured on a single silicon substrate member. The device has a data input/output interface provided on the substrate member. The device has an input/output block provided on the substrate member and coupled to the data input/output interface. The device has a signal processing block provided on the substrate member and coupled to the input/output block. The device has a driver module provided on the substrate member and coupled to the signal processing block. In an example, the device has a driver interface provided on the substrate member and coupled to the driver module and configured to be coupled to a silicon photonics device. The device also has an interface configured to communicate between the silicon photonics device and the control block. |
| US09374172B2 |
Optical receiver, optical reception device, and correction method for optical received intensity
In the optical receiver available for the RZ-DPSK modulation system, the difference in the received intensity due to the difference in the intensity or optical path of the optical signal cannot be corrected automatically, therefore, an optical receiver according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes a first photodiode receiving a normal phase optical signal from a first output of a 1-bit delayed interferometer and outputting a positive signal; a second photodiode receiving a reversed phase optical signal from a second output of the 1-bit delayed interferometer and outputting a complementary signal; a differential transimpedance amplifier inputting the positive signal and the complementary signal and including a closed feedback loop for each input of the positive signal and the complementary signal; a level adjustment unit adjusting a signal level in the closed feedback loop; a photoelectric current detection unit detecting a photoelectric current generated in each of the first photodiode and the second photodiode; and wherein the level adjustment unit adjusts the signal level on the basis of an output of the photoelectric current detection unit. |
| US09374170B2 |
Optical receiving device
An optical receiving device includes: an adaptive equalizer that includes a position estimation unit configured to estimate, based on a first signal component and a second signal component of a reception signal generated by reception of a training sequence pattern transmitted from an optical transmitter, a symbol position of the reception signal, and generates an estimated symbol position, a delay unit configured to provide a delay difference between the first signal component and the second signal component, a control unit configured to set a plurality of symbol displacement amount candidates of displacement amounts for the estimated symbol position, causes the delay unit to generate a plurality of delay differences, and generates a channel estimation symbol position used for channel estimation, and an error rate calculation unit configured to calculate an error rate of the signal restored by an adaptive equalization unit. |
| US09374168B2 |
Thermal tuning of optical devices
A system of thermally tuning an optical device is described. The system may include an optical device configured to output an optical signal. An amplitude of the optical signal may be dependent on a temperature of the optical device. The system may also include a control circuit, an adjust circuit, and a heater circuit. The control circuit may be configured to output a control current. The adjust circuit may be configured to perform an approximate square-root operation on the control current and to output a modified control current. The heater circuit may be coupled to the adjust circuit and may be configured to generate heat based on the modified control current. The heater circuit may also be positioned such that the generated heat affects the amplitude of the optical signal. The control circuit may linearly adjust the control current to approximately linearly adjust the heat generated by the heater. |
| US09374166B2 |
High speed optical communication systems and methods with flexible bandwidth adaptation
A fiber optic system includes a transmitter configured to utilize a plurality of modulation formats and a receiver communicatively coupled to the transmitter and configured to utilize a plurality of modulation formats. The transmitter and the receiver are cooperatively configured to set a modulation format of the plurality of modulation formats based upon optical signal-to-noise ratio associated therewith. A flexible bandwidth adaptation method includes monitoring at least one aspect of an optical link at a network element, responsive to the at least one aspect, computing a new modulation scheme for the optical link, and, if a solution is found for the new modulation scheme, changing to the new modulation format. |
| US09374164B2 |
Optical access system
An optical access system is provided that enables subscriber terminals or termination devices to be interconnected via dedicated lines as needed, with respect to subscriber terminals or termination devices participating in an optical network.The optical network is a network connecting a plurality of accommodating stations, and in this network, the accommodating stations have a plurality of optical line termination devices and optical path selection means, the subscriber side optical terminals or optical line termination devices are connected in single star optical paths, and the optical line termination devices in the accommodating stations are connected with the above mentioned optical terminals or optical line termination devices via the optical path selection means. In this optical network, in the case of a subscriber side optical terminal or optical line termination device (A) connecting to an optical line termination device (B) in an accommodating station (X), a dedicated optical line is established via the optical path selection means in the accommodating station, and in the case of a subscriber side optical terminal or optical line termination device (A) connecting to an optical line termination device (C) in another accommodating station (Y), a dedicated optical line is established via the optical path selection means in the accommodating station (X), the optical network, and the optical path selection means in the other accommodating station (Y). |
| US09374162B2 |
Semiconductor package with optical port
Described herein are technologies related to a semiconductor package that is installed in a portable device for data communications. More particularly, the semiconductor package that contains a memory, a digital logic chip, and an optical port in a single module or mold is described. |
| US09374159B2 |
Reception display apparatus, information transmission apparatus, optical wireless communication system, reception display integrated circuit, information transmission integrated circuit, reception display program, information transmission program, and optical wireless communication method
A reception display apparatus and the like which display display information regarding an information transmission apparatus blocked by an obstacle, on an image representing a taken video image, such that the display information corresponds to the position of the information transmission apparatus, are provided. A reception section time-sequentially takes an image and receives, from an apparatus, direct-transmission information including information regarding the apparatus, and forwarding information which includes information regarding an apparatus and relative position information indicating a relative position of the apparatus with respect to the apparatus. A measurement section measures a relative position of the apparatus with respect to the own apparatus. An information processing section superimposes the information regarding the apparatus included in the direct-transmission information, and calculates a coordinate position of the apparatus on the taken image, to display the information regarding the apparatus included in the forwarding information. |
| US09374157B2 |
Drop discriminating network alarm system utilizing a single sensing fiber
A method is provided for detecting movement indicative of intrusion events on optical drop fibers of a network where the individual drop fiber can be identified to locate the event. The method uses a monitor system at the network end and multiplexing the monitor signal along the individual fibers to the respective terminals. At each of the terminals, the monitor signal is returned unchanged or in modified form along the same or different fibers to the network end. At the network end the received monitor signals is analyzed for changes in said monitor signals indicative of movement. Which one or more of the drop fibers has triggered the alarm is determined by modifying the monitor signal in wavelength or polarization, or by applying a modulation at the source and/or at multiplexing and/or at returning so that the monitor signal of one drop fiber has a difference from the monitor signal of another drop fiber. |
| US09374156B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and communication system for formatting data
A transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, and a communication system are provided that allow a reduction in a frame loss due to interference caused by use of the same channel. A transmitting apparatus disposed in a base station includes a GPS receiver for receiving a GPS signal, a timing generator for controlling respective function blocks in accordance with the GPS signal and an inter-base-station control signal so as to precisely synchronize the timing of frame transmission among base stations, the front-end transmission processing unit including for converting transmission information into transmission time slots, a frame generator for generating a frame including a plurality of time slots and one frame guard, and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal. |
| US09374155B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing TDMA noise in terminal
An apparatus for reducing TDMA noise in a terminal transceiving a wireless signal in a TDMA scheme, includes an interface unit in which an output accessory is mounted, an audio processor including a virtual ground and transceiving an audio signal to and from an output accessory through the interface unit, a switch unit provided between the interface unit and the audio processor and switching such that a ground terminal of the interface unit is connected to one of a real ground or a virtual ground of the audio processor, and a controller controlling the switch unit to connect the ground terminal of the interface unit to the virtual ground when a call function using the output accessory is activated, in which the switch unit is configured by two or more switches which are connected to each other in a parallel connection. |
| US09374152B2 |
Method and devices for routing in a satellite-based communication system
A satellite-based communication system (1) comprises a router system (6) which receives from a switching unit (3) via a satellite system (4) network addressing information associated with communication terminals (2) connected to the switching unit (3). The network addressing information of the communication terminals (2) are stored in the router system (6) assigned to telephone numbers associated with the communication terminals (2). For enabling an exchange unit (7) to route via the satellite link (40) received data to the communication terminal (2), the router system (6) transmits to the exchange unit (7) the network addressing information associated with the communication terminals (2) connected to the switching unit (3). Hence, data can be routed flexibly in the satellite-based communication system (1) between communication terminals (2, 2′) which are not configured for satellite communication and which are used by mobile users who may move in areas covered by different satellites (43). |
| US09374151B2 |
Coverage extension level for coverage limited device
Generally discussed herein are systems, apparatuses, and methods that can provide a coverage enhancement to a coverage limited device. According to an example a method can include repeating a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) data transmission multiple times over multiple sub-frames to a coverage limited Machine Type Communication (MTC) User Equipment (UE), or repeating the PBCH data transmission two or three times within one sub-frame to the coverage limited MTC UE. |
| US09374149B2 |
Receiver circuit and reception method
First and second transmission channel correction circuits generate a corrected data signal and a corrected control signal by executing a transmission channel correction to a data signal transmitted by a first modulation method and a control signal transmitted by a second modulation method that is more tolerant to noise than the first modulation method. The data signal and control signal are included in reception signals received by first and second antennas. First and second quality information calculation circuits calculate quality information indicating quality of the reception signal on the basis of the corrected control signal. A combination ratio calculation circuit calculates a combination ratio of the corrected data signals generated by the first and second transmission channel correction circuits, on the basis of two types of quality information calculated by the first and second quality information calculation circuits. A combination circuit executes combination at the combination ratio. |
| US09374146B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting management actions for very high throughput in wireless communications
A method and apparatus may be used in Very High Throughput (VHT) Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) management actions. Management action frames such as VHT Action frames may be used to implement VHT features in WLANs. Extensions to 802.11 Action frames may be used to support VHT features and provide backward compatibility. VHT Management Actions may be supported with VHT Action frames and VHT extensions to 802.11 Action frames in various categories such as Direct Link Setup (DLS), Public, Spectrum Management and high throughput (HT). An access point (AP) or a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may indicate VHT capability by way of signaling. |
| US09374143B2 |
Estimating frequency-offsets and multi-antenna channels in MIMO OFDM systems
Techniques are described for carrier frequency offset (CFO) and channel estimation of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmissions over multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) frequency-selective fading channels. A wireless transmitter forms blocks of symbols by inserting training symbols within two or more blocks of information-bearing symbols. The transmitter applies a hopping code to each of the blocks of symbols to insert a null subcarrier at a different position within each of the blocks of symbols, and a modulator outputs a wireless signal in accordance with the blocks of symbols. A receiver receives the wireless signal and estimates the CFO, and outputs a stream of estimated symbols based on the estimated CFO. |
| US09374142B2 |
Communicating a feedback data structure containing information identifying coding to be applied on wirelessly communicated signaling
To perform wireless communications in a closed loop multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) system, a feedback data structure is communicated over a wireless channel between a first wireless node and a second wireless node, where the feedback data structure contains indicators identifying coding to be applied by the second wireless node on signaling communicated between the second wireless node and the first wireless node, where the information in the feedback data structure is based on wireless channel conditions detected at the first wireless node. The indicators identify different codings to be used for different corresponding bands in the wireless channel. |
| US09374135B2 |
Method and apparatus for alerting a user to presence of an item in a vehicle
Method and apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having an active near-field communication device (NFCD) associated therewith, such as a smartphone. A passive NFCD is located adjacent to a storage compartment within a vehicle. When the active NFCD-equipped item is placed in the compartment, communication is established between the active and passive NFCDs. A controller device is communicatively connected to the vehicle to detect a journey completion event and send a wireless message (via Bluetooth, for example) to the item. The message instructs the item to output an alert if the active and passive NFCDs are in communication with one another. Journey completion events may be turning off of a vehicle ignition, opening of a vehicle door, or a vehicle seat becoming unoccupied. |
| US09374118B2 |
Drawer-type SIM card structure and electronic product
A drawer-type SIM card structure and an electronic product is provided, and the drawer-type SIM card structure is mounted in the interior of a containing cavity of a housing of an electronic product, including: a containing means for carrying a subscriber identification module (SIM) card, which can be relatively slidably mounted in the interior of the containing cavity; a connector which is fixedly mounted in the interior of the containing cavity and configured to be in a fit connection with the SIM card within the containing means; and a sensor which is fixedly mounted in the interior of the containing cavity, electrically connected with the connector, and configured to control the connection and disconnection of the connector and SIM card according to the position of the containing means. |
| US09374115B2 |
Method, base station and apparatus in a base station for reducing intermodulation distortion
