| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09549284B2 |
Apparatus and method for correcting location of base station
Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for correcting the location of a base station. The apparatus includes a data collection unit for receiving collected data including collection places and scan data acquired from the collection places from a collection-only terminal, and receiving scan data having no collection places from a user service terminal. A determination unit obtains correlations between respective base stations based on a number of times each base station in an identical search group is found in a search using the collected data or the scan data, and determines whether a base station has been moved, deleted or added, based on the correlations between respective base stations. A location specification unit specifies a location of the corresponding base station that has changed due to any one of the movement, deletion, and addition of the base station, based on results of the determination. |
| US09549275B2 |
System and tools for enhanced 3D audio authoring and rendering
Improved tools for authoring and rendering audio reproduction data are provided. Some such authoring tools allow audio reproduction data to be generalized for a wide variety of reproduction environments. Audio reproduction data may be authored by creating metadata for audio objects. The metadata may be created with reference to speaker zones. During the rendering process, the audio reproduction data may be reproduced according to the reproduction speaker layout of a particular reproduction environment. |
| US09549274B2 |
Sound processing apparatus, sound processing method, and sound processing program
A sound processing apparatus includes: a first sound collecting unit placed in a sound field and configured to collect a sound signal which is speech of a talker; a second sound collecting unit arranged to be movable to a position which is closer to a talker than the first sound collecting unit and configured to collect the sound signal; a transfer function estimating unit configured to estimate a transfer function from a sound signal collected by the first sound collecting unit and a sound signal collected by the second sound collecting unit when a talker is at a predetermined position in the sound field; and a sound signal processing unit configured to perform a process of the sound signal by use of the transfer function estimated by the transfer function estimating unit. |
| US09549271B2 |
Device and method for tracking sound source location by removing wind noise
Disclosed are a device and a method for tracking a sound source location by removing wind noise. The disclosed method for tracking a sound source by removing wind noise comprises the steps of: performing a Fourier transform for input signals of a time domain received by a plurality of microphones; detecting a first sound source section on the basis of an average power value of the Fourier-transformed input signals; detecting a second sound source section from which wind noise has been removed, on the basis of the first sound source section and a difference of power values of the input signals received by the microphones; and detecting a location of a sound source on the basis of the second sound source section and a phase difference of the input signals received by the plurality of microphones. |
| US09549270B2 |
Devices and methods for audible indicators emanating from selected locations
Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing audio to one or more individuals in an operating room. An ultrasonic signal generator may be provided that generates two or more ultrasonic signals that combine to produce an audible signal at a desired location. The audio signal may be perceived by individuals in the operating room to emanate from a surface or location within the operating room, or the audio signal may be generated to provide an audible signal to one or more persons within a particular location within the operating room. Multiple audio signals may be generated to emanate from multiple different locations. Likewise, multiple audio signals may be generated to provide different audible signals in different locations in the operating room. |
| US09549268B2 |
Method and hearing device for tuning a hearing aid from recorded data
A hearing device and an associated method for tuning a hearing aid include at least one hearing aid and at least one external unit. The device includes the following: a memory unit in the hearing aid which stores the times and the listening situations for which at least one predefinable algorithm for signal processing is activated; an output unit in the hearing aid and/or in the external unit which outputs and/or displays the stored times, listening situations and the activated algorithm; an input unit in the hearing aid or in the external unit for inputting an assessment rating which expresses the hearing aid wearer's satisfaction with the algorithm activated, and a change unit in the hearing aid for changing at least one parameter of the algorithm as a function of the assessment rating. Even algorithms of very short duration, such as an MPO, for example, are trainable. |
| US09549257B2 |
Feedback cancellation for vehicle communications system
The present disclosure relates to a system and method of cancelling feedback in a vehicle communications system. The system and method may adjust a phase and a polarity of the microphone signal to produce an inverted microphone signal having a shifted phase. A speaker signal may be summed with the inverted microphone signal to cancel out at least a portion of a microphone signal component of the speaker signal. |
| US09549256B2 |
Speaker protection for surround sound systems
An audio/video receiver configured to limit the power delivered to its speakers based on real time calculations. First, power delivered to the speakers is limited to the power rating of the speakers during short durations. Second, a secondary longer time constant Root-Mean-Square (RMS) detector limits sustained power to the speakers for a predetermined fraction of the peak power rating. |
| US09549255B2 |
Sound pickup apparatus and method for picking up sound
A sound pickup apparatus and method form a bidirectionality and a unidirectionality based on sound signals picked up by microphones arranged at vertices of a triangle. A target sound is extracted by performing a spectral subtraction operation and, with respect to each frequency, a ratio of amplitude spectra of beamformer outputs between outputs is calculated for each microphone array of a directionality forming unit. A mode or median of the calculated ratio of amplitude spectra is set as a correction coefficient which corrects power of beamformer outputs for each of the microphone arrays and a target area sound is extracted. |
| US09549253B2 |
Sound source localization and isolation apparatuses, methods and systems
A processor-implemented method for spatial sound localization and isolation is described. The method includes segmenting, via a processor, each of a plurality of source signals detected by a plurality of sensors, into a plurality of time frames. For each time frame, the method further includes obtaining, via a processor, a plurality of direction of arrival (DOA) estimates from the plurality of sensors, discretizing an area of interest into a plurality of grid points, calculating, via the processor, DOA at each of grid points, comparing, via the processor, the DOA estimates with the computed DOAs. If the number of sources is more than 1, the method includes obtaining via the processor, a plurality of combinations of DOA estimates, from amongst the plurality of combinations, estimating, via the processor, one or more initial candidate locations corresponding to each of the combinations, selecting location of the sources from amongst the initial candidate locations. |
| US09549251B2 |
Distributed automatic level control for a microphone array
A distributed automatic level control function is provided, in which information relating to a common automatic level control parameter is transmitted to each of a plurality of microphone devices, wherein the information transmitted to at least one microphone device is derived from an audio sample of at least one different microphone device. Each microphone device produces the common automatic level control parameter based on the information received by the microphone device and applies the common automatic level control parameter produced by the microphone device to a distributed automatic level controller of the microphone device. |
| US09549249B2 |
Headphone for active noise suppression
The disclosed active noise suppression headphone system is directed to a headphone system that is capable of substantially suppressing high or low frequency interfering noise that penetrate through a headphone earpiece from multiple directions. An external microphone mounted with a housing of a headphone earpiece senses ambient noise outside of the earpiece. The sensed ambient noise may be processed through at least one parallel filter bank arranged in at least one headphone earpiece. Each parallel filter bank may include adaptively linked filters. The output of these filters may be amplified based on weighting factors that are dependent upon the sensed ambient noise and that are generated by a filtered x least mean square circuit. The amplified filtered outputs may be summed to generate an antinoise signal that is in input to a loudspeaker within the headphone earpiece that substantial suppresses the ambient noise before it can be perceived by an end user of the headphones. |
| US09549245B2 |
Speakerphone and/or microphone arrays and methods and systems of using the same
The present disclosure is directed to devices, methods and systems for microphone arrays wherein enhancing performance of directional microphone arrays is provided. Enhanced performance of speaker phones is also provided. In certain embodiments, the housing of the device is configured to support the at least three microphones and the loudspeaker in a substantially first orientation; and the at least three microphones and the loudspeaker are arranged in a spatial relationship such that appropriate phase and delay characteristics achieve a substantial null response in the at least three microphones and in the loudspeaker in a substantial vertical direction away from the substantially first orientation over a desired audible range of frequencies and the device is able to provide a response to sounds over a range of first oriented elevations. |
| US09549244B2 |
Directivity control system, directivity control method, sound collection system and sound collection control method
A directivity control system includes: a sound collection unit, configured to collect a sound; a display unit, configured to display a designation screen used to designate a directivity direction oriented from the sound collection unit to a first sound position; a directivity direction calculation unit, configured to calculate a horizontal angle and a vertical angle from the sound collection unit to the first sound position corresponding to the designated directivity direction in accordance with a designation of the directivity direction on the designation screen displayed by the display unit; and a control unit, configured to form directivity of the sound collected by the sound collection unit based on the horizontal angle and the vertical angle calculated by the directivity direction calculation unit. |
| US09549242B2 |
Acoustic filter
A loudspeaker comprising includes an enclosure, a driver element located within the enclosure and including a cone diaphragm, a first cavity defined by a first cavity wall and the cone diaphragm, the first cavity extending from the cone diaphragm and having a first opening which has an area less than an area of the cone diaphragm, an exit element extending from the first opening of the first cavity and acoustically coupling the first cavity to an environment outside of the enclosure, a second cavity, defined by a second cavity wall within the enclosure extending from a second opening in the first cavity, and an acoustic element in the second opening acoustically coupling the second cavity to the first cavity. The second cavity is not otherwise acoustically coupled to the environment outside of the enclosure. |
| US09549239B2 |
Earphone wire control device, earphone, voice recording system and voice recording method
An earphone wire control device, an earphone, a voice recording system and a voice recording system and method. When a switching unit turns on a first path, a microphone path is short-circuited, a first signal generating unit generates a recording start signal and cuts off the first path after generating the recording start signal so that the microphone path is turned on. When the switching unit turns on a second path, the microphone path is short-circuited, a second signal generating unit generates a recording stop signal and cuts off the second path after generating the recording stop signal. |
| US09549233B2 |
Transmission device and optical network system
A transmission device includes: a wavelength-variable light source; a wavelength stabilized light source: a wavelength measuring device; a control circuit that controls the wavelength-variable light source; and a reception circuit that receives second reference wavelength light generated based on first reference wavelength light output from the wavelength stabilized light source whose wavelength stability is higher than that of the wavelength-variable light source, the control circuit calibrating the wavelength measuring device by using the second reference wavelength light, the control circuit calibrating the wavelength-variable light source by using the calibrated wavelength measuring device. |
| US09549227B2 |
Sharing television and video programming through social networking
In particular embodiments, one or more computer systems of a social-networking system provide social content for display in a mobile application running on a mobile device of a user of the social-networking system. The mobile application is configured to display the social content and an interface for selecting media content to view on a display device. The social content is from a social graph of the social-networking system. The social graph includes nodes and edges connecting the nodes. The nodes include user nodes that are each associated with a particular user of the social-networking system. The one or more computer systems of the social-networking system receive an indication from the mobile application that an option to view particular media content has been selected and provide one or more instructions to display the selected particular media content on the display device. |
| US09549221B2 |
Signal switching apparatus and method for controlling operation thereof
A signal switching apparatus includes multiple video image processing units, a controller configured to control operation of the video image processing units, and a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to receive input of a selection between an HD mode and a quartering-4K mode which are operation modes of the video image processing units. The controller controls the video image processing units so that the video image processing units operate in the HD mode or quartering-4K mode, on the basis of a selection inputted to the GUI. |
| US09549213B2 |
Dynamic tuner allocation
In response to receiving a request, a current status of each one of a number of tuners of a television receiver may be determined. A ranking may be assigned to each one of the number of tuners based on an associated determined status. A listing may be generated based on the ranking and, when selected, a particular tuner of ranking greater than other ones of the plurality of tuners may be allocated for the recording of a particular broadcast program. |
| US09549212B2 |
Dynamic load based ad insertion
A system and method are provided for dynamically adjusting advertisement (“ad”) time for a multicast channel. In one embodiment, a variable ad insertion function operates to receive one or more multicasts of media content from a core distribution network, insert ad timeslots into the media content, and optionally perform late-binding of ads to the ad timeslots. The media content including the inserted ad timeslots and late-binded ads, if any, is then multicast to associated client devices over a feeder network using corresponding multicast channels. For each multicast channel, insertion of ad timeslots into the associated media content is dynamically controlled based on the number of users currently consuming or predicted to consume the multicast channel, the number of client devices receiving or predicted to receive the multicast channel, or both. |
| US09549211B2 |
System for simultaneous delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service
A method and apparatus is provided for the delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service in a manner that maximizes the useage of the digital broadcast spectrum. A digital television signal is transmitted to a given broadcast area in a relatively small part (for example, a 1 MHz band) of one or more licensed portions of the digital broadcast spectrum. Interactive broadband service is delivered within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal, in the remainder (for example, a 5 MHz band) of an unused part of the same licensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum as is occupied by the digital television signal, or within an unlicensed (unused) portion of the digital broadcast spectrum. The broadcasting of the digital television and delivery the interactive broadband service occur simultaneously. In one embodiment, digital television and broadband service are delivered by the same equipment within the same bandwidth. |
| US09549210B2 |
Congestion induced video scaling
Access nodes and methods adjust a bit rate of a data stream in a communication network. The access nodes and methods have a packet inspection unit configured to inspect one or more of the data packets to determine that the data stream includes video data. A congestion unit is coupled to the packet inspection unit and is configured to determine a level of congestion in the communication network, the level of congestion associated with a capacity of the wireless channel, the level of congestion capable of varying over time, and the capacity of the wireless channel capable of varying with the level of congestion. A video scaling unit is configured to adjust the bit rate of the data stream responsive to the packet inspection unit and the congestion unit. |
| US09549202B2 |
Video encoding method with bit depth adjustment for fixed-point conversion and apparatus therefor, and video decoding method and apparatus therefor
Provided are a video encoding method of adjusting a range of encoded output data to adjust a bit depth during restoring of encoded samples, and a video decoding method of substantially preventing overflow from occurring in output data in operations of a decoding process. The video decoding method includes parsing and restoring quantized transformation coefficients in units of blocks of an image from a received bitstream, restoring transformation coefficients by performing inverse quantization on the quantized transformation coefficients, and restoring samples by performing one-dimensional (1D) inverse transformation and inverse scaling on the quantized transformation coefficients. At least one from among the transformation coefficients and the samples has a predetermined bit depth or less. |
| US09549201B2 |
Region sizing for macroblocks
Coding techniques for a video image compression system involve improving an image quality of a sequence of two or more bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames, where each of the frames includes multiple pixels. One method involves determining a brightness value of at least one pixel of each bi-directionally predicted intermediate frame in the sequence as an equal average of brightness values of pixels in non-bidirectionally predicted frames bracketing the sequence of bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames. The brightness values of the pixels in at least one of the non-bidirectionally predicted frames is converted from a non-linear representation. |
| US09549199B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for providing motion estimator for video encoding
An apparatus for providing motion estimation for video encoding includes a selection element and a processing element. The selection element is configured to select a subset including less than all of candidate pixel locations from among a plurality of candidate pixel locations used for motion vector determination based on a relationship between a best candidate pixel location of a first level of accuracy and a best candidate pixel location of a second level of accuracy. The processing element is configured to process an input video sequence to determine a motion vector at the first level of accuracy, to refine the motion vector at the second level of accuracy, and to determine the motion vector at a third level of accuracy using only the subset of candidate pixel locations. |
| US09549197B2 |
Visual dynamic range timestamp to enhance data coherency and potential of metadata using delay information
A system and method for enhancing data coherency and potential of at least one metadata associated with a video data configured to operate in a visual dynamic range (VDR) format are detailed. One system embodiment employs a metadata framing structure which includes a header start of frame bit set, a packet type bit set, a configuration bit set, a variable depth configuration/metadata bit set, a header end of frame bit set, a timestamp bit set for specifying a frame delay count to apply the at least one metadata to the video data and a checksum check bit set. The at least one metadata is designed to embed within a code word guard bit position of at least one color channel of the video data and adaptable to embed within the VDR pipeline to enhance the quality of the video data. |
| US09549194B2 |
Context based inverse mapping method for layered codec
Context based inverse mapping methods are provided. An image with pixel values within a lower dynamic range can be mapped to an image with pixel values within a higher dynamic range by utilizing context information associated with pixels in the lower dynamic range image. |
| US09549193B2 |
Video encoding method and video encoding device
A video encoding method is provided, which includes: deciding a first search window of a first macroblock in a reference image, and deciding a second search window of a second macroblock in the reference image, wherein the first search window is at least partially overlapped with the second search window; reading the first search window and the second search window from a memory and executing a first encoding stage having motion estimation and binarization encoding; storing an encoding result of the first encoding stage in the memory; reading the encoding result from the memory and executing a second encoding stage. The second encoding stage has a context entropy coding, and an encoding order of the context entropy coding is different from that of the motion estimation, and the first encoding stage is executed in parallel with the second encoding stage. Accordingly, a bandwidth demand of the memory is decreased. |
| US09549191B2 |
Adaptive weighting of reference pictures in video encoding
A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference picture. |
| US09549190B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding image using variable-size macroblocks
The video encoding/decoding apparatus includes a video encoder for encoding macroblocks by each of prediction basic unit candidates, determining prediction basic units based on encoding costs for each of the prediction basic unit candidates, and generating a bitstream including image data encoded in determined prediction basic units, information on a prediction type for each of the determined prediction basic units, and prediction data depending on the prediction type; and a video decoder for extracting information on the prediction type for each of the prediction basic units, prediction data depending on the prediction type, and encoded image data from the bitstream, and generating a reconstructed image by decoding the encoded image data depending on the prediction type for each of the prediction basic units. |
| US09549189B2 |
Method for media rate control in a video encoding system
A method for media rate control in a video encoding system disclosed. In one embodiment, an optimal remaining one of the three parameter sets (Sk) is computed based on the provided user configuration inputs of two parameters sets (Si, Sj), wherein the user configuration inputs comprise two parameter sets (Si and Sj) out of three parameter sets (Si, Sj, and Sk), wherein the three parameter sets are latency parameter set, channel bandwidth parameter set, and video quality parameter set. The video encoding system is then configured based on the provided two parameter sets (Si, Sj) and the computed parameter set (Sk) to obtain a desired media rate control having optimal performance. |
| US09549183B2 |
Method and device for estimating video quality on bitstream level
A method for estimating video quality on bit-stream level, wherein the video quality refers to a video after error concealment and the method is performed on bit-stream level before said error concealment, comprises extracting and/or calculating a plurality of global condition features from a video bit-stream, extracting and/or calculating a plurality of local effectiveness features at least for a lost MB, calculating a numeric error concealment effectiveness level for each (or at least for each lost) MB by emulating an error concealment method that is used in said error concealment, and providing the calculated error concealment effectiveness level as an estimated visible artifacts level of video quality. |
| US09549178B2 |
Segmenting and transcoding of video and/or audio data
In various embodiments, an encoder may be configured to divide received content in a first format into one or more segments and then to transcode the previously-divided segments into other formats and/or bitrates for presentation. In various embodiments, the encoder may include multiple segmenting computing devices configured to perform the dividing of the content into segments. The encoder may also include multiple transcoding computing devices configured to transcode the divided segments into a format for presentation. In various embodiments, the computing devices may be configured to communicate with each other via a network to determine which content has been divided into segments and which divided segments have been transcoded. The determination may be performed autonomously by the devices. Thus, in various embodiments, the devices included in the encoder may be configured to perform segmenting and transcoding on a distributed basis without necessarily requiring coordination by any one device. |
| US09549175B2 |
Systems and methods for visualizing errors in video signals
Systems and methods for analyzing the performance of a digital network include capturing a stream of digital data, e.g., internet protocol (IP) packets, that represent streaming video, identifying which of the IP packets include bit errors, determining to which of a plurality of pixels the IP packets including bit errors belong and identifying such pixels as corrupted pixels, and illuminating only the corrupted pixels on a display of a tool. Corrupted pixels in different time blocks can be displayed with different colors to gain a better appreciation of the bit error rate over time. |
| US09549174B1 |
Head tracked stereoscopic display system that uses light field type data
Systems and methods for a head tracked stereoscopic display system that uses light field type data may include receiving light field type data corresponding to a scene. The stereoscopic display system may track a user's head. Using the received light field type data and the head tracking, the system may generate three dimensional (3D) virtual content that corresponds to a virtual representation of the scene. The stereoscopic display system may then present the 3D virtual content to a user. The stereoscopic display system may present a left eye perspective image and a right eye perspective image of the scene to the user based on the position and orientation of the user's head. The images presented to the user may be updated based on a change in the position or the orientation of the user's head or based on receiving user input. |
| US09549173B2 |
Display device
According to an aspect, a display device includes: a display section; a barrier section in which a plurality of unit regions are arranged in columns in a first direction, the plurality of unit regions extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a plurality of light shields disposed at regular intervals for the display section such that a transmittance of light transmitted through a unit region is kept substantially the same regardless of a position of the unit region through which light is transmitted in the barrier section. |
| US09549170B2 |
Three-dimensional image display device
A 3D image display device includes a display panel and a viewpoint divider. The display panel includes pixels arranged in a matrix shape and respectively representing one color among primary colors and light blockers provided between the pixels. The viewpoint divider divides an image displayed by the display panel into at least two viewpoints, the viewpoint divider including viewpoint dividing units. The viewpoint dividing units are located in parallel with respect to a column direction of the display panel. A number NP of pixels at a unit view region satisfies NP=2(3n+1)+1, a number NL of viewpoint dividing units satisfies NL=3n+1, and a number NV of viewpoints satisfies NV=2(3n+1)+1 when a width ratio of the pixels in a row direction and the light blockers in the row direction is 3n:1. The NP pixels are located to correspond to the NL viewpoint dividing units. |
| US09549168B2 |
Hand held portable three dimensional scanner
Embodiments of the invention may include a scanning device to scan three dimensional objects. The scanning device may generate a three dimensional model. The scanning device may also generate a texture map for the three dimensional model. Techniques utilized to generate the model or texture map may include tracking scanner position, generating depth maps of the object and generation composite image of the surface of the object. |
| US09549165B2 |
Method for displaying three-dimensional user interface
A method is provided that includes displaying a user interface including at least one menu item using at least one of first image data or second image data, receiving a signal related to the at least one menu item, and changing a spacing of the first image data and the second image data displayed on a screen in response to the received signal such that a change of depth of the menu item is perceived by a viewer. |
| US09549164B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method, and related computer program
Externally-set mask patterns are corrected into corrected mask patterns in a variable correction degree. A depth map is processed for each of areas designated by the corrected mask patterns respectively. The depth map is for an input image. A different-viewpoint image is generated on the basis of the input image and the processed depth map. The different-viewpoint image relates to a viewpoint different from the viewpoint concerning the input image. A texture in the input image is analyzed to obtain an analyzation result. The correction of the externally-set mask patterns into the corrected mask patterns includes varying the correction degree in response to the obtained analyzation result. |
| US09549163B2 |
Method for combining images relating to a three-dimensional content
A method for superimposing images on three-dimensional content, wherein a video stream is received which includes the three-dimensional content and a depth map for superimposing images on the three-dimensional content. Once the video stream has been received, images are superimposed on the three-dimensional content in a position in depth dependent on the superimposition depth map (DM). The superimposition depth map contains information about the depth of the three-dimensional content and is inserted as an image contained in a frame (C) of the video stream. The depth map has a smaller number of pixels than that of a two-dimensional image associated with the three-dimensional content. The invention also relates to devices enabling the implementation of the methods. |
| US09549162B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a display control unit that causes a content view which displays statistic information of characters appearing in video content and a relationship view which displays character-relation information of the characters appearing in the video content, to be displayed on a predetermined display unit. |
| US09549161B2 |
Image and video in mosaic formats
A system includes: an image capture device configured to capture image data from a camera system, the image data being in a first mosaic layout; an image display device configured to display the image data in a second mosaic layout; and a processor configured to receive the image data in the first mosaic layout and to supply the image data in the second mosaic layout to the display without intermediate conversion to a fully collocated image layout. |
| US09549160B2 |
Portable terminal device and image correction method
A portable terminal device having a first color temperature sensor that is provided on a first side of the portable terminal device, and having a second color temperature sensor that is provided on a second side of the portable terminal device, the portable terminal device includes, at least one camera module configured to capture an image; and an image processor configured to perform image correction to the image that is captured by the camera module based on at least one of first information from the first color temperature sensor and second information from the second color temperature sensor. |
| US09549158B2 |
Controllable single pixel sensors
A single pixel sensor is provided, comprising a photo sensor configured to convert light into proportional signals; a charge storage configured to accumulate, repeatedly, a plurality of the signals converted by the photosensor; a first transistor coupled between a pixel voltage terminal and the photosensor; a second transistor coupled between the photosensor and the charge storage; and a readout circuit coupled between the charge storage and an output channel, wherein: the single pixel sensor is configured to carry out the repeated accumulations of signals multiple times per each readout by the readout circuit, the single pixel sensor is configured to synchronously convert reflections of light emitted by an associated illuminator or to convert light emitted by non-associated flickering light sources, and wherein the single pixel sensor is backside illuminated by the light. |
| US09549152B1 |
Application content delivery to multiple computing environments using existing video conferencing solutions
Example implementations are related to establishing, by an application delivery system in response to an identification of an application from a client device, a video conferencing session between a first video conferencing endpoint provided on the application delivery system and a second video conferencing endpoint provided on a client device, selecting a video capture module as a video input device for the first video conferencing endpoint, receiving, by the video capture module provided on the application delivery system, display data output by the application, converting, by the video capture module, the display data to a plurality of video frames, streaming the plurality of video frames received via the video capture module from the first video conferencing endpoint to the second video conferencing endpoint via the video conferencing session; and receiving, by the application delivery system from the client device, a user input signal for the application. |
| US09549148B2 |
Power supply architectures for powered devices
The single removable cable is capable of transporting both the power and the data between a powering device and one or more powered devices. At least one signal line is configured to transport data over the single removable cable. At least one electrical conductor configured to transport power for operating the one or more powered devices. |
| US09549147B2 |
System and method for creating a video frame from a single video field
A system and method of producing a frame of a video image from an interlaced field. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) creating an equal-intensity trace from present samples in the field, (2) recognizing an equal-intensity path in the equal-intensity trace, (3) at least partially straightening the equal-intensity path and (4) using the equal-intensity path to determine an intensity value for a missing sample in the frame. |
| US09549145B2 |
Laser projection device and laser projection method for projecting laser beams onto a projection plane
A laser projection device is described for projecting laser beams onto a projection plane, including a controllable multibeam laser diode unit; including a controllable optical deflection unit, which is designed in such a way that laser beams generated by the multibeam laser diode unit are deflected with the aid of the deflection unit; and including a control unit, which is designed in such a way that it controls the deflection unit to move laser beams deflected by the deflection unit onto a projection plane along a scanning line in such a way that different deflected laser beams run in the projection plane on the same scanning line. |
