最新美国发明专利第2016-10-25期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US09478636B2	Method of forming semiconductor device including source/drain contact having height below gate stack Provided is a semiconductor device and methods of forming the same. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having source/drain regions and a channel region between the source/drain regions; a gate structure over the substrate and adjacent to the channel region; source/drain contacts over the source/drain regions and electrically connecting to the source/drain regions; and a contact protection layer over the source/drain contacts. The gate structure includes a gate stack and a spacer. A top surface of the source/drain contacts is lower than a top surface of the spacer, which is substantially co-planar with a top surface of the contact protection layer. The contact protection layer prevents accidental shorts between the gate stack and the source/drain regions when gate vias are formed over the gate stack. Therefore, gate vias may be formed over any portion of the gate stack, even in areas that overlap the channel region from a top view.
US09478634B2	Methods of forming replacement gate structures on finFET devices and the resulting devices One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a fin having an upper surface and a plurality of side surfaces, forming a sacrificial gate structure comprised of a low-density oxide material having a density of less than 1.8 g/cm3 on and in contact with the upper surface and the side surfaces of the fin and a sacrificial gate material positioned on and in contact with the upper surface of the low-density oxide material, and forming a sidewall spacer adjacent the sacrificial gate structure. The method further includes removing the sacrificial gate material so as to thereby expose the low-density oxide material, so as to define a replacement gate cavity, and forming a replacement gate structure in the replacement gate cavity.
US09478633B2	Method and apparatus of forming ESD protection device The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device having a transistor. The transistor includes a source region, a drain region, and a channel region that are formed in a semiconductor substrate. The channel region is disposed between the source and drain regions. The transistor includes a first gate that is disposed over the channel region. The transistor includes a plurality of second gates that are disposed over the drain region.
US09478632B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device A method of making a semiconductor device includes epitaxially growing a channel layer over a substrate. The method further includes depositing an active layer over the channel layer. Additionally, the method includes forming a gate structure over the active layer, the gate structure configured to deplete a 2DEG under the gate structure, the gate structure including a dopant. Furthermore, the method includes forming a barrier layer between the gate structure and the active layer, the barrier layer configured to block diffusion of the dopant from the gate structure into the active layer.
US09478628B1	Metal gate forming process A metal gate forming process includes the following steps. A first metal layer is formed on a substrate by at least a first step followed by a second step, wherein the processing power of the second step is higher than the processing power of the first step.
US09478626B2	Semiconductor device with an interconnect structure and method for forming the same A semiconductor device structure and method for forming the semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and a gate electrode formed on the substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first contact structure including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the first contact structure is formed in the gate electrode, and the second portion is formed on the first portion.
US09478624B2	Self-aligned wrapped-around structure An vertical gate-all-around transistor and method of making is provided. The vertical gate-all-around transistor includes a first semiconductor structure extending above a substrate, and a gate structure extending completely around the first semiconductor structure in a plan view. An outermost perimeter of the gate structure comprises a first protruding arcuate section interposed between linear sections, the first protruding arcuate section aligned with the first semiconductor structure.
US09478623B2	Metal gate structure A device comprises a metal gate structure in a trench and over a substrate, wherein the gate structure comprises a first metal sidewall in the trench, wherein the first metal sidewall becomes progressively thinner towards an upper portion of the first metal sidewall, a second metal sidewall in the trench, wherein the second metal sidewall becomes progressively thinner towards an upper portion of the second metal sidewall and a metal bottom layer on a bottom of the trench and between the first metal sidewall and the second metal sidewall.
US09478622B2	Wrap-around contact for finFET Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved contact formation process for a finFET. Epitaxial semiconductor regions are formed on the fins. A contact etch stop layer (CESL) is deposited on the epitaxial regions. A nitride-oxide conversion process converts a portion of the nitride CESL into oxide. The oxide-converted portions are removed using a selective etch process, and a fill metal is deposited which is in direct physical contact with the epitaxial regions. Damage, such as gouging, of the epitaxial regions is minimized during this process, resulting in an improved contact for finFETs.
US09478621B2	Semiconductor device The element electrodes of a semiconductor element are disposed in a cell region, while an outermost peripheral electrode electrically connected to a semiconductor substrate is disposed in a peripheral region. In the peripheral region, a second-conductivity-type layer is disposed above a super-junction structure. A potential division region is disposed above the second-conductivity-type layer to electrically connect the element electrodes and the outermost peripheral electrode and also divide the voltage between the element electrodes and the outermost peripheral electrode into a plurality of stages. A part of the potential division region overlaps the peripheral region when viewed from the thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate.
US09478615B2	Blanket short channel roll-up implant with non-angled long channel compensating implant through patterned opening A method that forms a structure implants a well implant into a substrate, patterns a mask on the substrate (to have at least one opening that exposes a channel region of the substrate) and forms a conformal dielectric layer on the mask and to line the opening. The conformal dielectric layer covers the channel region of the substrate. The method also forms a conformal gate metal layer on the conformal dielectric layer, implants a compensating implant through the conformal gate metal layer and the conformal dielectric layer into the channel region of the substrate, and forms a gate conductor on the conformal gate metal layer. Additionally, the method removes the mask to leave a gate stack on the substrate, forms sidewall spacers on the gate stack, and then forms source/drain regions in the substrate partially below the sidewall spacers.
US09478612B2	Thin film transistor and display device using the same A display panel including an oxide thin film transistor is disclosed. In the oxide thin film transistor, a part of the active layer between a source region and a drain region is covered with an etch stopper layer, and the etch stopper layer is partially covered by the first electrode and the second electrode of the oxide thin film transistor. The length in which the etch stopper layer is overlapped by the second electrode is greater than the length in which the etch stopper layer is overlapped by the first electrode to suppress threshold voltage shift in the oxide thin film transistor.
US09478607B2	Electronic device including an isolation structure An electronic device can include a semiconductor layer having a primary surface, and an isolation structure. The isolation structure can include a first well region within the semiconductor layer and having a first conductivity, a second well region within the semiconductor layer and having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, and a third well region within the semiconductor layer having the first conductivity type. The second well region can be disposed between the first and third well regions. The first, second, and third well regions can be electrically connected to one another. The electronic device can help to allow more electrons during an electrostatic discharge or similar event to flow where the electrons will be less problematic. A process of forming the electronic device may be implemented with changes to existing masks without adding any processing operations.
US09478604B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A semiconductor device provided with a silicon carbide semiconductor substrate, and an ohmic metal layer joined to one surface of the silicon carbide semiconductor substrate in an ohmic contact and composed of a metal material whose silicide formation free energy and carbide formation free energy respectively take negative values. The ohmic metal layer is composed of, for example, a metal material such as molybdenum, titanium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, tantalum, or tungsten.
US09478600B2	Method of forming substrate contact for semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate A semiconductor structure is provided that includes a material stack including an epitaxially grown semiconductor layer on a base semiconductor layer, a dielectric layer on the epitaxially grown semiconductor layer, and an upper semiconductor layer present on the dielectric layer. A capacitor is present extending from the upper semiconductor layer through the dielectric layer into contact with the epitaxially grown semiconductor layer. The capacitor includes a node dielectric present on the sidewalls of the trench and an upper electrode filling at least a portion of the trench. A substrate contact is present in a contact trench extending from the upper semiconductor layer through the dielectric layer and the epitaxially semiconductor layer to a doped region of the base semiconductor layer. A substrate contact is also provided that contacts the base semiconductor layer through the sidewall of a trench. Methods for forming the above-described structures are also provided.
US09478599B1	Integrated circuit device substrates having packaged inductors thereon An integrated circuit device includes an integrated circuit substrate having an at least two piece package thereon. The package has a sealed cavity therein and a patterned metal inductor in the cavity. The inductor has at least a first terminal electrically coupled to a portion of the integrated circuit substrate by an electrically conductive via, which extends at least partially through the package. The package, which may include a material selected from a group consisting of glass and ceramics, includes a base and a cap sealed to the base. The metal inductor includes a metal layer patterned on at least one of the cap and base of the package. The base may also include first and second electrically conductive vias therein, which are electrically connected to first and second terminals of the inductor.
US09478598B2	Organic electroluminescence display panel and organic electroluminescence display apparatus An organic electroluminescence (EL) display panel includes an anode electrode formed above a bank and formed opposite to a plurality of cathode electrodes, and a charge functional layer commonly formed for each of the organic light-emitting layers across a plurality of aperture areas formed in the bank. An end portion of the anode electrode and an end portion of the charge functional layer are provided above the bank located adjacent to a boundary between a display region and a peripheral region of a display region.
US09478596B2	Display device, display panel and manufacturing method thereof A display device, display panel and manufacturing method thereof, where the display panel includes an array substrate including a plurality of thin film transistors, a pixel define layer disposed on the array substrate, and an organic light-emitting structure which is surrounded by the pixel define layer and of a top emission structure. The display panel further includes: a light blocking layer disposed between the array substrate and the pixel define layer and configured to prevent light passing through the pixel define layer from irradiating on the thin film transistor. By disposing the light blocking layer between the array substrate and the pixel define layer, light passing through the pixel define layer may be prevented from irradiating on the thin film transistor in the array substrate. Therefore, leakage current generated by the thin film transistor due to optical excitation may be reduced, thereby improving stability of the thin film transistor.
US09478594B2	Organic electroluminescence display device and method of manufacturing organic electroluminescence display device Steps for manufacturing an organic electroluminescent display device that can form an electrode pattern with high precision include forming a first insulating layer on a substrate and forming a first patterning layer, and forming a second patterning layer. The steps for manufacturing the organic electroluminescent display device further include forming a trench portion and forming an electrode layer on the second patterning layer and in the trench portion. In the step of forming the trench portion, an end of the first patterning layer exposed within the trench portion is etched to an outside more than an end of the second patterning layer exposed within the trench portion in a plan view, and in the step of forming the electrode layer, the electrode layer formed within the trench portion is isolated from the electrode layer formed outside of the trench portion.
US09478593B2	Light-emitting module and light-emitting device Provided is a light-emitting module from which light with uniform brightness can be extracted. Further, provided is a beautiful light-emitting module in which Newton's rings are not observed. The light-emitting module includes a first substrate, a light-emitting element formed on one surface side of the first substrate, a second substrate, a conductive spacer maintaining the gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a space in which the light-emitting element is sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Further, the pressure in the space is lower than or equal to the atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, the conductive spacer is electrically connected to the second electrode in a position overlapping with a partition provided over the first substrate so as to reduce a voltage drop occurring in the second electrode.
US09478587B1	Multi-layer circuit board for mounting multi-color LED chips into a uniform light emitter An array structure for light emitting diodes (LEDs) uses a patterned metal layer buried beneath LED chips to electrically interconnect non-adjacent chips in series, such that each chip in the LED array can be adjacently surrounded by LED chips of different colors. Thus, when the emission from the LED array is projected to a spot in the far field, its color uniformity over the spot is enhanced. Methods are also described for fabricating the multi-layer circuit board for such an array. Top and bottom patterned metal layers are formed, separated by a patterned insulating layer, so that electrical connections may be made between the metal layers. This provides “vias” between the metal layers for creating “cross-under” electrical connections under the second insulation layer, such that spatially-separated LED chips can be interconnected into strings, while maintaining electrical isolation between LED chips of different colors.
US09478586B2	Thin film transistor array substrate and organic light-emitting display device including the same A thin film transistor array substrate having a pixel arrangement structure includes a first sub-pixel for displaying a first color and a second sub-pixel for displaying a second color alternately located in a first column, and a third sub-pixel for displaying a third color in a second column adjacent to the first column, and via holes of the first through third sub-pixels in a same row are at different positions.
US09478585B2	Solid-state image pickup device and manufacturing method thereof There is provided a solid-state image pickup device that includes a functional region provided with an organic film, and a guard ring surrounding the functional region.
US09478576B1	Sealed-sidewall device die, and manufacturing method thereof A method for fabricating a sealed-sidewall device die may include filling grooves of a deeply-grooved device wafer with a sealant, yielding a sealed grooved device wafer. The method may also include forming grooves in a device wafer to yield the deeply-grooved device wafer. The step of forming grooves may include forming a groove that at least partially penetrates each layer of the device wafer. The method may further include masking each device of the deeply-grooved device wafer. A sealed-sidewall device die may include at least one layer including a device substrate layer, a sidewall including a respective surface of each layer of the at least one layer, a sidewall sealant covering the sidewall, and a device formed on the device substrate layer. The sidewall sealant optionally does not cover a top surface of the device. The top surface of the device may directly adjoin an ambient medium thereabove.
US09478574B2	Image sensor pixels with light guides and light shield structures A front-side illuminated image sensor with an array of image sensor pixels is provided. Each image pixel may include a photodiode, transistor gate structures, shallow trench isolation structures, and other associated pixel circuits formed in a semiconductor substrate. Buried light shielding structures that are opaque to light may be formed over regions of the substrate to prevent the transistor gate structures, shallow trench isolation structures, and the other associated pixel circuits from being exposed to stray light. Buried light shielding structures formed in this way can help reduce optical pixel crosstalk.
US09478572B2	Solid-state imaging device, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic apparatus A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions each provided to correspond to each of a plurality of pixels in a semiconductor substrate and receiving incident light through a light sensing surface, and a pixel separation portion that is embedded into a trench provided on a side portion of the photoelectric conversion portion and electrically separates the plurality of pixels in a side of an incident surface of the semiconductor substrate into which the incident light enters. The pixel separation portion is formed by an insulation material which absorbs the incident light entering the light sensing surface.
US09478571B1	Buried channel deeply depleted channel transistor Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating such devices are provided. The devices include source and drain regions on one conductivity type separated by a channel length and a gate structure. The devices also include a channel region of the one conductivity type formed in the device region between the source and drain regions and a screening region of another conductivity type formed below the channel region and between the source and drain regions. In operation, the channel region forms, in response to a bias voltage at the gate structure, a surface depletion region below the gate structure, a buried depletion region at an interface of the channel region and the screening region, and a buried channel region between the surface depletion region and the buried depletion region, where the buried depletion region is substantially located in channel region.
US09478569B2	Solid-state imaging device and electronic device The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device. In a pixel array section in the solid-state imaging device, a vertical signal line is provided right under power supply wiring apart from a floating diffusion region in order to reduce load capacitance of the vertical signal line. Furthermore, the power supply wiring is wired to make a cover rate of each vertical signal line with respect to the power supply wiring nearly uniform. As a result, it is possible to suppress variation of load capacitance of the vertical signal line for each pixel. It becomes possible to suppress deviation in a black level, variation of charge transfer, and variation of settling. It becomes possible to obtain an image with higher quality.
US09478568B2	Photoelectric conversion device having two switch elements A photoelectric conversion device includes a first output line, a second output line; and a photoelectric conversion cell. The photoelectric conversion cell further includes, a photoelectric conversion element configured to generate an output current corresponding to an intensity of incident light, a first switch element configured to transmit the first output current to the first output line according to a first control signal, and a second switch element configured to transmit the second output current to second output line according to a second control signal. As a result, the photoelectric conversion device can be provided to generate rapidly the image data with wide dynamic range without the need for complex control outside of the photoelectric conversion device.
US09478567B1	Thin-film transistor, array substrate and display apparatus A thin-film transistor (TFT) array substrate is provided. The thin-film transistor (TFT) array substrate comprises a substrate having at least a display region; and a plurality of bottom-gated thin-film transistors formed over the substrate. The thin-film transistor (TFT) array substrate also includes a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines formed over the substrate in the display region and defining a plurality of sub-pixels, wherein a plurality pre-reserved blank regions are configured among the scan lines, the data lines and the plurality of sub-pixels; and a gate driver circuit formed over the substrate in the display region and disposed in the pre-reserved blank regions in the display region.
US09478564B2	Semiconductor device An object is to provide a memory device including a memory element that can be operated without problems by a thin film transistor with a low off-state current. Provided is a memory device in which a memory element including at least one thin film transistor that includes an oxide semiconductor layer is arranged as a matrix. The thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer has a high field effect mobility and low off-state current, and thus can be operated favorably without problems. In addition, the power consumption can be reduced. Such a memory device is particularly effective in the case where the thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer is provided in a pixel of a display device because the memory device and the pixel can be formed over one substrate.
US09478563B2	Display device including transistor and manufacturing method thereof An object is to provide a display device which operates stably with use of a transistor having stable electric characteristics. In manufacture of a display device using transistors in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used for a channel formation region, a gate electrode is further provided over at least a transistor which is applied to a driver circuit. In manufacture of a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used for a channel formation region, the oxide semiconductor layer is subjected to heat treatment so as to be dehydrated or dehydrogenated; thus, impurities such as moisture existing in an interface between the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer provided below and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer and an interface between the oxide semiconductor layer and a protective insulating layer provided on and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer can be reduced.
US09478562B2	Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, display device, thin film transistor and manufacturing method thereof An array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, a display device, a thin film transistor and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method of an array substrate includes forming an active material layer (501), a gate insulating layer (204) and a metal thin film (502) on a base substrate (201), and forming a pattern including an active layer (203) and a pattern including a gate electrode (205), a source electrode (206), a drain electrode (207), a gate line (1063) and a data line (1061) by a first patterning process; forming a passivation layer (301) on the base substrate (201), and forming a source contact hole (302), a drain contact hole (303), and an bridge-structure contact hole (1062a) by a second patterning process; forming a transparent conductive thin film (1401) on the base substrate (201), and removing the transparent conductive thin film (1404) partially, so that a source contact section (401), a drain contact section (402), a pixel electrode (403), and an bridge structure (1062) are formed. With the manufacturing method, the use number of patterning processes is decreased.
US09478561B2	Semiconductor memory device and method of fabricating the same A semiconductor memory device includes a stack including gate electrodes and insulating layers that are alternately and repeatedly stacked on a substrate. A cell channel structure penetrates the stack. The cell channel structure includes a first semiconductor pattern contacting the substrate and a first channel pattern on the first semiconductor pattern. The first semiconductor pattern extends to a first height from a surface of the substrate to a top surface of the first semiconductor pattern. A dummy channel structure on the substrate and spaced apart from the stack. The dummy channel structure includes a second semiconductor pattern contacting the substrate and a second channel pattern on the second semiconductor pattern. The second semiconductor pattern extends to a second height from the surface of the substrate to a top surface of the second semiconductor pattern. The first height is greater than the second height.
US09478560B2	Memory device Provided is a memory device including first to third selection lines extending in a first direction and sequentially arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction, multiple sets of first to third vertical pillars, each set coupled with a corresponding one of the first to third selection lines and sequentially arranged in the second direction, a first sub-interconnection connecting the third vertical pillar coupled with the first selection line to the first vertical pillar coupled with the second selection line, a second sub-interconnection connecting the third vertical pillar coupled with the second selection line to the first vertical pillar coupled with the third selection line, and bit lines extending in the second direction and connected to corresponding ones of the first and second sub-interconnections.
US09478558B2	Semiconductor structure with concave blocking dielectric sidewall and method of making thereof by isotropically etching the blocking dielectric layer A first blocking dielectric layer is formed in a memory opening through a stack of an alternating plurality of material layers and insulator layers. A spacer with a bottom opening is formed over the first blocking dielectric layer by deposition of a conformal material layer and an anisotropic etch. A horizontal portion of the first blocking dielectric layer at a bottom of the memory opening can be etched by an isotropic etch process that minimizes overetch into the substrate. An optional additional blocking dielectric layer, at least one charge storage element, a tunneling dielectric, and a semiconductor channel can be sequentially formed in the memory opening to provide a three-dimensional memory stack.
US09478555B2	Method for processing a carrier, a carrier, and a split gate field effect transistor structure According to various embodiments, a method for processing a carrier may include: doping a carrier with fluorine such that a first surface region of the carrier is fluorine doped and a second surface region of the carrier is at least one of free from the fluorine doping or less fluorine doped than the first surface region; and oxidizing the carrier to grow a first gate oxide layer from the first surface region of the carrier with a first thickness and simultaneously from the second surface region of the carrier with a second thickness different from the first thickness.
US09478548B2	Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an isolation pattern on a substrate to define active patterns each having a first contact region at a center portion thereof and second and third contact regions at edge portions thereof. The method further includes forming a buried gate structure at upper portions of the isolation pattern and the active patterns, forming a first insulation layer on the isolation pattern and the active patterns, and etching a portion of the first insulation layer and an upper portion of the first contact region to form a preliminary opening exposing the first contact region. The method still further includes etching the isolation pattern to form an opening, forming an insulation pattern on a sidewall of the opening, and forming a wiring structure contacting the first contact region in the opening.
US09478545B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a first and second fin-shaped semiconductor layers on a substrate. A first insulating film is around the first and second fin-shaped layers. A first and second pillar-shaped semiconductor layers reside on the first and second fin-shaped layers, respectively. A width of a bottom of the first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer is equal to a width of a top of the first fin-shaped semiconductor layer, and a width of a bottom of the second pillar-shaped semiconductor layer is equal to the width of a top of the second fin-shaped semiconductor layer. First and second gate insulating films and first and second metal gate electrodes reside around the first and second pillar-shaped layers, respectively. A metal gate line is connected to the first and second metal gate electrodes and extends in a direction perpendicular to the first and second fin-shaped layers.
US09478544B2	Method for forming a germanium channel layer for an NMOS transistor device, NMOS transistor device and CMOS device The disclosed technology generally relates to complementary metal-oxide-silicon (CMOS) devices, and more particularly to a transistor device comprising a germanium channel layer, such as an n-channel metal-oxide-silicon (NMOS) transistor device. In one aspect, a method of forming a germanium channel layer for an NMOS transistor device comprises providing a trench having sidewalls defined by a dielectric material structure and abutting on a silicon substrate's surface, and growing a seed layer in the trench on the surface, where the seed layer has a front surface comprising facets having a (111) orientation. The method additionally includes growing a strain-relaxed buffer layer in the trench on the seed layer, where the strain-relaxed buffer layer comprises silicon germanium. The method further includes growing a channel layer comprising germanium (Ge) on the strain-relaxed buffer layer. In other aspects, devices, e.g., an NMOS transistor device and a CMOS device, includes features fabricated using the method.
US09478543B2	Semiconductor integrated circuit A low side control circuit and a high side control circuit are disposed in first and second n type well regions, respectively. A third n− type well region is formed around the second n type well region. The first n− type well region is formed outside the second n− type well region. A p type well region is formed around the third n− type well region. The third n− type well region and the p type well region constitute an HVJT between the first and second n type well regions. A p+ type contact region and a first electrode supplied with GND potential are formed in the p type well region. In the p type well region, an n+ type contact region and a second electrode supplied with L-VDD potential higher than the GND potential are formed between the HVJT and the p+ type contact region.
US09478540B2	Adaptive fin design for FinFETs A method of designing a standard cell includes determining a minimum fin pitch of semiconductor fins in the standard cell, wherein the semiconductor fins are portions of FinFETs; and determining a minimum metal pitch of metal lines in a bottom metal layer over the standard cell, wherein the minimum metal pitch is greater than the minimum fin pitch. The standard cell is placed in an integrated circuit and implemented on a semiconductor wafer.
US09478538B1	Methods for forming transistor devices with different threshold voltages and the resulting devices A method includes forming first and second gate cavities so as to expose first and second portions of a semiconductor material. A gate insulation layer is formed in the first and second gate cavities. A first work function material layer is formed in the first gate cavity. A second work function material layer is formed in the second gate cavity. A first barrier layer is selectively formed above the first work function material layer and the gate insulation layer in the first gate cavity. A second barrier layer is formed above the first barrier layer in the first gate cavity and above the second work function material layer and the gate insulation layer in the second gate cavity. A conductive material is formed above the second barrier layer in the first and second gate cavities in the presence of a treatment species to define first and second gate electrode structures.
US09478535B2	Semiconductor device comprising oxide semiconductor film A semiconductor device including a capacitor having an increased charge capacity without decreasing an aperture ratio is provided. The semiconductor device includes a transistor including a light-transmitting semiconductor film, a capacitor in which a dielectric film is provided between a pair of electrodes, and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the transistor. In the capacitor, a conductive film formed on the same surface as the light-transmitting semiconductor film in the transistor serves as one electrode, the pixel electrode serves as the other electrode, and a nitride insulating film and a second oxide insulating film which are provided between the light-transmitting semiconductor film and the pixel electrode serve as the a dielectric film.
US09478534B2	Lateral BiCMOS replacement metal gate A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes depositing a high-k dielectric layer within a first recess located between sidewall spacers of a first CMOS device and within a second recess located between sidewall spacers of a second CMOS device. A dummy titanium nitride layer is deposited on the high-k dielectric layer. Next, the high-k dielectric layer and the dummy titanium nitride layer are removed from the second recess in the second CMOS device. A silicon cap layer is deposited within the first recess and the second recess, the silicon cap layer is located above the high-k dielectric layer and dummy titanium nitride layer in the first CMOS device. Subsequently, dopants are implanted into the silicon cap layer located in the second recess of the second CMOS device.
US09478532B2	Electro static discharge protection circuit and electronic device having the same An electro static discharge (ESD) protection circuit including a signal transmission line coupled to an external input terminal, the ESD protection circuit including: a first power line coupled to a high voltage power supply; a second power line coupled to a low voltage power supply; a plurality of first oxide thin film transistors coupled in parallel between the first power line and the signal transmission line, the first oxide thin film transistors being diode-connected; and a plurality of second oxide thin film transistors coupled in parallel between the signal transmission line and the second power line, the second oxide thin film transistors being diode-connected.
US09478531B2	Semiconductor device comprising an ESD protection device, an ESD protection circuitry, an integrated circuit and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes an ESD protection device. In a N-well, two P+ doped regions form a collector and emitter of a parasitic transistor of the ESD protection device. The N-well area between the P+ doped regions, forms a base of the parasitic transistor. At some distance away from the P+ doped regions an N+ doped region is provided. The N-well in between the N+ doped region and base of the transistor forms a parasitic resistor of the ESD protection device. The N+ doped region and the emitter of the transistor are coupled to each other via an electrical connection. The ESD protection device has a limited snapback behaviour and has a well-tunable trigger voltage.
US09478527B2	Semiconductor light emitting device A light emitting device includes a substrate, a light emitting element mounted on the substrate, a light transmissive member placed on an upper surface of the light emitting element, and a sealing member which seals the light emitting element and the light transmissive member. The light transmissive member is a plate-shaped member not containing a phosphor and is larger than the light emitting element when viewed from above. The sealing member includes a first sealing member which is formed of a light reflecting member for reflecting light emitted from the light emitting element and covers side surfaces of the light emitting element, and a second sealing member which contains a phosphor for converting the light emitted from the light emitting element into light having wavelength different from wavelength of the light emitted from the light emitting element and covers at least an upper surface of the light transmissive member.
US09478526B2	Light emitting module Disclosed herein is a light emitting module. The light emitting module according to an exemplary embodiment includes a circuit board having a cavity and including a circuit pattern at a region which does not have the cavity, an insulation substrate disposed in the cavity while being formed, at an upper portion thereof, with at least one pad, and at least one light emitting device disposed on the pad, wherein a joining structure is disposed between a bottom surface of the cavity and a bottom surface of the insulation substrate.
US09478525B2	Semiconductor device One semiconductor device includes nine surface micro-bumps laid out in a 3×3 matrix on a semiconductor substrate, a transistor that contains first and second diffusion layers formed on the semiconductor substrate, and power-supply wiring laid out on the semiconductor substrate. The aforementioned first diffusion layer is connected to one of the surface micro-bumps, the second diffusion layer is connected to the power-supply wiring, and the transistor is laid out in the region between the surface micro-bumps located on one edge in an X direction and the surface micro-bumps located on the other edge in said X direction.
US09478524B2	Multi-die semiconductor structure with intermediate vertical side chip and semiconductor package for same Semiconductor multi-die structures having intermediate vertical side chips, and packages housing such semiconductor multi-die structures, are described. In an example, a multi-die semiconductor structure includes a first main stacked dies (MSD) structure having a first substantially horizontal arrangement of semiconductor dies. A second MSD structure having a second substantially horizontal arrangement of semiconductor dies is also included. An intermediate vertical side chip (i-VSC) is disposed between and electrically coupled to the first and second MSD structures.
US09478519B2	Package including a semiconductor die and a capacitive component In one general aspect, a method can include forming a redistribution layer on a substrate using a first electroplating process, and forming a conductive pillar on the redistribution layer using a second electroplating process. The method can include coupling a semiconductor die to the redistribution layer, and can include forming a molding layer encapsulating at least a portion of the redistribution layer and at least a portion of the conductive pillar.
US09478517B2	Electronic device package structure and method of fabricating the same In one embodiment, an electronic device package structure includes an electronic die having conductive pads on one surface. The one surface is further attached to at least one lead. A conductive layer covers at least one conductive pad and at least portion of the lead thereby electrically connecting the lead to the conductive pad.
US09478515B1	Semiconductor packages including interconnection members A semiconductor package may include a main substrate, a sub-substrate spaced apart from the main substrate by a gap, and a semiconductor chip disposed on the main substrate. The semiconductor package may include an interconnection member configured to connect the semiconductor chip to the sub-substrate and including twisted wires of a plurality of strands. The semiconductor package may include a main molding member covering the main substrate and the semiconductor chip, and a sub-molding member covering the sub-substrate. The semiconductor package may include a stress buffer layer configured to fill the gap between the main substrate and the sub-substrate, and surround the interconnection member.
US09478506B2	Multilayer pattern transfer for chemical guides Approaches for multilayer pattern transfer for chemical guides are provided. In a typical embodiment, a device is formed by forming an etch mask layer (e.g., a nitride layer and an oxide layer) over a substrate (e.g., silicon (Si)). An orientation control layer (e.g., a neutral layer) is then formed over the etch mask layer, and an ARC layer (e.g., SiARC) is formed over the orientation control layer. In other embodiments, an organic planarization layer (OPL) and/or a protection layer may also be formed between the ARC layer and the orientation control layer. Regardless, a tapered etch profile/pattern may then be formed through the ARC and/or other layers.
US09478504B1	Microelectronic assemblies with cavities, and methods of fabrication Die (110) are attached to an interposer (420), and the interposer/die assembly is placed into a lid cavity (510). The lid (210) is attached to the top of the assembly, possibly to the encapsulant (474) at the top. The lid's legs (520) surround the cavity and extend down below the top surface of the interposer's substrate (420S), possibly to the level of the bottom surface of the substrate or lower. The legs (520) may or may not be attached to the interposer/die assembly. In fabrication, the interposer wafer (420SW) has trenches (478) which receive the lid's legs during the lid placement. The interposer wafer is later thinned to remove the interposer wafer portion below the legs and to dice the interposer wafer. The thinning process also exposes, on the bottom, conductive vias (450) passing through the interposer substrate. Other features are also provided.
US09478503B2	Integrated device An integrated device with high insulation tolerance is provided. A groove having an inclined side surface is provided between adjacent devices. When a side where an electronic circuit or MEMS device is mounted is a front surface, the groove becomes narrower from the front surface to a back surface because of the inclined surface. A mold material (insulating material) is disposed inside the groove, so that the plurality of devices are mechanically joined together, being electrically insulated from one another. A line member that establishes an electrical conduction between the adjacent devices is formed to lie along the side surface and the bottom surface of the groove. To lead the line out to the backside, the bottom surface of the groove has a hole, so that the line member is exposed to the backside from the hole.
US09478502B2	Device identification assignment and total device number detection Various embodiments comprise apparatuses to assign a respective one of a sequence of unique device identification (ID) values to each die in a stacked device. In an embodiment, each die may include a respective assignment device to operate on an input and generate, as an output, the respective one of the sequence of the unique device ID values. Each die may also include a respective evaluation device to detect a total number of dice in the stack. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.
US09478501B2	Substrate processing and alignment A substrate can efficiently be manufactured by separating the alignment and the actual processing when an alignment mark is provided, which is fixed with respect to the substrate and when position information on a position of a process area on the substrate is retrieved with respect to the alignment mark before the substrate is processed. During the processing alignment can then be performed by redetermining the position of the alignment mark only once and by using the stored position information on the position of the process area.
US09478500B2	Interposer substrate, semiconductor structure and fabricating process thereof Described herein are interposer substrate designs for warpage control, semiconductor structures including said interposer substrates, and fabricating processes thereof. An interposer substrate defines a cavity and further includes a reinforcement structure, wherein the reinforcement structure is used to control warpage of the semiconductor package structure.
US09478496B1	Wafer to wafer structure and method of fabricating the same A wafer to wafer structure includes a first wafer, a second wafer. A first bonding layer and a second bonding layer are disposed between the first wafer and the second wafer. A plurality of first interconnects are disposed within the he first bonding layer. A plurality of second interconnects are disposed within the second bonding layer. An interface is disposed between the first bonding layer and the second bonding layer. At least a through silicon via penetrates the first wafer, the first bonding layer and the interface to enter the second bonding layer. The through silicon via contacts one of the first interconnects and one of the second interconnects.
