| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09549495B2 |
Component mounting system
A component mounting system includes: a component mounter that moves a mounting head and allows a suction nozzle mounted in the mounting head to suck a component supplied by a parts feeder to mount the component on a substrate; a head maintenance device that executes maintenance of the mounting head; an inspection section that inspects a state of the mounting head undergone the maintenance; a use suitability determination section that determines whether or not use of the mounting head undergone the maintenance is suitable based on a result of the inspection; and a registration section that registers the mounting head determined to be not suitable for use. |
| US09549493B2 |
Passive feeder cartridge driven by pickup head
A pick-and-place machine and method includes use of a passive component feeder cartridge including a feeder gear. Rotation of the feeder gear causes a component-bearing tape to be fed through the feeder cartridge. A pickup head includes a vacuum nozzle to pick up the components from the tape and a rack gear to engage and drive the feeder gear of the feeder cartridge via translational motion of the pickup head when operatively disposed with respect to a selected feeder cartridge. |
| US09549492B2 |
Correction mechanism for pin and correction device
A correction mechanism includes a mounting board, a first correction assembly, and a second correction assembly. The first correction assembly includes a plurality of first limiting members and a plurality of first correction members alternating arranged with the plurality of first limiting members. The first limiting members are securely fixedly mounted on the mounting board. The first correction members are movably mounted on the mounting board and capable of moving toward the plurality of first limiting members along a first direction. The second correction assembly has a structure similar to the first correction assembly. The plurality of second limiting members and the plurality of second correction members are substantially perpendicular to and above the plurality of first limiting members and the plurality of first correction members |
| US09549486B2 |
Raised bodied vapor chamber structure
A raised bodied vapor chamber structure is disclosed and includes a main body and a working fluid. The main body has a condensation section and an evaporation section and a chamber. The condensation section and the evaporation section are respectively disposed on two sides of the chamber. The evaporation section has a first face and a second face. A raised section is formed on the first face. The working fluid is filled in the chamber. The raised section is formed by means of mechanical processing as a support structure for enhancing the structural strength of the vapor chamber structure. The vapor chamber structure is manufactured at a much lower cost. |
| US09549485B2 |
Frame, and electronic apparatus
A frame includes a base frame that is formed of a framework formed in a substantially rectangular shape by square pipes and is provided with plural cutout portions on the lower surface sides of the square pipes that are long sides of the framework, a bracket that includes a plate section on which a caster is mounted, and in which a portion of the plate section is fitted into the cutout portion, and the caster that is mounted on the plate section and located further to the inside than an outer periphery of the framework when the base frame is viewed from the upper surface side. |
| US09549484B2 |
Communications bladed panel systems
A fiber panel system includes a chassis including a backplane; and at least a first blade configured to mount to the chassis. The first blade is moveable relative to the chassis between a refracted (closed) position and at least one extended position. The first blade includes a coupler arrangement for connecting together media segments. The first blade remains electrically connected to the backplane of the chassis when moving between the retracted and extended positions. |
| US09549478B2 |
Mounting bracket for a marine display
Various implementations described herein are directed to a device configured for mounting a marine display to a vessel. The device may include a bracket having a housing with a compartment for receiving a power source. The device may include an electrical circuit configured to connect the power source to the multi-function display. |
| US09549477B2 |
Housing for electronic components
The invention relates to a housing for electronic components with the housing comprising at least a front housing part and a rear housing part. The front housing part and the rear housing part are arranged to be sealed by means of a sealing gasket upon attaching the front housing part to the rear housing part. The housing comprises at least one ventilation opening to prevent build-up of negative pressure inside the housing, where the ventilation opening is covered by a protective covering comprising a through opening. The through opening is arranged to allow water to flow through the through opening, thereby preventing a build up of pressure inside the protective covering. A method for manufacturing a housing according to the invention is also disclosed. |
| US09549474B2 |
Cover removal fixture
A method and apparatus for disassembling a set top box is disclosed. The method includes providing the set top box including: a top cover, a base, and cover retention clips, wherein the cover retention clips are V or U shaped for securing the top cover to the base, providing a release fixture including a retention clip release finger, inserting the release fixture into the set top box, disengaging the cover retention clips using the retention clip release finger, and removing the top cover from the base. |
| US09549472B2 |
Printed circuit board, semiconductor device connection structure, and method of manufacturing a printed circuit board
First electrode pads formed on one semiconductor package surface include a first reinforcing electrode pad having a surface area larger than that of other first electrode pads. Second electrode pads formed on a printed wiring board on which the semiconductor package is mounted include at least one second reinforcing electrode pad. The second reinforcing electrode pad opposes the first reinforcing electrode pad, and has a surface area greater than that of the other second electrode pads. The first and second electrode pads are connected by solder connection parts. A cylindrical enclosing member encloses an outer perimeter of a solder connection part connecting the first and second reinforcing electrode pads. Increases in the amount of warping of semiconductor devices such as the package substrate and the printed wiring board are suppressed, and the development of solder bridges with respect to adjacent solder connecting parts or adjacent components is reduced. |
| US09549469B2 |
Printed circuit board edge connector
A printed circuit board assembly and method of assembly is provided for a printed circuit board having a top and bottom surface with at least one edge portion having a rounded surface extending from the top surface to a point below the top surface and at least one electrical contact pad located on the top surface and extending over the edge portion rounded surface to a point below the top surface. |
| US09549463B1 |
Rigid to flexible PC transition
A circuit board comprises one or more rigid sections, one or more flexible sections, and one or more transition areas where the circuit board transitions from the rigid section to the flexible section. One or more mechanically restrictive components are applied at a transition area to prevent failure and/or breakage of the circuit as it is bent and flexed. The mechanically restrictive components can be dispersed throughout the circuit as a coverlay, an underlay, and symmetrically positioned within the circuit board as an overlay and an underlay. |
| US09549462B2 |
Conductive film substrate, transparent conductive film, and method for producing transparent conductive film
Provided is a transparent conductive film including a transparent electrode layer composed of a patterned thin metal wire on at least one surface of a transparent film substrate. The line width of the wire is 5 μm or less. The wire includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer that is in contact with the first metal layer, in this order from a transparent film substrate side. Both of the first and second metal layers contain copper in an amount of 90% by weight or more. The total film thickness of the first and second metal layers is 150 to 1000 nm. The diffraction angle 2θ of the (111) plane of the second metal layer is less than 43.400° as measured using a CuKα ray as an X-ray source, and the first metal layer has crystal properties different from those of the second metal layer. |
| US09549459B2 |
Multilayer printed circuit board
A multilayer PCB comprises vias for power-supply connected to power-supply wiring, vias for ground connected to ground wiring, ball pads for power-supply connected to balls for power-supply connected to power-supply wiring, and ball pads for ground connected to balls for ground connected to ground wiring. The vias for power-supply and the vias for ground are alternately arranged in a first direction. The vias for power-supply and the vias for ground are not alternately arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The ball pads for power-supply and the ball pads for ground are alternately arranged in at least one of the first and second directions. Areas where the ball pads for power-supply and the ball pads for ground are provided are arranged on both sides in the second direction of an area where the vias for power-supply and the vias for ground are provided. |
| US09549458B2 |
Radiant heat circuit board, heat generating device package having the same, and backlight unit
Provided is a radiant heat circuit board for mounting a plurality of heat generating devices. The radiant heat circuit board includes a metal plate including an integrated metal projection to which the plurality of heat generating devices are attached, an insulation layer exposing the integrated metal projection, the insulation layer being disposed on the metal plate, and a plurality of electrode pads disposed on the insulation layer, the plurality of electrode pads applying a voltage into each of the heat generating devices. Thus, a radiant projection may be disposed between the heat generating devices to improve heat radiation. |
| US09549456B2 |
Solid state heating source and plasma actuators including extreme materials
Solid state flow control devices, solid state heating sources, and plasma actuators are provided. A plasma actuator can include at least one powered electrode separated from at least one grounded electrode by a dielectric material. The dielectric material can be a ferroelectric material or a silica aerogel. Solid state flow control devices and solid state heating sources can include at least one such plasma actuator. |
| US09549454B2 |
Portable lighting devices
A flashlight stores a user selection of a desired mode of operation in a temporary storage medium so that it can be retrieved by a controller when an electrical circuit is interrupted for less than a preselected period of time. |
| US09549452B2 |
Illumination device and fixture
Technologies are described herein for an illumination device and a corresponding fixture device. The illumination device includes a luminary module for the emission of light and an identification circuit containing identifying data, while the fixture device includes a driver module for supplying power to the illumination device and a controller module. When the illumination device is connected to the fixture device, the controller module communicates with the identification circuit of the illumination device to retrieve the identifying data and causes the driver module to supply the appropriate power to the luminary module of the illumination device. |
| US09549451B2 |
Method for operating a lighting grid and lighting unit for use in a lighting grid
A method of operating a lighting grid having lighting units the method including receiving an input signal from a sensor or a user interface by a first lighting unit, determining a control signal for controlling an LED driver and/or LED assembly of the first lighting unit based on the input signal, transmitting an output signal to a second lighting unit, the output signal being based on the input signal and enabling an identification of the first lighting unit, the sensor or the user interface, receiving the transmitted output signal from the first lighting unit by the second lighting unit, establishing an identification, based upon the received output signal, of the first lighting unit, the sensor or the user interface, and determining a further control signal for controlling an LED driver and/or LED assembly of the second lighting unit based on the output signal and the identification. |
| US09549448B2 |
Wall controller controlling CCT
A wall controller that is used for controlling CCT is disclosed. A user input interface allows a user to provide a CCT parameter by pressing a button, entering a value, or the like. The user output interface can provide the user with an indication of a CCT level, which may represent an actual or current CCT level, a maximum or minimum CCT level setting, or the like for an associated lighting fixture. The communication interface facilitates communications with the associated lighting fixture. The control circuitry is configured to receive user input via the user interface; send a signal based on the user input toward the lighting fixture via the communication interface; and control the user output interface to provide the indication of the CCT level. The signal based on the user input may be indicative of an increase or decrease in CCT level, a specific CCT level, or the like. |
| US09549447B2 |
LED lighting circuit
The invention describes a lighting circuit (1) comprising a primary set (11, 13) of light-emitting diodes (110, 130) of a first color and a secondary set (12) of light-emitting diodes (120) of a further color; wherein a temperature-dependent reduction in light output of the primary set (11, 13) of light-emitting diodes (110, 130) is greater than a temperature-dependent reduction in light output of the secondary set (12) of light-emitting diodes (120); and a flux ratio fixing arrangement realized to maintain an essentially constant ratio between the light output of the primary set (11, 13) and the light output of the secondary set (12) during a temperature-dependent overall reduction in light output of the light-emitting diodes (110, 120, 130) of the lighting circuit (1). The invention also describes a lighting arrangement (4, 4′) for illuminating objects (40, 41) with light of a predefined color point, which lighting arrangement (4, 4′) comprises at least one such lighting circuit (1), wherein the light-emitting diode sets (11, 12, 13) of a lighting circuit (1) are chosen to emit, in combination, light of the predefined color point at an initial temperature, and wherein the flux ratio fixing arrangement of the lighting circuit (1) is realized to maintain that color point at a temperature higher that the initial temperature. |
| US09549446B2 |
Intelligent lighting apparatus
An intelligent lighting apparatus includes a control unit on a base, a first color LED and a second color LED coupled with the control unit, a wireless transmission module coupled to the control unit, and a control APP disposed in a portable device. |
| US09549443B2 |
Detection of linear and PWM dimming in a solid state lighting device
A lighting device employs an array of LEDs as a lighting source. The array of LEDs may be coupled in series between a power supply node and ground. In order to determine whether the input drive signal to the array of LEDs is a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal or a linear signal, the voltage across the string of LEDs is sampled and stored in a cyclical buffer. The variance of the samples stored in the cyclical buffer is then calculated and used to determine whether the input signal provided to the string of LEDs at the power supply node is a PWM signal or a linear signal. In one embodiment, the variance is compared to a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the input signal is a PWM signal or a linear signal. |
| US09549442B1 |
Light emitting device (LED) driving apparatus and lighting device including the same
A light emitting diode (LED) driving apparatus includes a power supply circuit configured to supply driving power to a plurality of LED arrays, a controller integrated circuit (IC) including a plurality of internal switches respectively connected to the plurality of LED arrays and configured to control a path of current flowing in the plurality of LED arrays by adjusting operations of the plurality of internal switches based on a magnitude of the driving power, and a current control circuit connected to an output terminal of a first LED array among the plurality of LED arrays and configured to adjust current flowing in the first LED array. The first LED array is constantly operated while the driving power is being supplied. |
| US09549438B2 |
Microwave oven with at least one wave choke system
The present invention relates to a microwave oven with at least one wave choke system. A front frame (12) encloses a front portion of a cavity wall (24) of an oven cavity (10) along a circumferential direction. An oven door (14) is provided to cover front sides of the oven cavity (10) and front sides of the cavity wall (24) completely and the front frame (12) at least partially in a closed state of said oven door (14). A first gap (16) is formed between the inner side of the oven door (14) on the one hand and front sides both of the front frame (12) and the cavity wall (24) on the other hand. A second gap (18) is formed between the front portions of the front frame (12) and the cavity wall (24). The cross-section of the second gap (18) extends perpendicularly to the cross-section of the first gap (16). A wave choke system is arranged within the second gap (18). The wave choke system comprises a plurality of choke members (26) and a counter part (28). There is no direct electric contact between the choke members (26) on the one hand and the counter part (28) on the other hand. Further, the present invention relates to a corresponding wave choke system for a microwave oven. |
| US09549432B2 |
Method and user equipment apparatus for radio resource management in a mobile communication system
A method and apparatus are provided for transmitting uplink control information. A UE identifies a resource allocated for transmission of the uplink control information. The UE monitors a downlink transmission channel during an active time when a DRX is configured. The UE starts or restarts a timer when a downlink transmission occurs during the active time. The UE transmits the uplink control information via the identified resource when the timer is running. |
| US09549429B1 |
Wireless network interconnection
A method of connecting a first computing device and a wireless access point over a first wireless network using a second computing device, where the first and second computing devices are both enabled to communicate over the first wireless network and are both enabled to communicate over a second, different wireless network, and where there are first wireless network connection credentials for the wireless access point. The method includes establishing a wireless connection between the first and second computing devices over the second wireless network, sending the first wireless network connection credentials for the wireless access point from the second computing device to the first computing device over the second wireless network, and then establishing a connection between the first computing device and the wireless access point on the first network using the first wireless network connection credentials for the wireless access point. |
| US09549428B2 |
Method and system for communication between devices in proximity, network side device and user equipment
A method and a system for communication between devices in proximity, a network side device and a User Equipment (UE) are disclosed. The method includes that: a network side device determines whether UEs meet a direct Device to Device (D2D) communication condition; when the network side device determines that the UEs meet the direct D2D communication condition, the network side device informs the UEs of the result of the determination, and configures resources for direct D2D communication for the UEs according to requirements of the UEs; and when the network side device determines that the UEs do not meet the direct D2D communication condition, the network side device configures resources for architecture communication for the UEs according to the requirements of the UEs. The disclosure can implement D2D communication between devices in proximity, reduce network load and relieve the dependence of the D2D communication on a network. |
| US09549427B2 |
Transmission of device to device sounding reference signals using macrocell communication resources
A first wireless communication user equipment (UE) device transmits a device-to device (D2D) Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) to a second wireless communication (UE) device using microcell communication resources. The second wireless communication (UE) device evaluates the SRS to discover the first wireless communication (UE) device, estimate channel conditions, and/or determine Channel State Information. Information indicative of the CSI is reported to a base station. Based on the reported channel conditions, (D2D) communication resources are scheduled by assigning microcell communication resources to the wireless communication (UE) devices. |
| US09549421B2 |
Network coverage hole detection
A technology for a user equipment (UE) that is operable to connect to a third generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE) cell in a cellular network. Logged minimization of drive test (MDT) measurements can be recorded at the UE at a selected rate when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode in a first LTE cell in a cellular network. A change in a UE state of the RRC idle mode can be identified. The Logged MDT measurements can stop being recorded at the UE when the UE state changes from a camped normally UE state to another UE state of the RRC idle mode. The Logged MDT measurements can resume being recorded when the UE state changes to the camped normally UE state of the RRC idle mode. |
| US09549417B2 |
Simplified PRACH procedure using speculative random access response
The present invention relates to method and arrangement in cellular mobile communication systems, in particular for handling of a physical random access channel for example in a Long Term Evolution communication network. By sending to at least one user equipment, UE, in a communication network cell an un-solicited speculative random access response, RAR, message comprising information relating to at least one of pre-amble identifier, allocated UE identifier, and uplink resource allocation data for L2/L3 message, it is possible to reduce the complexity of the access node, e.g. an eNodeB. |
| US09549413B2 |
Control apparatus, communication apparatus, communication method and program
A communication apparatus selects, among a plurality of control information, the control information matching a packet received and which is highest in a priority level. The communication apparatus processes a packet received based on the selected control information. The control apparatus includes a control information generation unit that generates a plurality of control information having match conditions overlapping at least partially one with another, a ranking in a priority level different one from another and processing contents different one from another, and a control unit that sets the plurality of control information in the communication apparatus. The communication apparatus performs the processing of modifying the control information, among the plurality of control information, which is highest in a priority level, based on a modifying condition previously set on the control information basis. Communication policies may be changed over by modifying the priority level. |
| US09549412B2 |
Scheduling method and task processing method
A scheduling method is executed by a first apparatus among a plurality of apparatuses. The scheduling method includes assigning a process to at least one apparatus among the apparatuses based on a first table that includes each communication strength of the apparatuses; receiving an execution result of the process and a communication strength from the at least one apparatus; and creating the first table based on the received communication strength. |
| US09549401B2 |
Mobile communication method and mobile station
A mobile communication method includes the steps of transmitting a first control signal including an identifier different from a C-RNTI to the mobile station UE#A through a PDCCH by a radio base station PhNB#10 managing a cell #10 formed by linking multiple small cells, transmitting a second control signal including an identifier to the mobile station UE through a PDCCH by a radio base station eNB#1 managing a cell #1 having a coverage area overlapping with a coverage area of the cell #10, and regarding the first control signal as valid by the mobile station UE#A, when it determines that the identifier included in the first control signal and the identifier included in the second control signal match each other. |
| US09549396B2 |
Method and device for transmitting/receiving uplink control information in wireless communication system
A method and user equipment (UE) for transmitting Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) information in a wireless communication system. The UE determines a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) format and a PUCCH resource through which ACK/NACK information for downlink transmission in a downlink subframe set including M (M>1) downlink subframes is to be transmitted. The UE transmits the ACK/NACK information using the PUCCH format and the PUCCH resource in one uplink subframe. More than one serving cell is configured for the UE and the more than one serving cell includes one Primary Cell (PCell) and at least one Secondary Cell (SCell). The ACK/NACK information is transmitted using a PUCCH format 1b, when the ACK/NACK information corresponds to one Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) without a corresponding Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) received only on the PCell in the downlink subframe set. |
| US09549389B2 |
Methods and arrangements for paging a communication device
A method for forwarding a page message to a communication device includes receiving a page message and a list of Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) Identities in conjunction therewith. Each of the CSG Identities is indicative of which radio base stations among said plurality of radio base stations the communication device is allowed to access. The method also includes selecting, based on the list of CSG Identities received in conjunction with the received page message, a subset of radio base stations among said plurality of radio base stations and forwarding the page message to each radio base station in the selected subset of radio base stations, whereby the communication device is paged only via radio base stations that the communication device is allowed to access. |
| US09549383B2 |
Clock synchronization system and method for base station
The present application discloses a system and a method for clock synchronization of base stations. In the system for clock synchronization of base stations, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver on a main control board of a base station is connected to a GPS antenna feeder; the GPS receiver connected to the GPS antenna feeder is connected to a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) on the present main control board and a PLL on other main control board; the main control boards are connected through a judgment line. |
| US09549382B2 |
Almost blank subframe in carrier aggregation
A base station transmits a message to a plurality of wireless devices in connected mode. The message comprises a subframe allocation bitmap indicating a plurality of subframes. The plurality of subframes comprises a plurality of almost blank subframes. During majority of symbols of an almost blank subframe of a base station, signals are transmitted at an almost blank subframe power level that is different from a transmit power during a non-almost blank subframe. |
| US09549379B2 |
Terminal device for controlling uplink signal transmission power, and method therefor
Disclosed are a terminal device for controlling uplink signal transmission power, and a method therefore. The present invention relates to a method and terminal device for controlling uplink transmission power, wherein the method, in which a terminal that communicates with cells of each timing alignment (TA) group controls uplink transmission power in the event a plurality of TA groups including one or more cells exists in a wireless communication system, comprises: a step of determining the uplink transmission power for at least one channel in the event at least two channels from among a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) including a plurality of pieces of uplink control information (UCI), a PUSCH including no UCI, a physical random access channel (PRACH), and a sounding reference signal (SRS) are simultaneously transmitted in the same subframe in each specific cell of the plurality of TA groups; and a step of transmitting said at least one channel with the determined uplink transmission power, wherein said uplink transmission power is determined in consideration of a TA group index. |
| US09549376B2 |
Electronic device with reduced power consumption
In order to improve the management of the power consumption of electronic devices (such as cellular telephones), the operating mode of an interface circuit in an electronic device may be changed when certain commands are received. In particular, when one or more commands are received that disable data communication via the interface circuit and a cellular-telephone network and/or enable communication via another interface circuit in the electronic device and a wireless local area network (WLAN), the interface circuit may be transitioned to an operating mode in which data communication via the cellular-telephone network using a communication protocol that supports only data and no voice is disabled. For example, the communication protocol may include a Long Term Evolution (LTE)-compatible communication protocol. |
| US09549375B2 |
Operating-mode transitions based on advertising information
In order to reduce the power consumption of a receiving electronic device, received advertising beacons may be filtered so that the receiving electronic device selectively transitions from a power-saving mode to a normal operating mode. For example, the receiving electronic device may receive a beacon with advertising information for a transmitting electronic device. If the advertising information is changed relative to a previous version of the advertising information for the transmitting electronic device, the receiving electronic device may transition from the power-saving mode to the normal operating mode. In this way, the receiving electronic device may ‘wake up’ if it receives an advertisement that it wants to act on, such as advertisements for: file sharing, wireless streaming of information, proximity pairing and/or continuity of a user experience with an application when the user transitions from the transmitting electronic device to the receiving electronic device. |
| US09549372B2 |
Adjusting radio dormancies in electronic devices based on receipt of unsolicited incoming packets
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes incoming network packets to an electronic device. The system includes an analysis apparatus that maintains a list of accepted incoming packet attributes for the electronic device based on outgoing packets from the electronic device. The system also includes a management apparatus that uses the list to classify an incoming packet to the electronic device as a solicited incoming packet or an unsolicited incoming packet. If the incoming packet is classified as the solicited incoming packet, the management apparatus enables subsequent processing of the incoming packet on the electronic device. If the incoming packet is classified as the unsolicited incoming packet, the management apparatus adjusts a triggering of radio dormancy in the electronic device based on the incoming packet. |
| US09549367B2 |
Utilizing broadcast signals to convey restricted association information
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate transmitting access point types and/or restricted association parameters using broadcast signals, such as beacons, pilot signals, etc. The type or restricted association information can be indicated by one or more intrinsic aspects of the signal, such as specified parameters. In addition, the type or information can be indicated by one or more extrinsic signal aspects, such as frequency, interval, periodicity, etc. Using this information, a mobile device can determine whether an access point implements restricted association. If so, the mobile device can request an access point or related group identifier before determining whether to establish connection therewith. The identifier can be verified against a list of accessible access points and/or groups to make the determination. |
| US09549366B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing network access to a connecting apparatus
A method and apparatus are provided for providing network access to a connecting apparatus. A method may include determining, at a terminal apparatus, a selection of a network access credential for a network from a plurality of available network access credentials installed on the terminal apparatus. The method may further include responsive to the selection, activating the selected network access credential. The method may additionally include using the activated network access credential to cause a connecting apparatus to be provided with access to the network via a local connection between the terminal apparatus and the connecting apparatus. A corresponding apparatus is also provided. |
| US09549357B2 |
Promoting wireless local area network (WLAN) roaming
The present disclosure describes promoting roaming of a wireless terminal in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The AP obtains signal quality and/or data transmission quality of the wireless terminal periodically, and determines whether the obtained signal quality and/or data transmission quality of the wireless terminal satisfies a predetermined threshold. Upon determining that the predetermined threshold is not satisfied, the AP proactively sends a probe response frame to the wireless terminal. The probe response frame notifies the wireless terminal of a wireless signal strength of the AP to promote roaming to a neighboring AP. |
| US09549355B2 |
Optimal use of multiple concurrent internet protocol (IP) data streams for voice communications
Examples are disclosed for mediating a voice communication session in which a communications server functions as a bridge service between a hybrid mobile device and a second endpoint. The communications server sends, over a downstream link, and receives, over an upstream link, an Internet Protocol (IP) packet data media stream representing the voice communication session over a WiFi IP data communication link to and from the hybrid mobile device. The communications server is also capable of sending, over a downstream link, and receiving, over an upstream link, a second IP packet data media stream representing the same voice communication session over a cellular IP data communication link to and from the hybrid mobile device. The communications server monitors the quality of service (QoS) of the IP packet data media stream as determined by multiple communication link parameters for the 802.11 WiFi network connection. When the communication link parameters dip below a specified QoS, the communications server interleaves a help packet into the downstream IP packet data media stream instructing the hybrid mobile device to begin streaming the IP packet data media stream representing the voice communication session over the upstream link of the cellular IP data communication link in addition to and in sync with the IP packet data media stream being sent over the upstream link of the WiFi IP data communication link. |
| US09549354B2 |
Receiver-only tune-away
Various embodiments include methods, systems, and devices for communicating with a first network and a second network using a mobile device having a single radio comprising a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter and the receiver may be tuned to the first network. The transmitter may also transmit to the first network. The receiver may tune away to the second network for a tune-away period. The transmitter may transmit to the first network during the tune-away period. A determination may be made whether the transmitter and the receiver will cause interference during the tune-away period. Transmissions may be paused from the transmitter in response to determining that the transmitter and the receiver will cause interference during the tune-away period. |
| US09549353B2 |
Wireless device and method of transmitting uplink data and buffer status reports in a wireless communications system
The method provides buffer status reporting for the transmission of uplink data from a wireless device to a base station. Uncompressed data is stored in a first buffer of the wireless device. A buffer status report is transmitted from the wireless device to the base station, where the buffer status report contains information indicating an amount of the uncompressed data to be transmitted from the wireless device. The information is dependent on the amount of the uncompressed data stored in the first buffer. |
| US09549351B2 |
Methods and nodes for fast handover using pre-allocation of resources in target nodes
The present invention relates to a method in an RBS of a wireless network, for supporting HO of a UE in a served cell. The method comprises pre-allocating resources for HO of the UE to a target cell candidate. The pre-allocated resources comprise a dedicated preamble for the target cell candidate. The method also comprises receiving a measurement report from the UE triggering a HO and comprising a list of neighbor cells, determining if a cell in the list of neighbor cells corresponds to one of the at least one target cell candidates, and when they correspond transmitting a HO command to the UE comprising the dedicated preamble for the target. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method in the target RBS and to the serving and target RBS themselves. |
| US09549349B2 |
Handover in a telecommunications system with distributed processing
A network node comprising a memory and a controller, wherein said controller is configured to: detect that a handover for a mobile communications terminal from a first base station to a second base station and in response thereto determine if an application module associated with the mobile communications terminal is to be migrated, and if so, cause a migration of said application module to be performed. |
| US09549345B2 |
Solution to improve RAN bandwidth efficiency during VoLTE call scenarios
Bandwidth for a radio access network may be efficiently allocated for certain voice over LTE (VoLTE) services. In one implementation, a request associated with traffic flows may be received. Each of the traffic flows may be associated with an amount of guaranteed bit rate (GBR) traffic. The method may further include selectively summing the GBR traffic, to obtain an aggregate bandwidth value. The method may further include reserving an amount of GBR bandwidth corresponding to the previous version of the aggregate bandwidth value when a comparison indicates that the aggregate bandwidth value is less than the previous version of the aggregate bandwidth value; and reservation an amount of GBR bandwidth corresponding to the aggregate bandwidth value when a comparison indicates that the aggregate bandwidth value is not less than the previous version of the aggregate bandwidth value. |
| US09549337B2 |
Dynamic backoff in Wi-Fi calling
In order to improve the quality of a telephone call communicated over a wireless local area network (WLAN), an electronic device (such as a cellular telephone) may obtain one or more performance metrics based on communication with another electronic device (such as an access point) via a connection in the WLAN. For example, the electronic device may receive the one or more performance metrics from the other electronic device and/or may determine the one or more performance metrics based on the performance of the communication. Then, the electronic device may compare the one or more performance metrics with an interference criterion. If the interference criterion is met, the electronic device may perform a remedial action, such as selectively discontinuing use of the WLAN to communicate the telephone call for a time interval. Otherwise, the electronic device may continue using the WLAN to communicate the telephone call. |
| US09549334B2 |
Method and system for transmitting information through backhaul link, proxy device, and access device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for transmitting information through a backhaul link, a proxy device, and an access device. The method includes: determining, by a proxy device, that to-be-transmitted information needs to be transmitted through a backhaul link, where the backhaul link is a backhaul link that implements transmission between the proxy device and an access device through an air interface and is in a deactivated state; and activating the backhaul link, and transmitting the to-be-transmitted information through the activated backhaul link. Therefore, a problem that backhaul links based on a large number of S1 or X2 interfaces consume a large number of memory resources, causing a transmission bottleneck in the backhaul links, is solved. |
| US09549333B2 |
Method and device for monitoring and measurement of Wi-Fi internet services
The present invention is related to a method and a device which contains a diagnostic client (5) and a monitoring server (9) which aim to detect connection problems and service failures of Wi-Fi hotspot (wireless access field) services and measure user experience and connection quality. |
| US09549332B2 |
Spectrum-aware RF management and automatic conversion of access points to spectrum monitors and hybrid mode access points
Methods of operating devices on a wireless network as access points (AP) or spectrum monitors (SM). An adaptive radio management (ARM) process operating on the digital network senses network conditions based on data from APs and SMs on the network, and in response to conditions changes devices from AP operation to SM operation, and from SM operation back to AP operation. A method for providing wideband spectrum analysis functions on a radio operating as an AP on a channel proving client connectivity services. A method for scanning off-channel for shorter durations between transmissions to collect spectral data and a method for explicitly quieting IEEE 802.11 transmissions on a channel to collect spectral data. |
| US09549329B2 |
Remotely configurable mobile wireless access point device
Provided is an intelligent mobile wireless access point device that is set-up to allow for remote configuration of the access point device, via a mobile communication network, by a configuration server. A configuration file for a mobile wireless access point device is maintained by a service provider in a configuration server. The configuration file is delivered to the mobile wireless access point devices over the mobile communication network, which allows multiple mobile wireless access point devices to be configured substantially simultaneously and without the multiple mobile wireless access point devices being physically located at an enterprise location. In addition, the remote configuration examples of a mobile wireless access point device mitigate the opportunities for unauthorized use of the mobile wireless access point, and provide additional security features for authorized users. |
| US09549327B2 |
Method for receiving and transmitting ACK/NACK information, user equipment, and base station
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for mitigating/eliminating interference between adjacent cells by configuring a subframe subset, in which the downlink transmission/reception of a specific cell to be user equipment-specific is limited. According to the present invention, the transmission/reception of a downlink signal for a specific user equipment in the subframe in which the downlink transmission/reception of the specific cell is limited, thereby mitigating/eliminating interference from an uplink of a different cell with the downlink of the specific cell from a base station to the specific user equipment. |
| US09549310B2 |
Lifecycle configuration of mobile subscriber
A cellular device 10 has a SIM 12 having a unique identifier 14, for example formatted as an IMSI. The cellular device is activated by a registration process which registers the SIM to a selected home network. In this way, the cellular device can be bundled with a SIM before it is known for which country, region or network the cellular device will be sold. |
| US09549306B2 |
Usage triggered telecommunications charging
An Online Charging System (“OCS”) that processes charging on a telecommunications network receives an indication of usage of a telecommunications service by a subscriber. In response to the indication, the OCS determines a configured offering for the service, where the configured offering includes a time period, and a credit and/or debit. The OCS determines if the usage of the service is a first usage within the time period, and when the usage is the first usage, applies the credit and/or debit. The OCS then determines a charge for the usage based on credit and/or debit. |
| US09549304B2 |
Providing status of user devices during an adverse event
A method begins by an application server establishing information regarding a potentially adverse event and determining group constraints for a group regarding the potentially adverse event. The method continues with the application server selecting one or more user devices of a plurality of user devices affiliated with the group to produce selected user devices. The method continues with the application server obtaining, for each selected user device, a status associated with the selected user device and issuing a status response message to at least some of the user devices of the plurality of user devices affiliated with the group, where the status response message includes the status associated with each selected user device. |
| US09549303B2 |
Network directed cell broadcasts for emergency alert system
Systems and methods for providing alerts to end users of networked enabled portable devices are provided so that the end users are made aware when broadcast emergency alerts are issued. The systems and methods provide a way for a portable device to receive information about an emergency alert broadcast of which the user should be aware, e.g., from the EAS, and to notify the user of the emergency alert. A flag provides an indication the EAS should be on and the systems and method override the settings made by a user to a portable device to enable EAS reception. The user may then be automatically taken to the emergency alert information by having the portable device automatically tune to the emergency broadcast information, or the user may optionally retrieve the emergency information by tuning to the emergency broadcast channel, or the user may otherwise be presented with a reference to the emergency data (e.g., a link to the information). |
| US09549302B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for packet data protocol context handling for emergency bearer services
A Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context handling method for a Mobile Station (MS) with a PDP context for an emergency bearer service is provided, wherein a radio access bearer (RAB) associated with the PDP context is released by a network. The method comprises the steps of: downgrading the maximum uplink bit rate and the maximum downlink bit rate associated with the PDP context from original non-zero positive values to a zero value; sending a request signal associated with a modification of the maximum uplink bit rate and the maximum downlink bit rate; and re-establishing the RAB for the PDP context with the maximum uplink bit rate and the maximum downlink bit rate reconfigured as the original non-zero values after the request signal has been sent. |
| US09549296B2 |
Optimizing backhaul and wireless link capacity in mobile telecommunication systems
To overcome the problem of limited backhaul capacity and limited wireless channel capacity when downloading videos to smart phones, a method for transmission of data across a mobile telecommunications network, includes providing each Smartphone or other user station (Ua-Ud) with a memory cache (12) and a download app (10), and providing a server (2) in the core network with a server cache memory (16) and a download control app (14). Each user registers with the server, the server gathers information of internet web sites (URLn) accessed by the users from which downloads may be made, monitors the websites, and as and when updates appear on the websites, selectively downloads the updates in the server cache. There is then established a common data channel from the server, across base stations (3), to the users in order to download the updates to the user's memory cache (12). |