| US09549144B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating expansion of media device interface capabilities
System, methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media to facilitate expansion of media device interface capabilities are provided. A state change with respect to one or more media devices may be detected. The state change may correspond to a second media device being communicatively coupled to, or communicatively decoupled from, a first media device. Consequent to the detecting, a set of interface ports, which are configured to interface with multimedia devices, may be determined. Configuration information may be generated based at least in part on the set of interface ports. The configuration information may be transferred to a sink device to indicate interface options based at least in part on the set of interface ports. Content may be transferred to the sink device based at least in part on audio and/or visual data via at least one interface port of the set of interface ports. |
| US09549142B2 |
Video data transmitter apparatus and video data receiver apparatus for transmission system using multi-value amplitude modulation
A video data transmitter apparatus generates and transmits a multi-value amplitude modulation signal by performing a multi-value amplitude modulation of a plurality of N bits per one symbol according to video data of a video signal or a color signal constituting the video signal, or a brightness signal and a color-difference signal. A data separator portion separates the video data into first to N-th pixel data, a difference calculator portion calculates (N−1) pieces of predetermined difference information based on the separated first to N-th pixel data, and a multi-value amplitude modulator portion performs a multi-value modulation so that predetermined N-bit data corresponds to a multi-value signal level closest to an intermediate level having an intermediate value between a maximum level and a minimum level of the multi-value signal level of the multi-value amplitude modulation signal. |
| US09549141B2 |
Video signal transmission
A digital video signal has a frame rate and a resolution within a range of resolutions. If the resolution of the received digital video signal is in a lower resolution range then it is not compressed or if in a higher resolution range the video color data is compressed by a constant compression ratio. Frames of digital color samples are transmitted and frames of digital color samples are received at the same frame rate. The received compressed digital color samples are expanded by a constant expansion ratio when transmitted in a compressed format and not expanded if transmitted in the uncompressed video format. A digital video signal is output with a resolution the same as the resolution of the original digital video signal. |
| US09549140B2 |
Image sensor having pixels each with a deep trench isolation region as a photo gate for outputting image signals in response to control signals from a row driver and method of operating the image sensor
An image sensor includes a row driver, a pixel array, an analog-to-digital converter, and an output compensating circuit. The row driver generates a photo-gate control signal, a storage control signal, a transfer control signal, a reset control signal and a row selecting signal. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels, and each pixel uses a deep trench isolation (DTI) region as a photo gate. The pixel array receives optical signals, converts the optical signals to electric signals, and outputs the electric signals as image signals in response to the photo-gate control signal, the storage control signal, the transfer control signal, the reset control signal, and the row selecting signal. The analog-to-digital converter performs an analog-to-digital conversion on the image signals to generate first signals, and the output compensating circuit compensates the first signals. |
| US09549138B2 |
Imaging device, imaging system, and driving method of imaging device using comparator in analog-to-digital converter
Each of pixels in an imaging device includes a photoelectric converter and a first transistor. A signal based on a charge generated by the photoelectric converter is to be input into the first transistor. The imaging device includes a second transistor arranged at a ratio of one as to the pixels. A reference signal is to be input into the second transistor. The second transistor defines a differential pair together with the first transistor. The imaging device includes a comparator including the first transistor and the second transistor. Each of the pixels includes a selecting unit configured to turn off the first transistor by applying the first voltage to a control node of the first transistor. |
| US09549137B2 |
Driving method for imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus, and imaging system
There is provided an imaging apparatus including an A/D converting unit, wherein reset periods for a plurality of pixels are differentiated. |
| US09549136B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus
There is provided a solid-state imaging device including an imaging unit including a plurality of image sensors, and an analog to digital (AD) conversion unit including a plurality of AD converters arranged in a row direction, each AD converter performing AD conversion of an electrical signal output by the image sensor. Each of the AD converters includes a comparator having a differential pair at an input stage, the differential pair including a first transistor and a second transistor, the first and second transistors are each divided into an equal number of a plurality of division transistors, and an arrangement pattern of the plurality of division transistors constituting the comparator in a predetermined column and an arrangement pattern of the plurality of division transistors constituting the comparator in an adjacent column adjacent to the predetermined column are different from each other. |
| US09549135B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of unit cells each including at least one light receiving unit and an amplifying transistor which outputs an amplified signal corresponding to an amount of the signal charge photoelectrically converted by the light receiving unit; a plurality of vertical signal lines each for receiving an output signal from the amplifying transistor; a pixel power supply line for supplying a power supply voltage to the amplifying transistor; a plurality of constant current source transistors each connected to a different one of the vertical signal lines; and a bias circuit which controls an amount of current to be supplied to each of the constant current source transistors, based on a variation in the power supply voltage. |
| US09549134B2 |
Image capturing and display apparatus and method
Provided is a display apparatus and method. The display apparatus may sense light reflected from an object and passed through a display panel, and may control a power of a backlight unit depending on whether the light has passed through the display panel. |
| US09549132B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging method
An imaging apparatus comprising: a dark image data imaging section that obtains dark image data in a state in which light beams entering an imaging surface of an image sensor are shielded before first image data is obtained or after second image data obtained lastly; and a correcting section that corrects a fixed pattern noise in cumulative relatively bright composite image data by using the dark image data, wherein the correcting section corrects the fixed pattern noise in the cumulative relatively bright composite image data by using the dark image data obtained at a time closest to the time in a temperature of the image sensor when the first image data or the second image data is obtained is assumed to be the highest, of the dark image data obtained before the first image data is obtained or the dark image data obtained after the second image data obtained lastly. |
| US09549131B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging method using independently corrected color values
An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, an AD conversion unit, a clamp processing unit, and a video signal correction unit. The clamp processing unit is configured to clamp to a black level, an image signal of an effective pixel region or an optical-black region of the image sensor after having been digitally converted by the AD conversion unit, by evaluating a difference from a signal of the optical-black region. The video signal correction unit is configured to calculate signal information of a part or whole of the optical-black region of an image signal of the image sensor; and, independently for each color of the video signal, to calculate correction amount of a video signal using the signal information, and to carry out correction by subtracting calculated correction amount from the image signal before clamping operation performed by the clamp processing unit. |
| US09549129B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining image
A method comprising reading out first lines of pixels of a sensor, when the first lines are read out in a sequence of the first lines in a first direction along the sensor also reading out different second lines of the pixels of the sensor, when the second lines are read out in a sequence of the second lines in a different second direction along the sensor and interleaving the read outs from the first lines of pixels and the different second lines of pixels. |
| US09549128B2 |
Method and system for processing an image featuring multiple scales
A method of processing an image is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining an image decomposed into a set of scaled images, each being characterized by a different image-scale; and calculating, for each of at least some scaled images, a relative luminance between the scaled image and another scaled image of the set, using intensities in the scaled image and intensities in the another scaled image. The method further comprises processing each scaled image using an adaptation procedure featuring an image-specific effective saturation function of the relative luminance, thereby providing a processed scaled image; combining at least some of the processed scaled images to provide a combined image; and outputting the combined image to a computer readable medium. |
| US09549127B2 |
Image capture control methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus for controlling the read out of rows of pixel values from sensors corresponding to different optical chains used to capture portions of the same image area are described. The readout is controlled based on user input and/or determinations with regard to the rate of motion in captured images or portions of captured images. For a low rate of motion i, the readout rate of a sensor corresponding to a small focal length is slowed down while the pixel row readout rate of one or more sensors corresponding to one or more optical chains have larger focal lengths are allowed to proceed at a normal rate. For a high rate of motion, the read out rate of the sensor corresponding to the optical chain having the smaller focal length is allowed to proceed at the normal rate. |
| US09549126B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus and control method thereof
A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus is provided. The control method includes detecting a gesture of a user for the digital photographing apparatus using a plurality of video images sequentially generated according to live view photographing, changing an operation of the digital photographing apparatus to a zoom adjustment mode when the detected gesture of the user includes a preset first user gesture, and controlling a zooming state of the digital photographing apparatus step-by-step according to a moving path of a second user gesture after the first user gesture has ended, when the operation mode has been changed to the zoom adjustment mode. |
| US09549123B2 |
Multi-field CCD capture for HDR imaging
Techniques are described to combine image data from multiple images with different exposures into a relatively high dynamic range image. A first image of a scene may be generated with a first operational mode of an image processing system. A second image of the scene may be generated with a second different operational mode of the image processing system. The first image may be of a first spatial resolution, while the second image may be of a second spatial resolution. For example, the first spatial resolution may be higher than the second spatial resolution. The first image and the second image may be combined into an output image of the scene. The output image may be of a higher dynamic range than either of the first image and the second image and may be of a spatial resolution higher than the second spatial resolution. |
| US09549121B2 |
Image acquiring method and electronic device
The method of acquiring image comprises: acquiring a first image; determining a first sub-image corresponding to a first object from the first image; and replacing the first sub-image with a second sub-image different from the first sub-image to obtain a second image. This solution may replace the first sub-image with the second sub-image, thereby achieving the technical effect of automatically removing a part of content from the image during image acquiring. |
| US09549116B2 |
Focus adjustment device and control method for focus adjustment device
A focus adjustment device has an image sensor for forming a subject image using light flux that has been received through a photographing lens, and generating image signals, and executes focus adjustment based on the image signals. This focus adjustment device comprises a focus detection region setting section for setting a plurality of focus detection regions of differing sizes, within a region in which an image is formed by the image sensor, a determination section, for detecting contrast of image signals within focus detection regions respectively relating to the plurality of focus detection regions, and determining change of a subject based on amount of change of the contrast and temporal change in amount of change of the contrast, and a control section for, in a case where the determination section has determined that there is subject change when a focus adjustment operation is stopped, starting the focus adjustment operation. |
| US09549110B2 |
Light device has built-in digital data system for record image, sound
A Light device having built-in digital data means is powered by an unlimited power source for a lamp-holder, LED bulb, or light device connected to unlimited power source by prongs or a base that or conductive wires can be inserted into a socket that would otherwise receiving a bulb or light source. The device may take the form of a webcam having auto tracking added one of plurality functions to make different products and functions and retractable prongs that plug directly into a wall outlet or insert into existing lamp base or incorporate conductive wire to make electric connection at least one of built-in camera, storage unit, wireless kits, Bluetooth kits, motion sensor, light device. The said motion sensor and digital data related device(s) may in separated housing with light source assembly so people can upgrade the non-camera device to has built-in camera and digital device for their old non-camera security light. |
| US09549109B2 |
Camera lens module
A camera lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to include an optical image stabilizing carrier for accommodating a lens barrel; an autofocus carrier for mounting the optical image stabilizing carrier; a rolling unit for supporting a plane motion orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical image stabilizing carrier with respect to the autofocus carrier; a base for accommodating the autofocus carrier which mounts the optical image stabilizing carrier to advance and retreat the autofocus carrier in an optical axis direction; an optical image stabilizer driving unit; and an autofocus driving unit. |
| US09549108B2 |
Photographic lens optical system
A photographic lens optical system which includes five lenses sequentially arranged in a direction from an object to an image sensor is disclosed. A first lens may have a positive refractive power and an entrance surface convex toward the object. A second lens may have a negative refractive power and an exit surface concave toward the image sensor. A third lens may have a positive refractive power and a meniscus shape convex toward the image sensor. A fourth lens may have a negative refractive power and a meniscus shape convex toward the image sensor. A fifth lens may have a negative refractive power, and at least one of an entrance surface and an exit surface of the fifth lens may be aspheric. The system may satisfy the formula: | tan θ|/f<1.0, θ denoting an angle of view of the system, and f denoting a focal length of the system. |
| US09549107B2 |
Autofocus for folded optic array cameras
Aspects relate to autofocus systems and techniques for an array camera having a low-profile height, for example approximately 4 mm. A voice coil motor (VCM) can be positioned proximate to a folded optic assembly in the array camera to enable vertical motion of a second light directing surface for changing the focal position of the corresponding sensor. A driving member can be positioned within the coil of the VCM to provide vertical movement, and the driving member can be coupled to the second light directing surface, for example by a lever. Accordingly, the movement of the VCM driving member can be transferred to the second light directing surface across a distance, providing autofocus capabilities without increasing the overall height of the array camera. |
| US09549103B2 |
Antenna for camera
An antenna for a camera, comprising a camera having a communication module provided therein, a first radiator provided in a predetermined position of a lens barrel of the camera and having a length and a width for receiving a signal from a first wireless communication system, a power feeding line configured to feed a power from the communication module of the camera to the first radiator, and a ground line configured to ground the first radiator. |
| US09549101B1 |
Image capture enhancement using dynamic control image
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for image capture with infrared emitters, with associated computer control and processing for providing consistent and high quality image data. Image data of consecutive frames from a camera is obtained, with a first frame being taken during an emission of infrared light directed at a scene to be captured by the camera and a second frame being taken without an emission of infrared light. The consecutive frames provide a dynamic control image of the captured scene. The image data may be used to support photometric sampling techniques used in building geometric models for subject recognition in camera imagery in variable lighting environments. |
| US09549093B2 |
Light guiding device uses in image reading device performing light distribution with improved ratio of light quantity
A light guide for use in an image reading apparatus. The light guide extends in a predetermined direction and includes: a reflecting surface being parallel to the predetermined direction; an emitting surface; and a prism configured to reflect light to the emitting surface. The prism includes a plurality of asperities formed on the reflecting surface. When viewed from a first direction orthogonal to the reflecting surface, at least one of the plurality of asperities includes a portion parallel to a predetermined curve or a predetermined straight line inclined from a second direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. |
| US09549092B2 |
Printer providing a plurality of print types and having a plurality of print functions, and printer system
A printer includes a first determination unit, a first receiving unit, a second determination unit, a second receiving unit, and a controller. The first receiving unit receives a setting of a print type determined to be settable by the first determination unit and inhibits a setting of a print type determined to be unsettable by the first determination unit. The second receiving unit receives a setting of a print function determined to be settable by the second determination unit and inhibits a setting of a print function determined to be unsettable by the second determination unit. The controller controls a printing unit so that the printing unit prints an image on the paper sheet, in accordance with the data input by the input unit, the print type received by the first receiving unit, and the setting of the print function received by the second receiving unit. |
| US09549087B2 |
System and method for guaranteed high speed fax delivery
Described herein is a fax processing system that improves the speed and reliability of fax transmissions via a data communications network and provides a new method of transmitting facsimile images. Fax images are encoded with an embedded bit signal by a fax software program on the originating fax, where such bit signal is recognized by fax software at a fax service such that the original image data is transferred to the fax service via a secure link over a data communications network at internet speeds and notifies the fax service software with a confirmation. |
| US09549083B2 |
Image communication apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication via IP network, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
The present invention provides a technique that enables an image communication apparatus capable of performing voice communication and T.30 in-band FAX communication over the IP network to positively detect a CNG signal and achieve switching to FAX reception in the answerphone connection mode and the FAX/TEL-switching mode. The communication apparatus includes a MODEM that controls facsimile communication and a SLIC that controls a telephone. A selector includes switches for connecting the IP network and the MODEM, and switches for connecting the IP network and the SLIC. A CPU controls the switches of the selector such that signals from the IP network are supplied to both of the MODEM and the SLIC. |
| US09549081B1 |
Predictive disconnect in an offline charging system
System and method for implementing a predictive disconnect in an Offline Charging System of a telecommunications network are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for implementing a charging function in the OFCS is configured to determine that a resource allocated to the OFCS for processing messages received from one or more Charging Trigger Functions (CTFs) connected to the OFCS is experiencing or about to experience a bottleneck condition. The apparatus is configured to heuristically determine an expected duration of time for the resource to return to a normal condition, and is further configured to initiate a disconnection between the OFCS and one or more of the CTFs connected to the OFCS for at least the determined expected period of time. |
| US09549080B2 |
Wi-Fi signaling by cellular devices for coexistence in unlicensed frequency bands
This disclosure relates to Wi-Fi signaling in conjunction with cellular communication in unlicensed frequency bands for efficient co-existence. According to one embodiment, a cell may be established between a cellular base station and a wireless user equipment device on a frequency channel in an unlicensed frequency band. A cellular communication may be scheduled between the base station and the user equipment device. A Wi-Fi signal may be transmitted on the frequency channel in conjunction with the scheduled cellular communication. The Wi-Fi signal may indicate a length of the scheduled cellular communication using Wi-Fi signaling. The scheduled cellular communication may be performed via the cell. |
| US09549079B2 |
Acoustic echo cancellation for microphone array with dynamically changing beam forming
Acoustic echo cancellation is improved by receiving a speaker signal that is used to produce audio in a room, and receiving audio signals that capture audio from an array of microphones in the room, including an acoustic echo from the speakers. To cancel the acoustic echo, one adaptive filter is associated with a corresponding subspace in the room. Each of the audio signals is assigned to at least one of the adaptive filters, and a set of coefficients is iteratively determined for each of the adaptive filters. The coefficients for an adaptive filter are determined by selecting each of the audio signals assigned to that adaptive filter and adapting the filter to remove an acoustic echo from each of the selected audio signals. At each iteration, a different audio signal is selected from the audio signals assigned to the adaptive filter in order to determine the set of coefficients. |
| US09549077B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing a call to an aggregate endpoint device
A method and an apparatus for processing a call to an aggregate endpoint device over a network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a session request by a Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF), wherein a route header for the session request comprises an aggregate endpoint identifier, and interacts with an application server to receive a Public User Identity (PUID) of the aggregate endpoint device in accordance with the aggregate endpoint identifier. The method performs a termination processing for the session request using the PUID of the aggregate endpoint device, and forwards the session request towards the aggregate endpoint device. |
| US09549072B2 |
Conference call alerts
Conference call alerting is provided. A first device of a plurality of telecommunications devices initiates a telecommunications link between the first device and a second device of the plurality of telecommunications devices. The first device receives an interaction that includes a communications address of a third device of the plurality of telecommunications devices. The telecommunications link is modified to include the third device. In response to the third device joining the telecommunications link, the first device issues an alert to the second device and the third device, wherein the alert indicates that the third device has joined the telecommunications link. |
| US09549069B2 |
System and method for generating a call report
Systems and methods for generating call reports which may allow access to the child call for each selected attendee via the group call, and enable users to capture data and make edits to detailing and sampling information unique to each attendee directly in the child call. Access to controls within the attendees section may enable mass entry of supported activities for a subset of attendees. |
| US09549066B2 |
Toll-free telecommunications management platform
Methods and systems are provided for the management, routing and reporting of toll-free telecommunications calls and data. Methods and systems are provided for pre-populating a call routing template based on natural language inputs and populating telecommunications routing codes at nodes of a call routing decision tree to generate a call routing template that may be identified and presented to a user interface based at least in part on a natural language input. |
| US09549062B1 |
Digital signature-over-voice for caller ID verification
In an approach to caller ID verification by digital signature, a computing device receives authenticating information associated with a caller. The computing device creates a call record based on the authenticating information. The computing device retrieves additional information associated with the caller. The computing device updates the call record based on the additional information. The computing device retrieves a digital signature associated with the caller. The computing device retrieves public key information associated with the caller. The computing device performs a digital signature assessment based on the public key information. The computing device updates the call record based on the digital signature assessment. The computing device adds timestamp information to the call record. The computing device receives a request from a call recipient device. The computing device communicates information based on the call record to the call recipient device. The computing device marks the call record as expired. |
| US09549058B2 |
Device independent caller data access for emergency calls
Device independent access to stored caller data during an emergency communications event. A call server intercepts an emergency call and determines the capabilities of a calling device. Based on calling device capability, the call server uses one or more of the following device independent methods to ascertain a caller identity, independent of a calling device: interactive voice response redirect, HTTP authentication, SIP INFO method, biometric recognition, human interaction, and alternate number dialing. A caller identity is then used to query a subscriber database for a unique caller profile database key (CPDBK) assigned to the caller (unless a CPDBK is already determined). A call server uses a CPDBK to query a caller profile database (CPDB) for relevant caller data. Relevant caller data and the intercepted emergency communications event are then passed to an emergency call processing system, whereby relevant caller data may be used to more effectively address an emergency situation. |
| US09549057B2 |
Method and apparatus of providing messaging service and callback feature to mobile stations
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of performing automated administrative operations on a mobile device. One example method may include determining via a hosted server that an action needs to be performed by a mobile device under management. The method may further include generating a message via the hosted server, the message includes the action, and transmitting the message to the mobile device under management, and receiving a result message from the mobile device under management responsive to the transmitted message, the result message indicating that the action has been satisfied. |
| US09549056B2 |
Integrated personal digital assistant device
An integrated device provides functionality of both a PDA and cellular telephone. Features include a power button offering control of both the computing and telephony functions of the device; a lid that turns the device on and off and controls additional telephony functions; a jog rocker that activates the device and is used to select from a variety of menu options; application buttons that offer direct access to applications stored on the device, and which can be configured to operate in conjunction with secondary keys to offer added functionality; a keyboard that enables data input into the device; an automatic word completion function that verifies and corrects a user's typing in real time; and a simplified keyboard navigation system that allows the navigation of menus using keyboard shortcuts. |
| US09549055B2 |
Method in an electronic mobile device, and such a device
A method in a first electronic mobile device for adapting audio performance parameters is provided. The first electronic mobile device performs an audio interaction with a second electronic device. The first electronic mobile electronic device is associated with at least one earpiece comprising at least one speaker and at least one microphone. The method comprises detecting an acoustic echo between the at least one speaker and the at least one microphone, determining, based on the detected acoustic echo, position of the at least one earpiece in relation to a user of the first electronic mobile device, and adapting audio performance parameters, based on the detected position of the earpiece, whereby less echo during the audio interaction is achieved in the second electronic device. |
| US09549054B2 |
Information displaying method, mobile phone, and storage device
An information displaying method, a mobile phone, and a storage device are provided. The information displaying method comprises the following steps. Whether a communication process is started is determined. If the communication process is started, then telephone number information is received. Event information is obtained according to the telephone number information. The event information is displayed. |
| US09549053B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing portable devices
An apparatus is disclosed for testing portable devices. The apparatus includes a base upon which the portable device is mounted, and a top mold which fits over the base to immobilize the portable device. Templates can also be formed on the top mold or base. The templates contain test patterns that are defined by a plurality of apertures. A stylus is used to test the portable device by engaging or contacting different locations through the apertures in the test pattern. |
| US09549051B2 |
Mobile communication devices
A mobile communication device that comprises a fashion accessory and a signaling assembly is provided. The signaling assembly may be configured to provide sensory stimuli such as a flashing LED light and a vibration. These stimuli may vary depending on the signal received from a remote communication device or from gestures made by a user or from information stored in the mobile communication device. |
| US09549045B2 |
Sharing remote sessions of a user interface and/or graphics of a computer
Methods, systems, and techniques for sharing a remoted user interface are described. Example embodiments provide a Remote Session Sharing Protocol (“RSSP”) for sharing a remoted user interface and/or graphics of a same computer system operating system or application. Use of the RSSP enables server computing systems to optimize the utilization of frame buffers and state information when multiple clients connect to the same remote session (e.g., connect to the same user interface of an application or operating system) at substantially the same time. |
| US09549043B1 |
Allocating resources in a content delivery environment
Allocating resources in a content delivery environment is disclosed. An initial demand from initial clients for content is serviced by assigning those initial clients a first content source. A determination is made that additional demand from additional clients is either present or anticipated for the first content source. The initial demand and the additional demand together have a potential to overload the first content source. An interaction with a first initial client is adjusted to allow the additional demand to be at least partially serviced without overloading the content source. |
| US09549040B2 |
First cache purge optimization handling of unavailable nodes
Processing a purge request is disclosed. The purge request is received. Based on the purge request, a purge instruction is generated for each content distribution node of a group of one or more content distribution nodes. Each content distribution node of the group is verified has either completed processing the purge instruction or is determined to be unavailable. Despite at least one content distribution node of the group determined to be unavailable having not completed processing the purge instruction, an indication is authorized that the purge request has been completed. |
| US09549038B1 |
Cacheable resource location selection
Systems and methods for rewriting code related to a network page are described herein. The systems and methods can determine whether the network page includes cacheable resources. Responsive to the determination, the systems and methods can rewrite the code for the network page to cause a user system to access the cacheable resource from a content distribution network. Further, the systems and methods can determine whether access to the cacheable resource should be provided via the content distribution network or a proxy server based at least partially on a relative location of the proxy server and the content distribution network to the user system requesting access to the network page. |
| US09549037B2 |
System and method for maintaining solvency within a cache
In one embodiment, a computing system includes a cache including one or more memories and a cache manager. The cache manager is able to determine an amount of accessible data for a portion of the cache associated with the cache manager; compare the amount of accessible data to a threshold value; determine, for one or more clients associated with the cache manager, an amount of releasable data if the amount of accessible data exceeds the threshold value; communicate, to one or more clients associated with the cache manager, the amount of releasable data for the client; receive from one or more clients associated with the cache manager information associated with data released by the one or more clients; and determine an amount of data released by the one or more clients associated with the cache manager. |
| US09549036B2 |
Network injected storage redirection for embedded applications
Technologies are generally described to redirect local storage for embedded applications. In some examples, a computing device such as a redirection router, coupled to network-attached storage, may detect a request for an application being delivered from a server to a destination device such as a ubicomp device and intercept the requested application. The redirection router may determine whether the destination device has sufficient local storage. In response to determination that the destination device does not have sufficient local storage or a predefined configuration such as requesting device being configured for local storage, a reference to the client-side storage associated with the application may be replaced with a link, to the network-attached storage prior to delivery of the application. Subsequent retrievals of the application or portions thereof may be from the network-attached storage directly or via the redirection router. |