A method in a base station is provided for reducing distortion of an uplink signal received in a receiver part (20) of the base station, said distortion being caused by intermodulation, IM, products. The method comprises: generating (106), from a transmitter source signal, a modeled signal of IM components, as nth order IM components of the transmitter source signal, n being an integer value of 2, 3, 4 and/or 5 etc., and detecting (110) IM products of the received uplink signal, the received uplink signal comprising UL traffic components and the IM products, by correlating the received uplink signal with the IM components of the modeled signal. The method further comprises producing (112) a cancellation signal based on the detected IM products of the received uplink signal, and subtracting (114) the cancellation signal from the received uplink signal. Also, a similar apparatus in a base station is provided. |
| US09374111B2 |
Multi-stage charge re-use analog circuits
A linear transform can be performed using a passive analog multi-stage charge re-use linear transform circuit. The passive analog multi-stage charge re-use linear transform circuit transforms an input analog circuit to generate a transformed analog output signal. The passive analog multi-stage charge re-use linear transform circuit may be included in a software defined radio (SDR), where the transformed analog output signal may be output to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of the SDR device so as to enable the ADC to perform wideband spectrum sensing. The passive analog multi-stage charge re-use linear transform circuit may also be included in a beamforming device so as to enable the device to perform spectral shifting and spatial shifting of signals. This passive analog multi-stage charge re-use linear transform circuit may promote reduced power consumption in comparison to other circuits while also supporting wideband applications at high sampling rates. |
| US09374105B2 |
Converting time-encoded signal into analog output
A converter may generate an analog output that is representative of a time-encoded signal. The circuit may include an input port receiving the time-encoded signal; a time-encoded to digital converter coupled to the input port; and a digital-to-analog converter coupled to the time-encoded to digital converter. |
| US09374104B2 |
Sample hold circuit, A/D converter, calibration method of the sample hold circuit, and circuit
There is provided a pipelined A/D converter in which plural stages Stage 1 to Stage N each including an MDAC (i.e., Multiplying DA Converter) are connected. The pipelined A/D converter is configured with a Gain-AMP (12) included in the MDAC for the SPM, MOS transistors (Mx1) and (Mx2) as a differential pair having output ends connected to a sampling capacitor CsI on a subsequent stage, MOS transistors (My1) and (My2) as a load unit connected to the differential pair, a current source (I3) configured to supply a current to the MOS transistors (Mx1) and (Mx2) as the differential pair, and current sources (I1) and (I2) configured to adjust the current flown across the MOS transistors (My1) and (My2) as the load unit. |
| US09374103B1 |
Digital-to-analog converter system
In some embodiments, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) system includes an output segment, a main branch, first and second edge segments, and a sub-segment. The output segment includes secondary switches that selectively connect conductive paths to an output. The main branch includes unit resistance elements, each including a resistor and a switch. The first and second edge segments each include a respective group of secondary switches that selectively connect a respective conductive path to a unit resistance element. The sub-segment includes terminal resistors connected to at least one conductive path and includes main switches that selectively connect respective terminal resistors to the unit resistance element. The main switches and the unit resistance element switches use a single switch design. The DAC system may have an improved differential non-linearity (DNL), as compared to a DAC system that does not include the unit resistance element switches or the first and second edge segments. |
| US09374102B1 |
Dynamic analog to digital converter (ADC) triggering
A method and apparatus are configured to receive at a control input of an analog to digital converter (ADC) circuit, from a control output of a control circuit, a first instance of control information that indicates a conversion characteristic of the ADC, wherein the conversion characteristic is one of a first conversion rate and a first conversion resolution, to provide at a status output of the ADC status information regarding the conversion of a first analog signal by the ADC circuit, to receive at the control input of the ADC a second instance of the control information that adjusts the conversion characteristic to allocate a first portion of an ADC circuit bandwidth of the ADC circuit to continuing receiving the first analog signal and to allocate a second portion of the ADC circuit bandwidth to receiving a second analog signal. |
| US09374095B2 |
Counter circuit and semiconductor device including the same
A counter circuit includes a lower count signal generation unit suitable for generating a lower bit, an upper count signal generation unit suitable for generating an upper bit, and a control unit suitable for determining a counting route in response to a control signal and controlling the lower and upper count signal generation units based on a determined route, wherein in a first route, the upper bit is generated in response to the lower bit, and in a second route, the lower bit is generated in response to the upper bit. |
| US09374091B2 |
Input circuit arrangement, output circuit arrangement, and system having an input circuit arrangement and an output circuit arrangement
The invention relates to an input circuit arrangement (11), which is designed for operation either in a first or a second operating mode (A, B) and comprises a connection (13) for supplying a connection signal (SWI) and a detection circuit (14). The detection circuit (14) is coupled on the input side to the connection (13) and is designed to put the input circuit arrangement (11) into an operating mode from a group comprising the first and second operating modes (A, B) depending on the steepness of a change of the connection signal (SWI). |
| US09374089B2 |
Isolation cell
An embodiment of the invention provides an isolation cell for isolating a second power domain from a first power domain. The isolation cell includes an input terminal capable of receiving a first signal of the first power domain, an output terminal capable of outputting an output signal with a predetermined logic state to the second power domain, a first power terminal and a second power terminal. The first power terminal is capable of receiving a voltage from a power source, the power source is different from a first power source of the first power domain, and the isolation cell is powered by the voltage. |
| US09374086B2 |
Switch circuit and method of operating the switch circuit
A method of electrically coupling a first node and a second node of a switch cell includes biasing the second node and a bias node of the switch cell at a direct current (DC) voltage level of a second voltage level greater than a first voltage level. A first switch unit coupled between the first node and the second node is tuned on by a first control signal having a third voltage level. The third voltage level being greater than the first voltage level, and a difference between the third voltage level and the first voltage level is about twice a difference between the second voltage level and the first voltage level. Also, a second switch unit coupled between the second node and the bias node is turned off by a second control signal having the first voltage level. |
| US09374083B2 |
Switching current control circuit, LED dimmer system, and LED illumination device
The switching current control circuit includes a switching pulse supply circuit, a comparator circuit, and analog circuit unit, a digital circuit unit, etc. The A/D converter (2) detects a load current in an ON period of a switching pulse as a detected current, and converts it into digital data. The arithmetic control circuit (3) calculates a lower limit of the detected current for providing a timing of switching from OFF to ON of the switching pulse, based on the converted data. Continuation/discontinuous modes are determined whether the lower limit is equal to or greater than 0. |
| US09374079B2 |
Level jump reset IC design circuit
A level jump reset IC design circuit is provided, comprising a reset IC, a reset circuit, and a switching circuit. The reset circuit and the switching circuit both are connected to signal input pins of the reset IC. The level jump reset IC design circuit can make mobile phones effectively realize reset shutdown and restart, and make the mobile phones enter a Recovery model. Reset pulse time can be set by a user according to requirements, so that the user can distinguish two different operations of reset shutdown and restart. When the model phones enter the Recovery model, the switching circuit deactivates the reset circuit, so the mobile phones can enter the Recovery mode normally and effectively. |
| US09374072B2 |
Post fabrication tuning of an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit 2 includes a transistor 26 which has a normal switching speed arising during normal operations of that transistor that apply electrical signals within normal ranges. If it is desired to change the speed of operation of the transistor, then speed tuning circuitry 12 applies a tuning electrical signal with a tuning characteristic outside of the normal range of characteristics to the transistor concerned. The tuning electrical signal induces a change in at least one of the physical properties of that transistor such that when it resumes its modified normal operations the switching speed of that transistor will have changed. The tuning electrical signal may be a voltage (or current) outside of the normal range of voltages applied to the gate of a transistor so as to induce a permanent increase in the threshold of that transistor and so slow its speed of switching. Temperature of a transistor may also be controlled to induce a permanent change in performance/speed. |
| US09374070B2 |
Ramp generator circuit and solid-state imaging device
A ramp generator circuit includes: a reference signal generator circuit which generates a ramp waveform having a slope obtained by multiplication using a power of 2 according to a value of a higher order bit of a gain control signal; a clock control circuit which selectively outputs 2^m kinds of fractional-N clocks according to one of 2^m (natural number) areas obtained by dividing a code range represented by a lower order bit, when a negative gain is set; and a variable gain circuit which sets a ramp waveform according to the value of the gain control signal, and sets a ramp signal amplitude in each area so that a period ratio between ramp driving clocks for adjacent areas and a ratio between an amplitude of a ramp signal when the standard gain is set and a largest amplitude of a ramp signal are equal. |
| US09374067B2 |
Optimally factored interpolated FIR filter design
A method and system for the design and implementation of an optimally factored interpolated finite impulse response (IFIR) filter is presented. Techniques used to increase the implementation efficiency of the filter include joint sequencing of the filter stages, use of an nested IFIR filter, taming of a stage by relocation of that stage, fusing two or more stages together to form a single stage, and manual manipulation of a post-stage multiplier. IFIR filters using this approach may be realized as low pass filters or high pass filters, and in either analog or digital form. |
| US09374063B1 |
Gain-boosted N-path bandpass filter
The present invention discloses a gain-boosted N-path SC bandpass filter (GB-BPF) with a number of sought features. It is based on a transconductance amplifier (Gm) with an N-path SC branch as its feedback network, offering 1) double RF filtering at the input and output of the Gm in one step; 2) customized passband gain and bandwidth with input-impedance match, and 3) reduced physical capacitance thanks to the loop gain offered by Gm. All have been examined using a RLC model of the SC branch before applying the linear periodically time-variant (LPTV) analysis to derive the R, L and C expressions and analytically study the harmonic selectivity, harmonic folding and noise. The latter reveals that: 1) the noise due to the switches is notched at the output, allowing smaller switches to save the LO power; and 2) the noises due to the source resistance and Gm are narrowband at the output, reducing the folded noise during harmonic mixing. |
| US09374060B2 |
Piezoelectric thin film resonator
A piezoelectric thin film resonator includes: a substrate; a piezoelectric film that is located on the substrate and includes a first film made of an aluminum nitride film containing an additive element and second films located on an upper surface and a lower surface of the first film and made of an aluminum nitride film containing the additive element at a concentration lower than that of the first film; and a lower electrode and an upper electrode that are located to sandwich the piezoelectric film. |
| US09374055B2 |
Hybrid translinear amplifier
A hybrid, translinear amplifier has at least one gain stage including first and second gain transistors, at least a first load transistor electrically coupled to the first gain transistor and at least a second load transistor electrically coupled to the second gain transistor, and load resistors electrically coupled to the load transistors. A hybrid, translinear amplifier with selectable gain has a first hybrid, translinear amplifier cell having at least first and second load transistors, each load transistor having a load resistor, at least one additional hybrid, translinear amplifier cell having at least third, fourth, fifth and sixth load transistors, each load transistor having a load resistor, at least two switches electrically coupled to the amplifier cells to allow selection of one of the amplifier cells, and a differential output signal having a gain corresponding to a selected amplifier cell. |
| US09374049B2 |
Differential amplifier
Provided is a differential amplifier including: an operational amplifier (OP AMP) having an inverting input, a non-inverting input, an inverting output, and a non-inverting output, a first feedback capacitor connected to the non-inverting input and the inverting output. A second feedback capacitor connected to the inverting input and the non-inverting output, a first four-terminal transistor connected to the non-inverting input and the inverting output. A second four-terminal transistor connected to the inverting input and the non-inverting output. One of source and drain of the first transistor and a gate thereof are connected to the inverting output, the other one of the source and drain and a bulk terminal are connected to the non-inverting input, one of source and drain of the second transistor and a gate thereof are connected to the non-inverting output, and the other one of the source and drain terminals and a bulk terminal are connected to the inverting input. |
| US09374038B2 |
Phase frequency detector circuit
A phase frequency detector circuit includes an edge detector circuit, a plurality of phase frequency detector sub-circuits, and a decision circuit. The edge detector circuit is configured to receive a first input signal and a second input signal. The decision circuit is configured to detect whether a blind condition exits based on outputs of the edge detector circuit and outputs of the plurality of phase frequency detector sub-circuits. Responsive to a result of the decision circuit, a corresponding frequency detector sub-circuit of the plurality of phase frequency detector sub-circuit is configured to provide signals for use in determining a phase difference between the first input signal and the second input signal. |
| US09374034B2 |
Method and an arrangement in connection with a solar energy system
An arrangement and a method are provided in connection with a solar energy system. The arrangement includes solar panels and a converter for converting the DC voltage from the solar panels. The converter is arranged inside a container or a similar closed structure. The arrangement includes means for producing heat from the energy produced by the solar panels. The means are arranged inside the container or a similar closed structure and are electrically connectable to the solar panels. |
| US09374033B2 |
Three-level power conversion apparatus
A three-level power conversion apparatus can suppress fluctuation in a neutral point voltage even when operated as a reactive power regulator. The three-level power conversion apparatus is composed of first and second three-level converters connected to an AC power supply, positive side and negative side DC capacitors, a three-level inverter to drive an AC motor, and converter control unit for controlling the three-level converters. The converter control unit has first and second reactive current controllers for controlling so that reactive portions of input currents of each three-level converter become a prescribed reactive current reference, first and second neutral point voltage fluctuation suppressing units for controlling a PWM controller, to make a voltage difference of two DC capacitors zero, and an active current controller for supplying a prescribed circulating active current from one three-level converter to other three-level converter. |
| US09374031B2 |
AC motor control apparatus
A control apparatus for an AC motor includes a current sensor and an estimation section. The current sensor detects current flowing through one phase of the motor. The estimation section repeats an estimation process. In the estimation process, d-axis and q-axis current estimation values are calculated based on the presently detected current of the one phase and a previous current estimation value of another phase of the motor, and a present current estimation value of each phase is calculated based on smoothed values of the d-axis and q-axis current estimation values. The estimation section performs the estimation process based on a phase lag element. The phase lag element is a difference between the presently detected current and a previous current estimation value of the one phase or the previously detected current. |
| US09374030B2 |