US09478495B1	Three dimensional memory device containing aluminum source contact via structure and method of making thereof A low-stress contact via structure for a device employing an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers over a substrate can be formed by forming a trench extending to the substrate through the alternating stack. After formation of an insulating spacer and a diffusion barrier layer, a remaining volume of the trench can be filled with a combination of an aluminum portion and a non-metallic material portion to form a contact via structure. The non-metallic material portion can include a semiconductor material portion or a dielectric material portion, and can prevent reflow of the aluminum portion and generation of a cavity in subsequent thermal processes. If a semiconductor material portion is employed, the aluminum portion and the semiconductor material portion can exchange places during a metal induced crystallization anneal process of the semiconductor material.
US09478490B2	Capacitor from second level middle-of-line layer in combination with decoupling capacitors A device capacitor structure within middle of line (MOL) layers includes a first MOL interconnect layer. The first MOL interconnect layer may include active contacts between a set of dummy gate contacts on an active surface of a semiconductor substrate. The device capacitor structure also includes a second MOL interconnect layer. The second MOL interconnect layer may include a set of stacked contacts directly on exposed ones of the active contacts. The second MOL interconnect layer may also include a set of fly-over contacts on portions of an etch-stop layer on some of the active contacts. The fly-over contacts and the stacked contacts may provide terminals of a set of device capacitors.
US09478488B2	Reducing loadline impedance in a system In one embodiment, the present invention includes a semiconductor device mounted to a first side of a circuit board; and at least one voltage regulator device mounted to a second side of the circuit board, the second side opposite to the first side. Examples of the voltage regulator devices include output filters, inductors, capacitors, and the like. In certain embodiments, the devices may be located directly underneath the semiconductor device.
US09478487B2	Semiconductor package A semiconductor package includes a substrate including connection pads, a first semiconductor, and conductive wires. The first semiconductor chip is stacked on the substrate and includes bonding pads, non-bonding pads, and a routing area that is provided adjacent a center of an edge of the first semiconductor chip. The conductive wires are connected to the bonding pads and the connection pads. The bonding pads are disposed to form at least one column in a direction extending along the edge of the first semiconductor chip and are not disposed in the routing area. The non-bonding pads are disposed to form a column different from the at least one column formed by the bonding pads.
US09478483B2	Semiconductor device having a chip mounting portion on which a separated plated layer is disposed The reliability of a semiconductor device is improved. A package of a semiconductor device internally includes a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip in which power MOS•FETs are formed and a third semiconductor chip in which a control circuit controlling the first and second semiconductor chips is formed. The first to third semiconductor chips are mounted on die pads respectively. Source electrode bonding pads of the first semiconductor chip on a high side are electrically connected with a first die pad of the die pads via a metal plate. On a top surface of the die pad 7D2, a plated layer formed in a region where the second semiconductor chip is mounted, and another plated layer formed in a region where the metal plate is joined are provided and the plated layers are separated each other with a region where no plated layer is formed in between.
US09478480B2	Alignment mark and method of formation In accordance with an embodiment, a structure comprises a substrate having a first area and a second area; a through substrate via (TSV) in the substrate penetrating the first area of the substrate; an isolation layer over the second area of the substrate, the isolation layer having a recess; and a conductive material in the recess of the isolation layer, the isolation layer being disposed between the conductive material and the substrate in the recess.
US09478476B2	Package for a microelectronic die, microelectronic assembly containing same, microelectronic system, and method of reducing die stress in a microelectronic package A package for a microelectronic die (110) includes a first substrate (120) adjacent to a first surface (112) of the die, a second substrate (130) adjacent to the first substrate, and a heat spreader (140) adjacent to a second surface (111) of the die. The heat spreader makes contact with both the first substrate and the second substrate.
US09478470B2	System for electrical testing of through-silicon vias (TSVs), and corresponding manufacturing process An embodiment of a process for manufacturing a system for electrical testing of a through via extending in a vertical direction through a substrate of semiconductor material envisages integrating an electrical testing circuit in the body to enable detection of at least one electrical parameter of the through via through a microelectronic buried structure defining an electrical path between electrical-connection elements towards the outside and a buried end of the through via; the integration step envisages providing a trench and forming a doped buried region at the bottom of the trench, having a doping opposite to that of the substrate so as to form a semiconductor junction, defining the electrical path when it is forward biased; in particular, the semiconductor junction has a junction area smaller than the area of a surface of the conductive region in a horizontal plane transverse to the vertical direction, in such a way as to have a reduced reverse saturation current.
US09478469B2	Integrated circuit comprising buffer chain Among other things, an integrated circuit and method for routing electrical pathways of an integrated circuit is provided. The integrated circuit comprises a buffer chain coupling a first cell of the integrated circuit to a second cell of the integrated circuit. An electrical pathway coupling a first inverter of the buffer chain with a second inverter of the buffer chain extends through a first set of metal layers and is routed to form a pulse-like shape having an apex at a top layer of the first set.
US09478462B1	SAV using selective SAQP/SADP Methods of forming a SAV using a selective SAQP or SADP process are provided. Embodiments include providing on a TiN layer and dielectric layers alternating mandrels and non-mandrel fillers, spacers therebetween, and a metal cut plug through a mandrel or a non-mandrel filler; removing a non-mandrel filler through a SAV patterning stack having an opening over the non-mandrel filler and adjacent spacers, forming a trench; removing a mandrel through a second SAV patterning stack having an opening over the mandrel and adjacent spacers, forming a second trench; etching the trenches through the TiN and dielectric layers; forming plugs in the trenches; removing the mandrels and non-mandrel fillers, forming third trenches; etching the third trenches through the TiN layer; removing the metal cut plug and spacers and etching the third trenches into the dielectric layer; removing the plugs; and filling the trenches with metal.
US09478459B2	Device and methods for small trench patterning A semiconductor device and methods for small trench patterning are disclosed. The device includes a plurality of gate structures, and an etch buffer layer. The etch buffer layer includes an overhang component disposed on the upper portion of the gate structures with an edge that extends laterally. The width between the edges of adjacent overhang components is narrower than the width between adjacent gate structures.
US09478458B2	Waveguide and semiconductor packaging A method and apparatus for integrating individual III-V MMICs into a micromachined waveguide package is disclosed. MMICs are screened prior to integration, allowing only known-good die to be integrated, leading to increased yield. The method and apparatus are used to implement a micro-integrated Focal Plane Array (mFPA) technology used for sub millimeter wave (SMMW) cameras, although many other applications are possible. MMICs of different technologies may be integrated into the same micromachined package thus achieving the same level of technology integration as in multi-wafer WLP integration.
US09478454B2	Dicing tape-integrated film for semiconductor back surface The present invention provides a dicing tape-integrated film for semiconductor back surface, including a film for flip chip type semiconductor back surface for protecting a back surface of a semiconductor element flip chip-connected onto an adherend, and a dicing tape, the dicing tape including a base material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the base material, the film for flip chip type semiconductor back surface being formed on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is a radiation-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer whose pressure-sensitive adhesive force toward the film for flip chip type semiconductor back surface is decreased by irradiation with a radiation ray.
US09478448B2	Thermal treatment system and method of performing thermal treatment and method of manufacturing CIGS solar cell using the same Disclosed is a thermal treatment system which enables a uniform temperature distribution and a uniform concentration distribution of reaction gas in an entire reaction space for a thermal treatment process, a method of performing a thermal treatment, and a method of manufacturing a CIGS solar cell using the same, wherein the thermal treatment system may include a reaction chamber with a reaction space, an external chamber surrounding the reaction chamber, a door chamber provided to open or close the reaction space of the reaction chamber, and an air flow adjusting apparatus for circulation of an flow inside the reaction space of the reaction chamber, wherein the air flow adjusting apparatus includes a driving axis, an air flow suction unit connected with the driving axis, and an air flow discharging unit connected with the air flow suction unit.
US09478445B2	Substrate liquid processing apparatus and method for detecting abnormality of air flow A substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit configured to hold and rotate a substrate; a processing liquid nozzle configured to supply a processing liquid to the substrate; a cylindrical liquid receiving cup configured to receive and recover the processing liquid scattered from the substrate; a housing configured to accommodate the substrate holding unit and the liquid receiving cup; a cup exhaust path connected to the liquid receiving cup to exhaust atmosphere inside the liquid receiving cup; a cup exhaust path pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in the cup exhaust path; a housing pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in the housing outside the liquid receiving cup; and a control unit configured to alert when a difference between a value detected by the housing pressure sensor and a value detected by the cup exhaust path pressure sensor is a predetermined determination reference value or less.
US09478444B2	Mechanisms for cleaning wafer and scrubber Embodiments of mechanisms for cleaning a wafer are provided. A method for cleaning a wafer includes cleaning a wafer by using a wafer scrubber and cleaning the wafer scrubber in a scrubber cleaning module. An agitated cleaning liquid is applied on the wafer scrubber to clean the wafer scrubber. The method also includes cleaning the wafer or a second wafer by the wafer scrubber after the wafer scrubber is cleaned by the agitated cleaning liquid.
US09478440B2	Low-pressure chemical vapor deposition apparatus and thin-film deposition method thereof A low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) apparatus and a thin-film deposition method thereof. The apparatus comprises a reaction furnace, having reaction gas input pipelines respectively arranged at a furnace opening part and a furnace tail part. During thin film deposition, each reaction gas is synchronously introduced into the reaction furnace through the input pipeline at the furnace opening part and the input pipeline at the furnace tail part.
US09478435B2	Method for directed self-assembly and pattern curing Techniques disclosed herein include methods for DSA patterning and curing of DSA patterns. Techniques include curing phase-separated block copolymers using vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light exposure at wavelengths from about 100 nanometers to 170 nanometers. VUV light can be generated using a plasma process system and from energizing various VUV-generating process gasses. A VUV curing step is executed (fully or partially) prior to executing an etch process to etch away one of the block copolymers. Such VUV exposure can selectively harden one block copolymer while weakening another block copolymer. This hardening and weakening increases etch selectivity enabling more effective etching and results in better patterns.
US09478429B2	Removable templates for directed self assembly A sacrificial-post templating method is presented for directing block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly to form nanostructures of monolayers and bilayers of microdomains. The topographical post template can be removed after directing self-assembly and, therefore, is not incorporated into the final microdomain pattern. The sacrificial posts can be a material removable using a selective etchant that will not remove the material of the final pattern block(s). The sacrificial posts may be removable, at least in part, using a same etchant as for removing one of the blocks of the BCP, for example, a negative tone polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) when a non-final pattern block of polystyrene is removed and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) remains on the substrate.
US09478428B2	Apparatus and methods for shielding a plasma etcher electrode Apparatus and methods for plasma etching are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of etching a plurality of features on a wafer includes positioning a wafer on a feature plate within a chamber of a plasma etcher, providing a plasma source gas within the chamber, providing an anode above the feature plate and a cathode below the feature plate, connecting a portion of the cathode to the feature plate, generating plasma ions using a radio frequency power source and the plasma source gas, directing the plasma ions toward the wafer using an electric field, and providing an electrode shield around the cathode. The electrode shield is configured to protect the cathode from ions directed toward the cathode including the portion of the cathode connected to the feature plate.
US09478427B2	Semiconductor structures having low resistance paths throughout a wafer A semiconductor structure with low resistance conduction paths and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming at least one low resistance conduction path on a wafer, and forming an electroplated seed layer in direct contact with the low resistance conduction path.
US09478426B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A number of variations may include a method that may include depositing a first layer on a first semiconductor epi layer (epitaxial layer) in an overlying position with respect to at least one trench structure formed in the first semiconductor epi layer. The layer may include a first metal and a second metal. The first semiconductor epi layer may be subjected to at least a first annealing act to provide a first structure. At least a portion of the first structure may be stripped to remove any of the first layer not reacted with silicon to form a silicide during the first annealing act. Thereafter, the stripped first structure may be subjected to a second annealing act.
US09478425B1	Fabrication of higher-k dielectrics A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure, and the resultant structure. The method includes forming an oxide layer above a substrate. The method includes forming a metal layer above the oxide layer. The method includes forming a first capping layer above the metal layer. A material forming the first capping layer may be titanium oxide, or titanium oxynitride. The method includes annealing the semiconductor structure. Annealing the semiconductor structure may result in diffusing a metal from the metal layer into the oxide layer.
US09478416B1	Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device In one embodiment, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a belt supporting module including a first portion that is provided around a first axis, a second portion that is provided around a second axis different from the first axis, a third portion connecting the first and second portions, and a fourth portion connecting the first and second portions and positioned below the third portion. The apparatus further includes a belt provided on the belt supporting module, and configured to rotate around the first axis in a first direction and rotate around the second axis in a second direction reverse to the first direction. The apparatus further includes a wafer supporting module provided on the belt and configured to support a wafer. The apparatus further includes raw material feeding heads provided above the belt and configured to feed a raw material of a film to be formed on the wafer.
US09478414B2	Method for hydrophobization of surface of silicon-containing film by ALD A method is for hydrophobization of a surface of a silicon-containing film by atomic layer deposition (ALD), wherein the surface is subjected to atmospheric exposure. The method includes: (i) providing a substrate with a silicon-containing film formed thereon; and (ii) forming on a surface of the silicon-containing film a hydrophobic atomic layer as a protective layer subjected to atmospheric exposure, by exposing the surface to a silicon-containing treating gas without exciting the gas. The treating gas is capable of being chemisorbed on the surface to form a hydrophobic atomic layer thereon.
US09478407B2	Liquid chemical for forming protecting film Disclosed is a liquid chemical for forming a water-repellent protecting film on a wafer. The liquid chemical is a liquid chemical containing a water-repellent-protecting-film-forming agent for forming the water-repellent protecting film, at the time of cleaning the wafer which has a finely uneven pattern at its surface and contains at least at a part of a surface of a recessed portion of the uneven pattern at least one kind of matter selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium nitride, tungsten, aluminum, copper, tin, tantalum nitride, ruthenium and silicon, at least on the surface of the recessed portion. The liquid chemical is characterized in that the water-repellent-protecting-film-forming agent is a water-insoluble surfactant. The water-repellent protecting film formed with the liquid chemical is capable of preventing a pattern collapse of the wafer, in a cleaning step.
US09478406B2	Lighting device with fan directed airflow and air filtering A lighting device includes a casing having an inlet that introduces external air at one side and an outlet that discharges the introduced air at the other side. A fan is located within the casing to flow external air from an inlet direction to an outlet direction. An inlet cover blocks at least an upper area of the inlet to prevent external air from being directly introduced into the inlet. An air flow channel communicates the inlet and the outside, and includes two contracting flow channels having a reducing sectional area in an advancing direction of air. The two expanding flow channels communicate with the contracting flow channels and have an increasing sectional area in an advancing direction of air, so that in a connection portion of the contracting flow channel and the expanding flow channel, the advancing direction of air is changed.
US09478405B2	Method to perform beam-type collision-activated dissociation in the pre-existing ion injection pathway of a mass spectrometer Described herein are methods and systems related to the use of the pre-existing ion injection pathway of a mass spectrometer to perform beam-type collision-activated dissociation, as well as other dissociation methods. The methods can be practiced using a wide range of mass spectrometer configurations and allows MSn experiments to be performed on very basic mass spectrometers, even those without secondary mass analyzers and/or collision cells. Following injection and selection of a particular ion type or population, that population can be fragmented via beam-type collision-activated dissociation (CAD), as well as other dissociation methods, using the pre-existing ion injection pathway or inlet of a mass spectrometer. For CAD applications, this is achieved by transmitting the ions back along the ion injection pathway with a high degree of kinetic energy. As the ions pass into the higher pressure regions located in or near the atmospheric pressure inlet, the ions are fragmented and then trapped. Following fragmentation and trapping, the ions can either be re-injected into the primary ion selection device or sent on to a secondary mass analyzer.
US09478404B2	High resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer Mass spectrometers and related methods of making and using the same are disclosed herein that generally involve positioning a blocking or masking element in the path of an ion beam passing through the mass spectrometer so as to selectively block at least a portion of the ions in the ion beam from entering an accelerator. Mass spectrometers and related methods are also disclosed in which an ion beam passing through the mass spectrometer is deflected or otherwise aimed so as to approach a TOF axis of an accelerator at a non-zero angle.
US09478401B2	Plasma source and methods for depositing thin film coatings using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition The present invention provides novel plasma sources useful in the thin film coating arts and methods of using the same. More specifically, the present invention provides novel linear and two dimensional plasma sources that produce linear and two dimensional plasmas, respectively, that are useful for plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The present invention also provides methods of making thin film coatings and methods of increasing the coating efficiencies of such methods.
US09478398B2	Plasma block for remote plasma source Provided is plasma block for a remote plasma source, and more particularly, is a plasma block that induces plasma to be generated and to flow between a remote plasma source and a vacuum chamber during a cleaning process performed on the vacuum chamber by the remote plasma source. The plasma block includes an external connection path and an internal connection path, which are formed as two sub-blocks connected to each other are combined, wherein the internal connection path includes a linear extending portion that extends in a straight line along a length direction of the internal connection path, and a curve extending portion that extends in a curve to form a curved surface based on a location where the internal connection path and the external connection path contact each other, wherein the curve extending portion has a spherical surface of a complex spherical surface.
US09478396B2	Charged particle beam exposure apparatus Provided is a charged particle beam exposure apparatus configured as follows. An electron beam emitted from an electron gun is deformed by an asymmetric illumination optical system to have an elongated section. The electron beam is then applied to a beam shaping aperture plate provided with a plurality of apertures arranged in a line, thereby generating a plurality of electron beams. Exposure of a predetermined pattern is performed on a semiconductor substrate by moving a stage device in a direction orthogonal to line patterns on the semiconductor substrate and turning the plurality of electron beams on or off in synchronization with the movement of the stage device by use of a blanker plate and a final aperture plate.
US09478392B2	Charged particle beam apparatus and image generation method There is provided a charged particle beam apparatus radiating a charged particle beam to a specimen so as to acquire an image of the specimen, the charged particle beam apparatus including: a charged particle gun that generates the charged particle beam; an electron optical system that radiates the charged particle beam emitted from the charged particle gun onto a surface of the specimen so as to scan the surface of the specimen; a detecting unit that detects secondary electrons or reflection electrons emitted from the specimen, and converts the electrons into pulse signals; a pulse signal detecting circuit that detects time detecting information regarding time of the pulse signals converted by the detecting unit, and peak value detecting information regarding each peak value of the pulse signals; and an image processing unit that generates luminance gradation of the acquired image based on a time detecting signal and a peak value detecting signal of the pulse signals detected by the pulse signal detecting circuit.
US09478391B2	Charged particle beam writing apparatus and charged particle beam writing method A charged particle beam writing apparatus includes plural conversion processing units to perform data conversion processing in parallel for writing data of each processing region obtained by virtually dividing the writing region of a target object into plural processing regions, a transmission unit to input a part of processing data of one of the plural processing regions for which data conversion processing has been performed, one part at a time, totally as n divided processing data, and sequentially transmit the n divided processing data such that the (n−1) th divided processing data is transmitted while the n-th divided processing data is being input, a deflection control circuit to control a deflection amount for deflecting a charged particle beam, based on one of the n divided processing data transmitted sequentially, and a writing unit to write a pattern by deflecting the charged particle beam based on the deflection amount.
US09478388B2	Switchable gas cluster and atomic ion gun, and method of surface processing using the gun A method of processing one or more surfaces is provided, comprising: providing a switchable ion gun which is switchable between a cluster mode setting for producing an ion beam substantially comprising ionized gas clusters for irradiating a surface and an atomic mode setting for producing an ion beam substantially comprising ionized gas atoms for irradiating a surface; and selectively operating the ion gun in the cluster mode by mass selecting ionized gas clusters using a variable mass selector thereby irradiating a surface substantially with ionized gas clusters or the atomic mode by mass selecting ionized gas atoms using a variable mass selector thereby irradiating a surface substantially with ionized gas atoms. Also provided is a switchable ion gun comprising: a gas expansion nozzle for producing gas clusters; an ionization chamber for ionizing the gas clusters and gas atoms; and a variable (preferably a magnetic sector) mass selector for mass selecting the ionized gas clusters and ionized gas atoms to produce an ion beam variable between substantially comprising ionized gas clusters and substantially comprising ionized gas atoms. Preferably, the gun comprises an electrically floating flight tube for adjusting the energy of the ions while within the mass selector.
US09478387B2	Plasma processing apparatus A plasma processing apparatus capable of optimizing a plasma process is provided. The plasma processing apparatus includes a control unit for controlling a minimum energy and a maximum energy of ions incident onto a substrate independently of each other such that ion energy of the ions are concentrated at a first energy band and a second energy band respectively. In the plasma processing apparatus, the oxide film is etched to form a hole within the oxide film, the first energy band is lower than a first energy value at which the oxide film is etched while the organic film is not etched, and the second energy band is higher than a second energy value at which an etching yield at an inclined surface of the hole is higher than an etching yield of an upper surface of the organic film.
US09478383B2	Fast switch The fast switch includes: a housing; a vacuum interrupter installed in the housing, connected to a main circuit, and configured to open and close the main circuit; a contact spring coupled to a mover of the vacuum interrupter, and configured to provide a contact force; an insulating rod connected to the contact spring; a permanent magnet actuator connected to a lower end of the insulating rod, and configured to provide a switching driving force; a first capacitor configured to provide a discharge current to a coil of the permanent magnet actuator; a driving coil connected to a lower end of the permanent magnet actuator; and a second capacitor configured to provide a discharge current to the driving coil.
US09478381B2	Modular electrical switch device comprising at least one unipolar cut-off unit and a switch assembly comprising such devices A modular electrical switch device including: a cut-off unit including unitary cut-off units; an actuating unit including an actuating module of the unitary cut-off units; a removable electrical control module including an adaptive connection mechanism configured to interconnect with an actuating coil of an electromagnetic actuator when the removable module is positioned on the actuating module; a quick attachment mechanism allowing the removable attachment of the actuating unit onto the cut-off unit and including a coupling hook configured to attach and hold the cut-off unit to the actuating unit, and to engage with an actuating device of a unitary cut-off unit.
US09478373B2	Electric switch housing A rotary switch housing (100), comprising a bottom wall (102) for mounting of the switch housing (100) to a mounting base, and side walls (104, 106) extending from the bottom wall (102), the switch housing further comprising an arc chamber (120) for extinguishing an electric arc, and a gas exhaust channel (130) for exhausting gas developed in the arc chamber (120) out of the housing (100). The gas exhaust channel (130) comprises a guiding portion (130A), which is substantially parallel to a side wall (106) of the housing (100) for leading the gases to a direction away from the bottom wall (102) of the housing (100).
US09478365B2	Carbon nanosheets There is disclosed a combined hydrothermal and activation process that uses hemp bast fiber as the precursor to achieve graphene-like carbon nanosheets, a carbon nanosheet comprising carbonized crystalline cellulose, a carbon nanosheet formed by carbonizing crystalline cellulose, a capacitative structure comprises interconnected carbon nanosheets of carbonized crystalline cellulose, a method of forming a nanosheet comprising carbonizing crystalline cellulose to create carbonized crystalline cellulose. The interconnected two-dimensional carbon nanosheets also contain very high levels of mesoporosity.
US09478358B2	Multilayer ceramic capacitor A multilayer ceramic capacitor that includes dielectric layers made mainly of a perovskite compound containing Ba and Ti and optionally Zr and Hf, and inner electrodes having an average thickness of approximately 0.5 μm or less. The Mg content of the dielectric layers is approximately in the range of 0≦Mg≦0.4 (parts by mole) based on a total of 100 parts by mole of Ti, Zr, and Hf. The proportion of Mg-containing defects in the inner electrodes is approximately 20% or more.
US09478353B2	Symmetric-type UPS power system based on a nine-phase phase-shifting autotransformer A symmetric-type UPS power system based on a nine-phase phase-shifting autotransformer includes a three-phase AC power input terminal, a three-phase AC power output terminal, a nine-phase phase-shift autotransformer, a synchronized control device for controlling output of a three-phase inverter, a power-frequency isolation transformer and three circuits of output devices; wherein the three-phase AC input terminal of the nine-phase phase-shifting autotransformer is connected to the three-phase AC power input terminal, each circuit of the output devices includes a zero-sequence suppression commutating inductor, a three-phase six-pulse rectifier, a three-phase inverter and a filter inductor which are connected with each other in sequence, each circuit of the zero-sequence suppression commutating inductor is connected to the three-phase AC output terminal of the phase-shifting autotransformer, each circuit of the filter inductor is connected to the input terminal of the power-frequency isolation transformer.
US09478350B2	High-voltage transformer A high-voltage transformer and method of manufacturing are disclosed. The high-voltage transformer can include a transformer core having at least two core limbs, which are axially parallel and on which in each case a hollow-cylindrical coil having in each case at least one electrical winding is arranged. At least in partial regions of mutually facing surfaces of adjacently arranged coils, the respective surface regions of the coils can have a respective electrically isolating barrier structure, which can be integrated radially on an outside of the coil.
US09478349B2	Inductor element Line conductors are provided on one principal surface of a magnetic layer, and line conductors are provided on the other principal surface of the magnetic layer. In addition, side conductors are provided on side surfaces of the magnetic layer to connect the line conductors in a coil shape. A non-magnetic layer is stacked at the one principal surface side of the magnetic layer, and a non-magnetic layer is stacked at the other principal surface side of the magnetic layer. Line conductors are provided within the non-magnetic layer, and line conductors are provided within the non-magnetic layer. Via-hole conductors are provided within the non-magnetic layer to connect the line conductors in parallel with the line conductors. In addition, via-hole conductors are provided within the non-magnetic layer to connect the line conductors in parallel with the line conductors.
US09478346B2	Coil component A coil component includes a magnetic core, a coil-wire portion wound on the magnetic core, and a case made of a resin covering the magnetic core and the coil-wire portion. The magnetic core is made of a pressed magnetic material powder and forms a closed magnetic circuit. The magnetic core has a lower surface configured to contact a mounting surface. The case has a lower surface configured to contact the mounting surface. The lower surface of the magnetic core includes an exposed-core portion exposed from the case. The exposed-core portion is flush with the lower surface of the case. This coil component enhances the efficiency of heat dissipation.
US09478340B2	Solenoid housing and method of making the same The invention relates to a solenoid housing fabricated by a method which allows a manufacturer to produce a high performing product while minimizing manufacturing complexity and time. The instant invention uses cold-forging techniques to reduce the need for fine machining processes.
US09478339B2	Magnetically latching two position actuator and a clutched device having a magnetically latching two position actuator An actuator can include a housing, plunger, core assembly, biasing member, and first and second electromagnets. The housing can have two end poles, and a central pole therebetween. The plunger can be configured for axial translation relative to the housing. The core assembly can move between first and second positions and can be coupled to the plunger. The core assembly can include first and second cores spaced apart by a permanent magnet. The first and second electromagnets can be spaced apart by the central pole and can have opposite polarities. The biasing member can bias the plunger toward a first plunger position when the core assembly is in the first position, and can bias the plunger toward a second plunger position when the core assembly is in the second position.
US09478336B2	Spinning magnet apparatus An apparatus of the present disclosure has a first magnet coupled to a frame and a position of the first magnet vertically adjustable and a second magnet coupled to the frame and positioned and arranged in vertical alignment with the first magnet along a magnetic axis common to the first and second magnets, such that the first magnet is free to rotate about the magnetic axis. The spinning magnet apparatus demonstrates that the external magnetic field caused by the magnets is not fixed to the material matrix of the magnets.
US09478335B2	Coil device, and method for producing same A coil device (1) comprising a coil winding (3) for an electromagnetic actuating device or an electromagnetic sensor, having a winding wire (11) which has an insulating element and which is ran to at least one contacting element (5, 15) that is designed as a metal part, in particular a stamped part, and a stripped section of the winding wire is received at the contacting element between the contacting element (5, 15) and a metal cover (6) and fused to the contacting element (5, 15). A recess (8) is impressed into the contacting element (5, 15), the recess receiving the winding wire (11) in some sections and being designed with a winding wire inlet geometry.
US09478328B2	High frequency cable, high frequency coil and method for manufacturing high frequency cable A method for manufacturing a high frequency cable that includes covering a central conductor made from aluminum or an aluminum alloy with a covering layer made from copper; and wire drawing of the central conductor covered by the covering layer using dies at multiple steps, each of the dies having a cross-section reduction rate of 20% to 29% with an entire reduction angle of 16 degrees, to form a fiber-like structure in a longitudinal direction in the covering layer, and to form an intermetallic compound layer having greater volume resistivity than the covering layer between the central conductor and the covering layer.
US09478325B2	Discharge surface treatment method and coating block for discharge surface treatments Employing a compact molded from powder of metal or the like as an electrode 11, generating pulsed discharges between the electrode 11 and a treating portion Wa of work W in working oil L as a mixture with powder of semiconductor or conductor mixed therein, using discharge energy thereof for locally fusing surface regions of the treating portion Wa of work W, showering molten pieces of electrode material or reactants of the electrode material onto the treating portion Wa of work W, forming a covering film C on the treating portion Wa of work W.
US09478324B1	Systems and methods for producing biochar-based products An end-to-end system/process for producing advantageous end products from a raw biomass feedstock is provided. The process includes steps for enhancing biomaterial feedstock, biochar generation and end-product fabrication. The method steps may be employed in selecting, treating and handling biomass materials and their additive inputs to tailor their end performance. Each operative step in the process may be employed to enhance the overall effectiveness of biochar generation and use. Charring furnace design and operational parameters are provided that generate desirable biochar material for various applications, including specifically fabrication of ultra-capacitor electrodes and electric battery components.
US09478322B1	Storage and transportation method for low level radioactive mixed wastes A method for preparing low level radioactive hazardous wastes (LLHZ) for disposal in a landfill. The method includes providing a softsided transportable container at a hazardous debris collection site, where the softsided container has at least three layers of materials, an outer, middle and an inner layer, where the middle layer is a water impervious material. Each layer has a closable opening located on the top of the softsided layer. Hardsided closed containers containing LLHZ located in the interior of the hard container are loaded into the interior of the softsided container. Each layer of the softsided container is then closed, and the package transported and shipped to a disposal site for burial.
US09478321B2	Method for filling water into a main circuit of a nuclear reactor, and connection device for implementing said method The method for filling water into and changing the air of a main circuit of a water-cooled nuclear reactor includes a step of placing a connection and fluid isolation device which is connected to a hot leg of each cooling loop of the main circuit so as to substantially insulate, from inside the vessel, the assembly of hot legs. The method also includes a step of injecting water through an injection circuit on at least one hot leg until each cooling loop is filled with water having changed the air from a steam generator and until the water level in the vessel reaches above the side openings of the vessel that correspond to the loops, after which the connecting device is taken out of the vessel. The connecting device is capable of using telescopic connection elements.
US09478318B2	Water-spray residual heat removal system for nuclear power plant A residual heat removal system for a nuclear power plant. The residual heat removal system for a nuclear power plant may include an air duct provided on an outside of a reactor containment building, a heat exchanger disposed on an inside of the air duct, a first pipe to transfer, to the heat exchanger, steam generated in a steam generator disposed on an inside of the reactor containment building, and second pipe to transfer, to the steam generator, water condensation that is cooled and condensed in the heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is air-cooled using outside air flowing inside of the air duct.
US09478317B2	Pressurizer surge-line separator for integral pressurized water reactors An integral pressurized light water reactor having most of the components of a primary side of a pressurized water reactor nuclear steam supply system housed in a single pressure vessel with a pressurizer separated from the remaining reactor system by a surge separator having multiple layers of separated steel plates with a number of concentric baffles extending therebetween. A circuitous flow path is provided through and between the plates and concentric baffles and a relatively stagnant pool of coolant is maintained within an innermost zone between the plates to provide thermal isolation.
US09478312B1	Address circuit Described herein are techniques, systems, and circuits for addressing image data according to blocks. For example, in some cases, the address space may be divided into high order address bits and low order address bits. In these cases, an address circuit may twist an address space by shifting the high order bits and low order bits of an address in a rightward direction, shifting the low order bits of the address in a leftward direction, and shifting the high order bits and the low order bits of the address in the leftward direction. The circuit may modify the address value and untwist the address space. For example, the untwisting may include shifting the high order bits and the low order bits of an address in the rightward direction, shifting the low order bits of the address in the rightward direction, and shifting the high order bits and the low order bits of the address in the leftward direction.
US09478310B2	Shift register unit, gate driving circuit and method, display apparatus Provided is a shift register unit, a gate driving circuit and method, and a display apparatus. The shift register unit comprises an input module, a pulling-up module, a first control module, a second control module, a first reset module and a pulling-down module. It can be avoided that a relative large drift occurs in a threshold voltage of a pulling-down TFT (T8) by controlling a voltage at the pulling-down control node (PD) of the shift register unit, thus effectively increasing reliability of the shift register unit in operation.