| US09549028B2 |
Systems and methods for automatically saving a state of a communication session
A system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program and a computer-implemented method for automatically saving and presenting a state of a communication session are presented. The communication session may be established between a client device of a user and an application server of a content publisher. In some embodiments, the method may include determining that the communication session includes a typical process flow of the user, and identifying an operation that is likely to be repeated during the communication session based on the typical process flow. Session data representative of a state of the communication session may then be stored in response to identifying the operation that is likely to be repeated. The method may further include generating and presenting an interface that includes a visual representation of the session data, and allows a user to return to the saved state of the communication session. |
| US09549025B2 |
Protocol optimization for client and server synchronization
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to data synchronization and provide a method, system and computer program product for protocol optimization for client and server synchronization. In one embodiment a protocol optimization method for client and server synchronization can be provided. The method can include receiving server updates from a synchronization server, and applying each update to a client data store in parallel to requesting additional ones of the server updates from the synchronization server before completing the application to the client data store. In one aspect of the embodiment, receiving server updates from a synchronization server can include receiving server update subsets of a singular server update for a synchronization conversation from a synchronization server. |
| US09549024B2 |
Routing and synchronization system, method, and manager
A peer-to-peer (P2P) content delivery network delivers select data files to an end user. The content delivery network provides a client, a P2P gateway server, and a Resource Name Server (RNS) within a computer-populated network. The RNS caches data resource locations within the computer-populated network and resolves resource requests with optimal data resource locations within the computer-populated network. The gateway server requests and receives optimal data resource locations via the RNS; requests and receives data files from the computer-populated network via the optimal data resource locations; and processing received data files for data file delivery to the client. The network thus enables an origin-agnostic data delivery method for optimally delivering select data files to an end user. A data-routing governance or management utility governs/manages the content delivery network and associated methodology for providing industry rights management, compliance monitoring, and/or compliance reporting of data file transmissions. |
| US09549023B2 |
Communications adaptable to mobile devices
A communication system is provided that is preferably a peer-to-peer (p2p) system. One or both of audio and video can be transferred among a number of user terminals in the p2p system. The user terminals can include at least one master terminal, which could be an unhosted master terminal that does not communicate its own audio and/or video. In one embodiment, a first master terminal is included that controls video or audio, or both, transfers among user terminals and an unhosted second master terminal is provided that communicates with at least two user terminals to provide desired connectivity involving such user terminals in order to ensure proper audio and/or video communications between or among them. In another embodiment, an unhosted master terminal is provided with the communication system when the user terminals include mobile terminals in order to avoid power usage by mobile terminals. This communication system can be utilized with online game playing in which a game server is included, as well as having other communication applications. |
| US09549018B2 |
Message exchange between a native application and a web browser
There is provided a system and method for exchanging messages between a native application and a web browser using a server. The server configured to receive a message from a communication application of a first client device for delivery to the second client device, determine if the second client device includes the communication application, create a link to a webpage for rendering the message on the webpage when the second client device does not have the communication application, transmit the link to the second client device, render the message on the webpage to the second client device in response to receiving a request, receive a reply message from the second client device, and transmit the reply message to the first client device for rendering by the communication application. The message from the first client device may include a multimedia message, such as an animated avatar with a lip-sync audio. |
| US09549011B2 |
Interconnection mechanism for multiple data streams
An audiovisual signal is converted from a native format to a digital, packetized interchange format and transported between a capture node and a display node through a switch. The display node converts the audiovisual signal from the interchange format to a displayable format and causes display of the audiovisual signal. The use of a switch for video routing and distribution allows one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one, and many-to-many distribution. The use of a device-independent interchange format allows concurrent distribution of multiple heterogeneous audiovisual signals. |
| US09549010B2 |
Method and apparatus for media session identification, tracking, and analysis
In a networked system connecting a subscriber to a content source via one or more networks, a computer-implemented method includes instantiating a session model for a media session between the subscriber and the content source, the session model to generate session metadata from application-layer interactions between the subscriber and the content source. The method further includes instantiating an interaction model in response to detecting an application-layer interaction in a transport flow of the subscriber, the application-layer interaction comprising media data for the media session. The method also includes generating, at the interaction model, interaction metadata representative of the application-layer interaction, and processing at least one of the interaction metadata and the media data at the session model to generate session metadata responsive to matching the interaction model to the session model. |
| US09549009B1 |
Electronic fixed brand labeling
Systems and methods for electrophoretically displaying a brand identifier of a telecommunications service provider or equipment manufacturer on the portable electronic device. The branding may be set at the manufacturer or when the user first powers the phone on. In addition, the branding may be wiped and reset if there is a change in ownership and/or telecommunications service provider of the portable electronic device. Periodically upon startup after the branding has been set and locked, making a user unable to manually change the branding at will, the portable electronic device may check to ensure the displayed branding is the same as or equivalent to the current brand. |
| US09549008B2 |
Adaptive content transmission
Techniques for adaptive content transmission are described herein. During transmission of a content item, a network connection may be monitored to collect data corresponding to one or more network conditions associated with the transmission of the content item. Such network conditions may include, for example, network throughput, available network bandwidth, network latency and others. The collected data may be used to dynamically adjust one or more transmission attributes in connection with the transmitted content item. The one or more transmission attributes may be determined for adjustment at any desired transmission interval. |
| US09549003B2 |
Protocol translations for internet services
An Internet protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) gateway application server includes an originating application server module adapted to invoke call control services in response to requests initiated by a voice over Internet Protocol (IP) (VoIP) client associated with a communication device such as an IP telephone. Disclosed gateway application servers include a proxy server module adapted to notify the communication client of session control messages intended for the communication device. |
| US09549000B2 |
Streaming media from a server delivering individualized content streams to clients
A method for preparing media content to be streamed to a client divides a stream of the media content at the server into multiple media segments. Each of the multiple media segments is to be stored as an individual file in a memory in a transfer protocol compliant format. A top-level manifest file is generated, which has a plurality of Universal Resource Locators (URLs). The plurality of URLs indicates an ordering of the multiple media segments to recreate the stream of media content. Responsive to a client request received over a network to present the media content in a trick play mode of operation, a modified manifest file is obtained based on the top-level manifest file. The modified manifest file includes a subset of the plurality of URLs indicating an ordering of media segments that create a representation of the stream of media content presentable in the trick play mode of operation. |
| US09548998B1 |
Asynchronous communication system architecture
Data is asynchronously provided to a participant of a conversation. A temporal model is maintained for each of a plurality of client devices associated with the conversation. A temporal model describes a state of an associated client device. Data for sending to a client device is identified based on conversation context information describing a context of a conversation participant associated with the client device. A determination of whether to send the identified data to the client device is made based on the temporal model associated with the client device. The temporal model associated with the client device is updated based on the determination. |
| US09548993B2 |
Automated security gateway
A security device may be configured to receive information regarding traffic that has been outputted by a particular user device; and compare the information regarding the traffic to security information. The security information may include device behavior information, traffic policy information, or device policy information. The security device may determine, based on the comparing, that a security threat exists with regard to the traffic; and take, based on determining that the security threat exists, remedial action with respect to the traffic. Taking the remedial action may include preventing the traffic from being forwarded to an intended destination associated with the traffic, providing an alert, regarding the security threat, to the particular user device, or providing an alert, regarding to the security threat, to another device. |
| US09548992B2 |
System and method for detecting network activity of interest
Systems and methods for detecting a visual characteristic of interest within an image are disclosed. An example method involves obtaining an image that includes at least one pixel representing a visual characteristic of interest, creating a first sequence and a second sequence of bitwise data from values associated with the pixel, and converting these bitwise sequences into a first sequence of integers and a second sequence of integers. Using a distance function, a similarity metric is determined between the first sequence of integers and the second sequence of integers. Based on the similarity metric, a third sequence of integers is created and stored. The third sequence of integers can be used to facilitate the identification of the visual characteristic of interest in other images. |
| US09548991B1 |
Preventing application-level denial-of-service in a multi-tenant system using parametric-sensitive transaction weighting
Denial-of-service attacks are prevented or mitigated in a cloud compute environment, such as a multi-tenant, collaborative SaaS system. This is achieved by providing a mechanism by which characterization of “legitimate” behavior is defined for accessor classes, preferably along with actions to be taken in the event an accessor exceeds those limits. A set of accessor “usage profiles” are generated. Typically, a profile comprises information, such as one or more “constraints,” and one or more “actions.” At least one constraint is generated by applying one or more parameters of a transaction weighting function such that the resulting constraint represents an actual or estimated cost of executing the transaction. An action defines how the system will respond if a particular constraint is triggered. By applying the constraints to accessor requests, the approach prevents over-utilization of compute resources. |
| US09548988B1 |
Systems and methods for attributing potentially malicious email campaigns to known threat groups
The disclosed computer-implemented method for attributing potentially malicious email campaigns to known threat groups may include (1) identifying a potentially malicious email campaign targeting at least one organization, (2) detecting, within the potentially malicious email campaign, an incriminating feature that has been linked to a known threat group, (3) determining, based at least in part on detecting the incriminating feature linked to the known threat group, that the known threat group is likely responsible for the potentially malicious email campaign, and then in response to determining that the known threat group is likely responsible for the potentially malicious email campaign, (4) attributing the potentially malicious email campaign to the known threat group. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09548985B2 |
Non-invasive contextual and rule driven injection proxy
User requests for a web application can be received at a reverse proxy. Web application code for a first application can be obtained. Data can be checked at the reverse proxy to determine whether to insert an element into the first application. If there is a match, a combined web application can be produced, including the first web application and the element. |
| US09548980B2 |
Method for providing user interface for each user, method for performing service, and device applying the same
A method and device for performing a service. The method includes detecting whether a user terminal device approaches an approach recognition area, receiving identifier information from the user terminal device, when it is detected that the user terminal device approaches the approach recognition area, obtaining user information based on the identifier information, and displaying a personalized area based on the user information. |
| US09548977B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for performing reliable network, capability, and service discovery
A system, method, and apparatus are provided for performing reliable network, capability, and service discovery. A method may include providing for transmission of a request for signed access point information. The request may be provided for transmission prior to authenticating with an access point when authentication is performed or prior to associating with an access point when authentication is not performed. The method may further include receiving a response including signed access point information. The method may additionally include verifying the signed access point information using a digital certificate. The method may also include selecting the access point for communication based in least in part on the verified signed access point information. A corresponding system and apparatus is also provided. |
| US09548974B2 |
Network system, network device and connection control method
A network system includes: a network device; and a portable connection device capable of connecting thereto a terminal device which accesses the network device, where the portable connection device holds authentication information related to the connection between the network device and the terminal device, the authentication information being previously set. Here, the network device includes a processor, and the processor acquires the authentication information held in the portable connection device according to the connection of the portable connection device to the network device, acquires identification information on the terminal device from the terminal device according to the connection of the terminal device to the portable connection device, and compares the acquired authentication information with the identification information on the terminal device and device information on the network device to determine whether or not the access from the terminal device is allowed. |
| US09548972B2 |
Multi-drive cooperation to generate an encryption key
A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for protecting a set of storage devices using a secret sharing scheme. The data of each storage device is encrypted with a key, and the key is encrypted based on a shared secret and a device-specific value. Each storage device stores a share and its encrypted key, and if a number of storage devices above a threshold are available, then the shared secret can be reconstructed from the shares and used to decrypt the encrypted keys. Otherwise, the secret cannot be reconstructed if less than the threshold number of storage devices are accessible, and then data on the storage devices will be unreadable. |
| US09548967B2 |
Method and apparatus for interworking authorization of dual stack operation
A method and apparatus for dynamic home address assignment by a home agent in multiple network interworking. The invention provides a method and apparatus send a key authorization request from a mobile station to a network device, the request indicating that the mobile station wishes to use a foreign agent care-of address to continue to receive data. The network device assigns a temporary address to the mobile station and creates a security policy database for the mobile station. The mobile station receives agent advertisements from foreign agents that may be able to provide service. The mobile station registers with a foreign agent. The network device then modifies the security policy database to reflect the information of the foreign agent. The Home Agent then assigns a home address to the mobile station and the network device updates the security policy database to include only the mobile device's home address as a selector. |
| US09548963B2 |
Method and system to enable a virtual private network client
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising transmitting, by a controller comprising a processor, a request to a server to enable initiation of a virtual private network session on behalf of devices other than the controller. The controller transmits authentication information to enable the server to validate the request, and receives a first list of computing devices. The controller transmits a first selection of a target device from the first list to cause the server to initiate the virtual private network session between the target device and a service node providing services to the target device via the virtual private network session. The controller receives a second list of applications executable on each of the computing devices, and transmits to the server a second selection of an application from the second list that is executable by the target device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09548961B2 |
Detecting adverse network conditions for a third-party network site
A network protection service for providing protective assistance to a subscribing host is presented. The network protection service is configured determine a set of rules for filtering network traffic for a subscribing host. The network protection service is further configured to receive network traffic on behalf of the subscribing host, filter the received network traffic according to the set of rules, and forward a portion of the filtered network traffic to the subscribing host. Still further, the network protection service is configured to analyze the received network traffic via the analysis server, and refine the set of rules for filtering the received network traffic based on the analysis of the received network traffic by the analysis server. |
| US09548957B2 |
System and method for facilitating transactions as conversations between participants
A computer-implemented system keeps records of communications between participants as a conversation. All communications between participants in a transaction are stored as part of the conversation including documents, photographs, forms etc. needed to complete the transaction. A computer system interacts with a wallet service of one or more participants to keep a record of, or to affect the transfer of, consideration between participants in the transaction. Conversations can occur for any topic or conversations for a particular topic can be selected and a template provided for documents and/or conversation participants most often needed to complete an associated transaction. |
| US09548955B2 |
Computer product, consolidation support method, and consolidation support apparatus
A computer-readable recording medium stores a consolidation support program that causes a computer to execute a process that includes acquiring an electronic message transmitted and received among apparatuses; converting the electronic message into a first electronic message based on a first consolidation rule selected from a consolidation rule group to convert the electronic message by substituting with a specific value, a character string that matches a specific pattern and is included in the electronic message; converting the electronic message into a second electronic message based on a second consolidation rule having a priority rank that is higher than that of the first consolidation rule; determining whether the first and the second electronic messages match; and producing when the first and the second electronic messages do not match, a restrictive condition that the first consolidation rule is to be selected after the second consolidation rule, from the consolidation rule group. |
| US09548952B2 |
Method and radio communication device for the transmission efficient editing of multimedia messages
In order to edit, in a transmission-efficient manner, multimedia news before sending or receiving such news, the existing user data volume (VOL) of a piece of multimedia news (MM) is determined prior to, during, and after putting together such piece of multimedia news (MM). At least one application reducing the original user data volume (VOL) of such piece of multimedia news (MM) is supplied and run in case a predefined user data volume threshold (SGx) or an upper price limit (SPx) is exceeded. |
| US09548950B2 |
Switching camera angles during interactive events
Multiple camera angles of an interactive event are simultaneously transmitted as part of a broadcast. The simultaneous distribution of multiple synchronized streams of audio and/or visual information enables switching between cameras to be made by the audience members without interruption of the presentation of the event. In one embodiment, a performance studio might send out multiple synchronized concurrent streams. For example, a performance studio might transmit four distinct camera angles or streams, each at varying quality levels, such as the illustrated high-bandwidth and low-bandwidth encodings. Selection of the stream may also direct interactive feedback portions generated by the selecting audience member towards the selected object/individual. Alternatively, interactive feedback generated by the audience member may be directed globally to the producers of the event and selectively to the performers and other audience members of the event. |
| US09548947B2 |
PPI de-allocate CPP bus command
Within a networking device, packet portions from multiple PDRSDs (Packet Data Receiving and Splitting Devices) are loaded into a single memory, so that the packet portions can later be processed by a processing device. Rather than the PDRSDs managing the storing of packet portions into the memory, a packet engine is provided. The PDRSDs use a PPI addressing mode in communicating with the packet engine and in instructing the packet engine to store packet portions. A PDRSD requests a PPI from the packet engine, and is allocated a PPI by the packet engine, and then tags the packet portion to be written with the PPI and sends the packet portion and the PPI to the packet engine. Once the packet portion has been processed, a PPI de-allocation command causes the packet engine to de-allocate the PPI so that the PPI is available for allocating in association with another packet portion. |
| US09548945B2 |
Matrix of on-chip routers interconnecting a plurality of processing engines and a method of routing using thereof
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a scalable interconnection scheme of multiple processing engines on a single chip using on-chip configurable routers. The interconnection scheme supports unicast and multicast routing of data packets communicated by the processing engines. Each on-chip configurable router includes routing tables that are programmable by software, and is configured to correctly deliver incoming data packets to its output ports in a fair and deadlock-free manner. In particular, each output port of the on-chip configurable routers includes an output port arbiter to avoid deadlocks when there are contentions at output ports of the on-chip configurable routers and to guarantee fairness in delivery among transferred data packets. |
| US09548942B2 |
Linking instances within a cloud computing environment
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach to allow a user to link multiple cloud instances (e.g., virtual machines) together such that an action on one (cloud) instance is triggered when a second instance's state changes thereby invoking a predefined set of rules. Specifically, instances can be linked to one another via a graphical user interface (GUI or the like), and associated with a set of rules. The set of rules indicates a behavior/reaction of one instance when an action is performed with respect to another instance linked thereto. These embodiments could be implemented external to or within a cloud operating environment. |
| US09548940B2 |
Master election among resource managers
The invention provides a technique for assigning a server to manage resources. The server identifies a capacity value that represents a maximum number of resources that the server can simultaneously manage, and parses data included in a tracker directory to identify the resources that have the fewest number of servers assigned to manage them. Next, based on the capacity value, the server registers to manage the identified resources, where each registration to manage an identified resource results in the server actively managing the resource when no other server is registered to manage the resource, or acting as a backup manager to the resource when at least one other server is registered to manage the resource, and the tracker directory is updated accordingly. Finally, the server, for each registration that results in actively managing a resource, configures itself to process client device requests that are directed to utilizing the resource. |
| US09548937B2 |
Backpressure techniques for multi-stream CAS
Techniques are disclosed for controlling data transmission in multi-stream digital systems. The techniques disclosed allow an input stream to a conditional access system to be throttled when a FIFO begins to fill up. Each data stream may have its own FIFO, which sends data to a MUX and exports its status to a backpressure rate control module. Multiple seconds worth of data may be stored in a BPRC buffer ahead of the backpressure rate control module prior to being transmitted to a MUX FIFO buffer. The backpressure rate control module may use the cached data to fill available spaces within a MUX FIFO buffer. The determination to forward a data packet may be based on the individual MUX FIFO buffer levels, the sum of all the MUX FIFO buffer levels, and/or one or more configurable threshold values. In some embodiments, individual thresholds may be assigned to each FIFO buffer. |
| US09548932B2 |
Method and system for determining network-wide interactions between forwarding elements in a network
A method for detecting interactions on a forwarding element in a network, the element adapted to forward data according to rules, a rule set installed on the element, and including a match set and corresponding action set, the match set including at least one match field and the action set including one or more actions wherein action to be performed when matching a match set includes determining one or more relations between match sets based on match field relations, determining one or more relations between action sets, determining one or more interactions between rules based on determined relations between match sets and action sets, each rule being tested against another rule for determining the interaction, and reducing the rule set to an actual rule set according to determined interactions so that the actual rule set includes only rules with no interactions among them. |
| US09548928B2 |
Network system, controller, and load distribution method
A network system has a switch which transfers a packet and a controller which sets a flow entry to the switch. The controller has a heavy load switch detecting section which detects a heavy load switch with the heavy load of new flow entry setting processing; a storage section which stores a switch list; an alternate route searching section which searches an alternate route; and a flow entry setting section which assigns a flow of packets to be transferred by using a new flow entry of the heavy load switch to the switch on the alternate route, without changing the flow entry which is already set to the heavy load switch. |
| US09548927B2 |
Flow-based load balancing
Methods and apparatuses are described for virtualizing routing of network traffic by offloading routing decisions to a controller in communication with a plurality of network devices. For load balancing applications, the controller may make up-front decisions as to both destination and route, rather than wait until traffic has been routed to a load balancing point before determining the destination. |
| US09548926B2 |
Multicast traffic load balancing over virtual link aggregation
One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch comprises one or more ports, a link management module and a load balancing module. The link management module operates a port of the one or more ports of the switch in conjunction with a remote switch to form a virtual link aggregation. The load balancing module generates an index of a weight distribution vector based on address information of a multicast group associated with the virtual link aggregation. A slot of the weight distribution vector corresponds to a respective switch participating in the virtual link aggregation. In response to the index indicating a slot corresponding to the switch, the load balancing module designates the switch as primary switch for the multicast group, which is responsible for forwarding multicast data of the multicast group via the virtual link aggregation. |
| US09548925B2 |
Evaluating the reliability of deterioration-effect multi-state flow network system and method thereof
A system of evaluating the reliability of deterioration-effect multi-state flow network and method thereof are disclosed in present invention. The system can evaluate the probability that d units of data of flow can be transmitted from a source node to a sink node. In practical application, the flow in a deterioration-effect multi-state flow network may undergo a loss due to deterioration. For example, electrical power will decrease if the transmission distance is too great. Therefore, how to evaluate the reliability of deterioration-effect multi-state flow network becomes an important issue. |
| US09548918B2 |
Edge router systems and methods
A system including an edge router which collects data from a mesh network by receiving on multiple simultaneous frequencies. Using N simultaneous frequencies increases the throughput of a system by up to N-times, reducing the bottleneck that otherwise occurs at the take-out-point of a mesh communications system. Furthermore, nodes in direct communication with the edge router can send each data packet multiple times on multiple frequencies, increasing the probability that the packet is delivered correctly, eliminating the necessity to acknowledge (ACK) each packet. This further enhances system throughput. |
| US09548917B2 |
Efficient multicast delivery to dually connected (VPC) hosts in overlay networks
In a mesh-based connected data center network architecture, a mechanism is provided to allow efficient delivery of IP multicast frames within the network. Described approaches avoid replication into VLANs (or SVIs) across the fabric by using the outer encapsulated tree to identify trees on which to replicate the traffic. Replication may be performed at the furthest point from the source (via routing or bridging). Also, multicast traffic may be distributed to dually connected (vPC) hosts on links from various network devices. |
| US09548916B1 |
Performing discovery of a virtual environment
In one aspect, a method includes performing a fast discovery on a virtual network to obtain objects and attributes necessary to display the objects on a user interface, performing a full discovery on the virtual network after the fast discovery and performing rediscovery regularly on the virtual network after the full discovery comprising updating object data based on changes since the last discovery was performed. |
| US09548910B2 |
Distributed system architecture using event stream processing
A system and method for performing event stream processing is described. A plurality of event streams are received from a plurality of input adapters, at least a first input adapter of the plurality of input adapters being located on a separate and distinct virtual machine than a second input adapter of the plurality of input adapters. Event stream data from the first input adapter and event stream data from the second input adapter are transformed into data of a single data type. The transformed data is stored in an in-memory database. Then real-time analysis is performed on the transformed data by accessing windows of the transformed data from the in-memory database based on rules defined in the event stream processing engine. |
| US09548907B2 |
Managing change in an information technology environment
In a method for managing change in an information technology (IT) environment, in response to an open change ticket, identifying one or more components of the IT environment that are associated with at least one change operation included in the change ticket. The method further includes identifying information associated with the identified one or more components of the IT environment. The method further includes determining a listing of allowable change operations for the identified one or more components of the IT environment in the change ticket based on the identified information associated with the identified one or more components of the IT environment. The method further includes receiving a user requested change operation. The method further includes determining whether the received user requested change operation is included in the determined listing of allowable change operations. |
| US09548902B2 |
Devices and methods supporting content delivery with delivery services having dynamically configurable log information
A device supporting content delivery is configured to run at least one content delivery (CD) service of a plurality of CD services. The plurality of CD services include delivery services with dynamically configurable log information. |
| US09548900B1 |
Systems and methods for forwarding network packets in a network using network domain topology information
A controller may be used to control client switches in a network that includes non-client, switches. The controller may form client domains from groups of client switches that are separated by intervening non-client domains formed from non-client switches. The controller may determine a network domain topology from the client domains and non-client domains. The controller may determine a spanning tree that interconnects the nodes of the network domain topology. The controller may control client switches of the client domains to allow only network traffic between the client domains and the non-client domains along the spanning tree. The controller may use the network domain topology to generate inter-domain forwarding maps. The inter-domain forwarding maps may be used to determine network forwarding paths between end hosts in the network. |
| US09548898B2 |
Enforcing context model based service-oriented architecture policies and policy engine
Instance documents related to policy enforcement are gathered according to a business requirement. The instance documents are instantiated from corresponding schema documents. An instantiated context model, including references to the gathered instance documents, is generated from a context model definition. A policy set to be enforced using the instantiated context model is generated according to the gathered instance documents. An enforcement sequence of policies in the policy set is determined. The policies are applied to the instantiated context model according to the enforcement sequence. |