Generator excitation apparatus and power conversion system
According to one embodiment, there is provided a generator excitation apparatus including a plurality of first power converters and a second power converter. The plurality of first power converters are electrically connected to windings of respective phases of rotors of a wound rotor type induction generator in which the windings of the rotors of the respective phases are electrically independent, and are configured to bidirectionally convert DC and AC. The second power converter is configured to bidirectionally convert DC and AC between DC sides of the first power converters and a three-phase DC power supply. The DC sides of the first power converters are electrically connected together to a DC side of the second power converter. |
| US09374028B2 |
Transition scheme for position sensorless control of AC motor drives
Motor drive control apparatus and methods are presented for sensorless control of a driven motor using open loop current regulated control during low-speed operation and an EMF-based position observer for position estimation during higher speed operation, with zero feedback speed during low-speed open-loop operation and feedback speed estimated by the EMF-based observer during high-speed operation and with velocity mode control over the full speed range and mode control hysteresis for smooth transitions between open loop and EMF-based observer control. |
| US09374025B2 |
Control circuit and electrical device
The control circuit includes: a first power supply, including a high-level output and a low-level output; a first circuit, including two inputs, a driver module and at least two braking switch units, the two inputs being respectively connected to the high-level output and the low-level output of the first power supply, and the driver module being in series connected to the at least two braking switch units, where the driver module includes two outputs that are the outputs of the control circuit; and braking circuits, which correspond to the braking switch units in a one to one manner, and are used to the control switching states of the braking switch units. |
| US09374024B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer assembly installation device and methods
Transducer assemblies and associated methods are provided for facilitating alignment of ultrasonic transducers with respect to pipes onto which the transducers are installed. The transducer assembly can include a transducer housing having a track on along which the transducers can be slidingly engaged. The transducer assembly can include attachment structures having alignment features used to align the transducers parallel to the axial centerline of the pipe while ensuring that the reception/emission sides of the transducers are oriented normal to the outer surface of the pipe. In some embodiments a transducer assembly alignment system can be used to align two transducer assemblies on circumferentially opposite sides of a pipe. |
| US09374021B2 |
PWM output voltage measurement apparatus and method
Output voltage feedback systems and methods are provided for controlling voltage source inverter output voltages using low bandwidth buffer circuitry and low A/D converter sample rates to sense and sample PWM output voltage waveforms to provide an estimated volt-second value for phase voltage or line-line voltage as feedback for controlling the voltage source inverter. |
| US09374016B2 |
AC-DC converter
An AC to DC converter is provided with: a rectifier circuit that rectifies an AC voltage generated by an AC voltage source; and a plurality of switching units that collectively receive an output voltage of the rectifier circuit through an inductor, and that are connected in series at an input side, each of the switching units having a semiconductor switching device, a diode, and a capacitor, and performing ON/OFF switching of the semiconductor switching device provided therein to step up a voltage received from the rectifier circuit, each of the switching units supplying the stepped-up voltage to the capacitor through the diode so that a resulting DC across the capacitor can be provided, as a DC output voltage of the switching unit, to a respective load to be connected to terminals of the capacitor. |
| US09374013B2 |
Power conversion apparatus and power conversion method
A power conversion apparatus includes a plurality of power supply circuits each including a primary side circuit, and a secondary side circuit that is magnetically coupled to the primary side circuit via a transformer. Electrical power that changes according to a phase difference between switching of the primary side circuit and switching of the secondary side circuit is input and output to and from the power supply circuit. The power conversion apparatus includes a first power supply circuit, a second power supply circuit that uses, as an input side thereof, an output side of the first power supply circuit, and a control unit that adjusts residual power obtained by subtracting input power of the second power supply circuit from output power of the first power supply circuit, by controlling a phase difference of the first power supply circuit and a phase difference of the second power supply circuit. |
| US09374012B2 |
Power supply
There is provided a power supply including a direct current (DC) to DC converter supplying main power to a load, and a sub converter connected to the DC to DC converter and reducing output loss, wherein the sub converter is operable based on a hold-up time. |
| US09374011B2 |
Secondary controller for use in synchronous flyback converter
A secondary controller for use in a synchronous flyback converter includes a comparator, a drive circuit, and logic circuitry. The comparator is coupled to generate a compare signal in response to a comparison of a threshold to an input signal representative of a secondary winding voltage of the synchronous flyback converter. The drive circuit is coupled to generate a drive signal to control a first switch to be coupled to a primary side of the synchronous flyback converter. The drive signal is coupled to be generated by the drive circuit in response to a feedback signal representative of an output of the synchronous flyback converter. The logic circuitry is coupled to the drive circuit and coupled to the comparator. The logic circuitry is also coupled to generate a control signal to control a second switch in response to the drive signal and in response to the compare signal. |
| US09374006B2 |
Three-channel high-side gate driver having startup circuit and configurable outputs
A driver circuit includes three non-contiguous high-voltage wells formed within a low-voltage monolithic silicon substrate; a high-side driver circuit fabricated within each of the wells; a separate logic input path for each of the high-side driver circuits, each input path comprising a logic signal input terminal, a signal amplifier, a noise filter, a pulse generator, and a high-voltage level shifter; an output terminal for each driver circuit, each output terminal coupled to its associated driver circuit output through a separate mask-configurable, variable-value output resistor bank, which reduces the number of external components needed for driver circuitry; a startup circuit which prevents operation of an associated high-side switch during periods of line voltage instability; and embedded capacitor banks, each of which is in close proximity to a high-side switch, for reducing capacitive, resistive and inductance losses associated with long metal lines. |
| US09374003B1 |
Systems and methods for DC-to-DC converter control
A regulated, power supply system is described using multiphase DC-DC converters with dynamic fast-turnon, slow-turnoff phase shedding, early phase turn-on, and both load-voltage and drive-transistor feedback to pulsewidth modulators to provide fast response to load transients. In an embodiment, a system master can automatically determine whether all, or only some, slave phase units are fully populated. The programmable system includes fault detection with current and voltage sensing, telemetry capability, and automatic shutdown capability. In an embodiment, these are buck-type converters with or without coupled inductors, however some of the embodiments illustrated include boost configurations. |
| US09373993B2 |
Haptic actuators
A haptic actuator (20(X)) provides compact mounting for a haptically-actuated assembly by mounting at least a portion of the haptically-actuated assembly to magnetic circuit members of the haptic actuator. The haptic actuator comprises a first magnetic member (62); a second magnetic member (60); a field generator (30); and a resilient connector (70). The first magnetic member (62) is configured to have a driven part (124) of the haptically-actuated assembly mounted to the first magnetic member (62). The second magnetic member (60) is selectively separated by at least one air gap from the first magnetic member (62) and is configured to have a stationary part of the haptically-actuated assembly (122) connected to the second magnetic member (62). The second magnetic member (60) is positioned at least partially within the field generator (30) and the first magnetic member (62) is positioned externally to the field generator (30). The resilient connector (70) is configured to connect together the first magnetic member (62) and the second magnetic member (60) in a manner to allow selective closing and opening of the at least one air gap upon selective activation and de-activation of the field generator (30). |
| US09373991B2 |
Method for manufacturing laminated iron core
A method for manufacturing a laminated iron core is provided. A laminated iron core body including a permanent magnet inserted into a magnet-insert hole is arranged between a molding die and a holding die. A cull plate is arranged between the molding die and the laminated iron core body. The cull plate has a groove shaped runner directed toward the magnet-insert hole from a resin reservoir and provided with a gate hole communicating with the magnet-insert hole, and a through hole which vertically passes through the cull plate is formed in the runner of the cull plate at a different position from a position of the gate hole. After the magnet-insert hole is filled with the mold resin a resin residue remaining in the cull plate is pushed off and removed from the gate hole and the through hole. |
| US09373989B2 |
One-piece voltage regulator/brush-holder assembly for a rotary electrical machine and rotary electrical machine including such an assembly
An electrical machine such as an alternator or starter-alternator for a motor vehicle which is fitted with the one-piece voltage-regulator/brush-holder assembly (1). The brush-holder (6) is capable of guiding at least first and second brushes by means of respective first and second longitudinal recesses (7). The recesses are substantially parallelepiped, made of an electrically insulating material and extend substantially in an axial plane of a rotor of the machine. Each recess is provided with at least one respective longitudinal internal groove (9) in communication with at least one channel (11) provided in a body (6) of the assembly (1), in an axial direction (XX′) of the rotor, and intended for a coolant (8) to pass therethrough. A first cross section of the first internal groove is between 5% and 7% of a second cross section of the recesses. |
| US09373988B2 |
Assemblies and methods for cooling electric machines
Cooling assemblies, such as those configured to cool electric machines (e.g., electric motors and generators) and components of electric machines (e.g., rotors and stators). |
| US09373984B2 |
Electrical machine
An apparatus, such as an electrical machine, is provided. The apparatus can include a rotor defining a rotor bore and a conduit disposed in and extending axially along the rotor bore. The conduit can have an annular conduit body defining a plurality of orifices disposed axially along the conduit and extending through the conduit body. The rotor can have an inner wall that at least partially defines the rotor bore. The orifices can extend through the conduit body along respective orifice directions, and the rotor and conduit can be configured to provide a line of sight along the orifice direction from the respective orifices to the inner wall. |
| US09373983B2 |
Rotating electrical machine
A rotating electrical machine comprising an armature; a yoke; and a plurality of magnets arrayed in a ring shape along an inner peripheral face of the yoke. The magnets are respectively formed in circular arc shapes fit with the inner peripheral face of the yoke, and are fixed to the yoke. The magnets are arrayed along the circumferential direction of the yoke with gaps between each other, a central portion in a circumferential direction of each of the magnets is disposed so as to be opposed in a yoke diameter direction to the gap between other magnets arrayed adjacent to each other, a boundary portion between a pair of magnetic poles in each of the magnets is positioned at central position in the circumferential direction of each of the magnets, and each of the magnets is formed thicker at end portions than at the central portion in the circumferential direction thereof. |
| US09373982B2 |
Electrical machine having partially parallel slots and teeth
A tubular body for an electrical machine is provided. The tubular body comprises a curved surface area, a first tooth and a second tooth. The tubular body is arrangable with respect to a further tubular body such that one of the tubular body or the further tubular body is rotatable with respect to the other one around a rotary axis. The first tooth and the second tooth extend from the curved surface area along a radial direction with respect to the rotary axis. The first tooth comprises a first side wall facing a second side wall of the second tooth, wherein the first side wall comprises a first section which is parallel to the second side wall such that a circumferential distance between the first section and the second side wall is constant along the radial direction. |
| US09373981B2 |
Stator of motor and motor
Provided is a stator of a motor which is capable of reducing a loss generated in a motor and thereby attaining a high-efficient motor, and a motor including the stator. A stator of a motor comprises a stator core including a plurality of plate members stacked together; the stator core including: a yoke of a tubular shape; and teeth each of which includes an extending portion extending inward in a radial direction of the yoke from the yoke and an increased-width portion formed at a tip end of the extending portion so as to have a greater width than the extending portion in a circumferential direction of the yoke; wherein the extending portion has a constant-width portion extending radially in a straight-line shape so as to have a constant circumferential width, a narrower portion having a smaller circumferential width than the constant-width portion, and a clamp portion for securing the plurality of plate members to each other; and wherein the clamp portion is provided in the constant-width portion. |
| US09373979B2 |
Digital control method for operating UPS systems in parallel
Systems and methods of operating uninterruptible power supplies in parallel in a power distribution system to provide power to a load are provided. At least one uninterruptible power supply inverter provides power to the load. A communication interface provides a measured value of at least one of inverter output current of a first uninterruptible power supply and a measured value of the load current to a second uninterruptible power supply, and receives a measured value of at least one of inverter output current of the second uninterruptible power supply and the load current. A controller controls the uninterruptible power supplies to operate in one of a master state and a slave state. In the master state the uninterruptible power supply is configured to control the voltage to the load, and in the slave state the uninterruptible power supply is configured to determine a reference output current value based at least in part on at least one of the measured value of inverter output current of the second uninterruptible power supply and the measured value of the load current. The uninterruptible power supply in the slave state drives its inverter output current toward the reference output current value to provide its share of the load current. |
| US09373977B1 |
Battery backup system for uninterrupted power supply
Methods and systems supply uninterrupted power to a load using a backup battery module. A driver circuit connects the load and the backup battery module such that the operational range of the load voltage is narrower than the operational range of the battery voltage. Different charging and discharging paths of the driver circuit may be used to limit the DC bus voltage to values lower than the battery voltage. The proposed systems and methods can increase power efficiency and decrease the cost of power supply and conversion operations. |
| US09373975B2 |
Electronic device, electronic system and wireless charging method
An electronic device, an electronic system, and a wireless charging method are provided. The electronic device has a housing, which has an operating surface on which a display unit or an input device is provided and a first end surface adjoining the operating surface at a first edge. The operating surface has an area greater than that of the first end surface. The electronic device also has a coil for electromagnetic induction. The coil is provided in a first side portion of the housing close to the first end surface, and formed in a columnar shape with an axis substantially parallel to the first edge. |
| US09373968B2 |
Charging control device
In a charging control device, a determining unit individually determines whether a charging path and a vehicle are in a connected state or non-connected state based on a current value detected by a current detecting means. The state of connection with the vehicle is detected not by an exclusive sensor as it is done in the prior art but by using a current detection result by the current detecting means. Hence the cost for detecting the state of connection with the vehicle can be reduced. |