| US09549295B2 |
System and method for broadcasting audio tweets
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for broadcasting audio tweets. A system broadcasting audio tweets receives tweets via telephone devices, wherein each listener hears a telephone call of a broadcast on the telephone devices. Each received tweet is associated with one or more tags specifying tweet content, which is used to analyze received tweets. The system presents a display of analyzed tweets for selection to a host. The host selects one or more tweets and broadcasts the selected tweets as part of the broadcast to the telephone devices. Automatic speech recognition can be used to automatically convert received audio tweets to text to enable tagging and analyzing the tweets. |
| US09549293B2 |
Preemptive tuning
A media receiver identifies attributes of a media station to which the media receiver is currently tuned. The media receiver monitors the signal quality of the media station. If the signal quality of the media station drops below a quality threshold, the receiver chooses an alternate station having similar content, and then tunes to the alternate station until the signal quality of the original station improves. When the signal quality of the original station rises above a re-tune threshold, the receiver can switch back to the original station. The receiver can monitor and record user listening patterns, station-switching patterns, and situational parameters, to identify times or locations at which station switches occur. This information can be used to select appropriate alternative stations, to perform pre-emptive station switches, and to determine when a station's content will be buffered with the expectation that a station's signal will drop below the quality threshold. |
| US09549285B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatuses for brokering data between wireless devices, servers and data rendering devices
Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for data brokering between hand held wireless devices (WDs) and data rendering devices (DRDs). DRDs in the form of multimedia devices used for rendering data by printing (e.g., to a networked printer) or displaying video data (e.g., televisions, video monitors, and projectors) are provided with data for rendering at the DRD at the request of WDs. DRDs are capable of receiving data data from a network at the request of a WD and/or directly from a WD as the host and then rendering or displaying the data on devices capable of receiving and processing the data. DRD (e.g., printers and multimedia video devices) can also be controlled by the WD during display of the data and to control display of the data. |
| US09549283B2 |
Systems and methods for determining the presence of a person
A method, device, or system is arranged to determine the presence of a person. The system includes a data store that stores a plurality of locations and stores a subset of the plurality of locations. The system includes a server in communication with the data store that is arranged to i) associate the subset of locations of the plurality of locations with the person and ii) associate a mobile device with the person. The system also includes a mobile device arranged to i) monitor the geographic position of the mobile device, ii) store the subset of the plurality of locations, iii) determine that the geographic position of the mobile device is within a vicinity of a first location of the subset of locations; and iv) provide a first indication that the mobile device is within the vicinity of the first location. |
| US09549278B2 |
Communication system, communication apparatus, methods of controlling same, and storage medium
A first communication apparatus generates export data, which includes an address book indicating data transmission destinations and indication information indicating that it is necessary to communicate with a server in order to transmit data to an address contained in the address book, and transmits the export data to a second communication apparatus. The second communication apparatus receives the export data transmitted from the first communication apparatus and sets an address book and indication information of the second communication apparatus in accordance with the export data. |
| US09549277B2 |
Method for efficient sound field control of a compact loudspeaker array
A method for optimizing the design and sound field control of a compact loud-speaker array, which includes a plurality of loudspeakers located on a closed loudspeaker surface and the control of the emitted sound field by the loudspeakers within a limited reproduction subspace, having the steps of capturing the sound field using a plurality of microphones and adjusting filter coefficients that modify the alimentation signals of the loudspeakers to minimize the difference between reproduced signals captured by the microphones and target signals describing a target sound field. A conical reproduction surface encloses a reproduction subspace is defined such that the apex of the conical reproduction surface is within the closed loudspeaker surface. Loud-speakers are positioned on a limited loudspeaker surface and the closed loudspeaker surface. The microphones are located on a limited microphone surface defined by the intersection of the inner volume of the conical reproduction subspace and the closed microphone surface. |
| US09549276B2 |
Audio apparatus and audio providing method thereof
Disclosed are an audio apparatus and an audio providing method thereof. The audio providing method includes receiving an audio signal including a plurality of channels, applying an audio signal having a channel, from among the plurality of channels, giving a sense of elevation to a filter to generate a plurality of virtual audio signals to be respectively output to a plurality of speakers, applying a combination gain value and a delay value to the plurality of virtual audio signals so that the plurality of virtual audio signals respectively output through the plurality of speakers form a sound field having a plane wave, and respectively outputting the plurality of virtual audio signals, to which the combination gain value and the delay value are applied, through the plurality of speakers. The filter processes the audio signal to have a sense of elevation. |
| US09549272B2 |
Multifunctional device for assembly and test of wire-control earphone
The present invention discloses a multifunctional device for assembly and test of wire-control earphone, belonging to the technical field of assembly and test device of electronic products, comprising an operating platform, and a wire-control component region and a wire slot are provided on the upper surface of the operating platform, the assembly of wire-control earphone can be achieved by the operating platform; and touch control holes are provided in the wire-control component region, the touch control holes are in one-to-one correspondence with rods, each of the rods has a touch control end and an operating end, a socket is provided on the operating platform, the socket is connected to a circuit board, a signal transmitting elastic sheet is provided on the circuit board, and after an earphone plug is inserted into the socket, by pressing the operating end of the rod, the touch control terminal comes into contact with the contact point on the wire-control earphone, then through the signal transmitting elastic sheet on the circuit board, a signal is transmitted to an outer test device, thereby the test of the wire-control earphone is completed. The examples of the present invention can achieve the assembly and test of wire-control earphone, and achieve the universality of work device between different work stations, thus improve production efficiency greatly. |
| US09549267B2 |
Magnet arrangement for bone conduction hearing implant
An implantable magnetic transducer arrangement is described for a hearing implant in a recipient patient. An implant housing hermetically encapsulates an interior housing volume and is fixedly attached to skull bone beneath the skin of the patient. A magnetic transducer is located within the housing volume and includes multiple pie-shaped permanent magnets wherein adjacent magnets have different direction magnetic polarities, and one or more suspension elements that resiliently couple adjacent magnets to allow their relative movement. The magnetic transducer is operatively coupled to an external magnetic drive component above the skin of the patient to form an oscillating system that develops a mechanical stimulation signal to the implant housing for delivery by bone conduction of the skull bone as an audio signal to the cochlea of the patient. |
| US09549265B2 |
Methods and systems for enhancing pitch associated with an audio signal presented to a cochlear implant patient
An exemplary sound processor 1) identifies at least one frequency bin, included in a plurality of frequency bins included in a frequency spectrum of an audio signal that is presented to a cochlear implant patient, that contains spectral energy above a modified spectral envelope, 2) identifies each frequency bin that contains spectral energy below the modified spectral envelope, 3) enhances the spectral energy contained in the at least one frequency bin identified as containing spectral energy above the modified spectral envelope, and 4) compresses the spectral energy contained in each frequency bin identified as containing spectral energy below the modified spectral envelope. |
| US09549261B2 |
Microphone package
According to one embodiment, a microphone package includes: a pressure sensing element including a film and a device; and a cover. The film generates strain in response to pressure. The device includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a first magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and has a first magnetization. The cover includes: an upper portion; and a side portion. The side portion is magnetic and provided depending on the first magnetization and the second magnetization. |
| US09549252B2 |
Microphone apparatus and method for removing unwanted sounds
An apparatus comprises a first transducer configured to detect sound and generate a first signal based on the detected sound. The apparatus also comprises a second transducer configured to detect vibration and/or sound and generate a second signal based on the detected vibrations and/or sound. The second transducer is less acoustically responsive than the first transducer. The apparatus comprises an interface configured to send the first and second signals to a processor configured to modify the first signal on the basis of the second signal. |
| US09549250B2 |
Wind noise detection for in-car communication systems with multiple acoustic zones
An in-car communication (ICC) system has multiple acoustic zones having varying acoustic environments. At least one input microphone within at least one acoustic zone develops a corresponding microphone signal from one or more system users. At least one loudspeaker within at least one acoustic zone provides acoustic audio to the system users. A wind noise module makes a determination of when wind noise is present in the microphone signal and modifies the microphone signal based on the determination. |
| US09549248B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing crosstalk in an integrated headset
An audio system has a first channel for receiving a first input signal and driving a first speaker and a second channel for receiving a second input signal and driving a second speaker. A first feedforward circuit couples an input of the second channel circuit to an input of the first channel circuit. A second feedforward circuit couples an input of the first channel circuit to an input of the second channel circuit. Circuit parameters of the first and the second feedforward circuits are determined such that a first detected output signal is zero when the first input signal is non-zero and the second input signal is zero, and a second detected output signal is zero when the second input signal is non-zero and the first input signal is zero. The audio system is configured to operate using the determined circuit parameters for the first and the second feedforward circuits. |
| US09549247B2 |
Audio mixing system
An audio mixing system comprises a plurality of input ports and output ports, and a plurality of input channels and output channels for controlling characteristic of input sound signals. Two or more input ports included in the plurality of input ports or two or more output ports included in the plurality of output ports are registered as a plurality of patch ports. By an instruction to collectively patch a port group, the input ports or the output ports registered as the plurality of patch ports are patched to input channels or output channels respectively by an input or an output patch. |
| US09549243B2 |
Split box subwoofer with body mounted driver
A product is disclosed that may be used in a vehicle and may include a subwoofer speaker driver mounted in an enclosure which is attached to the vehicle's body. A volume of space may define an acoustic chamber in a closure of the vehicle. A duct may be provided between the enclosure and the acoustic chamber. The size of the enclosure may be minimized by using available space in the closure to serve as part of the bass chamber volume for the subwoofer. |
| US09549241B2 |
Earphone and a method for making an earphone to achieve automatic identification and switch control
The present invention discloses an earphone and a method for making an earphone to achieve automatic identification and switch control. The earphone comprises: a voltage-controlled switch, a switch button set, a microphone and more than two earphone remote control circuits, wherein different earphone remote control circuits correspond to different smartphone operating systems, respectively; the voltage-controlled switch is arranged between the switch button set, the microphone and the more than two earphone remote control circuits, and the voltage input terminal of the voltage-controlled switch is connected to the microphone-connected terminal of the earphone; the voltage-controlled switch identities the operating system of the smartphone that the earphone is plugged in according to the voltage of the microphone-connected terminal of the earphone, and then controls switch(es) in itself to switch to a corresponding earphone remote control circuit, to achieve the connection of the switch button set and the microphone to the corresponding earphone remote control circuit. The technical solution of the present invention makes one earphone generally applicable to the mobile phones of different operating systems. |
| US09549240B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of pairing mobile terminal with hearing apparatus
Disclosed are a terminal and a method of pairing a terminal with a hearing apparatus. The method of pairing a terminal involves verifying whether a hearing apparatus is in contact with a terminal, and pairing the terminal with the hearing apparatus in response to a determination that the hearing apparatus is in contact with the terminal. |
| US09549238B2 |
Ear headphone with tragus fitment feature
An in-ear headphone may be constructed and operated with at least a housing sized to fit in an external auditory meatus of a user and have at least one audio driver. A fitment feature may extend from the housing and incorporate a plurality of flexible flanges cantilevered from a unitary base. The fitment feature may be configured to engage a tragus of the user to secure the housing within the external auditory meatus. |
| US09549237B2 |
Ring radiator compression driver features
A speaker includes an enclosure including a peripheral sound wave exit. A compression driver is connected to the speaker enclosure. Sound waves are peripherally spread from the sound wave exit of the speaker enclosure. |
| US09549235B2 |
User interface apparatus using speaker and method thereof
A user interface apparatus using a speaker to control device operations by utilizing a speaker and a method thereof are provided. The user interface apparatus includes a user input pad that forms at least a portion of the exterior of a speaker and is configured to generate an impact sound wave based on an external impact An impact sound wave recognizer is configured to receive feedback of an output signal output via the speaker and separate a reverse current signal due to the impact sound wave included in the feedback signal. In addition, a controller is configured to analyze a waveform of the reverse current signal separated by the impact sound wave recognizer to recognize a user input pattern, and output a control signal that corresponds to the recognized user input pattern. The device operations of various devices may be controlled by tapping or flicking the exterior of a speaker. |
| US09549234B1 |
Methods and apparatuses for implementing a layer 3 internet protocol (IP) echo response function on a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver and providing a universal interface between an SFP transceiver and network equipment
A small form factor pluggable device (SFP) or other compact transceiver device is provided at a subscriber's site and is configured to perform Layer 3 testing (e.g., ICMP echo request and response operations) for testing connectivity across networks. A universal interface coupling a conventional transceiver to host equipment is also disclosed which has components that can provide additional functionality to the transceiver while maintaining compatibility between the transceiver and the host equipment. |
| US09549228B2 |
Broadcast signal processing method and device for 3-dimensional (3D) broadcasting service
The present invention relates to a broadcast signal processing method and device for 3D broadcasting service. The broadcast signal processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: encoding 3D video broadcast data that includes left image broadcast data having a left image and right image broadcast data having a right image to provide 3D effects; encoding signaling information for signaling the encoded 3D video broadcast data; generating a broadcast signal including the encoded 3D video broadcast data and the encoded signaling information; and transmitting the generated broadcast signal. |
| US09549225B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing advertisements using social media data
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining social media data associated with a plurality of end user devices of a plurality of users interacting with a social media network where the social media data includes user commentary at the social media network, determining first targeted advertising for delivery to first end user devices of a portion of the plurality of users based on an analysis of the social media data, and determining second targeted advertising for delivery during a target broadcast programming to a second end user device of a target user of the plurality of users based on an analysis of the user commentary, wherein the analysis includes identifying a comment context. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09549222B2 |
Noise suppression in a hybrid fiber coaxial network utilizing selective enabling/disabling of signal paths
A coupling device for use in a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network may be configured to disable an upstream path through it when there is only noise incident on the upstream path, and enable the upstream path through it when a desired transmission from a cable modem downstream of the coupling device is incident on the upstream path. The coupling device may be a trunk amplifier, a distribution amplifier, a splitter, or the like. The coupling device may comprise a single upstream interface coupled to a plurality of downstream interfaces. The enabling and/or disabling may be in response to a signal strength indicated by the SSI being below a threshold and/or in response to one or more control messages indicating whether any downstream cable modem is, or will be, transmitting. |
| US09549219B1 |
Shared DVR programming via a web page
Techniques for shared DVR programming via a web page enable using a DVR widget in a web page and DVR environment on a network to view DVR content from a publisher's DVR usage data and based on the viewed DVR content from the publisher's DVR, record or schedule to record particular content on the viewer's DVR. |
| US09549218B2 |
Multi-platform television episode production process
A multi-platform television production process that results in an almost completely viewer-guided television episode. The production process begins at an online website where criteria for a first portion of the episode are selected by the public. Production commences on this portion of the episode, based on the criterion chosen by the online users, and the first portion of the episode is aired online. Viewers of this online airing of the initial production of the episode provide feedback on the first portion of the episode and are able to vote on criteria for the second portion of the episode. The second portion of the episode is produced, based on the criterion chosen by viewers. Then, the full episode, incorporating viewer feedback received during the production process) is aired on television. The full episode may also include content received from the online viewers. |
| US09549217B2 |
Notification controls for television viewing
Notification controls regarding television viewing are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, a notification condition can be created and by one or more components of a notification system. Actions regarding viewing of television content are then monitored and compared with the notification condition. Once the notification condition is satisfied, a notification is sent, which can be in real time or near-real time, as the television is being watched. Notification conditions may be satisfied with any of a variety of triggers, and the notifications can be sent in a variety of forms to any of a variety of devices. The notification system can redirect a television to a predetermined television channel and/or request authorization to access certain content. Notification controls can be created, viewed, and/or managed using any of a variety of devices. |
| US09549216B2 |
Client device with secure clock and methods for use therewith
A client device includes a network interface that is coupled to receive media content and server time data via a network, wherein the media content is protected by digital rights management data. A processing device executes a digital rights management application for validating playback of media content based on the digital rights management data and further based on secure clock data. The processing device includes a processor clock that generates processor clock data. A memory stores the secure clock data, the digital rights management application and the digital rights management data. A system clock generates system clock data. The digital rights management application generates the secure clock data based on the server time data, the system clock data and the processor clock data. |
| US09549204B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing intra-prediction using adaptive filter
Provided is a method and apparatus for performing intra-prediction using an adaptive filter. The method for performing intra-prediction comprises the steps of: determining whether or not to apply a first filter for a reference pixel value on the basis of information of a neighboring block of a current block; applying the first filter for the reference pixel value when it is determined to apply the first filter; performing intra-prediction on the current block on the basis of the reference pixel value; determining whether or not to apply a second filter for a prediction value according to each prediction mode of the current block, which is predicted by the intra-prediction performance on the basis of the information of the neighboring block; and applying the second filter for the prediction value according to each prediction mode of the current block when it is determined to apply the second filter. |
| US09549203B2 |
Error recovery for video delivery via a segmentation process
A client device may receive encoded video via a transport stream based on a video coding protocol. When errors result in receiving the encoded video, the client device may use an Internet Protocol (IP) connection to recover from the error. For example, an encoder may insert markers inband in the transport stream, and a segmenter then segments the video using the markers. The content remains in the form of a continuous transport stream that is compatible with existing transport stream delivery mechanisms. When an error occurs, the client device can then determine a locator for a segment that can be used to recover from the error and requests the segment from a server through the IP connection. The server sends the segment to the client device at the level of the transport stream layer without adding another protocol layer to encapsulate the segment. |
| US09549200B1 |
Parallel motion estimation in video coding
Methods for improved parallel motion estimation are provided that decouple the merging candidate list derivation and motion estimation for merge mode and skip mode and the advanced motion vector predictor (AMVP) candidate list construction from regular motion estimation to increase the coding quality in parallel motion estimation while meeting throughput requirements. This decoupling may be accomplished by modifying the availability rules for spatial motion data (SMD) positions for construction of the candidate lists. As part of the decoupling, largest coding units (LCUs) of a picture may be divided into non-overlapping parallel motion estimation regions (PMER) of equal size. Within a PMER, motion estimation for merge mode, skip mode, and normal inter-prediction mode may be performed in parallel for all the prediction units (PUs) in the PMER. |
| US09549196B2 |
Data unit identification for compressed video streams
Data unit identification for compressed video streams is described. In one or more implementations, a compressed video stream is received at a computing device and a determination is made as to whether prior knowledge is available that relates to the compressed video stream. Responsive to the determination that prior knowledge is available that relates to the compressed video stream, the prior knowledge is employed by the computing device to perform data unit identification for the compressed video stream. In one or more implementations, SIMD instructions are utilized to perform pattern (0x00 00) search in a batch mode. Then a byte-by-byte search is performed to confirm whether the pattern, 0x00 00, found is part of a start code, 0x00 00 01, or not. |
| US09549192B2 |
Motion picture encoding device and motion picture decoding device
When a prediction is made between fields with different parity, the predicative efficiency of a chrominance vector is improved by adaptively switching the generation of a chrominance motion vector depending on encoding/decoding field parity (top/bottom) and a reference field parity (top/bottom), and the coding efficiency is improved accordingly. |
| US09549187B2 |
Intra prediction mode determination apparatus, intra prediction mode determination method, and recording medium
An intra prediction mode determination apparatus includes prediction units which perform intra prediction on a block of a first block size in an image including at least one block, a first determination unit which determines one of the prediction units used to perform the intra prediction on the block of a processing target, and a second determination unit which determines an intra prediction mode for the block of the processing target from among candidates of an intra prediction mode which are used by the determined prediction unit in accordance with a result of the intra prediction performed by the determined prediction unit. When the block of the processing target includes a block of a second block size which is larger than the first block size, the prediction unit performs intra prediction on blocks of the first block size obtained by dividing the block of the second block size. |
| US09549186B2 |
Image predictive encoding and decoding device
An image predictive encoding device can efficiently encode an image, while suppressing an increase in prediction information and reducing the prediction error of a target block. In an image predictive encoding device, according to one embodiment, to produce a prediction signal of a partition in a target region, it is decided whether prediction information of a neighboring region can be used. When prediction information of the neighboring region can be used, a region width of the partition where the prediction information of the neighboring region is used to produce the prediction signal is determined. The prediction signal of the target region is produced from a reconstructed signal based on at least one of the region width, the prediction information of the target region, and the prediction information of the neighboring region. The prediction information, information identifying the region width, and a residual signal are encoded. |
| US09549184B2 |
Image prediction method and system
A method is provided for computing a predicted frame from a first and a second reference frames, the method comprising, for each block of pixels in the predicted frame, the acts of defining a first block of pixels in the first reference frame collocated with a third block of pixels which is the block of pixels in the predicted frame; defining a second block of pixels corresponding, in the second reference frame, to the first block of pixels along the motion vector of the first block from the first to second reference frames; computing a first set of coefficients allowing the transformation of the pixels of the first block into pixels of the second block; computing pixels of the third block using the first set of coefficients and pixels from a fourth block collocated in the first reference frame with the second block of pixels. |
| US09549182B2 |
Repositioning of prediction residual blocks in video coding
Techniques are described for coding residual data of a prediction residual block in either a lossy or lossless coding mode, in which a transform is skipped or bypassed. The techniques of this disclosure include determining whether to reposition, e.g., rotate or flip, residual data of a residual block prior to coding the residual data of the residual block. For both the lossy and lossless coding modes, a video coding device determines whether to reposition residual data of a residual block based on a prediction mode of the residual block and a size of the residual block. In some examples, the techniques disable repositioning for all residual blocks in the inter-prediction mode and the intra block copying prediction mode, and determine to reposition residual blocks in the intra-prediction mode when the residual blocks have block sizes that are less than or equal to a threshold size. |
| US09549181B2 |
Method and apparatus for building motion vector list for motion vector prediction
Relating to the field of video coding, a method and an apparatus for building a motion vector list for motion vector prediction, which solve a problem of building motion vector lists of at least two PUs in a same coding unit in a serial manner, and improve the parallel processing capability. The method includes: obtaining spatial neighboring blocks of a current prediction block, where the current prediction block is located inside a current coding unit; determining available neighboring blocks of the current prediction block according to a partition manner of the current coding unit, where the available neighboring blocks are located outside the current coding unit; and obtaining motion vector predictors from the available neighboring blocks in a preset sequence according to motion vector predictors of the available neighboring blocks, and adding the obtained motion vector predictors to the motion vector list. |
| US09549180B2 |
Disparity vector generation for inter-view prediction for video coding
In one example, a video coder (e.g., a video encoder or a video decoder) is configured to determine that a current block of video data is coded using a disparity motion vector, wherein the current block is within a containing block, based on a determination that a neighboring block to the current block is also within the containing block, substitute a block outside the containing block and that neighbors the containing block for the neighboring block in a candidate list, select a disparity motion vector predictor from one of a plurality of blocks in the candidate list, and code the disparity motion vector based on the disparity motion vector predictor. In this manner, the techniques of this disclosure may allow blocks within the containing block to be coded in parallel. |
| US09549167B2 |
Data structure, image processing apparatus and method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes: an acquisition mechanism acquiring image data of a 3D image including a left-eye image and a right-eye image, and superimposed-area information being information on a superimposed area included in the left-eye image and the right-eye image; and a disparity detection mechanism detecting an amount of disparity in an area excluding the superimposed area identified by the superimposed-area information of the left-eye image and the right-eye image. |
| US09549159B2 |
Image projection apparatus and image projection method for projecting cut-out image in a predetermined cycle
An image projection apparatus includes a light modulation device that modulates light according to image data; a projecting unit that projects modulated light; an angle-of-view deriving unit that derives an angle of view at which modulated light is projected; a projection-direction changing unit that changes a projection direction from a first direction to a second direction; a projection-angle deriving unit that derives a projection angle between the first direction and a changed projection direction; a storage unit that stores image data; and an image cutting unit that generates cut-out image data by cutting a part of the image data based on the angle of view and the projection angle as image data projected from the first direction through the second direction, and the minimum variable angle is determined based on the angle of view and a size of an effective region of the modulated light. |
| US09549157B2 |
Imaging apparatus, image processing method, and program
A defective pixel of an imaging device is detected. An output pixel value of the defective pixel is corrected to generate an output image. An imaging device, and a signal processing unit for analyzing an output signal from the imaging device and detecting a defective pixel are included. The imaging device receives incident light via, for example, a microlens placed in front of a pixel, inputs the same subject light on a local area basis including a plurality of pixels of the imaging device, and acquires an image signal lower than a pixel resolving power corresponding to the pixel density of the imaging device. The signal processing unit compares the pixel values of the same color pixels included in a local area on a local area basis including a cluster of the plurality of pixels of the imaging device, detects the defective pixel based on the comparison result, and corrects and outputs a pixel value of a pixel determined to be a defective pixel. |
| US09549156B2 |
Dynamic allocation of video resources
Video transaction machines (VTMs) facilitate communications and transactions between customers of a financial institution and video transaction resources, such as video agents, by establishing a video session between a VTM and a video agent workstation. After a computing device of the financial institution receives information identifying the customer, VTM, or VTM location requesting the services of a video agent, the computing device may place the customer in one or more virtual queues based on an overall visit time at the VTM location. In order to maintain a visit time at the VTM location below a predetermined visit time threshold, the controller may prioritize transactions at VTMs with longer visit times over transactions at VTMs with shorter visit times. |
| US09549153B1 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating setup, discovery of capabilites and interaction of electronic devices
Embodiments of the disclosure provided herein generally include a system and a method of configuring and/or controlling one or more electronic devices using a portable electronic device based on the interaction of the portable electronic device with a beacon signal generating system that is disposed at a desired location. Embodiments of the disclosure may include a system and a method of collecting and analyzing useful information received by the portable electronic device based on the receipt of a beacon signal. The portable electronic device may then perform one or more desirable functions or processes based the portable electronic device's interaction with the beacon signal generating system. Some aspects of the invention may include an apparatus, method and/or one or more computing device software applications that are configured to more easily setup, configure and/or reliably control an additional electronic device based on the interaction of the portable electronic device with the beacon signal generating system. |
| US09549151B2 |
Video intercom device
Provided is a video intercom device for suppressing electric power consumption. The video intercom device adopts a configuration where the video intercom device switches between a first communication method by which an indoor master unit or a telephone master unit and a front door slave unit performs wireless communication under a predetermined condition, and a second communication method with electric power consumption lower than that of the first communication method, the first communication method is switched to the second communication method when the indoor master unit registers the front door slave unit, and the second communication method is switched to the first communication method when a telephone master unit registers the front door slave unit. |
| US09549150B1 |
Communication device
The communication device which includes a TV phone pausing visual data selecting implementer, a TV phone implementer, a TV phone pausing visual data transferring implementer, and an audio playback implementer. |
| US09549146B2 |
Imaging device and recording control system
An object of the present invention is to realize an imaging device and recording control system in which the usability thereof can be improved dramatically. In an imaging device configured to output imaging data that is obtained as a result of imaging of an object, and a recording control system, the imaging device comprises a control means for recognizing a controlled state of an external recording device when a communication is enabled with the recording device through a communication means conforming to a predetermined transmission method and an input means for allowing the recording device to execute an application needed for a recording operation obtained by controlling the recording device, and the recording device records the imaging data obtained through the communication means when the application is executed by means of the input means. |
| US09549143B2 |
Method and mobile terminal for displaying information, method and display device for providing information, and method and mobile terminal for generating control signal
A method in which a mobile terminal displays information is provided. The method includes: transmitting, to an external display device, a first signal for selecting an object displayed on the external display device based on a first input of a user through the mobile terminal; transmitting, to the external display device, a second signal for requesting additional information corresponding to the selected object based on a second input of the user through the mobile terminal; and displaying, on a screen of the mobile terminal, the additional information received from the external display device. |
| US09549130B2 |
Compact row column noise filter for an imaging system
In some embodiments, methods or systems may be provided for an imaging system including an imaging sensor, wherein frames or sub-frames of intensity data may be acquired from some or all pixels of the frame, and a moving kernel, smaller than the frame or sub-frame, is moved over the frame for analysis. The values of the center column of the kernel may be compared to the outer column values of the kernel and a column offset for the center column may be determined. Only one offset value may be stored at any one time for each pixel in the frame or sub-frame. |
| US09549124B2 |
Day and night detection based on one or more of illuminant detection, lux level detection, and tiling
A method for controlling a camera mode is executed at a camera including a controller, a sensor array, an IR filter, and a lens assembly. The camera is operated in a night mode. While in the night mode the IR filter is not interposed between the lens assembly and the sensor array, the camera receives at the sensor array ambient light that is not filtered by the IR filter, determines whether the received ambient light is due to a light source other than an IR light source, and detects a light level of the received ambient light. The camera switches the operation of the camera from the night mode to a day mode when it is determined the received ambient light is due to a light source other than an IR light source and that the light level of the received ambient light exceeds a first threshold. |
| US09549122B2 |
Imaging apparatus, photographing guide displaying method for imaging apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A digital camera includes an image sensor unit, a display that displays an image photographed by the image sensor unit, and a photographing guide generating unit that displays a photographing guide on the display when the image sensor unit obtains a stereo image or a panoramic image. The photographing guide generating unit displays, on the display as the photographing guide, an aiming mark that displays a fixed point positioned substantially at the center of the display and a guide mark that is a fixed point in the image photographed by the image sensor unit and has a length necessary for the stereo image or the panoramic image in a moving direction of the digital camera on a screen. Then, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus capable of stably moving the imaging apparatus upon photographing a panoramic picture. |
| US09549120B2 |
Adaptive data path for computer-vision applications
Embodiments of the present invention provide an adaptive data path for computer-vision applications. Utilizing techniques provided herein, the data path can adapt to the needs of a computer-vision application to provide the needed data. The data path can be adapted by applying one or more filters to image data from one or more sensors. Some embodiments may utilize a computer-vision processing unit comprising a specialized instruction-based, in-line processor capable of interpreting commands from a computer-vision application. |
| US09549119B2 |
Apparatus and method for continuously taking a picture
An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes an image capturing unit configured to obtain a plurality of images upon receiving one or more user inputs, a processor configured to process one or more of the plurality of images, and a display configured to display the one or more of the plurality of images, where the processor is further configured to select at least one image from the plurality of images, based on a facial expression of one or more objects recognized on the one or more of the plurality of images and a clarity of at least a portion of the one or more of the plurality of images. |
| US09549118B2 |
Blink and averted gaze avoidance in photographic images
A method of blink and averted gaze avoidance with a camera includes detecting an averted gaze of a subject and/or one or more closed eyes of the subject in response to receiving an input to actuate a camera shutter. The method also includes scheduling actuation of the camera shutter to a future estimated time period to capture an image of the subject when a gaze direction of the subject is centered on the camera and/or both eyes of the subject are open. |
| US09549111B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and control program product with speed detection features
A mobile terminal having a camera function includes a camera unit for capturing an image of a subject, and an image-capture control calculation unit that controls an image-capturing operation performed by the camera unit and that also calculates a movement speed of the subject that is being captured by the camera unit. Then, when the camera unit is performing continuous image capture, the image-capture control calculation unit dynamically changes and controls an image-capture time interval at the time of continuous image capture in accordance with a movement speed of the subject. |
| US09549106B2 |
Vehicular vision system with reduced camera connector points
A vehicular vision system includes a camera assembly having a first end connector electrically connected to circuitry disposed in a housing of the camera assembly, with the first end connector having no more than four connection points. A plurality of electrical conductors (such as conductors connected to a video display device) connect to the first end connector of the camera assembly. The electrical conductors may include (i) a first electrical conductor that electrically connects to a first connection point of said end connector, (ii) a second electrical conductor that electrically connects to a second connection point of said end connector, (iii) a third electrical conductor that electrically connects to a third connection point of said end connector and (iv) a fourth electrical conductor that electrically connects to a fourth connection point of said end connector. |
| US09549105B2 |
Container scanning system
A container scanning system comprises a rail, a camera/sensor unit and a control unit. The rail is mounted on a support or beam of a container handling crane. The camera/sensor unit is movably mounted along the rail. The camera/sensor unit comprises a camera and/or a sensor for scanning the exterior surface of a container. The control unit is operationally coupled to the camera/sensor unit. The control unit is able to obtain position information indicative for the operational position of the container handling crane, and the control unit is adapted to control movement of the camera/sensor unit along the rail in function of the position information. The rail contains space for wiring for power feeding the camera/sensor unit. |
| US09549099B2 |
Hybrid image sensor
A method for performing correlated double sampling for a sensor, such as an image sensor. The method includes collecting a first charge corresponding to a first parameter, transferring the first charge to a first storage component, transferring the first charge from the first storage component to a second storage component, resetting the first storage component, transferring the first charge from the second storage component to the first storage component, and reading the first storage component to determine the first charge. The method may be implemented in electronic devices including image sensors. |
| US09549097B2 |
Imaging device, image forming apparatus, and method of controlling driving of two-dimensional image sensor
An imaging device comprises: a two-dimensional image sensor that includes a plurality of light receiving units capable of reading an output value individually according to a volume of received light thereof; a receiving unit that receives a control signal that specifies an operation mode of the two-dimensional image sensor that is predetermined according to a purpose of using the output value; and a sensor controller that sets, on the basis of the control signal received by the receiving unit, an imaging area representing an area of a light receiving unit that reads the output value from among the light receiving units of the two-dimensional image sensor and controls reading of the output value. |
| US09549090B2 |
Information processing device performing a data sharing process among applications and controlling method thereof
An information processing device comprising: a data sharing unit causing an application to process data output from a data output source application; a communication interface configured to perform communication with an external device; and a processor that, when executing the instructions, performs operations comprising: acquiring an image data set from the external device through the communication interface; defining plural image data groups, each of the plural image data groups including at least one of the plurality of image data included in the image data set; selecting a plurality of the applications each of which is corresponding to each of the plural image data groups, respectively; and causing the data sharing unit to perform a sharing process of making each of the plurality of the selected applications process the at least one of the plurality of image data included in each of the plural image data groups, respectively. |