US09478309B2	Magnetic-domain-wall-displacement memory cell and initializing method therefor Provided is a magnetic domain wall displacement memory cell, including a recording layer including a magnetic film, the recording layer including: a magnetization reversal region in which magnetization is reversible; and first and second magnetization fixed regions that supply a spin-polarized electron to the magnetization reversal region. The magnetic domain wall displacement memory cell is configured so that a first region in which magnetization reversal occurs due to a first current flowing in a direction parallel to a film surface of the recording layer and a first magnetic field component in the direction parallel to the film surface of the recording layer is formed, and a second region in which no magnetization reversal occurs is formed.
US09478307B2	Memory device, writing method, and reading method A memory device includes a memory cell which has one cell selection section and a storage section which is connected in series with respect to the cell selection section and which is selected as an access target for writing or reading by the cell selection section, in which the storage section is provided with a plurality of memory elements which are able to be written one time only and where information is held by changing resistance values in a non-written state and a written state.
US09478302B2	Nonvolatile memory device and method for sensing the same A nonvolatile memory device includes a first resistive memory cell connected to a first word line, a second resistive memory cell connected to a second word line that is different from the first word line, a clamping unit connected between a sensing node and the first resistive memory cell to provide a clamping bias to the first resistive memory cell, a reference current supplying unit connected to the second resistive memory cell to supply a reference current, and a sense amplifier connected to the sensing node to sense a level change of the sensing node, wherein when the first word line is enabled, the second word line is disabled.
US09478296B2	Erase method of nonvolatile memory device and storage device employing the same A method of erasing a nonvolatile memory device which includes a plurality of memory blocks includes receiving an erase command; erasing a selected memory block among the plurality of memory blocks in response to the erase command; and performing an operation of checking whether a threshold voltage of a selection transistor connected to at least one selection line for selecting strings included in the selected memory block is changed while performing an erase verification operation for checking whether the selected memory block is normally erased.
US09478293B2	Memory system and controller A memory system includes a semiconductor memory device and a controller. The semiconductor memory device performs a writing operation with either a first writing method or a second writing method. The controller selects one of the first writing method and the second writing method upon receipt of a write instruction and output a write command indicating the selected writing method to the semiconductor memory device. The controller selects the writing method in accordance with a storage location in the semiconductor memory device targeted by the write instruction.
US09478290B1	Memory device and memory system including the same A memory device is provided as follows. A memory cell array includes strings including first and second strings. Each string includes a ground selection transistor and cell transistors. First and second ground selection lines are connected to a gate of a first ground selection transistor of the first string and a gate of a second ground selection transistor of the second string, respectively. First and second cell gate lines are connected to a gate of a first cell transistor of the first string and a gate of a second cell transistor of the second string, respectively. A first interconnection unit electrically connects a first portion of the first cell gate line to a first portion of the second cell gate line. A second interconnection unit electrically connects a second portion of the first cell gate line to a second portion of the second cell gate line.
US09478287B2	Circuits and methods for detecting write operation in resistive random access memory (RRAM) cells Circuits and methods for detecting write operation and limiting cell current in resistive random access memory (RRAM or ReRAM) cells are provided. RRAM cells can include a select transistor and a programmable resistor. Current can flow through the programmable resistor responsive to word line voltage VWL applied to the gate of the select transistor and a bit line voltage VBL applied to the source of the select transistor. Responsive to the current, the programmable resistor can change between relatively high and low resistances (“SET”), or between relatively low and high resistances (“RESET”). It can be desirable to accurately characterize the resistance of the programmable resistor, that is, to accurately detect write operations such as SET or RESET. Additionally, it can be undesirable for the current to exceed a certain value (“over-SET”). The present circuits and methods can facilitate detecting write operations or limiting current, or both, in an RRAM cell.
US09478286B1	Transient current-protected threshold switching devices systems and methods Threshold switching devices demonstrating transient current protection through both insulation and repair current mechanisms, including associated systems and methods, are provided and discussed.
US09478282B2	State determination in resistance variable memory An evaluation signal is applied to a memory cell in an array of resistance variable memory cells. The evaluation signal is configured to cause the memory cell to switch from a first state to a second state. Responses from the memory cell are sensed at three or more sample points. Differences between the responses are determined. For example, with three sample points, a first delta is determined between the first two responses and a second delta is determined between the last two responses. A difference of deltas is determined as a difference between the first and second delta, or vice versa. It is determined that the memory cell changes from the first to the second state if the difference of deltas is above a threshold. It is determined that the memory cell remains in the second state if the difference of deltas is below the threshold.
US09478276B2	Memory device and semiconductor device Provided is a memory device with a reduced layout area. The memory device includes a sense amplifier electrically connected to first and second wirings and positioned in a first layer, and first and second circuits positioned in a second layer over the first layer. The first circuit includes a first switch being turned on and off in accordance with a potential of a third wiring, and a first capacitor electrically connected to the first wiring via the first switch. The second circuit includes a second switch being turned on and off in accordance with a potential of a fourth wiring, and a second capacitor electrically connected to the second wiring via the second switch. The first wiring intersects the third wiring and does not intersect the fourth wiring in the second layer. The second wiring intersects the fourth wiring and does not intersect the third wiring in the second layer.
US09478275B2	Reference circuit to compensate for PVT variations in single-ended sense amplifiers The disclosure relates to semiconductor memory devices and related methods. A semiconductor memory device comprises: a single-ended sense amplifier circuit for reading data sensed from selected memory cells in a memory array, the sense amplifier having a first node used to feed in a reference signal, a second node coupled to a bit line, and sense transistors responsible for amplifying the content of a selected memory cell during a sense operation, a reference circuit having replica transistors of the sense transistors and further comprising a regulation network designed so that each replica transistor operates in a stable operating point, and wherein the regulation network generates a control voltage that is applied to the sense amplifier circuit.
US09478274B1	Methods and apparatus for multiple memory maps and multiple page caches in tiered memory Methods and apparatus for computer systems having first and second memory tier having regions, physical memory having page caches that are shareable with multiple ones of the regions in the first memory tier and the regions in the second memory tier, and virtual memory having mmaps of ones of the regions in the first memory tier and ones of the regions in the second memory tier, wherein the mmaps are associated with multiple ones of the pages caches.
US09478272B1	Configurable storage blocks with embedded first-in first-out and last-in first-out circuitry An integrated circuit may have configurable storage blocks. A configurable storage block may include a memory array and a control circuit. The configurable storage block may receive a mode selection command. The control circuit may determine to operate the configurable storage block in a first mode which may provide random access to the memory array or in a second mode which may provide access to the memory array in a predefined order based on the mode selection command. Thus, the configurable storage block may implement first-in first-cut modules or last-in first-out modules and variations thereof in addition to implementing memory modules with random access.
US09478271B2	Nonvolatile memory data recovery after power failure A method for data recovery after a power failure is disclosed. The method may include steps (A) to (D). Step (A) may determine that a last power-down of a solid-state drive was an unsafe power-down. Step (B) may search at least some of a plurality of pages of a nonvolatile memory of the solid-state drive to define an unsafe zone in response to the determining that the last power-down of the solid-state drive was the unsafe power-down. Step (C) may define a pad zone comprising one or more of the pages subsequent to the unsafe zone. Step (D) may resume operation of the solid-state drive by writing new data subsequent to the pad zone.
US09478263B2	Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling repetitive accesses to volatile memory Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling repetitive accesses to a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) row are disclosed. A method for monitoring and controlling repetitive accesses to a DRAM can include dividing a bank of the DRAM into a number of logical blocks, mapping each row of the bank to one of the logical blocks, monitoring accesses to the logical blocks, and controlling accesses to the logical blocks based on the monitoring.
US09478260B2	Semiconductor device and semiconductor system A semiconductor device may include a target voltage generation section configured to generate first and second target voltages. The semiconductor device may include a comparison signal generation section configured to compare levels of the first and second target voltages with levels of first and second internal voltages, and generate first and second comparison signals. The semiconductor device may include a latch code generation section configured to latch global codes and output first and second latch codes in response to the first and second comparison signals. The semiconductor device may include a selection code generation section configured to generate first and second selection codes for adjusting levels of the first and second internal voltages using either the global codes or the first and second latch codes.
US09478257B2	Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program An information processing device includes a control unit configured to store in a recording medium a piece of attribute information specified by a user input from among a plurality of sequential pieces of the attribute information in association with a predetermined time period of a content stored in the recording medium.
US09478253B2	Method for creating a content and electronic device thereof A method for creating a content in an electronic device is provided. The method includes acquiring first media data acquired by at least one external electronic device, acquiring second media data on a basis of at least a part of the first media data, recognizing a feature of the second media data acquired by the at least one external electronic device, and creating the content on a basis of at least a part of the feature of the second media data.
US09478251B2	Graphical user interfaces for displaying media items Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for a digital media player application are disclosed. In one aspect, a GUI is generated that presents a “histogram view” of digital media items of a digital media source. The histogram view associates visual representations of the digital media items with a media attribute, such as associating songs with a recording artist who recorded the songs. In another aspect, a GUI is generated that presents a “stack view” including stacks of visual representations of digital media items that are associated with a media attribute, such as a playlist or artist. The stacks of visual representations can be scrubbed by a user (e.g., using a touch gesture) to select digital media items in the stack for playback.
US09478250B1	Data storage component testing system A testing system that is capable of testing individual data storage components may have testing, loader, and exchange assemblies with the testing assembly having a plurality of test slots each having long and short axes. The loader assembly can be configured to transport and install a test deck or data storage device from the exchange assembly to a test slot of the plurality of test slots with a long axis of the test deck continuously aligned with the long axis of the test slot while being transported.
US09478249B2	Cache data management for program execution Implementations disclosed herein provide for sequential readback of program data in from a cached data region of a storage device. In particular, the disclosed technology provides for storing a sequence of logical addresses associated with execution of a program, the sequence of logical addresses including at least two consecutive logical addresses associated with non-consecutive data blocks in a user data region; writing data corresponding to the at least two consecutive logical addresses to sequential data blocks in a cached data region; determining that a sequence of read commands from a host computer is associated with the data; and reading the data from the cached data region.
US09478248B2	Adaptive HAMR laser power data storage device A data storage device and associated methods may provide at least a data storage medium that is separated from a heat assisted magnetic recording data writer and is connected to a controller. The controller can be configured to change a laser power of the heat assisted magnetic recording data writer in response to a tested bit error rate of a median data track of a plurality of adjacent data tracks reaching an identified threshold.
US09478246B2	Providing audio video content during playback pause An audio video display device (AVDD) can present recorded content that can be paused. During pausing, ancillary AV content is shown until such time as a play or other signal is received.
US09478245B2	Replication and formatting method and system for bit-wise holographic storage The present techniques provide methods and systems for recording micro-holograms on a holographic disk using a plurality of counter-propagating light beams in parallel. The parallel counter-propagating light beams overlap to form interference patterns on a data layer and over multiple data tracks in the holographic disk. Rotating the disk enables the parallel recording of micro-holograms over multiple data tracks, thus reducing recording time. Further, the illumination pattern may include illuminated spots and non-illuminated regions, such that each illumination spot may cover a relatively small fraction of the data layer plane, possibly controlling the depth spread of the recorded micro-hologram. In some embodiments, data in the parallel signal beams may be retrieved from a master holographic disk or may be modulated into the parallel signal beams.
US09478242B1	Magnetic recording apparatus having a recessed additional pole segment A magnetic write apparatus has a media-facing surface (MFS), a pole, a trailing shield, coil(s) and a write gap between the pole and trailing shield. The pole includes leading and trailing surfaces, a main portion having a first bevel and an additional portion having a second bevel and adjoining the main portion. The first bevel adjoins the MFS and is at a nonzero, acute first bevel angle from a direction perpendicular to the MFS. The second bevel is recessed from the MFS by not more than eighty nanometers, oriented at a second bevel angle from the direction and offset from the first bevel by a taper having a taper angle that is greater than the first bevel angle. The additional portion is at least ten nanometers and not more than sixty nanometers thick as measured from the first bevel.
US09478240B1	Spin-signal enhancement in a lateral spin valve reader A lateral spin valve reader that includes a detector structure located proximate to a bearing surface and a spin injection structure located away from the bearing surface. The lateral spin valve reader also includes a channel layer extending from the detector structure to the spin injection structure. An exterior cladding, disposed around the channel layer, suppresses spin-scattering at surfaces of the channel layer.
US09478236B1	Perpendicular magnetic recording write head A main pole of a perpendicular magnetic recording write head is disclosed with a non-rectangular shape at the air bearing surface and a rectangular shape behind the air bearing surface. The main pole transitions from the non-rectangular shape to a rectangular shape at a distance of 10 nm to 100 nm behind the air bearing surface. The main pole includes leading and trailing beveled surfaces that extend from the non-rectangular shape of the pole at the air bearing surface toward the rectangular shape transition.
US09478234B1	Microphone apparatus and method with catch-up buffer At a microphone, voice activity is detected in a data stream while simultaneously buffering audio data from the data stream to create buffered data. A signal is sent to a host indicating the positive detection of voice activity in the data stream. When an external clock signal is received from the host, the internal operation of the microphone is synchronized with the external clock signal. Buffered data stream is selectively sent through a first path, the first path including a buffer having a buffer delay time representing the time the first data stream takes to move through the buffer. The data stream is continuously sent through a second path as a real-time data stream, the second path not including the buffer, the real-time data stream beginning with the extended buffer data at a given instant in time. The buffered data stream and the real-time data stream are multiplexed onto a single data line and transmitting the multiplexed data stream to the host.
US09478233B2	Speech fragment detection for management of interaction in a remote conference A conferencing system and method involves conducting a conference between endpoints. The conference can be a videoconference in which audio data and video data are exchanged or can be an audio-only conference. Audio of the conference is obtained from one of the endpoints, and speech is detected in the obtained audio. The detected speech is analyzed to determine that the detected speech constitutes a speech fragment, and an indicia indicative of the determined speech fragment is generated. For a videoconference, the indicia can be a visual cue to be added to video for the given endpoint when displayed at other endpoints. For an audio-only conference, the indicia can be an audio cue to be added to the audio of the conference at the other end points.
US09478229B2	Methods and apparatus for recording impulsive sounds Loud sounds with fast rise times, like gunfire and explosions, can cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Unfortunately, current models do not adequately explain how impulsive sounds cause NIHL, which makes it difficult to predict and prevent NIHL on battlefields and other hostile or rugged environments. Fortunately, the impulsive sounds experienced by soldiers and others working in rugged environments can be recorded using a compact, portable system that acquires, digitizes, and stores high-bandwidth audio data. An example of this system can be mounted on a helmet or other article and used to record hours of audio data at a bandwidth of 20 kHz or higher, which is broad enough to capture sounds with rise times less than 50 ms. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) digitizes these broadband audio signals at rate of 40 kHz or higher to preserve the impulse information. A processor transfers the digitized samples from a buffer to a memory card for later retrieval using an interrupt-driven processing technique.
US09478226B2	Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding noise signal Provided is a method and apparatus for encoding/decoding an audio signal. Sections which are not used to output noise components near important spectral components and sub-bands which are not used to output noise components, are determined to be encoded or decoded, so that the efficiency of encoding and decoding an audio signal increases, and sound quality can be improved using less bits.
US09478223B2	Method and apparatus for down-mixing multi-channel audio Provided are a multi-channel audio down-mixing method and apparatus for selecting down-mix target channels based on a calculation of correlations between channels and then down-mixing the down-mix target channels. The method includes: calculating correlations between channels of multi-channel audio; selecting a first channel and a second channel, among the channels of the multi-channel audio, that are to be down-mixed, based on the calculated correlations; and down-mixing the selected first channel and the selected second channel.
US09478222B2	Frame error concealment A frame error concealment method based on frames including transform coefficient vectors including the following steps: It tracks (S11) sign changes between corresponding transform coefficients of predetermined sub-vectors of consecutive good stationary frames. It accumulates (S12) the number of sign changes in corresponding sub-vectors of a predetermined number of consecutive good stationary frames. It reconstructs (S13) an erroneous frame with the latest good stationary frame, but with reversed signs of transform coefficients in sub-vectors having an accumulated number of sign changes that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US09478219B2	Audio synchronization for document narration with user-selected playback Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text. In some aspects, the techniques and systems described herein include generating a timing file that includes elapsed time information for expected portions of text that provides an elapsed time period from a reference time in an audio recording to each portion of text in recognized portions of text.
US09478216B2	Guest speaker robust adapted speech recognition A method for speech recognition is implemented in the specific form of computer processes that function in a computer processor. That is, one or more computer processes: process a speech input to produce a sequence of representative speech vectors and perform multiple recognition passes to determine a recognition output corresponding to the speech input. At least one generic recognition pass is based on a generic speech recognition arrangement using generic modeling of a broad general class of input speech. And at least one adapted recognition pass is based on a speech adapted arrangement using pre-adapted modeling of a specific sub-class of the general class of input speech.
US09478211B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a driving force transmitting mechanism transmitting a driving force from a driving source to a rotating member through a plurality of coupled driving force transmitting members. The driving force transmitting mechanism has a supporting member and a drive case. The support member supports the driving source and the rotating members. The drive case is provided on the support member and forms a closed space with the supporting member. The closed space stores the driving force transmitting members. The drive case is formed with a sound insulating part. The sound insulating part has at least either one of concave and convex parts at a position closest to the coupling part of the driving force transmitting members.
US09478210B2	Systems and methods for hybrid adaptive noise cancellation In accordance with systems and methods of this disclosure, a method may include generating a feedforward anti-noise signal component from a result of measuring with the reference microphone countering the effects of ambient audio sounds at an acoustic output of a transducer by filtering an output of the reference microphone, adaptively generating a feedback anti-noise signal component from a result of measuring with an error microphone for countering the effects of ambient audio sounds at the acoustic output of the transducer by adapting a response of a feedback adaptive filter that filters a synthesized reference feedback to minimize the ambient audio sounds in the error microphone signal, wherein the synthesized reference feedback is based on a difference between the error microphone signal and the feedback anti-noise signal component.
US09478206B2	Electric instrument music control device with magnetic displacement sensors An electric instrument music control device is provided having a foot pedal comprising a base portion and a treadle, wherein the treadle moves with respect to the base portion. The device further has a magnetic displacement sensor coupled to the base portion and a magnet coupled to the treadle. The magnet is located adjacent the magnetic displacement sensor to place the sensor in a field-saturated mode, wherein the magnet moves with respect to the magnetic displacement sensor in response to movement of the treadle with respect to the base portion. A sound characteristic of the electric instrument is modified in response to moving the magnet with respect to the magnetic displacement sensor.
US09478197B2	Organic light emitting display with threshold voltage compensation and method for driving the same An organic light emitting display and a method for driving the same are disclosed. The organic light emitting display includes a display panel, a data driver supplying a data signal to the display panel, a memory which is positioned inside or outside the data driver and includes at least two banks, and a sensing circuit unit which measures a threshold voltage of at least one driving transistor included in the display panel and provides compensation data. The data driver separately writes and reads previous compensation data and new compensation data provided by the sensing circuit unit in the at least two banks of the memory.
US09478196B2	Display method and display device Embodiments of the present invention disclose a display method and a display device. 2D display is performed when an input source signal is a 2D image signal, and 3D display or 2D display is performed according to requirements and preferences of a user when the input source signal is a 3D image signal. Problems of blinking and tailing which are present in an existing display device are resolved, an edge blur phenomenon of images for fast motion pictures is illuminated, the “illusion” which is formed due to a visually temporary retention of human eyes is corrected, and picture stability is effectively improved; and a crosstalk phenomenon caused by simultaneous displaying of the left-eye image and the right-eye image in an existing active 3D technology is eliminated.
US09478193B2	Local dimming of a laser light source for projectors and other lighting devices including cinema, entertainment systems and displays Light from an array of laser light sources are spread to cover the modulating face of a DMD or other modulator. The spread may be performed, for example, by a varying curvature array of lenslets, each laser light directed at one of the lenslets. Light from neighboring and/or nearby light sources overlap at a modulator. The lasers are energized at different energy/brightness levels causing the light illuminating the modulator to itself be modulated (locally dimmed). The modulator then further modulates the locally dimmed lights to produce a desired image. A projector according to the invention may utilize, for example, a single modulator sequentially illuminated or separate primary color modulators simultaneously illuminated.
US09478192B2	Image processing method The present invention discloses an image processing method includes steps of measuring stimulus value matrixes of trichromatic grays of a displaying image; calculating a stimulus value matrix of each pixel gray of the displaying image from the measured stimulus value matrixes; transforming the stimulus value matrixes of each pixel gray to coordinate values of each pixel in a color space; calculating a chromatic aberration between two adjacent pixels of each row and each column in the color space; selecting a pixel area and calculating a chromatic aberration value of the pixels in the selected pixel area and a chromatic aberration value between pixels of a periphery of the selected pixel area and the adjacent pixels out of the selected pixel area; executing an image process to the selected pixel area if a difference between these two chromatic aberration values and a preset chromatic aberration threshold value meets a predetermined rule.
US09478190B2	Video card and computer A video card includes a graphics processing unit, a video interface, and a power interface. The graphics processing unit processes video signals that are not supported by a display device and generates display signals that are supported by the display device. The video interface transmits the display signals to the display. The power interface supplies a first voltage to the display device via the video interface, so as to power on the display device to display the display signals.
US09478186B2	Display device with idle periods for data signals When an idle period is started, a voltage of the control signal is changed from a value H to a value L. As a result, the analog amplifiers provided in the signal line driver circuit are switched from the normal state to the low-driving power state. At this time, the data signal lines are set to have a constant potential. A gate voltage is changed from Vgh to Vgl at the same time as when the control signal was changed from the value H to the value L. As a result, the gate of each TFT returns to the OFF state from the ON state. The control signal remains at the value L until the idle period is over. In other words, when the next driving period is started, the voltage of the control signal is changed from the value L to the value H. As a result, the analog amplifiers in the signal line driver circuit are switched back to the normal state from the low-driving power state.
US09478183B2	Display device and display method In this liquid crystal display device, a potential propagation line (PVID) and video signal lines SL(1) to SL(M) are connected via coupling capacitive elements Cp(1) to Cp(M), and a capacitance drive circuit (100) causes the potential of the potential propagation line (PVID) to change in the same direction in which the potential of a video signal S(m) varies during a period of nonselection. As a result, even if there is not enough time to perform a precharge operation, the potentials of video signal lines can be similarly raised or lowered without performing a precharge operation.
US09478180B2	Signal processing method The present application discloses a signal processing method, which is applied to an electronic apparatus provided with or externally connected with a liquid crystal display device, where the method includes: receiving a polarity control signal; obtaining a first correspondence relationship between the polarity control signal and a drive mode in the liquid crystal display device according to the polarity control signal; creating a truth table corresponding to the first correspondence relationship according to the first correspondence relationship; and determining a drive signal corresponding to the drive mode according to the truth table, wherein the drive signal includes a first drive signal and a second drive signal.
US09478179B2	Multi-color liquid crystal display A display and methods of driving the display, where the display includes a plurality of pixels, where some colors are present in every pixel, and some colors are only present in less than all of the pixels.
US09478178B2	Display device A display device includes a pixel matrix having pixel rows and pixel columns and including pixels having switching elements positioned alternately at a corner near an upper and a lower side of each pixel row and positioned alternately at a corner near an upper and a lower side of and alternately at a corner near a left and a right side of each pixel column; multiple pairs of gate lines transmitting a gate-on voltage; and multiple data lines transmitting data voltages, wherein each pair of gate lines are disposed at the upper and lower sides of each pixel row with the pixels in each row connected to the gate line positioned nearest the respective switching element, and each data line is disposed between adjacent pairs of pixel columns and connected to pairs of pixels where one pixel of the pair has a switching element positioned nearest the respective data line.
US09478176B2	Rapid estimation of effective illuminance patterns for projected light fields Apparatus and methods are provided that employ one or more of a variety of techniques for reducing the time required to display high resolution images on a high dynamic range display having a light source layer and a display layer. In one technique, the image resolution is reduced, an effective luminance pattern is determined for the reduced resolution image, and the resolution of the effective luminance pattern is then increased to the resolution of the-display layer. In another technique, the light source layer's point spread function is decomposed into a plurality of components, and an effective luminance pattern is determined for each component. The effective luminance patterns are then combined to produce a total effective luminance pattern. Additional image display time reduction techniques are provided.
US09478175B2	Backlight unit and liquid crystal display using the same A liquid crystal display (LCD) device having an LCD panel with a plurality of pixels is disclosed. The LCD device includes gate and data driving circuits to provide a gate pulse and a data voltage to the pixels, respectively, and a timing controller to control the gate and data driving circuits. The LCD device also includes a backlight unit to provide light to the liquid crystal panel. The backlight unit includes a light source having at least one LED channel, a driving voltage generator to supply a driving voltage to the LED channel, and an LED driver to supply a conditional pulse width and amplitude modulation (CPWAM) signal to the LED channel. The CPWAM signal has a pulse with an amplitude and a width that are both variable from one period of a predetermined length to another period of the predetermined length.
US09478167B2	Organic light emitting display and method for driving the same An organic light emitting display includes a power supply source and a power voltage compensation unit. The power supply source supplies at least a first power voltage to a first power voltage line of the display. The power voltage compensation unit to generate a first compensation power voltage based on the first power voltage and a feedback power voltage from the first power voltage line. The first power voltage compensation unit outputs the first compensation power voltage to the first power voltage line.
US09478165B2	Electro-optic device, method of driving electro-optic device, and electronic apparatus Provided is an electro-optic device including: a first pixel circuit that is provided corresponding to a position where one scanning line and a first data line are intersect with each other; a second pixel circuit that is provided corresponding to a position where the one scanning line and a second data line are intersect with each other; a first level shift unit circuit that shifts electric potential of a first data signal so as to compress electric potential amplitude of the first data signal with a first compression rate, and supplies the signal to the first data line; and a second level shift unit circuit that shifts electric potential of a second data signal so as to compress electric potential amplitude of the second data signal with a second compression rate different from the first compression rate, and supplies the signal to the second data line.
US09478161B2	Image display system and method of driving the same An image display system includes a camera part and an image display part. The image display part includes a user analyzer, a gamma corrector, a gamma voltage generator, and a display panel. The camera part takes a picture of a user and generates a user image signal. The user analyzer calculates the user's viewing direction based on the user image signal. The gamma corrector generates a correction gamma value based on the viewing direction. The gamma voltage generator generates a gamma voltage based on the correction gamma value, and the display panel displays an image corresponding to the gamma voltage. Accordingly, the image display system provides the image having an optimized gamma curve to the user in real time even without a separate input from the user.
US09478156B2	Organic light emitting display device and driving method thereof Disclosed is an organic light emitting display device. The organic light emitting display device includes a display panel arranged to include a plurality of unit pixels having red, green, blue, and white sub-pixels, a four-color data converter configured to convert input data of red, green, and blue of each unit pixel into data of red, green, blue, and white respectively corresponding to the red, green, blue, and white sub-pixels, and a panel driver configured to accumulate data of each of the sub-pixels at every accumulation period, store the accumulated data in a memory, decide a color correction mode for correcting a color of each unit pixel on the basis of the accumulated data of the white sub-pixel stored in the memory, drive the white sub-pixel of each unit pixel according to the decided color correction mode, and selectively drive the red, green, and blue sub-pixels.
US09478152B2	Device for shading extraneous light and for creating defined lighting conditions on a monitor A device for screening of outside light from the view of a video monitor is described. The device is constructed such that it may be fully or partially deployed, allowing for various configurations. In the fully collapsed configuration, the invention permits the user to employ the monitor without the light blocking shades as well. In a preferred embodiment, the device additionally includes a light source for illuminating the surface of the monitor.
US09478150B1	Real-time driver observation and scoring for driver's education A method includes, for each of two or more driving sessions in which a student driver operates a vehicle, gathering driving skill data indicative of at least one of behavior of the student driver, acceleration of the vehicle, braking of the vehicle, or steering of the vehicle, and generating a driving session report. The method further includes causing the driving session reports corresponding to the two or more driving sessions to be displayed to a driving instructor, and receiving comments from the driving instructor about the two or more driving sessions of the student driver. Still further, the method includes storing the driving session reports corresponding to the two or more driving sessions along with the received comments from the driving instructor.
US09478149B2	Performance monitoring systems and methods We have disclosed systems and methods for portable performance monitoring of an individual during a physical activity. The systems and methods may include a personal computer configured to receive personal data from the individual. The systems and methods may also include a portable performance monitoring device that may be in communication with the personal computer and may have a display screen configured to display the personal data to the individual. The systems and methods may also include a server that may be in communication with the personal computer and the portable performance monitoring device and may have a database configured to store the personal data The systems and methods may be configured such that the personal data displayed on the display screen of the portable performance monitoring device and stored on the database of the server is configured to update based on the personal data received on the personal computer.
US09478148B2	Performance monitoring systems and methods We have disclosed systems and methods for portable performance monitoring of an individual during a physical activity. The systems and methods may include a heart rate sensor configured to collect heart rate data of the individual while engaged in the fitness activity. The systems and methods may also include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor and storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to determine heart rate information based on the heart rate data. The systems and methods may also include a wireless wide area network transceiver for communicating the heart rate information to a remote computer. The systems and methods may also include a portable performance monitoring device that may have a display screen that may be configured to display the heart rate information to the individual.
US09478147B2	Methods and apparatus for interpersonal coordination analysis and training Methods and systems for interpersonal coordination analysis and training are provided. In an example embodiment of a method for interpersonal coordination analysis and training, at least one physical action is selected to be performed. A leader subject is instructed to perform the at least one physical action in the presence of at least one follower subject. The at least one physical action of the leader subject is tracked. The at least one follower subject is instructed to mimic the at least one physical action of the leader subject. The at least one physical action of the at least one follower subject is tracked. Tracking data obtained from the tracking of the leader subject and the at least one follower subject is analyzed. From the analyzing of the tracking data, a responsiveness of the at least one follower subject to mimic the leader subject can be determined.
US09478145B1	Unreasonable answer filter An approach is provided in which a knowledge manager computes a set of unreasonable answer probabilities based upon a corresponding set of answers. Each of the set of unreasonable answer probabilities indicate a likelihood that its corresponding answer is an unreasonable answer to a question received by the knowledge manager. The knowledge manager determines that one or more unreasonable answers are included in the set of answers based upon determining that their corresponding unreasonable answer probabilities are above a threshold. In turn, the knowledge manager removes the one or more unreasonable answers from the set of answers and provides a modified set of answers to a user.
US09478143B1	Providing assistance to read electronic books Architectures and techniques are described to provide assistance to read electronic books. In particular, a computing device may receive input from an individual while the individual is reading an electronic book, such as voice input, gaze tracking input, touch screen input, and so on. Based on the input gathered while the individual reads the electronic book, the computing device may determine a particular portion of the electronic book, such as one or more words of the electronic book, that the individual is reading. The computing device may also utilize the input gathered while the individual reads the electronic book to determine whether the individual needs assistance in reading one or more words of the electronic book, such as assistance in pronouncing the one or more words. The computing device may then provide assistance to the individual to read the one or more words.
US09478142B2	Railway transport management A method performed by a first rolling stock, comprising: receiving one or more communications from one or more second rolling stock, with a railroad network comprising the first rolling stock and the one or more second rolling stock; executing, by the first rolling stock, one or more of a local rule and a global rule; determining, based on executing, a speed for the first rolling stock relative to a speed of at least one of the one or more second rolling stock; and controlling the speed for the first rolling stock in accordance with the determined speed, wherein controlling promotes avoidance of a collision between the first rolling stock and the at least one of the one or more second rolling stock.
US09478136B2	Method for monitoring and signaling a traffic situation in the surroundings of a vehicle A method for monitoring and signaling a traffic situation in the surrounding environment of a vehicle, a sensor acquiring a surrounding environment of the vehicle, an object at risk being recognized in the acquired environment, a collision probability and a prediction reliability being determined for the recognized object at risk, and when there is a given collision probability and a low prediction reliability an action of a first type being carried out, and when there is a given collision probability and a high prediction reliability an action of a second type being carried out. The present invention further relates to a driver assistance system for carrying out the method.
US09478135B2	Drive support apparatus To improve traveling safety of a vehicle by continuing an alarm after the end of a crash prevention control for preventing a crash between an own vehicle and a target object, a drive support apparatus of the invention detects the target object which exists in a predetermined detection area ahead of the own vehicle, starts to issue an alarm with an alarm generating part to a driver of the own vehicle if probability of a crash between the own vehicle and the target object is greater than a predetermined value, start a crash prevention control in which an automatic driving operation is performed for preventing the crash with the target object, and continues to issue the alarm until a predetermined timing (timing when the driver of the own vehicle performs a predetermined driving operation, for example) after the crash prevention control by the crash prevention controlling part has been ended.