| US09373959B2 |
Photovoltaic module
The present invention relates to a photovoltaic module. A photovoltaic module according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a solar cell module, a micro-inverter to convert DC power generated by the solar cell module into AC power, a controller to control the micro-inverter's operation, and an interface unit connected to power grid supplying external electrical power and to provide the AC power to the power grid, the controller to control operation of the micro-inverter such that the AC power is matched to the external electrical power flowing into the power grid. The photovoltaic module according to the present invention can provide electrical power generated at solar cell modules through a simple connection to power grid which supplies electrical power to home, reducing consumption of electrical power flowing into home. |
| US09373958B2 |
Control techniques for photovoltaic power plants
A photovoltaic power plant includes solar cells and inverters that convert direct current generated by the solar cells to alternating current. The reactive powers generated by the inverters are based on a reactive power generated by a virtual inverter. The virtual inverter has an equivalent impedance representing the impedances of the inverters in the photovoltaic power plant. The reactive power setpoints of the inverters may be received from a local interpreter. The local interpreter may generate the reactive power setpoints from a global reactive power setpoint generated by a grid controller. |
| US09373957B2 |
Power balancing in power distribution networks
Systems and methods for power balancing in power distribution networks are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method may be implemented at a power manager in a power distribution network including multiple computing devices. The method may include receiving vital product data associated with the computing devices. The method may also include predicting, based on the vital product data, occurrences of unbalanced power in the power distribution system upon distribution of power to the computing devices. Further, the method may include controlling application of power to the computing devices, prior to distributing power in the power distribution system, based on the predicted occurrences such that power distribution to the power distribution system is substantially balanced. |
| US09373955B2 |
Devices and methods related to electrostatic discharge-protected CMOS switches
Disclosed are devices and methods related to a CMOS switch for radio-frequency (RF) applications. In some embodiments, the switch can be configured to include a resistive body-floating circuit to provide improved power handling capability. The switch can further include an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit disposed relative to the switch to provide ESD protection for the switch. Such a switch can be implemented for different switching applications in wireless devices such as cell phones, including band-selection switching and transmit/receive switching. |
| US09373949B2 |
Protection case for electronic device
A protection case for protecting an electronic device includes a cover body shaped to receive and hold to the electronic device. A cable winding apparatus is arranged adjacent the cover body and includes a wheel rotatably arranged adjacent the cover body, and a pivot protruding from a center of the wheel and configured to wind a cable of an earphone. A through hole is arranged on a side wall of the pivot and configured to permit a first end of the earphone, which connects to a jack, to pass through. |
| US09373948B2 |
Electrical distribution boards
The present invention relates to an electrical distribution board. The electrical distribution board comprises at least one incoming conductor terminal, at least one outgoing conductor terminal, at least one longitudinal bus conductor connected to the at least one incoming conductor terminal, at least one lateral conductor tab connected to the at least one bus conductor for distributing electrical power from the at least one bus conductor to the at least one outgoing conductor terminal, and at least one isolation mechanism for electrically isolating the at least one outgoing conductor terminal from the at least one lateral conductor tab. The at least one isolation mechanism is moveable between a first position in which the at least one outgoing conductor terminal is electrically isolated from the at least one lateral conductor tab and a second position in which the at least one outgoing conductor terminal is electrically connected to the at least one lateral conductor tab. The at least one isolation mechanism is configured to be engageable with a housing of the electrical distribution board when the at least one isolation mechanism is in the first position, such that movement of the at least one isolation mechanism from the first position to the second position is only possible once the at least one isolation mechanism has been disengaged from the housing of the electrical distribution board. |
| US09373941B2 |
Corona ignition device
The invention relates to a corona ignition device for igniting fuel in a combustion chamber of an engine by means of a corona discharge, comprising a tubular housing, a coil arranged in the tubular housing, an insulator, which plugs into the tubular housing, and a center electrode, which is connected to the coil, plugs into the insulator and leads to at least one ignition tip. In order to increase the service life of the ignition tip, said ignition tip consists in part or completely of an iridium-based alloy containing 3 to 30% by weight of rhodium or is coated by a burn-up layer. |
| US09373931B2 |
Red, green, and blue lasing enabled by single-exciton gain in colloidal quantum dot films
The methods and materials described herein contemplate the use films of colloidal quantum dots as a gain medium in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. The present disclosure demonstrates a laser with single-exciton gain in the red, green, and blue wavelengths. Leveraging this nanocomposite gain, the results realize a significant step toward full-color single-material lasers. |
| US09373926B2 |
Laser chamber and discharge excitation gas laser apparatus
There is provided a laser chamber housing a pair of discharge electrodes and a gas circulation fun, the laser chamber including: a magnetic bearing configured to support a shaft of the gas circulation fan, with the shaft being in non-contact with the magnetic bearing; and a touchdown bearing configured to operate as a bearing when the magnetic bearing is uncontrollable, the touchdown bearing being provided with solid lubricant configured of one or more of an Au plating layer, a Ni-containing plating layer, and a Cu plating layer. |
| US09373920B2 |
Connector including module that includes molded part insert-molded with contacts each including first contact part, second contact part, and body that extends between first and second contact parts and includes spring portion greater in width than first and second contact parts
A connector includes a module and a housing that accommodates the module. The module includes multiple contacts each including a first contact part to contact a board, a second contact part to contact a connection object, and a body extending at angle from the first contact part to the second contact part; and a molded part insert-molded with the contacts arranged as inserts. The molded part covers a portion of the body part through a surface of the first contact part of each of the contacts facing toward the board. In each contact, a width of the portion of the body covered with the molded part is smaller than a width of a spring portion of the body. The spring portion is exposed from the molded part and supports the second contact part in such a manner as to allow its displacement. |
| US09373912B1 |
Power connector, and electrical connection element and arc suppression method therefor
An electrical connection element is for a power connector. The power connector includes an electrical component having a number of first electrical mating members. The electrical connection element includes: a housing including a number of second electrical mating members electrically connected to the first electrical mating members; a contact assembly comprising a number of sets of separable contacts each structured to be electrically connected to at least one of the second electrical mating members; and an arc suppression system including: a number of electronic devices each electrically connected to a respective set of separable contacts, and a control mechanism for controlling the electronic devices. When the contact assembly moves between an OPEN position and a CLOSED position, the control mechanism redirects current from the respective set of separable contacts to a corresponding one of the electronic devices in order to suppress arcing across the respective set of separable contacts. |
| US09373902B2 |
Coaxial cable connector with alignment and compression features
A coaxial cable connector includes an outer barrel having a longitudinal axis, the outer barrel formed with an inner compression band. A coaxial fitting is mounted at a front end of the outer barrel for coupling to an electrical device, and a coaxial compression collar is applied to the outer barrel. An outer compression band formed in the compression collar moves between an uncompressed condition and a compressed condition in response to axial compression of the coaxial cable connector. Movement of the outer compression band from the uncompressed condition to the compressed condition shapes the inner compressed into a pawl which allows introduction of a cable into the connector and then prevents removal of the cable from the connector. |
| US09373901B2 |
Spring clip for shielding of electrical connectors
Grounding finger for shielding at an electrical connection between a plug connector and a mating plug connector of an electrical line, having a sleeve-like support element which has a first outer edge and a second outer edge, axial connecting webs being provided between the outer edges, and having a plurality of spring limbs which act radially outward and, at least at one end, are connected to one of the edges in order to generate a spring-loaded contact force to the outer plug connector, with some of the connecting webs being interrupted and being formed in each case with at least one contact lug which faces radially inward. |
| US09373895B1 |
Conformal wide band surface wave radiating element
Conformal antennas and methods for radiating radio frequency energy using conformal antennas are provided. In particular, one or more tapered feeds can be provided as part of or interconnected to a conductive top plate. The one or more tapered feeds have a depth that decreases from a feed point to a tip. The tip of the one or more tapered feeds is adjacent a cavity formed over a lens region. An aperture over the lens region can be covered or filled by an impedance surface. This impedance surface may comprise a frequency selective surface. Alternatively, a frequency selective surface can be provided over the lens region of an antenna incorporating one or more stripline feeds. |
| US09373894B2 |
Integrated circuit with electromagnetic communication
A system for transmitting or receiving signals may include an integrated circuit (IC), a transducer operatively coupled to the IC for converting between electrical signals and electromagnetic signals; and insulating material that fixes the locations of the transducer and IC in spaced relationship relative to each other. The system may further include a lead frame providing external connections to conductors on the IC. An electromagnetic-energy directing assembly may be mounted relative to the transducer for directing electromagnetic energy in a region including the transducer and in a direction away from the IC. The directing assembly may include the lead frame, a printed circuit board ground plane, or external conductive elements spaced from the transducer. In a receiver, a signal-detector circuit may be responsive to a monitor signal representative of a received first radio-frequency electrical signal for generating a control signal that enables or disables an output from the receiver. |
| US09373891B2 |
Smooth-walled feedhorn
A device for at least one of receiving and transmitting electromagnetic radiation includes a feedhorn having a substantially smooth, electrically conducting inner surface extending from an open end to a feed end, the inner surface being substantially rotationally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, wherein an orthogonal distance from a point on the longitudinal axis to the substantially smooth, electrically conducting inner surface increases monotonically as the point on the longitudinal axis is selected at successively greater distances from the feed end of the feedhorn towards the open end of the feedhorn such that a profile of the substantially smooth, electrically conducting inner surface of the feedhorn is monotonically increasing. The feedhorn has an operating bandwidth and the feedhorn provides a maximum of −30 dB cross polarization response over at least 15% of the operating bandwidth. A method of producing a feedhorn for receiving or transmitting electromagnetic radiation includes determining a profile of an inner surface of the feedhorn based on constraints required to achieve a plurality of operating parameters, providing a pre-machined feedhorn having an initial inner surface, and machining the initial inner surface of the pre-machined feedhorn to substantially match the profile determined to achieve the plurality of operating parameters for the feedhorn. The determining the profile includes a constraint for the profile to be a monotonically increasing profile relative to a rotational symmetry axis of the inner surface of the feedhorn going from a narrow end to a wide end of the feedhorn. |
| US09373886B2 |
Aperture coupled radiator and antenna including the same
A radiator in which power is fed through a slot of a reflection plate and which can be manufactured in a simple manner and an antenna including the same are disclosed. The antenna includes a reflection plate and a radiator. The radiator includes feed sections disposed on a first surface of the reflection plate, first and second radiation elements extending perpendicular to the feed section or inclined towards the reflection plate, and first and second base plates configured to support the balanced parallel strip feed sections. Here, the first and second base plates are capacitively coupled to the reflection plate. |
| US09373880B2 |
Enhanced hybrid-tee coupler
An enhanced hybrid-tee coupler (“EHT-coupler”), the EHT-coupler is described. The EHT-coupler includes a first waveguide, second waveguide, third waveguide, and fourth waveguide. The first waveguide defines a first port and the second waveguide defines a second port. Similarly, the third waveguide defines a fourth port and the fourth waveguide defines a fourth port. The first, second, third, and fourth waveguides meet in a single common junction and the first waveguide and second waveguide are collinear. The third waveguide forms an E-plane junction with both the first waveguide and the second waveguide and the fourth waveguide forms an H-plane junction with both the first waveguide and the second waveguide. The EHT-coupler also includes a first impedance matching element positioned in the common junction where the first impedance matching element includes a base and a tip. |
| US09373872B2 |
Protective battery cell plates
Apparatus for protecting battery cells. In some embodiments, a battery may comprise a series of battery cells and one or more protective plates positioned between the adjacent battery cells. In some embodiments, the plates may also be configured to provide a cooling function relative to adjacent battery cells. The plate(s) may comprise a first section and a second section coupled with the first section. The plate may be configured to fail under predetermined conditions such that, upon experiencing the predetermined conditions, at least a portion of the second section is configured to separate from at least a portion of the first section. |
| US09373871B2 |
Battery module and detecting method thereof
A battery module with a battery housing includes a first conducting layer, at least one battery cell, a second conducting layer, an insulating layer, and a detecting circuit. The first conducting layer is disposed inside the battery housing. The battery cell is disposed inside the battery housing and opposite to the first conducting layer. The second conducting layer is disposed on the battery cell. The insulating layer is disposed between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer. The first conducting layer, the second conducting layer, and the insulating layer form an internal capacitor. The detecting circuit is electrically connected with the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer for detecting a capacitance value of the internal capacitor. |
| US09373863B2 |
Barium cerate nanoparticles for use in solid oxide fuel cells
A process for forming alkaline earth metal cerate nanoparticles comprises combining a stable cerium oxide aqueous colloidal dispersion with soluble alkaline earth metal salts while maintaining colloidal stability. The resulting alkaline earth metal salts may be calcined to form alkaline earth metal cerate particles having a perovskite structure. |
| US09373861B2 |
Flow cell with shunt current counter electrode
Counter electrodes are used within the context of a flow cell to attract shunt current depositions during operation. The counter electrodes may be electrically connected with an anode of the flow cell to attract the depositions and then electrically connected with a cathode of the flow cell to remove the depositions. |
| US09373858B2 |
Method for starting fuel cell system and starting apparatus for fuel cell system