| US09549089B1 |
System and method for network access discovery
A method for establishing a network connection between a mobile electronic device and a target network device includes establishing a short-range communications link between the mobile electronic device and the target network device. The method may also include, by a processor, executing an application that causes the processor to receive network device information from the target network device, via the short-range communications link, use the identifier associated with the target network device to identify a network to which the target network device is connected, use a transmitter component of the mobile electronic device to establish the network connection between the mobile electronic device and the target network device, via the identified network, and cause the transmitter component to send a communication to the target network device, via the identified network. The network device information comprises an identifier associated with the target network device. |
| US09549085B2 |
Proactive creation of image-based products
A method for proactively creating an image product includes storing a library of specification terms for image products by a computer system, receiving a command from a user, tokenizing the command into a plurality of tokens by the computer system, matching one or more of the tokens to the specification terms in the library to determine specification parameters for an image product by the computer system, automatically identifying images based on the specification parameters by the computer system, and automatically creating a design for the image product that incorporates at least some of the images identified based on the specification parameters. |
| US09549084B2 |
Photo decoration device
A shooting processing section shoots a user as an object, and an editing processing section allows the user to edit a shot image obtained by shooting. An input receiving section receives, a plurality of times, selection of manipulation processing to be applied to the entire shot image, and a manipulation processing section generates, when the selection of manipulation processing has been received this time, an image after manipulation processing that is the entire shot image to which the manipulation processing received this time is applied over the manipulation processing, selection of which has been received previous time. The present invention can be applied to a photo sticker creating device, for example. |
| US09549082B2 |
Systems and methods for managing offload from one radio access network to another
A method of managing data traffic offload from a radio access network may include: determining a location of a mobile device; and identifying, based on data traffic offload requirements of a network operator and capabilities of alternative network providers, one or more alternative networks configured to be accessed by the mobile device at the determined location. |
| US09549076B2 |
Method for lawful interception during call forwarding in a packet-oriented telecommunications network
The invention relates to a method for lawful interception in the case of call forwarding (AW_TlnB) in a packet-oriented telecommunications network (TK1, TK2, TK3), in which switching functions (S-CSCF1, . . . , P-CSCF3) are made available by servers. The additional aim in this telecommunications network (TK1) is to monitor connections of a subscriber (Tln B) with call forwarding (AW_TlnB) by means of lawful interception. In this case, monitoring (ÜW_TlnB) of the connections of the subscriber (Tln B) is notified to a first switching function (S-CSCF1) which is responsible for a called subscriber (Tln B) with call forwarding (AW_TlnB). The first switching function (S-CSCF1) then writes (23) a tag for said subscriber (Tln B) to a predetermined parameter of a switching protocol. Only then is signalling of call forwarding (AW-TlnB) carried out to a second switching function (S-CSCF2) which is responsible for a calling subscriber (Tln A) and the connection is then forwarded to a third switching function (S-CSCF3). In this case, this third switching function (S-CSCF3) then identifies and initiates the monitoring (ÜW_TlnB) of the called subscriber (Tln B) on the basis of the predetermined parameter of the switching protocol. The major advantage of the method according to the invention is that it is still possible for a department or authority who is empowered to carry out monitoring to monitor (ÜW_TlnB) the contents of connections in a packet-oriented telecommunications network (TK1) even in the case of call forwarding (AW_TlnB). |
| US09549075B2 |
Method for automatically establishing location-based conference calls
A method for automatically establishing multi-participant interactions and/or conference calls between users of mobile devices, according to which an interaction establishing application is installed on the mobile device of each participating user and receives for each user, phone numbers of other users defined as his friends and a list of predetermined triggers as conditions for initiating an interaction between users. The application constantly monitors the location of each user's mobile device and upon detecting that one or more of the triggers are met, the application automatically initiates one or more interactions between users that comply with the triggers that are met. |
| US09549074B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing ambient social telephony
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for providing a communications service in a communications network are disclosed. For example, the method monitors a conference call, detects a triggering event during the conference call registered for a particular user, wherein the particular user is not a participant in the conference call, and notifies the particular user of the triggering event. |
| US09549061B2 |
Call center based zoned microphone control in a vehicle
A method and system for providing call center emergency services to one or more occupants of a vehicle having a plurality of listening zones within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The method involves detecting a potential emergency condition, sending an emergency notification to a call center, receiving a listening zone control signal identifying at least one of a plurality of listening zones in the vehicle, and supplying audio received from the identified listening zones(s) to the call center via a voice call between the vehicle and call center. |
| US09549060B2 |
Method and system for managing multimedia accessiblity
A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, determine a first impairment associated with a first user of a first end user device, receive user input captured at a second end user device during a communication session between the first and second end user devices, store instructions for executing a group of adjustment techniques for modifying the user input where the group of adjustment techniques includes amplifying selective frequencies and translating the user input into sign language images, select an adjustment technique from among the group of adjustment techniques, adjust the user input according to the adjustment technique to generate adjusted user input, and provide the adjusted user input to the first end user device during the communication session. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09549052B2 |
System and method for managing alcohol consumption of a user using a smartphone application
A device for managing alcohol consumption of a user includes a camera that captures an image associated with a beverage container, a display unit, a memory unit that stores (a) a set of modules, and (b) a database, and (iv) a processor that executes (a) an alcohol content identification module, when executed by the processor, identifies (i) a type of drink in the beverage container and (ii) an alcohol content associated with the drink, (b) an alcohol consumption determination module, executed by the processor, determines an alcohol consumption by the user, (c) an alcohol consumption updating module, when executed by the processor, updates the alcohol consumption by the user in the database, and (d) an alert generation module, when executed by the processor, generates an alert when the alcohol consumption by the user is in proximity with the at least one of periodic threshold. |
| US09549046B1 |
Methods and systems for logging time with a mobile computing device
Methods and systems for logging time are described. In one embodiment, the method is performed by a server computing device communicatively coupled to a mobile computing device and communicatively coupled to a workstation computing device executing computer-executable instructions for logging time and associated task descriptions. The server computing device includes a memory including at least one task indicator corresponding to at least one task description. The method includes receiving, by the server computing device, at a first time, a first task indicator from the mobile computing device. The method additionally includes comparing, by the server computing device, the first task indicator to the at least one task indicator in the memory of the server computing device and determining a first corresponding task description, and logging time by transmitting the first corresponding task description to the workstation computing device for logging. |
| US09549042B2 |
Context recognition and social profiling using mobile devices
A method for using Bluetooth® information for inferring user context and computing sociability is presented. The method includes receiving wireless sensor data from wireless sensor communication for an electronic device. Information units are formed using the wireless sensor data. User context is inferred using the information units. An entropy metric is computed based on the inferred user context. Social profiling is created based on the entropy metric and one or more user context characteristics. |
| US09549035B2 |
Automatic updating of redirected location references
Content items such as web pages can be updated through a client-driven process when the client detects that a target location reference in a source content item has been redirected to another (destination) location reference. Based on a target location reference in a source content item, a client can request a target content item from a target server and can receive a redirected destination target location reference. The client can update local information based on the redirection and/or report the redirect event to a source server that provided the source content item to the client. The source server can update the source content item based on the client's report. |
| US09549034B2 |
Information processing system
An information processing system including an information processing unit that performs communication processing among a plurality of user terminals connected via an IP (Internet Protocol) network. The information processing unit includes control elements for acquiring an operating state of the information processing unit, as well as, instructs another information processing unit to perform the communication processing among the plurality of user terminals, according to the acquired operating state. |
| US09549032B2 |
Mobile content management for offline content access
A method includes performing operations as follows on a processor: associating content stored on a data processing system with an event associated with a user, determining when the event is to occur, and pushing the content from the data processing system to a mobile device associated with the user not later than the occurrence of the event for storage on the mobile device. |
| US09549031B2 |
Location ranking using social graph information
In one embodiment, a user of a social networking system requests to check in a place near the user's current location. The social networking system generates a list of places near the user's current location, ranks the places in the list of places near the user's current location by a distance between each place and the user's current location, as well as activity of the user and the user's social contacts for each place, and returns the ranked list to the user. |
| US09549021B2 |
Automated transition of content consumption across devices
Features are disclosed for transferring the presentation or playback of content from device to device. The content may include, but is not limited to, aural, video, and multimedia content. A personal device may be detected playing content. A current play position of the content can be obtained, and playback can be halted. The play position can be transferred to a media device wherein playback is automatically resumed. Additionally, the playing of content may be transferred between two or more media devices, for example in response to the movement of a user. Personal device movements and content operations may be monitored in order to determine improvements to the automatic transfer of content consumption from device to device. |
| US09549019B2 |
Managing a logical client for a virtual machine
A logical client includes a primary client device and one or more secondary client devices. Each of the secondary client devices may be coupled to one or more peripherals. The primary client in the logical client may use a virtual machine (VM) and/or an application that uses one or more peripheral devices. The primary client device may not be coupled to the one or more peripheral devices used by the application and/or the VM. The primary client device may access the peripheral devices coupled to secondary client devices in order to use the application and/or the VM. |
| US09549017B2 |
Predicting content performance with interest data
Systems and methods for predicting content performance with interest data include receiving a content selection request that includes a client identifier. One or more topical interest categories associated with the client identifier may be used as inputs to a prediction model to predict the likelihood of an online action occurring as a result of third-party content being selected. The predicted likelihood may be used to select third-party content. |
| US09549016B2 |
Congestion control for media flows
An apparatus can include a congestion controller at a source endpoint node of a network that is configured to send substantially real-time media data at a variable sending rate to another endpoint node via the network. The congestion controller can be configured to compute the sending rate as a function of a predetermined target delay and feedback from the other endpoint node that includes a receive delay time for packets of the substantially real-time media data to be received at the other endpoint node from the source endpoint node. |
| US09549012B2 |
Content caching services in satellite and satellite/IP content delivery systems content caching
Systems and methods are presented to facilitate caching of programming from broadcast and/or content streaming services to a user device for local playback. In addition, metadata can be provided to guide the user in selecting, caching, or playing the cachable content. In some exemplary embodiments, a receiver or other user device can automatically select the programming to be cached based on a user's historical topic interest and listening history. In some exemplary embodiments, the metadata can also include DRM information that can limit the ability of a user to playback the content, so as to comply, if necessary, with operative legal requirements related to usage of the content. |
| US09549007B2 |
User interface widget unit sharing for application user interface distribution
Embodiments of the invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to application sharing and provide a method, system and computer program product for user interface widget unit based application sharing. In a first embodiment, a data processing system for user interface widget unit based application sharing, can include a dynamic widget server communicatively linked to a dynamic widget browser. The dynamic widget browser can include program code enabled to render a user interface including one or more remote dynamic widgets peered to corresponding dynamic widgets for a dynamic view for an application launched by the dynamic widget server. |
| US09549004B2 |
System and method for re-routing calls
The disclosed embodiments include a system, computer program product, and method for routing a call over a packet network. A call request may be received from a calling party to call a called party at a network address. At least one potential call path over a packet network may be determined to connect the calling party to the called party at the network address. Network performance information associated with each potential call path may be accessed and a determination may be made that each of the call paths are impaired or congested. In response to determining that each of the call paths are impaired or congested, the call may be routed over a call path other than one of the at least one potential call paths to enable the calling party to communicate with the called party. |
| US09549002B2 |
Method and device for making available at least one communication datum
A method and a device are provided for making available at least one communication datum retrieved during consultation of a multimedia stream on a first terminal. The method includes a step of reception of a request for obtaining the at least one communication datum, a step of extraction of the at least one communication datum from the multimedia stream, a step of transmission to at least one second terminal of the at least one communication datum extracted. The communication datum transmitted thus makes it possible to implement on the second terminal an application making it possible to establish a multimedia communication between the second terminal and a remote device. |
| US09549001B1 |
Method and device for sourcing and constructing a playlist
An electronic device and method for sourcing and/or constructing a playlist are provided. An assignment of a playlist identifying a plurality of songs is received. A plurality of devices from which the plurality of songs may be retrieved is determined. The availability of the plurality of devices is determined. At least one of the plurality of devices is connected to in order to to access at least one of the plurality of songs. Memory of the electronic device can be scanned for stored songs to incorporate into the playlist. |
| US09548999B2 |
Obfuscation of lawfully authorized electronic surveillance
The obfuscation of information included in Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) invites for the purposes of facilitating Lawfully Authorized Electronic Surveillance (LAES) is contemplated. The obfuscation may include the use of LAES headers with invites of sessions that require surveillance as well as those not requiring surveillance and/or selecting values or otherwise influencing parameter selection of data included in LAES headers according to a validity function, a shared secret, a key or other construct. |
| US09548990B2 |
Detecting a heap spray attack
Various techniques for exploit detection based on heap spray detection are disclosed. In some embodiments, exploit detection based on heap spray detection includes executing a program in a virtual environment, monitoring a heap of a memory while executing the program in the virtual environment, and detecting a potential heap spray attack based on detecting a burst allocation of a first plurality of blocks in the heap of the memory, in which each of the first plurality of blocks is stored in the predefined address range of the memory. |
| US09548989B2 |
Network monitoring apparatus and method
When obtained communication data corresponds to an external communication from the outside of the network to the inside, external communication data is stored. When the obtained communication data corresponds to a service start, external communication data associated with the service start is extracted, and service start data is stored in correlation with the extracted external communication data. When the obtained communication data corresponds to an operation end, operation end data is stored. When the obtained communication data corresponds to a communication from the inside to the outside of the network, operation end data associated with the obtained communication data is extracted. Then, it is determined that a condition is satisfied that external communication data associated with the obtained communication data is stored in correlation with the service start data associated with the extracted operation end data. When the condition is satisfied, an attack for the system is detected. |
| US09548987B1 |
Intelligent remediation of security-related events
An information processing system implements an intelligent remediation system for security-related events. The intelligent remediation system comprises a classifier configured to process information characterizing the events in order to generate respective risk scores, and a data store coupled to the classifier and configured to store feedback from one or more users regarding the risk scores. The classifier is configured to utilize the feedback regarding the risk scores to learn riskiness of particular events and to adjust its operation based on the learned riskiness, such that the risk score generated by the classifier for a given one of the events is based at least in part on the feedback received regarding risk scores generated for one or more previous ones of the events. A user interface is provided to allow one or more users to supply the feedback regarding the risk scores. |
| US09548984B2 |
Authorizing a user by means of a portable communications terminal
A method and system for authorizing a user at a field device by a portable communications device. A first information is acquired by the portable communications device for identifying the field device. The portable communications device sends to a system the first information and a second information for identifying at least one of (i) the portable communications device, and (ii) the user thereof. The system determines a first piece of access information on the basis of the first information and the second information, and sends the first piece of access information to the portable communications device. The portable communications device transmits the second information and the first piece of access information to the field device. The field device determines a second piece of access information on the basis of the second information, and compares the first piece of access information with the second piece of access information. Access to the field device is allowed upon determining that the first piece of access information and the second piece of access information match. |
| US09548983B2 |
Cross access login controller
Systems and methods here may be used for authorizing network access including using a flow controller server in communication with a first gateway associated with a first network, a second gateway associated with a second gateway, and a repository, the flow controller server configured to, receive a first client device request to access the first network via the first gateway, receive a second client device request to access the second network via the second gateways, retrieve a validation response from the repository, wherein the validation response includes correlated client device identifier with client device credentials for the first network and second network. |
| US09548982B1 |
Secure controlled access to authentication servers
An authentication-related request sent from a mobile device to an authentication server is received at a proxy server. A posture of the mobile device is dynamically determined based at least in part on information included in the request. The request is validated based at least in part on the dynamically-determined posture. The proxy server communicates with an authentication server on behalf of the mobile device to obtain authentication information usable by the mobile device to access a service. |
| US09548981B2 |
Method and system for providing security for universal plug and play operations in a home network environment based on ownership rights
A method and system for providing security to Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) operations in a home network environment based on ownership rights where a request is received from a Control Point (CP) to perform an UPnP action associated with an UPnP resource. It is determined whether the CP holds an ownership right to perform the UPnP action based on ownership data associated with the UPnP resource. Accordingly, the CP is authorized to execute the UPnP action on the UPnP resource or an error message is returned to the CP based on the ownership of the UPnP resource. |
| US09548978B2 |
Method and system for authorizing secure electronic transactions using a security device
Methods and systems for authenticating a security device for providing a secure access and transaction authorization to a remote network location are provided. The security device is authenticated by installing private security software on the security device. A Two-Channel authorization method includes a transaction notification/authorization channel and a transaction channel. A Three-Channel authorization method includes a transaction notification channel, a transaction authorization channel, and the transaction channel. Embodiments of the present invention provide increased security and privacy. A corresponding system for authenticating a security device and preforming secure private transactions is also provided. |
| US09548968B2 |
Image sharing system
A server system for distributing information securely includes a network interface for receiving, over a network, an information object accompanied by metadata. A repository stores the information object. Metadata is mapped to electronic addresses of trusted recipients. A processor is configured to generate a link for accessing the information object in the repository, acquire an electronic address of a trusted recipient based on the metadata accompanying the information object, insert the link into an electronic message addressed to the electronic address of the trusted recipient, and send the electronic message with the link to the trusted recipient. The processor is further configured to receive, over a second network, a request for the information object sent from a user device in response to an activation of the link, retrieve the information object from the repository, and transmit the information object to a browser of the user device over the second network. |
| US09548964B1 |
VPN for containers and virtual machines in local area networks
A method, system and computer program product for a VPN for containers and VMs implemented on different network node. A number of network hardware nodes have containers and VMs running on them. The containers and VMs are aggregated into VPNs assembled across the hardware nodes. Each hardware node has a network edge programmable switch configured to route packets to containers and VMs only inside a particular VPN. The switch detects a number of the VPN inside the packet header, replaces this number by a standard broadcast header number and multi-casts the packet to the containers and the VMs inside the VPN. |
| US09548960B2 |
Simplified packet routing
A method for communication, includes routing unicast data packets among nodes in a network using respective Layer-3 addresses that are uniquely assigned to each of the nodes. Respective Layer-2 unicast addresses are assigned to the nodes in accordance with an algorithmic mapping of the respective Layer-3 addresses. The unicast data packets are forwarded within subnets of the network using the assigned Layer-2 addresses. |
| US09548958B2 |
Determining post velocity
Establishing the likely duration and precision with which the post was written is disclosed. An analysis may be used to infer how confident the user is of the subject matter they are writing. A user's post (e.g., response, comment for, but not limited to, a thread, blog, community) may be monitored and its subject matter analyzed to determine benchmark style and speed with which a user can comment. |
| US09548939B2 |
Switch device for a network element of a data transfer network
A switch device for a network element includes a transfer system (110) for transferring data from ingress line interfaces of the network element to egress line interfaces of the network element in accordance with control information associated with the data. The transfer system includes a control section (111) configured to compare data traffic load to capacity available to the data traffic load at one of the egress line interfaces so as to generate a congestion indicator expressing whether a data flow (113) representing the data traffic load is a potential cause of congestion at the one of the egress line interfaces. The control section is further configured to direct a congestion control action to the data flow if the data flow is a potential cause of congestion. Thus, the congestion management related to the ingress and egress line interfaces can be carried out by the switch device. |
| US09548938B2 |
Packet forwarding device and packet forwarding method, and computer program
Disclosed is a packet forwarding device which can reduce a development cost and realize desired QoS control.The packet forwarding device includes a second scheduler 2 including a second packet queue corresponding to each first packet queue included in a first scheduler, a second packet classification unit 22 which sorts a packet data to each second packet queue based on a second classification different from the classification set by the first scheduler, a throughput estimation unit 24 which estimates a throughput indicating an amount of the packet data forwarded to an information processing terminal from the first packet queue corresponding to the second packet queue, and a second packet scheduling unit 25 which forwards the packet data accumulated in each second packet queue based on the throughput and the priority of each second packet queue. |
| US09548936B2 |
Method and system for improved TCP performance over mobile data networks
Performance of transport protocols over a mobile data network is improved by a mobile accelerator, which performs protocol optimizations on-the-fly without requiring any modification to server or client protocol implementations in the operating systems of the server or client. The proposed mobile accelerator is compatible with existing TCP protocol implementations at the server and the client device, without server/client OS modification. |
| US09548933B2 |
Network system, switch, and methods of network configuration
A network system of the present invention includes a switch and controllers. The switch processes on a received packet in accordance with a flow entry in which are defined a rule and an action. The controllers set the flow entry to a flow table of the switch. The switch assigns a flow table to each controller, searches when receiving a packet from outside for a flow table matching with the packet in all flow tables, ignores a flow entry set by a controller of which a status of connection is invalid among flow entries matching with the packet and processes the packet in accordance with an action of a flow entry set by a controller of which a status of connection is valid. |
| US09548931B2 |
Method and device for evaluating a traffic shaper
The present invention relates to a method and device of evaluating a traffic shaper used for shaping at least two traffic flows of a mobile terminal operating according to a particular DRX setting in a mobile communications network. The method comprises the steps of acquiring an estimated lower bound of battery savings as a function of transmission rate of each traffic flow (f1, f2) of the at least two traffic flows for the mobile terminal according to the particular DRX setting. Further, the method comprises acquiring an estimated battery savings measure for said each traffic flow (f1, f2) before shaping, and acquiring an estimated battery savings measure for said each traffic flow (f1, f2) after shaping. Moreover, the method comprises calculating normalized traffic shaper gain as a relation between the estimated battery savings measure for the shaped traffic flow and the estimated battery savings measure for the unshaped traffic flow for said each traffic flow (f1, f2), said relation further being normalized with the respective estimated lower bound of battery savings, and determining whether to use the traffic shaper (S1) for said at least two traffic flows (f1, f2) on the basis of the calculated normalized traffic shaper gain. |
| US09548924B2 |
Detecting an elephant flow based on the size of a packet
Some embodiments provide a forwarding element that inspects the size of each of several packets in a data flow to determine whether the data flow is an elephant flow. The forwarding element inspects the size because, in order for the packet to be of a certain size, the data flow had to already have gone through a slow start in which smaller packets are transferred and by definition be an elephant flow. When the forwarding element receives a packet in a data flow, the forwarding element identifies the size of the packet. The forwarding element then determines if the size of the packet is greater than a threshold size. If the size is greater, the forwarding element specifies that the packet's data flow is an elephant flow. |
| US09548923B2 |
System and method for utilizing a unique identifier while registering a device in a network
An information handling system includes a server having a management system module. The management system module broadcasts an address resolution protocol request including a unique identifier in the information handling system. The management system module also receives multiple address resolution protocol responses to the address resolution protocol request. Each of the multiple address resolution protocol responses includes a different media access control address associated with the unique identifier. The management system module also creates a unique identifier table correlating each of the media access control addresses with the unique identifier. |
| US09548922B2 |
Enabling scalable virtual machine tracking in a data center fabric
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving at a first network element a packet from a second network element; processing the packet at the first network element to obtain information regarding an identity of a virtual machine (“VM”) hosted by the second network element contained within the packet; and storing at the first network element the identifying information. The identifying information stored at the first network element is accessible by at least one third network element. In some embodiments, the first network element comprises a physical switch and the second network element comprises a virtual switch. |
| US09548921B2 |
Compression of routing information exchanges
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for improving the exchange of routing information between information handling system by using compression. In embodiments, route information may be packetized as normally performed according to protocol. In embodiments, these packets may be compressed and placed into the data/payload portion of a new format packet. In embodiments, the new format packet includes an extended header with one or more fields that provide information related to the compressed packets in the packet payload. A receiving device receives the new packets with compressed data, decompresses the data, and processes the decompress data packets as per the normal protocol procedures. |
| US09548920B2 |
System and method for efficient use of flow table space in a network environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes determining an action to be performed with respect to a packet corresponding to a new flow received at a network device and determining whether a new entry comprising an indication of the determined action can be added to a flow table of the network device. The determination of whether a new entry can be added to the flow table is made with reference to reservation information specified in a port profile associated with the new flow. Responsive to a determination that the new entry can be added, the new entry is added to the flow table. In one embodiment, determining whether the new entry can be added comprises determining whether an existing entry can be aged out based on the reservation information specified in the associated port profile. |
| US09548919B2 |
Transparent network service header path proxies
A controller that is in communication with the plurality of network nodes establishes a service path for a service chain defined by an ordered sequence of service functions to be performed at respective ones of one or more of the plurality of network nodes. The controller assigns a predetermined service path identifier and a predetermined service index value for a segment of the service chain that includes only one or more network nodes not capable of decapsulating packets to extract a network service header so as to designate the one or more network nodes determined not capable of decapsulating packets to extract the network service header as a single service hop segment in the service chain. |
| US09548913B2 |
Communication system and transmission unit employed in same
Provided are a communication system that is capable of acquiring information having a relatively large data amount by a transmission unit while securing a communication speed of a transmission signal of transmission unit, and a transmission unit employed in communication system. Transmission unit transmits superimposition requesting data from a superimposition requesting unit to a second monitoring terminal in a transmission segment of transmission signal. Second monitoring terminal, upon receiving superimposition requesting data and with responding thereto, transmits, to transmission unit, monitoring data corresponding to a monitoring input from a sensor device with a superimposition signal superimposed on transmission signal as superimposition response data in a reply segment of transmission signal. Transmission unit, upon receiving superimposition response data composed of monitoring data with a superimposition communication unit, transmits control data to either a second control terminal or a first control terminal associated with this monitoring data in control table. |
| US09548912B2 |
System and method for supporting smart buffer management in a distributed data grid
A system and method can support smart buffer management in a distributed data grid. A buffer manager in the distributed data grid can provide a plurality of buffers in a buffer pool in the distributed data grid, wherein the plurality of buffers are arranged in different generations and each buffer operates to contain one or more objects. The buffer manager can prevent a garbage collector from directly recycling the memory associated with each individual object in the buffer pool, and can allow the garbage collecting of one or more objects in one or more buffers in a particular generation to be performed together. |
| US09548908B2 |
Flow de-duplication for network monitoring
A method is provided in one example and includes receiving flow data associated with a traffic flow. The flow data can be tagged with a data source identifier identifying a data source exporting the flow data, a source site identifier identifying a site associated with a source device of the traffic flow, and a destination site identifier identifying a destination site associated with a destination device of the traffic flow. The method further includes determining at least one authoritative data source for each site and metric type using at least one selection rule. The method further includes receiving a query for de-duplicated flow data, and generating de-duplicated flow data based on the data source identifier, source site identifier, and destination site identifier and particular flow data associated with the determined at least one authoritative data source. |
| US09548906B2 |
High availability multi-partition networking device with reserve partition and method for operating
A device is described for operating a multi-partition networking system, the device comprising hardware resources for the operation of a primary partition for performing tasks, a primary buffer for holding packets for processing within a partition of the multi-partition system and a reserve buffer. The device is arranged to allocate the primary buffer for use by the primary partition and allocate the reserve buffer for use by the primary partition when at least a suspicious condition is detected in the primary partition. A method of operating a multi-partition networking system is also described. |
| US09548897B2 |
Network entity registry for network entity handles included in network traffic policies enforced for a provider network
A provider network may implement network entity registry for network entity handles included in network traffic policies enforced for a provider network. Network entity entries may be maintained in a network entity registry that specify network address information for network entity handles included in network traffic control policies. Network traffic control policies may be enforced by a network traffic controller. When an update to an network entity entry is received, the network entity entry may be updated and network address information specified in the network entity entry may be provided to a subset of network traffic controls implemented in a provider network for those network traffic controls enforcing network traffic policies including the network entity handle for the updated network entity entry. Network entity entries may, in some embodiments, not be updated by a network entity entry owner. |
| US09548893B2 |
Dynamic agent replacement within a cloud network
A computing device receives information from one or more agents, wherein the one or more agents monitor one or more resources in a cloud network. The computing device determines that the configuration of the one or more agents monitoring the one or more resources needs to be changed based on at least the information received from the one or more agents. The computing device changes the configuration of the one or more agents monitoring the one or more resources based on at least the information received from the one or more agents. |
| US09548890B2 |
Flexible remote direct memory access resource configuration in a network environment
An example method for flexible remote direct memory access resource configuration in a network environment is provided and includes determining whether sufficient remote direct memory access (RDMA) resources are available in a network environment to satisfy a request for RDMA resources, inserting the requested RDMA resources into a network profile, associating the network profile with a network interface endpoint in the network, and communicating the network profile over the network to a virtual interface card (VIC) adapter that processes RDMA packets, the VIC adapter configuring the requested RDMA resources in the VIC adapter's hardware and the requested RDMA resources being mapped to a host memory for use by the network interface endpoint. In specific embodiments, the VIC adapter allocates and identifies a region in local memory for managing the requested RDMA resources and reserved for the network interface endpoint. |
| US09548889B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for automated TDM-ethernet provisioning
Apparatuses and methods assist telcos and service providers with Ethernet virtual circuit (EVC) set up. They need only set up ends of a path with a pair of units with automated private addressing, and designate one unit as a remote terminal (RT) and the other unit as a central office (CO) to ensure different addresses. After a DS1 state is enabled, no other operator involvement is needed to set up a DS1 end to end connection with the other unit since the enable DS1 state triggers automated connection set up functions such as creating/saving Default Parameters based on CO versus RT selection, creating Emulated Circuits based on saved parameters, and enabling/disabling Emulated Circuits based on DS1 Service State. Automated provisioning operations for EVC set up can be configured for other types of time division multiplexing (TDM) payloads such as other digital signaling levels, and other circuit channel types. |
| US09548886B2 |
Help desk ticket tracking integration with root cause analysis
Methods for automatically generating help desk tickets in response to detecting performance and/or availability issues that occur throughout multiple layers of a networked computing environment are described. In some embodiments, in response to detecting an alert corresponding with a performance issue affecting the networked computing environment, a root cause identification tool may aggregate a plurality of alarms from a plurality of performance management tools monitoring the networked computing environment, generate a failure graph associated with the performance issue, identify a first leaf node of the failure graph, determine a first remedy associated with the first leaf node, and automatically generate a help desk ticket corresponding with the first leaf node and the first remedy. The automatically generated help desk ticket may specify the failure associated with the first leaf node, the first remedy, a location associated with the first remedy, and an estimated time to fix the failure. |
| US09548885B2 |
Systems and methods for providing replicated data from memories to processing clients
Systems and methods are provided for a network device. A device includes a plurality of packet processing clients. The device further includes a plurality of memories, where a quantity of the memories is greater than a quantity of the packet processing clients, each of the memories storing a replica of data, the packet processing clients being configured to selectively read the control data from any of the memories. An arbiter is configured to select in a first clock cycle for the plurality of packet processing clients a first subset of memories from among the plurality of memories from which to read the control data, and in a second clock cycle, subsequent to the first clock cycle, to select for the plurality of packet processing clients a second subset of memories from among the plurality of memories from which to read the control data. |
| US09548883B2 |
Support incident routing
Incident support routing is described. The Internet is utilized to distribute the received customer support calls among a plurality of customer support agents who may be remotely located and geographically distributed. Voice data to voice-over-IP (VOIP) data packet conversion and VOIP to voice conversion may be utilized to facilitate a customer support call between a customer's telephone and a customer support agent's computer system. |
| US09548882B2 |
Spectral stitching method to increase instantaneous bandwidth in vector signal analyzers
Various embodiments are described of devices and associated methods for processing a signal using a plurality of vector signal analyzers (VSAs). An input signal may be split and provided to a plurality of VSAs, each of which may process a respective frequency band of the signal, where the respective frequency bands have regions of overlap. Each VSA may adjust the gain and phase of its respective signal such that continuity of phase and magnitude is preserved through the regions of overlap. The correction of gain and phase may be accomplished by a complex multiply with a complex calibration constant. A complex calibration constant may be determined for each VSA by comparing the gain and phase of one or more calibration tones generated with each region of overlap, as measured by each of the VSAs. |
| US09548877B2 |
Digital communication system
Methods and apparatus for use in communication systems using recursive modulation schemes with a Low Density Generator Matrix code (including an irregular repeat accumulate (IRA) code) are described that have reduced complexity and thus reduced cost compared to prior art systems. A communication system is described in which the transmitter concatenates a low density generator matrix code with an accumulator followed by a recursive modulator in order to eliminate the use of an interleaver, and in which the receiver combines the decoder for the accumulator and the soft demodulator into a single joint decoder in order reduce the number of components and complexity. Another variation is also described in which the transmitter is further simplified by eliminated the accumulator altogether, and in which the receiver is further simplified by replacing the joint decoder with a soft demodulator prior to the LDGM soft decoder. |
| US09548873B2 |
Virtual extensible LAN tunnel keepalives
One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch that is a member of a fabric switch. The switch includes a keepalive response module that identifies a keepalive response packet that does not correspond to any keepalive packet previously transmitted by the switch. The switch also includes a switch identifier extraction module that extracts a switch identifier from a payload of the keepalive response packet, where the switch identifier corresponds to another member switch in the fabric switch. The switch further includes a forwarding module that constructs a packet that includes the payload and is destined to the other member switch. |