| US09548894B2 |
Proximity based cross-screen experience App framework for use between an industrial automation console server and smart mobile devices
A system and method for a Graphic User Interface used as the human machine interface (HMI) for Industrial Automation (IA) systems. The system and method use a peer-to-peer session framework between a console with one or more physically connected displays within a control room environment and a companion device. One or more embodiments of the disclosure relate to control of a console, or first device, in a control room by means of a companion device, or second device, through a peer to peer session framework. The use of the second device may provide additional capabilities beyond the pre-purposed capability provided by a dedicated Operator keyboard of the console server. |
| US09548888B1 |
Technique for setting WWNN scope for multi-port fibre channel SCSI target deduplication appliances
A system and method for setting the World Wide Node Names (WWNNs) of a plurality of ports in a data storage system. In one embodiment, a method includes the operations of receiving a first request that is to set a plurality of WWNNs of a plurality of ports of the storage system, automatically generating a first WWNN in response to receiving the first request, and assigning the automatically generated first WWNN to a first port of the plurality so that the at least one SCSI device is visible over a Fiber Channel (FC) network as a target for SCSI requests at the first port assigned the first WWNN. |
| US09548881B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data in broadcasting system
Methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting data in a broadcasting system. Input data is encoded by an encoder. A first demultiplexer generates first transmission symbols using the encoded data. The first transmission symbols are modulated, and the modulated first transmission symbols are transmitted. A second demultiplexer generates second transmission symbols using at least a portion of the encoded data. The second transmission symbols are modulated and the modulated second transmission symbols are transmitted. |
| US09548879B2 |
Virtual multicarrier design for orthogonal frequency division multiple access communications
Embodiments of the present invention provide a virtual multicarrier design for orthogonal frequency division multiple access communications. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US09548872B2 |
Reducing internal fabric congestion in leaf-spine switch fabric
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and system to reduce needless data traffic in leaf-spine switch fabric. In embodiments, in a static solution, data rates of data flows having a common destination port may be measured and responsive to the data flows having a combined data rate that exceeding a rate limit of the common destination port, one or more of the data flows may be limited. Embodiments may also comprise a global scheduler to provide dynamic data rate controls of traffic flows from source ports to destination ports in which to reduce the handling of data traffic that would otherwise be discarded due to oversubscription. |
| US09548855B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing estimation and calibration of non-ideality of a phase interpolator (PI)-based clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit
A system and method for managing estimation and calibration of non-ideality of a Clock and Data Recovery circuit includes phase interpolators (PIs), first and second sets of delay elements, and a clock delay element. A first delay element of the first set of delay elements is programmed using a first digital delay control code (DDCC). The clock delay element is calibrated using a digital external delay control code (DEDCC) till a predetermined criterion is met, and is retained for subsequent use. The remaining delay elements of the first set of delay elements are separately calibrated based on the DEDCC. A first delay element of the second set of delay elements is programmed using a second DDCC. The DEDCC is readjusted for the second set of delay elements. The remaining delay elements of the second set of delay elements are separately calibrated based on the readjusted DEDCC. |
| US09548854B2 |
Combined in-ear speaker and microphone for radio communication
A multivoice radio system allows users to speak and listen, at the same time, to others using multivoice radios without using a base station. Several embodiments of the present invention are directed toward combining a multivoice radio with push-to-talk (PTT), long-range radio. Other embodiments combine two or more multivoice systems and/or use an extender to increase a distance that multivoice radios can communicate with each other. Combining multivoice systems, in some embodiments, creates a voice and/or data mesh network. Switch-to-talk (STT) functionality can be added to systems to increase a number of users and promote radio discipline. Additionally, a combined in-ear microphone and speaker is disclosed. Further embodiments are directed to combining duplex radios, such as mobile phones, to multivoice systems, and/or PTT systems. |
| US09548853B2 |
Asymmetric full duplex communication including device power communication
An active transceiver circuit for transmission of a low bitrate data signal over and reception of a high bitrate data signal from a single ended transmission medium is provided. The active transceiver circuit includes an input port for receiving a low bitrate input data signal, an output port for delivering a high bitrate output data signal, a differential input/output port for launching a low bitrate data signal into the single ended transmission medium and for receiving a high bitrate data signal from the single ended transmission medium, a first and second single ended output driver adapted for each delivering, on their respective output nodes, the shaped low bitrate input data signal, and a high bitrate receiver for receiving the signals at output nodes of the first and second single ended output drivers, and for generating a high bitrate output data signal on the output port. |
| US09548849B1 |
Reference signal reception and CQI computation method and wireless communication apparatus
A wireless communication base station apparatus which is able to prevent deterioration in the throughput of LTE terminals even when LTE terminals and LTE+ terminals coexist. In this apparatus, based on the mapping pattern of the reference signals used only in LTE+ terminals, a setting unit sets, in each subframe, the resource block groups where the reference signals used only by the LTE+ terminals are mapped. For symbols mapped to the antennas, an mapping unit maps, to all the resource blocks within one frame, cell specific reference signals used for both LTE terminals and LTE+ terminals. For the symbols mapped to the antennas, the mapping unit maps, to the plurality of resource blocks, of which part of the resource block groups is comprised, in the same subframe within one frame, the cell specific reference signals used only for LTE+ terminals, based on the setting results inputted from the setting unit. |
| US09548847B2 |
Method of generating channel quality indicator adaptively in downlink status and user equipment for the same
A method for generating a channel quality indicator (CQI) in a mobile communication system is presented. The method includes grouping a number of subcarriers to form at least one channel quality indicator subband for generating a channel quality indicator, and generating a channel quality indicator in each channel quality indicator subband, wherein a size of each channel quality indicator subband is dependent on a system bandwidth value and is an integer multiple of a downlink frequency resource unit size, wherein the downlink frequency resource unit size is prescribed according to the system bandwidth value. |
| US09548844B2 |
Communication device and communication system
A preamble signal is an OFDM signal, and is a real-part signal obtained by removing an imaginary-part signal from a signal in the time domain that is generated by an IFFT process being performed on a signal in the frequency domain obtained by assigning preamble data to subcarriers in accordance with a predetermined arrangement pattern. The predetermined arrangement pattern indicates that preamble data is assigned to any of subcarriers given numbers equal to or less than N/2−1 and the preamble data is not assigned to subcarriers given numbers more than N/2−1, where a plurality of subcarriers are numbered by integers from 0 to N−1 (N is an integer) in ascending order with respect to the center frequency of each subcarrier. |
| US09548839B2 |
Method for mapping physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel
A method for mapping a physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel (PHICH) is described. The method for mapping a PHICH includes determining an index of a resource element group transmitting a repetitive pattern of the PHICH, according to a ratio of the number of available resource element groups in a symbol in which the PHICH is transmitted and the number of available resource element groups in a first or second OFDM symbol, and mapping the PHICH to the symbol according to the determined index. In transmitting the PHICH, since efficient mapping is performed considering available resource elements varying with OFDM symbols, repetition of the PHICH does not generate interference between neighbor cell IDs and performance is improved. |
| US09548838B2 |
Hybrid automatic repeat request in communications
A method for hybrid automatic repeat request HARQ signalling in a communications system is disclosed. The method includes defining, in a communications apparatus, a link-independent HARQ entity for one link direction, wherein the defined entity includes a resource allocation for one or more of forward link and reverse link data, the resource allocation including at least one HARQ process having a process identification, each HARQ process having a unique HARQ identification, a data allocation having a predetermined timing offset with respect to the resource allocation, and a HARQ acknowledgement allocation having a predetermined timing offset with respect to the data allocation, wherein the timing offset of the HARQ acknowledgement with respect to the data allocation is determined in terms of time division duplexing TDD frames and independently of a forward link-reverse link ratio. |
| US09548833B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for time distribution in a telecommunications network
The invention is directed to a clock module and method for distributing a time reference to at least one clock in a packet-switched network. The clock module includes a slave port, a master port and a local clock. The method comprises the steps of receiving a first synchronization packet at the slave port, the first synchronization packet comprising a first master clock timestamp and generating at least one internal signal comprising the first master clock timestamp. The method also includes the steps of transmitting the at least one internal signal to the master port and receiving the at least one internal signal at the master port. Then a method includes determining the internal propagation time of the signal through the clock module and generating a second synchronization packet at the master port comprising a second master clock timestamp, the second master clock timestamp comprising the sum of the first master clock timestamp and the internal propagation time. Finally, the second synchronization packet is sent to at least one other clock in the packet-switched network. |
| US09548831B2 |
Synchronizing system, synchronizing method, first synchronizing device, second synchronizing device, and computer program
Provided is a synchronization system comprising a first synchronization device and a second synchronization device which carry out synchronization processing by transmitting and receiving synchronization packets in accordance with a synchronization protocol and which synchronize the times thereof. The first synchronization device, which corresponds to a slave device, notifies an abnormality to the second synchronization device when an abnormality related to time synchronization processing is detected. The second synchronization device, which corresponds to a master device, increases the interval during which synchronization is performed as the length of time during which an abnormality notification is not received increases. |
| US09548828B1 |
System and method for providing near real-time tsunami notification with the aid of a digital computer
A pinpoint forecast of the possible impact of a tsunami is created by processing near real-time tsunami data, including seismic data or wave data obtained using underwater pressure sensors, bathymetry data of the body of water in which the tsunami occurs, and topographic data of specific locations. Notifications are provided to subscribers via their mobile devices. The forecast presents the notification in a form that is easily understandable and which allows the subscriber to take any appropriate action. Disaster response personnel responsible for warning the populace can be similarly notified in a further embodiment. Additional assistance can be provided by activating disaster response and notification devices in the specific locations to be impacted. By providing the location-specific notifications and other actionable data, the system and method clarifies precisely where danger due to the tsunami exists on an individual basis and simplifies the evacuation from the affected areas, aiding public safety. |
| US09548827B2 |
System and method for providing emergency alert message broadcast interruption in a vehicle
A system and method for providing emergency broadcast interruption is provided for a vehicle. The system and method include monitoring one or more radio broadcast transmissions, detecting for emergency alert messages on the one or more radio broadcast transmissions, recording the one or more emergency alert messages from the one or more radio broadcast transmissions in which the one or more emergency alert messages are detected, and enabling immediate playing of the one or more emergency alert messages. |
| US09548824B2 |
Receiver circuit
A receiver circuit includes: a local signal generation circuit that generates a local signal; and a test signal generation circuit that generates a test signal having a frequency close to a frequency of the local signal, wherein the test signal generation circuit includes an oscillator that generates the test signal, a mixer that mixes the local signal with an output of the oscillator to generate a low-frequency signal which is a difference signal between the local signal and the output of the oscillator, a phase detector that detects a phase difference between the low-frequency signal output by the mixer and a reference signal, and a filter that extracts a low-frequency component from an output of the phase detector, and controls an oscillation frequency of the oscillator by using an output of the filter. |
| US09548821B1 |
Cross-cell MIMO
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing interference cancellation across base stations. Communications information for transmitting to a receiving device is received from a first base station at a second base station. At the second base station, second communications information is generated for transmission to the receiving device from the second base station. The second communications information comprises data to reduce interference with the first communications information. |
| US09548820B2 |
Method of controlling electronic apparatus and electronic apparatus using the same
A method of controlling an electronic apparatus and the electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The method includes transmitting signals through a medium, receiving and selecting some of the signals transmitted through the medium, and performing or setting a function according to the selected signals. |
| US09548815B2 |
Apparatus for visible light communications in accordance with UFSOOK and FSK dimming
Embodiments may provide a way of communicating via an electromagnetic radiator, or light source, that can be amplitude modulated such as light emitting diode (LED) lighting and receivers or detectors that can determine data from light received from the amplitude modulated electromagnetic radiator. Some embodiments may provide a waveform in the form of chips at a chipping clock frequency that switch a light source between on and off states to communicate via light sources that can be amplitude modulated such as LED lighting. Some embodiments may provide a method of transmitting the waveform via modulated LED lighting. Some embodiments are intended for indoor navigation via photogrammetry (i.e., image processing) using self-identifying LED light anchors. In many embodiments, the data signal may be communicated via the light source at amplitude modulating frequencies such that the resulting flicker is not perceivable to the human eye. |
| US09548814B2 |
System and method for communication over color encoded light patterns
The present invention includes a light communication method and system wherein messages are transmitted via color code flashes. The light communication includes code colors that may be framed with calibration elements. |
| US09548812B2 |
Method and apparatus for sub-carrier frequency control
The invention pertains to methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling the sub-carrier frequencies in an optical frequency division multiplex communication system by using a metric available from the sub-carrier modem's digital receive block as an indicator of cross-talk between sub-carriers and adjusting the sub-carrier frequency separation as a function of that metric. |
| US09548808B2 |
Dynamic optical channel sparing in an industry standard input/output subsystem
Mechanisms, in a data processing system comprising an input/output subsystem implementing an industry standard optical bus, for handling a failure of an optical channel in an optical bus are provided. The mechanisms detect, by failure detection logic of the input/output (I/O) subsystem, failure of an optical channel of the optical bus. The mechanisms send, by a controller of the I/O subsystem, a control signal to channel routing logic of the I/O subsystem to control a routing of data signals between active bus lanes of the data processing system and optical channels of the optical bus in response to detecting the failure of the optical channel. The mechanisms control, by the channel routing logic, routing of data signals between the active bus lanes and the optical channels so as to remove the failed optical channel from further use and use a spare optical channel instead of the failed optical channel. |
| US09548807B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals, apparatus for receiving broadcast signals, method for transmitting broadcast signals and method for receiving broadcast signals
A method and an apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals thereof are disclosed. The apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals, the apparatus comprises an encoder to encode service data, a mapper to map the encoded service data, a time interleaver to time interleave the mapped service data, wherein the time interleaving is performed depending on number of physical paths for the service data, a frame builder to build at least one signal frame including the time interleaved service data, a modulator to modulate data in the built at least one signal frame by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) scheme and a transmitter to transmit the broadcast signals having the modulated data. |
| US09548805B2 |
Method and system for optimizing communication in leaky wave distributed transceiver environments
A communication device may comprise a plurality of distributed transceivers and one or more corresponding antenna arrays. A processor may configure a first distributed transceiver to receive signals comprising one or more first data streams via one or more first communication links. The processor may configure a second distributed transceiver to receive signals comprising one or more second data streams via one or more second communication links. The processor may determine a channel response matrix associated with communication of the one or more first data streams via the one or more first communication links and/or the one or more second data streams via the one or more second communication links. The processor may optimize one or both of link capacity and/or link reliability of the one or more first communication links and/or the one or more second communication links based on the determined channel response matrix. |
| US09548802B2 |
Method and apparatus for multiple-input multiple-output operation
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) receives a downlink transmission from an eNodeB including a plurality of spatial layers transmitted to a plurality of WTRUs paired for multi-user MIMO. The WTRU decodes the downlink transmission based on a corresponding WTRU-specific reference signal. WTRU-specific reference signals are multiplexed using a frequency and code division multiplexing. WTRU-specific reference signals for different sub-group of antenna ports are multiplexed onto different subcarriers in a frequency domain and the WTRU-specific reference signals of the same sub-group of antennas ports are multiplied by an orthogonal cover code. The resource elements used for the WTRU-specific reference signals on antenna ports in one sub-group may be muted on antenna ports in another sub-group. A WTRU may transmit the uplink demodulation reference signal without precoding. The number of resource blocks allocated for the demodulation reference signal may be greater than the number of resource blocks allocated for the payload. |
| US09548801B2 |
Closed loop multiple transmit, multiple receive antenna wireless communication system
A wireless receiver (74) for receiving signals from a transmitter (72). The transmitter comprises a plurality of transmit antennas (TAT1′, TAT2′) for transmitting the signals, which comprise respective independent streams of symbols. Additionally, interference occurs between the respective streams. The receiver comprises a plurality of receive antennas (RAT1′, RAT2′) for receiving the signals as influenced by a channel effect between the receiver and the transmitter. The receiver also comprises circuitry (80) for multiplying the signals times a conjugate transpose of an estimate of the channel effect and times a conjugate transpose of a linear basis transformation matrix. The receiver also comprises circuitry (84) for selecting the linear basis transformation matrix from a finite set of linear basis transformation matrices. Lastly, the receiver comprises circuitry (88) for removing the interference between the respective streams. |
| US09548799B2 |
Distributed co-operating nodes using time reversal
Dynamic, untethered array nodes are frequency, phase, and time aligned, and used to focus their transmissions of the same data coherently on a target, using time reversal. Alignment may be achieved separately for the radio frequency (RF) carriers and the data envelopes. Carrier alignment may be by phase conjugation. The data is distributed across the nodes. Data distribution and/or alignment may be performed by a Master node of the array. The nodes capture a sounding signal from the target, in the same time window. Each node converts the captured sounding signal to baseband, for example, using in-phase/quadrature downconversion. Each node stores the baseband samples of the sounding pulse. Each node convolves time-reversed samples of the sounding signal with the data, and upconverts the convolved data to radio frequency. The nodes emit their respective convolved and upconverted data so that the emissions focus coherently at the target. |
| US09548795B2 |
Method of identifying wireless power receiver in wireless power system
A method of identifying a wireless power receiver for a mobile device in a wireless power system includes transmitting a first identity of the mobile device to a wireless power base station of the wireless power system via a first wireless communication interface, receiving a first message including the first identity from the wireless power base station via a second wireless communication interface, and identifying the first message is destined to the mobile device according to the first identity. |
| US09548794B2 |
Power factor correction for constant current input with power line communication
The present disclosure provides techniques for power factor correction on a constant current system and also provides power line communications on the same power factor correction circuit. In one example embodiment, through controlled charging and draining of an input capacitor, the power factor correction circuit generates an input voltage which is in phase with the input current. Communication data is also embedded in the input voltage and/or input current by further charging and draining of the input capacitor according to a controlled switching scheme which includes both input current phase data and corresponding communication signals. |
| US09548793B2 |
Communications link discontinuity detection systems and methods
Systems and methods for detecting and analyzing discontinuities in a communications link are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods operate to project signals into the communications link and detecting reflected signals. The reflected signals are processed to define a transformed distribution of the reflected signals. A peak value in the transformed distribution is selected and a local fit to the selected peak value is performed using a model function. A residue distribution is formed based upon the transformed distribution and the model function. A location of the discontinuity based upon the residue distribution is identified, and another peak value from the residue distribution is selected. Additional systems and methods are disclosed. |
| US09548790B1 |
Timing estimation in communication systems
Apparatus and methods for symbol timing synchronization in a direct-sequence spread-spectrum receiver may use non-coherent integration, thresholding, peak selection, and curve fitting to determine appropriate timing instants at which to select despread samples for further processing, such as demodulation and decoding. The curve fitting may be used to search backwards and/or forwards in time to obtain the timing instants. |
| US09548789B1 |
Breaking up symbols for spectral widening
A technique for spectral widening in a communication system may divide respective symbols of a block of symbols into symbol pieces of shorter duration than a symbol. The symbol pieces may be scrambled. The resulting scrambled symbol pieces may optionally be further spread using direct-sequence spreading prior to transmission. Error-control coding may also be used prior to dividing the symbols into symbol pieces and scrambling the symbol pieces. Additionally, the number of symbol pieces per symbol may be adjustable, based on channel characteristics, performance, or both. |
| US09548788B2 |
Frequency conversion system with improved spurious response and frequency agility
A frequency conversion system with improved performance. In one embodiment an image reject mixer is used to perform frequency conversion providing an initial degree of suppression of the image and local oscillator leakage signals, and a signal to noise enhancer (SNE) is used to further suppress the image and local oscillator signals, the signal to noise enhancer being a nonlinear passive device that attenuates low-power signals while transmitting high power signals with little loss. The signal to noise enhancer may be fabricated as a thin film of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) epitaxially grown on a gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) substrate, the GGG substrate secured to a microwave transmission line from the input to the output of the signal to noise enhancer, such that the thin film of yttrium iron garnet is close to the transmission line. |
| US09548787B1 |
Integrated button antenna structure
Antenna structures and methods of operating the same of an electronic device with an integrated power button-antenna structure are described. One apparatus includes a substrate, a first conductive trace disposed on the substrate, a second conductive trace disposed on the substrate and a switch mechanism including a non-conductive portion and a conductive portion. The switch mechanism electrically connects the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace to produce a first signal when the switch mechanism is activated. The second conductive trace forms an antenna element to radiate or receive electromagnetic energy. |
| US09548785B2 |
Protective case including lens attachment feature
A protective case includes a top member, a compressible gasket, and a bottom member. The bottom member has a clasping mechanism that engages a clasping mechanism of the top member to compress the compressible gasket between the bottom member and the top member to form a waterproof cavity for receiving the electronic device. The bottom member further includes an optically clear area that aligns with the camera of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the waterproof cavity of the protective case and an attachment feature on an external surface of the bottom member for detachably connecting a camera lens to the bottom member. The attachment feature is configured to align the camera lens with the camera of the electronic device when the camera lens is attached to the bottom member and when the electronic device is installed in the waterproof cavity. |
| US09548783B2 |
Power efficient communications
A method, system, and device provide power-efficient communications within the context of available power. Transmission and receipt data rates are scalable in accordance with output power available from a power source. Data is transmitted at a data rate determined, at least in part, by the available output power. |
| US09548780B2 |
Service sharing system and apparatus
A service sharing system and apparatus includes a subscriber identity information database that stores subscriber identity information of a subscriber whose service is to be shared; a scheduling management system that selects appropriate subscriber identity information from the subscriber identity information database according to the location of user equipment and the type of a service requested by the subscriber, and assigns the selected subscriber identity information to the subscriber; and a service access device that communicates with the scheduling management system according to the assigned subscriber identity information, and communicates with a service provider system corresponding to the assigned subscriber identity information to acquire the service requested by the subscriber. A subscriber acquires appropriate subscriber identity information as required and acquires an international, any-network, any-service provider, any-technology and mode, or any-service network access service. |
| US09548778B2 |
Device and method for switchably routing down-converted RF signals
A device for switchably routing down-converted radio frequency (RF) signals from a plurality of inputs to a plurality of outputs, and a method of operating the same. The device includes a respective switch for each output. The device also includes an interconnect arrangement. The interconnect arrangement includes a respective transmission line for each input. Each transmission line includes a plurality of branches for routing a down-converted RF signal received at the input of that transmission line to the switch of each output. The switch of each output is operable selectively to connect one of the transmission lines to its output. The interconnect arrangement also includes a plurality of cross-over points at which two of the branches cross over each other. |
| US09548777B2 |
Reception device and reception method
A reception device includes a low noise amplifier that amplifies a radio signal by a first gain, a variable gain amplifier that amplifies an output of the low noise amplifier by a second gain, an analog-to-digital converter that converts an output of the variable gain amplifier into a digital signal, a gain controller, and a saturation detection unit. The gain controller, when an amplitude of the radio signal exceeds a predetermined value, controls the first and second gains according to the amplitude of the radio signal, and completes the control within a predetermined period. The saturation detection unit detects saturation of the analog-to-digital converter based on the output of the low noise amplifier or the digital signal. The gain controller, after controlling the first and second gains a first time and the saturation is detected by the saturation detection unit, controls the first and second gains a second time. |
| US09548774B2 |
Signal generator with image rejection
A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating a quadrature signal that may be used to modulate and/or demodulate communication signals transmitted between communication devices. A quadrature signal generator may include a control block, a mixer, and a filter. The control block may generate a reference signal and a filter control signal based on an input clock signal. The mixer may generate a mixer output signal based on the input clock signal and the reference signal. The filter, controlled by the filter control signal, may filter the mixer output signal to suppress a band of frequencies within the mixer output signal. |
| US09548772B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling gain in communication system
A method and a terminal are provided for use in a communication system. The method includes determining an average power from power obtained in a measurement section of a data symbol in a time slot including an updated gain section and a maintained gain section, the measurement section starting after a last gain is applied in the data symbol and ending before a mid-amble of the time slot is buffered, determining an average error power from a difference between a predetermined target power and the average power, and determining an output power by adding the average error power to power that is received over the time slot. |
| US09548768B2 |
Radio frequency front end circuitry for carrier aggregation
Radio frequency (RF) front end circuitry includes first RF multiplexer circuitry and second RF multiplexer circuitry. The first RF multiplexer circuitry is a quadplexer, while the second RF multiplexer is a triplexer. The RF front end circuitry is configured to support the transmission and reception of signals within a first operating band, a second operating band, and a third operating band. Further, the RF front end circuitry is configured to support carrier aggregation configurations between the first operating band and the third operating band and the second operating band and the third operating band. |
| US09548765B2 |
Transmitting apparatus and receiving apparatus and control method thereof
A transmitting apparatus is provided. The transmitting apparatus includes: a frame generator configured to generate a first frame provided for a fixed terminal and a second frame provided for a mobile terminal, the second frame including common service data commonly provided for the fixed terminal and the mobile terminal; an information inserting unit configured to insert access information on the common service data into a signaling area of the first frame; and a transmitter configured to transmit the first and second frames. |
| US09548759B1 |
Systems and methods for processing LDPC codes with different circulant sizes
Systems and methods are provided for decoding low density parity check (LDPC) codes with different circulant sizes using common decoding circuitry. The systems and methods include receiving a plurality of codewords corresponding to an LDPC code and determining a circulant size associated with the plurality of received codewords. In response to determining the circulant size associated with the plurality of received codewords, the systems and methods partition processing resources of the common decoding circuitry into a plurality of cells based on the determined circulant size and processing the plurality of received codewords simultaneously using the plurality of cells. |
| US09548756B2 |
Signal generator and method for generating signal patterns
A signal generator includes: a dual-port RAM for digitally storing multiple waveforms in a predefined temporal resolution; multiple channels for modeling in each case one signal pattern from at least one of the waveforms; and multiple digital-analog converters for analog output of the signal patterns in the temporal resolution. |
| US09548755B2 |
Analog-to-digital converter with redundancy for image sensor readout
Methods and systems for analog-to-digital conversion applicable to an image sensor, such as a CMOS image sensor, in which an ADC comprises built-in redundancy such that the ADC can start its conversion cycle before the ADC input settles to a desired resolution and the ADC can yet accurately convert the ADC input to a digital value with the desired resolution. In a CMOS image sensor, such an ADC configuration enables the pixel readout time to overlap with the ADC conversion time, reducing the total time needed to convert the pixel signal value to a digital value with the desired resolution. |
| US09548750B2 |
Circuit, a time-to-digital converter, an integrated circuit, a transmitter, a receiver and a transceiver