US09478133B2	Motor vehicle and navigation arrangement for a motor vehicle A navigation arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a first motor vehicle having a navigation system for ascertaining a suggested route for the first motor vehicle and at least one second motor vehicle having a navigation system for ascertaining a suggested route for the second motor vehicle, and an Internet connection being provided between the first motor vehicle and the second motor vehicle for transmitting information concerning the navigation system of the first motor vehicle from the first motor vehicle to the second motor vehicle.
US09478129B1	Vehicle monitoring and control system Apparatuses, methods, apparatuses and systems for monitoring a one or more vehicles are disclosed. One system includes a plurality of road transceivers located along a vehicle roadway, wherein each road transceiver is operative to at least one of communicate with or sense the one or more vehicles as the one or more vehicles travels along the vehicle roadway. A controller interfaced with the plurality of road transceivers or a controller within at least one of the plurality of road transceivers is operative to determined one or more operative conditions of the one or more vehicles based on the communications with or the sensing of the one or more vehicles.
US09478126B2	Remote and controller synchronization for automated furniture controls A system, method, and device for automatic master control detection are provided. In embodiments, automatic master control detection may be utilized to determine a primary control device in a multi-control furniture environment, such as an automated furniture environment. In some aspects, a control device is initially programmed with a particular primary ID. Additionally, such control devices include an alternate ID that may replace the primary ID if it is determined that a conflict exists between the control device and another control device in the same network environment. In one embodiment of the invention, a control device/box/component communicates a startup query upon activation, which automatically signals to other devices in the network that it is the first control started and will retain master control status having the primary ID. Recipient control devices may process a received startup query as an indication to change their primary ID to an alternate ID.
US09478124B2	Remote control with enhanced touch surface input A folding remote control with an inner touch surface such as a touch pad is disclosed. The touch surface is split in two sections which together span both inner surfaces of the two sections of the folding remote providing a large touch surface. This allows ease of use and also can provide features such as multi-touch control. Back lighting may provide a relatively large keyboard input spanning both sections which can be selected for display at the push of a button. Remote control embodiments without folding sections but large touch surface configurations are also disclosed.
US09478123B2	Remote control device and method The present invention relates to a method of controlling a device remotely and includes: transmitting a device selecting signal; receiving a response signal from a device to be controlled that receives the device selecting signal; identifying the device to be controlled by using the response signal; changing at least one of an angle of beam spread and direction of the device selecting signal if the identified device to be controlled is two or more in number; and generating a remote control signal by using device control information corresponding to the identified device to be controlled and transmitting the generated signal to the device to be controlled.
US09478122B2	Electromotive furniture drive assembly A motorized furniture drive assembly (10) comprises at least one motorized furniture drive (3); at least one drive control device having a receiving device for wireless radio transmission; and at least one communication device (4) for operating the furniture drive (3). The motorized furniture drive assembly (10) is provided with at least one communication adaptation device (5), which is designed to communicate with the at least one communication device (4) by means of a primary wireless transmission path and to communicate with the at least one receiving device by means of a secondary wireless transmission path. An assembly comprises the motorized furniture drive assembly (10) and a piece of furniture (1).
US09478120B2	System for monitoring evacuation of a facility A method of monitoring the presence of personnel within a facility (S) and of monitoring the evacuation of the facility. A personnel registration system (2, 2a, 2b, 4) obtains data indicating the presence of a person. An interface computer (6) continuously receives data about people at the facility from a personnel server, and continuously supplies data to a monitoring server (9). A portable device (10a, 10b, c) is in data communication with the monitoring server and continuously receives data from the monitoring server. Upon evacuation of the facility, the portable device is taken to a mustering point (A, B, C) outside of the facility, and communicates (10) wirelessly with the monitoring server and continuously receives data from and sends data to the monitoring server. During evacuation of the facility the portable device logs the attendance of people at the mustering point and continuously communicates information to the monitoring server about people logged.
US09478108B2	Multi-directional, multi-functional, wearable safety lighting apparatus A multi-functional, multi-directional wearable safety lighting device is disclosed herein that includes a main light housing and a magnetic mounting assembly coupleable to a bottom surface of the main light housing. The mounting assembly is configured to secure the wearable safety lighting device to a user. The main light housing includes warning light elements coupled front and rear side surfaces. A directional work light is coupled to the front side surface of the main housing and is distinct from the warning light elements. A power source supplies power to the warning light elements and the work light. A controller is programmed to energize the warning light elements in select subgroups following depression of a first control button or a second control button, and energize the directional work light following depression of a third control button.
US09478101B2	Providing and controlling embeddable gaming content A wagering game system and its operations include detecting, via a first web widget presented via a casino website, identifying information for a casino user account. The casino user account is hosted by a casino server. The first web widget is hosted by a second server separate from the casino server. The operations can further include determining, by at least one of one or more processors, a relationship between the casino user account and a second user account associated with the second server. The determining the relationship can be in response to detecting the identifying information. The operations can further include associating, by at least one of the one or more processors, the casino user account and the second user account in response to determining the relationship.
US09478099B2	Bet sensing apparatuses and methods A bet sensor for sensing values of gaming tokens may include a bet placement surface configured and oriented to support a stack of gaming tokens thereon and an image sensor located and oriented to capture an image of a lateral side surface of at least one gaming token located on the bet placement surface. The image may depict the lateral side surface in a radial format. The bet sensor may include a processor in communication with the image sensor. The processor is configured to acquire image data from the image and analyze the image data to determine a wager value of the at least one token. A gaming table may include such a bet sensor. The disclosure includes methods of operating such a gaming table.
US09478095B2	Methods and systems for determining and selling wagering game outcomes to be viewed remotely In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated and used to create a video presentation of representative outcomes. The video presentation is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or CD-ROM) or otherwise provided to a player (e.g., a player may access the video presentation online). This allows a player to purchase a video presentation of (e.g., predetermined) outcomes in a jurisdiction in which gambling is legal yet view the presentation at the player's convenience (e.g., from any jurisdiction and at any time). A player who purchases such a video presentation may subsequently redeem it for a redemption value associated therewith. In some embodiments, the player may request such outcomes by presenting and/or selecting a session object and/or by interfacing with a tangible medium recording or production device (e.g., on a casino floor).
US09478094B2	Postal services kiosk having payment card security An apparatus for facilitating payment using a payment card includes a computerized sales transaction device structured to determine a monetary amount for a sale, and a secure card activated terminal (CAT) device in electronic communication with the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device sends the monetary amount to the secure CAT device. The secure CAT device is structured to: (i) obtain sensitive payment card information from the card, (ii) automatically request in a secure, encrypted manner authorization for the sale using the monetary amount and the sensitive payment card information, (iii) receive in a secure, encrypted manner authorization approval for the sale, and (iv) in response to receiving the authorization approval, send purchase authorization approval information to the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device never receives the sensitive payment card information.
US09478093B2	Item dispensing apparatus Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispenser configured for storing one or more items and dispensing the stored items to authorized users. According to various embodiments, the dispenser generally includes a housing defining an interior portion dimensioned to receive one or more items and a laterally sliding access door comprised of a flexible barrier configured to provide restricted access to items stored within the dispenser. In various embodiments, the dispenser also includes a biasing system configured bias the access door to a closed position.
US09478091B2	Digital media rental and return kiosk having a three-position lockable gate mechanism and methods of operating a digital media rental and return kiosk A digital media rental and return kiosk includes a store arranged to store physical digital media items. The kiosk further includes a user interface (i) having a dispense and return slot, and (ii) arranged to enable a customer to interact with the kiosk to either rent a digital media item or return a digital media item through the slot. The kiosk also includes a delivery system arranged to (i) transport a digital media item to be rented from the store to the slot, and (ii) transport a digital media item to be returned from the slot to the store. The kiosk further includes a gate mechanism including a gate which is (i) movable from a closed position to a first opened position to allow a digital media item to be rented to be dispensed through the slot to a customer, and (ii) movable from the closed position to a second opened position which is different from the first opened position to allow a digital media item to be returned to be inserted through the slot by the customer.
US09478090B2	Image sensor unit, image reading apparatus, and paper sheet distinguishing apparatus An image sensor unit includes: a plurality of light sources each including an LED chip; a plurality of light guides that are arranged in parallel to face incident surfaces on one side in a longitudinal direction for each of the plurality of light sources and that guide light from the plurality of light sources to a bill; an image sensor that converts light from the bill to an electric signal; a sensor substrate for mounting the image sensor; and a circuit board that is provided with the plurality of light sources on a same mounting surface and that is arranged on the sensor substrate on one side in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of light guides, wherein the sensor substrate includes a connection hole on one side in the longitudinal direction of the sensor substrate, and the circuit board is connected to the sensor substrate by connecting a connecting portion including a plurality of external connection pads to the connection hole.
US09478088B2	Smart key system using movement pattern recognition of mobile device and operation method thereof Provided is a smart key system using movement pattern recognition of a mobile terminal includes a mobile terminal configured to continuously transmit position information generated when a position is moved according to manipulation of a user, and a control module configured to acquire a movement pattern of the mobile terminal using the position information received from the mobile terminal and unlock a door of a vehicle when the acquired movement pattern is matched with a previously stored preset pattern.
US09478087B2	Methods and systems for communicating between a vehicle and a remote device Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for communications between a vehicle and a remote device using a first vehicle communications module that communicates via a first communication channel. One exemplary method involves transmitting, by a second vehicle communications module via a second communication channel, an indication of an operating state of the first communications module, receiving, by the first communications module via the first communication channel, an acknowledgment responsive to the indication from the remote device, and changing the operating state of the first communications module in response to receiving the acknowledgment.
US09478086B1	Access control system that detects static electricity An access control system removes the human element from static protection by detecting a level of static energy when the user attempts to authenticate to the access control system, and when the user's detected level of static energy exceeds a defined threshold, access is denied until the user discharges the static energy. A static energy detection mechanism in a badge reader includes two conductive plates that form a first capacitor, and the space between an electrically conductive badge and one of the conductive plates on the badge reader forms a second capacitor. Using these two capacitors, the level of static energy on the user can be measured by the sum of the voltage across these two capacitors as the user presents the badge to the badge reader. The access control system assures the user is properly grounded before allowing access to an area, equipment, etc.
US09478078B2	Inspection managing apparatus, inspection system, and inspection method for integrated multimedia of vehicle An inspection system for an integrated multimedia of a vehicle includes: a wireless connector mounted in the vehicle; and a communication terminal requesting pairing with the integrated multimedia of the vehicle through a short range wireless communication using the wireless connector, and determining at least one of whether a phonebook is transmitted, whether a call sound is transmitted and received, and whether short range wireless communication is performed, by inspecting the integrated multimedia for the vehicle in the state in which the communication terminal is paired with the integrated multimedia of the vehicle through the short range wireless communication.
US09478077B2	Method of analysing flight data The invention relates to a method of analyzing flight data recorded during N flights of at least one aircraft, by means of a flight data recorder of an aircraft, the data being grouped together by flight i in a signature vector of the flight Xi of size d, the components of which correspond to data recorded during said flight i of the aircraft, a flight i being thus defined by the signature vector Xi, the method comprising the following steps: Gaussian kernel entropy component analysis of the flight signatures Xi to obtain a zone of normal flights and classifying the flight signatures Xi with respect to their distance to said zone; determining, for each flight i, an abnormality score zi defined by the distance of a flight signature Xi with respect to the zone of normal flights; detecting, as a function of the abnormality score zi, at least one abnormal flight.
US09478075B1	Vehicle safety-inspection apparatus A vehicle safety-inspection apparatus is for a vehicle having a detectable-identification device fixedly mounted thereto at a predetermined visual inspection point of the vehicle. The vehicle safety-inspection apparatus includes a movable detector configured to detect the presence of the detectable-identification device in response to a user walking around the vehicle and positioning the movable detector proximate to the detectable-identification device during the vehicle safety-inspection of the vehicle. The movable detector is also configured to transmit a detection signal being configured to indicate the presence of the detectable-identification device that was detected. The recording assembly is configured to: (A) receive the detection signal from the detectable-identification device; (B) generate and store a detection-alarm record indicating that the detection signal was received by the recording assembly; and (C) transmit the detection-alarm record that was stored.
US09478074B2	Vehicle management A fleet manager may communicate desired driving behavior, including maximum speed, desired route, areas to avoid, and other information to operators of vehicles in the fleet. The communication may be via an application on a mobile device, vehicle computer, or other device associated with each driver or vehicle. In operation, an administrator, such as, for example, a fleet manager, may communicate instructions to one or more vehicles, for example a vehicle of a fleet of vehicles.
US09478071B2	Anti fare evasion system A system for monitoring passengers on a vehicle includes one or more detectors for detecting passenger data including one or more passenger identification properties. A computer system receives data from the detectors and uniquely identifies each passenger based on the one or more passenger identification properties. A device receives fare data indicative of whether a passenger has paid the correct fare, and uses the fare data, passenger identity and passenger data from the computer system to indicate which passengers have paid the correct fare.
US09478067B1	Augmented reality environment with secondary sensory feedback An architecture includes a system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. In addition to primary visual stimuli, the architecture further includes introduction of a secondary form of sensory feedback into the environment to enhance user experience. The secondary sensory feedback may be tactile feedback and/or olfactory feedback. The secondary sensory feedback is provided to the user in coordination with the visual based activity occurring within the scene.
US09478065B2	System and method for remote generation of indirect illumination sources in three-dimensional graphics A method for generating three-dimensional graphics includes generating a virtual environment in a server including a first object, second object and a direct illumination source. The method includes generating a virtual point light (VPL) in the virtual environment at an intersection between a ray from the direct illumination source and the first object, and sending data corresponding to the VPL to a client computing device through a data network. The method includes generating an illumination of the second object in the virtual environment with the VPL received from the server, and displaying the illuminated second object.
US09478059B2	Animated audiovisual experiences driven by scripts In an embodiment, a computerized method comprises receiving a meta-language file comprising a conversion of a script file in a natural language format, the script file including a plurality of natural language statements; interpreting, by a first computing device, the meta-language file to execute at least a first portion of the meta-language file; dynamically generating and displaying, on the first computing device, one or more visually animated graphical elements in accordance with the execution of at least the first portion of the meta-language file.
US09478055B2	Device and method for editing ink text data Disclosed are a device and method for editing ink text data. More specifically, a device for editing digital ink data displayed on a display includes a stroke order rearrangement processing unit configured to rearrange an input order of two or more strokes on the basis of a predefined criterion to generate a rearranged input order when receiving a user input including the two or more strokes, a data generation unit configured to generate digital ink data corresponding to a rearrangement stroke reflecting the rearranged input order, and an editing unit configured to change the digital ink data displayed on the display when an editing signal is generated. Thus, a user can intuitively and easily perform the editing operation, such as update, deletion, and insertion, on digital ink data displayed on a screen, and thus feel satisfaction.
US09478044B2	Method and apparatus of creating a perceptual harmony map The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for creating an harmony map of an image. It also relates to a method and apparatus for assessing the quality of an image. The invention also relates to a method and apparatus for assessing the quality of an image such that an assessment score of the image is obtained from a perceptual map of the image created from the previous method. As an interesting tool for content creator and in the goal of maximizing the artistic effect, the proposed method provides perceptual harmony-guided quality map as well as a score of disharmony of a picture without reference image. The method links two distinct subjects: perceptual quality metric and harmonious hue templates in order to provide new tools to content creator whatever the expertise level.
US09478041B2	Moving object detection method A moving object detection method according to an embodiment includes evaluating an average value, instead of a median value, of pixel values at the same pixel positions across multiple superposed images. A threshold value obtained by multiplying the average value by a predetermined number is employed to distinguish space debris from an object which emits light at a higher luminance than the space debris. In order to detect the space debris accurately, an average value of the pixel values that are equal to or less than the threshold is employed as an evaluation value for the space debris detection.
US09478039B1	Background modeling and foreground extraction method based on depth image The present invention relates to an image background modeling and foreground extraction method based on a depth image, characterized by comprising: step 1: acquiring a depth image representing a distance from objects to a camera; step 2: initiating a real-time depth background model; step 3: updating the real-time depth background model; step 4: acquiring a current depth image representing the distance from the objects to the camera; step 5: extracting a foreground image of the current depth image based on the real-time depth background model; step 6: outputting the foreground image and generating a real-time target masking image; and step 7: updating the real-time depth background model, where code block information of each pixel point in the real-time depth background model is updated according to the real-time target masking image. The present invention has stability, high efficiency, and superiority in processing positional relationships that cannot be matched by a well-known modeling method using a color image, and does not require initially modeling a scene, thereby simplifying implementation steps and greatly improving the whole performance.
US09478031B2	Scale error correction in a multi-dimensional model A system and method is provided for identifying error and rescaling and constructing or reconstructing a multi-dimensional (e.g., 3D) building model using street-level imagery. Street-level imagery is used to identify architectural elements that have known architectural standard dimensions. Dimensional measurements of architectural elements in the multi-dimensional building model (poorly scaled) are compared with known architectural standard dimensions to rescale and construct/reconstruct an accurate multi-dimensional building model.
US09478030B1	Automatic visual fact extraction By evaluating readily available facts regarding an object, an item may be identified, or one or more characteristics of the item may be determined, and a destination for the item may be selected. An extraction module including a depth sensor may capture depth imaging data regarding the item, which may then be processed in order to estimate one or more dimensions of the item, and an appropriate container or storage area for the item may be selected. Additionally, the extraction module may further include a scale for determining a mass of the item, or digital cameras for capturing one or more images of the item. The images of the item may be analyzed in order to interpret any markings, labels or identifiers disposed on the item, and a destination for the item may be selected based on the mass, the analyzed images or the depth imaging data.
US09478028B2	Intelligent landmark selection to improve registration accuracy in multimodal image fusion Systems and methods for image registration includes an image feature detection module (116) configured to identify internal landmarks of a first image (110). An image registration and transformation module (118) is configured to compute a registration transformation, using a processor, to register a second image (112) with the first image based on surface landmarks to result in a registered image. A landmark identification module (120) is configured to overlay the internal landmarks onto the second image using the registration transformation, encompass each of the overlaid landmarks within a virtual object to identify corresponding landmark pairs in the registered image, and register the second image with the first image using the registered image with the identified landmarks.
US09478014B2	Image processing method for extracting linear patterns An image processing apparatus of the disclosure performs image processing to an extraction image as an image of an extracted linear configuration appearing in an original image. Specifically, the image processing apparatus includes a line connecting processor configured to connect fragments of the linear configuration in the extraction image due to noises or the like to generate a fragment eliminated image. The line connecting processor interpolates pixels in the extraction image in an extending direction of the linear configuration based on a direction image while obtaining the extending direction of the linear configuration in the extraction image. Accordingly, the linear configuration is expanded in its extending direction. Such operation causes natural connection of the fragments of the linear configuration in the extraction image, achieving provision of an image with higher visibility.
US09478008B1	Image stitching in a multi-camera array Images captured by multi-camera arrays with overlap regions can be stitched together using image stitching operations. An image stitching operation can be selected for use in stitching images based on a number of factors. An image stitching operation can be selected based on a view window location of a user viewing the images to be stitched together. An image stitching operation can also be selected based on a type, priority, or depth of image features located within an overlap region. Finally, an image stitching operation can be selected based on a likelihood that a particular image stitching operation will produce visible artifacts. Once a stitching operation is selected, the images corresponding to the overlap region can be stitched using the stitching operation, and the stitched image can be stored for subsequent access.
US09478006B2	Content aware cropping Content aware cropping techniques are described in which a combined crop and fill operation may be performed in one-step using an automated workflow. In one or more implementations, an image is exposed for editing in a user interface and input is obtained that indicates a position for a crop frame to select a portion of the image. The crop frame may be employed as a basis for a combined crop and fill operation that is initiated by a single input or trigger that causes a sequence of actions to automatically crop the image, recognize portions of empty pixels to fill, apply a content aware fill algorithm, and produce a resulting output image. In one or more implementations, a size of the crop frame may be controlled to maintain at least one of image size, aspect ratio, or pixel resolution.
US09478002B2	Vertex parameter data compression Methods and computer graphics systems are provided for compressing vertex parameter data. The vertex parameter data comprises a data block comprising data of vertices relating to at least one parameter. The data of each of the vertices includes multiple data segments at respective positions. The data in the data block is analyzed to determine a compression grouping scheme according to which data segments of the vertices are grouped together into segment blocks for compression. The analysis of the data determines a compression grouping scheme which is suited to the distribution of the data in the data block, to thereby improve the compression ratio which can be achieved when compressing the data block.
US09477997B2	Processing resource management system and methods The present invention discloses a system and methods for parallel processing of multiple processing job requests; the system may include a server for receiving a job request, an algorithm for segmenting the job request to a few sub jobs and a few processors for processing the few sub jobs in parallel. Each sub job contains a few frames to be processed by the job processors and the outputs of few job processors are combined into a single output. The invention further discloses methods for proportional allocation of job segments and an optimization algorithm to automatically assign job requests and to adapt the resources of the system to meet customers demand according to predefined criteria.
US09477996B2	Method and system of processing a viewport within large format imagery A computer system for processing a viewport within an image arranged as a matrix of tiles from a container file is disclosed herein. The computer system includes one or more processors configured to: (a) receive a request to read data of the viewport starting from a point of origin of the viewport, the viewport having a pixel width and a pixel height, the viewport being a portion of an image that is stored in a record within the file container; (b) compute column numbers or row numbers, or both, of the tiles containing the viewport; and (c) read in parallel or asynchronously each row or each column of tiles containing the viewport.
US09477995B2	System, device, and method of electronic payment A system and method allow a customer to perform self-checkout at a real-world non-virtual store or restaurant or other business establishment that the customer is visiting. The customer pre-defines an electronic payment method. The customer visits the business establishment, and the system generates a unique user-specific code that is a function of the time, the location, and the specific customer. The code is displayed on the mobile device of the customer, which is then shown to an employee of the business establishment, which then enters the unique code into a Point of Sale terminal; thereby generating an association between an ongoing open tab of the customer, and the mobile device of the customer. The customer is able to perform self checkout of the open tab, without requiring action on behalf of the business establishment.
US09477993B2	Training a predictor of emotional response based on explicit voting on content and eye tracking to verify attention Utilizing eye tracking to collect naturally expressed affective responses for training an emotional response predictor, comprising: receiving a vote of a user on a segment of content consumed by the user; receiving eye tracking data of the user taken while the user consumed the segment of content; determining, based on the eye tracking data, that a gaze-based attention level to the segment reaches a predetermined threshold; utilizing the vote to generate a label related to an emotional response to the segment; receiving an affective response measurement of the user taken substantially while the user consumed the segment of content; and training a measurement emotional response predictor with the label and the affective response measurement.
US09477992B2	Settings page redesign Methods and systems of managing settings are described. According to various embodiments, a settings page corresponding to a user's settings on an online service may be caused to be displayed on a device. The settings page may comprise selectable category setting options for a setting category. The setting category may have a plurality of subcategories, and each subcategory may have its own selectable subcategory setting options. Each one of the category setting options may correspond to its own distinct configuration of subcategory setting options for its subcategories. A user input indicating a selection of one of the category setting options for the setting category may be received. The configuration of subcategory setting options corresponding to the selected one of the category setting options for the setting category may be applied to the user's settings on the online service.
US09477989B2	Method and apparatus of determining relative driving characteristics using vehicular participative sensing systems A system and method for sharing information from a vehicle for comparison to information from other vehicles. The system and method include collecting vehicle trace data and sharing the vehicle trace data using a communications network such that the vehicle trace data is compared and ranked relative to the vehicle trace data of other vehicles.
US09477984B2	Social media transactions system and methods A system and method for a sales transaction system (STS) in a social media network is presented. The invention provides a simple way to sell and purchase products in a social media environment allowing sellers to easily set up campaigns of a group of products they wish to sell. A member of the social network simply types a purchase direction statement (PDS) that is a keyword to indicate their desire to buy a listed product. The STS detects the PDS and invoices the buyer, updating the seller as to the completed payment, and directing them to ship to the appropriate address.
US09477981B2	System and method for conducting sales Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for conducting sales. A system configured to practice the method receives an inquiry with at least one parameter from a user associated with a sale of an item. The system identifies one or more discount items that satisfy the inquiry and filters the one or more discount items based on a time-sensitive sales opacity scale. The system identifies comparable items for each discount item at nondiscount rates dynamically using real-time data and presents one or more comparable groups to the user, each comparable group including one filtered discount item and respective comparable items. Then the system advances the sale of the discount item based on user acceptance of one of the presented one or more comparable groups.
US09477976B2	Automatic device registration system with barcode identification and maintenance information generation A system for transmitting product information of a product is described. The system contains a product with an electronic controller for acquiring and/or storing product information, wherein the product information comprises standard information about the product and current product information, a barcode generating component for generating a barcode for representing the product information, wherein the barcode generating means is connected to the product for data transfer or is integrated into the product, and a barcode updating device for updating the barcode on the basis of the standard information about the product and current product information. There is furthermore an acquisition module for the information acquisition of the product information from the barcode by means of an image recording device.
US09477970B2	Wireless incentive system for vehicle users The disclosure includes a system and method for determining, based on vehicle sensor data associated with the vehicle, a current vehicle condition that is detrimental to operation of the vehicle, transmitting, by a mobile computing device programmed to perform the transmitting, a description of the current vehicle condition to a condition message provider, and receiving a condition message that includes offer data and mitigating plan data describing one or more steps configured to alter the current vehicle condition.
US09477964B2	Marketing system and marketing method The transmission part transmits communication information including the terminal ID of the user terminal, the unit ID of the wireless unit and radio wave intensity to a server, when the user terminal performs short-distance wireless communication to the wireless unit through the radio wave. The collection part collects a chronological change of the radio wave intensity in the terminal ID concerned with the unit ID. The calculation part calculates the flow line that the user moved in the area of the wireless unit and the flow time when the user stays on a part of the flow line. The estimation part estimates action information indicating that the user did actually on the area of the wireless unit. The analysis part analyzes the user's attribute information including the user's preference based on the user's action information and the installation attribute information.
US09477962B2	Monitoring food products Systems, methods, and computer program products to improve food safety in a food and beverage supply chain. Embodiments disclosed herein utilize prepared product tags to continuously monitor food and beverage temperatures. The temperatures and other associated data may be wirelessly transmitted to centralized locations for aggregation and storage. Mobile devices may directly communicate with the product tags to receive the temperature data. A host of management applications may utilize the data in order to ensure that safety rules and guidelines are met, while also providing valuable business insight.
US09477959B2	Method and apparatus for using at least a portion of a one-time password as a dynamic card verification value Method and apparatus for using at least a portion of a one-time password as a dynamic card verification value (CVV) are disclosed. A credit/debit card is able to generate a dynamic card verification value (CVV). Such a card may also include an indication that the dynamic CVV is to be used as a security code for purchasing or other transactions. A card-based financial transaction can be authorized in accordance with the use of a dynamic CVV by receiving a transaction authorization request for a specific credit/debit card, wherein the transaction authorization request includes a dynamic CVV. The dynamic CVV can be compared to at least a portion of a one-time password generated for the specific credit/debit card, and a transaction authorization can be sent to the merchant or vendor when the dynamic CVV matches all or a portion of the one-time password.
US09477956B2	Method to enable consumers to make purchases at E-commerce websites using their mobile number A method and system include receiving, by a computer from an e-Commerce website, a payment authorization request that comprises payment data and a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) associated with a mobile device; verifying the MSISDN by comparing MSISDN to a subscriber database; generating a message to verify a payment transaction at the e-Commerce website, after the MSISDN is validated; receiving the verification message at the mobile device; verifying the payment transaction by transmitting a mobile personal identification number (PIN) associated with the MSISDN in response to the verification message; generating an authorization message indicating the payment transaction is one of approved or declined; and transmitting the authorization message to a merchant associated with the e-Commerce website. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US09477953B2	ATM customer defined user interface for security purposes Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for receiving a customization that will be displayed on the screen of an ATM based on a customer initiating a session with the ATM. The customization is associated with a function to perform a financial transaction. The function is performed as a result of the customer interacting with the customization on the screen of the ATM. The customization may be altered based on a handicap impairment of the customer. The displaying of the customization may be restricted for security purposes or as a request of the customer.
US09477951B2	Method of concurrently processing physical documents and electronic images of the physical documents A method and apparatus are provided for tracking documents. The documents are tracked by simultaneously monitoring each document's electronic processing status and physical location. Determinations are made whether specific combinations of electronic processing states and physical locations are valid and whether specific movements of documents are permitted. Invalid combinations or movements are reported to a reporting station. The preparation of batches of documents prior to scanning may be monitored and operator metrics related to the batch prep process may be tracked. Exception documents rejected during document processing may be monitored to enable retrieval of such documents.
US09477942B2	Collaborative data entry A method for collaborative data entry in which a primary user enters data into an input terminal includes data being entered into a number of input fields on an input screen by the primary user. The input terminal has an interface for assigning entry of data into at least one of the input fields to an alternate user. The method includes, with the interface, assigning entry of data into at least one of the input fields to an alternate user. An apparatus allowing collaborative data entry includes an input terminal comprising a display device for displaying data to a user and a user input device for receiving input from a user; and a user interface of the input terminal, the interface comprising a number of input fields for receiving the input from a user and for assigning at least one the input field to an alternate user.
US09477938B1	Mobile RFID reading systems In some examples, an autonomous mobile reading device is provided. The autonomous mobile reading device may include an autonomous movement device and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader. The RFID reader may be configured to read, via one or more antennas, RFID tags associated with inventory items. The one or more antennas may be included as part of the autonomous mobile reading device, within an inventory holder, or in some other structure or device.
US09477937B2	Computer-implemented method, computer program product and system for analyzing a control-flow in a business process model A new technique to analyze the control-flow, i.e., the workflow graph of a business process model, which is called symbolic execution, is provided. Acyclic workflow graphs that may contain inclusive OR-gateways are considered; a symbolic execution for them is defined, which runs in quadratic time. In particular, this symbolic execution essentially comprises labeling edges of nodes of the graph such that a label assigned to a first edge comprises a set of one or more edge identifiers, each identifying a second edge that is an outgoing edge of an XOR-split or an IOR-split node in the graph, whereby executing the second edge ensures that the first edge will be executed. Such a scheme may permit a decision for any pair of control-flow edges or tasks of the workflow graph whether they are sometimes, never, or always reached concurrently. This has different applications in finding control- and data-flow errors.
US09477934B2	Enterprise collaboration content governance framework The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for providing enterprise collaboration content governance. One computer-implemented method includes receiving a content creation request associated with particular content and a context, transmitting the particular content and context for validation of the content creation request. comparing, by operation of a computer, at least one rule and at least one pattern to the transmitted content and context to generate a rule result, determining at least one action result based on the generated rule result, and performing at least one application action based on the determined at least one action result.
US09477926B2	Piecewise linear neuron modeling Methods and apparatus for piecewise linear neuron modeling and implementing artificial neurons in an artificial nervous system based on linearized neuron models. One example method for operating an artificial neuron generally includes determining that a first state of the artificial neuron is within a first region; determining a second state of the artificial neuron based at least in part on a first set of linear equations, wherein the first set of linear equations is based at least in part on a first set of parameters corresponding to the first region; determining that the second state of the artificial neuron is within a second region; and determining a third state of the artificial neuron based at least in part on a second set of linear equations, wherein the second set of linear equations is based at least in part on a second set of parameters corresponding to the second region.
US09477920B2	RFID tag A disclosed RFID tag includes: a base member; a semiconductor chip mounted on the base member; and an island-shaped reinforcing member covering the semiconductor chip and being configured to reinforce the base member. The reinforcing member has a side portion to which a recess is provided. The recess serves as an originating point of a fold line such that the fold line is formed away from the semiconductor chip when the reinforcing member is folded.
US09477907B2	Integration of optical area monitoring with industrial machine control An industrial safety system is provided that integrates optical safety monitoring with machine control. The safety system includes an imaging sensor device supporting pixel array processing functions that allow time-of-flight (TOF) analysis to be performed on selected portions of the pixel array, while two-dimensional imaging analysis is performed on the remaining portions of the array, reducing processing load and response time relative to performing TOF analysis for all pixels of the array. The portion of the pixel array designated for TOF analysis can be pre-defined through configuration of the imaging sensor device, or can be dynamically selected based on object detection and classification by the two-dimensional imaging analysis. The imaging sensor device can also implement a number of safety and redundancy functions to achieve a high degree of safety integrity.