| US09548871B2 |
Systems and methods for master arbitration
A power system is provided. The power system includes a communications bus and a plurality of modules communicatively coupled to the communications bus. Each of the plurality of modules is configured to continuously monitor the communications bus, transmit a modulated signal at a predetermined frequency when the module detects an incoherent signal on the communications bus, become a master module when the module detects a coherent signal at the predetermined frequency on the communications bus, and cease transmitting the modulated signal when the coherent signal is not detected after a period of time. |
| US09548868B2 |
Gathering participants for meetings
Participants for an in-progress meeting are gathered, preferably by broadcast of instant messaging notifications thereto. Information for people who are invited to a scheduled meeting but are not participating when the meeting begins, as well as for one or more additional people who are mentioned by the current participants of the meeting as desired new invitees to the in-progress meeting, is placed on a participant list. A disambiguation process may be used in cases where it is not clear who was intended in the discussion of a new invitee. Responses to the notifications are collected and used to populate a consolidated joining status window, where this joining status window depicts the joining status of persons on the participant list. |
| US09548867B2 |
Method and apparatus for secure distribution of embedded firmware
A method and apparatus to securely distribute embedded firmware to a module in an industrial control system is disclosed. A security certificate corresponding to the firmware is generated utilizing a proprietary algorithm. The certificate includes an identifier corresponding to the module on which the firmware is to be loaded and an identifier corresponding to a removable medium on which the firmware is distributed. The removable medium is inserted into the module in the industrial control system on which the firmware is to be loaded. The module reads the security certificate and verifies that the firmware is intended for the module and verifies that the security certificate includes the identifier for the removable medium which was inserted into the module. If the firmware is intended for the module and the security certificate includes the identifier for the removable medium, the module loads the firmware from the removable medium. |
| US09548865B2 |
Token authentication for touch sensitive display devices
A token-based method for authenticating a user includes placing a predetermined token (i.e., physical object) at a predetermined location on a touch sensitive device to generate an authentication authorization rather than a traditional text-based, smartcard or biometric method of user authentication. In various embodiments, a plurality of tokens is placed upon the touch sensitive device in a predetermined sequence at predetermined locations to generate an authentication authorization. |
| US09548861B2 |
Encrypted statistical processing system, device, method, and program
A service provider device includes key generation means, which generates a service public key for encrypting data and a secret key, and proxy key generation means, which inputs the service public key and the secret key and generates a proxy key. A data registration device includes encrypted data generation means, which generates encrypted data upon input of the service public key and data, and stores the generated encrypted data in a database. Proxy devices each includes encrypted portion statistical data generation means, which generates encrypted portion statistical data upon input of the proxy key with respect to the encrypted data stored in the database. An integrated data generation device includes encrypted statistical data generation means, which inputs the encrypted portion statistical data from each of the proxy devices, generates encrypted statistical data, and stores the generated encrypted statistical data in an integrated data storage device. |
| US09548859B2 |
Ticket-based implementation of content leasing
The present invention is a method and system for accessing digital content stored on a computing device. An agreement between a subscriber and a content provider allows the subscriber to lease the digital content from the content provider, and download the digital content from a content server operated by the content provider. The method retrieves a service ticket for the computing device, and retrieves content rights for the digital content. The service ticket includes authorization data, and a session key, where the authorization data include authorized subscription services for the computing device. The content rights include required subscription services for the digital content and are delivered authenticated with the session key. The method allows access to the digital content when the authorized subscription services included with the authorization data match the required subscription services included with the content rights. |
| US09548857B2 |
Initializing a descrambler
Embodiments herein describe techniques for synchronizing LFSRs located on two compute devices. To synchronize the LFSRs, a first one of the compute devices may transmit a first training block that includes a predefined bit sequence. The training block is scrambled by a transmitting (TX) LFSR on the first compute device and then transmitted to the second compute device. The second compute device performs an XOR operation to recover the outputs of the TX LFSR that were used to scramble the data. The second compute device can use the outputs of the TX LFSR to determine future outputs of the TX LFSR. These future outputs are then used to initialize a receiving (RX) LFSR on the second compute device. Now, when subsequent training blocks are received, the second compute device can use the initialized RX LFSR to descramble the scrambled training blocks. |
| US09548856B2 |
High-speed clock skew correction for SERDES receivers
The present invention is directed to data communication. More specifically, the present invention provides a mechanism for determining an adjustment delay that minimizes skew error due to poor alignment between edge samples and data samples. The adjustment delay is determined by sampling edge samples and data samples using different test delays at a calibration frequency that is different from the sampling frequency. The test delay associated with the least average position between the data samples and edge samples is selected as the adjustment delay. The adjustment delay is used as a parameter when sampling data at the sampling frequency. There are other embodiments as well. |
| US09548850B2 |
Assignment of component carriers
Assignment of component carriers Carrier aggregation, and assignment of component carriers is disclosed. In a method a capability of a communication device for carrier aggregation of a plurality of component carriers is determined. Loading of at least one of the component carriers is determined. The communication device is assigned to one or more of the component carriers on the basis of determining the capability and determining the loading. |
| US09548845B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving data in wireless communication system
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving data in a wireless communication system. The method includes: a terminal transmitting a coverage enhancement request or capability information for the terminal; a base station determining a channel setting for the terminal based on the transmitted request or information; and transmitting downlink data and performing random access on the basis of the determined channel setting. Namely, a scheme for adaptively transmitting and receiving data in consideration of the coverage of the terminal is proposed. |
| US09548843B2 |
Method for performing communication between terminals and apparatus therefor
Disclosed is a method for enabling a first terminal to communicate with a second terminal. Specifically, the method includes the steps of: receiving from a base station the format information of a first sub-frame for directly communicating with a second terminal; and assigning a signal for direct communication between the terminals to the first sub-frame according to the format information, wherein the format information contains the information concerning the resource region assigned with the signal for the direct communication between the terminals in the first sub-frame if a part of the first sub-frame overlaps a subsequent second sub-frame. |
| US09548841B2 |
Method, system for transmitting traffic data over a paging channel and user equipment
The disclosure provides a method for transmitting traffic data over a paging channel, comprising: determining, by a network side, that a user equipment (UE) has a capability of transmitting a paging channel (PCH) beared on a High Speed-Physical Downlink Shared Channel (HS-PDSCH); informing, by the network side, the UE of information of a traffic control information bearer channel through a paging identifier, when the UE is in a PCH state; listening, by the UE, for the traffic control information bearer channel; and receiving, by the UE, the traffic data on a traffic channel indicated by the traffic control information. The disclosure provides a system and a UE for transmitting traffic data over a paging channel. The solution in the disclosure allow the UE to be still able to transmit data with highspeed when in the PCH state, so as to avoid the complex process in the conventional art, to reduce signaling cost and traffic delay and to improve user experience. |
| US09548840B2 |
Modulation and equalization in an orthonormal time-frequency shifting communications system
A method for modulating data for transmission within a communication system. The method includes establishing a time-frequency shifting matrix of dimension N×N, wherein N is greater than one. The method further includes combining the time-frequency shifting matrix with a data frame to provide an intermediate data frame. A transformed data matrix is provided by permuting elements of the intermediate data frame. A modulated signal is generated in accordance with elements of the transformed data matrix. |
| US09548836B2 |
Upstream burst noise detection
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for detecting burst noise. The system and method are described in the exemplary context of a cable modem system and can be used in such a system to specifically detect upstream burst noise. Once detected, the system and method can adjust the upstream receiver that receives data corrupted by the upstream burst noise to reduce the potentially deleterious effects that the burst noise can have on, for example, the packet error rate and/or data rate of the upstream receiver. |
| US09548835B2 |
Method of supporting transfer of optical network unit between passive optical networks
In one embodiment, the method includes sending a first transfer message to a target optical line terminal (OLT) corresponding to the target passive optical network (PON), the first transfer message including first identifier information of the first ONU; and sending a second transfer message to a source OLT corresponding to the source PON, the second transfer message including second identifier information of the first ONU and wavelength information of the target PON. |
| US09548832B1 |
Media streaming synchronization
A system and method for closely synchronizing the transmission of real-time data streams is described. Synchronization data is transmitted by a cycle master for receipt by one or more cycle slaves. A cycle slave updates an internal state based on synchronization data received from the cycle master. This internal state may govern reproduction of received real-time data streams by the cycle slave. Such synchronization data may be inserted into transmitted media streams. The cycle slave internal state may be more accurately set by calculating timing differences between the cycle master and cycle slave and periodically adjusting that internal state between receipt of the synchronization data from the cycle master. |
| US09548830B2 |
Methods and apparatus to generate signatures representative of media
Methods and apparatus to generate signatures representative of media are disclosed. An example method includes transforming a block of samples from a time-domain representation to a frequency-domain representation comprising multiple frequency bands, determining a signature function by fitting a curve to at least a subset of the frequency bands, and calculating signature values for the block. Calculating the tuple includes calculating a first angle between a reference line and a first line that is tangent to the signature function at a first index, calculating a second angle between the reference line and a second line that is tangent to the signature function at a second index, calculating a third angle between the reference line and a third line that is tangent to the signature function at a third index, and creating the signature values based on the first angle, the second angle, and the third angle. |
| US09548819B2 |
Method to control optical receiver implemented with semiconductor optical amplifier and method to control optical communication
A method to control an optical receiver implemented with a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is disclosed. The SOA has a p-n junction operable in a PD mode when it is supplied with a zero or reverse bias. The SOA detects the magnitude of the incoming light and the driving current supplied thereto is adjusted based on thus detected magnitude of the incoming light such that the outgoing light provided to the PD has a magnitude within a preset range. |
| US09548818B2 |
Optical modulator and operating point control method
An optical modulator includes an optical phase modulator which applies an operating voltage to at least one arm so as to modulate an optical phase of an optical signal transmitted via at least one arm and an optical phase adjuster which applies a voltage below the operating voltage to at least one arm so as to adjust an operating point. In the optical phase adjuster, an optical phase coarse adjuster applies a voltage below the operating voltage to at least one arm so as to change an optical phase of an optical signal by 180° or more, while an optical phase fine adjuster applies a voltage below the operating voltage to at least one arm so as to changer an optical phase of an optical signal by 90° or less. Thus, it is possible to automatically calibrate an operating point of an optical modulator with low power consumption. |
| US09548816B2 |
Wavelength control of two-channel DEMUX/MUX in silicon photonics
Method and devices of controlling wavelengths in two-channel DEMUX/MUX in silicon photonics are provided. The two-channel DEMUX/MUX includes a waveguide-based delay-line-interferometer at least in receiver portion of a two-channel transceiver for DWDM optical transmission loop and is configured to split a light wave with combined two-wavelengths into one light wave with locked one channel wavelength and another light wave with locked another channel wavelength. The waveguide-based delayed-line interferometer (DLI) is characterized by a free-spectral-range configured to be equal to twice of channel spacing. The method includes tuning heater of DLI in receiver of each two-channel transceiver by using either low-frequency dither signals added on MZMs associated with respective two channels as feedback signal or one DFB laser wavelength tapped from an input of transmitter portion at one channel before or after the MZMs as a direct wavelength reference to feed into an output of receiver portion at another channel. |
| US09548813B2 |
System and method for provision of appliance control functionality to a smart device
A system for use in issuing commands to a plurality of appliances each of a specific one of a plurality of different appliance types includes a smart device adapted to transmit command communications and a plurality of low-energy consuming controllers each adapted to transmit a command to a one of the plurality of appliances of a specific one of the plurality of different appliance types in response to receipt of a command communication originating from the smart device. |
| US09548811B2 |
Method and system for encoding multi-level pulse amplitude modulated signals using integrated optoelectronic devices
Methods and systems for encoding multi-level pulse amplitude modulated signals using integrated optoelectronics are disclosed and may include generating a multi-level, amplitude-modulated optical signal utilizing an optical modulator driven by two or more of a plurality of electrical input signals. The optical modulator may configure levels in the multi-level amplitude modulated optical signal. Drivers may be coupled to the optical modulator, and the plurality of electrical input signals may be synchronized before being communicated to said drivers. Two or more of said plurality of electrical input signals may be selected utilizing one or more multiplexers. The one or more multiplexers may select an electrical input or a complement of the electrical input. Phase addition may be synchronized in a plurality of optical modulator elements in the optical modulator utilizing one or more electrical delay lines. The optical modulator may be integrated on a single substrate. |
| US09548804B2 |
Mitigation of interference from a mobile relay node to heterogeneous networks
Devices, systems and methods for mitigating the interference introduced by mobile relay nodes in a heterogeneous network are described. The techniques described apply fractional frequency reuse and power controlled beamforming to mitigate such interference. |
| US09548803B2 |
Performance for a multiple antenna beamforming cellular network
The present disclosure provides for an improved application of signal strength weightings in an SDMA sectored cellular network. The improved signal strength weightings application is conducted through the improved selection of weightings from a new codebook subset or by the selection of weightings from a larger codebook subset. In a further embodiment, an antenna beam index or bit map can be used to select the best beam(s) in an SDMA sectored cellular network. In another embodiment, a field or factor in an uplink or downlink transmission packet can designate which directional transmission beam is best suited for the transmission or when the directional transmission beam should be activated. |
| US09548797B1 |
Lighting unit with near field communication, integrated circuit and methods therefor
A lighting unit is described comprising: a microcontroller; and a near field communication (NFC)-enabled embedded device comprising NFC shared memory configured to be written to by both an external NFC reader/writer using near field communication and the microcontroller and configured to enable an operation of the lighting unit to be both monitored and controlled using NFC. In this manner, the operation of a lighting unit may be monitored using NFC and controlled by using one of two approaches, such as via a microcontroller within the lighting unit and/or a near field communication, NFC, via the NFC-enabled embedded device. |
| US09548792B2 |
Adaptive monitoring of crosstalk coupling strength
The disclosure relates to a method of reducing crosstalk in a crosstalk cancelation system. The method comprises at least the steps of applying to the at least one first signal a crosstalk cancelation according to a set of crosstalk coefficients; monitoring crosstalk received in the at least one first signal at a first end of the first path during the application of the crosstalk cancelation; and updating the crosstalk coefficients during the monitoring. The disclosure also includes a device, which can carry out the method. |
| US09548791B2 |
Remote operation and control system for pressure filter
A remote operation and control system for a pressure filter; a PLC controller in a pressure filter body is connected to the interface of a GPRS-DTU communication network; the aerial of the GPRS-DTU communication network is linked to a communication tower via a signal; the communication tower is connected to a GGSN communication interface and an SGSN communication interface, forming a GPRS communication network; the GPRS communication network is connected to the wiring port of a router; a wire connects to a firewall via the router, and enters the wiring port of a switch; an industrial Ethernet is configured to connect to the wiring port of the switch. The remote operation and control system for a pressure filter achieves unattended operation on the working site of the pressure filter, thus improving the technical level of the control system. |
| US09548786B2 |
Dynamic switch controller
Radio-frequency (RF) modules are disclosed comprising an RF input port, an RF output port and an RF core configured operate in each of a plurality of operational states, the plurality of operational states including a first subset of operational states and a second subset of operational states. The RF module or device includes a decoder configured to receive an input signal indicating a first operational state of the RF core, the first operational state being of the first subset, generate an output control signal corresponding to the first operational state, detect a transition of the RF core to a second operational state, determine that the second operational state is of the second subset, and insert an intermediate output signal corresponding to an intermediate operational state of the RF core in response to said determination. |
| US09548782B1 |
Smart phone holder for vehicle
A smart phone holder which is mounted to a fixed structure of a vehicle body at a front side of a vehicle to support a smart phone may include a fixing link fixedly mounted to the fixed structure of the vehicle body, and first, second, and third link members forming a four-node link structure with the fixing link together and configured to move the smart phone frontward or rearward of the vehicle by a linkage operation thereof. |
| US09548781B2 |
Enabling pre-provisioned proprietary carrier-specific feature services and applications for execution on a mobile device
A pre-provisioned mobile device and a system are provided that enables selection of proprietary feature services and proprietary applications specific to one cellular carrier from among two or more cellular carriers that have pre-provisioned the mobile device with carrier-specific proprietary feature services and proprietary applications. In response to insertion of a carrier-specific universal integrated circuit card, pre-provisioned proprietary feature services and proprietary applications specific to the carrier associated with the carrier-specific universal integrated circuit card are enabled for execution on the mobile device from a memory of the mobile device. Other examples allow for customized firmware and software builds. |
| US09548773B1 |
Mitigation of EMI/ESD-caused transmission errors on an electronic circuit
A method detects and mitigates harm caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) to digital transmissions within an electronic circuit. One or more processors check for an initial transmission error during an initial digital transmission between a digital transmitter and a digital receiver on an electronic circuit. In response to detecting the initial transmission error, the processor(s) receive electromagnetic interference (EMI) detection signals from one or more EMI detectors. In response to determining that the EMI detection signals represent an EMI level that exceeds a predetermined value, the processor(s) identify an EMI anomaly source on the electronic circuit and adjusts the EMI anomaly source until the EMI level has been reduced to a nominal level. A copy of the initial digital transmission is then resent from the digital transmitter to the digital receiver. If no transmission error reoccurs, then the EMI anomaly source is kept in the adjusted state. |
| US09548771B2 |
Method and apparatus for eliminating interference among transmission channels of transmitter
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for eliminating interference among transmission channels of a transmitter. The method includes: generating a compensation parameter according to an output signal of an analog module on a transmission channel to be processed by the transmitter and an input signal of a digital module on each transmission channel among all transmission channels of the transmitter; generating a cancellation signal according to the compensation parameter and an input or output signal of a digital module on another transmission channel except for the transmission channel to be processed; and performing, according to the cancellation signal, interference elimination processing on the transmission channel to be processed. The method and apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention avoid an increase of a transmitter product size, and improve an effect of eliminating interference among transmission channels. |
| US09548769B2 |
Reduced wiring requirements with signal slope manipulation
A method includes manipulating at least one electric signal received from one or more electronic components to provide a slope substantially proportional to a discrete integer data value of n discrete integer data values, n being a positive integer greater than or equal to 3, said discrete integer data value represented by using one of n distinct slopes, said one of n distinct slopes to be transmitted utilizing a particular reference voltage of n predetermined reference voltages. The method further includes transmitting data as the particular reference voltage of the n predetermined reference voltages to at least one electronic component utilizing slope manipulation. |
| US09548767B2 |
Multi-band amplifier
A multi-band amplifier may operate in a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The multi-band amplifier may include a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a coupler. The coupler may couple a signal, such as a communication signal, to a selected amplifier. In some embodiments, the coupler may include one or more inductive elements to couple the signal to the first or the second amplifier. In some embodiments, the inductive elements may include a balun. |
| US09548766B2 |
Systems and methods for testing susceptibility of aircraft components to radio frequencies
An apparatus for testing for the susceptibility of an aircraft system to radio frequencies comprises a wireless module for generating radio signals that sweep each of the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the 5 GHz frequency band. A first amplifier is configured for amplifying signals in the 2.4 GHz band, and a second amplifier is configured for amplifying signals in the 5 GHz band. The apparatus comprises at least one dual band antenna for transmitting the signals in each of the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz bands. |
| US09548764B1 |
Memory efficient decoders for low-density parity-check codes
A decoder including a compression module configured to select one or more nodes from a plurality of nodes associated with data being decoded by the decoder, where each node includes one or more bits, and to compress the one or more bits associated with the selected nodes. A memory is configured to store the compressed one or more bits associated with the selected nodes. |
| US09548763B2 |
Data encoding method and electronic device therefor
A method and electronic device for encoding data are provided. The method includes acquiring sets xj (j=1 . . . k) and yi (i=1 . . . p) in generating a Generator Cauchy Matrix, wherein k denotes a number of information symbols, and p denotes a number of parity symbols, generating a matrix A1 using the sets xj and yi, wherein elements of the matrix A1 are obtained by 1 x j + y i and have weight of Galois field, and the matrix A1 has a size of P×K, generating a set K, wherein all elements of the set K are not included in the sets xj and yi, updating the set xj by changing at least one element of the set xj for an element of the set K, updating the set yi by changing at least one element of the set yi for the set K element, generating the Generator Cauchy Matrix using the updated sets xj and yi, and encoding data including the information symbols and parity symbols using the Generator Cauchy Matrix. |
| US09548760B2 |
Tape header format having efficient and robust codeword interleave designation (CWID) protection
In one embodiment, a computer program product for providing header protection in magnetic tape recording includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable by a processor to cause the processor to: calculate or obtain, by the processor, codeword interleave designation (CWID) parity for all CWIDs in a codeword interleave (CWI) set header, the CWID parity including error correction coding (ECC) parity, and store, by the processor, the CWID parity to a magnetic tape in one or more fields which are repeated for each CWI header in the CWI set header without using reserved bits in the CWI set header to store the CWID parity. Other systems and methods for providing header protection in magnetic tape recording are described in more embodiments. |
| US09548758B2 |
Secure compressive sampling using codebook of sampling matrices
In one aspect, a compressive sampling encoder comprises matrix determination circuitry configured to determine a particular sampling matrix selected from a codebook comprising a plurality of sampling matrices. The compressive sampling encoder further comprises sampling circuitry coupled to the matrix determination circuitry and configured to apply the particular sampling matrix to a first signal to generate a second signal, and encryption circuitry configured to receive an identifier of the particular sampling matrix and to encrypt the identifier of the particular sampling matrix. The compressive sampling encoder provides at one or more outputs thereof the second signal and the encrypted identifier of the particular sampling matrix. Other aspects include a compressive sampling decoder, compressive sampling encoding and decoding methods, and associated computer program products. |
| US09548757B2 |
Digital-to-analog converter circuit
A digital to analog converter including a current source for providing a master current, a first sub digital to analog converter coupled to the current source which generates a plurality of currents, and a second sub digital to analog converter coupled to at least one of the plurality of currents from the first sub digital to analog converter which generates a second plurality of currents. The digital to analog converter also includes an overlap adjustment circuit coupled with the second sub digital to analog converter which adds current. The digital to analog converter is configured to operate in a first mode for generating a sine wave with a first bit level accuracy and, when in the first mode, the overlap adjustment circuit adds no current. to the second sub digital to analog converter The digital to analog converter is configured to operate in a second mode for generating a ramp wave with a second bit level accuracy and, when in the second mode, the overlap adjustment circuit adds current to the second sub digital to analog converter. When in the second mode, the total current of the second sub digital to analog converter and the overlap converter is greater than one of the plurality of currents generated by the first sub digital to analog converter. |
| US09548754B1 |
Systems and methods for comparator calibration
The present invention is directed integrated circuits and methods thereof. More specifically, an embodiment of the present invention provides a comparator calibration loop where a digital integrator stores a running sum based on the output of a comparator. A DAC converts the running sum and generates an offset calibration voltage, which is filtered by a low-pass filter module, and the filtered offset calibration voltage is used to cancel out the intrinsic offset voltage and low frequency noise of the comparator. There are other embodiments as well. |
| US09548753B1 |
System and method for linearity calibration in mixed-signal devices
The embodiments described herein provide calibration systems and methods for mixed-signal devices. Specifically, the embodiments provide systems and methods for calibrating mixed-signal devices that can facilitate effective calibration of such mixed-signal devices, including mixed-signal devices with poorly characterized nonlinearities that cannot be effectively calibrated with traditional calibration techniques. In general, the embodiments described herein calibrate by measuring output values from a mixed-signal device with a known calibration input values being applied. The measured output values are used to determine localized polynomial interpolants. Each of the determined localized polynomial interpolants is then evaluated at an uncorrected output value, and the evaluated localized polynomial interpolants are then used to generate correction values. |
| US09548751B2 |
RF circuit
An RF circuit for providing phase coherent signals, an RF heating apparatus comprising the RF circuit and a method for providing phase coherent signals in an RF circuit. The RF circuit has a first frequency synthesiser including a fractional-N phase locked loop and a second frequency synthesiser including an integer-N phase locked loop. An output of the first frequency synthesiser is connected to a phase frequency detector of the integer-N phase locked loop of the second frequency synthesiser via a synchronization signal divider for distributing a synchronization signal from the first frequency synthesiser to the second frequency synthesiser. The integer-N phase locked loop of the second frequency synthesiser comprises a frequency divider of the same modulus as the synchronization signal divider. |
| US09548749B2 |
Operating parameter circuitry and method
An operating parameter method and circuitry are provided that generate operating parameter signals that are compensated for noise. Such operating parameter circuitry includes control loop circuitry that operates from a first power supply to provide an operating parameter signal to functional circuitry operating from a second power supply separate from the first power supply. The control loop circuitry comprises generator circuitry to generate the operating parameter signal based on an input signal. Replica generator circuitry operates from the second power supply to generate a further operating parameter signal based on the input signal. Adjustment circuitry performs a comparison on the operating parameter signal and the further operating parameter signal and causes an adjusted input signal to be produced in dependence on a result of the comparison. The adjusted input signal is received by the generator circuitry. Consequently, the generator circuitry is able to produce an operating parameter signal that has been compensated for noise in the circuit. |
| US09548748B1 |
Digital phase locked loop (PLL) system and method with phase tracing
A PLL control system is provided that implements a phase tracer module to reduce lock time and output clock jitter. A second clock signal is generated by dividing a frequency of a reference clock signal. A feedback clock signal is generated based on a high-frequency clock signal from a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) and a PLL feedback divide number. Lead/lag determination circuitry generates a lead/lag detection result that indicates whether the feedback clock signal leads or lags the second clock signal. A skew digitizer digitizes a skew between a falling edge of the second clock signal and a rising edge of the feedback clock signal to generate a skew signal. The phase tracer module processes the lead/lag detection result and the skew signal to generate a digital control signal that controls cycle time of the DCO to change frequency of the high-frequency clock signal. |
| US09548747B2 |
Glitch-free digitally controlled oscillator code update
A glitch-free digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) code update may be achieved by synchronizing the transfer of the DCO code update to a logic state transition of a pulse in the DCO clock output signal such that the code update may be achieved while the DCO delay chain remains in the same logic state. A state machine may provide the DCO code update and a pulsed update signal to a timing circuit. The DCO code update may be aligned with a pulse in the pulsed update signal. The timing circuit may generate a DCO code update enabled signal upon alignment of the pulse in the pulsed update signal with a state transition of a pulse in the pulsed DCO clock output. The DCO code update enabled signal may be aligned with a state transition in the pulsed DCO clock output to permit a glitch-free DCO code update. |
| US09548742B1 |
Driving the common-mode of a josephson parametric converter using a three-port power divider
An on-chip Josephson parametric converter is provided. The on-chip Josephson parametric converter includes a Josephson ring modulator. The on-chip Josephson parametric converter further includes a lossless power divider, coupled to the Josephson ring modulator, having a single input port and two output ports for receiving a pump drive signal via the single input port, splitting the pump drive signal symmetrically into two signals that are equal in amplitude and phase, and outputting each of the two signals from a respective one of the two output ports. The pump drive signal excites a common mode of the on-chip Josephson parametric converter. |
| US09548739B2 |
Drive for cascode stack of power FETs
Disclosed is a cascode configuration that moves the gate of the cascode substantially without delay relative to an output node by capacitively coupling the latter onto the cascode gates. The passive coupling eliminates the need for actively driving the gates of the cascode. In some embodiments, the only circuitry needed on the cascode gate may be a biasing circuit that limits the swing on the cascode gate between Vmax and 2×Vmax, where Vmax is a transistor device rating. |
| US09548738B2 |
High voltage RC-clamp for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection
In accordance with some embodiments, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for high-voltage power rails includes an RC-triggered clamp having an RC-circuit having a resistor coupled between a first node and a second node, and a capacitor coupled between the second node and a third node. The RC-triggered clamp also has a transistor with a first source/drain, a gate, and a second source/drain, wherein the first source/drain is coupled to the first node, and the second source/drain is coupled to the third node. The RC-triggered clamp also has an inverter, wherein an input of the inverter is coupled to the second node, and an output of the inverter is coupled to the gate of the transistor. The ESD protection circuit also includes one or more forward-biased diodes coupled in series between a supply node and the first node. |
| US09548737B1 |
Method for manufacturing a digital circuit and digital circuit
A method for manufacturing a digital circuit is described including forming a plurality of field effect transistor pairs, connecting the field effect transistors of the field effect transistor pairs such that in response to a first transition from a first state of two nodes of the digital circuit and in response to a second transition from a second state of the nodes of the digital circuit the nodes each have an undefined logic state when, for each field effect transistor pair, the threshold voltages of the field effect transistors of the field effect transistor pair are equal and setting the threshold voltages of the field effect transistors of the field effect transistor pairs such that the nodes each have a predetermined defined logic state in response to the first transition and in response to the second transition. |
| US09548734B1 |
Smart impedance matching for high-speed I/O
Embodiments are generally directed to smart impedance matching for high-speed I/O. In some embodiments, a circuit includes an impedance sensing block; a finite state machine to provide impedance tuning for a driver; and a control block, the control block to provide a feedback loop to check and tune impedance of the driver. The impedance sensing block is to sample an output voltage of the driver to determine whether the impedance of the driver is greater than or less than an impedance of the channel; and the finite state machine is to produce a signal to decrease or increase the impedance of the driver based on the determination whether the impedance of the driver is greater than or less than the impedance of the channel. |
| US09548732B2 |
Self-powered gate drive circuit apparatus and method
A self-powered gate drive circuit comprising a first capacitor electrically coupled to a power semiconductor collector node of the circuit; a first switch arranged between the first capacitor and a second capacitor, the first switch electrically coupling the first and second capacitors when switched on; the second capacitor; a first diode, the first diode anode electrically coupled to the first capacitor and the first diode cathode electrically coupled to the first switch; a second diode, the second diode cathode electrically coupled to the first capacitor and the second diode anode electrically coupled with a ground node of the circuit; and a second switch, wherein the second switch electrically couples the second capacitor with a power semiconductor gate node when switched on. |
| US09548726B1 |
Slew-rate control and waveshape adjusted drivers for improving signal integrity on multi-loads transmission line interconnects
A driver integrated circuit (IC) device. The driver device can include a front-end module, a pre-driver module, and a driver module coupled to a transmission line path. The pre-driver module can be coupled to the front-end module and can include one or more delay adjust capacitor modules, and one or more pull-down control modules. The driver module can be coupled to the pre-driver module, the driver module including one or more pull-down control logic modules. This driver device can configured in several implementations to provide control and programmability of a driver slew rate to maximize a signal integrity eye opening. |
| US09548723B1 |
Current mode DVR or PVCOM with integrated impedances
One or more resistors or resistances are integrated in a 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit. A 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit includes a 7-bit DAC. The integrated resistors or resistances (R1, R2, or RSET, or any combination) reduces the number of external components, reduces the number of pins, and increases the accuracy of the DVR or PVCOM circuit. The least significant bit (LSB) of the DAC depends only on ratios of internal resistors, which can be made very accurate and independent of temperature. |
| US09548722B2 |
Apparatus and methods for reducing glitches in digital step attenuators
Apparatus and methods for reducing glitches in digital step attenuators are disclosed. By configuring a multi-bit DSA such that an attenuation control block changes a plurality of control signals in a manner sequencing individual switches of the DSA, glitches can be reduced and RF signal behavior can be enhanced. The sequence, based upon a unit time delay, causes the transient attenuation value to be bounded between a minimum and maximum and can improve settling time. |
| US09548717B2 |
Piezoelectric resonator device using temperature sensor unit
A deviation in mounting a temperature sensor unit is eliminated. In a second cavity 47 for mounting a temperature sensor unit 3 of a base 4, exposed electrodes 6 that intersect at least an internal wall surface 474 of a second wall portion 45 are formed so as to be exposed within the second cavity 47. The exposed electrodes 6 include a pair of temperature sensor electrode pads 621 and 622 to which the temperature sensor unit 3 is bonded via a solder 13. The solder 13 is formed so as to cover an entire surface of the exposed electrodes 6 including the temperature sensor electrode pads 621 and 622 to which the temperature sensor unit 3 is bonded. |
| US09548710B2 |
Methods and circuitry to provide common mode transient immunity
Embodiments herein include a replica communication path and monitor circuit to provide increased common mode transient immunity. As its name suggests, the monitor circuit monitors the replica communication path and produces an adjustment signal (common mode transient adjustment signal) to cancel presence of a common mode transient signal in one or more other communication paths conveying data signals. |
| US09548709B2 |
Independent gain control for multiple receive circuits concurrently processing different transmitted signals
Techniques for simultaneously receiving multiple transmitted signals with independent gain control are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus (e.g., a wireless device, an integrated circuit, etc.) includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) and first and second receive circuits. The LNA amplifies a receiver input signal and provides (i) a first amplified signal for a first set of at least one transmitted signal being received and (ii) a second amplified signal for a second set of at least one transmitted signal being received. The first receive circuit scales the first amplified signal based on a first adjustable gain selected for the first set of transmitted signal(s). The second receive circuit scales the second amplified signal based on a second adjustable gain selected for the second set of transmitted signal(s). The first and second adjustable gains may be independently selected, e.g., based on the received powers of the transmitted signals. |
| US09548706B2 |
High-frequency generator
The power stage at the output of a high-frequency generates operates in class D and comprises a voltage supply and a common earth, a first and a second switch linked to the common earth and periodically switched on at a high frequency F; these switches are linked to two common-mode inductors connected in a Guanella balun. Each common-mode inductor comprises two inductive lines with strong mutual coupling. The first switch is linked to the input of the first inductive line but not to the second, third and fourth lines and the second switch is linked to the input of the fourth inductive line but not to the first, second and third lines, the output of the first inductive line is linked to an output of the generator, the output of the fourth inductive line is linked to an internal resistor, the inputs of the second and third inductive lines are linked to the supply voltage source, the output of the third inductive line is linked to the output of the first inductive line and the output of the second inductive line is linked to the output of the fourth inductive line. |
| US09548704B1 |
Balun based phase inverter using replica load
Aspects of the present invention include a circuit that includes an input balun circuit responsive to an input signal, the input balun circuit being configured to provide two output signals that are out of phase with each other. The circuit further includes an actual switched amplification stage configured to direct one of the balun output signals to a phase inverter output, and a replica switched amplification stage connected in parallel with the actual switched amplification stage, wherein the actual switched amplification stage and the replica switched amplification stage are responsive to the two output signals from the input balun circuit to direct one of the balun output signals to the phase inverter output, and wherein the actual switched amplification stage and the replica switched amplification stage are configured to have a constant load impedance for both switch states that matches an impedance of the input balun circuit. |
| US09548703B2 |
Distortion compensation apparatus, transmission apparatus, and distortion compensation method
A distortion compensation apparatus including: a memory configured to store a plurality of distortion compensation coefficients for compensating distortion to an input signal amplified by an amplifier, each of the plurality of distortion compensation coefficients being associated with a different combination of two addresses, and a processor configured to receive temperature information associated with a temperature of the amplifier, generate a first address based on the input signal at a first time, generate a second address based on an average of the input signal during a previous period preceding the first time, the average being calculated based on the temperature information, select a distortion compensation coefficient from the plurality of distortion compensation coefficients based on the first address and the second address, and compensate distortion to the input signal based on the selected distortion compensation coefficient. |
| US09548702B2 |
Apparatus and methods for capacitive load reduction of an envelope tracker
Apparatus and methods for capacitive load reduction are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power amplifier system includes a plurality of power amplifiers and an envelope tracking module for generating a supply voltage for the power amplifiers. The power amplifier system further includes a switch and a decoupling capacitor operatively associated with a first power amplifier of the system. The switch is configured to electrically float an end of the decoupling capacitor when the first power amplifier is disabled so as to reduce capacitive loading of the envelope tracker and to operate as a dampening resistor when the power amplifier is enabled so as to improve the stability of the system. |