A circuit according to an example includes a controllable oscillator configured to generate an output signal based on a control signal, an input signal processing circuit configured to receive a reference signal and configured to generate a sequence of digital values indicative of a phase relation between the reference signal and the output signal or a signal derived from the output signal, and a digital data processing circuit configured to generate a sequence of processed values at a lower frequency than a frequency of the sequence of the digital values, each processed value being based on a plurality of the digital values of the sequence of digital values, wherein the control signal is based on the sequence of processed values. |
| US09548745B2 |
Phase-detector circuit and clock-data recovery circuit
A phase-detector circuit is disclosed. The phase-detector circuit comprises a plurality of phase comparators which detects a phase difference between receipt data and a clock signal of a plurality of clock signals having the same frequency and phase difference of a predetermined angle with each other, and generates and outputs signals for up/down signals for synchronizing a phase. The phase comparator generates and outputs a signal for the up/down signals having a pulse width including a detected phase-time difference and a predetermined delay time. |
| US09548741B1 |
Memristive akers logic array
A device that includes a memristive Akers logic array, wherein the memristive Akers logic array comprises multiple primitive logic cells that are coupled to each other; wherein each primitive logic cell comprises at least one memristive device. |
| US09548736B2 |
Relative timed clock gating cell
Technology is described for a relative timed clock gated cell. In one example, the relative timed clock gated cell includes a trigger latch and a data clock latch. The trigger latch includes a clock input coupled to a trigger line for transmitting a trigger signal. The trigger latch is configured to generate a data clock signal on an output. The trigger signal is based on a clock signal. The data clock latch includes a clock input coupled to the output of the trigger latch that latches a data input of the data clock latch based on the data clock signal. Various other computing circuitries and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09548735B1 |
System and method for adaptive power management
Various embodiments of the invention allow to effectively reduce device and system power consumption in both active and inactive modes without compromising performance, without large area overhead, and at low cost. In certain embodiments, the reduction of power consumption is accomplished by combining circuit control techniques with power gating methods to reduce power loss due to leakage current. |
| US09548733B2 |
Proximity sensor assembly having interleaved electrode configuration
A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field. A first proximity sensor generates a first activation field and comprises first and second electrodes having first fingers interdigitated with second fingers. A second proximity sensor generates a second activation field and comprises third and fourth electrode fingers having third fingers interdigitated with fourth fingers. The first and second electrodes are interleaved with the third and fourth electrodes. |
| US09548731B2 |
High performance radio frequency switch
A HEMT cell includes two or more gallium nitride (“GaN”) high-electron-mobility transistor (“HEMT”) devices electrically connected in series with each other. The HEMT cell includes a HEMT cell drain, a HEMT cell source, and a HEMT cell gate. The HEMT cell drain connects with the drain of a first GaN HEMT device in the series. The HEMT cell source connects with the source of a last GaN HEMT device in the series. The HEMT cell gate connects to a first two-dimensional electron gas (“2DEG”) gate bias resistor that connects with the gate of the first GaN HEMT device. The HEMT cell gate connects to a second 2DEG gate bias resistor that connects with the gate of the second GaN HEMT device. The first and second 2DEG gate bias resistors are located in a 2DEG layer of the HEMT cell. A multi-throw RF switch is also disclosed. |
| US09548730B1 |
Circuit for improved FET switching speed
In order to increase the switching speed of an RF FET in an RF shunt circuit, a second, smaller, FET, with respect to the size of the RF FET, is connected directly to the gate of the RF FET to shunt the gate to ground quickly when switched from the off-state to the on-state. The smaller FET switches faster, due to being smaller than the larger RF FET, but it is effectively open-circuited in terms of RF performance when off because it is so small. |
| US09548729B2 |
Switching circuit
A switching circuit includes a driver circuit DRV2 that outputs voltage for turning on and off a first transistor switch M2, positioned at a low potential side with respect to a load, among a plurality of transistor switches disposed in series between an input voltage and a ground; and a control circuit that causes the driver circuit DRV2 to output a first voltage that turns the first transistor switch M2 on upon an output voltage of the driver circuit DRV2 rising while the first transistor switch M2 is off and to cause the driver circuit DRV2 to suspend output of the first voltage upon the output voltage of the driver circuit DRV2 dropping after the driver circuit DRV2 outputs the first voltage. |
| US09548728B2 |
Time signal generating circuit and time signal generating method
A time signal generating circuit and a time signal generating method are provided. The time signal generating method includes following steps: receiving a feedback voltage and a reference voltage to provide a first control signal, wherein the feedback voltage is related to an output voltage of a power converter; receiving an input voltage and a default voltage to provide a second control signal; and adjusting an on-time of a pulse width modulation signal according to the first control signal and the second control signal. |
| US09548727B2 |
Oscillator circuit
An oscillator circuit includes: a plurality of delay elements, a first delay element configured to receive a first oscillator signal outputted from a second delay element in one stage before the first delay element and a second oscillator signal outputted from a third delay element in two or more stages before the first delay element, the plurality of delay terminals being connected in a ring by at least three or more delay elements, and the first oscillator signal and the second oscillator signal having phases different from one another; and a bias voltage generator configured to change a ratio of a first input bias current for the first oscillator signal to a second input bias current for the second oscillator signal, in accordance with a first bias voltage and a second bias voltage supplied to the plurality of delay elements. |
| US09548725B2 |
Frequency specific closed loop feedback control of integrated circuits
Systems and methods for frequency specific closed loop feedback control of integrated circuits. In one embodiment, a plurality of controllable inputs to an integrated circuit is adjusted to achieve a frequency specific predetermined value of a dynamic operating indicator of the integrated circuit at the desired specific operating frequency. The predetermined value is stored in a data structure within a computer usable media. The data structure comprises a plurality of frequency specific predetermined values for a variety of operating frequencies. An operating condition of an integrated circuit is controlled via closed loop feedback based on dynamic operating indicators of the measured behavior of the integrated circuit. |
| US09548721B1 |
Floating immittance emulator
The floating immittance emulator is presented in four embodiments in which four new topologies for emulating floating immittance functions are detailed. Each circuit uses three current-feedback operational-amplifiers (CFOAs) and three passive elements. The present topologies can emulate lossless and lossy floating inductances; capacitance, resistance, and inductance multipliers; and frequency-dependent positive and negative resistances. |
| US09548705B2 |
Amplifier having orthogonal tuning elements
An amplifier having orthogonal tuning elements is provided. In one embodiment, an amplifier comprises an input amplifier stage having a first tuning element used to control a first performance criteria of the amplifier; an output amplifier stage operatively coupled to the first amplifier stage; a bias circuit operatively coupled to the second amplifier stage and having a second tuning element used to control a second performance criteria of the amplifier; and wherein the first tuning element operates substantially independent of the second tuning element. |
| US09548695B2 |
Solar power generation assembly and method for providing same
The present invention relates to a solar power generation assembly and method for providing same involving an array of solar generating modules on a dual-incline structure, which can achieve high energy yields over a wide range of azimuths/orientations. The assembly consists of canopy wings providing for the dual-incline structure, where, depending on specifications, the canopy wings can differ in length, width, angle of inclination, structural material and solar module or other material mounted on the surface. The canopy wings may be pivoted or hinged to enhance the energy generation and/or other functional benefits of the assembly or system, including display elements, advertising, rainwater/precipitation and snow drainage and collection and energy transmission. The assembly or system is modular and may be assembled in a long continuous configuration in which the inclination, width and tilt of the canopy wings may vary of a long distance to maintain substantially consistent energy yields as the assembly or system orientation changes. |
| US09548693B2 |
Methods and voltage regulator for power distribution in a hybrid system
Methods and a voltage regulator are provided for distributing power sourcing in a hybrid power plant system. The voltage regulator is configured to monitor an output power of a generator and control an excitation signal provided to the generator based at least in part on the generator output power. |
| US09548687B2 |
Method of estimating rotational position of motor, and control apparatus of motor
A method of estimating a rotational position of a motor having saliency, the method including the steps of a) superimposing, on a drive voltage for the motor, a measuring voltage having a predetermined frequency higher than a frequency of the drive voltage to generate three-phase voltages, and supplying the three-phase voltages to a stationary portion of the motor; b) in parallel with step a), extracting components of the predetermined frequency in three-phase currents flowing in the stationary portion as first, second, and third extracted currents; c) multiplying the first and second extracted currents together to acquire a first composite signal, multiplying the second and third extracted currents together to acquire a second composite signal, and multiplying the first and third extracted currents together to acquire a third composite signal; d) subjecting the first, second, and third composite signals to low-pass filtering to acquire first, second, and third filtered signals, respectively, the low-pass filtering passing low-frequency components including the frequency of the drive voltage; and e) acquiring a rotational position of the rotating portion based on the first, second, and third filtered signals. |
| US09548686B2 |
Angle/frequency selector in an electric motor controller architecture
A motor controller architecture and method of operating the same. The motor controller includes a function for estimating the low speed operation of the motor, for example by evaluating the response to a periodic excitation signal injected into the control loop of the controller architecture. Control logic for controlling the motor at transitional speeds between low speed control and high speed (back emf) control is provided in some embodiments. |
| US09548685B2 |
Over-voltage prevention device and current rectifying circuit
According to one embodiment, an over-voltage prevention device includes a first short-circuit device provided between a secondary side of a wound-rotor induction machine and a frequency converter configured to excite the secondary side by a three-phase AC current and having a function of short-circuiting between phases of the three-phase AC current, resistors each connected between the first short-circuit device and the frequency converter for each phase, and second short-circuit devices connected respectively to the resistors in parallel and having a function of short-circuiting between the frequency converter and the secondary side of the wound-rotor induction machine. |
| US09548683B2 |
Motor controller
When a control device of a motor controller simultaneously rotates a first DC motor and a second DC motor by controlling a first circuit, a second circuit and a third circuit, the second circuit is shared. Further, the control device controls each of switch elements of the shared second circuit by using pulse-width modulation. Accordingly, the drive of the first DC motor and the second DC motor can be controlled with high accuracy by the change of a duty ratio of each of the switch elements of the shared second circuit. |
| US09548681B2 |
Vortex flux generator
A method and apparatus for generating electricity by electromagnetic induction, using a magnetic field modulated by the formation, dissipation, and movement of vortices produced by a vortex material such as a type II superconductor. Magnetic field modulation occurs at the microscopic level, facilitating the production of high frequency electric power. Generator inductors are manufactured using microelectronic fabrication, in at least one dimension corresponding to the spacing of vortices. The vortex material fabrication method establishes the alignment of vortices and generator coils, permitting the electromagnetic induction of energy from many vortices into many coils simultaneously as a cumulative output of electricity. A thermoelectric cycle is used to convert heat energy into electricity. |
| US09548677B2 |
Microelectromechanical (MEMS) manipulators for control of nanoparticle coupling interactions
A nanopositioning system for producing a coupling interaction between a first nanoparticle and a second nanoparticle. A first MEMS positioning assembly includes an electrostatic comb drive actuator configured to selectively displace a first nanoparticle in a first dimension and an electrode configured to selectively displace the first nanoparticle in a second dimensions. Accordingly, the first nanoparticle may be selectively positioned in two dimensions to modulate the distance between the first nanoparticle and a second nanoparticle that may be coupled to a second MEMS positioning assembly. Modulating the distance between the first and second nanoparticles obtains a coupling interaction between the nanoparticles that alters at least one material property of the nanoparticles applicable to a variety of sensing and control applications. |
| US09548676B2 |
Power conversion apparatus
A power conversion apparatus that switches, with a relay unit, from a disconnected state to a connected state between a connector and at least one of a commercial power system and a load while a switching device is in an off state. |
| US09548673B1 |
Master-slave voltage doubling full-wave rectifier for wireless power transfer system
The invention includes two parallel paths. A first path is composed of two contact ends of a first electronic switch and a first, third and fifth diodes, which connect in series. One contact end connects a first end of an AC source, and a control end connects a second end of the AC source. A second path is composed of two contact ends of a second electronic switch and a second, fourth and sixth diodes, which connect in series. One contact end connects the second end of the AC source, and a control end connects the first end of the AC source. The AC source is connected between the positive ends of the first and second diodes. The second end of the AC source separately connects negative ends of the first and third diodes through two capacitors. The first end of the AC source separately connects negative ends of the second and fourth diodes through another two capacitors. Negative ends of the fifth and sixth diodes connect together to form a voltage output end. |
| US09548671B2 |
Voltage booster for utility meter
A utility meter configured for connection to an AC power line includes a meter housing with a plurality of electronic components arranged within the meter housing and configured to provide consumption data. A power supply is also arranged within the meter housing. The power supply is configured to receive an AC voltage from the AC power line and supply a DC voltage to the electronic components. An AC line voltage booster is positioned connected to the power supply. The AC line voltage booster is configured to increase the voltage from the AC power line received by the power supply. |
| US09548669B2 |
Synchronous start-up of parallel power converters in a switched-mode power supply
Methods and apparatuses for controlling synchronous start-up of power converters arranged in parallel in droop load share switched-mode power supplies are described. In one embodiment, a method may be performed by circuitry in a DC-DC power converter. The DC-DC power converter includes an inverting switch that converts input DC power to intermediate AC power, a transformer coupled to the inverting switch to receive the intermediate AC power and provide stepped-down AC power, and a synchronous rectifier coupled to the transformer to convert the stepped-down AC power to output DC power. The method comprises detecting that the inverting switch is not switching during start-up of the DC-DC power converter, and increasing a reference voltage set point of the DC-DC power converter in response to detecting that the inverting switch is not switching to force the inverting switch to start switching. |
| US09548668B2 |
Hybrid power converter and method
A converter comprises a non-isolated stage coupled to an input dc source, wherein the non-isolated stage is configured to operate at a PWM mode and the non-isolated stage is configured to operate at a buck converter mode in response to a first input voltage and operate to a boost converter mode in response to a second input voltage and a resonant stage coupled between the non-isolated stage and a load, wherein the resonant stage is configured to operate at a resonant mode. |
| US09548664B2 |
Gate-power-supply device and semiconductor circuit breaker using same
A gate-power-supply device is provided with an inverter circuit, a transformer, and rectifier circuits. The device includes secondary-side parallel capacitors, connected in parallel to secondary-side coils of the transformer, for cancelling inductance components of the secondary-side coils at the drive frequency of the inverter circuit. The device includes a primary-side series capacitor, connected in series to a primary-side coil of the transformer, for cancelling the imaginary term (inductance component) of the combined impedance of the gate drivers, the rectifier circuits, the secondary-side parallel capacitors, the secondary-side coils, transformer cores and the primary-side coil, which are a load viewed from the inverter circuit. |
| US09548662B2 |
Switching power-supply circuit
A switching power-supply circuit includes a transformer, a first switching element, a first rectifying/smoothing circuit generating a first output voltage by rectifying and smoothing the output of a first secondary winding, a second rectifying/smoothing circuit generating a second output voltage by rectifying and smoothing the output of a second secondary winding, a first feedback circuit generating a feedback signal according to the first output voltage, and a first switching control circuit. When the voltage of the second secondary winding is greater than the second output voltage and the second output voltage is less than the voltage of a reference-voltage circuit, a second rectifier circuit turns on a rectifier switch element, and stabilizes the second output voltage by controlling the number of pulses per unit time in a pulse current flowing through the second rectifier circuit. |
| US09548661B2 |
DC-DC converter and electronic system including the same
A DC-DC converter is provided. The DC-DC converter includes at least one converter circuit configured to include an inductor and to supply a current to a load through the inductor; and a controller configured to sense the current to generate a sensed signal, to sample and hold the sensed signal at a predetermined sampling time to detect an average current of the inductor, and to control an operation of the at least one converter circuit according to the average current. The sampling time is set to a time in a period while the inductor current is less than a peak and greater than a valley. |
| US09548658B2 |
Control circuit, switching power supply and control method
A control circuit configured to control a switch-type converter, can include: (i) a state detect circuit configured to generate an error amplifying signal according to a feedback voltage and a reference voltage, to compensate the error amplifying signal by a ramp compensation signal having a predetermined frequency, and to generate a state signal by comparing the compensated error amplifying signal against a voltage ripple signal, where the voltage ripple signal changes along with an inductor current of the switch-type converter; and (ii) a control signal generator configured to generate control signals to control the switch-type converter according to the state signal. |
| US09548656B1 |
Low voltage ripple charge pump with shared capacitor oscillator
A low voltage ripple charge pump with slew rate control includes a frequency divider, a clock generator, a current mirror, a switching circuit, a diode network, two capacitors, and a comparator. The frequency divider generates a clock signal from an oscillating signal. The clock generator generates first and second clock signals from the clock signal. The current mirror generates first and second current signals using a reference current. The switching circuit generates first and second voltage signals using the first and second clock signals and the first and second current signals. The comparator generates the oscillating signal based on the first and second voltage signals. The capacitors receive the voltage signals and are connected to the diode network for generating an output signal. The charge pump has low output voltage ripple with small filtering capacitance, which is achieved via slew rate control. |
| US09548648B2 |
Switched reference MOSFET drive assist circuit
A power converter includes at least a first phase including a high-side MOSFET transistor (HSA) and a low-side (LS) MOSFET transistor (LSA) driving a first output inductor. The first phase further includes an active gate drive assist circuit including first MOSFET switch (first switch) and second MOSFET switch (second switch) positioned in series between a source of HSA and a drain of LSA. A capacitor (CS) is between the source of HSA and drain of LSA. A bootstrap capacitor (CA) having a reference terminal is connected to a node between the first switch and the second switch. |
| US09548647B2 |
Low EMI driver circuit
A driver circuit, in accordance with one example, includes a controllable current source operably coupled to the load and configured to sink or source a first current in accordance with a control signal. A controllable switch is responsive to an input signal, operably coupled to the current source, and configured to take over, or not, the first current in accordance with an input signal. The first current is directed as a load current through the load when the controllable switch is driven into a blocking state. The first current is directed through the controllable switch when the controllable switch is driven into a conducting state thus bypassing the load. An input signal includes a first series of pulses defining the desired load current waveform in accordance with a desired modulation scheme. |
| US09548644B2 |
Method of resin sealing permanent magnet and laminated core manufactured thereof
A method of resin sealing a permanent magnet in a magnet insertion portion of a laminated body, the body formed by laminating plural core sheets and including the plural portions formed around a shaft hole in a center of the plural portions, the portion connected to an internal space via an opening. The method includes a first process of positioning a blocking member blocking the opening from a side of the space in a way that the member is vertically-placed in a lower die or an upper die, while the both dies hold the body from both sides in an axial direction and close the portion; and a second process of filling a resin extruded from a resin reservoir portion provided in the die or the die into the portion having the magnet inserted and having the opening closed by the member. |
| US09548643B2 |
Load cell on EMA housing with trim resistors
A instrumented housing for an electric motor actuator is provided. The instrumented housing may have a ribbon gage coupled to a housing of an electrical motor actuator. The ribbon gage may have one or more strain gages. The strain gages may measure the tension on the housing when the electric motor actuator exerts a load. A cover may extend over at least a portion of the housing and ribbon gage. |
| US09548640B2 |
Rotor with cooling manifolds
A rotor is disclosed, which includes a plurality of axially extending slots disposed about the rotor; a plurality of conductors radially stacked within each of the axial slots; and an axially extending subslot at a radially inward end of each of the slots. In each slot, a cooling path is provided, extending radially outward from the subslot. The cooling path includes at least one manifold, each manifold including at least one ingress passage, at least one egress passage axially distanced from the ingress passage, and a plurality of axially extending passages in fluid connection at a first end with one of the at least one ingress passages, and at a second end with one of the at least one egress passages. Each of the plurality of axially extending passages is disposed at a different radial depth in the slot from each other axially extending passage. |
| US09548638B2 |
Alignment stage
An alignment stage including: a base plate; one or more X direction thrust generation guide mechanisms for generating thrust and performing guidance in the direction of a straight line X; a pair of lower plates disposed above the X direction thrust generation guide mechanisms; a pair of upper plates provided corresponding to the lower plates, respectively; a pair of rotatable bearings disposed between the lower plates and the upper plates; one or more Y direction thrust generation guide mechanisms for generating thrust and performing guidance in the direction of a straight line Y perpendicular to the straight line X; and a table plate disposed above the Y direction thrust generation guide mechanisms. With this configuration, it is possible for the alignment stage to be compact and easy to assemble. |
| US09548634B2 |
Spin motor and rotary member
A spin rotary member includes a substrate, a spin injector made of a ferromagnetic material magnetized in a substrate in-plane direction, and provided on the substrate, a spin rotor made of a ferromagnetic material having a magnetic moment rotatable in the substrate in-plane direction, and provided on the substrate, being separated from the spin injector, a channel part made of a non-magnetic material, arranged between the spin injector and the spin rotor, and bonded with the spin injector and the spin rotor directly or through an insulating layer, and a spin rotation control part configured to control a rotation direction of spin of the channel part. |
| US09548633B2 |
Stator of motor having tooth portions with different widths
Provided is a stator of a motor which is capable of reducing an iron loss generated in a motor and thereby attaining a high-efficient motor. A stator of a motor comprises a yoke of a tubular shape; and teeth each of which includes an extending portion extending inward in a radial direction of the yoke from the yoke and an increased-width portion formed at a tip end of the extending portion so as to have a greater width than the extending portion in a circumferential direction of the yoke; wherein the extending portion has a narrower portion having a smaller width than a remaining portion of the extending portion. |
| US09548629B2 |
Energy interface system
Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an energy interface system for interfacing alternative energy sources with a utility power source on a premises. The energy interface system provides flexibility in the use and distribution of utility energy sources and alternative energy sources based on several measurements and criteria of the interface system. For example, the energy interface system may allow for the energy consumption to adapt to changing parameters, such as utility rate schedules, cost of alternative fuels and utility premiums for consumption or generation of energy at particular times. The energy interface system also allows for deferment of charging or other high-energy loads to be recognized by the system at otherwise low-energy times. In addition, the energy interface system allows for monitoring and communication with the system for ease of configuring the system based on one or more criteria or measurements. |
| US09548628B2 |
System, method and apparatus for portable power supply
The invention is a portable power supply having a built in battery, switch matrix, external voltage and impedance sensing means, inverter, and charging circuitry. The device uses a power plug for receiving AC from a wall electric receptacle; a transformer for transforming high voltage input to a low voltage output; a rectifier, for rectifying the low alternating voltage to direct voltage; at least one battery rechargeable by said direct voltage; an inverter, for inverting direct voltage supplied by the rechargeable battery to relatively low alternating voltage, which is supplied to the secondary winding of the transformer; and an alternating current (AC) socket, for receiving high voltage from the primary winding of the transformer. Both AC and DC of various voltages may be supplied by this device in a portable manner, which uses a single transformer both for recharging batteries and for supplying AC power produced via the batteries. A switching assembly allows for connecting the batteries (which may be rechargeable) in a variety of topologies. |
| US09548626B1 |
Stand-off charging for batteries
Power is provided to a remote device by receiving external energy from a laser source and storing the energy in a storage battery. A photovoltaic receiver capable of alignment in a preferred reception direction for receiving energy is used to receive energy from a source of excitement energy, and is configured to receive energy from a laser which is directed to the photovoltaic receiver. A charging circuit receives power from the photovoltaic receiver and is used to charge the storage battery. |
| US09548618B2 |
Heated insoles
An efficient system to heat the insole of a heated insole of a shoe in which the Intelligent Circuit (IC) for a flat lithium battery is located outside the shoe and the placement of the heater for the insole is between more efficient heat insulation and heat conducting members. |
| US09548612B2 |
Paralleling module for a generator system
Some embodiments relate to an example power management system. The power management system includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure. A first generator is inside the first enclosure and a second generator is inside the second enclosure. The power management system further includes a paralleling enclosure and a paralleling module inside the paralleling enclosure. The paralleling module includes at least one switching device within the paralleling enclosure to electrically connect the first generator to the second generator. The paralleling enclosure further includes a plurality of connectors that permit electrical connection between the paralleling module and the first generator, the second generator and an output without opening the paralleling enclosure. |
| US09548606B2 |
Control system, transformer, protection control apparatus, and bit stream storage unit
According to one embodiment, the A/D conversion unit includes a ΔΣ modulating device which samples the analog electric quantity provided by the electric power system with a predetermined modulation frequency and outputs a bit stream changing over time of single bit obtained by performing ΔΣ modulation, and the digital operation processing unit includes one or more digital filters which inputs the bit stream from the ΔΣ modulating device and of which frequency characteristics differ according to a type of protection control operation, and one or more operation processing elements which perform different kinds of protection control operation processing, based on the bit stream provided by the digital filter. |
| US09548604B2 |
System for battery management and protection
The present disclosure is directed to a system for battery management and protection. A battery protection circuit may include a power semiconductor switch and a control integrated circuit (IC). The battery protection circuit may be configured to regulate the charging and/or discharging of a battery and further prevent the battery from operating outside of a safe operating area based on a protection trip point (e.g. overcurrent detection point) of the protection IC. The protection IC may be configured to calibrate a protection trip point so as to compensate for process and temperature variations of on resistance (RSSon) of the power semiconductor switch. |
| US09548601B2 |
Environmentally sealed cable breakout assemblies
A cable breakout assembly is provided, including a feeder cable, a breakout structure having a first end threadedly engaged with a cable nut having a single-port cable gland through which the feeder cable extends, a central conduit which houses the sections of the feeder cable passing there through, and an opposed second end threadedly engaged with a cable nut having a multi-port cable gland, whose number of ports corresponds to the number of splices of the feeder cable. A plurality of environmentally sealed, flexible conduits are provided, each having a first end that interfaces with and extends from a respective port of the multi-port gland, and a second end adapted to interface with an external device, wherein each flexible conduit houses a respective spliced section of the feeder cable therein. |
| US09548600B2 |
Disk-shaped insulator
A disk-shaped insulator contains a conductive block and an insulating body, wherein the conductive block is located in a central region of the disk-shaped insulator. The radial dimensions of the insulating body are adapted to those of a flange used for connecting. Multiple holes are distributed over an edge region of the disk-shaped insulator, and the edge region is covered by a conductive coating. |
| US09548598B2 |
Cable management fitting
A cable management attachment fitting for a ladder-type cable tray includes a rung attachment portion configured to attach to a lower flange of a rung of the ladder-type cable tray without the use of an additional fastener. A cable management attachment portion extends upward from the rung attachment portion and is configured to provide a structure to which a cable management device can be secured. |
| US09548596B2 |
Flexible textile sleeve with end fray resistant, protective coating and method of construction thereof
A textile sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and method of construction thereof is provided. The textile sleeve has an elongate textile wall constructed from interlaced yarn. An emulsion of acrylic binder and water-based silicon resin is applied to coat the interlaced yarn, with the acrylic binder providing resistance to end fray of the textile sleeve at temperatures below 150° C., and the silicone resin providing resistance to end fray between about 150-500° C. |
| US09548591B2 |
Spark plug insulator having an anti-fouling coating and methods for minimizing fouling
An insulator for a spark plug comprises a first segment surrounding the terminal, a second segment extending from the first segment, and a third segment extending from the second segment. A gap is disposed between the third segment of the insulator and the outer shell. At least one coating having a least one layer is disposed on a surface of the third segment. |
| US09548590B2 |
Quantum cascade laser design with stepped well active region
Included are embodiments of a quantum cascade laser structure. Some embodiments include a plurality of quantum wells and a plurality of barriers, at least a portion of which define an active region. In some embodiments, a photon is emitted in the active region when an electron transitions from an upper laser state in the active region to a lower laser state in the active region. Additionally, a final quantum well in the plurality of quantum wells may define the active region, where the final quantum well extends below an adjacent quantum well in the active region. Similarly, the final quantum well may include a thickness that is less than a thickness of the adjacent quantum well in the active region. |
| US09548589B2 |
Grating based optical transmitter