US09477906B2	Classification generation method using combination of mini-classifiers with regularization and uses thereof A method for classifier generation includes a step of obtaining data for classification of a multitude of samples, the data for each of the samples consisting of a multitude of physical measurement feature values and a class label. Individual mini-classifiers are generated using sets of features from the samples. The performance of the mini-classifiers is tested, and those that meet a performance threshold are retained. A master classifier is generated by conducting a regularized ensemble training of the retained/filtered set of mini-classifiers to the classification labels for the samples, e.g., by randomly selecting a small fraction of the filtered mini-classifiers (drop out regularization) and conducting logistical training on such selected mini-classifiers. The set of samples are randomly separated into a test set and a training set. The steps of generating the mini-classifiers, filtering and generating a master classifier are repeated for different realizations of the separation of the set of samples into test and training sets, thereby generating a plurality of master classifiers. A final classifier is defined from one or a combination of more than one of the master classifiers.
US09477904B2	Systems and methods for refining building alignment in an aerial image Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for refining building alignment in an aerial image. At least one candidate shifting vector and matching score value are determined for a local building. At least one dominant shifting vector is determined for at least one random group of neighboring buildings of the local building. At least one optimized matching score is calculated using the at least one candidate shifting vector for the local building and the at least one dominant shifting vector for the at least one random group of the neighboring buildings. A final shifting vector for the local building is found using the at least one optimized matching score.
US09477903B2	Grid data processing method and apparatus The present invention discloses a grid data record processing method. The method comprising: acquiring influence parameters of lag time of an insulator on which flashover is occurred, the lag time being a time interval from the insulator flashover to tripping of a corresponding breaker in a substation is caused; determining the lag time according to the acquired influence parameters of the lag time and a lag time evaluation model; and determining trip-up records caused by the insulator flashover from grid data records according to the lag time. With the method and apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention, trip-up records caused by insulator flashover can be efficiently determined from grid data records.
US09477902B2	Information processing apparatus, storage medium, information processing method and information processing system for presenting image candidates having similarity to an imaged image A game apparatus includes a CPU, and in a mode of examining a flower based on an imaged image, the CPU activates two outward cameras to allow a user to image a flower. The CPU obtains color information, shape information and a size of the imaged flower from the imaged image. A shape category is obtained from the shape information, and with the shape category, data for search included in a database for search is filtered. Then, by comparing color information, shape information, and the size of the imaged flower with the data for search to be used, a score of a degree of approximation of the color information and scores of the degree of matching of the shape information and size, etc. are obtained. Then, images of flowers as candidates are presented in the descending order of the score (similarity level).
US09477901B2	Object detection approach using generative sparse, hierarchical networks with top-down and lateral connections for combining texture/color detection and shape/contour detection An approach to detecting objects in an image dataset may combine texture/color detection, shape/contour detection, and/or motion detection using sparse, generative, hierarchical models with lateral and top-down connections. A first independent representation of objects in an image dataset may be produced using a color/texture detection algorithm. A second independent representation of objects in the image dataset may be produced using a shape/contour detection algorithm. A third independent representation of objects in the image dataset may be produced using a motion detection algorithm. The first, second, and third independent representations may then be combined into a single coherent output using a combinatorial algorithm.
US09477900B2	Medical image processing apparatus and medical image processing method According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit, an analysis unit, and a display controller. The acquisition unit acquires volume data of a morphological image and volume data of a functional image which are obtained by imaging an object. The analysis unit analyzes the volume data of the morphological image. The display controller controls to display a reference point on volume data of the morphological image and to decide a slice of the volume data of the functional image which passes through the reference point, based on an analysis result obtained by the analysis unit.
US09477894B1	System and method for measuring object height for overhead clearance detection An overhead clearance system for a vehicle is configured to receive signals from wireless transceivers attached to objects that are towed or carried by the vehicle and extend above a top of the vehicle. A controller is programmed to receive the signals from the wireless transceivers and transmit a request to a remote device to send height data associated with the object and the vehicle. The controller outputs an alert when combined object and vehicle heights exceed a sensed vertical clearance.
US09477892B2	Efficient method of offline training a special-type parked vehicle detector for video-based on-street parking occupancy detection systems A method for training a vehicle detection system used in a street occupancy estimation of stationary vehicles. The method includes defining first and second areas on an image plane of an image capture device associated with monitoring for detection of vehicles. The method includes receiving video-data from a sequence of frames captured from the image capture device. The method includes determining candidate frames that include objects relevant to a classification task in the second area. The method includes extracting the objects from the candidate frames, extracting features of each extracted object, and assigning labels to the each extracted object. The method includes training at least one classifier using the labels and extracted features. The method includes using the at least one trained classifier to classify a stationary vehicle detected in the first area.
US09477887B2	Apparatus and method for analyzing trajectory A trajectory analyzing apparatus includes a matching unit that calculates the correlation between a forward trajectory obtained by tracking a moving object over pictures along the forward direction of the time axis and a backward trajectory obtained by tracking a moving object over the pictures along the backward direction of the time axis and a result output unit that outputs trajectory information indicating at least one of the forward trajectory, the backward trajectory, and an integrated trajectory obtained by integrating the forward trajectory and backward trajectory and indicating the degree of reliability of the at least one trajectory based on the calculated correlation.
US09477880B2	Behavior detection method and behavior detection apparatus A behavior detection apparatus detects a position of a head from an image; based on the position of the head, detects a motion of bending forward when a person to be detected sits up in a width direction of a bed in a bed area of the image and stands up from the sitting state; when a movement of the head is detected to be forward bending, sets, based on a movement path of the head, a stand-up detection line for determining bed leaving of the person between a lowest point of the forward bending and the position of the head when the person stands by the bed, the stand-up detection line being set in a position not overlapping with a forward bending detection line by which the motion of bending forward is detected; and detects a stand-up motion when the head passes the set stand-up detection line.
US09477879B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium for obtaining a relationship between pieces of contents from use history information about the contents There is provided an information processing apparatus capable of recognizing a plurality of movable contents, obtaining movement history information about positions of the recognized contents, determining a relationship between the contents from the movement history information about the positions, and facilitating explanation of the contents by using the relationship. To this end, images of a plurality of contents having order information are projected based on the order information, which of the projected images is selected is detected, a projection unit is caused to project an image of a content related to a source content of the detected image by using a display mode based on a relationship between the source content and the related content. Through such control, the relationship between the source content and the related content is shown in an easy-to-understand manner.
US09477873B2	Portable device including a fingerprint scanner and method of controlling therefor A portable device including a display unit, a control button and a controller. The display unit displays an execution screen of an application of the portable device. The control button receives a control input including at least one of a fingerprint input corresponding to a security authentication for the application and a push input corresponding to a cancel function. The controller displays a security authentication screen of the application, for which the fingerprint input is needed, receives a first control input including a first fingerprint input and a first push input when the security authentication screen of the application is displayed, and recognizes the first fingerprint input of the first control input by activating a fingerprint recognition function when the first fingerprint input is detected for more than a first threshold time and the first push input of the first control input is not detected.
US09477867B2	System and method to manipulate an image A method of operating an image reader typically includes: searching a digital image for nominally straight edges; characterizing the nominally straight edges in terms of length and/or direction; determining a predominant orientation of the nominally straight edges; establishing a group of edges as a function of their proximity to the center of the image; establishing a group of edges as a function of their proximity to other remaining edge positions; and transmuting a rectangle bounding those edges into a rectified image. The rectified image is typically an image that is cropped or rotated.
US09477865B2	System for and method of accurately determining true bearings of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with items in a controlled area A radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tag reading system and method accurately determine true bearings of RFID tags associated with items in a controlled area. An RFID reader has an array of antenna elements and a plurality of RF transceivers. A controller controls the transceivers by steering a primary transmit beam over the controlled area by transmitting a primary transmit signal to each tag, and steering a primary receive beam at a primary steering angle by receiving a primary receive signal from each tag. The controller thereupon steers a plurality of secondary receive offset beams at different secondary steering angles that are offset from the primary steering angle by receiving secondary receive offset signals from each tag, and by processing the offset signals to determine a true bearing for each tag.
US09477862B1	Verifying panelist identity A personal identification process executed by a processor includes receiving personal identification data; encoding, by the processor, the received personal identification information; sending the encoded personal identification information to a data element; receiving a comparison result executed by the data element of the sent encoded personal identification information and corresponding personal identification information stored on the data element; and providing the comparison result to a remote server.
US09477861B2	Encoded information reading terminal including multiple encoded information reading devices An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, a communication interface, and a plurality of EIR devices. Each EIR device can be configured to output a decoded message responsive to reading decodable indicia. The EIR terminal can be configured to transmit via the communication interface to an external computer at least one decoded message corresponding to the decodable indicia read by an EIR device. The EIR terminal can be further configured to supplement the decoded message by a source identifier string identifying the EIR device.
US09477850B2	Method for displaying contents and electronic device thereof An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes an output module, a sensing module, and a processor. The output module is configured to output contents. The sensing module is configured to obtain at least one of user information and environment information. The processor is configured to control an operation of the electronic device in response to at least one of the user information and the environment information depending on an attribute of the contents.
US09477848B2	System and method for managing and diagnosing a computing device equipped with unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI)-compliant firmware A computing device equipped with UEFI-compliant firmware is provided with added functionality via an extended firmware interface. The variable interface is called with special parameters, which redirect handling of firmware service calls. Embodiments use authenticated variables to provide security properties to the special interface, use the firmware interface to provide access to diagnostics, and use the firmware interface to provide access to system management.
US09477838B2	Reconciliation of access rights in a computing system Systems and methods are provide for reconciling access rights of a computing system are described. Access right information that respectively corresponds to access rights of a computing system may be obtained and evaluated. Reconciliation tasks may be performed using the access right information, and a reconciliation report may be generated during performance of at least one of the reconciliation tasks. The reconciliation report may indicate that one or more of the access rights should either be provisioned or revoked at the computing system.
US09477832B2	Digital identity management One aspect relates to a process and associated device for managing digital ID lifecycles for application programs, and abstracting application programs for multiple types of credentials through a common Digital Identity Management System (DIMS) and Application Programming Interface (API) layer.
US09477830B2	Controlled and client-side authentication module A computerized method of accessing a secure resource using an application associated with a user's computing device is provided. The application is programmed, in part, to monitor user browsing activity and wherein the application has associated therewith one or more predefined Uniform Resource Locaters (URLs) to trusted sites, each having an associated trusted root certificate and security key. The method includes the application detecting a user attempt to log into a secure resource, the application scanning in-process browser processes to identify a browser process that is in a login state, the application associating the browser process in a login state with one of the trusted sites, the application initiating a new browser session with the trusted site using the associated predefined URL, the application obtaining a login password from the user, the application supplying to the trusted site the associated security key and login password, and the user's computer displaying subsequent browsing activity.
US09477822B1	Secure password entry for accessing remote online services A password for accessing an online service is secured by receiving keystroke information of the password at a kernel level. The password is encrypted prior to inputting the encrypted password to an application program at an application level. The encrypted password is transmitted from the kernel level to the application level over an out-of-band-channel. The encrypted password is forwarded to a server computer associated with the online service. The server computer decrypts the encrypted password back to the password to determine if the client computer is authorized to access the online service.
US09477821B2	Generic feature-licensing framework Disclosed is an arrangement to enable customers to provision devices with feature licenses that enable specified features in the devices. The arrangement includes a feature-licensing system for performing feature-licensing processes to provision the devices with feature licenses and a feature-licensing process configuration system.
US09477813B2	Method and device for multimodal neurological evaluation A method of building classifiers for neurological assessment is described. The method comprises the steps of extracting quantitative features from a plurality of clinical features, and selecting a subset of features from the extracted pool of features to construct binary classifiers. A device for performing point-of-care neurological assessment using clinical features is also described.
US09477808B2	Medical information management apparatus, medical information management method, and medical system According to one embodiment, a medical information management apparatus includes an examination information acquisition unit acquiring examination information including an irradiation condition, an imaging region and an exposure dose for each examination on the imaging region, an archiving unit archiving an exposure dose calculation target region classified more detailed than the imaging region and a weight coefficient corresponding to the exposure dose calculation target region in association with the irradiation condition and the imaging region, a weight coefficient acquisition unit acquiring a weight coefficient corresponding to the exposure dose calculation target region based on the irradiation condition acquired by the examination information acquisition unit and the exposure dose calculation target region archived in the archiving unit, and a calculation unit calculating an exposure dose at the exposure dose calculation target region by using an exposure dose for each examination and the weight coefficient.
US09477803B2	Method of generating techfile having reduced corner variation value A method of generating a techfile corresponding to a predetermined fabrication process is disclosed. The method includes determining a typical value and a corner variation value usable to model an electrical characteristic of a layer of back end of line (BEOL) features to be fabricated by the predetermined fabrication process, based on measurement of one or more sample integrated circuit chips fabricated by the predetermined fabrication process. A reduced variation value is calculated based on the corner variation value and a scaling factor. The techfile is generated based on the typical value and the reduced variation value.
US09477801B2	Multi-threaded track assignment Some embodiments provide techniques and systems for routing nets in a circuit design in parallel. During operation, the system can receive a first set of partitions for a circuit design, wherein each partition in the first set of partitions extends across the circuit design along a first direction. Next, the system can perform, in parallel, track assignment in the first direction on non-overlapping partitions in the first set of partitions. The system can then receive a second set of partitions for the circuit design, wherein each partition in the second set of partitions extends across the circuit design along a second direction which is different from the first direction. Next, the system can perform, in parallel, track assignment in the second direction on non-overlapping partitions in the second set of partitions. In some embodiments, each track assignment process being performed in parallel performs track assignment on a different net.
US09477798B1	Moving mesh system and method for finite element/finite volume simulations Roughly described, the invention involves detecting the presence of features on the boundary mesh which are likely to hamper regeneration of a bulk mesh with high quality elements, and upon finding such features, performing a repair operation on the boundary mesh prior to bulk mesh regeneration. The repair operation can include smoothing knife edge features and/or handling topological changes that have occurred during the simulation time increment. Preferably the repair operation includes a multi-level set smoothing step and a Delaunay refinement step for piecewise smooth complex.
US09477797B1	Automating a microarchitecture design exploration environment In a computing system running an environment for designing operation of circuity, at least the following are performed for providing simulations and evaluations of one or more user-defined modules of circuitry including one or more pipeline stages in a pipeline. A model of the pipeline is automatically generated by using a pipeline block diagram, where the model is generated in a high-level modeling language able to perform simulations of circuitry with the pipeline. An interface is automatically generated between the one or more user-defined modules and the generated model of the pipeline, the interface including a set of access methods to the pipeline. Evaluation is performed of the one or more user-defined modules using the automatically generated model of the pipeline and the automatically generated interface. Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are disclosed.
US09477793B2	Method and systems for off-line control for simulation of coupled hybrid dynamic systems Systems and methods are provided for controlling the simulation of a coupled hybrid dynamic system. A physical test rig configured to drive the physical structure component of the system and to generate a test rig response as a result of applying a test rig drive signal. A processor is configured with a virtual model of a complementary system to the physical structure component. The processor receives the test rig response and generates a response of the complementary system based on a received test rig response. The system can be driven with a random input. The processor compares the test rig response with the response of the complementary system, the difference being used to form a system dynamic response model.
US09477792B1	Enhancements to parameter fitting and passivity enforcement A model synthesizer generates a state-space model of a structure from frequency domain parameters of the structure using a selected number of significant eigenvalues of a matrix derived from the frequency-domain parameters such that the quality of the fit of the model is improved. A matrix of the frequency-domain parameters is reshaped so as to improve performance of determination of the fit quality. Passivity violations in the model can be removed via regularization and error control such that the fit quality of the model after removal of the passivity violations is within a specified tolerance. Cholesky factorization can improve the performance of passivity violation detection. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US09477787B2	Method and apparatus for information clustering based on predictive social graphs An approach is provided for providing information clustering based on predictive social graphs. An information clustering platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of one or more social graphs associated with one or more users to cause, at least in part, a prediction of one or more future states of the one or more social graphs. The information clustering platform further causes, at least in part, a clustering of one or more data items associated with at least one information space based, at least in part, on the one or more social graphs, the one or more future states, or a combination thereof.
US09477783B2	Profile based content retrieval for recommender systems The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a computer program product for controlling a recommender system, wherein a user profile normally used by a recommender to predict user ratings is employed to generate a targeted query for the remote database yielding a set of results that can be scored by the recommender and provided as suggestions to the user.
US09477781B2	Adaptive variable selection for data clustering One or more processors generate subsets of cluster feature (CF)-trees, which represent respective sets of local data as leaf entries. One or more processors collect variables that were used to generate the CF-trees included in the subsets. One or more processors generate respective approximate clustering solutions for the subsets by applying hierarchical agglomerative clustering to the collected variables and leaf entries of the plurality of CF-trees. One or more processors select candidate sets of variables with maximal goodness that are locally optimal for respective subsets based on the approximate clustering solutions. One or more processors select a set of variables, which produce an overall clustering solution, from the candidate sets of variables.
US09477780B2	Target tree generation Target tree generation can include constructing a mapping file comprising a definition of a target tree and generating the target tree using source data and the mapping file.
US09477775B2	System and method for maintaining a view location during rendering of a page An improved system and method for maintaining a view location during the rendering of content on a display of an electronic device. When a user views a web page or similar content while the content is in the process of being loaded onto the display of the electronic device, a reference point is selected corresponding to a portion of the web page that appears on the display. As additional material is downloaded, it is added to the web page. If the new material is located on a portion of the web page before the reference point, then the portion of the web page that appears on the display is substantially maintained.
US09477772B2	Storing and retrieving objects on a computer network in a distributed database Further preferred embodiments of the present invention include methods directed to (a) Active Data Structures, (b) Mobile Devices, (c) Ad-Hoc Device Collections, and (d) Concurrent Massively Parallel Supercomputers. Therein, a distributed, object-oriented database engine utilizing independent, intelligent processing nodes as a cooperative, massively parallel system with redundancy and fault tolerance. Instead of using traditional methods of parallelism as found in most distributed databases, the invention utilizes a messaging system and a series of message processing nodes to determine where attributes and data files associated with objects are stored. The architecture is loosely coupled, each node independently determining if it manages or routes storage and retrieval requests.
US09477769B2	Method and system for detecting original document of web document, method and system for providing history information of web document for the same A method for detecting an original document of a web document, which is able to thwart manipulation of generation time of the web document. The method for detecting an original document of a web document comprises receiving history information on the generation or modification of web documents; filtering the web documents using the history information; and detecting an original document of the filtered web documents based on the history information.
US09477768B1	Disambiguation of online social mentions The technology disclosed relates to identifying entity reflections that refer to a same real-world entity. In particular, it relates to using statistical functions to make probabilistic deductions about entity attributes, which are used to construct optimal combinations of entity attributes. These optimal combinations of entity attributes are further used to generate search queries that return more precise search results with greater recall.
US09477766B2	Method for ranking resources using node pool An improved search engine creates correlations linking terms from inputs provided by a user to selected target terms. The correlation search process receives pre-processed inputs from a user including a wide variety of input formats including keywords, phrases, sentences, concepts, compound queries, complex queries and orthogonal queries. The pre-processing also includes pre-processing of general digital information objects and static or dynamic generation of questions. After a correlation search of the information presented by the pre-processing, the search results are processed in novel ways to provide an improved relevance ranking of results.
US09477764B2	Methods and systems for extending a social network with product information A method of querying a social network associated with a user may include receiving, by a computing device, a query that includes an indication of a product, and an identifier associated with the user. The method may include executing, by the computing device, the query across the social network by sending the query to one or more agent applications associated with one or more members of the social network, and receiving a notification from one or more of the agent applications if a profile for a member of the social network indicates that the member is associated with the product, and a privacy policy associated with the member permits the agent to send the notification.
US09477763B2	Personalized search results utilizing previously navigated web sites A method and system for providing personalized search results is disclosed. A computer receives input from a user to navigate to a web site (either directly or as a result of choosing a result from a search result page). The computer navigates to the web site and stores information about the web site in a file. The computer determines web sites associated with a search query of the user as the search query is being entered into a search area of a user interface. The associated web sites are sites that have been previously navigated to by the user. The determining step includes obtaining the web sites associated with the search query from a data structure previously generated from the file. The data structure includes parsed entries of URLs associated with the previously navigated web sites. Based on the determining step, web site links corresponding to the associated web sites are displayed as the search query is being entered.
US09477757B1	Latent user models for personalized ranking A method includes generating a ranking model and a baseline mixing weight for each latent user category from a plurality of latent user categories based on a community preference dataset and one or more latent variables that relate the users from the community of users to the latent user categories. The method also includes generating a personalized mixing weight for each latent user category for a specified user based on an individual preference dataset, the ranking models for the latent user category, and one or more latent variables that relate the specified user to the latent user categories. The method also includes adjusting the personalized mixing weight for each latent user category for the specified user based on the baseline mixing weights, and generating ranking output for at least some objects from the plurality of objects using the personalized mixing weights and the ranking models.
US09477756B1	Classifying structured documents Technologies are described herein for classifying structured documents based on the structure of the document. A structured document is received, and the structural elements are parsed from the document to generate a text string representing the structure of the document instead of the semantic textual content of the document. The text string may be broken into N-grams utilizing a sliding window, and a classifier trained from similar structured documents labeled as belonging to one of a number of document classes is utilized to determine a probability that the document belongs to each of the document classes based on the N-grams.
US09477753B2	Classifier-based system combination for spoken term detection Systems and methods for processing a query include determining a plurality of sets of match candidates for a query using a processor, each of the plurality of sets of match candidates being independently determined from a plurality of diverse word lattice generation components of different type. The plurality of sets of match candidates is merged by generating a first score for each match candidate to provide a merged set of match candidates. A second score is computed for each match candidate of the merged set based upon features of that match candidate. The first score and the second score are combined to provide a final set of match candidates as matches to the query.
US09477752B1	Ontology administration and application to enhance communication data analytics A method for developing an ontology for practicing communication data, wherein the ontology is a structural representation of language elements and the relationship between those language elements within the domain, includes providing a training set of communication data and processing the training set of communication data to identify terms within the training set of communication data, wherein a term is a word or short phrase. The method further includes utilizing the terms to identify relations within the training set of communication data, wherein a relation is a pair of terms that appear in proximity to one another. Finally, the terms in the relations are stored in a database.
US09477750B2	System and method for real-time dynamic measurement of best-estimate quality levels while reviewing classified or enriched data A system, method and computer program product for validating a document classification process, including a document collection; a document classification process performed on the document collection; a random selection module configured to automatically generate a random validation set of documents from the document collection; and a document review process performed on the random validation set of documents to validate results of the document classification process. The system, method and computer program product are configured to dynamically and in real-time measure and display on a computer display device a best case estimate of a quality of the results of the document classification process based on the documents that are validated, and given a size of a total data set of the document collection.
US09477748B2	Filter selection in search environments Techniques for utilizing sets of filters to reduce a large number of searchable assets to a meaningful or reduced number of searchable assets. Feature information may be extracted from a particular asset of a set of training assets to create an artificial term. A reduction ratio may then be calculated by utilizing the created artificial term to filter the set of training assets. The reduction ratio may represent the ratio of training assets that contain a particular artificial term. A plurality of filters and their associated reduction ratios may be created this way by utilizing the set of training assets. This process can also involve receiving a requested reduction ratio associated with a set of searchable assets. A combination of filters may then be selected which, when applied to the set of searchable assets, results in a reduced number of searchable assets according to the requested reduction ratio.
US09477747B2	Method and apparatus for acquiring hot topics A method includes: a first word set is acquired from community data within a period; words are selected from the first word set according to a frequency that each word of the first word set appears in the community data during a first group of days, the selected words are determined as hot words and form a second word set, wherein the first group of days are a plurality of days backward from a designated day; and topics are selected from a community topic set according to the second word set, and are determined as hot topics.
US09477739B2	System for live-migration and automated recovery of applications in a distributed system A method and apparatus for distribution of applications amongst a number of servers, ensuring that changes to application data on a master for that application are asynchronously replicated to a number of slaves for that application. Servers may be located in geographically diverse locations; the invention permits data replication over high-latency and lossy network connections and failure-tolerance under hardware and network failure conditions. Access to applications is mediated by a distributed protocol handler which allows any request for any application to be addressed to any server, and which, when working in tandem with the replication system, pauses connections momentarily to allow seamless, consistent live-migration of applications and their state between servers. Additionally, a system which controls the aforementioned live-migration based on dynamic measurement of load generated by each application and the topological preferences of each application, in order to automatically keep servers at an optimum utilization level.
US09477737B1	Systems and user interfaces for dynamic access of multiple remote databases and synchronization of data based on user rules A computing system is configured to access a plurality of remote databases in order to identify data inconsistencies between the remote databases and provide user interfaces to a user in order to initiate communication via one or more APIs to certain remote databases indicating updates that reconcile said data inconsistencies.
US09477731B2	Background format optimization for enhanced SQL-like queries in Hadoop A format conversion engine for Apache Hadoop that converts data from its original format to a database-like format at certain time points for use by a low latency (LL) query engine. The format conversion engine comprises a daemon that is installed on each data node in a Hadoop cluster. The daemon comprises a scheduler and a converter. The scheduler determines when to perform the format conversion and notifies the converter when the time comes. The converter converts data on the data node from its original format to a database-like format for use by the low latency (LL) query engine.
US09477726B2	Search-on-the-fly/sort-on-the-fly search engine for searching databases A method implemented on a computer for searching databases includes the computer receiving a search query for a database, the database including database fields; and dynamically providing and displaying a list of a plurality of the database fields. The list includes a descriptor indicating a data category of each database field. The computer also dynamically determines a quantity of entries in each database field. For each database field, the computer dynamically sets a limit based on a capacity to display the quantity of entries and for each database field having the quantity of entries exceeding the limit, the computer truncates data by adjusting a size of the quantity of entries until a displayable quantity of entries is achieved. The computer then displays the truncated data.
US09477724B2	Framework for visualizing re-written queries to database Embodiments relate to re-writing database query plans, and visualizing such re-written query plans. A query re-write framework includes a query normalization engine in communication with a rule catalog comprising query re-write rules in the form of rule classes. The framework receives as input, a query plan graph to be re-written. Based upon the engine's application of re-write rules from the catalog, the framework produces a re-written query plan graph as output. An interface component of the framework may provide a visualization of the re-written query plan graph as part of a dashboard. A user may access the framework to enable/disable existing rules in the catalog, add new rules to the catalog, and/or control a sequence and a precedence in which rules are applied to re-write the query plan. A user may interact with the visualization of the re-written query plan for purposes of de-bugging, re-write optimization, and/or query development.
US09477718B2	Application identification method, and data mining method, apparatus, and system A data mining method, apparatus, and system are provided. The method includes: obtaining to-be-processed data, where the to-be-processed data includes records, and each record includes application information and remote end triplet information; performing clustering processing on records with same remote end triplet information and same application information, and according to the records with the same remote end triplet information and the same application information, calculating a service load amount corresponding to the remote end triplet information and the application information to obtain a clustering result including the remote end triplet information, the application information, and the service load amount; according to the service load amount or a proportion of the service load amount, selecting remote end triplet information and application information that have high reliability from the clustering result; and sending the remote end triplet information and application information that have high reliability to a deep packet inspection (DPI) subsystem.
US09477717B2	Cross-domain matching system A computer implemented method for analyzing a listing object to define a match to a candidate object among many possible candidate objects is disclosed. The method includes an operation to receive a listing object as an input. The method also includes an operation to generate a set of candidate objects based on characteristics of the listing object. The candidate objecting used to generate a listing-candidate pair defined by pairing the listing object with one of the candidate objects. The method may also include operations to process the listing-candidate pair such as an operation to normalize the listing object into a canonical form. Another operation can generate a matching feature vector for the listing-candidate pair. Where the matching feature vector includes a matching score based on a common feature between the candidate object and the canonical form of the listing object. In another operation, the method analyzes the matching feature vector with a judging committee module to render a match judgment. The match judgment based on evaluating the results of the judging committee module to determine whether the listing object and the candidate object are a match. The method also includes an operation that saves the match judgment to a computer readable media.
US09477716B2	Method of and system for ranking elements of a network resource for a user Method of and system for ranking elements of a first network resource for a first user, first network resource being hosted by a first server, method comprising, at a second server in communication with first server via a communications network: receiving an indication of elements from first server; receiving an indication of first user; based on at least one received indication, retrieving context information from a first database in communication with second server, context information being at least partially indicative of a relative relevance of elements to first user, context information including information about a past interaction of at least one of first user and a second user with a second network resource, second network resource being distinct from first network resource; and based at least in part on context information, determining at least one of a ranking of elements by relevance to first user and a most relevant element.
US09477714B1	Methods and apparatus for ranking documents Methods and apparatus are described for scoring documents in response, in part, to parameters related to the document, source, and/or cluster score. Methods and apparatus are also described for scoring a cluster in response, in part, to parameters related to documents within the cluster and/or sources corresponding to the documents within the cluster. In one embodiment, the invention may detect at least one document within the cluster; analyze a parameter corresponding to the document; and compute a cluster score based, in part, on the parameter, wherein the cluster score corresponds with at least one document within the cluster.
US09477712B2	Searching for segments based on an ontology The invention pertains to methods, systems, and apparatus for identifying media items relevant to a selected subject matter, the method comprising determining the subject matter of a first media item, the first media item comprising at least one of audio content and video content, determining the classification within an ontology of the subject matter of the first media item, analyzing the ontology to identify other subject matter related to the subject matter of the first media item, and performing a search for other media items relevant to the subject matter of the first media item as a function of at least the other related subject matter according to the ontology.
US09477711B2	Knowledge panel Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing knowledge panels. In one aspect, a method includes determining an entity that is referenced by a received search query. Content items relevant to the entity are identified. A set of knowledge modules is selected for presentation in a knowledge panel for the entity. The knowledge panel can be a portion of a search results page in which knowledge modules are presented. Data that causes the knowledge modules to be presented in the knowledge panel is provided to a user device.
US09477707B2	System and methods for predicting query execution time for concurrent and dynamic database workloads Systems and methods for predicting query execution time for concurrent and dynamic database workloads include decomposing each query into a sequence of query pipelines based on the query plan from a query optimizer, and predicting an execution time of each pipeline with a progress predictor for a progress chart of query pipelines.
US09477706B2	System and method for storing and retrieving data Systems and methods for storing and retrieving data are disclosed where creation of new partitions in a database is driven by write requests. The requests can arrive at pseudo random moments of time. Each partition in the database is associated with a time interval. Different time intervals do not need to be consecutive. Whenever a write request is obtained, the system determines whether the write request is received within a latest partition time interval defined by start and end times. If yes, the data is written into a database partition corresponding to that interval. If not, a new partition is created having associated time interval with its own start and end times defining a new partition time interval. The process is repeated as new data is streaming in.
US09477705B2	Dynamically creating queries to find related records in a database A system that generates display objects in a graphical user interface that enable the user of an application which accesses a data repository through result sets to dynamically construct a new query to show all database records having the same contents as a specified set of fields in a currently active database record. Display objects are further generated that enable the user to specify how the contents of the selected fields are to be matched (e.g. exact matching, inclusion, etc.) and/or logical relationships between specified field contents (e.g. Boolean operators such as AND, OR, NOT, etc.). In one embodiment, once a query is defined in this way, it is stored, for example in the user's profile, so that the user can access it across uses of the application.
US09477704B1	Sentiment expression analysis based on keyword hierarchy A sentiment-scoring system may include a storage device configured to store a plurality of keywords, keyword groups, and a keyword group hierarchy. Each keyword may be associated with at least one of the keyword groups. The keyword hierarchy may include a hierarchy associated with each keyword group. The system may further include a processor in communication with the storage device. The processor may be configured to locate a plurality of sentiment expressions and identify a plurality of keywords present in the plurality of sentiment expressions. The processor may be further configured to determine at least one respective keyword group associated with each identified keyword and determine a sentiment score for each sentiment expression with respect to the associated keyword group within the keyword hierarchy. The processor may be further configured to provide at least one sentiment score to a display. A method and computer-readable medium may also be implemented.
US09477697B2	Generating database schemas for multiple types of databases A computer system receives data defining a database schema in a common representation, creates a data model based on the input file, identifies one or more database types of a plurality of database types for which a schema is to be generated, and causes a database specific schema file to be generated for each of the one or more database types based on the data model.
US09477693B1	Automated protection of a VBA Protecting a first backup application is disclosed. A backup of a state of the first backup application is received. The first backup application coordinates backup of a virtual environment. A second backup application external to the virtual environment is used to store the backup. The backup may be stored in a data storage external to the virtual environment.