| US09548700B2 |
Control of cross-over point
There is provided an output stage comprising: a phase splitter for receiving an input signal and for generating first and second drive signals of opposite phase in dependence thereon; a DC offset signal generator for generating a DC offset signal; an adder for adding the DC offset signal to the first drive signal to provide a first modified drive signal; a subtractor for subtracting the DC offset signal from the second drive signal to provide a second modified drive signal; a first drive transistor associated with a first power supply voltage, for generating a first output signal in dependence on the first modified drive signal; a second drive transistor associated with a second power supply voltage, for generating a second output signal in dependence on the second modified drive signal; and a combiner for combining the first and second output signals to generate a phase combined output signal. |
| US09548699B2 |
Oscillator, electronic apparatus, and moving object
An oscillator includes a circuit board including a supporting substrate (base member), a first VCXO (a first oscillator circuit), a second VCXO (a second oscillator circuit), and a ground terminal (terminal for ground). The first VCXO and the second VCXO are configured such that a second output frequency that is output from the second VCXO is higher than a first output frequency that is output from the first VCXO. The second VCXO is placed closer to the ground terminal than the first VCXO. |
| US09548698B2 |
Solar energy collection system employing reflectors and sun tracking
A solar energy system for collecting and converting solar energy to electricity using photovoltaic devices. The system further includes reflective panels to concentrate incident solar energy onto an array of solar panels, as well as an automated sun tracking system to rotate the solar and reflective panels to follow the sun. |
| US09548696B2 |
East-west photovoltaic array with spaced apart photovoltaic modules for improved aerodynamic efficiency
A solar array with successive rows of photovoltaic modules angled in opposing directions forming peaks and valleys between the rows with the valleys (i.e.: lower sides of the photovoltaic module rows) being mounted close together and the peaks (i.e.: upper sides of the photovoltaic module rows) being mounted far apart to improve system aerodynamics and permit ease of access for installers. Included is a system for connecting the upper sides of the photovoltaic modules to connectors that slide on bars extending between upper and lower mounting bases and for pivot locking the lower sides of the photovoltaic modules to the lower mounting bases. |
| US09548694B2 |
Power generator unit for a vehicle
A power generator unit includes a crankshaft-connecting unit and a power supply unit adapted to be arranged substantially in a left-right direction in which a crankshaft of a vehicle extends. The crankshaft-connecting unit includes a recharge generator adapted to be disposed on and actuated by the crankshaft, and a transmission shaft adapted to extend in parallel with and be driven rotatably by the crankshaft. The power supply unit includes a main shaft connected coaxially to the transmission shaft, and a supply generator connected to the main shaft and actuated by the main shaft. A portion of the transmission shaft is covered by the power supply unit. |
| US09548692B2 |
Power control system and method of controlling the same
A power control system for a generator includes a control unit, an input sensing unit, an output sensing unit, and a power conversion unit. The input sensing unit senses a voltage and a current, generated from the generator. The output sensing unit senses a load voltage and a load current, received by the load. The power conversion unit receives the voltage and the current, and converts the voltage and the current into the load voltage and the load current. The control unit judges and predicts the mechanical behavior of the generator to control the generator according to the received voltage, the current, the load voltage, and the load current. |
| US09548691B1 |
Variable speed constant frequency power generator including permanent magnet exciter
A variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) power generator includes a rotating direct current (DC) power source, rotating multi-phase generator main field windings to generate a rotating alternating current (AC) power, and a rotating inverter configured to control alternating current (AC) generator field windings in response to output AC power generated by the VSCF power generator and DC power from the rotating DC power source. At least one generator main field sensor outputs a generator main field feedback signal based on the rotating AC power applied to the rotating multi-phase generator main field windings. Stationary multi-phase generator armature windings output constant voltage constant frequency AC power controlled by the rotating AC power. An electronic rotating power line communication (PLC) controller generates a control signal that adjusts the rotating AC power based on the rotating generator feedback signal, where the output AC power is controlled by adjusting the rotating AC power. |
| US09548690B2 |
System and method for adjusting current regulator gains applied within a power generation system
In one aspect, a method for controlling the operation of a power generation system configured to supply power to an electrical grid may generally include monitoring a rotor speed of a generator of the power generation system and determining a gain scaling factor based on the rotor speed, wherein the gain scaling factor increases with decreases in the rotor speed across a range of rotor speeds. In addition, the method may include adjusting a regulator gain to be applied within a current regulator of the power generation system based on the gain scaling factor and applying the adjusted regulator gain within the current regulator in order to generate a voltage command signal for controlling a power converter of the power generation system. |
| US09548688B2 |
Motor control apparatus
A motor control apparatus operates a power conversion circuit connected between a direct current power source and a motor, which performs mutual conversion between power at the direct current power source and power at the motor in response to a powering operation and a regenerative operation carried out by the motor. The motor control apparatus includes: a voltage command calculator that calculates a voltage command to the power conversion circuit; a suppression gain calculator that calculates a suppression gain such that an absolute value of an estimation value of a power source current or an absolute value of a detection value of the power source current is not more than a target value; and a voltage command suppressor that suppresses a voltage command by multiplying the suppression gain to the voltage command calculated by the voltage command calculator. Additionally, the suppression gain is within a range of 0 to 1. |
| US09548682B2 |
Actuator with electric motor and motor controller
An actuator (1M, 1S) with a motor (12) and a motor controller (11) is configurable to operate as a master or a slave to another actuator which is coupled mechanically for driving a common load. For the case where the actuator (1M) is set as the master, the motor controller (11) receives on an input terminal (Y3) an external position control signal (pC), generates a motor control signal (sC) for controlling the motor (12) based on the position control signal (pC), and supplies the motor control signal (sC) to an output terminal (U5) for controlling a slave. For the case where the actuator (1S) is set as the slave, the motor controller (11) controls the motor (12) by supplying to the motor (12) the motor control signal (sC) received from the master. Controlling the actuators with a master improves workload balancing and reduces damages to transmission mechanics of the actuators. |
| US09548675B2 |
Method and device for discharging an inverter capacitor
The invention relates to a control device for triggering a semi-conductor switch of an inverter, the control device comprising: a switching signal amplification device, which is designed to amplify a switching signal generated by a control regulation of the inverter, and to generate a first switching control signal that triggers the semi-conductor switch in a switching mode; a current regulation device, which is coupled to a current sensor output of the semiconductor switch and is designed to generate a second switching control signal that triggers the semi-conductor switch in a linear mode; and a selection device, which is coupled to the switching signal amplification device and the current regulation device and is designed to output, on the basis of at least one mode selection signal, either the first switching control signal or the second switching control signal in order to trigger a control terminal of the semi-conductor switch. |
| US09548666B2 |
Method and apparatus for offline switch mode power supply with dithered switching frequency
A circuit for use in a switched mode power supply comprising includes an integrated circuit, a transformer, a capacitor, a low voltage circuit and a current limiting resistor. The IC jitters the switching frequency of the switch based on a bias voltage of the integrated circuit. The IC also includes a current source configured to supply current for operation of the switching regulator when insufficient current is available from the bias input pin. The transformer includes primary, secondary and auxiliary windings. The primary winding receives a rectified line voltage and is coupled to the switch. The capacitor is coupled between the bias input pin and ground. The low voltage circuit is coupled to the auxiliary winding, and provides current to the bias input pin. The current limiting resistor limits current produced by the low voltage circuit to less than that required for operation of the IC. |
| US09548659B2 |
Audio frequency deadband system and method for switch mode regulators operating in discontinuous conduction mode
A controller for controlling operation of a switching regulator including a modulator, a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) controller, an audible DCM (ADCM) controller, and a sub-sonic discontinuous conduction mode (SBDCM) controller. The modulator generally operates in a continuous conduction mode. The DCM controller modifies operation to DCM during low loads. The ADCM controller detects when the switching frequency is less than a super-sonic frequency threshold and modifies operation to maintain the switching frequency at a super-sonic frequency level. The SBDCM controller detects a sub-sonic operating condition during ADCM operation and responsively inhibits operation of the ADCM mode controller to allow a SBDCM mode within a sub-sonic switching frequency range. The SBDCM operating mode allows for efficient connected standby operation. The SBDCM controller allows operation to return to other modes when the switching frequency increases above the sub-sonic level. |
| US09548655B2 |
Differential dynamic charge pump circuit
A differential dynamic charge pump circuit comprising; a first charging stage in series with a second charging stage; the first charging stage comprising a first circuit input for receiving an alternating clock signal; a second circuit input for receiving an inverted version of the alternating clock signal; a first output inverter arrangement configured to receive output voltages from upper and lower charge pump arrangements and having a first output and a second output for providing a dynamic differential output; the second charging stage comprising a first input and a second input configured to receive the output signal from the first stage; a second output inverter arrangement configured to receive output voltages from upper and lower charge pump arrangements and having a first output and a second output for providing a dynamic differential output of the circuit. |
| US09548652B2 |
System and method providing over current protection based on duty cycle information for power converter
System and method for protecting a power converter. The system includes a duty-cycle detection component configured to receive a modulation signal, determine a first duty cycle corresponding to a first period of the modulation signal, compare the first duty cycle with a threshold duty cycle, and generate a duty-cycle comparison signal. Additionally, the system includes a threshold generator configured to receive the duty-cycle comparison signal and generate a threshold signal corresponding to a second period of the modulation signal, the second period being after the first period, and a comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a first comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Moreover, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation component configured to receive the first comparison signal and generate the modulation signal for adjusting the input current for the power converter. |
| US09548650B1 |
AC power monitoring and parameter determination
Devices and methods for monitoring and determining alternating current (AC) power system parameters are provided. In some implementations, the device can include a processor; and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for implementing a number of components. The components include a monitor configured to: sense an AC line voltage signal and an AC current voltage signal; filter the AC line voltage signal; calculate average AC line voltage and current values based, at least, on a DC voltage and current values corresponding to the AC line voltage and current signals, respectively; determine fundamental AC line voltage and current signals based, at least, on zero crossings of the respective average AC line voltage value and the average AC line current value; and determine one or more AC power system parameters based, at least, on the fundamental AC line voltage signal and the fundamental AC line current signal. |
| US09548649B2 |
DC-DC converter and display device including the same
A DC-DC converter includes: a converter including a first transistor, a second transistor and an inductor; a first gate driver and a second gate driver configured to respectively control the first and second transistors; a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit configured to output a PWM signal to the first gate driver and a first logic circuit, the first logic circuit configured to receive the PWM signal and a second logic signal, and to output a first logic signal to the second gate driver; and a second logic circuit configured to receive a first control signal and a second control signal, and to output the second logic signal to the first logic circuit. |
| US09548642B2 |
Fiber optic sensing apparatus for detecting stator slot temperatures and stator including such apparatus
A sensing apparatus (20) based on fiber optics including fiber gratings for monitoring stator slot temperatures in an electromotive machine (10) is provided. The apparatus may include a dielectric strip (22) to be received in a gap between a first stator bar (16) and a second stator bar (18) in a stator slot (14). One or more optical fibers (24, 25) may be disposed in the dielectric strip and extend along a longitudinal axis of the dielectric strip. A plurality of sites 28 in the optical fiber include a respective fiber Bragg grating arranged to have a respective optical response in a wavelength spectrum indicative of a value of temperature at the grating site. |
| US09548639B2 |
Power generation unit of integrated gearbox design for aircraft engine
A power generation unit is connected with an engine rotary shaft via an accessory gearbox. A rotor extends through the accessory gearbox and a drive gear is disposed at an intermediate portion of the rotor for driving the latter. Permanent magnet elements are mounted on opposite side portions with the intermediate portion intervening therebetween, and stator coils are disposed so as to confront respective outer peripheries of the permanent magnet elements. |
| US09548630B2 |
Compact uninterruptible power supply apparatus with cooling units
An uninterruptible power supply apparatus includes a cooler cooling a converter/chopper circuit and a cooler cooling a PWM inverter. The converter/chopper circuit and the cooler make up one integrated unit. Accordingly, a smaller apparatus can be achieved, compared with a conventional apparatus in which a cooler is provided for each of a converter and a chopper. |
| US09548625B2 |
System and method for providing and controlling inductive power charging
Wireless power transfer between power transmitters and power receivers may be established by a digital ping phase during which the wireless power transmitter applies a power signal and waits for a valid response message from the power receiver. The response message may include an identification code and a checksum byte used by the power transmitter to validate the identification code. When a valid response is received, the power transmitter transitions to a power transfer phase. |
| US09548623B2 |
Method and device for communication with a personal electronic device in an aircraft
A communication module includes a communication module, having an inductive energy transfer unit, a transfer driver coupled to the inductive energy transfer unit and configured to generate driver signals for operating the inductive energy transfer unit, a charging processor coupled to the transfer driver and configured to control the inductive energy transfer unit to operate in an inductive power charging operation mode, and a communication processor coupled to the transfer driver and configured to control the inductive energy transfer unit to operate in a near field communication (NFC), operation mode. |
| US09548622B2 |
Wirelessly charging a mobile device and utilizing the mobile device as a power source
An apparatus is provided for wirelessly charging a mobile computing device and utilizing the mobile computing device as a power source. The apparatus includes: a first data and power interface; a second data and power interface; a wireless charging unit; and a control unit. The operation of the wireless charging unit and the control unit is configured to provide a first mode of operation of the apparatus when an external source connected to the apparatus via the second data and power interface is a load device in which power is delivered from the mobile computing device to the load device via the first and second data and power interfaces, and a second mode of operation of the apparatus in which power is delivered from a power receiver of the wireless charging unit to the mobile computing device via the first data and power interface. |
| US09548605B2 |
Protection circuits and methods for electrical machines
An assembly includes an electrical machine connected to a power converter by a three-phase circuit having three conductors, e.g. cables Each conductor is associated with a switching device such as a contactor or the like that connects the conductor to a common conductor or terminal. In the event of a fault current being developed in the circuit or the power converter the switching devices are operated to close the fault current and connect together the conductors of the three-phase circuit to provide a full three-phase short circuit. |
| US09548597B2 |
Cable management assemblies and associated methods
A cable management assembly is provided that facilitates routing of cables from a rack, frame or cabinet. The cable management assembly may be mounted in a vertical or a horizontal orientation, and generally includes a flange, a pair of fingers extending outwardly relative to the flange and defining a routing region therebetween, at least one mounting element extending rearwardly relative to the flange; and a polygonal locking face mounted with respect to the at least one mounting element. The cable management assembly may be mounted with respect to a rack structure by introducing the polygonal locking face to a correspondingly shaped aperture and rotating the cable management assembly, e.g., by a quarter turn. |
| US09548595B2 |
System for extending an electrical cable through a tubular member
A system for extending an electrical cable through a tubular member, including the electrical cable, a first cable hanger component for connecting with a first tubular member end, and a second cable hanger component for connecting with a second tubular member end. A method for extending an electrical cable through a tubular member, including mechanically and electrically connecting the electrical cable with the second cable hanger component, extending the electrical cable through the tubular member, connecting the second cable hanger component with the second tubular member end, extending the electrical cable through the first cable hanger component, connecting the first cable hanger component with the first tubular member end, mechanically and electrically connecting the electrical cable with the first cable hanger component, and tensioning the electrical cable. |
| US09548593B2 |
Spark plug
A spark plug having a tip provided on at least one of a center electrode and a ground electrode. The spark plug includes a center electrode and a ground electrode disposed providing a gap with the center electrode. At least one of the center electrode and the ground electrode includes a tip forming the gap. The tip has a main constituent of Ir. The tip contains Rh of 7 mass % or more to 31 mass % or less, Ru of 5 mass % or more to 20 mass % or less, and Pt of one-twentieth or more to one-half or less of a Ru content. |
| US09548586B2 |
Energy integrating device for split semiconductor laser diodes
An energy integrating device for split semiconductor laser diodes includes: an installing holder, wherein the installing holder has a disc structure with a positioning hole at a center thereof, four module bases for mounting laser modules are symmetrically provided at one side of the disc structure, and the laser modules are embedded inside the module bases; a printed circuit board, connected to the laser modules through sleeves, is mounted at one side of the module bases, and a wire and a plug are mounted on the printed circuit board for connecting a power source; the laser modules are adjusted and positioned through fastening screws, and laser beams thereof are emitted through surface holes of the installing holder with the disc structure; the laser beams from the laser modules are focused onto one laser spot through a positive lens. |
| US09548585B1 |
Multi-point laser ignition device
A multi-point laser device comprising a plurality of optical pumping sources. Each optical pumping source is configured to create pumping excitation energy along a corresponding optical path directed through a high-reflectivity mirror and into substantially different locations within the laser media thereby producing atomic optical emissions at substantially different locations within the laser media and directed along a corresponding optical path of the optical pumping source. An output coupler and one or more output lenses are configured to produce a plurality of lasing events at substantially different times, locations or a combination thereof from the multiple atomic optical emissions produced at substantially different locations within the laser media. The laser media is a single continuous media, preferably grown on a single substrate. |
| US09548584B2 |
Method and arrangement to generate few optical cycle coherent electromagnetic radiation in the EUV-VUV domain
The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement to generate a coherent electromagnetic radiation containing at most a few optical cycles in the extreme ultraviolet/vacuum ultraviolet domain. The inventive method comprises the steps of providing an electron package (15) of relativistic velocity; modulating said electron package (15) with high intensity laser light (17) in an undulator (20) having an undulator period smaller than the undulator period (λu) satisfying the resonance condition, producing thereby an electron package formed of electron microbunches; and passing the electron package (15) of electron microbunches leaving said undulator (20) through a static magnetic field, and generating thereby a coherent electromagnetic radiation, wherein said static magnetic field is generated in conformity with the coherent electromagnetic radiation to be achieved. The arrangement comprises means for providing an electron package (15) of relativistic velocity; means for providing high-intensity laser light (17); a first undulator (20) arranged in the propagation direction of the electron package (15) of relativistic velocity, said first undulator being adapted to receive the electron package (16) and the laser light (17) simultaneously and to induce an interaction thereof, said interaction resulting in the microbunching of the electron package (15), wherein the undulator period of said first undulator (20) being smaller than the undulator period (λu) satisfying the resonance condition; and a second undulator (3) arranged in the propagation direction of the electron package (15) after said first undulator (20), said second undulator (30) generating a magnetic field in conformity with the coherent electromagnetic radiation to be generated. |
| US09548582B2 |
Pulse width stretcher and chirped pulse amplifier including the same
Provided are a pulse width stretcher and a chirped pulse amplifier including the same. The pulse width stretcher includes first and second multiple reflection mirrors, and a pulse group-delay dispersion block disposed between the first and second multiple reflection mirrors and configured to refract a pulse laser beam to stretch a pulse width of the pulse laser beam. |
| US09548577B2 |
Simplified connector receptacle housings
Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another embodiment provides a connector receptacle having a housing where a portion of the housing has been removed to save space. |
| US09548574B2 |
Power socket with photo-interrupter
A power socket includes a main body and a photo-interrupter. The main body has a jack set, and the jack set has a first jack and a second jack. A partition region is formed between the first jack and the second jack. The photo-interrupter is disposed in the body and under the jack set. The photo-interrupter has a first sensing portion and a second sensing portion. The first sensing portion is under the partition region, and the width of the first sensing portion is less than the width of the partition region. A sensing region is formed between the first sensing portion and the second sensing portion. The sensing region is under the first jack, and the length of the sensing region is more than or equal to the width of the first jack. |
| US09548572B2 |
Coaxial cable connector having a coupler and a post with a contacting portion and a shoulder
A coaxial cable connector comprising an assembled coupler, body, and post is provided. The back end of the post and the back end of the body are adapted to receive an end of a coaxial cable. The coupler further comprises a central passage, a lip with a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface, and a bore forward of the lip, and is adapted to couple the connector to a coaxial cable terminal. The post further comprises a collar portion and an enlarged shoulder disposed forward of the lip of the coupler within the bore of the coupler. The enlarged shoulder of the post is disposed forward of the collar portion of the post. A contacting portion of the post comprises an extension of the collar portion of the post and at least a portion of the enlarged shoulder of the post comprises a proximity feature. The contacting portion of the post contacts the bore of the coupler and bends towards the front end of the connector when the post is assembled with the coupler. The proximity feature is configured to inhibit a degree to which the contacting portion may bend towards the front end of the connector upon contact with the bore of the coupler. |
| US09548571B2 |
Connector socket
A connector socket comprises a shielding shell, an insulating body and two baffles disposed on two opposite sides of the insulating body, and further comprises two rows of contact terminals and a spacer all embedded into the insulating body, the insulating body comprises a base and a tongue plate connected to a front end of the base, the two rows of contact terminals are exposed from two opposite sides of the tongue plate, respectively, the two baffles are disposed to correspond to the sides where the two rows of contact terminals are located, respectively; the spacer is located between the two rows of contact terminals so as to isolate the two rows of contact terminals from one another; a plurality of positioning holes for reinforcing the firmness of connection between the spacer and the insulating body are formed on the spacer. |
| US09548570B2 |
Direct backplane connector
A connector is configured to provide a mating side that includes a 90 degree rotation about two different axis when compared to a mounting. The connector, when mounted on a first circuit board is thus suitable for directly mating to a right-angle connector that is mounted on a second circuit board, the second circuit board at a being at a 90 angle to the first circuit board. The connector can include a shroud that supports a u-shield that partially shields contacts positioned in the mating side. |
| US09548567B2 |
Electrical card connector capable of indicating card's false insertion
An electrical card connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a number of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing, a metal shell (3) covering the insulative housing for defining a receiving space, a slider (4) moveably assembled on the insulative housing, a spring member (5) biasing the slider, and a pin member (6). The slider includes a base portion (41) and an actuating portion (42) sidewardly protruding from the base portion into the receiving space. The slider has a guiding slot (410), an inner heart-shaped slot (411) connecting with the guiding slot, and an outer cam slot (412) connecting with the inner heart-shaped slot. The pin member has a first end (61) secured to the insulative housing and a second end (62). The second end is normally guided in the inner heart-shaped slot but guided to the outer cam slot when a card is improperly inserted. |
| US09548562B1 |
Mid-plane connector configuration
An apparatus with a specific connector configuration is disclosed. A system that includes the connector configuration of the apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a first connector having a first guide pin insertable into a first guide socket of a first mating connector. The first guide pin is blocked from being inserted into a second guide socket of a second mating connector. The second guide socket has a different shape than the first guide socket. The apparatus includes a second connector having a second guide pin with a different shape than the first guide pin. The second guide pin is insertable into the first guide socket of the first mating connector and insertable into the second guide socket of the second mating connector. |
| US09548561B2 |
System comprising a base and a hot unpluggable module
A system including a base and a module to be inserted into this base, an electric relay to electrically disconnect the module from the base, and a blocking device that can change over from a blocking state to a release state. The system including a sensor to detect the presence of the module in the base and a blocking sensor to detect the state of the blocking device, and means for opening the relay as soon as the blocking device is released or as soon as the module is not present. The blocking device can leave its released state only when the module has been extracted from the base by a distance more than the detection distance of the presence sensor. |
| US09548560B2 |
Connector
A plug engagement pin provided on each side of the plug connector is inserted into an engagement section of a hook and locked there when the shaft is rotated. The hook is fixed to a rotatable shaft provided for the receptacle connector and includes a projection. If the plug connector is inserted in a slanted state, the projection of the hook prevents the pin from being rotated. |
| US09548559B2 |
Method of retaining magnets to insulative housing of connector
A connector assembly has an insulative housing including a top wall, a bottom wall, a side wall, and a receiving cavity enclosed by these walls. A slot and some passageways are formed on the top wall and communicating to the receiving cavity along a vertical direction. A printed circuit board is received within the receiving cavity. A plurality of contacts connected to the printed circuit board have moveable contacting portions extending through the corresponding passageways and upwardly beyond a top face of the top wall. A magnet includes a top section received within the slot and a bottom section bonded to the bottom wall through melting a part of the bottom wall. |
| US09548558B1 |
Electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector assembly includes a plug connector and a receptacle connector. The plug connector includes a first insulating body, a sleeve barrel and a spring. The first insulating body defines a first sliding slot penetrating a front surface thereof. The sleeve barrel is worn outside the first insulating body. The spring is disposed between the sleeve barrel and the first insulating body. A slider block is protruded from a front portion of an inner surface of the sleeve barrel, the slider block is capable of sliding in the first sliding slot. The receptacle connector includes a second insulating body. The second insulating body defines a second sliding slot corresponding to the first sliding slot which includes a longitudinal part penetrating a rear surface of the second insulating body and an inclined part extending sideward and inclining frontward from a front end of the longitudinal part. |
| US09548554B2 |
Conductive terminal having a peripheral open portion between a frame member and a contact member
The connector for a card has a housing for accommodating a card provided with terminal members, and connecting terminals mounted in the housing and contacting the terminal members of the card. Here, at least one of the connecting terminals has a base portion provided along a rear edge of the housing, at least some of the base portion is embedded in a bottom wall portion of the housing, and a contact member forming a hoop along with the base portion. The contact member has a pair of spring portions connected to the base portion, a joining portion joining the pair of spring portions, and a contact portion connected to the leading end of the joining portion for contacting the terminal members of the card. |
| US09548547B2 |
Switch wire-connection terminal block structure
A switch wire-connection terminal block structure includes a casing and at least one contact terminal. The contact terminal has a locking hole in direct communication with a receiving hole. The receiving hole communicates with a wire socket. A locking member is disposed in the receiving hole and lockable in the locking hole. A gasket member is fitted on the locking member. A guide channel is formed on inner wall of the receiving hole and extends in a locking direction of the locking member. The gasket member has a guide section extending in a direction reverse to the locking direction of the locking member. The guide section is slidably disposed in the guide channel. The receiving hole provides a larger locking travel for the locking member so that the terminal block is applicable to closed wire terminal. |
| US09548544B2 |
Antenna element for signals with three polarizations
An antenna element for signals with three polarizations and the method for operating such an antenna element are disclosed. In an embodiment the antenna element includes a first dipole element configured to emit or receive electromagnetic signals in a first polarization direction, a second dipole element configured to emit or receive electromagnetic signals in a second polarization direction, a monopole element configured to emit or receive electromagnetic signals in a third polarization direction and an antenna reflector element, wherein the first dipole element, the second dipole element and the monopole element are collocated on the antenna reflector element, and wherein the first polarization direction, the second polarization direction and the third polarization direction are all different. |
| US09548540B2 |
Slot antenna
A slot antenna includes a dielectric substrate, a conductive layer, a slot and a feeding strip. The dielectric substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The conductive layer is positioned on the first surface of the dielectric substrate, and is configured to electronically couple to ground. The slot is defined in the conductive layer and terminates on an edge of the conductive layer. The feeding strip is positioned on the second surface of the dielectric substrate and extends across the slot. The feeding strip is configured to feed current signal and resonate with the conductive layer. |
| US09548537B2 |
Transmitter with improved sensitivity and shielding
A magnetic field transmitter, especially a transmitter used in conjunction with wireless communications earplugs. In one embodiment, a plate of magnetic material is used behind a coil of electrical conductor to improve the efficiency of the transmitter and to provide electrical and magnetic shielding. The specific dimensions and characteristics of the preferred embodiment of the transmitter described herein provide for efficient wireless communications. |
| US09548536B2 |
Feed network and electromagnetic radiation source
An antenna may include a volume polarization current radiator and a feed network. The volume polarization current radiator, includes a dielectric solid (such as a dielectric strip), and a plurality of closely-spaced excitation elements (24), each excitation element (24) being configured to induce a volume polarization current distribution in the dielectric solid proximate to the excitation element when a voltage is applied to the excitation element. The feed network is coupled to the volume polarization current radiator. The feed network also includes a plurality of passive power divider elements (32) and a plurality of passive delay elements (d1-d6) coupling the first port (30) and the plurality of second ports (108, 109, 164), the plurality of power divider elements (32) and the plurality of phase delay elements (d1-d6) being configured such that a radio-frequency signal that is applied to the first port (30) experiences a progressive change of phase as it is coupled to the plurality of second ports (108, 109, 164) so as to cause the volume polarization current distribution to propagate along the dielectric solid. |
| US09548532B2 |
Antenna apparatus having sensing component coupled to first antenna component to additionally act as second antenna component and related signal processing device
An antenna apparatus includes a first antenna component and a first sensing component. The first antenna component has at least one first mode. The sensing component is a front-end component of a sensing device, wherein the sensing component is further coupled to the first antenna component to act as a second antenna component having a second mode. |
| US09548531B2 |
Method for manufacturing a radome
A method is provided for manufacturing a radome. The method has the following steps: creation of a contoured fit of at least one section of an inner surface of a wall of the radome; arrangement of a plurality of planar photosensitive semiconductor elements on an outer surface of the contoured fit; placement of the contoured fit with the plurality of planar photosensitive semiconductor elements on the at least one section of the inner surface of the wall; establishing of a connection between the plurality of planar photosensitive semiconductor elements and the wall; and removal of the contoured fit from the radome. This method enables the simple manufacture of a radome with a layer having several semiconductor elements for the electromagnetic shielding of the interior of the radome. |
| US09548528B2 |
Antenna device
An antenna device includes a first triplate line and one or more second triplate lines that are connected to the first triplate line so as to cross the first triplate line. Two ground plates of each second triplate line include respective flange portions that are in contact with and fixed to a surface of one of two ground plates of the first triplate line. At least one of a surface of each flange portion that contacts the one of the ground plates of the first triplate line and the surface of the one of the ground plates of the first triplate line that contacts each flange portion is provided with an irregular portion for reducing a contact area between each flange portion and the one of the ground plates. |
| US09548526B2 |
Small-size antenna system with adjustable polarization
An antenna system includes a ground plane, a microstrip-line coupler, a metal cover, and a main antenna. The microstrip-line coupler has a first input port, a second input port, a first output port, and a second output port. The metal cover is disposed above the microstrip-line coupler and coupled to the ground plane. The main antenna is coupled to the first output port and the second output port of the microstrip-line coupler. The metal cover is configured to reduce the interference from the microstrip-line coupler and to enhance the gain of the main antenna. |
| US09548522B2 |
Systems, circuits and methods related to low-loss bypass of a radio-frequency filter or diplexer
Disclosed are systems, circuits and methods related to low-loss bypass of a radio-frequency (RF) filter or diplexer. In some embodiments, a switching network circuitry can include a first switch that has an input pole configured to receive a radio-frequency (RF) signal, a pass-through throw configured to be connectable to the input pole to allow routing of the RF signal to an RF component, and at least one dedicated bypass throw configured to be connectable to the input pole and at least one bypass conduction path. The switching network circuitry can further include a second switch that has a pole and a throw, and is connectable between an output of the RF component and the bypass conduction path. Use of the dedicated bypass throw(s) in the first switch allows implementation of low-loss bypass of the filter or diplexer. |
| US09548514B2 |
Stretchable, solvent free, completely amorphous solid electrolyte films
A method of creating an electrolyte film includes mixing succinonitrile (SCN), lithium salt and crosslinkable polyether addition to form an isotropic amorphous mixture; and crosslinking the crosslinkable polyether to form a cured film, wherein the cured film remains amorphous without undergoing polymerization-induced phase separation or crystallization. |
| US09548510B2 |
Method of making fuel cell component using adhesive tape to maintain positioning of loading material particles
A method of fabricating a fuel cell component for use with or as part of a fuel cell in a fuel cell stack, the method comprising: providing a fuel cell component, providing a deposition assembly for depositing loading material particles onto the fuel cell component, and actuating the deposition assembly to cause the deposition assembly to deposit said loading material particles onto said fuel cell component. |
| US09548504B2 |
Utilizing phase change material, heat pipes, and fuel cells for aircraft applications
A heat transfer system includes a fuel cell module that produces heat and water, and a thermal energy storage module that stores the heat produced by the fuel cell module. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material. A conduit couples the fuel cell module to the thermal energy storage module. The conduit is oriented to channel the water produced by the fuel cell module through the thermal energy storage module. |
| US09548502B2 |
Fuel cell stack
A fuel cell stack includes a first power generation unit and a second power generation unit. Wave-like first fuel gas flow passages of the first power generation unit and wave-like first fuel gas flow passages of the second power generation unit are set to mutually different phases. The ends of the first fuel gas flow passages form linear flow passage grooves that linearly extend in the wavelength direction from the center of the width of the wave-form amplitude. |
| US09548500B2 |
Carbon supported catalyst
A catalyst includes (i) a primary metal or alloy or mixture including the primary metal, and (ii) an electrically conductive carbon support material for the primary metal or alloy or mixture including the primary metal, wherein the carbon support material: (a) has a specific surface area (BET) of 100-600 m2/g, and (b) has a micropore area of 10-90 m2/g. |
| US09548498B2 |
Electrocatalyst for fuel cells and method for producing said electrocatalyst
The invention relates to a carbon-free electrocatalyst for fuel cells, containing an electrically conductive substrate and a catalytically active species, wherein the conductive substrate is an inorganic, multi-component substrate material of the composition 0X1-0X2, in which 0X1 means an electrically non-conductive inorganic oxide having a specific surface area (BET) in the range of 50 to 400 mVg and 0X2 means a conductive oxide. The non-conductive inorganic oxide 0X1 is coated with the conductive oxide 0X2. The multi-component substrate preferably has a core/shell structure. The multi-component substrate material 0X1-0X2 has an electrical conductivity in the range>0.01 S/cm and is coated with catalytically active particles containing noble metal. The electrocatalysts produced therewith are used in electrochemical devices such as PEM fuel cells and exhibit high corrosion stability. |
| US09548492B2 |
Plating technique for electrode
Articles and methods for forming protected electrodes for use in electrochemical cells, including those for use in rechargeable lithium batteries, are provided. In some embodiments, the articles and methods involve an electrode that does not include an electroactive layer, but includes a current collector and a protective structure positioned directly adjacent the current collector, or separated from the current collector by one or more thin layers. Lithium ions may be transported across the protective structure to form an electroactive layer between the current collector and the protective structure. In some embodiments, an anisotropic force may be applied to the electrode to facilitate formation of the electroactive layer. |
| US09548488B2 |
Method for manufacturing electrode
An electrode for a biplate assembly includes an active material made from a compressed powder 11, and a non-metal carrier 10. A biplate assembly 20 includes electrodes 27, 28 each having a non-metal carrier 10. A method is disclosed for manufacturing an electrode 13 having a non-metal carrier 10. An apparatus 30 is disclosed for manufacturing such an electrode 13. A bipolar battery includes at least one such an electrode 13. The non-metal carrier 10 is preferably a non-conductive carrier. |
| US09548484B2 |
Structure of battery unit suitable for installation of water damage sensor
A battery unit is provided which includes a control board, a storage case, a water detector, and an electrical conductor. The storage case is made of an assembly of a first and a second casing member. The first casing member has an upright wall which extends from the bottom thereof and surrounds the battery. The second casing member also has an extension which extends toward the bottom of the first casing member. The water detector is located close to the lower end of the extension of the second casing member. The electric conductor extends upward from the upper end of the extension and are electrically joined to the water detector. The electric conductor is also mechanically and electrically joined to the control board. This structure facilitates the ease with which the water detector is installed electrically and mechanically in the battery unit. |
| US09548483B2 |
Secondary battery, and electrode sheet cutting apparatus
A secondary battery 100 comprises a positive electrode current collector 221 and a positive electrode active material layer 223 applied on the positive electrode current collector 221 and containing at least a positive electrode active material. The lithium-ion secondary battery 100 further comprises a negative electrode current collector 241 provided so as to oppose the positive electrode current collector 221 and a negative electrode active material layer 243 applied on the negative electrode current collector 241 and containing at least a negative electrode active material. The lithium-ion secondary battery 100 is also formed with a porous insulating layer 245 which contains stacked resin particles having insulating properties and is formed so as to cover at least one of the positive electrode active material layer 223 and the negative electrode active material layer 243 (in this case, negative electrode active material layer 243). The lithium-ion secondary battery 100 further comprises, on the edge of the insulating layer 245, a molten part 246 where the resin particles are melted. |