An optical transmitter including two reflective regions formed at two opposite ends of an interference region along a first direction and at least three electrodes electrically coupled to the interference region, where the amount of electrical carriers inside the interference region can be modulated by changing the relative electrical fields among the three electrodes, so that the amount of photons generated inside the interference region can be modulated and resonant along the first direction and emit along a second direction that is different from the first direction. |
| US09548588B1 |
Low noise optical pre-amplifier for ultra-low-light detectors and FPAs
An optical pre-amplifier is described. The optical pre-amplifier has an optical amplifier region that has a semiconductor active region having a direct electronic band gap with a conduction band edge. The semiconductor active region is embedded within a photonic crystal having an electromagnetic band gap having photon energies overlapping the energy of the conduction band edge of the electronic band gap such that spontaneous emission of photons in the semiconductor active region is suppressed. |
| US09548583B2 |
Fiber laser oscillator, fiber laser processing device, and fiber laser oscillator dehumidification method
A fiber laser processing device includes: an air purge unit having a low-dew-pointizer section for changing compressed air for purging supplied from the exterior into dry air with a low dew point by means of a gas separation membrane module; a fiber laser oscillator having a combiner for combining and emitting the laser lights respectively outputted from the plurality of fiber laser modules to the exterior, and a distributor for distributing and supplying the dry air respectively to the plurality of fiber laser modules; and a laser processing machine for carrying out laser machining on a workpiece by means of the laser lights emitted from the combiner. |
| US09548579B2 |
Method for assembling cables
A method for assembling cables includes sliding a housing and a sleeve accommodated in the housing onto a cable in such a manner that the sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the cable. The housing is made of an electrically non-conductive material, the sleeve is made of an electrically conductive material and includes a cutting edge pointing radially inward, and the cable includes a conducting element and an insulation surrounding the conducting element. The method further includes magnetically forming the sleeve by applying a magnetic field to the sleeve through the housing, such that the sleeve is pressed against the insulation and the cutting edge penetrates the insulation completely and contacts the conducting element. |
| US09548575B2 |
Device for fixing and electrical contacting a facing element of an aircraft on a support structure
A device for fixing and electrical contacting of a facing element of an aircraft on a support structure, which is attached to an aircraft structure including a fixing device for detachable fixation of the facing element on the support structure and a contacting device for providing multiple electrical contacts between facing element leads and connecting leads on the support structure, wherein the fixing device can be placed into positive engagement by a transitory relative movement between the facing element and the support structure, and the contacting device includes at least two first contacts on the facing element and the same number of second contacts on the support structure cooperating therewith, which can be respectively brought into contact with one another electrically during the transitory relative movement, wherein the first contacts are connected with the facing element leads and the second contacts are connected with the connecting leads on the support structure. |
| US09548569B2 |
Connector
A connector is mountable on an object in an up-down direction and mateable with a mating connector along a front-rear direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The mating connector comprises first mating contacts and second mating contacts. The connector comprises a holding member, first contacts and second contacts. Each of the first contacts has a first contact portion, a first fixed portion and a first coupling portion. The first contact portions are brought into contact with the first mating contacts. Each of the second contacts has a second contact portion, a second fixed portion and a second coupling portion. The second contact portions are brought into contact with the second mating contacts. The first coupling portions of the first contacts and the second coupling portions of the second contacts overlap with each other. The second coupling portion intersects with both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. |
| US09548568B2 |
Connector with plate and shell
There are provided a first insulator substrate; a first contact comprising a plurality of contact pins arranged in an array on a top surface of the first insulator substrate; a second insulator substrate; a second contact comprising a plurality of contact pins arranged in an array on an undersurface of the second insulator substrate; a metal plate sandwiched between an undersurface of the first insulator substrate and a top surface of the second insulator substrate; and a metal shell accommodating the first and second insulator substrates, the first and second contacts and the metal plate; wherein the metal plate comprises a pair of protruding parts formed on both ends in an array direction of the contact pins, being oriented toward the outside; and the metal shell comprises a pair of windows to be engaged with the pair of protruding part. |
| US09548565B2 |
Connector element
The connector element, in particular SFP connector, contains a locking mechanism for forming a lockable plug-type connection between the connector element and a mating piece. For this purpose, a locking element is formed. The locking element is mounted in rotatably movable fashion, wherein, in the case of actuation of an actuation element, in particular a pull tab, the locking element is rotated out of a locking position into an open position. In order to exert a restoring force for return to the locking position, a spring steel sheet is disposed which is supported on a housing part and which exerts a spring force on the locking element counter to the force brought about by the actuating element. Expediently, a plurality of spring lugs are formed which exert a spring force on the locking element in different directions. |
| US09548563B1 |
Finger loop for detaching a charging cable from an electronic device
The finger loop for detaching a charging cable from an electronic device is a device that is attached to the plug of a cable that forms a loop. The loop is used as a grip that the user can use to withdraw the plug from the port it is plugged into. The finger loop for detaching a charging cable from an electronic device is attached to the plug of a cable using an adhesive. The finger loop for detaching a charging cable from an electronic device comprises an elastic tab, a third adhesive, and a fourth adhesive. |
| US09548555B2 |
Cable connector assembly easy to assemble
A cable connector assembly including: a cable including a number of core wires, each core wire including an insulative layer and an inner conductor; and an electrical connector connected with an end of the cable, the electrical connector including an insulative housing, a number of contacts retained in the insulative housing, a shell member enclosing the insulative housing, a cover member assembled on a rear end of the insulative housing for fixing the core wires, and a carrying member connected between the cover member and the insulative housing, each of the contacts including a mounting portion rearwardly exposed to the insulative housing, wherein each of the mounting portion defines a spines portion, the cover member defines a number of through holes receiving the core wires, and the insulative layer of the core wire is punctured by the spines portion when the cover member is mounted on the carrying member. |
| US09548552B2 |
Plug contact modules and plug contact arrangement for transmitting frequencies in the gigahertz range
A plug contact arrangement is provided having a plurality of plug contact modules, including a plug socket module and a plug contact module. The plug socket module includes a base member and a socket contact section connected to the base member and having pair of contact members extending linearly and parallel with respect to each other and defining a contact blade receiving member there between. Each of the pair of contact members includes a contact face extending into the contact blade receiving member. The plug contact module is securable to the plug socket module and includes a plurality of lateral walls extending parallel to each other, a reinforcement member connecting the plurality of lateral walls, and a contact section extending from the plurality of lateral walls and having a contact blade having opposite contact faces to engage the pair of contact members. |
| US09548551B1 |
DIMM connector region vias and routing
A dual in-line memory module (DIMM) connector system is provided. The DIMM connector system includes a motherboard, a DIMM card and a connector by which the DIMM card is coupled with the motherboard. The motherboard includes a printed circuit board (PCB) formed of a mid-loss dielectric constant material, signal pads that are thinner than ground pads, ground pads disposed proximate to signal pads, signal vias connected to distal edges of signal pads and shared antipads. The DIMM card includes a printed circuit board (PCB) formed of a mid-loss dielectric constant material, signal pads that are thinner than ground pads, signal vias connected to distal edges of signal pads and shared antipads for respective pairs of signal vias. |
| US09548549B1 |
Cable connection structure and cable arranging part
A cable arranging part of the present invention has a fixed shape and comprises a position determining portion, a plurality of cable through holes, and an opening. In a state in which the position determining portion is secured to a position reference portion, the cable arranging part is in a predetermined position on a substrate. The cable through holes become perpendicular to a line of the electrodes and parallel to the substrate in the predetermined position. The opening is provided somewhere midway through the cable through holes and a ground cable through hole. As for the sizes of the cable through holes in a perpendicular direction to the substrate in the predetermined position, the size of the cable through hole on the side where the electrodes are located relative to the opening is greater than the size of the cable through hole on the side opposite to the electrodes. |
| US09548548B2 |
Methods of assembling a neutral rail to a plug-on neutral load center
A method of assembling a load center featuring a dielectric barrier that securely retains a plug-on neutral rail without requiring any fasteners. The dielectric barrier and the rail are installed in the same Z-axis direction, which is orthogonal to a rear wall of an enclosure into which the load center is installed. Retention features in the dielectric barrier can create a snap-fit connection between the rail and the barrier, or the barrier can feature a support feature onto which the rail snaps as the rail is installed relative to the dielectric barrier in the Z-axis direction. The snap fit connections eliminate the need for any fasteners, and together with the Z-axis assembly, the assembly process is simplified and accelerated and the possibility of assembly error is reduced or eliminated. |
| US09548545B2 |
Crimp terminal, and method and apparatus for manufacturing a crimp terminal
A method for manufacturing a crimp terminal having a crimp portion adapted to allow crimp connection with a coated wire having a conductor and an insulating coating, the crimp portion being adapted to crimp connect along the coated wire from a portion of the conductor coated with the insulating coating to a portion of the conductor exposed from the insulating coating at a tip of the coated wire includes providing a barrel member formed by arranging edges of a copper alloy plate material side-by-side, the barrel member having a diameter reducing on an end portion side in a longitudinal direction from a coating crimp portion, forming the crimp portion by welding the edges by laser irradiation from a laser irradiation unit onto a position where the edges are arranged side-by-side, while moving a laser light irradiation position in a longitudinal direction of the barrel member, and irradiating laser light with an output power density and a sweep rate for causing fine molten metal particles having a diameter of 60 μm or less to ejected from the weld portion during laser welding to adhere to an inner surface of the barrel member. |
| US09548543B2 |
Method for fabricating and packaging an M×N phased-array antenna
A method for fabricating an M×N, P-bit phased-array antenna on a flexible substrate is disclosed. The method comprising ink jet printing and hardening alignment marks, antenna elements, transmission lines, switches, an RF coupler, and multilayer interconnections onto the flexible substrate. The substrate of the M×N, P-bit phased-array antenna may comprise an integrated control circuit of printed electronic components such as, photovoltaic cells, batteries, resistors, capacitors, etc. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09548541B2 |
Apparatus and method for a high aperture efficiency broadband antenna element with stable gain
Embodiments are provided for an antenna element design with high aperture efficiency and stable gain across a frequency range. In an embodiment, the antenna element is obtained by placing a conductive layer on a dielectric substrate, forming a slot in the conductive layer, and forming two feed lines inside the dielectric substrate. A dielectric layer is placed on the dielectric substrate and over the conductive layer and the slot. A circular or elliptical conductive wall is formed inside the dielectric layer. A conductive element is also formed on the dielectric layer and over the slot. One or more second dielectric layers are placed on the dielectric layer and over the conductive element. A second circular or elliptical conductive wall is formed inside each second dielectric layer. A second conductive element is also formed on each second dielectric layer, over the conductive element. |
| US09548535B1 |
Phase-controlled antenna with independent tuning capability
Antenna structures and methods of operating the same of a phase-controlled antenna of an electronic device are described. A phase-controlled antenna includes a radio frequency (RF) feed, an antenna structured coupled to the RF feed and including a ground path coupled to a ground node, and a phase-controlling circuit coupled between the ground path and the ground node. The antenna structure is configured to operate at a resonant frequency in a first state, and the phase-controlling circuit is configured to introduce a phase shift in the antenna structure to change the resonant frequency of the antenna structure to a second resonant frequency in a second state. |
| US09548534B2 |
Method for calibrating an active antenna
In the field of active phase-control antennas, a method is provided for calibrating the phase center of an active antenna including a plurality of sub-elements able to receive a useful signal emitted by a satellite, the calibration being defined as a function of the reception characteristics of a reference signal at the level of each sub-element, the reference signal being emitted by the same satellite on a frequency band substantially equal to the frequency band of the useful signal and whose theoretical reception characteristics are known. |
| US09548533B2 |
RFID system
A magnetic field focusing assembly includes a magnetic field generating device configured to generate a magnetic field, and a split ring resonator assembly configured to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic field generating device and configured to focus the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field generating device. |
| US09548530B2 |
Antenna
[Problem to be Solved]To provide an antenna which can be used in a wide band.[Solution]An antenna 10A includes a dielectric substrate 11, an unbalanced power supply member 12 having a non-power supply unit 23 and a power supply unit 24, a resonance conductor 13 having a connection area 26, a first resonance area 27 and a second resonance area 28, a grounding conductor 14 having a first ground area 32 and a second ground area 33, and a radiation conductor 15 having a first radiation area 37 and a second radiation area 38. At the antenna 10A, first to third radiation stepped portions 42a to 42c are formed at a first rear end portion 41 of the second radiation area 38, and first to third radiation stepped portions 44a to 44c are formed at a second rear end portion 43 of the second radiation area 38. |
| US09548529B1 |
Integrated duplexer and combiner
An integrated duplexer and combiner in a telecommunication system, such as a cross-polarized antenna system, is disclosed. An integrated duplexer and combiner may result in a reduction in the number of transmit filters used. A transmit filter may be coupled to two receive filters through a transmission network that provides isolation between the two receive signal paths and, at the same time, provide power splitting of transmitter power to two duplexed transmit signal paths. The transmission network includes first and second λ/4 transmission lines coupled between inputs of the two receive filters. A third λ/4 transmission line couples the first and second λ/4 transmission lines to an output of the transmit filter. The two receive filters may have the same passband, while the transmit filter may have a different passband. |
| US09548525B2 |
Multi-band antenna on the surface of wireless communication devices
An embodiment wireless communication device includes a circuit board and a cover having a back surface covering a portion of a first surface of the circuit board and an opening in the back surface. A top antenna is disposed within the cover and is electrically connected to the circuit board at a first feed point on a first edge of the circuit board. A secondary antenna disposed within the cover has a first antenna portion connected to the circuit board at a second feed point, and a second antenna portion of the second antenna extends laterally from a second edge of the circuit board over the first surface of the circuit board and between the back surface of the cover and the first surface of the circuit board such that at least a portion of the second antenna portion is exposed through the opening in the back surface. |
| US09548524B1 |
Antenna mount
An antenna mount comprising: a building attachment section including an accessible end; and an antenna support section including a free end and a second accessible end. The accessible end and the second accessible are attached to each other by a joint. The free end is designed so that the antenna can be attached to it. The invention is designed so that the free end is vertical and the antenna is situated far away enough from the building so that it will clear the building when rotated 360°. |
| US09548521B2 |
Battery module including a flexible member
Provided is a battery module including a flexible member including: a housing; at least one separation wall partitioning an inside of the housing into a predetermined number of separated spaces; at least two unit battery cells including a case, a battery cell included in the case, and negative and positive electrodes tabs connected to the battery cell; and a flexible member inserted between the unit battery cells, wherein the unit battery cells and the flexible member are included in a space partitioned by the separation wall. |
| US09548515B2 |
Electrolyte for lithium secondary battery and lithium secondary battery comprising same
Provided are an electrolyte for a high-voltage lithium secondary battery and a high-voltage lithium secondary battery containing the same, and more particularly, an electrolyte for a high-voltage lithium secondary battery which may not be oxidized and decomposed at the time of being kept at a high voltage and a high temperature to prevent swelling of a battery through suppression of gas generation, thereby having excellent high-temperature storage characteristics and excellent discharge characteristics at a low temperature while decreasing a thickness increase rate of the battery, and a high-voltage lithium secondary battery containing the same. |
| US09548513B2 |
Thin film lithium-ion battery
A multi-cell battery includes a negative current collecting substrate; at least two laminated electric cores arranged in parallel to each other on the negative current collecting substrate; and a positive current collecting substrate, wherein the two laminated electric cores sandwiches about the positive current collecting substrate, thereby forming two cells on opposite sides of the positive current collecting substrate. |
| US09548511B2 |
Diatomaceous energy storage devices
An energy storage device can include a cathode having a first plurality of frustules, where the first plurality of frustules can include nanostructures having an oxide of manganese. The energy storage device can include an anode comprising a second plurality of frustules, where the second plurality of frustules can include nanostructures having zinc oxide. A frustule can have a plurality of nanostructures on at least one surface, where the plurality of nanostructures can include an oxide of manganese. A frustule can have a plurality of nanostructures on at least one surface, where the plurality of nanostructures can include zinc oxide. An electrode for an energy storage device includes a plurality of frustules, where each of the plurality of frustules can have a plurality of nanostructures formed on at least one surface. |
| US09548505B2 |
Fuel cell system and method for controlling the same
A fuel cell system and a method for controlling the fuel cell system are provided. The method includes detecting an output characteristic value of the fuel cell system and controlling the fuel cell system to respectively operate in at least two of a first mode, a second mode and a third mode at different time points according to the detected output characteristic value. Accordingly, the fuel cell system is capable of stably generating electric power, and is adapted to different operation environments. |
| US09548503B2 |
Fuel cell system and operating method thereof
A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack (S) formed by stacking multiple unit cells (C) horizontally and having, in the stacked body, manifolds through which to supply and discharge reaction gases to and from each of the unit cells (C); and drainage paths (1A, 1B) extending from an anode-off-gas discharge manifold (M), on both end sides of the fuel cell stack (S) in the stacking direction of the unit cells, respectively. |
| US09548501B2 |
Supported catalyst
A supported catalyst is prepared by a process that includes establishing shell-removal conditions for a supported catalyst intermediate that includes capped nanoparticles of a catalyst material dispersed on a carbon support. The capped nanoparticles each include a platinum alloy core capped in an organic shell. The shell-removal conditions include an elevated temperature and an inert gas atmosphere that is substantially free of oxygen. The organic shell is removed from the platinum alloy core under the shell-removal conditions to limit thermal decomposition of the carbon support and thereby limit agglomeration of the catalyst material such that the supported catalyst includes an electrochemical surface area of at least 30 m2/gPt. |
| US09548493B2 |
Porous composite and manufacturing method thereof
Provided are a porous composite expressed by Chemical Formula 1 and having a porosity of 5% to 90%, and a method of preparing the same: MOx |
| US09548490B2 |
Anode active material, lithium battery comprising the same, and method of preparing the anode active material
An anode active material includes: a core including a metal or a metalloid that can incorporate and deincorporate lithium ions; and a plurality of coating layers on a surface of the core, each coating layer including a metal oxide, an amorphous carbonaceous material, or combination thereof. Also, a lithium battery including the anode active material, and a method of preparing the anode active material. |
| US09548489B2 |
Composition of SI/C electro active material
A composition comprising at least 50 weight % of a first particulate electroactive material and 3-15 weight % of a carbon additives mixture comprising elongate carbon nanostructures and carbon black, wherein: the elongate carbon nanostructures comprise at least a first elongate carbon nanostructure material and a different second elongate carbon nanostructure material; and the elongate carbon nanostructures: carbon black weight ratio is in the range 3:1 to 20:1. |
| US09548481B2 |
Battery module
A battery module includes an electrode assembly in a case, at least one current collector in the case, the current collector being electrically connected to the electrode assembly, a cap plate covering the case, the cap plate including a safety vent and at least one terminal inserter penetrating the cap plate, at least one terminal part including a terminal plate outside the case and a connector connecting the at least one current collector to the terminal plate through the at least one terminal inserter, at least one fixing member fixing the terminal part into the cap plate, and a groove pattern in an area of the cap plate adjacent to the safety vent. |
| US09548480B2 |
Flexible handle assembly for a battery
A removable battery assembly is configured to provide electrical power to a device. The device may include, for example, an oxygen concentrator, a ventilator, a respiratory therapy device, an electromagnetic radiation therapy device, a nebulizer, and/or other devices. The battery assembly is configured to securely engage the device, while allowing for quick and easy disengagement and removal. The mechanism for disengaging the battery assembly from the device may be intuitive to users, such that users may not have to spend substantial time learning how to remove the battery assembly from engagement. |
| US09548479B2 |
Battery pack and method for manufacturing the same
A battery pack includes a first battery and a second battery each having a bent part at one side; and an adhesion member interposed between the bent part of the first battery and the bent part of the second battery and adhering the bent part of the first battery to the bent part of the second battery. |
| US09548478B2 |
Middle or large-sized battery module employing impact-absorbing member
Disclosed herein is a battery module using battery cells each having an electrode assembly mounted in a battery case including a resin layer and a metal layer as unit cells, wherein each battery cell has a thin upper end, including a sealing part, which is formed at a region where electrode terminals are placed, and an impact-absorbing member is mounted at the upper end of each battery cell. The battery module according to the present invention prevents the weak upper parts of battery cells, such as electrode terminals and sealing parts, from the breakage of the battery module or the occurrence of a short circuit in the battery module due to the movement of the battery cells caused by dropping of the battery module or application of external impacts to the battery module. |
| US09548477B2 |
Battery block
The present invention provides a battery block that accommodates unit cells having higher capacities, and, even in case of abnormal heat generation in the unit cell, does not cause abnormal heat generation in the neighboring unit cells, thereby preventing a chain reaction of degradations and abnormalities of the accommodated unit cells. The battery block of the present invention includes a battery case having a minimum thickness section satisfying the relationship “K2/K1≧K3−1”. K1 is the thermal conductance between the battery case and the unit cell. K2 is the thermal conductance of the minimum thickness section of the battery case between two neighboring holes for accommodating the respective unit cells. K3 is a ratio between the abnormal heat temperature of a reference cell and the ambient temperature causing abnormal heat generation in this cell. |
| US09548473B2 |
Method of evaluating reliable life span of encapsulant film and device for evaluating reliability of said film
There are provided a method of evaluating a reliable lifespan of an encapsulant film and a device for evaluating reliability of the film. The present application may provide a film that may be provided for an evaluation method in which reliability of an encapsulant film is simply and easily evaluated only by measuring a haze immediately before the encapsulant film is used, a failure of a product is determined and reliability may be predicted. |
| US09548472B2 |
Display device
A display device comprises a first substrate including a first top portion, a first sidewall portion and a first bent portion, a second substrate including a second top portion, a second sidewall portion and a second bent portion, a display element and a packaging material. The first bent portion is disposed between the first top portion and the first sidewall portion. The second substrate is separated from the first substrate by a predetermined distance to form an accommodating space. The second top portion is disposed corresponding to the first top portion. The second bent portion is disposed between the second top portion and the second sidewall portion. The display element is disposed in the accommodating space. The packaging material is disposed in the accommodating space and corresponding to the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion. |
| US09548471B2 |
Organic light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is an organic light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein the organic light emitting device is decreased in its thickness, and also decreased in its radius of curvature so as to realize the flexible device, and the organic light emitting device comprising a first component including a first plurality of layers, the first plurality of layers including a thin film transistor layer deposited on a surface of a first substrate, an emitting component layer deposited on the thin film transistor layer, and a passivation layer deposited on the emitting component layer; a second component including a second plurality of layers that are deposited on a surface of a second substrate without using an adhesive; and an adhesion layer between the first component and the second component, the adhesion layer coupling together the first component and the second component. |
| US09548465B2 |
Electronic device, image display apparatus, and substrate for configuring image display apparatus
An electronic device includes a first electrode and a second electrode which are separately formed on a base; a functional layer which includes an organic semiconductor material layer, and is formed on the base between the first electrode and the second electrode; a functional layer extension portion which includes the organic semiconductor material layer, and extends from the functional layer; a protective film which is formed at least on the functional layer; and an insulating layer which covers an entire surface, in which the protective film is patterned to include at least two sides which intersect with each other at an acute angle, and a vertex portion of the protective film in which the two sides intersect with each other, is chamfered. |
| US09548457B2 |
Spirofluorene derivative, material for light-emitting element, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a material having a high Tg and a wide energy gap. The present invention provides a spirofluorene derivative represented by General Formula 1. (In the formula, R1 is any one of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a group represented by General Formula 2. Each of R2 and R3 is either hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may be identical or different. R4 is an aryl group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms. Each of R5 and R6 is any one of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms and may be identical or different.) |
| US09548453B2 |
Multiple-surface imposition vapor deposition mask
A method for producing a multiple-surface imposition vapor deposition mask enhances definition and reduces weight even when a size is increased. Each of multiple masks in an open space in a frame is configured by a metal mask having a slit, and a resin mask that is positioned on a front surface of the metal mask and has openings corresponding to a pattern to be produced by vapor deposition arranged by lengthwise and crosswise in a plurality of rows. In formation of the plurality of masks, after each of the metal masks and a resin film material for producing the resin mask are attached to the frame, the resin film material is processed, and the openings corresponding to the pattern to be produced by vapor deposition are formed in a plurality of rows lengthwise and crosswise, whereby the multiple-surface imposition vapor deposition mask of the above described configuration is produced. |
| US09548452B2 |
Method for manufacturing organic EL display panel and system for manufacturing organic EL display panel
A method for manufacturing an organic electroluminescent (EL) display panel through a printing process of applying a raw material liquid between banks disposed on a board, the raw material liquid containing an organic EL material. The method includes, before the printing process: a detection process of detecting a contaminant A present on the board; an information generation process of generating, when the contaminant A is detected, position information indicating a position of the contaminant A; and a resin application process of applying an inhibitory resin to at least one of the contaminant A and a region in the vicinity of the contaminant A based on the position information. |
| US09548450B2 |
Devices containing metal chalcogenides
Some embodiments include a device having a conductive material, a metal chalcogenide-containing material, and a region between the metal chalcogenide-containing material and the conductive material. The region contains a composition having a bandgap of at least about 3.5 electronvolts and a dielectric constant within a range of from about 1.8 to 25. Some embodiments include a device having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a metal chalcogenide-containing material between the first and second electrodes. The device also includes an electric-field-modifying region between the metal chalcogenide-containing material and one of the first and second electrodes. The electric-field-modifying region contains a composition having a bandgap of at least about 3.5 electronvolts having a low dielectric constant and a low conduction band offset relative to a workfunction of metal of the metal chalcogenide-containing material. |
| US09548444B2 |
Magnetic memory cells and methods of formation
Memory cells including cell cores having free regions are disclosed. The free regions exhibit a strain that affects a magnetization orientation within the cell core. A stressor structure may exert a stress upon at least a portion of the cell core to effect the strain state of the free region. Also disclosed are semiconductor device structures and systems including such memory cells as well as methods for forming such memory cells. |
| US09548440B2 |
Circuit module and composite circuit module
A circuit module and a composite circuit module, which suppress or prevent damage to a connection to or within a device when heat is applied, includes a SAW filter including a piezoelectric substrate. In a package substrate that is a resin substrate, the SAW filter is mounted. A mounting substrate is a multilayer substrate mounted on a mother substrate, and the package substrate is mounted therein. |
| US09548438B2 |
Acoustic resonator comprising acoustic redistribution layers
An acoustic resonator structure comprises a piezoelectric layer having a first surface and a second surface, a first electrode disposed adjacent to the first surface, and a second electrode disposed adjacent to the second surface. The first electrode comprises a first conductive layer disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer and having a first acoustic impedance, and a second conductive layer disposed on a side of the first conductive layer opposite the piezoelectric layer and having a second acoustic impedance greater than the first acoustic impedance. The second electrode may be disposed between a substrate and the piezoelectric layer, and it may comprise a third conductive layer disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer and having a third acoustic impedance, and a fourth conductive layer disposed on a side of the third conductive layer opposite the piezoelectric layer and having a fourth acoustic impedance greater than the third acoustic impedance. |
| US09548432B2 |
Light output device and method of manufacture
A light output device and manufacturing method in which an array of LEDs is embedded in an encapsulation layer. An array of cavities (or regions of different refractive index) is formed in the encapsulation layer. The cavities/regions have a density or size that is dependent on their proximity to the light emitting diode locations, in order to reduce hot spots (local high light intensity areas) and thereby render the light output more uniform over the area of the device. |
| US09548426B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a light-emitting structure including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and a selective transmission-reflection layer disposed on the light-emitting structure and including a plurality of dielectric layers having different optical thicknesses alternately stacked at least once. The sum of an optical thickness of a dielectric layer having a maximum optical thickness and an optical thickness of a dielectric layer having a minimum optical thickness is in the range of 0.75 to 0.80. |