In a method for starting a fuel cell system, an oxidizer gas bypass passage is operated by an oxidizer gas bypass passage controller to supply oxidizer gas to a diluter from an oxidizer gas supply device under a condition where an oxidizer gas supply passage is sealed by an oxidizer gas supply passage sealing device and an oxidizer exhaust gas exhaust passage is sealed by an oxidizer exhaust gas exhaust passage sealing device. A fuel exhaust gas recirculation passage is operated by a fuel exhaust gas recirculation passage controller to supply fuel gas to the fuel cell from a fuel gas supply device. |
| US09373855B2 |
Fuel cell system
Provided is a fuel-cell system having a control device which controls driving of a first fuel supply device and a second fuel supply device. The control device includes, a driving-interval setting unit which sets first driving intervals for the first fuel supply device and second driving intervals for the second fuel supply device, a first fuel-supply-device control unit which sets valve-open durations of the first fuel supply device according to the first driving intervals, and a second fuel-supply-device control unit which sets valve-open durations of the second fuel supply device according to the second driving intervals. The driving-interval setting unit sets the second driving intervals to be shorter than the first driving intervals. |
| US09373851B2 |
Fuel cell
A fuel cell equipped with at least an air electrode side power collector layer, an air electrode catalyst layer, a polymer electrolyte membrane, a fuel electrode catalyst layer and a fuel electrode side power collector layer and provided with a porous body layer having a porous body at a liquid fuel side of the fuel electrode side power collector layer assumes a structure in which the porous body layer is provided with a gas flow velocity (superficial velocity in the layer) of 10 to 5000 cm/s at a differential pressure of 100 kPa. The porous body layer is a diffusion medium of a fuel into the fuel electrode catalyst layer and a discharge resistor of gases comprising carbon dioxide and steam which are electrode reaction products and a vapor of the liquid fuel in progress of electrode reaction. An interface of the gases and a gases layer are also provided. |
| US09373848B2 |
Paste for forming conductive protection layer on collector laminate in non-aqueous rechargeable electricity-storage device
The present invention provides a conductive protective layer-forming paste for current collector laminates which can be used even for high voltage designs to protect current collectors from corroding without loss of cell characteristics, and a current collector laminate, an electrode laminate, and nonaqueous secondary cells (e.g. a lithium secondary cell, an electric double layer capacitor) that include a conductive protective layer formed therefrom. The paste for forming conductive protective layers for current collector protection includes: polytetrafluoroethylene; and a conductive filler (b). The current collector laminate includes: a conductive protective layer (A); and a current collector (B), the conductive protective layer (A) being formed by coating the paste for forming conductive protective layers onto the current collector (B). |
| US09373847B2 |
Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery, including a first electrode including a first metal plate, a first coated region where a first material is applied onto the first metal plate, and a first uncoated region, the first metal plate having a first thickness in the first uncoated region and a second thickness in the first coated region, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness, a second electrode including a second metal plate, a second coated region where a second material is applied onto the second metal plate, and a second uncoated region, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, a case housing the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode, and a current collecting plate connected to the first uncoated region through a side thereof. |
| US09373845B2 |
Method for producing fluorinated copolymer latex, fluorinated copolymer latex, binder for producing electrode, electrode mixture for storage battery device, and electrode for storage battery device
To produce a method for producing a fluorinated copolymer latex with a low content of metal components and with favorable stability of the latex even with a low content of an organic solvent. A method for producing a fluorinated copolymer latex, which comprises emulsion-polymerizing a monomer mixture containing tetrafluoroethylene and propylene in the presence of an aqueous medium, an anionic emulsifying agent and a thermally decomposable radical polymerization initiator at a polymerization temperature within a range of from 50° C. to 100° C., wherein the aqueous medium comprises water alone, or water and a water-soluble organic solvent, and the content of the water-soluble organic solvent is less than 1 part by mass per 100 parts by mass of water; and the amount of use of the anionic emulsifying agent is from 1.5 to 5.0 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the fluorinated copolymer to be formed. |
| US09373839B2 |
Negative electrode active material and secondary battery including the same
A negative electrode active material and a secondary battery including the same are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a negative electrode active material including a Si-metal alloy including Si, the Si being present in the Si-metal alloy in an amount of 66 at % or less, and at least a portion of the Si being crystalline Si. The negative active material can provide a high-capacity battery, which can retain high capacity due to little volumetric expansion during charging and discharging, thereby demonstrating an excellent life characteristic of the secondary battery. The negative electrode active material may include a Si-metal alloy including crystalline Si having a crystal grain size of 30 nm or less. Methods of preparing a negative electrode active material and methods of preparing a secondary battery including the same are also disclosed. |
| US09373826B2 |
Storage battery module
A storage battery module is provided in which, even in a case where the storage battery module is formed by integrally assembling a plurality of secondary batteries, the secondary batteries can be compactly assembled while non-uniformity in battery temperature distribution is prevented, and wiring connection work is facilitated. Using a secondary battery RB (RB1 to RB4) including a battery can 10 that houses an electrode group 1 and rectanglar shape two secondary batteries are juxtaposed in parallel, they are spaced by a predetermined distance from each other, and with respect to these juxtaposed secondary batteries as one unit, in a direction in which units of these are stacked, these units are shifted in orientation by 90° from each other, and thus a storage battery module (M1 to M8) having a configuration in which a plurality of secondary batteries are stacked in parallel crosses is obtained. |
| US09373819B2 |
Organic light-emitting device and method for producing an organic light-emitting device
The invention relates to an organic light-emitting part having a functional layer stack (10), which functional layer stack has a substrate (1), a first electrode (2) above the substrate, an organic functional layer stack (4) above the first electrode, having an organic light-emitting layer (5), and a second electrode (3) above the organic functional layer stack, wherein a layer (1, 2, 3) of the functional layer stack (10) forms a carrier layer (6) for a diffusion layer (7), wherein the diffusion layer (7) has at least one first and one second organic component (71, 72) having indices of refraction that differ from each other, wherein the first organic component (71) is hydrophobic and the second organic component (72) is hydrophilic, wherein the glass transition temperature of a mixture of the first organic component (71) and the second organic component (72); lies above the room temperature and wherein the first organic component (71) and the second organic component (72) are partially segregated in the diffusion layer (7) and the diffusion layer (7) has a mesoscopic boundary layer (75) between the first and second organic components (71, 72) or the diffusion layer (7) is present as a mesophase (78) having the first and second organic component (71, 72). The invention further relates to a method for producing an organic light-emitting part. |
| US09373818B2 |
Organic electroluminescent element
It is an object of the present invention to provide an organic electroluminescent element with which no light extraction layer needs to be produced separately, which has a transparent electrode that is advantageous in terms of cost and can be formed by a simple film formation process, and which is excellent from the standpoint of light extraction efficiency. The present invention provides an organic electroluminescent element in which a substrate, a first electrode adjacent to this substrate, an organic layer including at least one organic light-emitting layer, and a second electrode adjacent to this organic layer are formed in this order, with this organic electroluminescent element being such that at least one of the aforementioned electrodes is a transparent electrode which is transparent, which contains at least one type of light scattering particles that are transparent and that have a primary particle size of at least 0.5 μm, and which is composed of the aforementioned light scattering particles and a component having a refractive index equal to or higher than the refractive index of the aforementioned organic light-emitting layer. |
| US09373817B2 |
Substrate structure and device employing the same
A substrate structure and a device employing the same are disclosed. An embodiment of the disclosure provides the substrate structure including a flexible substrate and a first barrier layer. The flexible substrate has a top surface, a side surface, and a bottom surface. The first barrier layer is disposed on and contacting the top surface of the flexible substrate, wherein the first barrier layer consists of Si, N, and Z atoms, wherein the Z atom is selected from a group of H, C, and O atoms, and wherein Si of the first barrier layer is present in an amount from 35 to 42 atom %, N of the first barrier layer is present in an amount from 10 to 52 atom %, and Z of the first barrier layer is present in an amount from 6 to 48 atom %. |
| US09373810B2 |
Organic EL element and light-emitting apparatus including the same
An organic EL element according to the present disclosure includes a first electrode having a light-transmission property, a functional layer which is located on the first electrode and which includes a light-emitting layer, and a second electrode which is located on the functional layer, the second electrode having an opening which exposes a part of the functional layer, the second electrode including a scatter reflection surface which scatters and reflects a light emitted from the light-emitting layer, the scatter refection surface opposing to the functional layer. |
| US09373808B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
Provided is a novel light-emitting element and a light-emitting element with high light emission efficiency. A light-emitting element at least includes a first electrode, a first light-emitting layer over the first electrode, a second light-emitting layer over and in contact with the first light-emitting layer, a third light-emitting layer over and in contact with the first light-emitting layer, and a second electrode over the third light-emitting layer. One of the first light-emitting layer and the second light-emitting layer contains at least a green-light-emitting phosphorescent compound. The other of the first light-emitting layer and the second light-emitting layer contains at least an orange-light-emitting phosphorescent compound. The third light-emitting layer contains at least a blue-light-emitting hole-trapping fluorescent compound and an organic electron-transport compound that disperses the fluorescent compound. |
| US09373806B2 |
Compound for organic electric element, organic electric element comprising the same and electronic device thereof
A compound represented by Formula 1. An organic electric element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic material layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The organic material layer includes the compound. When the organic electric element includes the compound in an organic material layer, luminous efficiency, stability, and life span can be improved. |
| US09373802B2 |
Biscarbazole derivatives and organic electroluminescence device employing the same
Provided are an organic electroluminescence device having high current efficiency and a long lifetime, and a biscarbazole derivative for realizing the device. The biscarbazole derivative has a specific substituent. The organic EL device has a plurality of organic thin-film layers including a light emitting layer between a cathode and an anode, and at least one layer of the organic thin-film layers contains the biscarbazole derivative. |
| US09373801B2 |
Flavanthrene derivatives and their use as organic semiconductors
The invention relates to benzo[h]benz[5,6]acridino[2,1,9,8-klmna]acridines, methods of their preparation, their use as semiconductors in organic electronic (OE) devices, and to OE devices comprising them. |
| US09373800B2 |
Organic light emitting element having lithium—boron complex
Provided is an organic light emitting element that can be driven at a low constant voltage, exhibits high luminous efficiency, and has an excellent lifetime characteristic. The organic light emitting element includes: a pair of electrodes; and an organic compound layer arranged between the pair of electrodes, in which a layer to be brought into contact with one of the pair of electrodes in the organic compound layer contains a lithium complex compound represented by the following general formula [1]: in the formula [1], R1 to R16 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group that may be substituted with fluorine, an alkoxy group that may be substituted with fluorine, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. |
| US09373799B2 |
Organometallic complex, and light-emitting element and light-emitting device using the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide an organometallic complex that can emit phosphorescence. In the following general formula (G1), X represents —O— or —N(R10)—. R1 to R9 each represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogen group, a haloalkyl group, and an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms. In addition, R10 represents any of an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and a heteroaryl group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms. Moreover, M represents an element belonging to Group 9 or 10. |
| US09373791B2 |
Hole transport polymeric compound and polymer light emitting diode using the same
A hole transport polymeric compound and a polymer light emitting diode using the same. The hole transport polymeric compound includes a hole transport material, a thermal cross-linking agent containing an ethynyl group, and a compound represented by [Formula 1], and can be applied to a polymer light emitting diode. In addition, the hole transport polymeric compound has excellent hole transport capabilities and has stability in solvents so as to be insoluble in a solvent used upon stacking other organic layers and blocking electrons well. |
| US09373790B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, manufacturing method thereof and display device
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device are provided. In the manufacturing method, pixel electrodes, required to be deposited with a material, on a base substrate are charged, and electrodes at an evaporation source are charged to form an electric field; evaporation material corresponding to the material required to be deposited are placed into the evaporation source and ionized, and the ionized evaporation material are deposited on the base substrate under the action of the electric field; deposited material in other pixel units are etched off and removed, so that the evaporation material only on the previously charged pixel electrodes on the base substrate are retained; and patterns of the required material are formed by the processes of deposition and etching in turn. The manufacturing method improves the resolution of finished products and can help to improve the resolution of the OLED. |
| US09373786B1 |
Two terminal resistive access devices and methods of formation thereof
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a memory cell includes a two terminal access device disposed above a semiconductor substrate. The access device includes a two terminal resistive switching device having substantially zero retention. The two terminal resistive switching device has a low resistance state and a high resistance state. A memory device is disposed above the semiconductor substrate. The memory device is coupled to the access device. |
| US09373784B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a first insulating portion. The semiconductor memory device further includes a phase-change material element that contacts the first insulating portion. The semiconductor memory device further includes an electrode that contacts a side surface of the phase-change material element, the side surface of the phase-change material element being not parallel to a top surface of the electrode. The semiconductor memory device further includes a second insulating portion surrounding the phase-change material element. |
| US09373779B1 |
Magnetic tunnel junctions
A magnetic tunnel junction includes a conductive first magnetic electrode that includes magnetic recording material. A conductive second magnetic electrode is spaced from the first electrode and includes magnetic reference material. A non-magnetic tunnel insulator material is between the first and second electrodes. The magnetic reference material of the second electrode includes a non-magnetic region comprising elemental iridium. The magnetic reference material includes a magnetic region comprising elemental cobalt or a cobalt-rich alloy between the non-magnetic region and the tunnel insulator material. |
| US09373776B2 |
Magnetoresistive element and magnetic memory using the same