| US09548476B2 |
Multi-cell battery module with integral cooling and assembly aids
A battery pack includes a frame member, first and second lithium ion cells, and an isolation plate. The frame member includes a floor, walls formed perpendicular to the floor, and an aperture defined by the walls. The frame member is formed from an electrically non-conductive plastic. The first lithium ion cell includes a first positive terminal, a first negative terminal, and a first electrically conductive housing. The first positive terminal is electrically connected to the first electrically conductive housing. The second lithium ion cell includes a second positive terminal, a second negative terminal, and a second electrically conductive housing. The second positive terminal is electrically connected to the second electrically conductive housing. The isolation plate directly contacts both the first and second electrically conductive housings and electrically isolates the first electrically conductive housing from the second electrically conductive housing. The isolation plate is formed from the electrically non-conductive plastic. |
| US09548466B2 |
Method of forming a thin film and an electronic device
A method of forming a thin film includes coating one side of a transferring stamp including a hydrophilic polymer layer with a hydrophilic solution to form a transfer layer, and transferring the transfer layer to the substrate. |
| US09548464B2 |
N-type thin film transistor
An N-type semiconductor layer includes an insulating substrate, an MgO layer, a semiconductor carbon nanotube layer, a functional dielectric layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode. The semiconductor carbon nanotube layer is sandwiched between the MgO layer and the functional dielectric layer. The source electrode and the drain electrode electrically connect the semiconductor carbon nanotube layer. The gate electrode is on the functional dielectric layer and insulated from the semiconductor carbon nanotube layer. |
| US09548462B2 |
Organic electroluminescent materials and devices
Compounds comprising phosphorescent metal complexes comprising cyclometallated imidazo[1,2-f]phenanthridine and diimidazo[1,2-a:1′,2′-c]quinazoline ligands, or isoelectronic or benzannulated analogs thereof, are described. Organic light emitting diode devices comprising these compounds are also described. |
| US09548460B2 |
Compound for organic optoelectronic device, organic light emitting diode including the same and display including the organic light emitting diode
A compound for an organic optoelectronic device is represented by Chemical Formula 1: and, in Chemical Formula 1, one of Ar1 or Ar2 is a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 heteroaryl group, and the other of Ar1 or Ar2 is a substituent represented by the Chemical Formula 2: |
| US09548455B2 |
Light emitting diode
A light emitting diode includes an insulating substrate, a first MgO layer, a semiconductor carbon nanotube layer, a second MgO layer, a functional dielectric layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The semiconductor carbon nanotube layer has a first surface and a second surface. The first MgO layer coats entire the first surface. The second surface is divided into a first region and a second region. The first region is coated with the second MgO layer. The second MgO layer is covered by the functional dielectric layer. The second region is exposed. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first region. The second electrode is electrically connected to the second region. |
| US09548454B2 |
Method for the oriented crystallization of materials using a particle as a crystallization nucleus that has a surface partly functionalized with at least one group having an affinity for the material to be crystallized
Method for the oriented crystallization of materials. The present invention relates to a method useful for orienting the crystallization of a material over a surface zone of at least one face of a substrate, comprising at least the steps consisting in: i. determining, on said face, the surface over which the crystalline deposit must be formed, referred to as the zone of interest, ii. depositing, on said face and at the periphery of said zone of interest, at least one particle dedicated to forming a crystallization nucleus, iii. bringing said particle into contact with at least said material to be crystallized, iv. exposing at least said point of contact between said particle and said material to be crystallized to conditions favorable to the crystallization of said material, said method being characterized in that the surface of said particle is partly functionalized by at least one group having an affinity for said material to be crystallized, said group possessing at least one unit having a chemical nature identical or similar to at least one portion of the chemical structure of said material to be crystallized, and in that said particle is deposited in step ii. so as to expose said group opposite the face to be crystallized. |
| US09548447B2 |
Integrated memory and methods of forming repeating structures
Some embodiments include integrated memory having an array of repeating plates across a plurality of nodes. The array includes rows and columns. The plates along individual columns and individual rows alternate between two orientations which are substantially orthogonal to one another. Some embodiments include methods of forming repeating structures. A pattern is formed which includes a lattice of intersecting wavy lines and a box surrounding the lattice. The pattern has a plurality of openings extending therethrough. A liner material is along sidewalls of the openings. The liner material and the pattern are sliced along a row direction and a column direction substantially orthogonal to the row direction. Such slicing subdivides the liner material into a plurality of plates. The plates are within an array comprising columns and rows. The plates along individual columns and individual rows alternate between two orientations which are substantially orthogonal to one another. |
| US09548442B2 |
Magnetoresistive structure having two dielectric layers, and method of manufacturing same
A magnetoresistive structure having two dielectric layers, and method of manufacturing same, includes a free magnetic layer positioned between the two dielectric layers. The method of manufacture comprises at least two etch processes and at least an encapsulation process interposed therebetween wherein the encapsulation is formed on sidewalls of the partially formed magnetoresistive stack between etch processes. |
| US09548437B2 |
Acoustic wave device and electronic component
An acoustic wave device and an electronic component are disclosed. The acoustic wave device includes a substrate, excitation electrodes on the substrate and a cover. The cover comprises a frame member on the substrate, and a lid member. The frame member surrounds the excitation electrodes and includes an inner wall, top surface and an outer wall. The lid member is disposed on the top surface, and includes first and second surfaces opposite to each other, and a descending part on the second surface. The second surface faces the substrate. The descending part extends downward from the second surface, and covers at least a part of the inner wall or at least a part of the outer wall. The electronic component includes the acoustic wave device on a mounting substrate via an electrically conductive bonding member, and molding resin covering the device. |
| US09548436B1 |
Josephson junction readout for graphene-based single photon detector
A detector for detecting single photons of infrared radiation. In one embodiment a waveguide configured to transmit infrared radiation is arranged to be adjacent a graphene sheet and configured so that evanescent waves from the waveguide overlap the graphene sheet. An infrared photon absorbed by the graphene sheet from the evanescent waves heats the graphene sheet. The graphene sheet is coupled to the weak link of a Josephson junction, and a constant bias current is driven through the Josephson junction, so that an increase in the temperature of the graphene sheet results in a decrease in the critical current of the Josephson junction and a voltage pulse in the voltage across the Josephson junction. The voltage pulse is detected by the pulse detector. |
| US09548435B2 |
Electronic platform comprising an ABO3 type crystal and graphene, method for its manufacture and chip comprising the same
An electronic platform comprising a substrate made of a ABO3 crystal (2) and at least one layer of a two-dimensional conducting sheet of carbon atoms (1) of a thickness between one and four atoms, characterized in that the conducting layer(s) is (are) placed on top of a face of the crystal whose orthogonal axis is at an angle up to 35° of the crystal's spontaneous polarization or c-axis. The invention achieves a sheet resistance lower than 1 Ω/square at temperatures higher than 77K. |
| US09548431B2 |
Ultraviolet light-emitting devices and methods
In various embodiments, an illumination device features an ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting device at least partially surrounded by an encapsulant and having a rigid lens. Downward forces is applied while the encapsulant is at least partially cured to substantially prevent partial or full detachment of the rigid lens from the light-emitting device, and/or substantially suppress formation of bubbles between the light-emitting device and the rigid lens. |
| US09548429B2 |
Packaging for ultraviolet optoelectronic device
A solution for packaging an optoelectronic device using an ultraviolet transparent polymer is provided. The ultraviolet transparent polymer material can be placed adjacent to the optoelectronic device and/or a device package on which the optoelectronic device is mounted. Subsequently, the ultraviolet transparent polymer material can be processed to cause the ultraviolet transparent polymer material to adhere to the optoelectronic device and/or the device package. The ultraviolet transparent polymer can be adhered in a manner that protects the optoelectronic device from the ambient environment. |
| US09548428B2 |
Light-emitting diode and fabrication method thereof
A light emitting diode includes: a substrate of front and back main surfaces; a V-shaped groove, which has a reflecting surface, formed over front surface of the conductive substrate; a light-emitting epitaxial layer, the margin of which has its vertical projection between the bottom and the inner margin of the V-shaped groove, formed over the substrate, so that light emitted from the light-emitting epitaxial layer margin is incident to the mirror surface of the V-shaped groove and emits outwards. This structure can effectively improve extraction efficiency of device and control path of light at peripheral region of the light-emitting epitaxial layer. |
| US09548423B2 |
Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device is disclosed that includes a light-emitting stack comprising a first surface; a patterned dielectric layer formed on the first surface, comprising a first portion and a second portion substantially surrounding the first portion and having substantially the same thickness with that of the first portion; a first reflective electrode covering the first portion of the patterned dielectric layer; and a barrier layer covering the first reflective electrode and the second portion of the patterned dielectric layer. |
| US09548422B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device including a pad electrode spaced apart from a transparent electrode
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a light emitting structure and first and second electrodes. The light emitting structure includes first and second conductivity type semiconductor layers and an active layer interposed therebetween. The first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second conductivity type semiconductor layers. The second electrode includes a current blocking layer, a reflective part disposed on the current blocking layer, a transparent electrode layer disposed on the second conductivity type semiconductor layer, a pad electrode part disposed within a region of the current blocking layer, and at least one finger electrode part disposed at least in part on the transparent electrode layer. The transparent electrode layer can be spaced apart from the reflective part, and have an opening surrounding the reflective part. In some examples, the transparent electrode layer can further be spaced apart from the current blocking layer. |
| US09548418B2 |
Gallium nitride self-supported substrate, light-emitting device and manufacturing method therefor
Provided is a self-supporting gallium nitride substrate useful as an alternative material for a gallium nitride single crystal substrate, which is inexpensive and also suitable for having a large area. This substrate is composed of a plate composed of gallium nitride-based single crystal grains, wherein the plate has a single crystal structure in the approximately normal direction. This substrate can be manufactured by a method comprising providing an oriented polycrystalline sintered body; forming a seed crystal layer composed of gallium nitride on the sintered body so that the seed crystal layer has crystal orientation mostly in conformity with the crystal orientation of the sintered body; forming a layer with a thickness of 20 μm or greater composed of gallium nitride-based crystals on the seed crystal layer so that the layer has crystal orientation mostly in conformity with crystal orientation of the seed crystal layer; and removing the sintered body. |
| US09548410B2 |
Photovoltaic window
An apparatus for collecting solar energy, including a first panel, wherein the first panel allows at least 50% of incident light having a wavelength in the range of 1 nm to 1,500 nm to pass through said panel and a second panel, wherein the second panel allows at least 50% of incident light having a wavelength in the range of 410 nm to 650 nm to pass through said panel. A photovoltaic cell is disposed between the first panel and second panel, which includes a first electrode disposed adjacent to the first panel, a second electrode disposed adjacent to the second panel, a photovoltaic component contacting the first and second electrodes. The photovoltaic component absorbs at least 50% of light having a wavelength in one of the following ranges: greater than 650 nm, less than 410 nm and combinations thereof. |
| US09548409B2 |
Solar cell having doped semiconductor heterojunction contacts
A silicon solar cell has doped amorphous silicon contacts formed on a tunnel silicon oxide layer on a surface of a silicon substrate. High temperature processing is unnecessary in fabricating the solar cell. |
| US09548405B2 |
Solar cell
A solar cell includes a semiconductor layer, a collecting layer for collecting free charge carriers from the semiconductor layer and a buffer layer which is arranged between the semiconductor layer and the collecting layer. The buffer layer is designed as a tunnel contact between the semiconductor layer and the collecting layer. The buffer layer essentially includes a material with a surface charge density of at least 1012 cm−2, preferably of at least 5×1012 cm−2, and more preferably of at least 1013 cm−2. |
| US09548402B2 |
Semiconductor radiation detector with large active area, and method for its manufacture
A semiconductor radiation detector comprises a detector chip having a front side and a back side, and a support plate on the back side of the detector chip, having electric connections with said detector chip. A base plate has a thermoelectric cooler attached to it and contact pins protruding from the base plate towards said detector chip. A bonding plate is on an opposite side of said thermoelectric cooler than said base plate, and first wire bonded connections go between said contact pins and said bonding plate. A joint plate is between said bonding plate and said support plate, and electric connections between said support plate and said bonding plate go through said joint plate. |
| US09548399B2 |
Junction field effect transistor cell with lateral channel region
A semiconductor device includes a junction field effect transistor cell with a top gate region, a lateral channel region and a buried gate region. The lateral channel region is arranged between the top gate region and the buried gate region along a vertical direction with respect to a first surface of a semiconductor body. The lateral channel region comprises at least two first zones of a first conductivity type and at least one second zone of a second conductivity type, wherein the first and second zones alternate along the vertical direction. The embodiments provide well-defined channel widths and facilitate the adjustment of pinch-off voltages as well as the manufacture of normally-off junction field effect transistor cells. |
| US09548397B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a structure of a transistor which has a channel formation region formed using an oxide semiconductor and a positive threshold voltage value, which enables a so-called normally-on switching element. The transistor includes an oxide semiconductor stack in which at least a first oxide semiconductor layer and a second oxide semiconductor layer with different energy gaps are stacked and a region containing oxygen in excess of its stoichiometric composition ratio is provided. |
| US09548396B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device in which a first oxide film, a second oxide film, and a third oxide film are stacked over an insulating surface is provided. In the semiconductor device, each of the first oxide film, the second oxide film, and the third oxide film comprises indium, gallium, and zinc. The third oxide film is in contact with a side surface of the second oxide film. A gallium content is higher than an indium content in the third oxide film. The gallium content is higher than a zinc content in the third oxide film. An indium content in the second oxide film is higher than the indium content in the third oxide film. |
| US09548394B2 |
All 2D, high mobility, flexible, transparent thin film transistor
A two-dimensional thin film transistor and a method for manufacturing a two-dimensional thin film transistor includes layering a semiconducting channel material on a substrate, providing a first electrode material on top of the semiconducting channel material, patterning a source metal electrode and a drain metal electrode at opposite ends of the semiconducting channel material from the first electrode material, opening a window between the source metal electrode and the drain metal electrode, removing the first electrode material from the window located above the semiconducting channel material providing a gate dielectric above the semiconducting channel material, and providing a top gate above the gate dielectric, the top gate formed from a second electrode material. The semiconducting channel material is made of tungsten diselenide, the first electrode material and the second electrode material are made of graphene, and the gate dielectric is made of hexagonal boron nitride. |
| US09548392B2 |
Thin film transistor and method of manufacturing same
A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor include following steps. A substrate is provided. A gate electrode and an electrically insulating layer are formed on the substrate. An electric conducting layer is formed on the electrically insulating layer. A first photoresist pattern layer is formed on the electric conducting layer. A portion of the electric conducting layer which is not covered by the first photoresist pattern layer is etched to form an electric conduction layer. A semiconductor layer is formed on the electric conduction layer. A second photoresist pattern layer is formed. A portion of the semiconductor layer which is not covered by the second photoresist pattern layer is etched to form the channel layer covering the electric conduction layer. A source electrode and a drain electrode are formed at the two lateral portions of the channel layer respectively. The thin film transistor is also provided. |
| US09548391B2 |
Thin film transistor
A thin film transistor includes a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconducting layer, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, an insulating layer and a gate electrode. The drain electrode is spaced apart from the source electrode. The first conductive layer is sandwiched between the source electrode and the semiconductor layer. The second conductive layer is sandwiched between the drain electrode and the semiconductor layer. The gate electrode is insulated from the source electrode, the drain electrode, the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the semiconductor layer by the insulating layer. A first work-function of a first material of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer is same as a second work-function of a second material of the semiconductor layer. |
| US09548389B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same
According to embodiments of the inventive concept, a gate electrode is formed on a substrate, and a first spacer, a second spacer, and a third spacer are sequentially formed on a sidewall of the gate electrode. The substrate is etched to form a recess region. A compressive stress pattern is formed in the recess region. A protective spacer is formed on a sidewall of the third spacer. When the recess region is formed, a lower portion of the second spacer is removed to form a gap region between the first and third spacers. The protective spacer fills the gap region. |
| US09548384B2 |
Conductive spline for metal gates
An integrated circuit may include a metal gate which extends over an active area and onto an isolation dielectric layer. A conductive spline is formed on the metal gate, extending on the metal gate over at least a portion of the isolation dielectric layer, and extending on the metal gate for a length at least four times a width of the metal gate. |
| US09548382B2 |
Spintronic device
Provided in one embodiment is a device, comprising: a substrate; and a layer disposed over the substrate, wherein the layer comprises a monolayer of crystals comprising a Group IV element. |
| US09548379B1 |
Asymmetric multi-gate FinFET
An asymmetrical finFET device includes at least one semiconductor fin on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate. The fin extends along a length of the semiconductor substrate to define a fin length. A plurality of gate structures wrap around the sidewalls and upper fin surface of the fin. The plurality of gate structures includes at least one desired gate structure surrounded by at least one sacrificial gate structure. A first source/drain region is formed adjacent a first sidewall of the at least one desired gate structure, and a second source/drain region is formed adjacent a second sidewall of the at least one desired gate structure opposite the first sidewall. The dimensions of the first and second source/drain regions are asymmetrical with respect to one another. |
| US09548377B2 |
Thermal treatment for reducing transistor performance variation in ferroelectric memories
Thermal treatment of a semiconductor wafer in the fabrication of integrated circuits including MOS transistors and ferroelectric capacitors, including those using lead-zirconium-titanate (PZT) ferroelectric material, to reduce variation in the electrical characteristics of the transistors. Thermal treatment of the wafer in a nitrogen-bearing atmosphere in which hydrogen is essentially absent is performed after formation of the transistors and capacitor. An optional thermal treatment of the wafer in a hydrogen-bearing atmosphere prior to deposition of the ferroelectric treatment may be performed. |
| US09548375B1 |
Vertical diode and fabrication method thereof
A vertical diode is provided. The vertical diode includes a high-voltage N-type well region in a substrate, and two P-doped regions spaced apart from each other in the high-voltage N-type well region. The vertical diode also includes an N-type well region in the high-voltage N-type well region, and an N-type heavily doped region in the N-type well region. A plurality of isolation structures are formed on the substrate to define an anode region and a cathode region. There is a bottom N-type implanted region under the high-voltage N-type well region corresponding to the anode region. The bottom N-type implanted region directly contacts or partially overlaps the high-voltage N-type well region. A method for fabricating a vertical diode is also provided. |
| US09548374B2 |
High power insulated gate bipolar transistors
A method of forming a transistor device include forming a drift layer of a first conductivity type, forming a well of a second conductivity type in the drift layer, forming a JFET region with first conductivity type dopant ions in the drift layer, forming a channel adjustment layer of the first conductivity type on the JFET region and the well, implanting first conductivity type dopant ions to form an emitter region of the first conductivity type extending through the channel adjustment layer and into the well, wherein the emitter region is spaced apart from the JFET region by the well, implanting second conductivity type dopant ions to form a connector region of the second conductivity type adjacent the emitter region, forming a gate oxide layer on the channel region, and forming a gate on the gate oxide layer. |
| US09548372B2 |
Semiconductor device with tunable work function
The metal-oxide semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a gate dielectric multi-layer, an etch stop layer, a work function metallic layer, a barrier layer and a silicide layer. The substrate has a trench. The gate dielectric multi-layer overlies the trench, in which the gate dielectric multi-layer includes a high-k capping layer with a fluorine concentration substantially in a range from 1 at % to 10 at %. The etch stop layer is disposed on the gate dielectric multi-layer. The work function metallic layer is disposed on the etch stop layer. The barrier layer is disposed on the work function metallic layer. The silicide layer is disposed on the barrier layer. |
| US09548371B2 |
Integrated circuits having nickel silicide contacts and methods for fabricating the same
Integrated circuits having nickel silicide contacts and methods for fabricating integrated circuits with nickel silicide contacts are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a nonvolatile memory structure over the semiconductor substrate. The nonvolatile memory structure includes a gate surface. The method further includes depositing a nickel-containing material over the gate surface. Also, the method includes annealing the nonvolatile memory structure and forming a nickel silicide contact on the gate surface from the nickel-containing material. |
| US09548365B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a buffer layer formed over a substrate; a first semiconductor layer formed over the buffer layer by using a compound semiconductor; a second semiconductor layer formed over the first semiconductor layer by using a compound semiconductor; and a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode formed over the second semiconductor layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer contains an impurity element serving as an acceptor and an impurity element serving as a donor; and in the first semiconductor layer, an acceptor concentration of the impurity element serving as the acceptor is greater than a donor concentration of the impurity element serving as the donor; and the donor concentration is greater-than over equal to 5×1016 cm−3. |
| US09548362B2 |
High mobility devices with anti-punch through layers and methods of forming same
An embodiment semiconductor device includes a fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate. The fin includes an anti-punch through (APT) layer having APT dopants and a channel region over the APT layer. The channel region is substantially free of APT dopants. The semiconductor device further includes a conductive gate stack on a sidewall and a top surface of the channel region. |
| US09548361B1 |
Method of using a sacrificial gate structure to make a metal gate FinFET transistor
A self-aligned SiGe FinFET device features a relaxed channel region having a high germanium concentration. Instead of first introducing germanium into the channel and then attempting to relax the resulting strained film, a relaxed channel is formed initially to accept the germanium. In this way, a presence of germanium can be established without straining or damaging the lattice. Gate structures are patterned relative to intrinsic silicon fins, to ensure that the gates are properly aligned, prior to introducing germanium into the fin lattice structure. After aligning the gate structures, the silicon fins are segmented to elastically relax the silicon lattice. Then, germanium is introduced into the relaxed silicon lattice, to produce a SiGe channel that is substantially stress-free and also defect-free. Using the method described, concentration of germanium achieved in a structurally stable film can be increased to a level greater than 85%. |
| US09548360B2 |
Semiconductor component and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor component includes: a semiconductor substrate; and a semiconductor device provided thereon, the device being a field-effect transistor that includes: a gate insulating film provided on the substrate; a gate electrode provided via the film; and a pair of source-drain regions provided to sandwich the electrode, the substrate including a patterned surface in a portion where the electrode is provided, the patterned surface of the substrate including a raised portion where the film is formed to cover a surface that lies on the same plane as a surface of the pair of source-drain regions, and the electrode is formed on a top surface of the film, and the patterned surface of the substrate including a recessed portion where the film is formed to cover surfaces of a groove formed toward the interior than the surface of the pair of source-drain regions, and the electrode is formed so as to fill the groove provided with the film. |
| US09548358B2 |
Dual fill silicon-on-nothing field effect transistor
A patterned stack of a first silicon-germanium alloy nanowire, a second silicon-germanium alloy nanowire, and a silicon-containing nanowire is formed on a substrate. After formation of a first dielectric isolation layer around the patterned stack, a disposable gate structure can be formed. End portions of the second silicon-germanium alloy nanowire are removed to form first cavities underlying end portions of the silicon-containing nanowire. Dielectric nanowires are formed in cavities concurrently with formation of a gate spacer. After recessing the first dielectric isolation layer, a second cavity is formed by removing the first silicon-germanium alloy nanowire. The second cavity is filled with a second dielectric isolation layer, and raised active regions can be formed by a selective epitaxy process. After formation of a planarization dielectric layer, the disposable gate structure and the remaining portion of the second silicon-germanium alloy nanowire with a replacement gate structure. |
| US09548357B2 |
Shallow trench isolation structure with sigma cavity
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved shallow trench isolation structure and method of fabrication. The shallow trench isolation cavity includes an upper region having a sigma cavity shape, and a lower region having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The lower region is filled with a first material having good gap fill properties. The sigma cavity is filled with a second material having good stress-inducing properties. In some embodiments, source/drain stressor cavities may be eliminated, with the stress provided by the shallow trench isolation structure. In other embodiments, the stress from the shallow trench isolation structure may be used to complement or counteract stress from a source/drain stressor region of an adjacent transistor. This enables precise tuning of channel stress to achieve a desired carrier mobility for a transistor. |
| US09548348B2 |
Methods of fabricating an F-RAM
Non-volatile memory cells including complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors and embedded ferroelectric capacitor and methods of forming the same are described. In one embodiment, the method includes forming on a surface of a substrate a gate level including a gate stack of a MOS transistor, a first dielectric layer overlying the MOS transistor and a first contact extending through the first dielectric layer from a top surface thereof to a diffusion region of the MOS transistor. A local interconnect (LI) layer is deposited over the top surface of the first dielectric layer and the first contact, a ferro stack including a bottom electrode, a top electrode and ferroelectric layer there between deposited over the LI layer, and the ferro stack and the LI layer patterned to form a ferroelectric capacitor and a LI through which the bottom electrode is electrically coupled to the diffusion region of the MOS transistor. |
| US09548342B2 |
Organic white light emitting display apparatus
Disclosed is an organic white light emitting display apparatus. The organic white light emitting device includes a first substrate including a first sub-pixel area, a second sub-pixel area, a third sub-pixel area, and an organic light emitting device (OLED) that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic white light emitting layer interposed between the first and second electrodes, and emits whit light for respective sub-pixel areas, a second substrate including first, second, and third color filters of different colors formed on positions corresponding to the respective sub-pixel areas, the second substrate being arranged to face the first substrate, and a partition wall that is extended to an area between neighboring color filters among the color filters and partitions the sub-pixel areas, the partition wall being formed on the first substrate. |
| US09548339B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display device
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device includes: a first substrate comprising red, green, and blue pixel areas; a first electrode on the first substrate; red, green, and blue organic light emitting layers on the first electrode at the red, green, and blue pixel areas, respectively; a second electrode on the red, green, and blue organic light emitting layers; a capping layer on the second electrode, and having a greater thickness at the red and green pixel areas than a thickness at the blue pixel area; a thin film encapsulation layer on the capping layer; and a red color filter on the thin film encapsulation layer at the red pixel area. |
| US09548334B2 |
Magnetic tunnel junction with perpendicular enhancement layer and thin reference layer
The present invention is directed to a spin transfer torque (STT) MRAM device having a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory element. The memory element includes a perpendicular MTJ structure in between a non-magnetic seed layer and a non-magnetic cap layer. The MTJ structure comprises a magnetic free layer structure and a magnetic reference layer structure with an insulating tunnel junction layer interposed therebetween, an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer formed adjacent to the magnetic reference layer structure, and a magnetic fixed layer formed adjacent to the anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer. At least one of the magnetic free and reference layer structures includes a non-magnetic perpendicular enhancement layer, which improves the perpendicular anisotropy of magnetic layers adjacent thereto. |
| US09548330B2 |
Method for producing semiconductor light receiving device and semiconductor light receiving device
A method for producing a semiconductor light receiving device includes the steps of growing a stacked semiconductor layer on a principal surface of a substrate, the stacked semiconductor layer including a light-receiving layer having a super-lattice structure, the super-lattice structure including a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer that are stacked alternately; forming a mask on the stacked semiconductor layer; forming a mesa structure on the substrate by etching the stacked semiconductor layer using the mask so as to form a substrate product, the mesa structure having a side surface exposed in an atmosphere; forming a fluorinated amorphous layer on the side surface of the mesa structure by exposing the substrate product in fluorine plasma; and after the step of forming the fluorinated amorphous layer, forming a passivation film containing an oxide on the side surface of the mesa structure. |
| US09548327B2 |
Imaging device having a selenium containing photoelectric conversion layer
To provide an imaging device capable of obtaining high-quality imaging data. The imaging device includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit includes a photoelectric conversion element, a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor, a fifth transistor, a sixth transistor, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a third capacitor. The second circuit includes a seventh transistor. The imaging device can compensate variation in electrical characteristics of an amplifier transistor included in the first circuit. |
| US09548321B2 |
Method of manufacturing thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate
A thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate is provided that includes a TFT on a substrate. The TFT can include an active layer, gate electrode, source electrode, drain electrode, first insulating layer between the active layer and the gate electrode, and second insulating layer between the gate electrode and the source and drain electrodes. A pixel electrode is disposed on the first and second insulating layers. A capacitor including a lower electrode is disposed on a same layer as the gate electrode and an upper electrode. A third insulating layer directly between the second insulating layer and the pixel electrode and between the lower electrode and the upper electrode. A fourth insulating layer covers the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the upper electrode, and exposes the pixel electrode and can further expose a pad electrode. |
| US09548320B2 |
Heterogeneous semiconductor material integration techniques
Techniques are disclosed for heteroepitaxial growth of a layer of lattice-mismatched semiconductor material on an initial substrate, and transfer of a defect-free portion of that layer to a handle wafer or other suitable substrate for integration. In accordance with some embodiments, transfer may result in the presence of island-like oxide structures on the handle wafer/substrate, each having a defect-free island of the lattice-mismatched semiconductor material embedded within its upper surface. Each defect-free semiconductor island may have one or more crystalline faceted edges and, with its accompanying oxide structure, may provide a planar surface for integration. In some cases, a layer of a second, different semiconductor material may be heteroepitaxially grown over the handle wafer/substrate to fill areas around the transferred islands. In some other cases, the handle wafer/substrate itself may be homoepitaxially grown to fill areas around the transferred islands. |
| US09548317B2 |
FDSOI semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure, which comprises following steps: providing a substrate, which comprises upwards in order a base layer, a buried isolation layer, a buried ground layer, an ultra-thin insulating buried layer and a surface active layer; implementing ion implantation doping to the buried ground layer; forming a gate stack, sidewall spacers and source/drain regions on the substrate; forming a mask layer on the substrate that covers the gate stack and the source/drain regions, and etching the mask layer to expose the source region; etching the source region and the ultra-thin insulating buried layer under the source region to form an opening that exposes the buried ground layer; filling the opening through epitaxial process to form a contact plug for the buried ground layer. Accordingly, the present invention further provides a semiconductor structure. The present invention proposes formation of a buried ground layer contact plug, which then connects buried ground layer electrically to source region, thereby enhancing control capabilities of a semiconductor device over threshold voltages, suppressing short-channel effects and improving device performance; whereas no independent contact is required to build for the buried ground layer, which then saves device area and simplifies manufacturing process accordingly. |
| US09548310B2 |
Semiconductor device
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first region that is provided on the semiconductor substrate and has a line-and-space pattern extending in a first direction, and a second region that is provided adjacent to the first region on the semiconductor substrate and has a dummy pattern. The surface area per unit area of the second region is greater than the surface area per unit area of the first region. |
| US09548308B2 |
Semiconductor device
A nonvolatile memory is provided. A semiconductor device (a nonvolatile memory) has a circuit configuration similar to that of a general SRAM. By providing a transistor whose off-state current is small between a stored data holding portion and a power supply line of the SRAM, leakage of electric charge from the stored data holding portion is prevented. As the transistor whose off-state current is small provided for preventing leakage of electric charge from the stored data holding portion, a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film is preferably used. Such a configuration can also be applied to a shift register, whereby a shift register with low power consumption can be obtained. |
| US09548304B2 |
Semiconductor device including gate structure for threshold voltage modulation in transistors and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming an NMOS region and a PMOS region in a substrate, forming a first stack layer including a first gate dielectric layer and a first work function layer that is disposed over the first gate dielectric layer and contains aluminum, over the PMOS region of the substrate, forming a second stack layer including a second gate dielectric layer, a threshold voltage modulation layer that is disposed over the second gate dielectric layer and contains lanthanum, and a second work function layer that is disposed over the threshold voltage modulation layer, over the NMOS region of the substrate, and annealing the first stack layer and the second stack layer, thereby forming a first dipole-interface by diffusion of the aluminum in the first gate dielectric layer and a second dipole-interface by diffusion of the lanthanum in the second gate dielectric layer, respectively. |
| US09548302B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a substrate, a multi-gate transistor device formed on the substrate, and an n-well resistor formed in the substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of first isolation structures and at least a second isolation structure formed therein. A depth of the first isolation structures is smaller than a depth of the second isolation structure. The multi-gate transistor device includes a plurality of fin structures, and the fin structures are parallel with each other and spaced apart from each other by the first isolation structures. The n-well resistor includes at least one first isolation structure. The n-well resistor and the multi-gate transistor device are electrically isolated from each other by the second isolation structure. |
| US09548300B2 |
Semiconductor device including capacitor and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; a first planar type capacitor including a gate electrode which is positioned in any one region of the first region and the second region; a non-planar type capacitor including a plurality of non-planar type electrodes which are positioned in the other region of the first region and the second region; a second planar type capacitor including a planar type electrode which is positioned over the first planar type capacitor to overlap with the first planar type capacitor; and a common node under the non-planar type capacitor. |
| US09548299B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device provides reduced size and increased performance, and includes a semiconductor layer having a surface layer including first and second semiconductor regions connected to first and second potentials, respectively; a third semiconductor region provided inside the first semiconductor region and connected to a third potential; a fourth semiconductor region provided inside the second semiconductor region and connected to the third potential; a plurality of a first element provided in each of the first, second, third, and fourth semiconductor regions; a first isolation region provided between and in contact with the first and second semiconductor regions, electrically connected to the semiconductor layer, and connected to a fourth potential; and a second isolation region which encloses the periphery of and maintains a withstand voltage of the first and second semiconductor regions. The third and fourth potentials are lower than the second potential, which is lower than the first potential. |
| US09548298B1 |
Method of improving bipolar device signal to noise performance by reducing the effect of oxide interface trapping centers
An integrated circuit includes an NMOS transistor, a PMOS transistor and a vertical bipolar transistor. The vertical bipolar transistor has an intrinsic base with a band barrier at least 25 meV high at a surface boundary of the intrinsic base, except at an emitter-base junction with an emitter, and except at a base-collector junction with a collector. The intrinsic base may be laterally surrounded by an extrinsic base with a higher dopant density than the intrinsic base, wherein a higher dopant density provides the band barrier at lateral surfaces of the intrinsic base. A gate may be disposed on a gate dielectric layer over a top surface boundary of the intrinsic base adjacent to the emitter. The gate is configured to accumulate the intrinsic base immediately under the gate dielectric layer, providing the band barrier at the top surface boundary of the intrinsic base. |
| US09548297B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a PIP capacitor located. The PIP capacitor includes a first polysilicon layer, a metallic silicide layer, a protective layer, a dielectric layer, and a second polysilicon layer, which have a lower conductive plate pattern and are successively arranged. The method includes: providing a substrate; successively forming a first polysilicon layer, a metallic silicide, and a protective layer on the substrate; transferring a lower conductive plate pattern into the first polysilicon layer, the metallic silicide layer, and the protective layer, thus forming the first polysilicon layer, the metallic silicide layer, and the protective layer having the lower conductive plate pattern; successively forming a dielectric layer and a second polysilicon layer having a lower conductive plate pattern on the protective layer. The capacitance and reliability of the PIP capacitor are improved. |
| US09548293B2 |
III-nitride based ESD protection device
An ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection device includes a first III-nitride p-i-n diode and a second III-nitride p-i-n diode connected to the first III-nitride p-i-n diode in an antiparallel arrangement configured to provide voltage clamping at 5V or less under forward bias of either the first or second III-nitride p-i-n diode for transient current in both forward and reverse directions. A corresponding method of manufacturing the ESD protection device is also provided. |
| US09548287B2 |
LED module having LED chips as light source
An LED (Light Emitting Diode) module includes an LED unit having one or more LED chips and a case. The case includes: a body including a base plate made of ceramic, the base plate having a main surface and a bottom surface opposite to the main surface; a through conductor penetrating through the base plate; and one or more pads formed on the main surface and making conductive connection with the through conductor, the pads mounting thereon the LED unit. The through conductor includes a main surface exposed portion exposed to the main surface and overlapping the LED unit when viewed from top, a bottom surface reaching portion connected to the main surface exposed portion and reaching the bottom surface. The pads cover at least a portion of the main surface exposed portion. |
| US09548277B2 |
Integrated circuit stack including a patterned array of electrically conductive pillars
The present disclosure describes a stacked integrated circuit system that includes two integrated circuit layers stacked on opposite sides of an interposer layer. The interposer layer may include at least one integrated circuit die and an interposer portion that includes a plurality of electrically conductive pillars arranged in a laterally patterned array within the interposer layer. |
| US09548274B1 |
Reticle for non-rectangular die
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a non-rectangular die area, a dicing ring and a reticle area surrounding the non-rectangular die. The dicing ring is within the reticle area and surrounds the non-rectangular die area. The number of edges of the reticle area is not equal to 4. |