| US09548424B2 |
Light emitting diode
A light emitting diode includes a semiconductor stacked structure, a substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode. The semiconductor stacked structure includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and a light emitting layer. A light extraction layer with a roughened structure is formed on the doped semiconductor layer to improve the light emitting efficiency of LED. Furthermore, the strength of the semiconductor stacked structure can be enhanced by the light extraction layer, to improve the reliability of the LED and the production yields of manufacturing process. |
| US09548416B2 |
Light emitting device and light emitting device package having the same
Disclosed is a light emitting device. The light emitting device includes a nano-structure, a first semiconductor layer on the nano-structure, an active layer on the first semiconductor layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer. The nano-structure includes a graphene layer disposed under the first semiconductor layer to make contact with the first semiconductor layer; and a plurality of nano-textures extending from a top surface of the graphene layer to the first semiconductor layer and contacted with the first semiconductor layer. |
| US09548411B2 |
Photoelectrochemically driven self-assembly method
Various technologies described herein pertain to assembling electronic devices into a microsystem. The electronic devices are disposed in a solution. Light can be applied to the electronic devices in the solution. The electronic devices can generate currents responsive to the light applied to the electronic devices in the solution, and the currents can cause electrochemical reactions that functionalize regions on surfaces of the electronic devices. Additionally or alternatively, the light applied to the electronic devices in the solution can cause the electronic devices to generate electric fields, which can orient the electronic devices and/or induce movement of the electronic devices with respect to a receiving substrate. Further, electrodes on a receiving substrate can be biased to attract and form connections with the electronic devices having the functionalized regions on the surfaces. The microsystem can include the receiving substrate and the electronic devices connected to the receiving substrate. |
| US09548406B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element and method of manufacturing the same
A photoelectric conversion element includes a first electrode, a ferroelectric layer provided on the first electrode, and a second electrode provided on the ferroelectric layer, the second electrode being a transparent electrode, and a pn junction being formed between the ferroelectric layer and the first electrode or the second electrode. |
| US09548403B2 |
Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same
A solar cell according to an embodiment of the invention includes a substrate of a first conductive type, an emitter region of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type, which is positioned at the substrate, an anti-reflection layer including a first opening exposing the emitter region and a plurality of second openings which expose the emitter region and are separated from one another, a first electrode which is positioned on a first portion of the emitter region exposed through the first opening and is connected to the first portion, a first bus bar which is positioned on a second portion of the emitter region exposed through the plurality of second openings and is connected to the second portion and the first electrode, and a second electrode which is positioned on the substrate and is connected to the substrate. |
| US09548401B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first impurity diffusion region having a first doping concentration and at least one second impurity diffusion region having a second doping concentration different from the first doping concentration, the at least one second impurity region being surrounded by the first impurity diffusion region; at least one electrode facing the first impurity diffusion region and the at least one second impurity diffusion region; and at least one insulating layer between the first impurity diffusion region and the at least one electrode, and between the at least one second impurity diffusion region and the at least one electrode. |
| US09548398B2 |
NAND type variable resistance random access memory and methods
A high density NAND-type nonvolatile resistance random access storage circuit and its operations are shown herein . A unit memory cell of the circuit includes a field effect transistor (FET) with a resistance changeable component connected to its gate electrode. The field effect transistor is an n-channel field effect transistor or a p-channel field effect transistor. By applying the voltage or current between the top electrode of the resistive random access component and the FET drain or source electrode, more than two stable states can be maintained such that these states can be drawn from the FET drain or source terminal. The NAND circuit includes the above unit cell as a center to form a multi-bit memory. The circuit consists of multi-bit memories connected in series, has a NAND logic gate function, and forms output of this NAND circuit which can be drawn in a form of series output. |
| US09548395B2 |
Field-effect transistor including oxide semiconductor, and memory and semiconductor circuit including the same
Provided is a field-effect transistor (FET) having small off-state current, which is used in a miniaturized semiconductor integrated circuit. The field-effect transistor includes a thin oxide semiconductor which is formed substantially perpendicular to an insulating surface, a gate insulating film formed to cover the oxide semiconductor, and a gate electrode which is formed to cover the gate insulating film. The gate electrode partly overlaps a source electrode and a drain electrode. The source electrode and the drain electrode are in contact with at least a top surface of the oxide semiconductor. In this structure, three surfaces of the thin oxide semiconductor are covered with the gate electrode, so that electrons injected from the source electrode or the drain electrode can be effectively removed, and most of the space between the source electrode and the drain electrode can be a depletion region; thus, off-state current can be reduced. |
| US09548393B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising an insulating layer including a void
A change in electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device including an interlayer insulating film over a transistor including an oxide semiconductor as a semiconductor film is suppressed. The structure includes a first insulating film which includes a void portion in a step region formed by a source electrode and a drain electrode over the semiconductor film and contains silicon oxide as a component, and a second insulating film containing silicon nitride, which is provided in contact with the first insulating film to cover the void portion in the first insulating film. The structure can prevent the void portion generated in the first insulating film from expanding outward. |
| US09548390B2 |
Semiconductor device including field effect transistor
A semiconductor device includes a fin portion protruding from a substrate. The fin portion includes a base part, an intermediate part on the base part, and a channel part on the intermediate part. A width of the intermediate part is less than a width of the base part and greater than a width of the channel part. A gate electrode coves both sidewalls and a top surface of the channel part, and a device isolation pattern covers both sidewalls of the base part and both sidewalls of the intermediate part. |
| US09548386B1 |
Structure and method for compressively strained silicon germanium fins for pFET devices and tensily strained silicon fins for nFET devices
A method of forming a semiconductor structure that includes a tensily strained silicon fin extending upwards from a first portion of a substrate and in an nFET device region, and a SiGe fin structure extending upwards from a second portion of the substrate and in a pFET device region. In accordance with the present application, the SiGe fin structure comprises, from bottom to top, a lower SiGe fin that is relaxed and an upper SiGe fin, wherein the upper SiGe fin is compressively strained and has a germanium content that is greater than a germanium content of the lower SiGe fin. |
| US09548373B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes: a semiconductor layer; a control gate electrode; and an organic molecular layer, which is provided between the semiconductor layer and the control gate electrode, and has organic molecules including a molecular structure described by a molecular formula (1). |
| US09548369B2 |
Memory device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a memory device including a substrate, a first stack structure, and a plurality of second stack structures. The substrate has a first region and a second region. The first stack structure is located on the substrate of the first region. The second stack structures are located on the substrate of the second region. A sidewall of the first stack structure and a sidewall of the second stack structure have a concave-and-convex surface respectively. |
| US09548367B2 |
Method of reducing the heights of source-drain sidewall spacers of FinFETs through etching and the FinFETs thereof
An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, insulation regions extending into the semiconductor substrate, and a semiconductor fin protruding above the insulation regions. The insulation regions have a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion and the second portion on opposite sides of the semiconductor fin. The semiconductor fin has a first height. The integrated circuit device further includes a gate stack over a middle portion of the semiconductor fin, and a fin spacer on a sidewall of an end portion of the semiconductor fin. The fin spacer has a second height. The first height is greater than about two times the second height. |
| US09548363B2 |
Extreme high mobility CMOS logic
A CMOS device includes a PMOS transistor with a first quantum well structure and an NMOS device with a second quantum well structure. The PMOS and NMOS transistors are formed on a substrate. |
| US09548356B2 |
Shallow trench isolation structures
Shallow trench isolation structures are provided for use with UTBB (ultra-thin body and buried oxide) semiconductor substrates, which prevent defect mechanisms from occurring, such as the formation of electrical shorts between exposed portions of silicon layers on the sidewalls of shallow trench of a UTBB substrate, in instances when trench fill material of the shallow trench is subsequently etched away and recessed below an upper surface of the UTBB substrate. |
| US09548355B1 |
Compound finFET device including oxidized III-V fin isolator
A semiconductor device includes a wafer having a bulk layer and a III-V buffer layer on an upper surface of the bulk layer. The semiconductor device further includes at least one semiconductor fin on the III-V buffer layer. The semiconductor fin includes a III-V channel portion. Either the wafer or the semiconductor fin includes an oxidized III-V portion interposed between the III-V channel portion and the III-V buffer layer to prevent current leakage to the bulk layer. |
| US09548354B1 |
Semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first conductivity type. An epitaxial layer having the first conductivity type is disposed on the substrate, and a trench is formed in the epitaxial layer. A polysilicon layer having the first conductivity type fills the trench, and a first doping region having a second conductivity type that is different from the first conductivity type is disposed in the epitaxial layer and on sidewalls of the trench. A method for forming the semiconductor device is also provided. |
| US09548352B2 |
Semiconductor device with field threshold MOSFET for high voltage termination
This invention discloses a semiconductor power device disposed in a semiconductor substrate comprising a lightly doped layer formed on a heavily doped layer and having an active cell area and an edge termination area. The edge termination area comprises a plurality P-channel MOSFETs. By connecting the gate to the drain electrode, the P-channel MOSFET transistors formed on the edge termination are sequentially turned on when the applied voltage is equal to or greater than the threshold voltage Vt of the P-channel MOSFET transistors, thereby optimizing the voltage blocked by each region. |
| US09548351B2 |
Radio frequency isolation for SOI transistors
According to one example embodiment, a structure includes at least one SOI (semiconductor-on-insulator) transistor situated over a buried oxide layer, where the buried oxide layer overlies a bulk substrate. The structure further includes an electrically charged field control ring situated over the buried oxide layer and surrounding the at least one SOI transistor. A width of the electrically charged field control ring is greater than a thickness of the buried oxide layer. The electrically charged field control ring reduces a conductivity of a surface portion of the bulk substrate underlying the field control ring, thereby reducing RF coupling of the at least one SOI transistor through the bulk substrate. The structure further includes an isolation region situated between the electrically charged field control ring and the at least one SOI transistor. A method to achieve and implement the disclosed structure is also provided. |
| US09548350B2 |
High quality factor capacitors and methods for fabricating high quality factor capacitors
Provided are space-efficient capacitors that have a higher quality factor than conventional designs and improve coupling of electrical energy from a through-glass via (TGV) to a dielectric. For example, provided is a TGV having a non-rectangular cross-section, where one end of the TGV is coupled to a first metal plate. A dielectric material is formed on the first metal plate. A second metal plate is formed on the dielectric material in a manner that overlaps at least a portion of the first metal plate to form at least one overlapped region of the dielectric material. At least a part of the perimeter of the overlapped region is non-planar. The overlapped region can be formed in a shape of a closed ring, in a plurality of portions of a ring shape, in substantially a quarter of a ring shape, and/or in substantially a half of a ring shape. |
| US09548347B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming an inductor on polymer matrix composite substrate
A semiconductor device has a first insulating layer formed over a first surface of a polymer matrix composite substrate. A first conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the second insulating layer and first conductive layer. The second conductive layer is wound to exhibit inductive properties. A third conductive layer is formed between the first conductive layer and second conductive layer. A third insulating layer is formed over the second insulating layer and second conductive layer. A bump is formed over the second conductive layer. A fourth insulating layer can be formed over a second surface of the polymer matrix composite substrate. Alternatively, the fourth insulating layer can be formed over the first insulating layer prior to forming the first conductive layer. |
| US09548343B2 |
Flexible display
A flexible display includes: a first flexible substrate; an intermediate barrier layer positioned on the first flexible substrate and comprising silicon oxide; an adhesive layer positioned on the intermediate barrier layer and comprising at least one of amorphous silicon on which a P-type or N-type conductive impurity is doped, or hydrogenated amorphous silicon; a second flexible substrate positioned on the adhesive layer; a first barrier layer positioned on the second flexible substrate and comprising silicon oxide; a second barrier layer positioned on the first barrier layer and comprising silicon nitride; a buffer layer positioned on the second barrier layer and comprising silicon oxide; a thin film transistor positioned on the buffer layer; and an organic light emitting element connected to the thin film transistor. |
| US09548341B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
OLED display that includes: a substrate; a plurality of thin film transistors formed on the substrate; a plurality of first electrodes respectively connected to the thin film transistors; a pixel definition layer formed on the substrate and having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening respectively exposing first, second, and third first electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes; an emission layer formed at the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening; and a second electrode formed on the emission layer, wherein the first opening has a first pair of boundary lines facing each other and a second pair of boundary lines facing each other, and the first pair of boundary lines overlap boundary lines of a pair of boundary lines of the first first electrode or are positioned outside the boundary lines of the pair of boundary lines of the first first electrode. |
| US09548338B2 |
Display substrate and display device applying the same
A display substrate and a display device applying the same are provided. The display substrate includes a base plate and a display structure. The display structure is disposed on the base plate and includes first region. The first region includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel and two third sub-pixels. One of the two third sub-pixels has a first light emitting region having a first end point and a second end point. The other one of the two third sub-pixels has a second light emitting region having a third end point and a fourth end point. The first sub-pixel has a third light emitting region and the second sub-pixel has a fourth light emitting region. The third light emitting region and the fourth light emitting region are inside a quadrilateral region enclosed by the first, second, third and fourth end points. |
| US09548336B2 |
Image sensors and electronic devices including the same
Image sensors, and electronic devices including the same, include a first photo-sensing device sensing light in a full visible to near infrared ray region, a second photo-sensing device sensing light in a blue wavelength region, a third photo-sensing device sensing light in a red wavelength region, and a fourth photo-sensing device sensing light in a green wavelength region. At least one of the first photo-sensing device, the second photo-sensing device, the third photo-sensing device, and the fourth photo-sensing device includes a pair of light-transmitting electrodes facing each other, and a photoactive layer between the light-transmitting electrodes. The photoactive layer includes an organic light-absorbing material. |
| US09548335B2 |
Apparatuses and operation methods associated with resistive memory cell arrays with separate select lines
The present disclosure includes methods and apparatuses that include resistive memory. A number of embodiments include a first memory cell coupled to a data line and including a first resistive storage element and a first access device, a second memory cell coupled to the data line and including a second resistive storage element and a second access device, an isolation device formed between the first access device and the second access device, a first select line coupled to the first resistive storage element, and a second select line coupled to the second resistive storage element, wherein the second select line is separate from the first select line. |
| US09548332B2 |
Method of forming a micro LED device with self-aligned metallization stack
A method of fabricating and transferring a micro device and an array of micro devices to a receiving substrate are described. In an embodiment, a patterned sacrificial layer is utilized to form a self-aligned metallization stack and is utilized as an etch stop layer during etching of a p-n diode layer to form a plurality of micro p-n diodes. |
| US09548328B2 |
Solid-state image sensor and camera
A solid-state image sensor is provided. The sensor includes a substrate having a light-receiving surface. The substrate includes a charge accumulation portion that forms part of a photoelectric conversion element, a charge holding portion arranged at a position deeper than the charge accumulation portion from the light-receiving surface, and a first transfer portion configured to transfer charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element to the charge holding portion along a depth direction of the substrate. A distance between the charge holding portion and the light-receiving surface is not less than 4 μm. |
| US09548325B2 |
Method for manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel
A thin film transistor array panel includes a substrate, an insulation layer, a first semiconductor, and a second semiconductor. The insulation layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a stepped portion. The first semiconductor is disposed on the insulation layer. The second semiconductor is disposed on the insulation layer and includes a semiconductor material different than the first semiconductor. The stepped portion is spaced apart from an edge of the first semiconductor. |
| US09548324B2 |
Array substrate and method for fabricating the same
An array substrate and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The method includes steps of providing a substrate (20), a first metal layer including patterns of gate electrodes (21, 24) of a first and second TFTs, an active layer (27) and a gate insulation layer (28) are formed on the substrate; forming an etch stop layer film and a photoresist sequentially on the substrate (20), and allowing the photoresist to form a first, second and third regions through gray-scale exposing and developing; forming a pattern of an etch stop layer (29), a connection via hole (30), and a contact via hole (31) respectively in the first, second and third regions through a patterning process; and forming source electrodes and drain electrodes (22, 23,25, 26) of the first and second TFTs. Photoresist of different thicknesses are disposed according to etch depths, thereby avoiding the over-etch of relatively shallow via holes. |
| US09548318B1 |
Connecting to back-plate contacts or diode junctions through a RMG electrode and resulting devices
Methods to connect to back-plate (BP) or well contacts or diode junctions through a RMG electrode in FDSOI technology based devices and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments include providing a polysilicon dummy gate electrode between spacers and extending over a BP, an active area of a transistor, and a shallow-trench-isolation (STI) region therebetween; providing an interlayer dielectric surrounding the spacers and polysilicon dummy gate electrode; removing the polysilicon dummy gate electrode creating a cavity between the spacers; forming a high-k dielectric layer and a work-function (WF) metal layer in the cavity; removing a section of the WF metal layer, high-k dielectric layer, and STI region exposing an upper surface of the BP; filling the cavity with a metal forming a replacement metal gate electrode; and planarizing the metal down to an upper surface of the spacers. |
| US09548316B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a logic structure including a logic circuit disposed in a circuit region and a lower insulation covering the logic circuit, a memory structure on the logic structure, a stress relaxation structure interposed between the logic structure and the memory structure in the circuit region, and a connection structure electrically connecting the memory structure to the logic circuit along a conductive path that extends through a connection region of the device beside the circuit region. |
| US09548313B2 |
Method of making a monolithic three dimensional NAND string using a select gate etch stop layer
A method of making a monolithic three dimensional NAND string includes forming a select gate layer of a third material over a major surface of a substrate, forming a stack of alternating first material and second material layers over the select gate layer, where the first material, the second material and the third material are different from each other, and etching the stack using a first etch chemistry to form at least one opening in the stack at least to the select gate layer, such that the select gate layer acts as an etch stop layer during the step of etching. |
| US09548303B2 |
FinFET devices with unique fin shape and the fabrication thereof
A semiconductor device includes a PMOS FinFET and an NMOS FinFET. The PMOS FinFET includes a substrate, a silicon germanium layer disposed over the substrate, a silicon layer disposed over the silicon germanium layer, and a PMOS fin disposed over the silicon layer. The PMOS fin contains silicon germanium. The NMOS FinFET includes the substrate, a silicon germanium oxide layer disposed over the substrate, a silicon oxide layer disposed over the silicon germanium oxide layer, and an NMOS fin disposed over the silicon oxide layer. The NMOS fin contains silicon. The silicon germanium oxide layer and the silicon oxide layer collectively define a concave recess in a horizontal direction. The concave recess is partially disposed below the NMOS fin. |
| US09548301B2 |
Semiconductor devices including a stressor in a recess and methods of forming the same
Semiconductor devices including a stressor in a recess and methods of forming the semiconductor devices are provided. The methods may include forming a trench in an active region and the trench may include a notched portion of the active region. The methods may also include forming an embedded stressor in the trench. The embedded stressor may include a lower semiconductor layer and an upper semiconductor layer, which has a width narrower than a width of the lower semiconductor layer. A side of the upper semiconductor layer may not be aligned with a side of the lower semiconductor layer and an uppermost surface of the upper semiconductor layer may be higher than an uppermost surface of the active region. |
| US09548295B2 |
System and method for an integrated circuit having transistor segments
In accordance with an embodiment, an integrated circuit has a first transistor made of a plurality of first transistor segments disposed in a well area, and a second transistor made of at least one second transistor segment. Drain regions of the plurality of first transistor segments and the at least one second transistor segment are coupled to a common output node. The at least one second transistor segment is disposed in the well area such that an electrostatic discharge pulse applied to a common output node homogenously triggers parasitic bipolar devices coupled to each drain region of the plurality of first transistor segments and the drain region of the at least one second transistor segment. |
| US09548294B2 |
Semiconductor device with temperature-detecting diode
A capacitive component region is formed below a temperature detecting diode or below a protective diode. In addition, the capacitive component region is formed below an anode metal wiring line connecting the temperature detecting diode and an anode electrode pad and below a cathode metal wiring line connecting the temperature detecting diode and a cathode electrode pad. The capacitive component region is an insulating film interposed between polysilicon layers. Specifically, a first insulating film, a polysilicon conductive layer, and a second insulating film are sequentially formed on a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate, and the temperature detecting diode, the protective diode, the anode metal wiring line, or the cathode metal wiring line is formed on the upper surface of the second insulating film. Therefore, it is possible to improve the static electricity resistance of the temperature detecting diode or the protective diode. |
| US09548292B2 |
Circuit including a resistive element, a diode, and a switch and a method of using the same
An ESD protection element can have a high ESD protection characteristic which has a desired breakdown voltage and flows a large discharge current. A junction diode is formed by an N+ type buried layer having a proper impurity concentration and a P+ type buried layer. The P+ type buried layer is combined with a P+ type drawing layer to penetrate an N− type epitaxial layer and be connected to an anode element. An N+ type diffusion layer and a P+ typed diffusion layer connected to an surrounding the N+ type diffusion layer are formed in the N− epitaxial layer surrounded by the P+ type buried layer etc. The N+ type diffusion layer and P+ type diffusion layer are connected to a cathode electrode. An ESD protection element is formed by the PN junction diode and a parasitic PNP bipolar transistor which uses the P+ type diffusion layer as an emitted, the N− type epitaxial layer as the base, and the P+ type drawing layer etc. as the collector. |
| US09548289B2 |
Semiconductor package assemblies with system-on-chip (SOC) packages
The invention provides a semiconductor package assembly. The semiconductor package assembly includes a first semiconductor package. The first semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor die having first pads thereon. First vias are disposed on the first semiconductor die, coupled to the first pads. A first dynamic random access memory (DRAM) die is mounted on the first semiconductor die, coupled to the first vias. A second semiconductor package is stacked on the first semiconductor package. The second semiconductor package includes a body having a die-attach surface and a bump-attach surface opposite to the die-attach surface. A second dynamic random access memory (DRAM) die is mounted on the die-attach surface, coupled to the body through the bonding wires. The number of input/output (I/O) pins of first DRAM die is different from the number of input/output (I/O) pins of the second DRAM die. |
| US09548286B2 |
Solid state lights with thermal control elements
A solid state light (“SSL”), a solid state emitter (“SSE”), and methods of manufacturing SSLs and SSEs. In one embodiment, an SSL comprises a packaging substrate having an electrical contact and a light emitting structure having a front side and a back side. The back side of the light emitting structure is superimposed with the electrical contact of the packaging substrate. The SSL can further include a temperature control element aligned with the light emitting structure and the electrical contact of the packaging substrate. |
| US09548285B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Reliability of a semiconductor device is improved. A method of manufacturing the semiconductor device includes a step of cutting a tab suspension lead from a tab suspension lead support portion connected to an outer frame of a lead frame by inserting a jig between two adjacent sealing bodies, the jig having almost the same width as a gap between the adjacent sealing bodies. And, a notch is formed in the tab suspension lead, and the notch is arranged at a position intersecting a side of a sealing body, so that the tab suspension lead is cut at a part of the notch in the step of cutting the tab suspension lead. |
| US09548278B1 |
Methods and apparatus for passive equalization in high-speed and high density integrated circuits
A passive equalization structure is provided. The passive equalization structure includes a semiconductor substrate having first and a differential pair having first and second signal conductors. The first signal conductor is formed in a first layer of the semiconductor substrate. The second signal conductor is formed in a second layer in the semiconductor substrate that is different than the first layer. The passive equalization structure further includes first and second reference planes, whereby the first and second signal conductors are formed between the first and second reference planes. The first reference plane has a first thickness, and the first signal conductor has a second thickness that is different than the first thickness. A conductive via may short the first and second reference to minimize uncertainty and variations in capacitance from the first and second signal conductors and unwanted stray capacitance effects. |
| US09548276B2 |
Structure of backside copper metallization for semiconductor devices and a fabrication method thereof
An improved structure of backside copper metallization for semiconductor devices and a fabrication method thereof, wherein the improved structure comprises sequentially from top to bottom an active layer, a substrate, a backside metal seed layer, a high-temperature sustaining buffer layer, a backside metal layer and at least one oxidation resistant layer, wherein the backside metal seed layer contains Pd and P, the high-temperature sustaining buffer layer is made of Ni, Ag or Ni alloys, and the backside metal layer is made of Cu. The semiconductor chip using the structure provided by the present invention can sustain high-temperature operations. |
| US09548273B2 |
Integrated circuit assemblies with rigid layers used for protection against mechanical thinning and for other purposes, and methods of fabricating such assemblies
Die (110) and/or undiced wafers and/or multichip modules (MCMs) are attached on top of an interposer (120) or some other structure (e.g. another integrated circuit) and are covered by an encapsulant (160). Then the interposer is thinned from below. Before encapsulation, a layer (410) more rigid than the encapsulant is formed on the interposer around the die to reduce or eliminate interposer dishing between the die when the interposer is thinned by a mechanical process (e.g. CMP). Other features are also provided. |
| US09548272B2 |
Semiconductor device, circuit substrate, and electronic device
A semiconductor device has a through electrode formed in a through hole which penetrates a Si substrate from one surface to the other surface of the Si substrate, wherein a rectangular electrode pad is provided on the other surface with an insulation film laid between the electrode pad and the other surface, an opening of the through hole on the one surface side is circular, an opening of the through hole on the other surface side is rectangular, and the area of the opening on the other surface side is made smaller than the area of the opening on the one surface side. |
| US09548271B2 |
Semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes a substrate, a first passivation layer disposed on the substrate, and an under bump metallurgy layer disposed on the first passivation layer. An additional under bump metallurgy layer is disposed on the first passivation layer, isolated from the under bump metallurgy layer; and a conductive pillar disposed on the additional under bump metallurgy layer. |
| US09548268B2 |
Semiconductor device having bilayer metal layer
A semiconductor device includes an opening, a metal nitride layer, a bilayer metal layer and a conductive bulk layer. The opening is disposed in a first dielectric layer. The metal nitride layer is disposed in the opening. The bilayer metal layer is disposed on the metal nitride layer in the opening, where the bilayer metal layer includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer which is disposed on the first metal layer and has a greater metal concentration than that of the first metal layer. The conductive bulk layer is filled in the opening. |
| US09548267B2 |
Three dimensional circuit including shielded inductor and method of forming same
The three dimensional (3D) circuit includes a first tier including a semiconductor substrate, a second tier disposed adjacent to the first tier, a three dimensional inductor including an inductive element portion, the inductive element portion including a conductive via extending from the first tier to a dielectric layer of the second tier. The 3D circuit includes a ground shield surrounding at least a portion of the conductive via. In some embodiments, the ground shield includes a hollow cylindrical cage. In some embodiments, the 3D circuit is a low noise amplifier. |
| US09548266B2 |
Semiconductor package with embedded capacitor and methods of manufacturing same
A semiconductor package with an embedded capacitor and corresponding manufacturing methods are described. The semiconductor package with the embedded capacitor includes a semiconductor die having a first metal layer extending across at least a portion of a first side of the semiconductor die and a package structure formed on the first side of the semiconductor die. A first electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor is formed in the first metal layer of the semiconductor die. The package structure includes a second metal layer that has formed therein a second electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor. A dielectric of the embedded capacitor is positioned within either the semiconductor die or the package structure of the semiconductor package to isolate the first electrical conductor from the second electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor. |
| US09548265B2 |
Chip package and manufacturing method thereof
A chip package includes a chip, an isolation layer, and a redistribution layer. The chip has a substrate, an electrical pad, and a protection layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface. The substrate has a through hole, and protection layer has a concave hole, such that the electrical pad is exposed through the concave hole and the through hole. The isolation layer is located on the second surface, the sidewall of the through hole, and the sidewall of the concave hole. The redistribution layer includes a connection portion and a passive element portion. The connection portion is located on isolation layer and in electrical contact with the electrical pad. The passive element portion is located on isolation layer that is on second surface, and an end of passive element portion is connected to connection portion that is on the second surface. |