According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element includes first and second magnetic layers and a first nonmagnetic layer. The first magnetic layer has an axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to a film plane, and a variable magnetization. The second magnetic layer has an axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to a film plane, and an invariable magnetization. The first nonmagnetic layer is provided between the first and second magnetic layers. The second magnetic layer includes third and fourth magnetic layers, and a second nonmagnetic layer formed between the third and fourth magnetic layers. The third magnetic layer is in contact with the first nonmagnetic layer and includes Co and at least one of Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, and W. |
| US09373774B2 |
Piezoactuator and a method for producing such a piezoactuator
A piezo actuator includes an actuator body with a plurality of piezo elements and a tensioning device loading the actuator body with a bias. The tensioning device includes a traction device mounted as a biased winding on the actuator body in a plurality of turns around the actuator body. The traction device is at least one of resilient or flexible. |
| US09373770B2 |
Industrial thermoelectric generator
An industrial thermoelectric generation assembly and method are provided. A plurality of thermoelectric generation elements is provided. Each element has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a lateral surface. A thermally insulative material surrounds the lateral surface of each thermoelectric element. The first side of each thermoelectric element is disposed to contact a process heat source, and the second side is configured to be exposed to an ambient environment. At least two of the plurality of thermoelectric generation elements are wired in series. The thermoelectric generation elements, being good thermal insulators, provide good thermal insulation to the process. Withholding heat within the process (which is desired), is converted to electricity. |
| US09373765B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor chip
An optoelectronic semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor body of semiconductor material, a p-contact layer and an n-contact layer. The semiconductor body includes an active layer intended for generating radiation. The semiconductor body includes a p-side and an n-side, between which the active layer is arranged. The p-contact layer is intended for electrical contacting the p-side. The n-contact layer is intended for electrical contacting the n-side 1b. The n-contact layer contains a TCO layer and a mirror layer, the TCO-layer being arranged between the n-side of the semiconductor body and the mirror layer. |
| US09373764B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting element
A semiconductor light emitting element includes: a laminated semiconductor layer in which an n-type semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer and a p-type semiconductor layer are laminated; plural n-side electrodes that are laminated on the n-type semiconductor layer, electrically connected to the n-type semiconductor layer and arranged to surround at least a partial region of the light emitting layer and the p-type semiconductor layer as viewed from a lamination direction; and a p-side electrode that is provided on the p-type semiconductor layer, provided with a reflective property to light outputted from the light emitting layer and electrically connected to the p-type semiconductor layer, the p-side electrode including a connecting portion, which is used for electrical connection with an outside, at a region surrounded by the plural n-side electrodes as viewed from the lamination direction. |
| US09373762B2 |
Electronic part package
An electronic part package comprises a sealing resin layer, an electronic part and a metal plating pattern layer. The sealing resin layer is provided with a principal surface including a first region that has a bellows-like shape having alternate ridges and valleys and a second region that is flat. The electronic part includes an electrode having a principal surface and is covered by the sealing resin layer except the principal surface, which is surrounded by the second region. The metal plating pattern layer is integrally provided on the first and second regions and on the principal surface of the electrode. A portion of the metal plating pattern layer, the portion located on the first region, has a bellows-like shape having alternate ridges and valleys along an outline of the first region. |
| US09373759B2 |
Light-emitting semiconductor component
The invention relates to a light-emitting semiconductor component, having: a light-emitting semiconductor chip (1) with an active region (11) which, in operation, emits light (31) having a first spectrum; a wavelength conversion element (2) which is positioned remote from the semiconductor chip (1), is downstream of the semiconductor chip (1) in the beam path of the light (31) having the first spectrum and converts the light (31) having the first spectrum at least partially into light (32) having a second spectrum; and a filter layer (3), which reflects at least a part (34) of a light (33) incident on the semiconductor component from the outside. The part (34) of the light (33) incident on the semiconductor component from the outside that is reflected by the filter layer (3) has a visible wavelength range and overlaps a color impression produced by the wavelength conversion element when the semiconductor component is in a switched-off state. |
| US09373755B2 |
Light-emitting diodes on concave texture substrate
A semiconductor device having light-emitting diodes (LEDs) formed on a concave textured substrate is provided. A substrate is patterned and etched to form recesses. A separation layer is formed along the bottom of the recesses. An LED structure is formed along the sidewalls and, optionally, along the surface of the substrate between adjacent recesses. In these embodiments, the surface area of the LED structure is increased as compared to a planar surface. In another embodiment, the LED structure is formed within the recesses such that the bottom contact layer is non-conformal to the topology of the recesses. In these embodiments, the recesses in a silicon substrate result in a cubic structure in the bottom contact layer, such as an n-GaN layer, which has a non-polar characteristic and exhibits higher external quantum efficiency. |
| US09373752B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting element
A semiconductor light-emitting element includes, a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, a first electrode connected to the first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode provided on the second semiconductor layer. A side of the second electrode facing to the second semiconductor layer is composed of at least any one of silver and silver alloy. The second electrode has a void having a width of emission wavelength or less of the light-emitting layer in a plane of the second electrode facing to the second semiconductor layer. |
| US09373748B2 |
Nitride semiconductor light emitting device
The present invention discloses a nitride semiconductor light emitting device with improved light efficiency. The nitride semiconductor light emitting device includes a n-type nitride layer and p-type nitride layer, an active layer disposed between the n-type and p-type nitride layers and with a multiple quantum well structure wherein a plurality of quantum well layers and a plurality of quantum barrier layers are stacked alternatively in the active layer, and a superlattice layer between the active layer and the p-type nitride layer with asymmetric structure. Herein, a thickness of a well layers gradually increases from the p-type nitride layer to the active layer and the height of the barrier layers gradually increases from the active layer to the p-type nitride layer and therefore, an injection efficiency of a hole supplied from p-type nitride layer to an active layer is increased. |
| US09373746B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor light emitting device having sloped wiring unit
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate, a semiconductor laminate disposed on the substrate and divided to a plurality of light emitting cells with an isolation region, and a wiring unit electrically connecting the plurality of light emitting cells. A region of lateral surfaces of each of the light emitting cells in which the wiring unit is disposed has a slope gentler than slopes of other regions of the lateral surfaces of each of the light emitting cells. |
| US09373744B2 |
Method for treating a semiconductor
Methods for treating a semiconductor material, and for making devices containing a semiconducting material, are presented. One embodiment is a method for treating a semiconductor material that includes a chalcogenide. The method comprises contacting at least a portion of the semiconductor material with a chemical agent. The chemical agent comprises a solvent, and an iodophor dissolved in the solvent. |
| US09373742B2 |
Plasma-assisted techniques for fabricating semiconductor devices
Plasma-assisted techniques are provided for fabricating semiconductor devices. In one aspect, a plasma is applied to a substrate before exfoliating layers of a multi-layer structure of atomically thin two-dimensional sheets onto the substrate. The exfoliated layers serve as the basis for constructing a semiconductor device. In another aspect, a p-n junction is formed by applying a plasma to top layers of a multi-layer structure of atomically thin two-dimensional sheets and then exfoliating a portion of the multi-layer structure onto a bottom electrode. |
| US09373738B2 |
Solar module
Provided is a solar module with improved reliability. A solar module (1) is provided with a solar cell (10), a wiring member (11), a resin adhesive layer (12), and a buffer region (40). The wiring member (11) is electrically connected to the solar cell (10). The resin adhesive layer (12) bonds the solar cell (10) and the wiring member (11) to one another. The buffer region (40) is provided at least partially between the wiring member (11) and the solar cell (10). The buffer region (40) contains a non-crosslinked resin. |
| US09373733B2 |
Semiconductor light-receiving device and semiconductor light-receiving device array
A semiconductor light-receiving device includes a substrate having a principal surface including first and second areas; a post disposed on the first area, the post including a semiconductor mesa; and a resin layer disposed on the second area in contact with a side surface of the post. The resin layer has, on a ray extending from a first point within the first area through a second point within the second area, a first thickness and a second thickness respectively at a third point and a fourth point that are located within the second area at different distances from the first point. The distance from the first point to the fourth point is larger than the distance from the first point to the third point. The first thickness is larger than the second thickness. The resin layer has a surface that monotonically changes from the first thickness to the second thickness. |
| US09373730B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing optical device
An optical device manufacturing apparatus includes an encapsulating device for encapsulating an optical semiconductor element 4 mounted on a substrate 2 by a liquid resin R in a lens shape, and a curing device for curing the liquid resin R, wherein the encapsulating device includes a dispenser capable of vertically moving a nozzle 25 for supplying the liquid resin R, and brings the tip of the nozzle 25 close to the optical semiconductor element 4 and then supplies the liquid resin R while raising the nozzle 25. According to this optical device manufacturing apparatus, an optical device having the desired optical properties can be obtained promptly and easily. |
| US09373728B2 |
Trench MOS PN junction diode structure
A trench MOS PN junction diode structure includes a first conductive type substrate, a plurality of trenches defined on a face of the first conductive type substrate, a gate oxide layer formed at least on inner sidewalls of the trenches, a polysilicon layer formed in the trenches, a second conductive type low-concentration ion-implanted region formed at least in the first conductive type substrate, a high-concentration ion-implanted region formed below the trenches, and an electrode layer covering the first conductive type substrate, the second conductive type low-concentration ion-implanted region, the gate oxide and the polysilicon layer. The high-concentration ion-implanted region below the trenches provides pinch-off voltage sustention in reversed bias operation to reduce leakage current of the trench MOS PN junction diode structure. |
| US09373723B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
The present invention provides a semiconductor device which suppresses a short circuit and a leakage current between a semiconductor film and a gate electrode generated by a break or thin thickness of a gate insulating film in an end portion of a channel region of the semiconductor film, and the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device. Plural thin film transistors which each have semiconductor film provided over a substrate continuously, conductive films provided over the semiconductor film through a gate insulating film, source and drain regions provided in the semiconductor film which are not overlapped with the conductive films, and channel regions provided in the semiconductor film existing under the conductive films and between the source and drain regions. And impurity regions provided in the semiconductor film which is not overlapped with the conductive film and provided adjacent to the source and drain regions. Further, the conductive films are provided over the channel regions and regions of the semiconductor film which are provided adjacent to the channel regions. |
| US09373722B2 |
Semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a semiconductor structure comprising: a semiconductor base located on an insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer is located on a semiconductor substrate; source/drain regions, which are in contact with first sidewalls of the semiconductor base opposite to each other; gates located on second sidewalls of the semiconductor base opposite to each other; an insulating via located on the insulating layer and embedded into the semiconductor base; and an epitaxial layer sandwiched between the insulating via and the semiconductor base. The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure comprising: forming an insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a semiconductor base on the insulating layer; forming a void within the semiconductor base, wherein the void exposes the semiconductor substrate; forming an epitaxial layer in the void through selective epitaxy; and forming an insulating via within the void. Short-channel effects are significantly suppressed through forming super-steep retrograde well (SSRW). |
| US09373721B2 |
Methods of forming a non-planar ultra-thin body semiconductor device and the resulting devices
One device disclosed includes a gate structure positioned around a perimeter surface of the fin, a layer of channel semiconductor material having an axial length in the channel length direction of the device that corresponds approximately to the overall width of the gate structure being positioned between the gate structure and around the outer perimeter surface of the fin, wherein an inner surface of the layer of channel semiconductor material is spaced apart from and does not contact the outer perimeter surface of the fin. One method disclosed involves, among other things, forming first and second layers of semiconductor material around the fin, forming a gate structure around the second semiconductor material, removing the portions of the first and second layers of semiconductor material positioned laterally outside of sidewall spacers and removing the first layer of semiconductor material positioned below the second layer of semiconductor material. |
| US09373719B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes an active fin region, at least a gate strip, and a dummy fin region. The active fin region comprises at least an active fin. The gate strip is formed on the active fin region and extending across the active fin. The dummy fin region, comprising a plurality of dummy fins, is formed on two sides of the active fin region, and the dummy fins are formed on two sides of the gate strip. |
| US09373718B2 |
Etching method for forming grooves in Si-substrate and fin field-effect transistor
An etching method adapted to forming grooves in Si-substrate and FinFET transistor manufactured thereof are provided. The etching method includes providing a silicon substrate, at least two gate structures formed on the silicon substrate and at least two gate spacer structures disposed on the silicon substrate; performing a first etching process on the silicon substrate to form a first groove, which has a base and two inclined sidewalls, ascending to respective bottoms of the gate structures, and are interconnected with the base, respectively; and performing a second etching process on the silicon substrate at the base of the first groove, so as to form a second groove in an inverted -symbol shape, wherein the two inclined sidewalls of the first groove are interconnected with the second groove respectively, and the first etching process is substantially different from the second etching process. |
| US09373714B2 |
Extended-drain MOS transistor in a thin film on insulator
An extended-drain transistor is formed in a semiconductor layer arranged on one side of an insulating layer with a semiconductor region being arranged on the other side of the insulating layer. The semiconductor region includes a first portion of a first conductivity type arranged in front of the source and at least one larger portion of the gate and a second portion of a second conductivity type arranged in front of at least the larger portion of the extended drain region, each of the first and second portions being coupled to a connection pad. |