US09477688B2	Method for searching for a phone number in a wireless terminal In searching for a phone number in a wireless terminal, image search mode is entered when an image search is selected in phone book search mode and the image data stored in a phone book are displayed. When a SEND key is pressed continuously for a predetermined time, a call is sent to a phone number stored in the phone book associated with the selected image data. Whenever the SEND key is pressed for a predetermined time, phone numbers stored in the phone book associated with the selected image data are sequentially displayed. When image rearrangement is selected while image data are displayed, the image data are classified into moving and still images on a group-by-group basis and rearranged. When selected image view is selected while image data are displayed, the image data are enlarged and displayed, and image data stored in a corresponding folder are displayed.
US09477686B2	Systems and methods for annotation and sorting of surgical images Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an improved method for using an intraoperative imaging system. The method includes acquiring an image using an intraoperative imaging system, labeling the image by associating the image with a label, and storing the image and the label.
US09477682B1	Parallel compression of data chunks of a shared data object using a log-structured file system Techniques are provided for parallel compression of data chunks being written to a shared object. A client executing on a compute node or a burst buffer node in a parallel computing system stores a data chunk generated by the parallel computing system to a shared data object on a storage node by compressing the data chunk; and providing the data compressed data chunk to the storage node that stores the shared object. The client and storage node may employ Log-Structured File techniques. The compressed data chunk can be de-compressed by the client when the data chunk is read. A storage node stores a data chunk as part of a shared object by receiving a compressed version of the data chunk from a compute node; and storing the compressed version of the data chunk to the shared data object on the storage node.
US09477681B2	File management among different zones of storage media Apparatus and methods for managing files among different zones of storage media in at least one non-volatile storage device. At least a first zone is associated with a first type of storage media and a second zone is associated with a second type of storage media. A file having at least one attribute is accepted with the at least one attribute describing a characteristic of the file. It is determined whether the at least one attribute meets an attribute criteria and the file is stored in the first zone and/or the second zone based on the determination of whether the at least one attribute meets the attribute criteria.
US09477678B2	Data synchronization management methods and systems Data synchronization management methods and systems for use in an electronic device are provided. First, activity log containing information regarding activities of friends of a user in an application within a specific period of time is acquired from a network application server via a network. Next, the activity log is analyzed to determine a frequency of activities of the application in each of time segments of a day. A sync frequency of a data sync procedure for each of the time segments is determined or adjusted according to the frequency of activities of the application in each of the time segments. The data sync procedure is performed with the network application server to update data from the server based on the sync frequency in each of the time segments.
US09477677B1	Systems and methods for parallel content-defined data chunking A computer-implemented method for parallel content-defined data chunking may include (1) identifying a data stream to be chunked, (2) splitting the data stream into a plurality of data sub-streams by alternatingly dividing consecutive bytes of the data stream among the plurality of data sub-streams, and (3) chunking, in parallel, each data sub-stream within the plurality of data sub-streams into a plurality of data segments using a content-defined chunking algorithm. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09477675B1	Managing file system checking in file systems A method is used in managing file system checking in file systems. Metadata of a file system is evaluated upon receiving a request to perform file system checking on the file system. Based on the evaluation, determination is made as to whether file system checking has been performed previously on the file system. Based on the determination, file system checking is performed on the file system.
US09477673B2	Heuristics for selecting and saving content to a synced online content management system Embodiments are provided for using heuristics for selecting and saving content to a synced online content management system. In some embodiments, one or more content items and/or indices thereto may be received within a first application. For example, a user may receive a photograph within a text message application. In some embodiments, a first defined gesture may be detected by a user device and in response, a second application may open. In some embodiments, a second defined gesture may be detected, and in response a (a) store, (b) share, and/or (c) an assign to a collection, operation may be performed within the second application. Alternatively, these operations may be performed within the second application based on at least one predefined rule (without a second gesture required).
US09477670B2	Information management policy based on relative importance of a file The relative importance of a file is determined based on an importance parameter and an information management policy is caused to be applied to the file based on the determined relative importance of the file. The importance parameter may be the author of the file, the number of users with whom the file is shared, the relationship between the users with whom a file is shared, the uniqueness of the file, or the presence of particular keywords in the file.
US09477667B2	Crowdsourced multi-media data relationships The present disclosure describes a data association and retrieval facility. Attribute resources, such as metadata tags, that are not to be rendered along with a file, and content resources, such as annotations and commentary, which are to be rendered along with a file are associated with files, in particular multi-media files. The attribute and content resources may be searched and filtered against, and statistics on of file and resource accesses are tracked. Attribute and content resources may also be aggregated and redistributed. Altogether, these facilities constitute a platform to develop crowd-sourced applications and content packages. Finally, various user interfaces supporting particular applications are disclosed.
US09477663B2	Undoing an action in a media player A method for automatically undoing an action in a music player application is provided. A method includes storing a first state in a media application. The first state may include at least one of: a list of one or more media items listed in a first order, and a first time position in a first media item of the one or more media items. An action changing the first state to a second state may be received. Next, a request to undo the action changing the first state to the second state may be received, and the first state may be restored based on the stored first state. The method may also include presenting a list of one or more prior actions and each prior action may change the media application to a corresponding state different from a preceding state.
US09477660B2	Privacy compliance in data retrieval Data may be retrieved from databases using various types of code, functions and programs. To insure that the code, functions and programs comply with privacy requirements and regulations, the code and programs may be audited. In one example, an activity log may be queried to identify code that was executed to retrieve and display database information. A system may then determine whether an unauthorized entity was able to retrieve and/or view the database information. If so, the code or program may be labeled as non-compliant. Alternatively or additionally, a system may parse data retrieval code to determine whether privacy protection code is included therein. If not, the code may be deemed non-compliant. Reports may be generated identifying the non-compliant data retrieval code or function and, in some arrangements, specifying compliance statistics.
US09477655B2	Processing text with domain-specific spreading activation methods A method for performing natural language processing of free text using domain-specific spreading activation. Embodiments of the present invention ontologize free text using an algorithm based on neurocognitive theory by simulating human recognition, semantic, and episodic memory approaches. Embodiments of the invention may be used to process clinical text for assignment of billing codes, analyze suicide notes or legal discovery materials, and for processing other collections of text. Further, embodiments of the invention may be used to more effectively search large databases, such as a database containing a large number of medical publications.
US09477653B2	Character entry for an electronic device using a position sensing keyboard The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for entering characters into an electronic device. Character inputs from a keyboard are displayed on a display of an electronic device and a set of suggested character sequences are also presented on the display in proximity to the displayed text. When a user digit position is sensed in a region of the keyboard, a suggested character sequence of the set of suggested character sequences that is associated with that region of the keyboard is visually indicated or highlighted. Responsive to a sensed motion gesture beginning at the sensed user digit position, the suggested character sequence indicated by the sensed user digit position is selected for input to the electronic device.
US09477649B1	Multi-layer telestration on a multi-touch display device Objects displayed on a display component of a multi-touch display device may be assigned to and displayed at various visual layers, with each visual layer corresponding to a different depth relative to a foreground (or background) of the display component of the multi-touch display device. One or more annotations may be generated in response to user interaction with the multi-touch display device, with each annotation being assigned to an appropriate visual layer.
US09477646B2	Procedurally expressing graphic objects for web pages A graphics object can be expressed using procedural language embedded in a markup language document. In an embodiment, a drawing space is specified in markup language. A drawing command to arbitrarily draw a graphics object into the drawing space is specified in procedural language. Interpretation of the markup and procedural language commands results in the rendering of the arbitrary graphics object. In another embodiment, there is a browser comprising a rendering engine, an interpreter, and parser. The rendering engine is configured to interpret a markup language instruction that specifies a drawing space as well as drawing commands in procedural language for drawing an arbitrary graphical object into the drawing space. The parser can then parse the drawing commands and convert them into an execution tree of tree objects.
US09477645B2	Systems and methods of active text markup The present subject matter relates to text viewing and markup, and in particular to systems and methods of active text markup. In particular, various embodiments include at least one of systems, methods, and software to define text markup styles including associated actions to be performed against text marked up according to a defined markup style. Some embodiments include receiving marker input mapping a first markup style to an action and receiving text marker input associating the marker to a portion of document text. Such embodiments may further include receiving an action trigger to perform the action mapped to the marker associated to the portion of document text and performing the action based on the associated portion of document text.
US09477638B2	Surface acoustic wave scale that automatically updates calibration information Apparatus and related methods are provided for automatically recalibrating a SAW scale for changing environmental factors. During a period of time when there is no change to a weight applied to the scale, readings of SAW transducers which relate to weight indications and environmental factor indications are taken for two adjacent operating modes of the scale, and two calibrated weight calculations are made utilizing those readings. The difference in calibrated weight calculations is then related to a variable utilized to transform the readings into weights, which is updated, thereby recalibrating the scale.
US09477632B2	Access proxy for accessing peripheral component interconnect express endpoint device, PCIe exchanger and computer system A computer system and a method are provided for accessing a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) endpoint device. The computer system includes a processor, a PCIe bus, and an access proxy. The access proxy connects to the processor and the PCIe endpoint device; the processor acquires an operation instruction, where the operation instruction instructs the processor to access the PCIe endpoint device through the access proxy, and send an access request to the access proxy according to the operation instruction; and the access proxy sends a response message of the access request to the processor after receiving the access request sent by the processor. Because the processor does not directly access the PCIe endpoint device to be accessed but completes access through the access proxy, thereby avoiding a machine check exception (MCE) reset for the processor.
US09477629B2	Information exchange system comprising a chain of modules connected together by hardened digital buses A chained information exchange system (10) comprising a chain of modules (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), each module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) being connected to one or two other modules (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) via digital buses (11, 12, 13, 14, 15), thereby forming a chain that is open or else a continuous loop that is closed. Each digital bus (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) is a hardened digital bus, capable of withstanding external electromagnetic disturbances, and it is unidirectional. A signal travels in said information exchange system (10) and consequently through each module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), and after passing through a module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), said signal contains information that the module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) through which it has passed does not modify and that is addressed to at least one other module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), together with specific information that has been added by said module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) through which it has passed and that is addressed to at least one other module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Each module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) includes at least one wired logic signal processor means (61) enabling said signal to pass through each module in a predetermined short length of time Tt.
US09477628B2	Collective communications apparatus and method for parallel systems A collective communication apparatus and method for parallel computing systems. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises a plurality of processor elements (PEs); collective interconnect logic to dynamically form a virtual collective interconnect (VCI) between the PEs at runtime without global communication among all of the PEs, the VCI defining a logical topology between the PEs in which each PE is directly communicatively coupled to a only a subset of the remaining PEs; and execution logic to execute collective operations across the PEs, wherein one or more of the PEs receive first results from a first portion of the subset of the remaining PEs, perform a portion of the collective operations, and provide second results to a second portion of the subset of the remaining PEs.
US09477627B2	Interconnect to communicate information uni-directionally A processor includes at least one core, a power control unit, and a first interconnect to couple with a peripheral controller. The first interconnect is to provide a first uni-directional communication path for communication of first power management data from the processor to the peripheral controller. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09477626B2	2-pin interface with data input, data output, address match input A two pin communication interface bus and control circuits are used with circuit boards, integrated circuits, or embedded cores within integrated circuits. One pin carries data bi-directionally and address and instruction information from a controller to a selected port. The other pin carries a clock signal from the controller to a target port or ports in or on the desired circuit or circuits. The bus may be used for serial access to circuits where the availability of pins on ICs or terminals on cores is minimal. The bus is used for communication, such as serial communication related to the functional operation of an IC or core design, or serial communication related to test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations of an IC or core design.
US09477624B2	Controlling bus access in a real-time computer system In a real-time application, one or more computational tasks execute according to a time schedule and use input data from input devices and/or output data from output devices. One or more of the input devices or output devices may be unscheduled devices that attempt to access the peripheral bus at unscheduled times. Such unscheduled bus access can cause the time schedule to become comprised. Various methods for arbitrating access to the bus to better integrate the bus access with the time schedule followed by the application are described.
US09477622B2	Deterministic method to support multiple producers with multiple consumers in peer or hierarchical systems A transaction processing method is disclosed to solve the issue of multiple producers (software and hardware) and one or more consumers operating in a peer or hierarchical system. The transaction processing method is a deterministic method operable in a system having any number of producers. The producers themselves may be any combination of hardware and software and may be part of peer or hierarchical systems.
US09477618B2	Information processing device, information processing system, storage medium storing program for controlling information processing device, and method for controlling information processing device An information processing device, comprising: a memory; and one or more central processing units coupled to the memory and configured to: control accesses to a device based on requests from users, record a start time of each access to the device and an end time of the access to the device, determine a load state of the device based on an elapsed time period from the start time to the end time, and limit, based on the load state of the device, a number of threads for one of the users, the threads being concurrently executed to access the device based on access requests to the device from the one of the users.
US09477617B2	Memory buffering system that improves read/write performance and provides low latency for mobile systems A memory buffering system is disclosed that arbitrates bus ownership through an arbitration scheme for memory elements in chain architecture. A unified host memory controller arbitrates bus ownership for transfer to a unified memory buffer and other buffers within the chain architecture. The system is used within a communication system with a bus in chain architectures and parallel architectures.
US09477615B1	Bi-directional low latency bus mode A method for low latency data transfers between a wireless root device and a wireless endpoint device connected through a wireless peripheral-interconnect bus. The method comprises setting the wireless root device and the wireless endpoint device to operate in bi-directional low latency bus (BDLLB) mode; generating, by the wireless root device, a first data frame to be transmitted to the end-point device, wherein the first data frame includes at least a preamble, a block acknowledgment (ACK) frame and aggregation of a plurality of medium access control service data units (MSDUs) according to an order they received from a data link layer of the wireless peripheral-interconnect bus; and transmitting the first data frame to the wireless endpoint device over a wireless medium.
US09477614B2	Sector map-based rapid data encryption policy compliance To comply with a policy for a computing device indicating that data written by the computing device to the storage volume after activation of the policy be encrypted, a sector map is accessed. The sector map identifies one or more sectors of a storage volume and also identifies, for each of the one or more sectors of the storage volume, a signature of the content of the sector. In response to a request to read the content of a sector, the content of the sector is returned without decrypting the content if the sector is one of the one or more sectors and the signature of the content of the sector matches the signature of the sector identified in the sector map. Otherwise, the content of the sector is decrypted and the decrypted content is returned.
US09477612B2	Memory system for reliable predicted sequential read operation A memory system includes a plurality of memory chips each including memory regions and page buffers; an address table suitable for storing mapping information for mapping physical addresses and logical addresses; a target table suitable for storing sequential physical addresses and sequential logical addresses; a selective output block suitable for selecting the memory regions as pages under selection by units of a page according to a preset order, based on the sequential physical addresses, and outputting data stored in page buffers of memory chips under selection corresponding to the pages under selection; and an expected read block suitable for reading data stored in selection-expected pages, which is to be selected following the pages under selection according to the preset order, to store in page buffers of selection-expected memory chips corresponding to the selection-expected pages, while the data stored in the page buffers under selection are outputted.
US09477611B2	Final level cache system and corresponding methods A data access system including a processor and a final level cache module. The processor is configured to generate a request to access a first physical address. The final level cache module includes a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a final level cache controller, and a DRAM controller. The final level cache controller is configured to (i) receive the request from the processor, and (ii) convert the first physical address to a first virtual address. The DRAM controller is configured to (i) convert the first virtual address to a second physical address, and (ii) access the DRAM based on the second physical address.
US09477606B2	Adaptive record caching for solid state disks A storage controller receives a request that corresponds to an access of a track. A determination is made as to whether the track corresponds to data stored in a solid state disk. Record staging to a cache from the solid state disk is performed, in response to determining that the track corresponds to data stored in the solid state disk, wherein each track is comprised of a plurality of records.
US09477601B2	Apparatus and method for determining a sector division ratio of a shared cache memory An apparatus includes a shared cache memory and a controller. The shared cache memory is configured to be divided into sectors by assigning one or more ways to each sector in accordance with a reusability level of data. The controller changes a sector division ratio indicating a ratio between way counts of the divided sectors of the shared cache memory, where the way count is a number of ways assigned to each sector. When first and second jobs are being executed in parallel, in response to a designation of a program of the second job, the controller calculates the sector division ratio, based on data access amount including a size and an access count of data accessed by the first and second jobs and a volume of the shared cache memory, and changes the sector division ratio of the shared cache memory to the calculated sector division ratio.
US09477597B2	Techniques for different memory depths on different partitions Embodiments of the present technology are directed toward techniques for enabling different memory partitions to have different memory depths.
US09477591B2	Memory access requests in hybrid memory system Incoming memory access requests are routed in a set of incoming queues, the incoming memory access requests comprise a range of host logical block addresses (LBAs) that correspond to a memory space of a primary memory. The host LBA range is mapped to clusters of secondary memory LBAs, the secondary memory LBAs corresponding to a memory space of a secondary memory. Each incoming memory access request queued in the set of incoming queues is transformed into one or more outgoing memory access requests that include a range of secondary memory LBAs or one or more clusters of secondary memory LBAs. The outgoing memory access requests are routed in a set of outgoing queues. The secondary memory is accessed using the outgoing memory access requests.
US09477586B1	Power-aware memory controller circuitry Memory controller circuitry may process the memory access requests by reordering the sequence of requests. Reordering the sequence of requests may decrease the power consumption of the memory controller and system memory associated with the memory controller. The memory controller may operate in at least an unconstrained power mode, a priority mode, and a constrained power mode. In the unconstrained power mode, the memory controller may process memory access requests at elevated and power consumption levels. In the priority mode, the memory controller may process memory access requests from select sources with reduced power consumption. In the constrained power mode, the memory controller may process all memory access requests at reduced power consumption levels. Capacitive-model based power monitoring circuitry may be used to monitor the interactions between the memory controller and the system memory to dynamically adjust the operating mode of the memory controller.
US09477583B2	Automating functionality test cases A computer implemented method and system including techniques for developing and executing automated test cases are described herein. In one embodiment, a test case automation tool provides functionality for defining an automated test set and associated test cases within a testing user interface without the use of scripting languages or compiled programming. The definition of each test case may occur within a testing user interface, including displaying and receiving user selection of available methods for testing; displaying user parameter fields and receiving user parameter values in response for testing; abstracting parameter types in the user parameter values; and generating XML-format definitions of the test case. The test case automation tool may then execute the selected methods of the software application using parameters provided in the XML-format definitions, and return testing results of the test case execution.
US09477582B2	Executable software specification generation Executable software specification generation can include recording interactions with a user-interface (UI) mockup for a particular program and generating a number of executable software specification for the particular program based on the interactions with the UI mockup.
US09477578B2	Sequence-program-debugging supporting apparatus A sequence-program-debugging supporting apparatus includes a configuration editing unit that receives a disabling unit from a PLC, a variable retaining unit that retains variables used by units on a sequence program, a program editing unit that can edit the sequence program, a converting unit that converts the sequence program into an execution code, a searching unit that acquires variables used by the disabling unit from the variable retaining unit and searches for places where the acquired variables are used in the sequence program, and a disabling setting unit that writes a section of the execution code corresponding to the places in a disabling section setting file as a disabling section not to be executed, and an execution control unit that controls, based on the disabling section setting file, an executing unit not to execute the disabling section.
US09477574B2	Collection of intranet activity data Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating the collection of data within a computer network (especially an intranet) while complying with applicable privacy laws and regulations, as well as individual organizations' rules addressing intranet users' privacy are disclosed. Such systems, methods and computer program products allow for the collecting of activity information related to computer-based activities performed by users while logged into an organization's intranet. Such activity includes navigating to URLs, opening and editing documents, writing, opening and reading email and instant messages, and the like. The collecting, consolidating, storing and exposing of such activity information—while ensuring privacy requirements—serves as a basis for high-value services (e.g., augmenting documents with extra information, improving search results, automatic news feeds, social networking announcements, etc.) to be offered and provisioned to such users.
US09477573B2	Method of monitoring the performance of a software application A method of monitoring the level of performance of a software application running on a network-attached computing device, comprises monitoring information exchange at least one station on the network; measuring at least two performance indicator metrics, such as delay, jitter, loss, response time, throughput, goodput, and object size; and deriving an indicator parameter from a non-linear combination of the indicator metrics. A transformation may be applied to each indicator metric to obtaining a corresponding derived value, and the derived values then additively combined, to obtain the said indicator parameter. The transformation has a first region in which the derived value depends relatively weakly on the corresponding metric, and a second region, in which the derived value depends relatively strongly on the corresponding metric. A score value may be entered by a user, indicative of the user's perception of the performance of the software application, and compared with the derived indicator parameter. The calculation used to derive the indicator parameter may be varied, in dependence on the user-entered score. Diagnostic traces may be triggered in dependence on the derived indicator parameter. Values of the indicator parameter and associated trace data may be collected in a database and collated to diagnose and/or predict problems in the said computer system.
US09477569B2	Windows rally wireless HID device A system and method that identifies and effectuates communication between a connectable client and a wireless human interface device. The wireless human interface device utilizes technologies to abstract the complexities of IP based wired and wireless networks to provide mechanisms to easily discover, associate, utilize and diagnose the wireless human interface device. Through the ensuing abstraction the wireless human interface device can be associated with an unlimited number of connectable networked clients or hosts thus eliminating the requirement of analog switch boxes to connect human interface devices to each connectable host or client, and further providing for the control of local and/or Internet based hosts or clients.
US09477568B2	Managing interconnect electromigration effects A mechanism is provided for determining a modeled age of a set of interconnect groups in a set of cores in a set of multi-core processors. For each interconnect group in the set of interconnect groups in the set of cores on the set of multi-core processors, a determination is made of a current modeled age of the interconnect group. A determination is then made as to whether at least one current modeled age of the interconnect group for the set of interconnect groups is greater than an end-of-life value. Responsive to at least one current modeled age of the interconnect group being greater than the end-of-life value, an indication to take corrective action with the at least one associated interconnect group is sent.
US09477566B2	Power leveling of a system under test Power leveling a system under test (SUT). An input signal is provided at an initial power level to the SUT. Multiple iterations are performed, each including measuring, over a specified measuring interval, power of a signal produced by the SUT in response to the input signal, and dynamically adjusting the power of the input signal in response. The measuring interval is increased over the iterations, thereby increasing accuracy of the measuring over the iterations while converging the signal to a specified power level. An initial power leveling operation may be performed for the SUT to establish a specified power level, after which the SUT is tested, during which multiple power leveling operations are performed, each including measuring power of a signal from the SUT over a specified measuring interval, and adjusting the input signal in response, thereby maintaining the specified power level during the testing while correcting for thermal droop.
US09477565B2	Data access with tolerance of disk fault A method for data access is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a file access request; acquiring one or more node lists corresponding to the file, wherein each node list comprises at least two nodes, and the mutually corresponding disks between the respective nodes store the same contents; accessing data chunks included in the file from the respective nodes selected from each of the node lists; and when an accessing from a certain node fails, selecting another node from the node list that comprises the certain node, and accessing a respective data chunk included in the file from the selected node according to the identifier of the file. A system and a device with tolerance of disk fault are also disclosed.
US09477558B2	Hardware supported memory logging Logging changes to a physical memory region during a logging time interval includes: detecting a write operation to the physical memory region, wherein the write operation modifies an indirect representation that corresponds to a physical data line in the physical memory region; and recording log information associated with the write operation.
US09477557B2	Transaction processing using torn write detection Performing a transaction in the context of a computing system that has one or more persistent systems coupled to one or more processors over a bus. As an example, the persistent system may serve as at least part of the main memory of the computing system. The transaction might implement multi-versioning in which a record is not updated in place. Rather, each record is represented as a sequence of one or more record versions, each version having a valid interval during which the record version is considered to properly represent the record. The transaction processing uses torn write detection so that recovery processes may use such guards to verify that there are no torn writes. For instance, torn write guards may be used to verify the integrity of record versions as well as the log buffers that refer to the record versions.
US09477556B2	Method and system for session disaster recovery Embodiments of the present application relate to a method, a system, and a computer program product. A method is provided and includes in the event that a check trigger condition is satisfied for a disaster recovery intervention rule in a disaster recovery intervention rule base, automatically checking whether an intervention is to be performed for a session storage medium determined by a session configuration information already loaded in a session configuration file, the checking being performed based on the satisfied disaster recovery intervention rule, in the event that the intervention is determined to be performed, determining a next session storage medium corresponding to the session storage medium requiring intervention, and loading configuration information corresponding to the next session storage medium into the session configuration file to switch the configuration information corresponding to the session storage medium requiring intervention to the configuration information corresponding to the next session storage medium.
US09477549B2	Methods, systems, and computer readable media for address and data integrity checking in flash memory operations Methods, systems, and computer readable media for address and data integrity checking in flash memory operations are disclosed. One method includes, at a storage controller, generating, for an address unit, an address parity unit. The method further includes generating a command sequence including the address unit, the address parity unit, and an operation command specifying an operation to be performed on a flash memory array. The method further includes providing the command sequence to a flash memory device that includes the non-volatile memory array. The method further includes performing, by the flash memory device, an address integrity check on the address unit using the address parity unit. The method further includes determining whether or not to perform an operation specified by the command sequence based at least in part on a result of the address integrity check.
US09477548B2	Error repair location cache A method for repairing a memory includes executing an Error Correction Code (ECC) for a page of the memory. The page includes a plurality of bits having an inherent number of failed bits equal to or greater than zero. The ECC is configured to correct a correctable number of failed bits from the plurality of bits. A location of a failure prone bit in the page is determined from a cache in response to the correctable number of failed bits being less than the inherent number of failed bits. A state of the failure prone bit is changed to a new state in response to determining the location of the failure prone bit. The ECC is executed in response to the state of the failure prone bit being changed to the new state.
US09477547B2	Controller device with retransmission upon error A controller includes a link interface that is to couple to a first link to communicate bi-directional data and a second link to transmit unidirectional error-detection information. An encoder is to dynamically add first error-detection information to at least a portion of write data. A transmitter, coupled to the link interface, is to transmit the write data. A delay element is coupled to an output from the encoder. A receiver, coupled to the link interface, is to receive second error-detection information corresponding to at least the portion of the write data. Error-detection logic is coupled to an output from the delay element and an output from the receiver. The error-detection logic is to determine errors in at least the portion of the write data by comparing the first error-detection information and the second error-detection information, and, if an error is detected, is to assert an error condition.
US09477546B2	Methods and apparatus for optimizing lifespan of a storage device Systems and methods for optimizing lifespan of a storage device are provided. A request to store data to the storage device is received. The storage device includes a plurality of regions. A determination is made that a first group of regions of the plurality of regions is associated with an error measurement threshold that is lower than a second group of regions of the plurality of regions. A region of the storage device that is in the first group of regions is selected based on the determination. The data is stored to the selected region.
US09477544B2	Recommending a suspicious component in problem diagnosis for a cloud application The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for recommending a suspicious component in problem diagnosis for a cloud application. In the method, firstly a graph data model representing a hierarchical structure of the cloud application is constructed, wherein the graph data model comprises an application node representing the cloud application, a plurality of component nodes representing a plurality of components of the cloud application, and inter-node lines indicating inter-node relationships. Then real-time information of the cloud application is obtained, in response to detecting performance degradation of the cloud application. Impact degrees of the plurality of component nodes on the performance degradation of the cloud application is obtained based on the constructed graph data model and the obtained real-time information, and a suspicious component sequence is generated according to the impact degrees of the plurality of component nodes.
US09477542B2	Electronic control unit An ECU having a microcomputer for controlling a control object includes: a detection device that detects an anomalous operation of the microcomputer; a first reset device that outputs a reset signal for the microcomputer when the detection device detects the anomalous operation; a failsafe control device that executes a failsafe control operation for controlling the control object to be safer than the control object before resetting the microcomputer when the microcomputer is reset to a normal state; a counting device that counts a number of times of occurrence of the anomalous operation when the detection device detects the anomalous operation again after the failsafe control device starts to execute the failsafe control operation; and a second reset device that outputs the reset signal and holds an output of the reset signal when the number of times of occurrence reaches a predetermined number of times.
US09477540B2	Multi-stage codeword detector A multi-stage codeword detector for detecting codewords from read signals received from a multi-level memory device, includes a first detection stage configured for a coarse detection of a first codeword from a received read signal; a second detection stage configured for a fine detection of a second codeword from the received read signal; and a deciding entity configured to decide on using the second detection stage for the received read signal in dependence on a reliability indicator indicating a certain reliability level of the received read signal.
US09477531B2	Accessing virtual disk content of a virtual machine without running a virtual desktop Methods, systems, and techniques for facilitating access to content stored remotely, for example, as part of a virtual machine infrastructure or elsewhere in a networked environment, using a uniform mechanism are provided. Example embodiments provide an Enhanced Virtual Desktop Management Server/System with a Content Abstraction Layer which enables users to access their data stored as part of a virtual machine environment, or replicated otherwise on a network, using a generic API. The API can be incorporated into a web browser or other third party interface to provide access to the users' data without needing to remote a bitmap representation of a virtual desktop display. Accordingly, users can access their data, applications, and settings regardless of the type of access device and regardless of whether the corresponding virtual desktop is running in the data center, provisioned in the datacenter but running on a client device, or not running at all.
US09477530B2	Automated provisioning and management of cloud services A system for managing the provisioning of cloud based services includes a collection module, a configuration module, a licensing module and a set up module. The collection module automatically obtains and stores information from end user machines that relevant to the provisioning of the could-based services. The configuration module uses the obtained information to automatically configure the use of the cloud based services. The licensing module automatically configures the account and licensing information allowing an end-user machine to access the cloud based services. The setup module automatically configures the end user machines to access and use the cloud-based services.
US09477528B2	System and method for providing a rest-based management service in a traffic director environment Described herein are systems and methods for providing software administration tools, for use in administering server configurations, such as in a traffic director or other type of server environment. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a traffic director having one or more traffic director instances, which is configured to receive and communicate requests, from clients, to origin servers having one or more pools of servers. An administration server can be used to manage the traffic director, including a REpresentational State Transfer (REST) infrastructure and management service which maps REST calls to mbeans or other management components registered on the administration server, for use in managing the traffic director.
US09477527B2	Resource optimization method and apparatus The present disclosure discloses a resource optimization method and apparatus. The method includes: detecting whether a currently started process is a process of a predetermined type; querying for suspendable processes among other currently running processes if it is detected that the currently started process is a process of the predetermined type; and suspending at least one process among the found suspendable processes.
US09477522B2	System and method for implementing workflow management using messaging A system provides workflow management functions over a messaging or data protocol. A workflow management object defining functions and values and events for sending and receiving workflow management data is defined on a first device and transmitted to a second device. On the second device the workflow is rendered for interaction and response, and an interaction with the workflow object is captured. A captured or generated response is transmitted back to the first device or intermediary system via the messaging protocol. The response to the workflow object (e.g. an event) may be used by the device or intermediary systems to update a status of a workflow such as hosted by a remote server system. Events detected by a workflow system may invoke processing of subsequent workflow objects in a chain such that a complex workflow may be processed over the messaging protocol.
US09477516B1	Concurrent in-memory data publication and storage system A method includes allocating a first memory location in a non-transitory data store in communication with a computing device and writing data to the first memory location when a first write transaction executes on the non-transitory data store. The method further includes executing one or more read transactions on the first memory location after completion of the first write transaction and incrementing a first pointer counter upon completion of the first write transaction and for each read transaction executing on the first memory location. The method allocates a second memory location in the non-transitory data store and writes updated data to the second memory location when a second write transaction executes on the non-transitory data store to update the data. The first pointer counter decrements and the second pointer counter increments upon completion of the second write transaction. The first memory location de-allocates when the first pointer counter is zero.
US09477514B2	Transaction begin/end instructions A TRANSACTION BEGIN instruction and a TRANSACTION END instruction are provided. The TRANSACTION BEGIN instruction causes either a constrained or nonconstrained transaction to be initiated, depending on a field of the instruction. A constrained transaction has one or more restrictions associated therewith, while a nonconstrained transaction is not limited in the manner of a constrained transaction. The TRANSACTION END instruction ends the transaction started by the TRANSACTION BEGIN instruction.
US09477510B2	Determination method and determination device A determination method includes: receiving a request of a change from a first system configured by a first configuration to a second system configured by a second configuration, the request of the change including configuration data related to the first configuration and change data related to the change; extracting a functional requirement for a function that is realized in the first system based on the configuration data; identifying an operational requirement for realizing the first system based on the functional requirement and data about an operational process that is used for the first system; identifying a constraint condition about the second system based on configuration elements of the second configuration that are identified by the configuration data and the change data; and determining feasibility of the change to the second system based on the functional requirement, the operational requirement, and the constraint condition.
US09477500B2	Managing and controlling a distributed network service platform A distributed network service platform comprises: a logical data plane configured to process packets that are received by a plurality of physical devices, transmitted by the plurality of physical devices, or both, the logical data plane being physically distributed on the plurality of physical devices; and a logical control plane configured to manage and control the logical data plane, the logical control plane comprising one or more physical control planes operating on one or more physical devices.