| US09548270B2 |
Electrical fuse with metal line migration
An electrical fuse device is disclosed. A circuit apparatus can include the fuse device, a first circuit element and a second circuit element. The fuse includes a first contact that has a first electromigration resistance, a second contact that has a second electromigration resistance and a metal line, which is coupled to the first contact and to the second contact, that has a third electromigration resistance that is lower than the second electromigration resistance. The first circuit element is coupled to the first contact and the second circuit element coupled to the second contact. The fuse is configured to conduct a programming current from the first contact to the second contact through the metal line. Further, the programming current causes the metal line to electromigrate away from the second contact to electrically isolate the second circuit element from the first circuit element. |
| US09548263B2 |
Semiconductor device package for debugging and related fabrication methods
Electronic device packages and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary electronic device includes a semiconductor die having debug circuitry fabricated thereon, a framing structure including an interior portion having the semiconductor die mounted thereto, and a conductive element providing an electrical connection between the interior portion and a contact pad on the semiconductor die that corresponds or is otherwise coupled to an interface of the debug circuitry. |
| US09548261B2 |
Lead frame and semiconductor device
A lead frame of high quality which can endure direct bonding to a semiconductor element, and a semiconductor device of high reliability which utilizing the lead frame. A lead frame includes a plurality of connected units, each unit including a pair of lead portions arranged spaced apart and opposite from each other, for mounting a semiconductor element and electrically connecting to a pair of electrodes of the semiconductor element respectively. The lead portions respectively include an element mounting region arranged on a surface thereof to mount the semiconductor element, and a groove extending from opposing end surfaces of each of the pair of lead portions, in a direction away from the end surfaces and bending in a surrounding manner along outer periphery of the element mounting region. |
| US09548259B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a first layer on an impurity diffusion region in a semiconductor substrate by a selective epitaxial growth method, forming a second layer on the first layer by the selective epitaxial growth method, forming a contact hole penetrating an interlayer insulating film in a thickness direction thereof and reaching the second layer, and filling a conductive material into the contact hole to form a contact plug including the first and second layers and the conductive material. |
| US09548258B2 |
Silicon-on-plastic semiconductor device and method of making the same
A semiconductor device that does not produce nonlinearities attributed to a high resistivity silicon handle interfaced with a dielectric region of a buried oxide (BOX) layer is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor stack structure with a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface is on an opposite side of the semiconductor stack structure from the first surface. At least one device terminal is included in the semiconductor stack structure and at least one electrical contact extends from the second surface and is electrically coupled to the at least one device terminal. The semiconductor stack is protected by a polymer disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor stack. The polymer has high thermal conductivity and high electrical resistivity. |
| US09548248B2 |
Method of processing a substrate and a method of processing a wafer
According to various embodiments, a method of processing a substrate may include: forming a plurality of trenches into a substrate between two chip structures in the substrate, the trenches defining at least one pillar between the two chip structures and a sidewall on each of said two chip structures; disposing an auxiliary carrier on the substrate to hold the chip structures and the at least one pillar; at least partially filling the trenches with encapsulation material to cover the at least one pillar and the sidewalls, thereby at least partially encapsulating the chip structures; removing a portion of the encapsulation material to expose at least a portion of the at least one pillar; and at least partially removing the at least one pillar. |
| US09548247B2 |
Methods for producing semiconductor devices
A method for producing a semiconductor device in accordance with various embodiments may include providing a semiconductor workpiece attached to a first carrier; dicing the semiconductor workpiece and the carrier so as to form at least one individual semiconductor chip; mounting the at least one semiconductor chip with a side facing away from the carrier, to an additional carrier. |
| US09548245B2 |
Isolation rings for packages and the method of forming the same
A device includes a first package component, and a second package component underlying, and bonded to, the first package component. A molding material is disposed under the first package component and molded to the first and the second package components, wherein the molding material and the first package component form an interface. An isolation region includes a first edge, wherein the first edge of the isolation region contacts a first edge of the first package component and a first edge of the molding material. The isolation has a bottom lower than the interface. |
| US09548242B2 |
Nanoscale interconnects fabricated by electrical field directed assembly of nanoelements
The invention provides a fast, scalable, room temperature process for fabricating metallic nanorods from nanoparticles or fabricating metallic or semiconducting nanorods from carbon nanotubes suspended in an aqueous solution. The assembled nanorods are suitable for use as nanoscale interconnects in CMOS-based devices and sensors. Metallic nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes are assembled into lithographically patterned vias by applying an external electric field. Since the dimensions of nanorods are controlled by the dimensions of vias, the nanorod dimensions can be scaled down to the low nanometer range. The aqueous assembly process is environmentally friendly and can be used to make nanorods using different types of metallic particles as well as semiconducting and metallic nanotubes. |
| US09548241B2 |
Semiconductor device metallization systems and methods
Semiconductor device metallization systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a metallization system for semiconductor devices includes a mainframe, and a plurality of modules disposed proximate the mainframe. One of the plurality of modules comprises a physical vapor deposition (PVD) module and one of the plurality of modules comprises an ultraviolet light (UV) cure module. |
| US09548234B2 |
Package substrate and flip-chip package circuit including the same
This disclosure provides a package substrate, a flip-chip package circuit and their fabrication method. The package substrate includes: a first wiring layer having a first metal wire and a first dielectric material layer filling the remaining part of the first wiring layer except for the first metal wire; a conductive pillar layer formed on the first wiring layer and including a metal pillar connected to the first metal wire, a molding compound layer with a protrusion part surrounding the metal pillar, and a second dielectric material layer formed on the molding compound layer; a second wiring layer formed on the conductive pillar layer and including a second metal wire connected to the metal pillar; and a protection layer formed on the second wiring layer. |
| US09548233B2 |
Micro device transfer head array
A micro device transfer head array and method of forming a micro device transfer array from an SOI substrate are described. In an embodiment, the micro device transfer head array includes a base substrate and a patterned silicon layer over the base substrate. The patterned silicon layer may include a silicon interconnect and an array of silicon electrodes electrically connected with the silicon interconnect. Each silicon electrode includes a mesa structure protruding above the silicon interconnect. A dielectric layer covers a top surface of each mesa structure. |
| US09548229B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus, method of processing substrate, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The present invention shortens the time needed to decrease the oxygen concentration in a chamber to be filled with an inert gas to a desired concentration. A substrate processing apparatus includes: a processing chamber configured to process a substrate; and a carrying chamber configured to carry the substrate to the processing chamber. The carrying chamber includes: a plurality of wall bodies configured to form a housing of the carrying chamber; a joint at which the plurality of wall bodies are joined; an isolated space creating member configured to cover the joint and thereby create an isolated space separated from the carrying chamber; and an exhaust section configured to purge gas in the isolated space. |
| US09548227B2 |
Microwave induced plasma decapsulation using a dielectric plasma discharge tube
A microwave induced plasma decapsulation system and method for decapsulation a packaged semiconductor device applies a microwave induced plasma effluent along with etchant gases electrons, ions and free radicals that are chemically reactive to remove the epoxy molding compound encapsulating the semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the decapsulation system utilizes a microwave generator and a coaxial plasma source. In another embodiment, the decapsulation system utilizes a microwave generator, an electromagnetic surface wave plasma source, and a dielectric plasma discharge tube. |
| US09548225B2 |
Edge bead removal apparatus and methods
An edge bead removal apparatus is provided. The edge bead removal apparatus includes a clamping unit configured to clamp a cylindrical reticle and cause the cylindrical reticle to incline with a pre-determined angle and to rotate around a central axis. The edge bead removal apparatus also includes an edge bead removal solvent nozzle configured to spray an edge bead removal solvent to remove edge beads on both edges of the cylindrical reticle. |
| US09548222B2 |
Post-CMP hybrid wafer cleaning technique
A brush-cleaning apparatus is disclosed for use in cleaning a semiconductor wafer after polishing. Embodiments of the brush-cleaning apparatus implemented with a multi-branch chemical dispensing unit are applied beneficially to clean semiconductor wafers, post-polish, using a hybrid cleaning method. An exemplary hybrid cleaning method employs a two-chemical sequence in which first and second chemical treatment modules are separate from one another, and are followed by a pH-neutralizing-rinse that occurs in a treatment module separate from the first and second chemical treatment modules. Implementation of such hybrid methods is facilitated by the multi-branch chemical dispensing unit, which provides separate chemical lines to different chemical treatment modules, and dispenses chemical to at least four different areas of each wafer during single-wafer processing in an upright orientation. The multi-branch chemical dispensing unit provides a flexible, modular building block for constructing various equipment configurations that use multiple chemical treatments and/or pH neutralization steps. |
| US09548216B1 |
Method of adjusting channel widths of semiconductive devices
A method of adjusting channel widths of semiconductive devices includes providing a substrate divided into a first region and a second region, wherein the substrate comprises numerous fins. A first implantation process is performed on the fins within the first region. Then, a second implantation process is performed on the fins within the second region, wherein the first implantation process and the second implantation process are different from each other in at least one of the conditions comprising dopant species, dopant dosage or implantation energy. After that, part of the fins within the first region and the second region are removed simultaneously to form a plurality of first recesses within the first region and a plurality of second recesses within the second region. Finally, a first epitaxial layer and a second epitaxial layer are formed to fill up each first recess and each second recess, respectively. |
| US09548213B2 |
Dielectric isolated fin with improved fin profile
A method of forming a fin structure that includes forming a plurality of fin structures from a bulk semiconductor substrate and forming a dielectric spacer on a sidewall of each fin structure in the plurality of fin structure. A semiconductor spacer is formed on a sidewall of the dielectric spacer. A dielectric fill is formed in the space between the adjacent fin structures. The semiconductor spacer and a portion of the fin structures that is present below a lower surface of the dielectric spacer are oxidized. Oxidizing a base portion of the fin structures produces a first strain and oxidizing the semiconductor spacer produces a second strain that is opposite the first strain. |
| US09548211B2 |
Method to selectively polish silicon carbide films
The present invention provides a method for selectively removing silicon carbide from the surface of a substrate in preference to silicon dioxide. The method comprises abrading a surface of substrate with a polishing composition that comprises a particulate abrasive, at least one acidic buffering agent, and an aqueous carrier. |
| US09548202B2 |
Method for bonding by means of molecular adhesion
The disclosure relates to a method of bonding by molecular adhesion comprising the positioning of a first wafer and of a second wafer within a hermetically sealed vessel, the evacuation of the vessel to a first pressure lower than or equal to 400 hPa, the adjustment of the pressure in the vessel to a second pressure higher than the first pressure by introduction of a dry gas, and bringing the first and second wafers into contact, followed by the initiation of the propagation of a bonding wave between the two wafers, while maintaining the vessel at the second pressure. |
| US09548199B2 |
Method of forming a thin film that eliminates air bubbles
A method, which forms an air-bubble-free thin film with a high-viscosity fluid resin, initially dispenses the fluid resin on an outer region of a semiconductor wafer while the semiconductor wafer is spinning, and then dispenses the fluid resin onto the center of the semiconductor wafer after the semiconductor wafer has stopped spinning. |
| US09548198B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and recording medium
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including forming a thin film containing silicon, oxygen and carbon on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, the cycle including: supplying a precursor gas containing silicon, carbon and a halogen element and having an Si—C bonding, and a first catalytic gas to the substrate; and supplying an oxidizing gas and a second catalytic gas to the substrate. |
| US09548190B2 |
Scheduled MS3 for quantitation
Systems and methods are provided for scheduled MS3. A compound of interest is separated from a sample over a known time period using a separation device. A plurality of sMRM experiments are performed over the known time period on the separating compound of interest using a mass spectrometer. An intensity of a product ion of the compound of interest is produced for each of the plurality of sMRM experiments. Each intensity for the product ion for each of the plurality of sMRM experiments is compared to a threshold intensity level using a processor. When an intensity for the product ion of an sMRM experiment of the plurality of sMRM experiments is equal to or exceeds the threshold intensity level, the mass spectrometer is instructed to perform one or more MS3 experiments for the product ion using the processor. |
| US09548189B2 |
Plasma etching systems and methods using empirical mode decomposition
A substrate etching system includes an etching control module, a filtering module, and an endpoint module. The etching control module selectively begins plasma etching of a substrate within an etching chamber. The filtering module, during the plasma etching of the substrate: receives a signal including endpoint information; decomposes the signal using empirical mode decomposition (EMD); and generates a filtered signal based on results of the EMD. The endpoint module indicates when an endpoint of the plasma etching of the substrate has been reached based on the filtered signal. The etching control module ends the plasma etching of the substrate in response to the indication that the endpoint of the plasma etching of the substrate has been reached. |
| US09548187B2 |
Microwave radiation antenna, microwave plasma source and plasma processing apparatus
A microwave radiation antenna includes an antenna body having a microwave radiation surface; a processing gas inlet configured to introduce a processing gas into the antenna body; a gas diffusion space configured to diffuse the processing gas in the antenna body; a plurality of gas outlets provided in the antenna body and configured to discharge the processing gas into the chamber; a plurality of slots provided in the antenna body under a state where the slots are separated from the gas diffusion space and the gas outlets; and an annular dielectric member provided in the microwave radiation surface side of the antenna body to cover a slot formation region where the slots are formed. A metal surface wave is formed in the microwave radiation surface by the microwave radiated through the slots and the annular dielectric member and a surface wave plasma is generated by the metal surface wave. |
| US09548184B2 |
Microreactor for a transmission electron microscope and heating element and method of manufacture thereof
A microreactor for use in a microscope, comprising a first and second cove layer (13), which cover layers are both at least partly transparent to an electron beam (14) of an electron microscope, and extend next to each other at a mutual distance from each other and between which a chamber (15) is enclosed, wherein an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) are provided for feeding fluid through the chamber and wherein heating means (8) are provided for heating the chamber and/or elements present therein. |
| US09548183B2 |
Charged particle beam writing apparatus, and charged particle beam writing method
Charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a first generation unit to generate a smallest deflection region layer in three or more deflection region layers each having deflection regions of a size different from those of other deflection region layers, for each of a plurality of figure types variably shapable using first and second shaping apertures, an assignment unit to assign each of a plurality of shot figure patterns to deflection regions of the smallest deflection region layer of a corresponding one of the plurality of figure types, a correction unit to correct, by shifting the position of each smallest deflection region layer, according to a variable shaping position of each figure type, and a writing unit to write each of the plurality of shot figure patterns on a target object, in a state where the position of each smallest deflection region layer has been corrected for each figure type. |
| US09548177B2 |
Smart fuse for circuit protection
A smart fuse for circuit protection includes a first shaft and second shaft separated by a gap. A heater is located inside portions of the first and second shafts, and the heater is held in place within the shafts by a solder alloy that fills the gap. The shafts and solder alloy form an electrical signal path through the fuse. A spring is attached to the heater. The spring is stretched such that the spring exerts a force on the heater. The solder alloy holds the heater in place and resists the force exerted by the spring. In an activation condition of the fuse, the heater increases in temperature and melts the solder alloy. The melted solder alloy no longer resists the force exerted by the spring, and the spring pulls the heater through the second shaft until the gap is open, thereby severing the electrical connection through the fuse. |
| US09548173B2 |
Electrical contactor
An electrical contactor has first and second terminals; a movable arm connected to the second terminal; and an actuator. The actuator has a magnet, first and second coils having a common connection and located either side of the magnet, a magnetic rocking armature pivotably attached between the coils and an actuation element connected to the first end of the rocking armature for actuating the movable arm. Driving the first coil causes a demagnetization of the first coil and a corresponding increase in magnetic flux in the second coil, latching the armature to the second coil and moving the movable arm in a first direction. Driving the second coil causes a demagnetization of the second coil and a corresponding increase in magnetic flux in the first coil, latching the rocking armature to the first coil and moving the movable arm in a second direction. |
| US09548169B1 |
Contact structure of battery relay and battery relay apparatus including the same
A contact structure of a battery relay that is capable of reducing damage to relay contacts and a battery relay apparatus including the same are disclosed. The contact structure includes a movable contact unit including at least one first embossed contact formed adjacent to a center of the movable contact unit, the first embossed contact having a predetermined height, and at least one second embossed contact formed outside the first embossed contact, the second embossed contact having a lower height than the first embossed contact, and a stationary contact unit, the first embossed contact and the second embossed contact coming into contact with the stationary contact unit when power is turned on. |
| US09548160B2 |
Raw sheet for capacitor film and capacitor film
A cast raw sheet for a capacitor film, prepared by heating and melting a polypropylene resin and extruding the resin from a T-die, wherein the polypropylene resin has: a weight average molecular weight, determined by gel permeation chromatography, of 100,000 or more and 500,000 or less; and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 7 or more, the resin contains 97% by mass or more of an isotactic component that is an extraction residue obtained by sequential extraction, and the cast raw sheet contains a β-form in a proportion of 1% or more and less than 20%, the proportion being determined by X-ray diffraction intensity. |
| US09548158B2 |
3D multipath inductor
A three-dimensional multipath inductor includes turns disposed about a center region on two layers, the turns on the two layers having corresponding geometry therebetween. Each of the turns is comprised of two or more segments that extend length-wise along the turns, and the segments have positions that vary from an innermost position relative to the center region and an outermost position relative to the center region. A lateral cross-over is configured to couple the segments of at least one turn on one layer with the segments on a turn on a same layer to form segment paths that have a substantially same length for all segment paths in a grouping of segment paths on that same layer. A vertical cross-over is configured to couple the segments on different vertically stacked metal layers to have the segment groups with a substantially same length for all segment paths based on vertical lengths. |
| US09548156B2 |
Ignition coil for internal combustion engine
An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine includes a wire-wound resistor. The wire-wound resistor includes a core material, a conductor winding, a pair of metal caps disposed at both ends of the core material, the pair of metal caps in contact with the conductor winding, and a resin coating material disposed so as to be in close contact with the core material and the conductor winding. The resin coating material is filled between the conductive winding and the resin coating material is formed to cover the conductor winding from an outer peripheral side of the conductor winding The metal cap includes a bottom portion and a cylindrical side portion. An inner peripheral side of the side portion is provide with ridges projecting internally formed along a direction crossing a winding direction of the conductor winding. |
| US09548155B2 |
Transformer filter arrangement
A transformer filter arrangement (30) for passing signals at a fundamental frequency and suppressing signals at one or more interfering frequencies is disclosed. It comprises a transformer (100) having a first winding (110) and a second winding (120), wherein the first winding (110) has a first end (112a) and a second end (122b) and the second winding (120) has a first end (122a) and a second end (122b). It further comprises one or more capacitors (130a-e). For each capacitor (130a-c) of a first set of at least one capacitor of the one or more capacitors (130a-e), the capacitor (130a-c) is connected between a pair of taps (a1, a2; b1, b2; c1, c2) of the first winding (110), wherein each tap (a1, a2, b1, b2, c1, c2) of the pair of taps (a1, a2; b1, b2; c1, c2) is located between the first end (112a) and the second end (112b) of the first winding (110), and the capacitor (130a-c), together with an inductive sub segment (140a-c) of the first winding (110), which is connected in parallel with the capacitor (130a-c) between the pair of taps (a1, a2; b1, b2; c1, c2), forms a parallel LC circuit which is tuned to resonate at one of said interfering frequencies for suppressing signals at said one of the interfering frequencies. A corresponding integrated circuit, a corresponding radio receiver circuit, a corresponding radio transmitter circuit, and a corresponding radio communication apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US09548154B2 |
Integrated reactors with high frequency optimized hybrid core constructions and methods of manufacture and use thereof
In some embodiments, an exemplary inventive device of the instant invention is a reactor which includes at least the following: a core, including: at least one leg, including: a first lamination, where the first lamination is made from a high permeability material, where the high permeability material has a magnetic permeability that is at least 1000 times greater than the permeability of air; a second lamination, where second lamination is made from the high permeability material; a bracket, where the bracket is configured to secure the first lamination and the second lamination in a spatial arrangement to have a space between each other; and a plurality of blocks made from a low permeability material, where the low permeability material has the magnetic permeability that is less than 100 times the permeability of air. |
| US09548149B2 |
Rare earth based magnet
The present invention provides a rare earth based magnet having a microstructure in which in a section of the R2T14B main-phase crystal grains, the number density of the fine products in the interior of (inside) the crystal grains is larger than that in the periphery of (outside) the crystal grains. That is, the rare earth based magnet includes R2T14B main-phase crystal grains and grain boundary phases formed between the R2T14B main-phase crystal grains. The R2T14B main-phase crystal grains include a substance where fine products are formed in the crystal grains. In the section of the main-phase crystal grains, when the crystal grains are divided into the interior of the crystal grains and the periphery of the crystal grains with a specific ellipse, the fine products are formed such that the number density in the interior is larger than that in the periphery. |
| US09548146B2 |
Cover sheath, fastening arrangement and method of fastening a conducting cable to a carrier component
A cover sheath includes a main body being adapted to define a channel for accommodating at least one conducting cable extending there through, and a hook and loop arrangement disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the main body. The main body is made of an electrically conducting material. |
| US09548142B2 |
High-withstanding-voltage alumina sintered compact and high-withstanding-voltage member
The high-withstanding-voltage member includes an alumina sintered compact containing alumina as a main crystal. Furthermore, the alumina sintered compact exhibits a peak intensity of 5000 or less at a wavelength of about 330 nm when measured by a cathode luminescence method. |
| US09548139B2 |
Multilayer tube in ceramic matrix composite material, resulting nuclear fuel cladding and associated manufacturing processes
The invention relates to a multilayer tubular part (1) comprising a metal layer forming a metal tubular body (3) and two layers in ceramic matrix composite material covering the metal tubular body, wherein one of the two layers in ceramic matrix composite material covers the inner surface of the metal tubular body to form an inner tubular body (4), whilst the other of the two layers in ceramic matrix composite material covers the outer surface of the metal tubular body to form an outer tubular body (2), the metal tubular body therefore being sandwiched between the inner and outer tubular bodies. The metal tubular body is in metal or metal alloy. Finally, the metal tubular body has a mean thickness smaller than the mean thicknesses of the inner and outer tubular bodies. A said part is useful in particular for producing nuclear fuel claddings. |
| US09548131B1 |
Reduced power read sensing for one-time programmable memories
A low power consuming read circuit for a memory array is disclosed. The circuit is particularly useful in applications where oxide breakdown one-time programmable memory is integrated into a system having low power available from the power sources supplying the system. |
| US09548128B2 |
Read retry for non-volatile memories
An apparatus for reading a non-volatile memory includes a tracking module operable to calculate means and variances of voltage level distributions in a non-volatile memory and to calculate at least one reference voltage to be used when reading the non-volatile memory based on the means and variances, a likelihood generator operable to calculate at least one other reference voltage to be used when reading the non-volatile memory, wherein the at least one other reference voltage is based at least in part on a predetermined likelihood value constellation, and to map read patterns from the non-volatile memory to likelihood values, and a read controller operable to read the non-volatile memory using the at least one reference voltage and the at least one other reference voltage to yield the read patterns. |
| US09548127B1 |
Memory system
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes: a semiconductor memory device and a controller. The semiconductor memory device reads data a plurality of times from a first area, performs a majority operation on the read results, and transmits data based on the majority operation result to the controller as read data. |
| US09548114B2 |
Resistive semiconductor memory capable of performing incremental step pulse programming (ISPP) based on digital code values of memory cells
Disclosed are a semiconductor memory apparatus, a program method, and a program system. The semiconductor memory apparatus includes a memory cell array including a plurality of resistive memory cells and a control block configured to variably control, based on digital code values reflecting resistance states of the resistive memory cells, at least one of a initial voltage magnitude and an initial voltage applying time in an incremental step pulse programming (ISPP) mode for the plurality of memory cells. Therefore, even in the case of the worst cell, the incremental step of the ISPP may be minimized, and the writing time may be reduced, limiting unnecessary current consumption. |
| US09548111B2 |
Memory device
According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory cell, a sense amplifier, and a resistor. The sense amplifier includes a first input and a second input, outputs a signal in accordance with a difference between the first and second inputs, and is selectively coupled at a second input to the memory cell. The resistor is in a first path between the first input of the sense amplifier and a ground node. |
| US09548107B1 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell configured to hold 4-bit data according to a threshold. A first bit of the 4-bit data is established by reading operations using a first to a third read levels. A second bit different from the first bit is established by reading operations using a fourth to a seventh read levels. A third bit different from the first and second bits is established by reading operations using an eighth to an eleventh read levels. A fourth bit different from the first to third bits is established by reading operations using a twelfth to a fifteenth read levels. |
| US09548100B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus performing a refresh operation
A semiconductor memory apparatus may include a refresh mode control circuit configured to enable a row address increase signal when all banks capable of being designated by a bank address in a refresh operation are all designated. The semiconductor memory apparatus may also include and a row address generation circuit configured to increase a value of a row address when the row address increase signal is enabled. |
| US09548097B2 |
Magnetic random access memory
According to one embodiment, a magnetic random access memory includes a write circuit to write complementary data to first and second magnetoresistive elements, and a read circuit to read the complementary data from the first and second magnetoresistive elements. The control circuit is configured to change the first and second bit lines to a floating state after setting the first and second bit lines to a first potential, and change a potential of the first bit line in the floating state to a first value in accordance with a resistance value of the first magnetoresistive element and a potential of the second bit line in the floating state to a second value in accordance with a resistance value of the second magnetoresistive element by setting the common source line to a second potential higher than the first potential. |
| US09548095B2 |
Redundant magnetic tunnel junctions in magnetoresistive memory
Memory cells in a spin-torque magnetic random access memory (MRAM) include at least two magnetic tunnel junctions within each memory cell, where each memory cell only stores a single data bit of information. Access circuitry coupled to the memory cells are able to read from and write to a memory cell even when one of the magnetic tunnel junctions within the memory cell is defective and is no longer functional. Self-referenced and referenced reads can be used in conjunction with the multiple magnetic tunnel junction memory cells. In some embodiments, writing to the memory cell forces all magnetic tunnel junctions into a known state, whereas in other embodiments, a subset of the magnetic tunnel junctions are forced to a known state. |
| US09548094B2 |
Magnetic random access memory cell with a dual junction for ternary content addressable memory applications
A MRAM cell including a first tunnel barrier layer between a soft ferromagnetic layer having a free magnetization and a first hard ferromagnetic layer having a first storage magnetization. A second tunnel barrier layer is between the soft ferromagnetic layer and a second hard ferromagnetic layer and has a second storage magnetization. The first storage magnetization is freely orientable at a first high predetermined temperature threshold and the second storage magnetization being freely orientable at a second predetermined high temperature threshold. The first high predetermined temperature threshold is higher than the second predetermined high temperature threshold. The MRAM cell can be used as a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) and store up to three distinct state levels. The MRAM cell has a reduced size and can be made at low cost. |
| US09548092B2 |
Voltage controlled spin transport channel
A spin transport channel includes a dielectric layer contacting a conductive layer. The dielectric layer includes at least one of a tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, titanium oxide, and nickel oxide. An intermediate spin layer contacts the dielectric layer. The intermediate spin layer includes at least one of copper and silver. The conductive layer is more electrochemically inert than the intermediate spin layer. A polarizer layer contacts the intermediate spin layer. The polarizer layer includes one of a nickel-iron based material, iron, and cobalt based material. The conductive layer and intermediate layer are disposed on opposite sides of the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer and the polarizer layer are disposed on opposite sides of the intermediate spin layer. The intermediate spin layer is arranged to form a conducting path through the dielectric layer configured to transport a plurality of electrons. Each of the plurality of electrons maintains a polarized electron spin. |
| US09548089B2 |
Pipelining an asynchronous memory reusing a sense amp and an output latch
An asynchronous memory includes a memory array, a sense amplifier, an output latch, and a controller. In response to a clock signal from an external circuit requesting a read operation, the controller provides the clock signal to the memory array to read data, and controls the sense amplifier and the output latch to provide the functionality of a flip-flop master and slave so that the read operation delay through the output latch to the external circuit is removed from a first read cycle of two sequential read cycles. |
| US09548088B2 |
Semiconductor memory asynchronous pipeline
An asynchronously pipelined SDRAM has separate pipeline stages that are controlled by asynchronous signals. Rather than using a clock signal to synchronize data at each stage, an asynchronous signal is used to latch data at every stage. The asynchronous control signals are generated within the chip and are optimized to the different latency stages. Longer latency stages require larger delays elements, while shorter latency states require shorter delay elements. The data is synchronized to the clock at the end of the read data path before being read out of the chip. Because the data has been latched at each pipeline stage, it suffers from less skew than would be seen in a conventional wave pipeline architecture. Furthermore, since the stages are independent of the system clock, the read data path can be run at any CAS latency as long as the re-synchronizing output is built to support it. |
| US09548079B2 |
Magnetic recording and reproducing device and magnetic recording and reproducing method
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes a magnetic recording medium, a recording unit and a reproducing unit. The magnetic recording medium includes a first track and a second track, the first track extending in a first direction, the second track extending in the first direction and being arranged with the first track in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first track includes first and second sub-tracks extending in the first direction. The second track includes third and fourth sub-tracks extending in the first direction. The second sub-track is disposed between the first and fourth sub-tracks. The third sub-track is disposed between the second and fourth sub-tracks. The recording unit records information in the first and second tracks. The reproducing unit reproduces first information recorded in the first track. The reproducing unit reproduces second information recorded in the second track. |
| US09548073B1 |
Systems and methods for providing high performance soft magnetic underlayers for magnetic recording media
Systems and methods for providing high performance soft magnetic underlayers for magnetic recording media are described. One such magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, an amorphous soft magnetic underlayer including CoFeMoNb on the substrate, where an atomic percent of the Mo is greater than about 8 and an atomic percent of the Nb is greater than about 9, and a magnetic recording layer on the soft magnetic underlayer. |
| US09548072B2 |
Concurrent modulation and frictional heating head disk contact detection
An apparatus comprises a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head, a sensor, and a controller. The HAMR head is configured to interact with a magnetic storage medium. The sensor is configured to produce a signal indicating the occurrence of head-medium contact. The controller is configured to receive the signal and concurrently determine from the signal if the occurrence of head-medium contact is caused by a first contact detection parameter, a second contact detection parameter, or both the first and second contact detection parameters. |
| US09548066B2 |
Voice application architecture
A voice-based system may comprise a local speech interface device and a remote control service. A user may interact with the system using speech to obtain services and perform functions. The system may allow a user to install applications to provide enhanced or customized functionality. Such applications may be installed on either the speech interface device or the control service. The control service receives user speech and determines user intent based on the speech. If an application installed on the control service can respond to the intent, that application is called. Otherwise, the intent is provided to the speech interface device which responds by invoking one of its applications to respond to the intent. |
| US09548063B2 |
Method and apparatus for acoustic echo control
Embodiments of method and apparatus for acoustic echo control are described. According to the method, an echo energy-based doubletalk detection is performed to determine whether there is a doubletalk in a microphone signal with reference to a loudspeaker signal. A spectral similarity between spectra of the microphone signal and the loudspeaker signal is calculated. It is determined that there is no doubletalk in the microphone signal if the spectral similarity is higher than a threshold level. Adaption of an adaptive filter for applying acoustic echo cancellation or acoustic echo suppression on the microphone signal is enabled if it is determined that there is no doubletalk in the microphone signal through the echo energy-based doubletalk detection, or there is no doubletalk through the spectral similarity-based doubletalk detection. |
| US09548061B2 |
Audio encoder with parallel architecture
The present document relates to methods and systems for audio encoding. In particular, the present document relates to methods and systems for fast audio encoding using a parallel system architecture. A frame-based audio encoder (300, 400, 500, 600) comprising K parallel transform units (303, 403) is described; wherein each of the K parallel transform units (303, 403) is configured to transform a respective one of a group of K frames (305) of an audio signal (101) into a respective one of K sets of frequency coefficients; wherein K>1; wherein each of the K frames (305) comprises a plurality of samples of the audio signal (101). |
| US09548059B2 |
Spectral translation/folding in the subband domain
The present invention relates to a new method and apparatus for improvement of High Frequency Reconstruction (HFR) techniques using frequency translation or folding or a combination thereof. The proposed invention is applicable to audio source coding systems, and offers significantly reduced computational complexity. This is accomplished by means of frequency translation or folding in the subband domain, preferably integrated with spectral envelope adjustment in the same domain. The concept of dissonance guard-band filtering is further presented. The proposed invention offers a low-complexity, intermediate quality HFR method useful in speech and natural audio coding applications. |
| US09548057B2 |
Adaptive gain-shape rate sharing
An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an improved gain-shape VQ. This is achieved by determining a number of bits to be allocated to a gain adjustment- and shape-quantizer for a plurality of combinations of a current bit rate and a first signal property. The determined allocated number of bits to the gain adjustment- and shape quantizer should provide a better result for the given bitrate and signal property than using a single fixed allocation scheme. That can be achieved by deriving the bit allocation by using an average of optimal bit allocations for a training data set. Thus by pre-calculating a number of bits to the gain adjustment and the shape quantizers for a plurality of combinations of the bit rate and a first signal property and creating a table indicating the number of bits to be allocated to the gain adjustment- and the shape-quantizers for a plurality of combinations of the bit rate and a first signal property. In this way, the table can be used for achieving an improved bit allocation. |
| US09548053B1 |
Audible command filtering
Devices, methods, and systems for detecting wake words and audio commands that should be disregarded are disclosed. In some instances, a local device may receive a wake word or audible command transmitted or uttered in a television or radio advertisement, program, broadcast, etc. In these instances, the local device should disregard such wake words and audible commands, as they are not from a user of the local device. To detect such wake words and commands, audio fingerprinting and speech recognition techniques may be used to determine whether the wake word and/or command substantially matches the audio of a known television or radio advertisement, program, broadcast, etc. If the wake word and/or command substantially matches, the local device may then disregard the command. |
| US09548050B2 |
Intelligent automated assistant
The intelligent automated assistant system engages with the user in an integrated, conversational manner using natural language dialog, and invokes external services when appropriate to obtain information or perform various actions. The system can be implemented using any of a number of different platforms, such as the web, email, smartphone, and the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the system is based on sets of interrelated domains and tasks, and employs additional functionally powered by external services with which the system can interact. |
| US09548049B2 |
Methods and systems for integration of speech into systems
A method of managing speech data in a system is provided. The method includes receiving speech data that is generated by a speech recognition module; searching data structures of a definition file for a speech tag based on the speech data, wherein the data structures define features of a display screen; and determining an action associated with the speech tag; and at least one of communicating data to an application of the system and generating display data based on the action. |
| US09548045B2 |
Anti-noise headset device and sound processing method thereof
An anti-noise headset device and a sound processing method thereof are provided. The anti-noise headset device includes an audio receiving module and a control module. The audio receiving module is configured to receive several audio signals in several periods. The control module is electrically coupled to the audio receiving module. The control module is configured to store the audio signals received from a first period to an Nth period as sound data. The control module compares the audio signal received in an (N+1)th period with the sound data so as to generate a relevance value, N is an integer larger than zero. When the relevance value is smaller than a threshold value, the control module filters out a portion of the audio signal received in the (N+1)th period, in which the portion of the audio signal received in the (N+1)th period is relevant to the sound data. |
| US09548042B2 |
Responsive document breakpoints systems and methods
Methods and systems for providing and utilizing responsive document breakpoints are provided. An electronic canvas in a first state is displayed, and an object is displayed on the electronic canvas in a first manner according to the first state. A request to resize the electronic canvas is received, where the request indicates a second state of the electronic canvas. A second manner of displaying the object according to the second state is identified. The electronic canvas in the second state is displayed, which includes displaying the object in the second manner according to the second state. |
| US09548040B2 |
Image processing method and display device using the same
Provided is an image processing method of processing first red, green, and blue (RGB) data with a display device including a pixel configured with red, green, blue, and white sub-pixels and providing the processed data. The method includes receiving the first RGB data, rendering the first RGB data to generate second RGB data and white (W) data, converting the first RGB data into hue, saturation, and value (HSV) data, obtaining RGB compensation data by using the HSV data on the basis of a lookup table, compensating for the second RGB data by using the RGB compensation data, and outputting the compensated second RGB data and the W data. |