| US09373713B2 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor device and method of manufacture thereof
A silicon carbide semiconductor device and method of manufacture thereof is made by providing a channel control zone which has impurity concentration distribution increased gradually from a first doping boundary to reach a maximum value between the first doping boundary and a second doping boundary, then decreased gradually toward the second doping boundary, so that the silicon carbide semiconductor device is formed with a lower conduction resistance and increased drain current without sacrificing threshold voltage. |
| US09373712B2 |
Transistor and method of manufacturing the same
A transistor includes source region and drain regions, a channel region, a drift region, a gate, a dummy gate, a gate dielectric layer and an interconnection line. The source and drain regions of a first conductivity type are in a substrate. The channel region of a second conductivity type is in the substrate and surrounds the source region. The drift region of the first conductivity type is beneath the drain region and extends toward the channel region. The gate is over the substrate and overlapped with the channel region and the drift region. The dummy gate is over the drift region and laterally adjacent to the gate. The gate dielectric layer is between the gate and the substrate and between the dummy gate and the drift region. The interconnection line is electrically connected to the dummy gate and configured to provide a voltage potential thereto. |
| US09373711B2 |
Semiconductor device
Disclosed is a semiconductor device including two oxide semiconductor layers, where one of the oxide semiconductor layers has an n-doped region while the other of the oxide semiconductor layers is substantially i-type. The semiconductor device includes the two oxide semiconductor layers sandwiched between a pair of oxide layers which have a common element included in any of the two oxide semiconductor layers. A double-well structure is formed in a region including the two oxide semiconductor layers and the pair of oxide layers, leading to the formation of a channel formation region in the n-doped region. This structure allows the channel formation region to be surrounded by an i-type oxide semiconductor, which contributes to the production of a semiconductor device that is capable of feeding enormous current. |
| US09373710B2 |
Insulated gate bipolar transistor
A semiconductor component is described herein. In accordance with one example of the invention, the semiconductor component includes a semiconductor body, which has a top surface and a bottom surface. A body region, which is doped with dopants of a second doping type, is arranged at the top surface of the semiconductor body. A drift region is arranged under the body region and doped with dopants of a first doping type, which is complementary to the second doping type. Thus a first pn-junction is formed at the transition between the body region and the drift region. A field stop region is arranged under the drift region and adjoins the drift region. The field stop region is doped with dopants of the same doping type as the drift region. However, the concentration of dopants in the field stop region is higher than the concentration of dopants in the drift region. At least one pair of semiconductor layers composed of a first and a second semiconductor layer are arranged in the drift region. The first semiconductor layer extends substantially parallel to the top surface of the semiconductor body and is doped with dopants of the first doping type but with a higher concentration of dopants than the drift region. The second semiconductor layer is arranged adjacent to or adjoining the first semiconductor layer and is doped with dopants of the second doping type. Furthermore, the second semiconductor layer is structured to include openings so that a vertical current path is provided through the drift region without an intervening pn-junction. |
| US09373708B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
To establish a processing technique in manufacture of a semiconductor device including an In—Sn—Zn—O-based semiconductor. An In—Sn—Zn—O-based semiconductor layer is selectively etched by dry etching with the use of a gas containing chlorine such as Cl2, BCl3, SiCl4, or the like. In formation of a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer, a conductive layer on and in contact with the In—Sn—Zn—O-based semiconductor layer can be selectively etched with little removal of the In—Sn—Zn—O-based semiconductor layer with the use of a gas containing oxygen or fluorine in addition to a gas containing chlorine. |
| US09373705B1 |
Manufacturing method of a fin-shaped field effect transistor and a device thereof
The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET), comprises the following steps. Firstly, providing a substrate having a fin structure; forming a gate structure on the fin structure perpendicular to a extending direction of the fin structure; performing an amorphous implantation to form an amorphous layer on a exposed portion of the fin structure exposed by the gate structure and a light-doping implantation; forming a sacrificial spacer on sides of the gate structure covering a portion of the amorphous layer on the fin structure; forming a trench on the fin structure adjacent to the sacrificial spacer; growing an alloy in the trench; and then removing the sacrificial spacer. The invention also provides a FinFET device thereof. |
| US09373704B2 |
Multiple-gate semiconductor device and method
A system and method for manufacturing multiple-gate semiconductor devices is disclosed. An embodiment comprises multiple fins, wherein intra-fin isolation regions extend into the substrate less than inter-fin isolation regions. Regions of the multiple fins not covered by the gate stack are removed and source/drain regions are formed from the substrate so as to avoid the formation of voids between the fins in the source/drain region. |
| US09373703B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an active pattern protruding from a semiconductor substrate, forming a dummy gate pattern crossing over the active pattern, forming gate spacers on opposite first and second sidewalls of the dummy gate pattern, removing the dummy gate pattern to form a gate region exposing an upper surface and sidewalls of the active pattern between the gate spacers, recessing the upper surface of the active pattern exposed by the gate region to form a channel recess region, forming a channel pattern in the channel recess region by a selective epitaxial growth (SEG) process, and sequentially forming a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode covering an upper surface and sidewalls of the channel pattern in the gate region. The channel pattern has a lattice constant different from that of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09373702B2 |
Carbon-doped cap for a raised active semiconductor region
After formation of a disposable gate structure, a raised active semiconductor region includes a vertical stack, from bottom to top, of an electrical-dopant-doped semiconductor material portion and a carbon-doped semiconductor material portion. A planarization dielectric layer is deposited over the raised active semiconductor region, and the disposable gate structure is replaced with a replacement gate structure. A contact via cavity is formed through the planarization dielectric material layer by an anisotropic etch process that employs a fluorocarbon gas as an etchant. The carbon in the carbon-doped semiconductor material portion retards the anisotropic etch process, and the carbon-doped semiconductor material portion functions as a stopping layer for the anisotropic etch process, thereby making the depth of the contact via cavity less dependent on variations on the thickness of the planarization dielectric layer or pattern factors. |
| US09373698B2 |
Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices and electronic devices
In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an isolation layer pattern is formed on a substrate to define a field region covered by the isolation layer pattern and first and second active regions that is not covered by the isolation layer pattern and protrudes from the isolation layer pattern. A first anti-reflective layer is formed on the isolation layer pattern. A first photoresist layer is formed on the first and second active regions of the substrate and the first anti-reflective layer. The first photoresist layer is partially etched to form a first photoresist pattern covering the first active region. Impurities are implanted into the second active region to form a first impurity region. |
| US09373692B2 |
Method for forming a semiconductor device with an integrated poly-diode
A method for forming a field effect power semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor body comprising a main horizontal surface and a conductive region arranged next to the main horizontal surface, forming an insulating layer on the main horizontal surface, and etching a narrow trench through the insulating layer so that a portion of the conductive region is exposed, the narrow trench comprising, in a given vertical cross-section, a maximum horizontal extension. The method further includes forming a vertical poly-diode structure comprising a horizontally extending pn-junction. Forming the vertical poly-diode structure includes depositing a polycrystalline semiconductor layer comprising a minimum vertical thickness of at least half of the maximum horizontal extension and maskless back-etching of the polycrystalline semiconductor layer to form a polycrystalline region in the narrow trench. |
| US09373690B2 |
Variable length multi-channel replacement metal gate including silicon hard mask
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming first and second semiconductor structures on a semiconductor substrate. The first semiconductor structure includes a first gate channel region having a first gate length, and the second semiconductor structure including a second gate channel region having a second gate length that is greater than the first gate length. The method further includes depositing a work function metal layer in each of a first gate void formed at the first gate channel region and a second gate void formed at the second gate channel region. The method further includes depositing a semiconductor masking layer on the work function metal layer, and simultaneously etching the silicon masking layer located at the first and second gate channel regions to re-expose the first and second gate voids. A low-resistive metal is deposited in the first and second gate voids to form low-resistive metal gate stacks. |
| US09373687B2 |
Light emitting ceramic substrate including group-III nitride
In a semiconductor device, a YAG substrate is formed as a single-crystal substrate of any of surface orientations (100), (110), and (111). In the fabrication of the semiconductor device, a TMAl gas is first fed onto the YAG substrate so as to form a nucleation layer made of aluminum, which is a group-III element. Then, an NH3 gas is fed onto the nucleation layer. This turns the surface of the nucleation layer into a group-V element and then forms a group-III-V compound layer of AlN. Then, a mixed gas of TMAl gas and NH3 gas is fed onto the group-III-V compound layer so as to form another group-III-V compound layer. Finally, a group-III nitride semiconductor layer is crystal-grown on the group-III compound layer. |
| US09373684B2 |
Method of manufacturing variation resistant metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET)
Variation resistant metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET) are manufactured using a high-K, metal-gate ‘channel-last’ process. Between spacers formed over a well area having separate drain and source areas, a cavity is formed. Thereafter an ion implant step through the cavity results in a localized increase in well-doping directly beneath the cavity. The implant is activated by a microsecond annealing which causes minimum dopant diffusion. Within the cavity a recess into the well area is formed in which an active region is formed using an un-doped or lightly doped epitaxial layer. A high-K dielectric stack is formed over the lightly doped epitaxial layer, over which a metal gate is formed within the cavity boundaries. In one embodiment of the invention a cap of poly-silicon or amorphous silicon is added on top of the metal gate. |
| US09373680B1 |
Integrated circuits with capacitors and methods of producing the same
Integrated circuits with MIM capacitors and methods for producing them with metal and oxide hard masks are provided. Embodiments include disposing a dielectric layer over an ILD, the ILD including a contact therethrough in a first region; forming a capacitor trench in the dielectric layer in a second region; forming a MIM hard mask by: disposing a first metal hard mask in the first region and in the capacitor trench in the second region; disposing an oxide hard mask over the first metal hard mask; and disposing a second metal hard mask over the oxide hard mask; forming a metal line trench through the MIM hard mask in the first region, including over the contact, while masking the second region; and removing portions of the MIM hard mask in the capacitor trench, wherein a remaining portion of the first metal hard mask comprises a bottom plate of an MIM capacitor. |
| US09373679B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising capacitive element
A semiconductor device production method includes forming a transition metal film, irradiating a surface of the transition metal film with a mono-silane gas to form a silicon-containing transition metal film, and oxidizing the silicon-containing transition metal film by an oxygen plasma treatment, thereby forming a transition metal silicate film. |
| US09373678B2 |
Non-planar capacitors with finely tuned capacitance values and methods of forming the non-planar capacitors
Disclosed are non-planar capacitors with finely tuned capacitances and methods of forming them. The capacitors each incorporate one or more semiconductor bodies and one or more gate stacks traversing the one or more semiconductor bodies. At least one first semiconductor body is etched so that it is shorter in length than the others, which are incorporated into other non-planar devices and/or into the same non-planar capacitor. Additionally, at least one gate stack can be formed so that it traverses a first portion and, particularly, an end portion of the shortened semiconductor body and further so that it extends laterally some distance beyond that first portion. In such capacitors, the length of the first portion of the shorted semiconductor body, which corresponds to a capacitor conductor and which is traversed by the gate stack, which corresponds to a capacitor dielectric and another capacitor conductor, is predetermined to achieve a desired capacitance. |
| US09373677B2 |
Doping of ZrO2 for DRAM applications
A method of forming a dielectric material, comprising doping a zirconium oxide material, using a dopant precursor selected from the group consisting of Ti(NMe2)4; Ti(NMeEt)4; Ti(NEt2)4;TiCl4; tBuN═Nb(NEt2)3; tBuN═Nb(NMe2)3; t-BuN═Nb(NEtMe)3; t-AmN═Nb(NEt2)3; t-AmN═Nb(NEtMe)3; t-AmN═Nb(NMe2)3; t-AmN═Nb(OBu-t)3; Nb-13; Nb(NEt2)4; Nb(NEt2)5; Nb(N(CH3)2)5; Nb(OC2H5)5; Nb(thd)(OPr-i)4; SiH(OMe)3; SiCU; Si(NMe2)4; (Me3Si)2NH; GeRax(ORb)4.x wherein x is from 0 to 4, each Ra is independently selected from H or C1-C8 alkyl and each Rb is independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl; GeCl4; Ge(NRa2)4 wherein each Ra is independently selected from H and C1-C8 alkyl; and (Rb3Ge)2NH wherein each Rb is independently selected from C1-C8 alkyl; bis(N,N′-diisopropyl-1,3-propanediamide) titanium; and tetrakis(isopropylmethylamido) titanium; wherein Me is methyl, Et is ethyl, Pr-i is isopropyl, t-Bu is tertiary butyl, t-Am is tertiary amyl, and thd is 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate. Doped zirconium oxide materials of the present disclosure are usefully employed in ferroelectric capacitors and dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices. |
| US09373676B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
The semiconductor device has an insulation layer formed over a semiconductor substrate, a conductor plug 46 buried in the insulation layer, a capacitor formed above the insulation layer and the conductor plug and including a lower electrode formed of the first conduction film and the second conduction film formed over the first conduction film and formed of Pt, Pt alloy, Pd or Pd alloy, a capacitor dielectric film formed of a ferroelectric or a high dielectric formed over the lower electrode and an upper electrode formed over the capacitor dielectric film, the capacitor dielectric film contains a first element of Pb or Bi, and the concentration peak of the first element diffused in the lower electrode from the capacitor dielectric film positioning in the interface between the first conduction film and the second conduction film. |
| US09373675B2 |
Capacitor structure and method of forming the same
Disclosed embodiments include a capacitor structure and a method for forming a capacitor structure. An embodiment is a structure comprising a conductor-insulator-conductor capacitor on a substrate. The conductor-insulator-conductor capacitor comprises a first conductor on the substrate, a dielectric stack over the first conductor, and a second conductor over the dielectric stack. The dielectric stack comprises a first nitride layer, a first oxide layer over the first nitride layer, and a second nitride layer over the first oxide layer. A further embodiment is a method comprising forming a first conductor on a substrate; forming a first nitride layer over the first conductor; treating the first nitride layer with a first nitrous oxide (N2O) treatment to form an oxide layer on the first nitride layer; forming a second nitride layer over the oxide layer; and forming a second conductor over the second nitride layer. |
| US09373674B2 |
Sandwich damascene resistor