US09477499B2	Managing process migration from source virtual machine to target virtual machine which are on the same operating system An apparatus and method for managing process migration are provided. When a process of a source virtual machine is to be migrated to a target virtual machine based on a process migration request, and the source virtual machine and the target virtual machine are on the same operating system (OS), logical migration is performed by updating information included in a virtual machine information database and a namespace router table.
US09477497B2	Methods for determining resource dependency and systems thereof A method, computer readable medium, and system for automatically determining resource dependency includes automatically identifying with an application processing device one or more dependencies between two or more modules in an application. The application processing device determines one or more ordered lists of executing the modules based on the identified one or more dependencies. The application processing device provides the determined one or more ordered lists of executing the modules in the application.
US09477493B2	Method to generate dynamic customized context-sensitive help Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for customizing help screens. A computer receives a request for help content. The computer identifies an annotated help file that corresponds to the request for help content. The computer identifies one or more variables in the identified annotated help file. The computer retrieves a value for each of the one or more variables from a software product. The computer replaces each of the one or more variables in the identified annotated help file with the retrieved value to generate customized help content.
US09477490B2	Milestone based dynamic multiple watchdog timeouts and early failure detection A dynamic, milestone-based solution for managing computer operations, as may be embodied by various systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media, may involve analyzing a computer operation invoked by an invoking module. The solution may involve identifying and classifying discrete steps or phases within the invoked operation and applying context-specific watchdog timers and operational milestones based on the detected phases. The solution may involve monitoring the progress of the operation and terminating the operation when an operational milestone is not achieved before an applied watchdog timer expires during a given phase.
US09477483B2	Tracking mobile app installations In an embodiment, a data processing method comprises receiving, at a mobile computing device, a request comprising a protocol identifier, a label value, and a data value, wherein the protocol identifier is associated with a protocol implemented in a first mobile app; using a protocol handler in the mobile computing device associated with the protocol, initiating processing of the request; using a native code element in the mobile computing device: intercepting the request when the label value matches a particular expression, and in response to the intercepting, providing the data value to other than the first mobile app, the protocol handler or the native code element; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.
US09477482B2	System, method, and computer program product for implementing multi-cycle register file bypass A system, method, and computer program product are provided for implementing a multi-cycle register file bypass mechanism. The method includes the steps of receiving a set of control bits, combining the set of control bits with a set of valid bits associated with previously issued instructions, and enabling a bypass path for each thread based on the set of control bits and the set of valid bits. Each valid bit in the set of valid bits indicates whether execution of an instruction of the previously issued instructions was enabled for a thread in a thread block.
US09477479B2	Instruction prefetch throttling using instruction count and branch prediction A sequence of buffered instructions includes branch instructions. Branch prediction circuitry predicts if each branch instruction will result in a taken branch when executed. Normally, the fetch circuitry retrieves speculative instructions between the time that a source branch instruction is retrieved and the prediction if that source branch instruction will result in the taken branch. If the source branch instruction is predicted as taken, then the speculative instructions are discarded, and a count value indicates a number of instructions in the sequence between that source branch instruction and a subsequent branch instruction in the sequence that is also predicted as taken. Responsive to a subsequent occurrence of the source branch instruction predicted as taken, a throttled mode limits the number of instructions subsequently retrieved dependent on the count value, and then any further instructions are not retrieved for a number of clock cycles.
US09477475B2	Apparatus and method for asymmetric dual path processing According to embodiments disclosed herein, there is disclosed a computer processor architecture; and in particular a computer processor, a method of operating the same, and a computer program product that makes use of an instruction set for the computer. In one embodiment, the computer processor includes: (1) a decode unit for decoding instruction packets fetched from a memory holding the instruction packets, (2) a control processing channel capable of performing control operations and (3) a data processing channel capable of performing data processing operations, wherein, in use the decode unit causes instructions of instruction packets comprising a plurality of only control instructions to be executed sequentially on the control processing channel, and wherein, in use the decode unit causes instructions of instruction packets comprising a plurality of instructions comprising at least one data processing instruction to be executed simultaneously on the data processing channel.
US09477474B2	Optimization of instruction groups across group boundaries Instructions grouped into instruction groups are optimized across group boundaries. Instruction sequences spanning multiple groups are optimized by retaining information relating to an instruction at the end of one instruction group to be co-optimized with an instruction at the beginning of a subsequent instruction group. This retained information is then used in optimization of one or more instructions of the subsequent group. Optimization may be performed across n group boundaries, where n is equal to two or greater. Additionally, optimization of instructions within a group may be performed, in addition to the optimizations across group boundaries.
US09477473B2	Bit-level register file updates in extensible processor architecture This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to receive an instruction to selectively update a value of one or more selected bits of a first register, to receive the one or more selected bits of the first register to be updated and one or more selected bits of the first register to remain unchanged, and to selectively update the value of the one or more selected bits of the first register using a first write port without receiving the value of the one or more selected bits of the first register. In an example, the value of the one or more selected bits of the first register can be updated without receiving the value of the first register, in certain applications, reducing the number of read ports required to update the value of the first register.
US09477472B2	Method and apparatus for shuffling data Method, apparatus, and program means for shuffling data. The method of one embodiment comprises receiving a first operand having a set of L data elements and a second operand having a set of L control elements. For each control element, data from a first operand data element designated by the individual control element is shuffled to an associated resultant data element position if its flush to zero field is not set and a zero is placed into the associated resultant data element position if its flush to zero field is not set.
US09477469B2	Branch predictor suppressing branch prediction of previously executed branch instructions in a transactional execution environment Branch prediction is suppressed for specific branch instructions executing in a transaction of a transactional memory (TM) environment, when the specific branch instruction was previously executed in the transaction, in one embodiment the specific branch instruction is suppressed after a predetermined number of executions of the specific instruction in a transaction.
US09477467B2	Processors, methods, and systems to implement partial register accesses with masked full register accesses A method includes receiving a packed data instruction indicating a first narrower source packed data operand and a narrower destination operand. The instruction is mapped to a masked packed data operation indicating a first wider source packed data operand that is wider than and includes the first narrower source operand, and indicating a wider destination operand that is wider than and includes the narrower destination operand. A packed data operation mask is generated that includes a mask element for each corresponding result data element of a packed data result to be stored by the masked packed data operation. All mask elements that correspond to result data elements to be stored by the masked operation that would not be stored by the packed data instruction are masking out. The masked operation is performed using the packed data operation mask. The packed data result is stored in the wider destination operand.
US09477463B2	Systems and methods for creating a program spin-off Systems and methods are provided for an online programming community. A user may be able to view pre-existing code, modify the code, and save it as a spin-off program. Spin-offs of programs may be tracked. A social aspect may be provided where users can vote on community programs. Users may also be able to earn points or awards for various coding or programming community activities.
US09477461B1	Systems and methods for generating and applying operating system live updates Method for generation of a live update including compiling original source code into a first intermediate representation (IR) code; compiling modified source code into second IR code; analyzing and comparing the first and second IR codes to identify variables and functions that were changed generating a part of final IR code with all the original variables and functions; generating an additional part of final IR code with new code for modified portions of the changed original functions, added functions and variables, and marking it for compilation into special code/data sections; and compiling a new object code and a final executable binary based on the final IR. The final executable object code includes the original code and data from original application binary, and a live update code and data from additional part of final IR generated. The live update code and data refer to original code and data where needed via standard object code relocation information.
US09477460B2	Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for selective application of update programs dependent upon a load of a virtual machine and related apparatus and method A storage unit stores load information indicating the load of an information processing apparatus by applying each of a plurality of update programs to each virtual machine. An operation unit obtains the load information from the storage unit, and determines, for each virtual machine, an order of applying the plurality update programs to the virtual machine within a predetermined time period on the basis of the load information and an upper load limit allowable for the information processing apparatus.
US09477452B2	General purpose software parallel task engine A software engine for decomposing work to be done into tasks, and distributing the tasks to multiple, independent CPUs for execution is described. The engine utilizes dynamic code generation, with run-time specialization of variables, to achieve high performance. Problems are decomposed according to methods that enhance parallel CPU operation, and provide better opportunities for specialization and optimization of dynamically generated code. A specific application of this engine, a software three dimensional (3D) graphical image renderer, is described.
US09477444B1	Method and apparatus for validating and recommending software architectures A control server receives information from detector agents associated with an application program being executed by a processor. The information, which is collected by the detector agents at runtime of the application, includes data with which the control server can generate a representation of the software architecture for the application. The control server compares the generated representation to representations of a set of known acceptable architectures. Based on the results of that comparison, the control server indicates whether the architecture of the application is a valid architecture. Recommendations for modifying the architecture of the application may be made in cases where the architecture is not deemed valid by the control server.
US09477442B2	Processor and control method of processor A processor includes: an exponent generating unit that generates an exponent part of a coefficient represented by a floating point number format based on a first part of received input data, the coefficient being obtained when an exponential function is decomposed into a series operation and the coefficient for the series operation; a storage unit that stores a mantissa part of the coefficient; a constant generating unit that reads constant data corresponding to a second part of the input data from the storage unit; and a selecting unit that selects and outputs the constant data from the constant generating unit when an instruction to be executed is a coefficient calculation instruction for calculation of the coefficient of the exponential function.
US09477434B2	Image forming apparatus, job execution system, and job execution method An image forming apparatus includes: a receiving portion that receives an authentication print job sent by a user; a comparison portion that compares identification information received through the user's input with identification information included in image data; a job execution portion that executes the authentication print job in the case where the comparison between the received identification information and the identification information included in the image data has succeeded; and a password storage portion that stores identification information in the case where the authentication print job is in the process of being received in order to enable the comparison made by the comparison portion with respect to the authentication print job that is being received.
US09477430B2	Adapting transfer rate of cached data to prevent stoppage of data transmission A file system to controls access to a tape library that selectively loads and unloads a plurality of cartridges from a plurality of slots to a drive for transmitting to the file system archived data retrieved from a particular cartridge. The file system includes a cache and receives a request from a requestor to access the tape library, estimates a first data transfer rate from an anticipated tape library operation completion duration and from a capacity of cached data to be transmitted from the cache to the requestor, initiates access to the tape library, and adapts the first data transfer rate to a second data transfer rate to transmit the capacity of the cached data to the requestor throughout the anticipated tape library operation completion duration.
US09477426B2	Storage system and storage method A first storage apparatus determines whether to execute bulk requesting of causing a second storage apparatus to group a plurality of actual files corresponding to a plurality of stub files into one bulk data and transmit the bulk data. When determining to execute the bulk requesting in the determination, the first storage apparatus transmits a bulk request to the second storage apparatus. The second storage apparatus that has received the bulk request groups a plurality of actual files into one bulk data based on the bulk request, and transmits the bulk request to the first storage apparatus. The first storage apparatus that has received the bulk data extracts the plurality of actual files corresponding to a plurality of stub files, from the bulk data.
US09477423B2	Eliminating or reducing programming errors when programming flash memory cells Mis-programming of MSB data in flash memory is avoided by maintaining a copy of LSB page data that has been written to flash memory and using the copy rather than the LSB page data read out of the flash cells in conjunction with the MSB values to determine the proper reference voltage ranges to be programmed into the corresponding flash cells. Because the copy is free of errors, using the copy in conjunction with the MSB values to determine the proper reference voltage ranges for the flash cells ensures that mis-programming of the reference voltage ranges will not occur.
US09477422B2	Selecting a virtual tape server in a storage system to provide data copy while minimizing system job load In a storage system including plural source storage devices, a target storage device selects which source storage device to accept a copy request from the target storage device so as to minimize the load on the entire system. The system calculates first and second load values for job loads being processed. System load values for the system are derived from job load value of a specific data, and respective load values for first and second source storage devices. The system compares the system load values to select a storage device to provide the data copy so as to minimize the load on the entire system.
US09477421B1	System and method for storage management using root and data slices A method, computer program product, and computing system for defining an initial root slice for a storage system. A first data slice is defined for the storage system. The location of the first data slice of the storage system is identified within the initial root slice. A request for a supplement data slice within the storage system is received. A determination is made as to if the supplement data slice can be added within the storage system without defining a supplemental root slice for a storage system.
US09477420B2	Overwriting part of compressed data without decompressing on-disk compressed data Partially overwriting a compression group without decompressing compressed data can consumption of resources for the decompression. A storage server partially overwrites the compression group when a file block identifier of a client's write request resolves to the compression group. The compression group remains compressed while the partial overwriting is performed.
US09477419B2	Memory control system for a non-volatile memory and control method A memory control system for controlling read and write operations of a non-volatile memory, wherein the memory control system comprises a memory controller that is adapted to implement a write operation for writing at least one block of data to the memory as a sequence of memory write and validation cycles for part of all of the data. In one example, the number of cycles is a function of the amount of successfully written data per cycle and is thus variable in dependence on the success of the data writing. The system also includes a power management unit, which is adapted to authorize or prevent the memory controller from conducting the write operation at the level of the write cycles thereby to control the timing of power consumption resulting from the cycles of the write operation.
US09477414B1	Methods and systems for improved caching with data recovery Systems and methods for improved caching with data recovery are disclosed. A write input/output (I/O) request is received from an application to write to a storage area network (SAN) LUN that is cached by a first intelligent storage adapter (ISA) using a cache LUN and mirrored by a second ISA using a mirror LUN. Write through caching is enabled, when either the first ISA or the second ISA has failed. The write I/O request is proceed by a surviving ISA from among the first ISA and the second ISA, where the surviving ISA sends the write I/O to the SAN LUN. Data is copied from a local storage device of the surviving ISA to a recovery LUN; and periodically data is also flushed from the local storage of the surviving ISA to the SAN LUN.
US09477413B2	System and method for managing access requests to a memory storage subsystem Embodiments of this disclosure relate to improving solid-state non-volatile memory management. Embodiments improve the management of solid-state non-volatile memory by providing an execution manager responsible for controlling the timing of providing a request to a memory unit for execution. In embodiments, the execution manager traverses a list of received requests for memory access and dispatches commands for execution. In embodiments, if a request is directed to memory units which have reached a threshold for outstanding requests, the request may be skipped so that other requests can be dispatched for memory units which have not yet reached the threshold.
US09477410B2	Memory system and method of operating the memory system According to example embodiments, a memory system includes a memory device and a memory controller configured to control the memory device. The memory device includes a plurality of memory cells. The memory controller includes a storage unit configured to sequentially store a plurality of commands received from a host, a distance determination unit configured to determine a distance between a program command and a read command, associated with the same word line, from among the plurality of commands stored in the storage unit, and a read voltage determination unit configured to determine a read voltage level corresponding to the read command based on the determined distance.
US09477407B1	Intelligent migration of a virtual storage unit to another data storage system A virtual storage unit from one data storage system may be migrated to another data storage system. Utilization impacts on system resources by one or more virtual storage units on multiple data storage systems may be quantified, for each data storage system as a whole, or for a functional component of each data storage system. Based on these quantifications, multiple “what-if” scenarios may be considered to determine the consequences of migrating one or more virtual storage units from one of the data storage systems to another one of the data storage systems. If it is determined that a virtual storage unit is to be migrated, a live migration may be performed such that one or more hosts maintain access to the data of the virtual storage unit while the virtual storage unit is being migrated.
US09477405B2	Storage system A storage system, which comprises multiple memory cells and a storage controller, wherein the storage controller manages cell mode information, which either directly or indirectly denotes the number of bits to be stored in multiple memory cells. The cell mode information can be changed in accordance with a request from a management system.
US09477402B2	System and method for enhanced command input A portable electronic device having an input device for receiving a gesture based input from a user is used to control a navigation operation of an appliance. The portable electronic device receives via the input device the gesture based input and uses one or more parameters stored in a memory of the portable electronic device and one or more characteristics associated with the gesture based input to cause the portable electronic device to transmit a navigation step command to thereby control the navigation operation of the appliance.
US09477399B1	Automated interaction for mobile applications Embedded devices, such as smart phones, can execute an application for performing a set of discrete tasks. To evaluate applications for security vulnerabilities, the application is executed and monitored. Part of this process involves the time-consuming process of performing or invoking the various user interface elements included in the application. An automated interaction system automatically, without human intervention, simulates various gestures that can be performed within each view of the application. The automated interaction system further identifies unactivated elements within subviews of the views and tracks its interactions to ensure that all of the identified UI elements within each view and subview are activated.
US09477398B2	Terminal and method for processing multi-point input A terminal and method for discriminating among multipoint inputs generated in combination of multiple input factors generated by different input devices includes detecting a multipoint input comprising a plurality of input factors provided by a plurality of different input means; extracting coordinates and positions of the input factors based on the input means; and performing a particular operation corresponding to the extracted coordinates.
US09477395B2	Audio file interface Methods, systems, and computer-readable medium for providing an audio file interface. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes, while playing an audio file on a mobile device and displaying a current view in a user interface of the mobile device, receiving first user input requesting that an audio interface be displayed, and displaying the audio interface as an overlay in the user interface, where the audio interface includes information associated with the audio file.
US09477392B2	Presentation of tabular information An apparatus and method of presenting tabular data. A list of received data tables is displayed allowing a user to select a table. In response to selecting a table, a significant column for the selected table is presented so as to span across parallel edges of a display. A divider bar is displayed along a first edge of the display. An input indicating movement perpendicular to the first edge of the divider bar to a new position between the edges of the display is received. The significant column presentation is modified in response to the input by visually compressing the significant column between an edge opposite the first edge and the new position. Additional data from the selected data table is presented between the new position and the first edge in rows that are aligned with corresponding rows of the significant column.
US09477391B2	Tactile interface for social networking system A user interface includes a tactile interface on a client device that allows users to interact with social networking system content in a manner that is optimized for touch screens and mobile devices. The tactile interface allows users to efficiently navigate the social networking system data as well as to capture new content for upload to the social networking system. New content may be captured in a way that allows the user to preview the content in-context.
US09477387B2	Indicating an object at a remote location Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying an object. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an image of a first location. The image depicts a layout of objects located at the first location and a visual code for each object. A user interface is generated for the first location using the image and the codes. The user interface depicts the objects and a user interface element for each visual code. Each user interface element is selectable to identify the object associated with the visual code. The user interface is provided for display at a second location. Selection data is received that specifies a selection of a particular user interface element. Command data is sent to a computer located at the first location, which causes the computer to highlight the object associated with the visual code of the selected user interface element.
US09477386B2	Systems and methods for high throughput signal processing using interleaved data converters Various embodiments of methods and associated devices for increasing throughput in a programmable hardware element using interleaved data converters are disclosed. A device comprising a programmable hardware element may be configured to comprise a plurality N of processing portions. The device may receive an input signal, and sample the signal in an interleaved fashion, on a per sample basis, at an effective rate K, to produce N parallel data streams. The N parallel data streams may be processed in parallel by the plurality N of processing portions. Outputs of the plurality N of processing portions may be combined to produce output data. The effective rate K and/or the number N of parallel data streams may be specified by user input. Alternatively, these values may be determined automatically. For example, the effective rate K may be determined automatically based on a bandwidth of the input signal.
US09477385B2	Methods and systems for managing a graphical user interface Methods and systems for managing a graphical user interface involve, for example, defining, using a processor coupled to memory, a threshold distance between windows on a display screen at which a mutual attraction between the windows is activated to draw the windows together as components of a picture of windows. Also using the processor, all windows of a same functional type that are components of the picture of windows are resized simultaneously without affecting the size of windows of other functional types that are also components of the picture of windows. Likewise using the processor, all windows on the display screen are maintained in an active state regardless of a focus of a user input device.
US09477381B2	User interface for toolbar navigation A system and method for navigating a collection of toolbar items that are displayed on an electronic display screen. The toolbar items, such as buttons, are organized into an ordered set of toolbar pages. Each toolbar page contains a fixed number of toolbar items. One toolbar page from the set is displayed at a time in a fixed display area, e.g., a tile, on the display screen. User input causes the currently displayed toolbar page to be replaced by another toolbar page in the ordered set. The user input, such as a continuous swipe gesture across the toolbar display tile, determines the direction of navigation through pages in the ordered set and the speed of the page navigation. The toolbar display area can show the position of the currently displayed toolbar in the ordered set and animated transitions between toolbar items may be displayed to signal toolbar page replacements. A user input, such as a tap of a finger, can select the replacement toolbar.
US09477380B2	Systems and methods for creating and sharing nonlinear slide-based mutlimedia presentations and visual discussions comprising complex story paths and dynamic slide objects The invention provides computer-implemented means for engaging in visual discussions of slide-based multimedia content comprising nonlinear and complex, multidimensional data structures which convey narratives to one or more members of an audience, said data structures comprising visual depictions of slide content displayed as discrete pages linked according to spatial and temporal relationships and portrayed in a virtual discussion space, wherein said visual depictions comprise proportional and accurate, interactive graphical representations of said data structures. Multiple parties using mobile devices and individually distinguishable identities may participate in the generation and editing of said data structures in said visual discussion space, thereby participating in said virtual discussions; and a plurality of advantageous means for navigating among and controlling the behavior of virtual slides therein are provided.
US09477377B2	Operation device, image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus system An operation device includes a display unit, an operation unit, a registration unit, a searching unit and a guide screen generator unit. When a registration command is input for a screen displayed on the display unit, specific information of that screen is registered in the registration unit. The operation unit is operated to select a screen, for which a command to display an access procedure is input, out of a list screen relating to information of registered screens. This causes the searching unit to search a route to access that screen from a higher ranked screen. The guide screen generator unit generates a guide screen showing an access procedure utilizing that route and causes the display unit to display the generated guide screen.
US09477374B1	System and method for facilitating integrated social group instant messaging A system and machine-implemented method for providing integrated instant messaging functionality in a social networking service, the method including receiving a request from a user having a first user account at a social networking service to view contacts belonging to a social group associated with the first user account, wherein the social group is maintained at the social networking service, identifying one or more contacts belonging to the social group in response to the request, determining a status associated with a user account for each of the identified one or more contacts, the status indicating whether each of the one or more contacts is available for instant messaging communication and providing a listing including the identified one or more contacts and the status associated with each of the identified one or more contacts for display to the user at a social networking site of the social networking service.
US09477367B2	Method of manufacturing touch panel, touch panel, and electronic device A touch panel is provided. The touch panel includes a window, a sensor layer formed on a visible area of the window and comprising sensor patterns for detecting an input, a light shielding layer formed on a non-visible area of the window located around the sensor layer, wiring electrodes formed on the light shielding layer and connected to the sensor patterns such that the sensor layer is connected to an external connector, and etching masks formed on the wiring electrodes, respectively.
US09477362B2	Touch screen covered with wiring pattern having first and second layers A touch screen according to a disclosed embodiment may have a small cross capacitance between row-direction wiring and column-direction wiring, and a large change of the cross capacitance when the touch screen is touched by an indication body. A row-direction wiring includes a first portion and a second portion having a smaller wiring width than a wiring width of the first portion. A wiring width of the column-direction wiring is smaller than a length in a row direction of the second portion. The row-direction and column-direction wiring intersect in the second portion, and gaps are formed between the row-direction and column-direction wiring in planar view in an intersection portion. The touch screen further includes floating wiring that fills the gaps in planar view, and the floating wiring is formed in the same layer as the row-direction wiring or the column-direction wiring, and is insulated from both wirings.
US09477358B2	Touch screen panel and method of manufacturing the same A touch screen panel includes a touch substrate, first sensing electrodes, second sensing electrodes, and outer lines. The touch substrate includes a touch active area and a touch non-active area. The first and second sensing electrodes are disposed in the touch active area and insulated from each other while crossing each other. Each first sensing electrode includes a first sensing metal layer and a first transparent sensing electrode layer. Each second sensing electrode includes a second sensing metal layer and a second transparent sensing electrode layer. Each outer line includes a first outer metal layer, a transparent outer electrode layer, and a second outer metal layer.
US09477356B2	System and method to drive touch panel to measure hover Techniques in accordance with the present disclosure allow the detection of hover events and/or touch events performed over the touch panel without requiring that the touch panel be equipped with additional hardware and/or materials. In one or more implementations, the apparatus includes a touch panel controller configured to operatively couple to a touch panel sensor. The touch panel sensor includes at least one drive electrode and at least one sense electrode. The touch panel controller includes output circuitry operatively coupled to the at least one drive electrode. The output circuitry is configured to generate drive signals to drive the drive electrode (i.e., drive the touch panel sensor). The touch panel controller also includes input circuitry operatively coupled to the at least one sense electrode. The input circuitry is configured to measure mutual-capacitance between the at least drive electrode and the at least one sense electrode to detect a hover event. The present disclosure is directed to driving a subset of rows (or columns) and senses the subset of the remaining rows (or columns). Thus, the same sensor can measure multi-touch event and hover without changes to sensor pattern.
US09477349B2	Touch panel and touch display device having the same A touch panel including a light guide plate, a plurality of light sources and a plurality of detectors is provided. The light guide plate has a top surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of side surfaces and a plurality of light incident surfaces. The light sources are disposed at the light incident surfaces of the light guide plate, and the light sources have a photocell total reflection angle (α) and a photocell vertical divergence angle (β) corresponding to the light incident surfaces of the light guide plate, wherein θ<α<60°, θ is a critical angle of the total reflection angle of the light guide plate, and β<50°. The detectors are disposed corresponding to the light sources so as to receive photocell signals from the light sources.
US09477341B2	Liquid crystal display device with touch sensor, and electronic apparatus A liquid crystal display device with a touch sensor has a liquid crystal display function and a touch sensor function is providing and includes a first substrate including a pixel electrode and a first electrode; a second substrate including a second electrode; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. When the liquid crystal display function is activated, the first and second electrodes are supplied with common voltage. When the touch sensor function is activated, the first electrode is applied with a first signal, and the second electrode is configured to receive the first signal to be a second signal as a touch detecting signal.
US09477337B2	Conductive trace routing for display and bezel sensors Conductive trace routing techniques for display and bezel sensors are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes display sensors, bezel sensors, and a plurality of conductive traces. The display sensors are configured to detect proximity of an object and are arranged in conjunction with a display area of a display device to support interaction with a user interface displayed by the display device. The bezel sensors are configured to detect proximity of an object and are disposed in a bezel that at least partially surrounds the display device and is outside the display area. The plurality of conductive traces are disposed between the display and bezel sensors and communicatively couple the display sensors and the bezel sensors to one or more computing components that are configured to process inputs received from the display sensors and the bezel sensors.
US09477336B2	Image forming apparatus having display displaying images, non-transitory storage medium storing program to be executed by the same, method of controlling the same, and terminal device having the same An image forming apparatus includes: a display; a first display controller configured to display a background screen image(s); and a second display controller configured to display, within each background screen image, at least one object image each for receiving a command for executing a corresponding predefined processing. The first display controller executes a display switch processing to switch the background screen image being displayed on the display from a first background screen image to a second background screen image by moving the first and second background screen images in a first direction. The second display controller executes a shaking display processing in which the object image displayed within the second background screen image is repeatedly moved between two positions. The shaking display processing is started upon a start of the display switch processing and finished after an end of the display switch processing.
US09477324B2	Gesture processing Presented is method and system for processing a gesture performed by a user of an input device. The method comprises detecting the gesture and determining a distance of the input device from a predetermined location. A user command is then determined based on the detected gesture and the determined distance.
US09477323B2	Exchanging information between devices in a medical environment A medical device including an operation determiner for determining operations to be performed by the medical device in response to a gesture of the device with respect to the medical device, and an operation data accessor for accessing operation data for the operation performed by the medical device.
US09477322B2	Communication and academic achievement assistive device, system, and method Apparatus and method for providing assistance in communication and academic achievement to individuals possessing fine motor coordination impairment. A computer is provided having software and a storage medium having a plurality of potential user expressions. At least one user screen is in communication with the computer upon which a plurality of potential user expressions are displayable. A plurality of widely spaced apart controls are provided in association with the user screen corresponding to the potential user expressions. When the user wishes to select one of the potential user expressions, the user operates the control that corresponds to the desired potential user expression using gross motor movements. A primary component is image-based for pre-literate users, and a secondary component is character-based for literate users. In the primary component, an operator sends images from which the user chooses. In the secondary component, the user selects characters for a two-dimensional content area.
US09477316B2	Interaction with a computing device via movement of a portion of a user interface Computing devices, computer-readable storage media, and methods associated with human computer interaction. In embodiments, a computing device may include a display, a processor coupled with the display, a user interface engine and one or more applications to be operated on the processor. In embodiments, the user interface engine or the one or more applications may be configured to detect movement of the portable computing device indicating a direction a user of the portable computing device would like a portion of the user interface to move and cause the portion of the user interface to be moved, from a current location on the display to another location on the display, in accordance with the indicated direction. Such movement may facilitate the user to interact with the portion of the user interface via the interaction zone of the display. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09477314B2	Method and apparatus for selecting between multiple gesture recognition systems A method and apparatus for selecting between multiple gesture recognition systems includes an electronic device determining a context of operation for the electronic device that affects a gesture recognition function performed by the electronic device. The electronic device also selects, based on the context of operation, one of a plurality of gesture recognition systems in the electronic device as an active gesture recognition system for receiving gesturing input to perform the gesture recognition function, wherein the plurality of gesture recognition systems comprises an image-based gesture recognition system and a non-image-based gesture recognition system.
US09477312B2	Distance based modelling and manipulation methods for augmented reality systems using ultrasonic gloves User input gloves and input methods are described that are well suited to provide input to computer modeling (eg CAD) and augmented reality (AR) systems, including wearable AR and spatial AR. Each glove comprises palm mounted ultrasonic transducers, accelerometers, finger based pinch inputs and a wireless communication module. The gloves can be used to measure distances over the natural range of distances that hands can be placed, as well as their orientation, with sufficient resolution to facilitate a range of gesture based input methods to be developed and utilized, including distance-based modeling by measurement. Further the gloves are light weight, allow fast input of modeling measurements, are easy to use, and reduce fatigue compared to existing glove based input systems. The user input gloves, and associated input techniques can be used to measure small and body sized objects using one or two hands, and large objects can be measured using single handed measurements. Further models for both small and large objects can be generated and manipulated through the use of a numeric input technique to obtain an amplification factor to magnify the effective distances measured.
US09477309B2	Systems and methods for mapping message contents to virtual physical properties for vibrotactile messaging Systems and methods for mapping message contents to virtual physical properties for vibrotactile messaging are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor configured to detect an interaction with a messaging device, determining a virtual physical property of a virtual message object based at least in part on the sensor signal, determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the virtual physical parameter; and generating a haptic signal configured to cause an actuator to output the haptic effect.
US09477308B2	User interface system A user interface system including a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a first level fluid vessel arranged at a first level within the sheet and a second level fluid vessel arranged at a second level within the sheet, wherein both the first and second level fluid vessels are arranged underneath the surface; a first volume of fluid contained within the first level fluid vessel; a second volume of fluid contained within the second level fluid vessel; and a displacement device coupled to the first and second level fluid vessels that selectively manipulates the first and second volumes of fluid, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface to a first and second stage, respectively or deforming a first particular region and a second particular region of the surface, respectively.
US09477305B2	Stereoscopic image display apparatus and computer-readable recording medium storing program thereon A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes: a distance measuring unit that measures a distance to a viewer; a selecting unit that selects parallax images having a binocular parallax amount corresponding to the measured distance to the viewer from parallax images of a display object based on the measured distance to the viewer as a stereoscopic image pair; and a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the selected stereoscopic display image pair.
US09477297B2	Computer system and matching circuit thereof A computer system includes a power supply unit (PSU), a matching circuit, and a chip. The matching circuit includes a voltage conversion unit, a voltage-dividing unit, a first resistor, a comparator, a diode, and a delay unit. The comparator includes a non-inverting terminal electrically coupled to the PSU to receive a power-good signal, an inverting terminal electrically coupled to the voltage-dividing unit to receive a reference voltage, and an output terminal. The delay unit is electrically coupled to a power supply and a power-good signal pin of the chip. When a voltage of the power-good signal is greater than the reference voltage, the output terminal of the comparator outputs a high level signal, the diode is turned off and the power supply is delayed by the delay unit and then output to the power-good signal pin of the chip.
US09477295B2	Non-volatile memory express (NVMe) device power management Systems and methods for managing power to Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) devices. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a Central Processing Unit (CPU); a Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) device operably coupled to the CPU; a service processor operably coupled to the CPU and to the NVMe; and a memory operably coupled to the service processor, the memory including program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the service processor, cause the service processor to: receive performance data from the CPU, receive metrics data from a source other than the CPU, and control an amount of power provided to the NVMe device based, at least in part, upon the performance data and the metrics data.
US09477291B2	Efficient integrated switching voltage regulator Described herein is an integrated circuit which comprises: a switching voltage regulator (SVR), having one or more bridge drivers, to provide regulated power supply to a plurality of power domains; and a power control unit (PCU) operable to adjust switching frequencies of the SVR according to states of the plurality of power domains, wherein drive strength or active phase count of the one or more bridge drivers is also adjusted by a logic unit of the SVR when the switching frequencies of the SVR are adjusted.