| US09548039B2 |
Display device
A display device is driven through no wire cable such as an FPC, and a display image is continuously held for a certain period of time by storing an image signal received from a wireless communication device so that the display image can be held even when the display device is out of communication range with the wireless communication device. A display device includes at least a pixel circuit having an SRAM (static random access memory) circuit, a circuit which controls the pixel circuit, an antenna circuit, a circuit which generates a demodulation signal, a circuit which rectifies a wireless signal, a circuit which generates first voltage, a charge circuit which stores second voltage, a charge control circuit, a voltage supply control circuit, and a circuit which controls the charge control circuit and the voltage supply control circuit. |
| US09548035B2 |
Pixel structure having multiple switching units, liquid crystal display using the same, and driving method of the same
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device, a pixel structure and a driving method. The first scanning line of the first scanning line transmits a scanning signal of the first switching unit, charging the pixel electrode, after the charge, when the pixel electrode is in the state of holding power, the second scanning line transmits the second scanning signal to turn on the second switching unit, the common electrode line provides the common voltage to the pixel electrode, in order to rise the pixel electrode voltage to the common voltage. Through the above ways, on one hand the present invention can ensure the charging time of the pixel electrode and the resolution of the liquid crystal display device, on the other hand inserting the black image, achieving the inserting black image technique, reducing the 3D cross talk. |
| US09548033B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for driving the same
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of pixels, a gate driver connected to the plurality of gate lines and configured to apply a gate-on voltage, a data driver connected to the plurality of data lines and configured to apply a data voltage, and a signal controller configured to receive an image signal and controlling the gate driver and the data driver, wherein the signal controller is configured to generate two correction data for each image signal referring to two compensation lookup tables, and the two compensation lookup tables are provided to make absolute values of pixel voltages for each polarity substantially identical to each other with respect to the same gray scale value. |
| US09548027B2 |
Display apparatus, driving method for display apparatus and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including: a pixel array section including a plurality of pixels, a writing transistor, a driving transistor, a first switching transistor, a holding capacitor, and a second switching transistor; a first scanning section configured to drive the writing transistor in a unit of a row of the pixels; a second scanning section configured to drive the switching transistors in synchronism with scanning by the first scanning section; and a third scanning section configured to control the second switching transistors to a non-conducting state within a period after the image signal is written by the writing transistor until the signal writing period of the same row of the pixels ends but to a conducting state within any other period. |
| US09548021B2 |
Method of driving light-source and display apparatus for performing the method
A method of driving a light-source module includes adjusting a frequency of a boosting switching signal based on a dimming signal which controls luminance of a light-emitting diode (“LED”) string of the light-source module, where the LED string comprises a plurality of LEDs connected to each other in series, and controlling a main transistor in response to the boosting switching signal to transfer a driving voltage to the LED string. |
| US09548020B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device to compensate pixel threshold voltage
An organic light-emitting display device includes: an organic light-emitting panel comprising a plurality of pixel regions, each pixel region comprising a scan line and a data line crossing each other, each pixel region further comprising an organic light-emission element and a drive transistor configured to drive the organic light emission element; and a circuit configured to sense a threshold voltage of the drive transistor in a sensing interval and control a light emission of the organic light emission element within the pixel region in a display interval. |
| US09548017B2 |
Power consumption controller, image processor, self-luminous display apparatus, electronic equipment, power consumption control method and computer program
A power consumption controller includes (a) a power consumption calculation section which sequentially calculates the power consumption level of a self-luminous display device based on a video signal input from the beginning of each frame up to the time of calculation, (b) a power consumption status determination section which determines whether the calculated power consumption level exceeds a reference value for comparison by constantly comparing the two levels. If this is the case, the same section detects the timing at which the power consumption exceeds the reference value for comparison and (c) a peak brightness control section which controls the peak brightness of the self-luminous display device if the power consumption level exceeds the reference value for comparison based on the detected timing. |
| US09548014B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
A plurality of types of arrangement pattern candidates are generated. Each arrangement pattern candidate is an arrangement pattern candidate of a plurality of indices in a physical space used to calculate the position and orientation of the viewpoint. The arrangement pattern candidate enables observation of a predetermined number or more of indices from a position in an area where mixed reality can be experienced in the physical space. Information representing the arrangement pattern of a plurality of indices in the physical space is generated by using the generated types of arrangement pattern candidates. |
| US09548012B1 |
Adaptive ergonomic keyboard
Techniques are described for adapting a keyboard arrangement to be personalized for a user, based on detected gestures made by the user while employing the keyboard arrangement. An adaptable keyboard arrangement may be provided for the user as part of a device, projected onto a surface near the user, or rendered abstractly into a space near the user. Sensor and/or contextual data may be employed to identify mistypes or near-mistypes of the user, and a statistical model may be developed of the user's typing habits. Keyboard modifications may be determined that adapt the keyboard to minimize potential typing errors and/or provide a more ergonomic keyboard arrangement for the user. |
| US09548011B1 |
Multi-media warning sign attachable to a floor sign
A multi-media warning sign attachable to a floor sign including a body having a pair of feet, each foot having a lower wall and a first magnet on the lower wall. Each first magnet has an inner wall within the foot and an outer wall coplanar with the lower wall and is engageable either directly to a ferromagnetic mounting surface or to a second magnet on an upper side of a spring-loaded clamp to secure the body to the front and rear panels of a foldable floor-standing sign in an upright position. The body can also be positioned atop a non-ferromagnetic surface. The battery-operated device also includes a lighting assembly with front and rear lights on the body, a sound system for audible warning messages, front and rear motion sensors to activate the lighting assembly and the sound system when nearby pedestrian motion is detected, and a microprocessor. |
| US09548008B1 |
Modular signage systems, assemblies, components, and methods
The present inventor devised, among other things, one or more exemplary systems, kits, methods, devices, assemblies, components, and/or software and related graphical interfaces related to signs with interchangeable illumination elements. One exemplary embodiment includes an illuminated sign assembly of two or more alphanumeric lighting elements formed of a transparent or translucent injection- or blow-molded plastic and including a number of surface-mounted light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Each of the alphanumeric elements plugs into power track, and can be independently rotated to a desired orientation relative the power track. In some embodiments, the each of the elements can be wireless controlled or programmed via a smartphone to blink or change colors according to a desired pattern or in response to ambient conditions. In still other embodiments, the lighting elements vertically stack onto a recharge station, and in yet others the elements are powered or recharged via resonant inductive coupling. |
| US09548004B1 |
Pilot and burner system for firefighting training
A pilot and burner apparatus is provided for use in firefighting training. The apparatus includes a main fuel conduit and a main fuel valve. The apparatus includes a pilot tube and a pilot fuel conduit configured to deliver fuel from the main fuel conduit to the pilot tube. The apparatus includes main and pilot fuel valves to respectively control a flow of fuel in the main and pilot fuel conduits. In a pilot phase, the valves direct fuel to the pilot tube. An ignition component is configured to ignite fuel in the pilot tube to generate a pilot flame. In a burn phase, the pilot flame generates a controllable flame out of a main burner pipe by igniting fuel exiting the main fuel conduit. The controllable flame can be delivered to a training structure for training purposes. |
| US09547997B2 |
Methods, systems, and devices for multi-user improvement of reading comprehension using frequency altered feedback
Multi-user portable electronic devices for improving reading ability and/or comprehension for a plurality of subjects are provided. The multi-user portable electronic devices may include a pitch shifter circuit configured to generate frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signals corresponding to respective auditory speech signals received from respective active microphones, and to transmit the respective FAF signals to the plurality of subjects while one or more of the plurality of subjects are respectively reading aloud, to improve the plurality of subjects' reading ability and/or comprehension. The multi-user portable electronic devices may also include a switch configured to activate the microphones selectively, serially. Related methods and systems are also described. |
| US09547993B2 |
Automated aircraft ground threat avoidance system
This disclosure is directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for automated avoidance of ground threats by an aircraft. In one example, a method includes determining, by one or more processing devices, whether a sufficient evasive maneuver for an aircraft to avoid a detected ground surface threat is performed via pilot controls of the aircraft within a selected threshold after an alert of the ground surface threat is outputted via one or more cockpit systems of the aircraft. The method further includes, in response to determining that a sufficient evasive maneuver via the pilot controls is not performed within the selected threshold, controlling, by the one or more processing devices, one or more flight systems of the aircraft to perform an automated evasive maneuver to avoid the ground surface threat. |
| US09547989B2 |
Reporting road event data and sharing with other vehicles
Example systems and methods allow for reporting and sharing of information reports relating to driving conditions within a fleet of autonomous vehicles. One example method includes receiving information reports relating to driving conditions from a plurality of autonomous vehicles within a fleet of autonomous vehicles. The method may also include receiving sensor data from a plurality of autonomous vehicles within the fleet of autonomous vehicles. The method may further include validating some of the information reports based at least in part on the sensor data. The method may additionally include combining validated information reports into a driving information map. The method may also include periodically filtering the driving information map to remove outdated information reports. The method may further include providing portions of the driving information map to autonomous vehicles within the fleet of autonomous vehicles. |
| US09547988B2 |
Personal navigation assistance systems and methods
An exemplary method includes a personal navigation assistance system detecting an upcoming trip of a user to a destination, accessing data associated with the upcoming trip from a plurality of disparate information sources, aggregating the accessed data associated with the upcoming trip, generating, based on the aggregated data, navigational assistance content for the upcoming trip, and providing the navigational assistance content for the upcoming trip to a computing device for presentation to the user. In certain examples, aggregated data includes real-time parking space availability information, and the navigational assistance content includes parking assistance content generated based on the real-time parking space availability information. Corresponding systems and methods are also described. |
| US09547987B2 |
Method and apparatus for conveying vehicle driving information
Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for conveying vehicle driving information. A server computing device generates a hazard index for a plurality of road segments in a predefined coverage area. The server computing device determines a current hazard value for each of the plurality of road segments based on (i) weather conditions data associated with the road segments, (ii) road conditions data associated with the road segments, and (iii) physical attributes of the road segments. The server computing device determines a predicted hazard value for each of the plurality of road segments and assigns the present hazard value and predicted hazard value to the corresponding road segment. The server computing device receives location data associated with a remote device and transmits hazard information associated with one or more of the plurality of road segments based on the location data and the hazard index. |
| US09547985B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing access to autonomous vehicles based on user context
An approach is provided for granting access to an autonomous vehicle based on validation of a request, and configuring an autonomous vehicle to transport a user and/or items to at least one destination. The approach involves receiving a transport request for a transport of at least one user, at least one item, or a combination thereof to at least one destination. The approach also involves determining profile information associated with the at least one user, the at least one item, or a combination thereof, wherein the profile information specifies at least one role associated with the at least one user, the at least one item, or a combination thereof. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, a validation of the request based, at least in part, on a comparison of the at least one destination to one or more approved destinations associated with the at least one role. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a granting of an access to one or more autonomous vehicles for the transport of the at least one user, the at least one item, or a combination thereof to the at least one destination based, at least in part, on the validation. |
| US09547983B2 |
Analysis method and analyzing device
An analysis method includes: acquiring first path information indicating a first movement path, first velocity information of a first moving body on the first movement path, second path information indicating a second movement path, and second velocity information of a second moving body on the second movement path; calculating, based on a specific rule, a similarity between the first velocity information and the second velocity information when the first path information and the second path information are extracted as candidates to be integrated; determining, based on the similarity, whether the first path information and second path information are to be integrated; and generating graph information to draw at least a part of the first path information and at least a part of the second path information as a single path when it is determined that the first path information and the second path information are to be integrated. |
| US09547982B2 |
System and method for controlling device location determination
A controlling device such as a remote control has programming for transmitting a signal response to a plurality of control environments, each environment including a signaling device. Each signaling device in receipt of the signal request sends a signal response having a unique ID which is chosen to be characteristically attenuated by the surroundings of the environment. Because the controlling device can only be in one environment at a given time, and given the attenuation characteristics of the signal response from each signaling device, only one signal response will be received by the controlling device in each environment. Location definitions associated with the received unique ID may be used by programming in the controlling device to recall saved devices states, commands sets, macros, and even to dynamically generate commands based on the location information. |
| US09547979B2 |
System and method for adaptively controlling the recording of program material using a program guide
A system and method for displaying an electronic program guide (“EPG”), the EPG allowing for the controlling of recording functionality of an appliance and/or playing of media. The displayable EPG includes a listing of playable media from which the user may select a program of interest for recording or playing. The EPG may also include a display of prior recorded media for playing. Options may be presented to allow for a selection of a rendering device on which selected media is to be played. |
| US09547970B2 |
Context-aware wearable safety system
In an example embodiment, biometric data and environmental data are obtained from sensors. Corporate information system (CIS) information is retrieved for a worker, with the CIS information including a schedule of tasks assigned to the worker. A task currently being performed by the worker is determined based on the schedule of tasks. Weights are assigned to the biometric data and the environmental data. The weights vary between data from different sensors, with the weights assigned based on the task currently being performed by the worker. A current safety score is assigned for the worker based on the calculation of a formula, with the formula using the assigned weights as coefficients to variables, with the variables being values obtained from the biometric data and the environmental data. The current safety score is compared to a safety threshold, and if the threshold is violated, an alert is generated to the worker. |
| US09547969B2 |
Methods and apparatus to detect and warn proximate entities of interest
Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method for assessing a possibility of a collision between entities of interest, each having their own characteristics of movement, includes sampling movement of each entity at least two points in time, generating a trajectory vector for each entity based on the movement sampling, expanding the trajectory vector of each entity based on at least one characteristic of movement of that entity, and analyzing the expanded trajectory vector of each entity for overlap to assess a possibility of a collision between the entities of interest. |
| US09547964B2 |
Integrated home lighting and notification system
An integrated lighting and notification system includes a light fixture connected to an electrical power supply, a camera, a control unit, and a trigger device. The electrical power supply provides electrical power to the light source unit and the camera. The control unit transmits a signal via a network in response to receiving a signal transmitted by the trigger device. |
| US09547958B2 |
Gaming system and method providing a video poker game with positional matching card winning opportunities
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a video poker game with additional winning opportunities. Upon receiving a primary wager, the gaming system provides the player with a quantity of player cards. The gaming system enables the player to discard zero, some, or all of the player cards. The discarded cards are replaced. The player cards are compared to a paytable to determine an award, if any, won by the player. In addition to the player cards, the player is provided five card indicators. If one or more of the player cards matches with corresponding card indicators, then the player is provided an additional win opportunity. |
| US09547952B2 |
Presenting lighting content in wagering game systems
Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter include operations for presenting a lighting show in a wagering game system. The operations can include receiving, over a first network, a playlist identifier that identifies a playlist, where the playlist is associated with a first group of lighting commands for presenting lighting effects on lighting devices in the wagering game system. The operations can also include generating the first group of lighting commands, and receiving, over the first network, a second group of lighting commands for presenting the lighting effects on the lighting devices in the wagering game system. The operations can also include generating, based on the first and second groups of lighting commands, instructions specific to the lighting devices, and transmitting, over a second network, the instructions for execution by one or more lighting controllers connected to the lighting devices, wherein the execution causes the lighting effects. |
| US09547944B2 |
Health monitoring system for diagnosing and reporting anomalies
A health monitoring system for monitoring a vehicle and a method for operating the same are provided. The system, for example, may include, but is not limited to, at least one sensor configured to collect data corresponding to the vehicle, an interface system, a memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the interface system and the memory, the processor configured to: determine when the vehicle is experiencing an anomaly, collect, from the interface system, data corresponding to the anomaly from a user of the vehicle, and associate, the data collected from the interface system and the data collected from the at least one sensor. |
| US09547938B2 |
Augmenting a live view
Techniques for augmenting an image of an object captured and displayed in real time with associated content are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for augmenting the image includes receiving information defining a sampled frame of a video being captured by an electronic device in substantially real time, determining information representative of an object captured in the sampled frame based on the received information, causing the determined information to match stored information defining a plurality of items to locate an item matched to the captured object, retrieving content associated with the matched item, and providing the retrieved content for display with the captured image on the electronic device. The retrieved content may be rendered in an overlay element that overlays the captured image displayed on the electronic device. The rendered content is configured to enable a user to interact with the content. |
| US09547936B2 |
Efficient geometric tessellation and displacement
Methods and computer-storage media are provided for rendering three-dimensional (3D) graphics by tessellating objects using novel structures and algorithms. Rendering utilizing “patches,” configurable functions that include a specified number of control points, allows for computation on a per-patch or per-control-point basis, in addition to traditional per-vertex, per-primitive, and per-pixel methods. This produces a number of advantages over previous tessellation methods, including the reuse of computations across existing vertices and the ability to process at a lower frequency. The operations to compute points are simplified in order to optimize system resources used in the process. Transitions from un-tessellated to tessellated objects are smoother utilizing the present invention, while developers have more flexibility in the level of detail present at different edges of the same patch. Detail within a displacement map also can be increased without negative effects associated with previous systems and methods. |
| US09547932B2 |
Splitting bounding volumes of primitives
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for splitting primitives. A plurality of primitives is received for a scene and a pre-determined plane that intersects the scene is identified. Bounding volumes of the plurality of primitives that are intersected by the pre-determined plane are split, where a bounding volume that encloses each intersected primitive of the plurality of primitives is split into a first bounding volume and a second bounding volume at an intersection of the bounding volume and the pre-determined plane. |
| US09547931B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for pre-filtered anti-aliasing with deferred shading
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for generating anti-aliased images. The method includes the steps of assigning one or more samples to a plurality of clusters, each cluster in the plurality of clusters corresponding to an aggregate stored in an aggregate geometry buffer, where each of the one or more samples is covered by a visible fragment and rasterizing three-dimensional geometry to generate material parameters for each sample of the one or more samples. For each cluster in the plurality of clusters, the material parameters for each sample assigned to the cluster are combined to produce the aggregate. The combined material parameters for each cluster are stored in an aggregate geometry buffer. An anti-aliased image may then be generated by shading the combined material parameters. |
| US09547927B2 |
Automated video looping with progressive dynamism
Various technologies described herein pertain to generating a video loop. An input video can be received, where the input video includes values at pixels over a time range. An optimization can be performed to determine a respective input time interval within the time range of the input video for each pixel from the pixels in the input video. The respective input time interval for a particular pixel can include a per-pixel loop period and a per-pixel start time of a loop at the particular pixel within the time range from the input video. Moreover, an output video can be created based upon the values at the pixels over the respective input time intervals for the pixels in the input video. |
| US09547924B2 |
Composite launch acceptability region software
Software is provided for functioning in conjunction with a plurality of mission stores and for assisting a pilot of a vehicle with release of the mission stores to achieve a specified number of mission objectives. Each of the plurality of mission stores may be designated for communication with a separate mission reference point or target. The targets may be grouped within a common target area. The software provides processor-executable instructions for determining acceptable timing and location for release of the plurality of mission stores, such as within the common target area, and such that the mission stores achieve communication with the respective mission reference points. The processor-executable instructions calculate and identify a common release area within the common target area, such as a composite launch acceptability region of overlap of separate target regions of each mission store, in addition to identifying an entrance and exit point of the composite region. |
| US09547922B2 |
Method and apparatus for color compensation in electronic device
A method and apparatus for color compensation in an electronic device is provided. The method includes determining, in response to a playback request for content, whether to compensate color data of the content according to color compensation information; compensating, when it is determined to compensate the color data of the content according to the color compensation information, the color data of the content according to the color compensation information; and displaying the content of which the color data is compensated. |
| US09547921B1 |
Texture fading for smooth level of detail transitions in a graphics application
Systems and methods for providing smooth level of detail (“LOD”) transition for textures in a graphics applications are disclosed. The texture LOD of a first frame of imagery can be compared to a second texture LOD for a current frame. For areas where the second LOD is higher than the first LOD, an LOD fade from the first LOD to the second LOD can be performed to provide a smooth LOD transition. The LOD fade can be implemented by generating a blend between textures at the first LOD and the second LOD. In one aspect, the blend is generated based on an interpolant value calculated based on the difference between the first LOD and the second LOD. The interpolant value can be incremented in subsequent frames to achieve a desired fade rate for the transition. The fade rate can be variable such that the LOD transition time remains constant. |
| US09547914B2 |
Techniques for feature extraction
A computer-implemented technique for feature extraction includes obtaining an electronic image of an object and performing an edge detection algorithm on the electronic image. The technique further includes performing an edge pooling algorithm and sampling the electronic image edge patches, color patches and texture patches. A set of patches is selected from the edge patches, color patches and texture patches by selecting an (ith+1) patch to be within the set of patches based on a Euclidean distance from an ith patch of the set of patches for each of the set of edge patches, the set of color patches and the set of texture patches. A part selection algorithm and a part pooling algorithm is performed to obtain parts that are registered to the object. |
| US09547913B2 |
Information processing device, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing device, apparatus, method and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are disclosed. An information processing device may include a memory storing instructions, and at least one processor configured to process the instructions to generate a comparison image by transforming a reference image, associate the comparison image with a class variable representing an object included in the reference image, calculate a degree of difference between an input patch which is an image representing a sub-region of an input image and a comparison patch which is an image representing a sub-region of the comparison image, estimate a displacement vector between the input patch and the comparison patch, calculate a first degree of reliability corresponding to the displacement vector and the class variable on the basis of the displacement vector and the degree of difference, calculate a second degree of reliability for each comparison patch on the basis of the first degree of reliability, and identify the object is represented by the class variable associated with the comparison image including the comparison patch whose second degree of reliability is greater than a predetermined threshold value, as a recognition target. |
| US09547911B2 |
Velocity estimation from imagery using symmetric displaced frame difference equation
A method and apparatus for processing an image sequence described herein that provides a symmetric displaced frame difference equation. Next, an input image sequence can be received that includes a pair of image frames individually including multidimensional image data corresponding to a plurality of pixel locations at different times. Finally, using at least one processor, the symmetric displaced frame difference equation can be solved using an iteration equation and the image data of the pair of image frames to determine a displacement field describing displacement vectors at half of the total displacement vector. |
| US09547908B1 |
Feature mask determination for images
Implementations relate to feature mask determination for images. In some implementations, a computer-implemented method to determine a feature mask for an image includes estimating one or more prior regions in the image that define a feature in the image. The method determines superpixels based on multiple pixels of the image similar in color. The method constructs a graph, each node of the graph corresponding to a superpixel, and determines a superpixel score for each superpixel based on a number of pixels of the superpixel. The method determines one or more segmented regions in the image based on applying a graph cut technique to the graph based at least on the superpixel scores, and determines the feature mask based on the segmented regions. The feature mask indicates a degree to which pixels of the image depict the feature. The method modifies the image based on the feature mask. |
| US09547904B2 |
Cross spectral feature correlation for navigational adjustment
A system includes a sensor to generate a first image having a first two-dimensional image pixel data set. A database provides a second image having a second two-dimensional image pixel data set that includes a three-dimensional positional data set describing a navigational position of each pixel in the second two-dimensional image pixel data set. A vision module includes an edge extractor to extract image edge features from the first two-dimensional pixel data set and image edge features from the second two-dimensional image pixel data set. The vision module includes a feature correlator to determine a navigational position for each pixel in the first two-dimensional data set based on an image edge feature comparison of the extracted edge features from the first and second two-dimensional image pixel data sets. |
| US09547902B2 |
Method and system for physiological image registration and fusion
A method and system for physiological image registration and fusion is disclosed. A physiological model of a target anatomical structure in estimated each of a first image and a second image. The physiological model is estimated using database-guided discriminative machine learning-based estimation. A fused image is then generated by registering the first and second images based on correspondences between the physiological model estimated in each of the first and second images. |
| US09547900B2 |
Image processing apparatus, X-ray diagnosis apparatus, and registration method
An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes an acquiring unit and a determination unit. The acquiring unit acquires information of a relative position between a radiographic space where a subject is radiographed by an X-ray diagnosis apparatus and a scanning space where the subject is scanned by an ultrasound probe. The determination unit determines a position almost the same as the position scanned by the ultrasound probe in the radiographic space, according to the information of the relative position acquired by the acquiring unit. The acquiring unit acquires the information of the relative position based on an X-ray image radiographed by the X-ray diagnosis apparatus. |
| US09547894B2 |
Apparatus for, and method of, processing volumetric medical image data
Apparatus for performing an imaging procedure comprising processing volumetric image data comprising an image processing unit configured to obtain first image data representative of a region including at least one vessel and at least one associated feature, and second image data representative of at least part of the region, an image refinement unit configured to process the first image data and the second image data to produce a combined image representative of the at least one vessel, wherein the associated feature is removed or reduced in intensity in the combined image, and a rendering unit configured to render the combined image as a simulated view that simulates a view obtainable from an alternative imaging procedure. |
| US09547891B2 |
Image processing method, system using the same, and recording medium for performing the same
An image processing system includes an a noise detection unit that extracts a local statistical characteristic of a predicted original image according to a local statistical characteristic of an observed image and a local statistical characteristic of a predicted noise image, sets a flag level indicating a distortion state for each of pixels of the observed image according to the local statistical characteristic of the predicted original image, zones the observed image through a filter window, determines distortion states of adjacent pixels, corrects the flag level, and detects noise, and a noise removal unit that adaptively sets a filter size according to the corrected flag level and removes the noise, when the corrected flag level is determined through the noise detection unit, and therefore it is possible to implement adaptive noise detection and removal techniques of a distorted image damaged by noise, and detect a contour to the corresponding pixels into undistorted pixels. |
| US09547890B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus for reducing fluctuations due to a heat haze in an image including a stationary region and a moving object obtains histogram of gradation distribution for each of a target image to be corrected and a frame for correction, and corrects the target image by using the frame for correction while changing a mixing ratio between the target image and the frame for correction depending on similarity between histograms. To adaptively control a size of image blocks for the histograms, the apparatus calculates two indices having different robustness to deformation of an object from image blocks of each of the target image and the frame for correction, and determines suitability of the image block size based on a relationship of the indices. The difference between the histograms and the sum of absolute differences (SAD) between the pixel values can be used as the two indices. |
| US09547885B2 |
Image repairing method and device
Provided are an image restoration method and device. The method comprises: processing image blocks, which are initially registered, to acquire connection curves among the image blocks; constructing an ambient field of images to be restored by means of the connection curve; by minimizing energy of the connection curve in the ambient field, registering the image blocks; and performing image filling on the registered image blocks to acquire a restored image. The device comprises: a processing unit used for processing the image blocks, which are initially registered, to acquire the connection curve among the image blocks; an ambient field construction unit used for constructing the ambient field of the image to be restored by means of the connection curve; a registering unit used for registering the image blocks by minimizing the energy of the connection curve in the ambient field; and a filling unit used for performing image filling on the registered image blocks to acquire the restored image. The present invention can be applied to restore any damaged image and improve the accuracy. |
| US09547884B1 |
Image registration using a modified log polar transformation
A system and method for registering a test image with a reference image requires decimation of both images to create corresponding image pyramids. A Log-Polar Transformation (LPT) is then applied to corresponding pixels from the same highest levels of the respective pyramids. Next, these pixels are manipulated to establish a Normalized Correlation Coefficient (NCC) for their respective correlations. Approximately the highest 10% of correlated pixels are then retained to identify related pixels in the next lower level of their respective pyramids. Again, LPT is applied to these related pixels and they, in turn, are manipulated to establish NCC correlations for identifying pixels to be retained. This process is successively accomplished for each lower level of the pyramid until the lowest levels (i.e. the test image and the reference image) are correlated and used for registration of the test image. |
| US09547882B2 |
Shared memory eigensolver
Disclosed herein is a shared memory systems that use a combination of SBR and MRRR techniques to calculate eigenpairs for dense matrices having very large numbers of rows and columns. The disclosed system allows for the use of a highly scalable tridiagonal eigensolver. The disclosed system likewise allows for allocating a different number of threads to each of the different computational stages of the eigensolver. |
| US09547881B2 |
Systems and methods for calculating a feature descriptor
A method for calculating a feature descriptor on a single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) processor is described. The method includes generating histogram bin indexes in a first register. The method also includes generating weights in a second register. The method further includes updating an entire histogram table in a register file based on the histogram bin indexes and the weights without storing any histogram bin to memory. Histogram bins are updated in parallel with a single instruction. |
| US09547879B1 |
Digitally signing electronic documents using a digital signature
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for providing an electronic document processing system, an electronic document generation mechanism, an encrypted digital certificate generator, a tool for coordinating the processing of electronic documents, a packaging mechanism for finalizing and authenticating electronic documents, a tracking log for recording relevant electronic document information, and a transferring protocol for transferring the ownership of electronic documents. The present disclosure also is directed to an electronic authentication system including an electronic document authentication watermark seal or signature line for confirming a document's signing within the view. The present disclosure also is directed to a system, software program, and method for generating electronic documents, coordinating the signing of electronic documents, digitally authenticating and certifying electronic documents, and organizing electronic documents for retrieval and transfer in a mortgage closing and/or other financial services application. |
| US09547874B2 |
Method, language, and system for parallel algorithmic trading and overseeing trading activity
The invention provides: methods, languages, and systems for parallel algorithmic trading of financial instruments. Each instrument of interest is included in a parallel list, in a reference list, or in both lists. Market data messages are decoded by parallel threads and converted into data series. The number of the threads is preferably equal to the number of the messages in a set of messages. A trader/market regulator selects or creates a trading/overseeing algorithm consisting of expressions based on data series extracted from the messages and on predefined functions. Some of the expressions have outputs representing buy/sell/cancel orders or have outputs aimed for overseeing trading activity. The algorithm is executed by parallel threads. The number of the threads is preferably equal to the number of the instruments in the parallel list. |
| US09547871B2 |
System and method for purchasing physical toys and corresponding virtual toys
System and methods for physical toy and virtual toy interactions are disclosed. According to aspects of the invention, a system for purchasing a physical toy and a corresponding virtual toy comprises a video game console, a physical toy, and a virtual toy corresponding to the physical toy. The virtual toy corresponding to the physical toy may be made available in a video game played on the video game console. The physical toy may be purchased by a user of the system from an external merchant. The virtual toy corresponding to the physical toy may be separately purchased by the user from a purchasing system within the video game. The physical toy may be registered with the gaming platform. If the user registers the physical toy with the gaming platform and the user previously purchased the virtual toy, the system refunds to the user the purchase price of virtual toy. |
| US09547870B1 |
System and methods for selective advertising
A system and method of selective advertising where an advertiser can decide whether or not to advertise to a certain user based on credential information submitted by that user. The user provides his or her credential information to a search engine and enters a search query. In response, the search engine evaluates the user's credential information and compares that information to criteria provided by advertisers that participate with that search engine. The search engine determine which advertisers have indicated a willingness to advertise to a user with the submitted credentials and selectively provides matching search results. |
| US09547868B2 |
Targeted advertising and customized display of advertisements in satellite broadcasting
Selecting a content filler from a plurality of content fillers in a satellite broadcast comprises receiving a content in a first broadcast frequency channel, and a plurality of content fillers in a respective plurality of second broadcast frequency channels, wherein the content includes a gap in content to be filled by one of the plurality of content fillers, the gap in content defined by a start indicator and an end indicator. The receiver transmits the content to a display device. The receiver determines a second broadcast frequency channel, from among the plurality of second broadcast frequency channels and responsive to receiving the start indicator, switches to the determined second broadcast frequency channel, transmits the content filler in the determined second broadcast frequency channel to the display device. Responsive to receiving the end indicator, the receiver switches to the first broadcast frequency channel and transmits the content to the display device. |
| US09547864B2 |
Methods and systems for updating expiry information of an account
A method for updating expiry information of an account is provided. Additionally, a prediction computing device for updating expiry information of an account is provided. Further, a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon for updating expiry information of an account is provided. |
| US09547862B2 |
Electronic payment restriction
Methods and systems are provided for facilitating control of a child's purchasing of products from a merchant using a credit card, debit card, gift card, secure token, mobile device, or the like. A payment provider, such as Paypal, Inc., can authorized the purchase of a product from the merchant if both the child and the parent are checked in with the same merchant via one or more social networks (thereby indicating that the child and the parent are in or near the same store). This requirement for proximity between the child and the parent can provide the parent with an opportunity to more closely monitor purchases made by the child. |
| US09547856B2 |
System and method for chopping up and processing gift cards
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for chopping up a gift card/code into smaller multiple gift card/codes. The system receives a request from a user to convert a closed-loop card/code having a value amount into two different closed-loop cards/codes and divides (or “chops up”) the closed-loop card/code into a first closed-loop card/code having a first value amount and a second closed-loop card/code having a second value amount, wherein the first value amount and the second value amount add up to no more than the value amount. The system offers the first closed-loop card/code and the second closed-loop card/code to one of the user and a third party. |
| US09547850B1 |
Point-of-sale system with a display viewing angle adjustment device
A point-of-sale (POS) system with a display viewing angle adjustment device includes an adjustment device securely mounted on a rear cover of a display and pivotally connected with a support arm of a base. The adjustment device includes a support plate and a fixing plate securely mounted on the rear cover of the display. The support plate has two side legs, and the fixing plate has two slide slots for the side legs of the support plate to slidably mount through the slide slots, such that the support plate can be moved up and down and is mounted between the screen and the fixing plate. The side legs of the support plate are pivotally connected with the support arm of the base. Because of the support of the support plate and the slide slots of the fixing plate, the screen can be moved up and down to conveniently adjust a display viewing angle. |