A method is provided for forming sandwich damascene resistors in MOL processes and the resulting devices. Embodiments include forming on a substrate a film stack including an interlayer dielectric (ILD), a first dielectric layer, and a sacrifice layer (SL); removing a portion of the SL and the first dielectric layer, forming a first cavity; conformally forming a layer of resistive material in the first cavity and over the SL; depositing a second dielectric layer over the layer of resistive material and filling the first cavity; and removing the second dielectric layer, the layer of resistive material not in the first cavity, and at least a partial depth of the SL |
| US09373673B2 |
3-D inductor and transformer
In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor die, an interposer, and conductive bumps bonding the semiconductor die to the interposer. The semiconductor die comprises a first metallization layer, and the first metallization layer comprises a first conductive pattern. The interposer comprises a second metallization layer, and the second metallization layer comprises a second conductive pattern. Some of the conductive bumps electrically couple the first conductive pattern to the second conductive pattern to form a coil. Other embodiments contemplate other configurations of coils, inductors, and/or transformers, and contemplate methods of manufacture. |
| US09373668B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display device and method of fabricating the same
An organic light emitting diode display device and a method of fabricating the organic light emitting diode display device are discussed. The organic light emitting diode display device includes, a plurality of first electrodes extending in a first direction and a second direction; a common line to adjacent plurality of first electrodes; a pixel definition layer disposed at boundaries of the plurality of first electrodes; an adhesive pattern disposed on the common line; a wall on the adhesive pattern and overlapping the common line; an organic layer on the plurality of first electrodes and on the wall; and a second electrode on the organic layer and contacting the common line in a portion under an overhang of the wall, wherein the organic layer is spaced apart from the adhesive pattern by a distance, and wherein the distance is covered by a portion of the second electrode. |
| US09373667B2 |
Method for manufacturing display device
The present invention provides a display device which inhibits deterioration in display quality caused by color mixture of luminescent layers. In a case where vapor deposition particles are deposited onto a substrate, P+2Lc≧{(Ts×M+0.96×G×Wn)/(Ts−G)}+2Dm and 3 μm≦Dm ≦5 μm are satisfied, where “M” is a width of a mask opening, “Wn” is a width of an injection hole, “G” is a distance between the TFT substrate and a vapor deposition mask, “Ts” is a distance between the TFT substrate and a vapor deposition source, “P” is a width of a first pixel opening, and “Lc” is a width of a non-display region. |
| US09373663B2 |
Landing pad in peripheral circuit for magnetic random access memory (MRAM)
The present invention is directed to a memory device having a via landing pad in the peripheral circuit that minimizes the memory cell size. A device having features of the present invention comprises a peripheral circuit region and a magnetic memory cell region including at least a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element. The peripheral circuit region comprises a substrate and a bottom contact formed therein; a landing pad including a first magnetic layer structure formed on top of the bottom contact and a second magnetic layer structure separated from the first magnetic layer structure by an insulating tunnel junction layer, wherein each of the insulating tunnel junction layer and the second magnetic layer structure has an opening aligned to each other; and a via partly embedded in the landing pad and directly coupled to the first magnetic layer structure through the openings. |
| US09373660B2 |
Method of forming a low profile image sensor package with an image sensor substrate, a support substrate and a printed circuit board
An image sensor package, and method of making same, that includes a printed circuit board having a first substrate with an aperture extending therethrough, one or more circuit layers, and a plurality of first contact pads electrically coupled to the one or more circuit layers. A sensor chip mounted to the printed circuit board and disposed at least partially in the aperture. The sensor chip includes a second substrate, a plurality of photo detectors formed on or in the second substrate, and a plurality of second contact pads formed at the surface of the second substrate which are electrically coupled to the photo detectors. Electrical connectors each electrically connect one of the first contact pads and one of the second contact pads. A lens module is mounted to the printed circuit board and has one or more lenses disposed for focusing light onto the photo detectors. |
| US09373659B2 |
Method of manufacturing solid-state image pickup apparatus
One or more methods of manufacturing a solid-state image pickup apparatus and one or more methods of manufacturing a light reflection member are provided herein, and one or more embodiments thereof may include forming a first insulating film and forming a photoresist pattern on the first insulating film. Furthermore, one or more embodiments of such methods may include forming an opening portion by removing the first insulating film while having the photoresist pattern serve as a mask and forming a light reflection member on a sidewall of the opening portion formed in the first insulating film. |
| US09373653B2 |
Stepped package for image sensor
An image sensor package includes a crystalline handler having opposing first and second surfaces, and a cavity formed into the first surface. At least one step extends from a sidewall of the cavity, wherein the cavity terminates in an aperture at the second surface. A cover is mounted to the second surface and extends over and covers the aperture. The cover is optically transparent to at least one range of light wavelengths. A sensor chip is disposed in the cavity and mounted to the at least one step. The sensor chip includes a substrate with front and back opposing surfaces, a plurality of photo detectors formed at the front surface, and a plurality of contact pads formed at the front surface which are electrically coupled to the photo detectors. |
| US09373652B2 |
Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are a display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the display apparatus. The display apparatus includes: a substrate having a major surface; and a capacitor disposed over the substrate. The capacitor includes a first electrode, and a second electrode disposed over the first electrode. The second electrode includes a first region, a second region and an opening when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the major surface. The first region has a first thickness, and a second region has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. |
| US09373651B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
A display device includes a first substrate including a protrusion electrode pattern, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The protrusion electrode pattern is made of a conductive polymer material, and a state of the liquid crystal layer changes from an isotropic state to an anisotropic state when an electric field is applied. |
| US09373650B2 |
TFT array substrate, manufacturing method thereof and display panel
A TFT array substrate is disclosed. The TFT array substrate includes a TFT area, which includes a TFT first electrode layer, a TFT second electrode layer, a TFT insulation layer, and a TFT etching stop layer. The TFT array substrate also includes also includes a storage capacitor, which includes a capacitor first electrode layer, a capacitor second electrode layer, a capacitor insulation layer, and a capacitor etching stop layer. The TFT first electrode layer and the capacitor first electrode layer are formed in a shared first electrode layer, the TFT second electrode layer and the capacitor second electrode layer are formed in a shared second electrode layer, the TFT insulation layer and the capacitor insulation layer are formed in a shared insulation layer, and the TFT etching stop layer and the capacitor etching stop layer are formed in a shared etching stop layer. |
| US09373648B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacture thereof
This semiconductor device (100A) includes: an oxide layer (15) which includes a semiconductor region (5) and a conductor region (7) that contacts with the semiconductor region; a source electrode (6s) and a drain electrode (6d) which are electrically connected to the semiconductor region; an insulating layer (11) formed on the source and drain electrodes; a transparent electrode (9) arranged to overlap at least partially with the conductor region with the insulating layer interposed between them; a source line (6a) formed out of the same conductive film as the source electrode; and a gate extended line (3a) formed out of the same conductive film as a gate electrode (3). The source line is electrically connected to the gate extended line via a transparent connecting layer (9a) which is formed out of the same conductive film as the transparent electrode. |
| US09373643B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object is to achieve low power consumption and a long lifetime of a semiconductor device having a wireless communication function. The object can be achieved in such a manner that a battery serving as a power supply source and a specific circuit are electrically connected to each other through a transistor in which a channel formation region is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The hydrogen concentration of the oxide semiconductor is lower than or equal to 5×1019 (atoms/cm3). Therefore, leakage current of the transistor can be reduced. As a result, power consumption of the semiconductor device in a standby state can be reduced. Further, the semiconductor device can have a long lifetime. |
| US09373640B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure. The semiconductor device includes a first wiring; a second wiring; a third wiring; a fourth wiring; a first transistor having a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode; and a second transistor having a second gate electrode, a second source electrode, and a second drain electrode. The first transistor is provided in a substrate including a semiconductor material. The second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer. |
| US09373638B1 |
Complementary metal-oxide silicon having silicon and silicon germanium channels
A silicon germanium on insulator (SGOI) wafer having nFET and pFET regions is accessed, the SGOI wafer having a silicon germanium (SiGe) layer having a first germanium (Ge) concentration, and a first oxide layer over nFET and pFET and removing the first oxide layer over the pFET. Then, increasing the first Ge concentration in the SiGe layer in the pFET to a second Ge concentration and removing the first oxide layer over the nFET. Then, recessing the SiGe layer of the first Ge concentration in the nFET so that the SiGe layer is in plane with the SiGe layer in the pFET of the second Ge concentration. Then, growing a silicon (Si) layer over the SGOI in the nFET and a SiGe layer of a third concentration in the pFET, where the SiGe layer of a third concentration is in plane with the grown nFET Si layer. |
| US09373637B2 |
Epitaxial semiconductor resistor with semiconductor structures on same substrate
An electrical device is provided that includes a substrate having an upper semiconductor layer, a buried dielectric layer and a base semiconductor layer. At least one isolation region is present in the substrate that defines a semiconductor device region and a resistor device region. The semiconductor device region includes a semiconductor device having a back gate structure that is present in the base semiconductor layer. Electrical contact to the back gate structure is provided by doped epitaxial semiconductor pillars that extend through the buried dielectric layer. An epitaxial semiconductor resistor is present in the resistor device region. Undoped epitaxial semiconductor pillars extending from the epitaxial semiconductor resistor to the base semiconductor layer provide a pathway for heat generated by the epitaxial semiconductor resistor to be dissipated to the base semiconductor layer. The undoped and doped epitaxial semiconductor pillars are composed of the same epitaxial semiconductor material. |
| US09373636B2 |
Methods of forming semiconductor constructions
Some embodiments include a semiconductor construction having a stack containing alternating levels of control gate material and intervening dielectric material. A channel material panel extends through the stack and along a first direction. The panel divides the stack into a first section on a first side of the panel and a second section on a second side of the panel. Memory cell stacks are between the channel material panel and the control gate material. The memory cell stacks include cell dielectric material shaped as containers having open ends pointing toward the channel material panel, and include charge-storage material within the containers. Some embodiments include methods of forming semiconductor constructions. |
| US09373631B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first stacked layer structure including first to nth semiconductor layers (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) stacked in a first direction, and extending in a second direction, and first to nth memory cells provided on surfaces of the first to nth semiconductor layers facing a third direction. The ith memory cell (1≦i≦n) comprises a second stacked layer structure in which a first insulating layer, a charge storage layer, a second insulating layer, and a control gate electrode are stacked. The second insulating layer has an equivalent oxide thickness smaller than that of the first insulating layer. |
| US09373630B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
To improve a semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory. A first MISFET, a second MISFET, and a memory cell are formed, and a stopper film made of a silicon oxide film is formed thereover. Then, over the stopper film, a stress application film made of a silicon nitride film is formed, and the stress application film over the second MISFET and the memory cell is removed. Thereafter, heat treatment is performed to apply a stress to the first MISFET. Thus, a SMT is not applied to each of elements, but is applied selectively. This can reduce the degree of degradation of the second MISFET due to H (hydrogen) in the silicon nitride film forming the stress application film. This can also reduce the degree of degradation of the characteristics of the memory cell due to the H (hydrogen) in the silicon nitride film forming the stress application film. |
| US09373629B1 |
Memory device and method for fabricating the same
A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a plurality of stack structures, a plurality of first stepped contacts, and a plurality of second stepped contacts. Each of the stack structures extends in a first direction, and includes a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer is disposed above the first semiconductor layer. Each of the first stepped contacts extends in a second direction, and a bottom surface thereof is electrically connected to the first semiconductor layers of an i+1th stack structure and an i+2th stack structure, wherein i is an odd number. Each of the second stepped contacts extends in the second direction, and a bottom surface thereof is electrically connected to the second semiconductor layers of an nth stack structure and the i+1th stack structure. The first direction is different from the second direction. |
| US09373627B2 |
Multiple-time programming memory cells and methods for forming the same
A method includes forming Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) regions to separate a first active region and a second active region of a semiconductor substrate from each other, etching a portion of the STI regions that contacts a sidewall of the second active region to form a recess, and implanting a top surface layer and a side surface layer of the second active region to form an implantation region. The side surface layer of the second active region extends from the sidewall of the second active region into the second active region. An upper portion of the top surface layer and an upper portion of the side surface layer are oxidized to form a capacitor insulator. A floating gate is formed to extend over the first active region and the second active region. The floating gate includes a portion extending into the recess. |
| US09373626B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a plate line that is connected to ferroelectric capacitors selected from a plurality of ferroelectric capacitors and covers the selected ferroelectric capacitors and regions between the selected ferroelectric capacitors from above top electrodes. |
| US09373624B1 |
FinFET devices including epitaxially grown device isolation regions, and a method of manufacturing same
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a plurality of fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) devices, comprises forming a plurality of fins on a substrate, wherein a first portion of the fins corresponds to p-type field-effect transistors, and a second portion of the fins corresponds to n-type field-effect transistors, forming a plurality of gate electrodes on the plurality of the fins, growing a p-type doped epitaxial region at each of a plurality of source/drain regions between predetermined gate electrodes of the p-type field-effect transistors, and growing an n-type doped epitaxial region at one or more areas between gate electrodes of respective adjacent p-type field-effect transistors to create one or more p-n junctions electrically isolating the adjacent p-type field-effect transistors from each other. |