US09477285B2	Data processing apparatus capable of operating in power saving mode, control method of data processing apparatus, and storage medium The present invention aims to easily maintain a state of less power consumption, by providing a data processing apparatus comprising: a registering unit to register therein data for identifying a packet; a receiving unit to receive a packet transmitted through a network; a determining unit to, in a case where the receiving unit receives the packet while the data processing apparatus is operating in a power saving mode, determine whether or not to return the data processing apparatus from the power saving mode, on the basis of the data registered in the registering unit; an analyzing unit to perform an analysis process to the packet flowing on the network; a displaying unit to display a screen indicating a result of the analysis process by the analyzing unit; and an indicating unit to indicate the data to be registered in the registering unit, through the screen displayed by the displaying unit.
US09477283B2	Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing a computing application rating A rating is provided for a computing application. Traffic data, power data, and/or network signaling load data is collected for a computing application and compared with other similar data. A rating for the computing application is provided based on the comparison.
US09477282B2	Power source equipment and power supply method thereof A power supply method includes providing a plurality of output powers to a plurality of power devices (PDs); acquiring a plurality of power statuses of the PDs (power devices); calculating a summation of the output powers provided to the PDs (power devices); determining whether the summation of the output powers exceeds a predetermined threshold; and under a condition that the summation of the output powers exceeds the predetermined threshold, adjusting the output powers provided to the PDs (power devices) based upon the power statuses of the PDs (power devices).
US09477281B2	Distributed information technology infrastructure dynamic policy driven peak power management system A peak power management system for networked smart IT devices. These smart devices have computing capability with at least one CPU and memory and can be networked. An uninterruptible power supply provides power to the smart devices. A central intelligent power management server controls the power consumed by all the smart devices networked with the server. The system uses priority based peak power management policies for smart IT devices assisted by fine grain control of external power drawn by each device. By applying different power management policies at different scheduled intervals and controlling the power consumption on the smart devices, the aggregated peak power demand is controlled. The policies can be adapted in-time to suit the actual, real-time power requirement of devices, their priorities, and applicable peak power limit at that time. Also, dynamic policy based peak power management can be extended to an intelligent hierarchical power distribution network.
US09477273B2	Mounting rail for an insert assembly A mounting rail for an insert assembly provided to fix in an installation frame of a computer includes one bearing surface to fix in a guide rail of the installation cage, one fastening for the insert assembly, whereby the mounting rail can be fixed laterally on the insert assembly, and a lever at a first end wherein the lever is mounted on a shaft such that an eccentric shape is formed and, by actuating the lever in an installed state, the mounting rail is lifted in a direction of the insert assembly.
US09477269B2	Book-style sliding pivot hinge An information handling system includes a flexible display screen, first and second display platforms, and a sliding pivot hinge. The sliding pivot hinge has at least two sliding pivot hinge sides, at least one sliding pivot hinge side is in physical communication with the first display platform. The flexible display screen is supported across the first and second display platforms by translation of the first display platform relative to the sliding pivot hinge.
US09477268B2	Mobile computer device binding feedback In embodiments of mobile computer device binding feedback, an application interface for a device application is displayed on a first display that is integrated in a dual-display mobile device. The application interface can also be displayed on a second display that is integrated in the dual-display mobile device. Binding position data is received from a binding system that movably couples the first display to the second display. Application context data that is associated with the device application is also received. Feedback can then be generated based on the binding position data and the application context data, where the feedback can be generated as audio feedback, video feedback, display feedback, and/or haptic feedback.
US09477264B2	Window member for display screen of portable terminal and method for fabricating the window member Provided are a window member for a display device of a portable terminal and a method for fabricating the window member. An inner surface of the window member is formed as a flat surface from a first end portion to a position adjacent to a second end portion, and an inner surface of the second end portion is formed inclined with respect to the flat surface in a direction toward an outer surface. According to the window member and the method for fabricating the same, shrinkage is minimized during hardening of melt resin by sufficiently delivering injection pressure for the melt resin over the entire molding space of a mold, thereby improving a product defect rate.
US09477263B2	Electronic device with chip-on-glass ambient light sensors An electronic device may have a display with a brightness that is adjusted based on ambient light data from one or more ambient light sensors. An ambient light sensor may be formed from a semiconductor substrate such as a silicon substrate. Sensor structures may be formed in the silicon substrate. Conductive vias or other conductive paths may be used to interconnect sensor structures on a frontside surface of the ambient light sensor to contacts on a backside surface of the ambient light sensor. The ambient light sensor may be mounted on a substrate layer in the electronic device. The substrate layer may be a planar layer of glass or plastic such as a transparent display layer. The contacts of the ambient light sensor may be mounted to corresponding contacts on the surface of the substrate layer. The substrate layer may be a thin-film transistor layer in a liquid crystal display.
US09477261B1	Portable computer with cylinders providing friction in hinge A portable computer may include a base, a lid, a base cylinder extending from the base, a lid cylinder extending from the lid, and a link. The link may couple the base cylinder to the lid cylinder fixing a positional relationship between the base cylinder and the lid cylinder so that the base cylinder frictionally engages with the lid cylinder.
US09477260B2	Systems and methods for coupling information handling resource disposed in information handling system bezel In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a bezel configured to mechanically couple to a housing for housing components of an information handling system may include one or more mechanical features for mechanically coupling the bezel to the housing, an information handling resource mechanically coupled to a mechanical structure of the bezel, and a bezel connector having a plurality of pins communicatively coupled to the information handling resource. The bezel connector may be configured to communicatively couple the information handling resource to a second information handling resource of the information handling system housed within the housing when the bezel is mechanically coupled to the housing.
US09477255B2	Systems and methods for suspending idle devices based on idle policies for the devices A method for suspending an idle device includes receiving, by a processor, an indication that a device having a communication channel is connected to a host device. The method then includes determining a first timeout value associated with the communication channel and a second timeout value associated with the first device. The first timeout value corresponds to an amount of time allotted for an operation to complete in the communication channel, and the second timeout value corresponds to an amount of time allotted for the device to be designated as idle before the device is suspended. The device is determined to be idle when the operation is pending in the communication channel for an amount of time that is greater than the first timeout value. The device is suspended when the device has been idle for an amount of time that is greater than the second timeout value.
US09477250B2	Super capacitor and charger for secondary power having longevity features A secondary power source system for a communication device includes a charging unit configured to receive a primary power input and restrict a current used for charging to a predetermined amount. The current is part of a first output of the charging unit. The system further includes a storage unit including a device that stores electrical energy, the storage unit configured to receive the first output from the charging unit with restricted current and generate a second output, a regulating unit configured to receive the second output from the storage unit and generate a third output, a selector unit configured to perform a logical OR operation with the primary power input, the first output from the charging unit and third output from the regulating unit, and to generate a fourth output, and a shutdown unit configured to shutdown operation of the secondary power system when the storage unit has been expended.
US09477245B1	High performance voltage-to-current converter for LTE transmitter A voltage-to-current converter is disclosed. The voltage to current converter includes a converter circuit having an input node, an amplified signal node and an output. The input node is configured to receive a sinusoidal voltage signal and the output is configured to provide a half-wave current signal. A transistor having a gate, a source, and a drain is coupled to the input node. The input node is coupled to one of the source or the drain. The amplified signal node is coupled to the gate. A process tracking stabilizer is coupled to the transistor at the source or the drain not coupled to the input node. The process tracking stabilizer is configured to generate a control voltage for the transistor. The control voltage is configured to maintain a predetermined non-zero voltage at the input node of the converter circuit during a negative cycle of the sinusoidal voltage signal.
US09477244B2	Linear regulator with improved power supply ripple rejection Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a linear regulator with improved power supply ripple rejection. An embodiment of an apparatus includes an linear regulator to receive a system power supply and to generate a regulated power supply; a first voltage reference generator to generate a first voltage reference for the linear regulator; a second voltage reference generator to generate a second voltage reference for the linear regulator; and a voltage reference and power switcher. In some embodiments, the voltage reference and power switcher is to switch a voltage reference for the linear regulator from the first voltage reference to the second voltage reference and is to switch a part of a power supply for the linear regulator from the system power supply to the regulated power supply.
US09477242B2	System and method of controlling condensing and non-condensing boiler firing rates Hydronic heating systems, controllers for such systems, and methods of using/operating same are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a system includes at least one condensing boiler and at least one non-condensing boiler, and at least one controller configured for utilizing at least one PID control program to generate at least one signal for controlling firing rates of one or more of the boilers based upon sensed water temperature and temperature setpoint inputs. Depending upon the mode of operation, the at least one PID control program is a first PID control program dedicated to controlling only the at least one condensing boiler, or is a second PID control program dedicated to controlling only the at least one non-condensing boiler, or includes both the first and second PID control programs. Also, outside air temperature serves as a basis for generating the temperature setpoint inputs.
US09477228B2	Apparatus and method for control of a vehicle An apparatus and method for transporting a payload over a surface is provided. A vehicle supports a payload with a support partially enclosed by an enclosure. Two laterally disposed ground-contacting elements are coupled to at least one of the enclosure or support. A motorized drive is coupled to the ground-contacting elements. A controller coupled to the drive governs the operation of the drive at least in response to the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to dynamically control balancing of the vehicle.
US09477225B2	Method for autonomous driving in a car wash and a motor vehicle A method for autonomously driving a motor vehicle in a car wash to enhance comfort and safety includes detecting a passageway of the car wash and determine with vehicle sensors the vehicle position and the vehicle orientation of the vehicle relative to the passageway. The vehicle is subsequently automatically driven into the car wash based on the vehicle position and the vehicle orientation, and automatically stopped in a washing position. After washing is complete, a completion signal signaling completion of a working step of the car wash is received or detected by the motor vehicle. Finally, the motor vehicle is automatically driven out of the car wash in response to the completion signal.
US09477224B2	Physics-based lifespan modeling An embodiment of a method for lifespan modeling for a turbine engine component includes determining a design-phase model of the lifespan of an turbine engine component; fusing the design-phase model with sensor data collected during operation of the turbine engine component to produce an updated model of the lifespan of the turbine engine component; and fusing the updated model with data collected during an inspection of the turbine engine component to produce an overall model of the lifespan of the turbine engine component. Systems for lifespan modeling for a turbine engine component are also provided.
US09477218B2	Numerical control method and numerical control device of machine tool A numerical control device which controls a feed axis of a machine tool has a storage unit which divides a range of movement of the feed axis into a plurality of regions and stores a plurality of control parameters corresponding to the divided plurality of regions in advance, a position detection unit which detects a position of a feed axis at the time of machining a workpiece, a parameter selection unit which reads out control parameters corresponding to a divided region to which the detected feed axis position at the time of machining a workpiece belongs, and a servo control unit which controls the feed axis using the read control parameters. Due to this, it is possible to provide a numerical control method of a machine tool which realizes stable machining precision without regard as to the feed axis position and a numerical control device which conducts that method.
US09477217B2	Using visual cues to improve appliance audio recognition Appliance systems and methods for using visual cues to improve appliance audio recognition are provided. One example method performed by an appliance includes identifying one or more visual cues included in imagery captured by a camera of the appliance. The one or more visual cues indicate that a user of the appliance is seeking to provide a voice command to the appliance. The method includes communicating with one or more devices over a network to reduce background noise associated with the one or more devices upon identifying the one or more visual cues. The method includes receiving the voice command from the user. The method includes determining that the user has finished providing the voice command. The method includes communicating with the one or more devices over the network to resume standard operations upon determining that the user has finished providing the voice command.
US09477208B2	Smart watch and control method for the same Discussed are a smart watch and a control method for the same, which provide a notification indicating events, which are scheduled to occur later on the basis of a take-off time, if the smart watch is taken off. The smart watch includes a display unit to display content, a communication unit to perform transmission/reception of data, and a sensor unit to detect an input signal with regard to the smart watch and transmit the signal to a processor that serves to control the aforementioned units. The processor detects a take-off signal, indicating separation of the smart watch from a user, in a worn mode, to switch the smart watch to an unworn mode in response to the detected take-off signal, and provides a notification indicating at least one event that is scheduled to occur after detecting the take-off signal in the unworn mode.
US09477207B2	Annular time-to-digital converter and method thereof An annular time-to-digital converter includes a pulse shaper that shapes an input start pulse and an input stop pulse to form fixed-width pulses for output. The annular time-to-digital converter also includes at least two differential comparing units that enable, during matching enabling, triggers of the differential comparing units to set setting ends to 1. A circle counter counts the number of times a pulse is propagated in a loop. A matching enabling logical device generates a matching enabling signal, and sends the generated matching enabling signal to comparing enabling ports of the differential comparing units. At least two in-loop position encoders find a position of a first matched unit according to matching signals sent by the differential comparing units. Result recording registers record the number of circles and in-loop positions when matching occurs. High resolution is realized using a differential chain, and wafer area is saved by the annular design.
US09477204B2	True perpetual calendar device Calendar mechanism for timepieces, displaying the duration of the current month and comprising a month cam whose periphery is accessible to a feeler-spindle of a perpetual calendar device to obtain the duration of the current month, this calendar mechanism and the month cam being updated monthly on each current month change by the perpetual calendar device, the month cam is generalised to an integer number of years each including a virtual 28-day month of February, the calendar mechanism includes a leap year mechanism, external to the month cam, and which is arranged to insert radially, every four years in February, a first corrector finger between the periphery and the feeler-spindle to inform the latter that the current month of February has 29 days instead of 28.
US09477202B2	Image forming apparatus including coupling member selectively coupled to photosensitive drum An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction. Each coupling member is uncoupled from the corresponding photosensitive drum when the contacting/separating mechanism controls the corresponding photosensitive drum to separate from the endless belt.
US09477198B2	Cleaning device and electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the same A cleaning device configured to remove a developing agent from a photosensitive body, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including the cleaning device, are provided. The cleaning device includes a cleaning blade assembly including a cleaning blade configured to remove the developing agent, and a support plate configured to support the cleaning blade. The cleaning device further includes a housing portion configured to support the cleaning blade assembly. The cleaning device further includes a scattering prevention portion configured to prevent the developing agent from leaking through a gap between an end of the cleaning blade and the housing portion in a lengthwise direction, extend in the lengthwise direction over the end of the cleaning blade, and connect the cleaning blade assembly to the housing portion.
US09477197B1	Support member, image carrier, and image forming apparatus A support member supported in a cylinder included in an image carrier includes a separation-space-defining portion that is arranged at a certain position in a circumferential direction and extends in an axial direction of the cylinder so that the support member has an arc shape; and a groove-defining portion that extends in the axial direction. An outer diameter of the support member in a central region in the axial direction is smaller than an outer diameter of the support member at both ends in the axial direction. In a state in which the support member is supported in the cylinder, the groove-defining portion is elastically deformed such that elastic restoring force generated in the central region is greater than elastic restoring force generated at the ends.
US09477196B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus is provided, including an apparatus body; an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet member; and a sheet ejection container including a sheet ejection tray on which the sheet member ejected from the apparatus body is stacked. In the image forming apparatus, at least one side of the apparatus body is open and the sheet ejection container is disposed inside the apparatus body at the open side. The sheet ejection tray is configured to be movable between a first position in the sheet ejection container where the sheet member is ejected to the sheet member tray and a second position nearer to the open side than the first position.
US09477192B1	Image forming apparatus with sound generating unit An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body having an inner sheet-output space provided between an image forming unit and an image reading unit provided above the image forming unit, the inner sheet-output space being open on an operator side of the apparatus body; and a sound generating unit provided on the operator side of the apparatus body and facing toward the inner sheet-output space.
US09477191B2	Fixing device with back-up member and nip forming member including a projecting portion projecting toward the back-up member A fixing device includes: a cylindrical film; a nip forming member; and a back-up member for forming a nip. The nip forming member includes a projected portion. The projection amount of the projected portion is smaller in an end portion region positioned at an end portion of the projected portion with respect to a generatrix direction of the film than in a central region positioned at a central portion of the projected portion with respect to the generatrix direction, at least a part of the end portion region being inside a feeding region of a maximum-sized recording material usable in the fixing device. With respect to the recording material feeding direction, the width of the part of the projected portion inside the nip is broader in the end portion region than in the central region.
US09477190B2	Fuser member The present teachings provide a fuser member. The fuser member includes a substrate layer. The substrate layer substrate layer includes a polyimide having dispersed therein a plurality of poly(p-phenylene benzobisthiazole) fibers. An intermediate layer is disposed on the substrate layer. A release layer is disposed on the intermediate layer.
US09477188B2	Fixing device A fixing device includes a film, a heater contacting the film which has a substrate, a first heat generating segment on a first surface of the substrate, and a second heat generating segment on a second surface opposite to the first surface, a pressure member forming the nip portion, a temperature detection unit detecting a temperature of the second surface, and a control unit supplying power to the heater so that the detected temperature becomes a target temperature, wherein the control unit can perform a first heater control so as to supply power only to the first heat generating segment, and a first heater control so as to supply power only to the second heat generating segment, and wherein the target temperature during performing the second heater control is higher than the target temperature during performing the first heater control.
US09477183B2	Image forming apparatus and image forming system An image forming apparatus includes a transport module that is capable of being pulled out from an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus and in which a transport path along which a recording material, to which a toner image has been transferred, is to be transported is formed and a fixing unit that is provided in the transport module and that includes a fixing member, which fixes the toner image onto the recording material, and a pressure member, which forms a pressing part to which the recording material is to be transported between the fixing member and the pressure member. When the recording material whose length in a transport direction is longer than that of the transport module is present in the transport path, the transport module is pulled out from the apparatus body while the recording material is being nipped by the fixing member and the pressure member.
US09477180B2	Developing device including housing having first frame that supports agitation member and second frame jointed to first frame and configured to accommodate developer A developing device includes: an agitation member including an agitation film; and a housing including a first frame and a second frame jointed to the first frame. The second frame includes: a first contact part configured to contact the agitation film, and a second contact part configured to contact the agitation film, arranged at a downstream side of the first contact part, the second contact part protruding towards the first frame. A first distance from the rotational axis line to the first contact part, as seen from a direction of the rotational axis line, is gradually increased towards a downstream side with respect to the rotating direction. A second distance from the rotational axis line to the second contact part is equal to or greater than a maximum distance from the rotational axis line to the first contact part.
US09477179B2	Image forming apparatus Provided is an image forming apparatus including: a holding member holding a toner container with a discharge port, and a shutter opening/closing the discharge port and having a communicating port communicable with the discharge port; a connecting member forming a toner conveying path, and connecting to/retracting from the shutter in conjunction with an operation of mounting/removing the toner container; a first locking portion movable between a first position to locate the shutter in a non-communicating position and a second position to lock the shutter in a communicating position when the toner container is mounted; and a second locking portion locatable in a position to connect the connecting member to the shutter, and in a position to lock the connecting member in a position where the connecting member is separated away from the shutter when the toner container is mounted.
US09477177B2	Toner cartridge having a shutter lock mechanism A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a body having a reservoir for storing toner. The body has an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for exiting toner from the reservoir. A shutter positioned at the outlet port is slidable between a closed position blocking the outlet port and an open position unblocking the outlet port. A lock is sandwiched between a portion of the shutter that faces the outlet port and a portion of the body that the shutter slides along. The lock is movable between a locked position blocking the shutter from moving from the closed position to the open position and an unlocked position permitting the shutter to move from the closed position to the open position.
US09477170B2	Lens mirror array, optical unit and image forming apparatus An example is a lens mirror array in which many optical elements, each of which comprises a first lens surface that is formed at the top of convex portion protruding outwards and converges light, a protrusion that includes a first mirror surface which reflects the light emitted from the first lens surface at the top and a light-shielding surface that has side walls at two sides thereof with respect to a light advancing direction and prevents advance of the light through the side walls, a second mirror surface that reflects the light reflected by the first mirror surface of the protrusion and a second lens surface that images the light emitted from the second mirror surface on an image plane, is arranged in a horizontal scanning direction; by comparing both ends in the horizontal scanning direction with the center in the horizontal scanning direction.
US09477169B1	Elastic member, process cartridge, and image-forming apparatus An elastic member includes a support and an elastic layer on the support. The elastic layer contains a rubber material and a softener having a number average molecular weight Mn of about 600 to about 1,000 and a ratio (Mw/Mn) of weight average molecular weight Mw to number average molecular weight Mn of about 2.5 or less.
US09477167B2	Electrostatic charge image developing white toner, electrostatic charge image developer, and toner cartridge An electrostatic charge image developing white toner includes toner particles that contain a binder resin, a titanium dioxide as a pigment and at least one selected from a group consisting of niobium and phosphorous, wherein an amount of the niobium is 0.005% by weight to 0.05% by weight or an amount of the phosphorous is 0.003% by weight to 0.05% by weight.
US09477166B2	Electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, and toner cartridge An electrostatic charge image developing toner, includes toner particles containing a binder resin including a polyester resin, a release agent including a hydrocarbon wax, and a styrene (meth)acrylic resin, wherein 70% or more of the release agent is present within 800 nm from a surface of the toner particles, the styrene (meth)acrylic resin in the toner particles forms a domain having an average diameter from 0.3 μm to 0.8 μm, and a number ratio of the domain being in a range of ±0.1 μm of the average diameter is 65% or more.
US09477162B2	Substrate processing method A substrate processing apparatus comprises an indexer block, an anti-reflection film processing block, a resist film processing block, a development processing block, a resist cover film processing block, a resist cover film removal block, a cleaning/drying processing block, and an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the interface block in the substrate processing apparatus. The exposure device subjects a substrate to exposure processing by means of an immersion method. In the edge cleaning unit in the cleaning/drying processing block, a brush abuts against an end of the rotating substrate, so that the edge of the substrate before the exposure processing is cleaned. At this time, the position where the substrate is cleaned is corrected.
US09477160B2	Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method In a lithographic apparatus, a localized area of the substrate surface under a projection system is immersed in liquid. The height of a liquid supply system above the surface of the substrate can be varied using actuators. A control system uses feedforward or feedback control with input of the surface height of the substrate to maintain the liquid supply system at a predetermined height above the surface of the substrate.
US09477157B2	Illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a light source to produce projection light beam, and a first and a second diffractive optical element between the light source and a pupil plane of the illumination system. The diffractive effect produced by each diffractive optical element depends on the position of a light field that is irradiated by the projection light on the diffractive optical elements. A displacement mechanism changes the mutual spatial arrangement of the diffractive optical elements. In at least one of the mutual spatial arrangements, which can be obtained with the help of the displacement mechanism, the light field extends both over the first and the second diffractive optical element. This makes it possible to produce in a simple manner continuously variable illumination settings.
US09477155B2	Exposure method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method Within area where of four heads installed on a wafer stage, heads included in the first head group and the second head group to which three heads each belong that include one head different from each other face the corresponding areas on a scale plate, the wafer stage is driven based on positional information which is obtained using the first head group, as well as obtain the displacement (displacement of position, rotation, and scaling) between the first and second reference coordinate systems corresponding to the first and second head groups using the positional information obtained using the first and second head groups. By using the results and correcting measurement results obtained using the second head group, the displacement between the first and second reference coordinate systems is calibrated, which allows the measurement errors that come with the displacement between areas on scale plates where each of the four heads face.
US09477153B2	Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method An immersion lithographic apparatus is provided with a liquid confinement structure which defines at least in part a space configured to contain liquid between the projection system and the substrate. In order to reduce the crossing of the edge of the substrate which is being imaged (which can lead to inclusion of bubbles in the immersion liquid), the cross-sectional area of the space in a plane parallel to the substrate is made as small as possible. The smallest theoretical size is the size of the target portion which is imaged by the projection system. In an embodiment, the shape of a final element of the projection system is also changed to have a similar size and/or shape in a cross-section parallel to the substrate to that of the target portion.
US09477152B2	Printing form precursor having indicia and a method for preparing a printing form from the precursor The present invention relates to a photosensitive printing form precursor and a method for forming a printing form from the precursor. The precursor includes a support and a layer of a photosensitive composition adjacent the support, in which at least one indicia is disposed between the support and the photosensitive layer. The indicia identifies the precursor, is retained throughout a multi-step process to convert the precursor into a printing form and in the end-use of the printing form.
US09477150B2	Sulfonic acid derivative compounds as photoacid generators in resist applications Novel photoacid generator compounds are provided. Photoresist compositions that include the novel photoacid generator compounds are also provided. The invention further provides methods of making and using the photoacid generator compounds and photoresist compositions disclosed herein. The compounds and compositions are useful as photoactive components in chemically amplified resist compositions for various microfabrication applications.
US09477147B2	Spring assemblies with variable flexilibility for use with push-cables and pipe inspection systems Push-cables and associated apparatus and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a push-cable assembly for use with a pipe inspection system may include a push-cable element having a proximal end and a distal end, with a spring assembly having varying flexibility coupled to or near the distal end. The spring assembly may include an outer coiled spring having a proximal and a distal end, and an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring. A camera head and/or other elements such as a cutting or jetting apparatus may be coupled at or near the distal end.
US09477142B1	Modular photography backdrop system A modular backdrop system and related methods of assembly and use for photography are described herein. The system includes a modular wall formed from a fixed frame and a plurality of removably attachable modules where: at least one module has a first height H1 and a first width W1, at least one module has a second height H2, different from the first height H1, and a second width W2 approximately equal to the first width W1, at least one module has a third height H3 approximately equal to the sum of H1 plus H2 and a third width W3 different from the second width H2, and at least one module has the first height H1 and the third width W3.
US09477139B2	Auto-focus camera module with MEMS capacitance estimator A MEMS actuator for a compact auto-focus camera module is configured to measure physical values and to estimated values each indicative of position or motion or both of a MEMS component. A smart logic component determines a set of MEMS driver control values based on analyzing the measured physical values and substituting estimated values to more accurately position the MEMS component. A MEMS driver component receives the set of MEMS driver control values and controls the position or motion, or both, of the MEMS component based on the MEMS driver control values.
US09477137B2	Blade drive device and optical apparatus To provide a blade drive device capable of suppressing operation failures due to the leakage flux. The blade drive device 1 attached to a camera module including a lens and a lens drive device 60 having plural permanent magnets 61 arranged with gaps around an optical axis P of the lens in an annular manner so as to overlap the camera module in an axial direction of the optical axis P, which includes a lower plate 2 having an opening 4 formed around the optical axis P, blades 20 regulating the opening 4 and respective actuators 10A, 10B arranged in the lower plate 2 and driving the blades 20. Each of respective actuators 10A, 10B is arranged in a position corresponding to a gap between a pair of adjacent permanent magnets 61 seen from the axial direction.
US09477130B2	Electrocontrollable device An electrically controllable device includes two supported electrodes, each coated with a conductive coating, the two electrodes positioned with respect to one another so that the conductive coatings are facing each other. An electroactive system, sandwiched between, and in contact with, the two electrodes, has an area smaller than that of each of the electrodes to define a peripheral groove over the entire perimeter of the electroactive system. A peripheral seal fills the groove over the entire perimeter of the electroactive system and is entirely in contact with the two electrodes. The contact area between the seal and the first electrode and the contact area between the seal and the second electrode each include a conductive part and a non-conductive part. No conductive part of the contact area between the seal and the first electrode is opposite a conductive part of the contact area between the seal and the second electrode.
US09477129B2	Fabrication of low defectivity electrochromic devices Prior electrochromic devices frequently suffer from high levels of defectivity. The defects may be manifest as pin holes or spots where the electrochromic transition is impaired. This is unacceptable for many applications such as electrochromic architectural glass. Improved electrochromic devices with low defectivity can be fabricated by depositing certain layered components of the electrochromic device in a single integrated deposition system. While these layers are being deposited and/or treated on a substrate, for example a glass window, the substrate never leaves a controlled ambient environment, for example a low pressure controlled atmosphere having very low levels of particles. These layers may be deposited using physical vapor deposition.
US09477123B2	Liquid crystal display device and production method thereof This disclosure aims to reduce workloads and material costs when a driving circuit and a flexible wiring board are fixed to a first substrate. A display device includes a display panel having the first substrate. The driving circuit is fixed to the first substrate in a portion other than a display portion with an anisotropic conductive film. The flexible wiring board is fixed to the first substrate at an end of the portion other than the display portion with an anisotropic conductive film. The anisotropic conductive film for fixing the driving circuit and the anisotropic film for fixing the flexible wiring board are the same. The anisotropic conductive film is also formed and hardened in a region other than a region having the driving circuit and the flexible wiring board fixed therein within the portion other than the display portion of the first substrate.
US09477117B2	Optical lens module and backlight unit A backlight unit which provides light to a liquid crystal display panel of a liquid crystal display. The backlight unit includes an optical lens module including an optical lens disposed above a point light source and configured to refract light output from the point light source, and a reflective polarization layer disposed directly on the optical lens and configured to separate polarization components of the light to transmit one polarization component and reflect another polarization component.
US09477116B2	Light emitting device, surface light source device and display apparatus A light emitting device comprises a light emitting element and a light flux controlling member configured to control the distribution of light emitted from the light emitting element. The light flux controlling member comprises an incidence surface including an outer incidence surface including an inclining surface formed such that the distance from the light emitting element increases as the distance from the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitting element increases and an inner incidence surface, a reflection surface disposed on a side of the light flux controlling member opposite to the incidence surface, and a emission surface disposed to surround the optical axis. Light emitted from the light emitting surface center of the light emitting element does not reach the inclining surface.
US09477114B2	Direct type backlight module and liquid crystal display device having same A direct type backlight module includes an optical film unit and a light emitting unit. The light emitting unit includes a laser sources, transreflective components, reflective components, and phosphors. Each laser source corresponds to a number of the transreflective components and one of the reflective components arranged at an optical path of a laser beam emitted from the laser source in sequence. The transreflective component transmits part of the irradiated laser beam and reflects the other part of the laser beam. The reflective component reflects the irradiated laser beam. The phosphors correspond to the transreflective components and the reflective components one-to-one and emit out white light when irradiated by the laser beam reflected by the transreflective components and the reflective components. The white light transmits through the optical film unit.
US09477112B2	Display device and joint display The present invention relates to a display device and a joint display. The display device includes a display panel and a cover lens. The display panel includes a main display region and an edge display region. The cover lens includes a transmission portion located on the main display region and compensation portion located on the edge display region. The compensation portion is configured to distribute the image of the edge display region to the outside of the edge display region away from the main display region. The compensation portion includes a light incident surface, a light emitting surface, and a light guiding channel. The light guiding channel extends from the light incident surface to the light emitting surface, and an area of the light emitting surface is greater than an area of the light incident surface.
US09477111B2	Display device and touch sensing method thereof Discussed is a display device. The display device includes a display panel including a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, a timing controller temporally dividing one frame period and driving the display panel such that a display mode for displaying an image in the display panel and a touch mode for sensing the user touch are alternately driven, a gate driver, and a data driver. Some of the gate lines and some of the data lines overlap each of a plurality of touch electrodes that are units for sensing a user touch. The gate driver simultaneously turns on a plurality of switching elements respectively connected to the gate lines overlapping each touch electrode in the touch mode. The data driver outputting display data having the same level to the respective data lines overlapping each touch electrode when the switching elements are turned on.
US09477108B2	Display device including touch panel and method of fabricating the same A display device includes: a cover glass; a first adhesive layer under the cover glass; a touch film attached to the cover glass by the first adhesive layer; a passivation layer in an edge portion of a lower surface of the touch film; a second adhesive layer under the touch film; and a display panel attached to the touch film by the second adhesive layer, the passivation layer exposed outside the display panel.
US09477107B2	Liquid crystal display device A liquid crystal display device includes: a chassis in which a liquid crystal panel and a reflection sheet are placed; a rear case attached to a back face of the chassis where a part of the reflection sheet is exposed; and a signal processing substrate that is placed on the reflection sheet and that is used for driving the liquid crystal panel. A positioning mount component is mounted on the signal processing substrate, a positioning pin capable of locking the positioning mount component is formed at a position corresponding to the positioning mount component in the rear case, and the positioning mount component is fitted to the corresponding positioning pin to thereby position the signal processing substrate at a desired position on the reflection sheet.
US09477103B2	Liquid crystal display panel A liquid crystal display panel includes a TFT array substrate, a color filter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer encapsulated between the TFT array substrate and the color filter substrate. The TFT array substrate, the color filter substrate and the liquid crystal layer collectively form a display area, and a margin area surrounding the display area, where the display area includes sub-pixel units surrounded by data lines and scanning lines. Either of the TFT array substrate and the color filter substrate includes heating metal members, and a pair of connection electrodes electrically connected to the plurality of heating metal members, where the heating metal members are formed on an inner side of the TFT array substrate and/or the color filter substrate and are located in the display area, and where the pair of connection electrodes are configured to provide a voltage to the heating metal members.

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