| US09548264B2 |
High density organic bridge device and method
Embodiments that allow multi-chip interconnect using organic bridges are described. In some embodiments an organic package substrate has an embedded organic bridge. The organic bridge can have interconnect structures that allow attachment of die to be interconnected by the organic bridge. In some embodiments, the organic bridge comprises a metal routing layer, a metal pad layer and interleaved organic polymer dielectric layers but without a substrate layer. Embodiments having only a few layers may be embedded into the top layer or top few layers of the organic package substrate. Methods of manufacture are also described. |
| US09548262B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor package and semiconductor package
In a semiconductor package, surfaces of a die pad, a semiconductor element, a connecting member, and a lead are subjected to a surface treatment with a silane coupling agent. A first surface of a plurality of surfaces of the semiconductor device includes a first region where an organic substance is exposed, and a second region where an inorganic substance is exposed, the first surface being bonded with the connecting member. A bonding strength between the first region and the sealing resin is weaker than a bonding strength between the second region and the sealing resin. |
| US09548256B2 |
Heat spreader and method for forming
The present disclosure provides embodiments for a semiconductor structure including a heat spreader that includes a graphene grid having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The graphene grid has a plurality of holes, each hole having a first opening in the first major surface and a second opening in the second major surface. The heat spreader also includes a first copper portion covering the first major surface of the graphene grid, a second copper portion covering the second major surface of the graphene grid, and a plurality of copper vias filling the plurality of holes. |
| US09548254B2 |
Packaged semiconductor chips with array
A chip-sized, wafer level packaged device including a portion of a semiconductor wafer including a device, at least one packaging layer containing silicon and formed over the device, a first ball grid array formed over a surface of the at least one packaging layer and being electrically connected to the device and a second ball grid array formed over a surface of the portion of the semiconductor wafer and being electrically connected to the device. |
| US09548252B2 |
Reworkable epoxy resin and curative blend for low thermal expansion applications
A curable composition including: an epoxy resin; and an amine curing component including: an aromatic amine curing agent; and a solubilizer including an aliphatic amine, a cycloaliphatic amine, a non-volatile primary alcohol, non-volatile solvent or a mixture thereof. An electronic assembly including: a substrate; an underfill including a cured product of the curable composition on the substrate; and a ball grid array on the underfill is also disclosed. |
| US09548251B2 |
Semiconductor interposer having a cavity for intra-interposer die
A semiconductor package may include a substrate, and a semiconductor interposer having a cavity and a plurality of through semiconductor vias. The semiconductor interposer is situated over the substrate. An intra-interposer die is disposed within the cavity of the semiconductor interposer. A thermally conductive adhesive is disposed within the cavity and contacts the intra-interposer die. Additionally, a top die is situated over the semiconductor interposer. In one implementation, the semiconductor interposer is a silicon interposer. In another implementation, the semiconductor interposer is flip-chip mounted to the substrate such that the intra-interposer die disposed within the cavity faces the substrate. In yet another implementation, the cavity in the semiconductor interposer may extend from a top surface of the semiconductor interposer to a bottom surface of the semiconductor interposer and a thermal interface material may be disposed between the intra-interposer die and the substrate. |
| US09548249B2 |
Methods of performing fin cut etch processes for FinFET semiconductor devices and the resulting devices
A method includes forming a plurality of fins above a substrate. A first mask layer is formed above a first subset of the fins. First portions of the fins in the first subset exposed by a first opening in the first mask layer are removed to define, for each of the fins, a first fin segment and a second fin segment, each having a cut end surface. A first liner layer is formed on at least the cut end surface of the first fin segment for each of the fins in the first subset. A second mask layer having a second opening is formed above a second subset of the plurality of fins. An etching process removes second portions of the second subset of fins exposed by the second opening. The first liner layer protects the cut end surface of at least the first fin segment during the removing. |
| US09548237B2 |
Method for transferring a layer comprising a compressive stress layer and related structures
A method comprising the following steps: providing a support substrate and a donor substrate, forming an embrittlement region in the donor substrate so as to delimit a first portion and a second portion on either side of the embrittlement region, assembling the donor substrate on the support substrate, fracturing the donor substrate along the embrittlement region. In addition, the method comprises a step consisting of forming a compressive stress layer in the donor substrate so as to delimit a so-called confinement region interposed between the compressive stress layer and the embrittlement region. |
| US09548236B2 |
Methods of forming strained-semiconductor-on-insulator device structures
The benefits of strained semiconductors are combined with silicon-on-insulator approaches to substrate and device fabrication. |
| US09548232B2 |
Attaching apparatus
An attaching apparatus, a substrate and a support that can be uniformly attached through an adhesive layer. The attaching apparatus is equipped with a set plate and a press plate formed of ceramics. The set plate and the press plate have a flatness of 1.0 μm or less when not pressed. |
| US09548228B2 |
Void free tungsten fill in different sized features
Methods of depositing tungsten in different sized features on a substrate are provided herein. The methods involve depositing a first bulk layer of tungsten in the features, etching the deposited tungsten, depositing a second bulk tungsten, which is interrupted to treat the tungsten after the smaller features are completely filled, and resuming deposition of the second bulk layer after treatment to deposit smaller, smoother tungsten grains into the large features. The methods also involve depositing tungsten in multiple cycles of dep-etch-dep, where each cycle targets a group of similarly sized features using etch chemistry specific for that group, and depositing in groups from smallest sized features to the largest sized features. Deposition using methods described herein produce smaller, smoother grains with void-free fill for a wide range of sized features in a substrate. |
| US09548226B2 |
Member for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and method for manufacturing the same
A high-frequency power supply includes a shaft bonded to one surface of a plate serving as a gas distributor plate. The plate includes a radio-frequency electrode buried therein. The shaft has a through-hole through which a gas flows. The plate and the shaft are made of a ceramic material. The shaft has a double-tube structure including the inner tube and the outer tube . The interior space of the inner tube forms the through-hole. The plate is hermetically solid-state bonded to the inner tube and the outer tube. The shaft is bonded to the center of the plate. |
| US09548223B2 |
Apparatus for treating surfaces of wafer-shaped articles
A device and method for processing wafer-shaped articles comprises a process chamber and a rotary chuck located within the process chamber. The rotary chuck is adapted to be driven without physical contact through a magnetic bearing. The rotary chuck comprises a series of gripping pins adapted to hold a wafer shaped article in a position depending downwardly from the rotary chuck. The rotary chuck further comprises a plate that rotates together with the rotary chuck. The plate is positioned above an area occupied by the wafer-shaped article, and shields upper surfaces of the process chamber from liquids flung off of a wafer-shaped article during use of the rotary chuck. |
| US09548221B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing wafer-shaped articles
The wet treatment of wafer-shaped articles is improved by utilizing a droplet generator designed to produce a spray of monodisperse droplets. The droplet generator is mounted above a spin chuck, and is moved across a major surface of the wafer-shaped article in a linear or arcuate path. The droplet generator includes a transducer acoustically coupled to its body such that sonic energy reaches a region of the body surrounding the discharge orifices. Each orifice has a width w of at least 1 μm and at most 200 μm and a height h such that a ratio of h to w is not greater than 1. |
| US09548219B2 |
Semiconductor package and fabrication method thereof and carrier structure
A carrier structure is provided, which includes: a metal oxide plate having opposite first and second surfaces and a plurality of through holes penetrating the first and second surfaces; a plurality of conductive portions formed in the through holes, respectively; and a plurality of conductive pads formed on the first surface of the metal oxide plate, wherein each of the conductive pads is correspondingly positioned on and in contact with a plurality of the conductive portions so as to be electrically connected to the plurality of the conductive portions. By replacing a conventional silicon interposer with the metal oxide plate, the present invention eliminates the need to form through silicon vias as required in the prior art and therefore simplifies the fabrication process. |
| US09548218B2 |
Thermal surface treatment for reuse of wafers after epitaxial lift off
There is disclosed a method of preserving the integrity of a growth substrate in a epitaxial lift-off method, the method comprising providing a structure comprising a growth substrate, one or more protective layers, a sacrificial layer, and at least one epilayer, wherein the sacrificial layer and the one or more protective layers are positioned between the growth substrate and the at least one epilayer; releasing the at least one epilayer by etching the sacrificial layer with an etchant; and heat treating the growth substrate and/or at least one of the protective layers. |
| US09548217B2 |
Etching method of semiconductor substrate, and method of producing semiconductor device
An etching method containing, at the time of processing a substrate having a first layer containing titanium nitride (TiN) and a second layer containing a transition metal, selecting a substrate in which a surface oxygen content of the first layer is from 0.1 to 10% by mole, and applying an etching liquid containing a hydrofluoric acid compound and an oxidizing agent to the substrate and thereby removing the first layer. |
| US09548215B2 |
High visibility endoprosthesis and method
An endoprosthesis, a method for imaging an endoprosthesis, a method of making an endoprosthesis involve a polymeric substrate that has been modified to have voids embedded within the substrate. The voids are sized to scatter optical radiation from within the substrate so that an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image can be obtained in which an interior region of the substrate can be easily differentiated from empty space and other structures that surround the endoprosthesis. The voids allow for OCT visualization of the polymeric substrate which may be difficult to visualize by other methods such as fluoroscopy. |
| US09548214B2 |
Plasma etching method of modulating high frequency bias power to processing target object
A plasma etching method includes a first process of applying, while applying a first high frequency power to a lower electrode, a second high frequency power to the lower electrode while switching the second high frequency power ON and OFF cyclically; and a second process of applying, while applying the first high frequency power to the lower electrode, the second high frequency power to the lower electrode while maintaining the second high frequency power ON continuously. The first process and the second process are alternately performed. If the deposits are formed on a bottom portion of an inner surface of the hole formed by the etching, the inner surface of the hole is protected by the deposits from the ions introduced into the hole. Therefore, the etching of the inner surface of the hole can be suppressed, and, thus, the twisting of the hole can also be suppressed. |
| US09548212B2 |
Semiconductor devices and fabrication method thereof
A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a substrate having a device region and a peripheral region; and forming device structures on the substrate in the device region so as to form trenches between adjacent device structures. The method also includes forming a stop layer on the substrate and the device structures; and forming a first dielectric layer on the stop layer such that a portion of the densified first dielectric layer fills the trenches and a top surface of a portion of the first dielectric layer in the peripheral region is lower than a surface of the stop layer on the device structures by a densify high aspect ratio process. Further, the method includes forming a second dielectric layer on the densified first dielectric layer; and performing a plurality of polishing processes until the top surface of the device structures is exposed. |
| US09548210B2 |
Fabrication method of a transistor with improved field effect
Fabrication of a field-effect transistor is performed on a substrate comprising a film made from first semiconductor material, a gate dielectric covered by a gate electrode, source and drain areas separated by the gate electrode, a protection layer covering gate electrode and source and drain areas, and an access hole to the source area and/or to drain area. Metallic material is deposited in the access hole in contact with the first semiconductor material of the source and/or drain area. An electrically conducting barrier layer that is non-reactive with the first semiconductor material and with the metallic material is deposited before reaction of metallic material with first semiconductor material. Transformation heat treatment of the metallic material with the semiconductor material is performed to form a metallic material having a base formed by the semiconductor material generating a set of stresses on a conduction channel arranged between the source and drain areas. |
| US09548209B2 |
Method for integrated circuit fabrication
Provided is an integrated circuit (IC) fabrication method. The method includes receiving a mask, the mask having a plurality of dies and receiving a wafer, the wafer having a resist layer. The method further includes exposing the resist layer using the mask with a fraction radiation dose thereby forming a first plurality of images; re-positioning the mask relative to the wafer; and exposing the resist layer using the mask with another fraction radiation dose. A second plurality of images is formed, wherein a portion of the second plurality of images is superimposed over another portion of the first plurality of images. |
| US09548205B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device that reduces degradation of device properties includes forming an impurity region in a surface layer of a semiconductor substrate by ion injection; forming a transition metal layer in a surface of the impurity region; and exposing the semiconductor substrate with the transition metal layer formed thereon to a hydrogen plasma atmosphere formed by microwaves. The transition metal layer is heated and the heat is transferred from the transition metal layer to the impurity region to form an ohmic contact at the interface of the transition metal layer and the impurity region by reaction of the transition metal layer and the impurity region, and the impurity region is activated. When the substrate is a silicon carbide substrate, the ohmic contact is composed of a transition metal silicide and the impurity region, which is an ion injection layer, is activated. |
| US09548204B2 |
Semiconductor device, manufacturing method of the same and method of suppressing decrease of flat band voltage
There is provided a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor layer that is made of a gallium-containing group III-V compound; and a first insulating film that is in contact with the semiconductor layer and contains silicon. An average density of gallium in the first insulating film between an interface of the first insulating film and the semiconductor layer and a plane away from the interface by 30 nm is less than 1.0×1018 cm−3. This configuration suppresses a decrease in flat band voltage and a decrease in threshold voltage. |
| US09548201B2 |
Self-aligned multiple spacer patterning schemes for advanced nanometer technology
The present disclosure provides forming nanostructures with precision dimension control and minimum lithographic related errors for features with dimension under 14 nanometers and beyond. A self-aligned multiple spacer patterning (SAMSP) process is provided herein and the process utilizes minimum lithographic exposure process, but rather multiple deposition/etching process to incrementally reduce feature sizes formed in the mask along the manufacturing process, until a desired extreme small dimension nanostructures are formed in a mask layer. |
| US09548197B2 |
Substrate treatment method and substrate treatment apparatus
A substrate treatment method is provided, which includes a rinsing step of supplying a rinse liquid to a front surface of a rotating substrate after a chemical liquid step. The rinsing step includes a higher-speed rinsing step and a deceleration rinsing step to be performed after the higher-speed rinsing step. The deceleration rinsing step includes a liquid puddling step of reducing the rotation speed of the substrate within a rotation speed range lower than a rotation speed employed in the higher-speed rinsing step and supplying the rinse liquid to the front surface of the substrate at a flow rate higher than a maximum supply flow rate employed in the higher-speed rinsing step, whereby a puddle-like rinse liquid film is formed on the front surface of the substrate. |
| US09548196B2 |
Discharge lamp
A discharge lamp includes a cathode in a luminous tube, and an emitter, other than thorium, is added to the cathode. The emitter is prevented from being excessively vaporized from the cathode and depleted soon. Smooth lighting is enabled even at start-up. A main body part (31) of the cathode (3) is made from a metallic material having a high melting point and containing no thorium. A front end (32) is made from a metallic material having a high melting point and containing an emitter (excepting thorium). Inside a sealed space (33) formed in the main body part (31) and/or the front end part (32) is received a sintered compact (34) containing an emitter (excepting thorium) that is higher in concentration than the emitter contained in the front end part (32). |
| US09548192B2 |
Ion focusing
The invention generally relates to apparatuses for focusing ions at or above ambient pressure and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus for focusing ions that includes an electrode having a cavity, at least one inlet within the electrode configured to operatively couple with an ionization source, such that discharge generated by the ionization source is injected into the cavity of the electrode, and an outlet. The cavity in the electrode is shaped such that upon application of voltage to the electrode, ions within the cavity are focused and directed to the outlet, which is positioned such that a proximal end of the outlet receives the focused ions and a distal end of the outlet is open to ambient pressure. |
| US09548191B2 |
Ion trapping with integrated electromagnets
Devices, systems, and methods for ion trapping with integrated electromagnets are described herein. One device includes a plurality of electrodes configured to trap an ion above a surface of the device, a medial coil and a plurality of peripheral coils, each positioned at a respective radial angle associated with the medial coil, wherein the medial coil is configured to generate a first magnetic field having a first orientation, and wherein the peripheral coils are configured to generate a second magnetic field having a second orientation that opposes the first orientation. |
| US09548186B2 |
Methods and apparatus for dual confinement and ultra-high pressure in an adjustable gap plasma chamber
A plasma processing system having a plasma processing chamber configured for processing a substrate is provided. The plasma processing system includes at least an upper electrode and a lower electrode for processing the substrate. The substrate is disposed on the lower electrode during plasma processing, where the upper electrode and the substrate forms a first gap. The plasma processing system also includes an upper electrode peripheral extension (UE-PE). The UE-PE is mechanically coupled to a periphery of the upper electrode, where the UE-PE is configured to be non-coplanar with the upper electrode. The plasma processing system further includes a cover ring. The cover ring is configured to concentrically surround the lower electrode, where the UE-PE and the cover ring forms a second gap. |
| US09548185B2 |
Cross section processing method and cross section processing apparatus
A cross section processing method and a cross section processing apparatus are provided in which it is possible to form a flat cross section in a sample composed of a plurality of substances having different hardness by a focused ion beam. The etching of a processing area is performed while variably controlling the irradiation interval, the irradiation time, or the like of a focused ion beam based on cross section information of an SEM image obtained by the observation of a cross section. In this way, even if a sample is composed of a plurality of substances having different hardness, it is possible to form a flat observation surface with a uniform etching rate. |
| US09548182B2 |
Charged particle beam generating apparatus, charged particle beam apparatus, high voltage generating apparatus, and high potential apparatus
An instrument producing a charged particle beam according to the present invention is provided with: a charged particle source; a plurality of first electrodes disposed along a direction of irradiation of charged particles from the charged particle source; a plurality of insulation members disposed between the first electrodes; and a housing mounted around the plurality of first electrodes. The housing is formed from an insulating solid material, and includes a plurality of second electrodes disposed at positions in proximity to the plurality of first electrodes. At least one of the plurality of second electrodes is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of first electrodes, each of the plurality of second electrodes having the same potential as the potential of the proximate one of the first electrodes. |
| US09548181B2 |
Boron-containing dopant compositions, systems and methods of use thereof for improving ion beam current and performance during boron ion implantation
A novel composition, system and method for improving beam current during boron ion implantation are provided. In a preferred aspect, the boron ion implant process involves utilizing B2H6, 11BF3 and H2 at specific ranges of concentrations. The B2H6 is selected to have an ionization cross-section higher than that of the BF3 at an operating arc voltage of an ion source utilized during generation and implantation of active hydrogen ions species. The hydrogen allows higher levels of B2H6 to be introduced into the BF3 without reduction in F ion scavenging. The active boron ions produce an improved beam current characterized by maintaining or increasing the beam current level without incurring degradation of the ion source when compared to a beam current generated from conventional boron precursor materials. |
| US09548180B2 |
Nanoparticle-templated lithographic patterning of nanoscale electronic components
Some embodiments of vacuum electronics call for nanoscale field-enhancing geometries. Methods and apparatus for using nanoparticles to fabricate nanoscale field-enhancing geometries are described herein. Other embodiments of vacuum electronics call for methods of controlling spacing between a control grid and an electrode on a nano- or micron-scale, and such methods are described herein. |
| US09548178B2 |
Fuse structure and monitoring method thereof
A fuse structure includes a substrate, a fuse element, and an auxiliary device. The fuse element is disposed on the substrate. The auxiliary device includes a source region and a drain region respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the fuse element. The auxiliary device is configured to monitor and diagnose the fuse element. The source region and the drain region are electrically isolated from the fuse element. A monitoring method of the fuse structure includes following steps. A drain voltage signal is applied to the drain region of the auxiliary device, a gate voltage signal is applied to the fuse element, and a signal from the source region is analyzed to diagnose a condition of the fuse element. |
| US09548176B2 |
Fuse terminal for use with an electrical fuse assembly
A fuse terminal includes a central body portion. A first arm extends from the central body portion and defines an arm space that is located on a fuse side of the central body portion. A connector portion also extends from the central body portion and includes a leg that extends on the fuse side of the central body portion. |
| US09548174B2 |
Contractor assembly which counteracts electromagnetic repulsion of contacts
A switch assembly adapted and a method for switching power to a circuit having a power source. The switch assembly includes current carrying contacts and a coupling member. The coupling member has conductive pads for engaging the current carrying contacts and a contact bridge extending between the conductive pads. An actuator assembly moves the coupling member between a closed position in which the conductive pads of the coupling member engage the current carrying contacts and an open position in which the conductive pads of the coupling member are disengaged from the current carrying contacts. Opposing electromagnetic forces are generated between the contact bridge and the conductive pads to resist electromagnetic repulsion forces generated between the current carrying contacts and the conductive pads as the actuator assembly approaches or is in the closed position. |
| US09548171B2 |
Switchboard
Disclosed is a switchboard. The switchboard includes a switchboard case with a built-in circuit breaker, a door mounted on the switchboard case in a hinge structure to be opened or closed and configured to include a door hook including an inclined surface at a front end, an external manipulation handle provided at an outer side of the switchboard case and configured to manually, externally manipulate a switch-on or off operation of the circuit breaker, and a catching member disposed in the switchboard case to be contactable with the inclined surface of the door hook. The catching member rotates by contacting the inclined surface of the door hook according to a closing operation of the door, and a locked state of the door is maintained by catching the door hook on one side corner of the catching member. |
| US09548170B2 |
Electrical switching apparatus with terminal guard assembly
A guard assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus of an electrical system. The electrical system includes a number of conductors each having an insulated portion and an exposed portion that meet at a junction. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing and a number of terminals connected to the exposed portion of a conductor. The guard assembly comprises: an interconnect member coupled to the housing; and a number of guard members each comprising: a first portion coupled to the interconnect member, and a second portion extending from the first portion away from the housing, the second portion comprising: a first distal end located at the first portion, and a second distal end opposite and distal from the first distal end. Each of the guard members has an opening. The opening receives a conductor. Each junction is located between a second distal end and a terminal. |
| US09548167B2 |
Aqueous polyvinylidene fluoride composition
The invention relates to an aqueous fluoropolymer, and preferably polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), composition for manufacturing electrodes for use in non-aqueous-type electrochemical devices, such as batteries and electric double layer capacitors. The composition contains aqueous PVDF binder, and one or more powdery electrode-forming materials. In one embodiment, the composition is free of fluorinated surfactant In another embodiment, one or more fugitive adhesion promoters are added. The electrode formed from the composition of the invention exhibits interconnectivity and irreversibility that is achieved from the use of aqueous PVDF binder. |
| US09548166B2 |
Capacitor electrolyte
A capacitor for an implantable medical device is presented. The capacitor includes an anode, a cathode, a separator therebetween, and an electrolyte over the anode, cathode, and separator. The electrolyte includes ingredients comprising acetic acid, ammonium acetate, phosphoric acid, and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether. The capacitor has an operating voltage ninety percent or greater of its formation voltage. |
| US09548165B2 |
Predoping method for lithium, lithium-predoped electrode, and electricity storage device
A predoping method for lithium, which is characterized by mixing and kneading, in the presence of a solvent, lithium metal with (a) silicon and a composite dispersion of silicon and silicon dioxide, (b) particles represented by SiOx (wherein 0.5≦x<1.6) and having a fine structure wherein fine silicon particles are dispersed in a silicon-based compound, and (c) an Si-based material that is a mixture of one or more oxides selected from among the lower oxides of silicon represented by the above-mentioned formula and that is capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions; a lithium-predoped electrode which uses the predoping method for lithium; and an electricity storage device. |
| US09548164B2 |
Organic conductor, method for producing organic conductor, electronic device, and solid electrolytic capacitor
The present disclosure is to provide an organic conductor having high conductivity and heat resistance. The organic conductor in accordance with the present disclosure contains a conductive polymer, a quinone compound, and a vanadyl compound. |
| US09548163B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor with improved performance at high voltages
A solid electrolytic capacitor that comprises a sintered porous anode, a dielectric layer that overlies the anode body, and a solid electrolyte overlying the dielectric layer is provided. The anode is formed from a finely divided powder (e.g., nodular or angular) having a relatively high specific charge. Despite the use of such high specific charge powders, high voltages can be achieved through a combination of features relating to the formation of the anode and solid electrolyte. For example, relatively high press densities and sintering temperatures may be employed to achieve “sinter necks” between adjacent agglomerated particles that are relatively large in size, which render the dielectric layer in the vicinity of the neck less susceptible to failure at high forming voltages. |
| US09548161B2 |
Dielectric thin film element, antifuse element, and method of producing dielectric thin film element
A dielectric thin film element having a high humidity resistance is provided. A dielectric thin film element includes a capacitance section having a dielectric layer and a pair of electrode layers formed on the respective upper and lower surfaces of the dielectric layer. Furthermore, a protection layer is provided on the capacitance section, a pair of interconnect layers are drawn out to an upper surface of the protection layer, and external electrodes are formed to be electrically connected to the interconnect layers. Further, first surface metal layers cover a portion of the interconnect layers that extends along the inner surface of the openings and second surface metal layers are formed at end of the first surface metal layers. |
| US09548159B2 |
Electronic component
A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes flat-shaped inner electrodes that are laminated. An interposer includes an insulating substrate that is larger than contours of the multilayer ceramic capacitor. A first mounting electrode that mounts the multilayer ceramic capacitor is located on a first principal surface of the insulating substrate, and a first external connection electrode for connection to an external circuit board located on a second principal surface. The multilayer ceramic capacitor is mounted onto the interposer in such a way that the principal surfaces of the inner electrodes are parallel or substantially parallel to the principal surface of the interposer, that is, the first and second principal surfaces of the insulating substrate. |
| US09548152B2 |
Redundant current-sum feedback actuator
A system and methods for redundant current-sum feedback control of an actuator system is presented. An actuator comprises actuation coils configured to actuate the actuator, and an actuation coil current sensor senses a measured total coil current comprising a sum of coil currents of each of the actuation coils. Actuator coil controllers control the actuation coils based on a commanded total coil current and the measured total coil current. |
| US09548150B2 |
Cerium-iron-based magnetic compounds
New magnetic materials containing cerium, iron, and small additions of a third element are disclosed. These materials comprise compounds Ce(Fe12−xMx) where x=1-4, having the ThMn12 tetragonal crystal structure (space group I4/mmm, #139). Compounds with M=B, Al, Si, P, S, Sc, Co, Ni, Zn, Ga, Ge, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, and W are identified theoretically, and one class of compounds based on M=Si has been synthesized. The Si cognates are characterized by large magnetic moments (4πMs greater than 1.27 Tesla) and high Curie temperatures (264≦Tc≦305° C.). The Ce(Fe12−xMx) compound may contain one or more of Ti, V, Cr, and Mo in combination with an M element. Further enhancement in Tc is obtained by nitriding the Ce compounds through heat treatment in N2 gas while retaining the ThMn12 tetragonal crystal structure; for example CeFe10Si2N1.29 has Tc=426° C. |
| US09548147B2 |
Metal or metal oxide comprising a surface-bonded organic shell, and a method for preparing the same
An organically surface-bonded metal or metal oxide material including an inorganic metal or metal oxide and an organic material. The organic material is coated on the surface of the inorganic metal or metal oxide. The inorganic metal or metal oxide and the organic material are linked through a strong chemical bond. The strong chemical bond includes a covalent bond between a metal in the inorganic metal or metal oxide and a nitrogen in the organic material. |
| US09548145B2 |
Microelectronic assembly with multi-layer support structure
A method of forming a microelectronic assembly includes positioning a support structure adjacent to an active region of a device but not extending onto the active region. The support structure has planar sections. Each planar section has a substantially uniform composition. The composition of at least one of the planar sections differs from the composition of at least one of the other planar sections. A lid is positioned in contact with the support structure and extends over the active region. The support structure is bonded to the device and to the lid. |
| US09548144B2 |
Isolation system for an electronic device
An isolation system is provided for an electronic device that is configured to be mounted to a structure. The isolation system includes a flexible conductor configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device. The isolation system also includes an isolator configured to be coupled between the electronic device and the structure such that the isolator is configured to attenuate at least one of shock or vibration exerted on the electronic device. At least a portion of the isolator is electrically conductive. The isolator is electrically connected to the flexible conductor and is configured to be electrically connected to the structure such that the isolator provides an electrical path between the flexible conductor and the structure. |
| US09548143B2 |
Multipair cable
A multipair cable includes an inner layer part including two differential signal transmission cables for an inner layer that are twisted together, a press winding tape wound around a periphery of the inner layer part, and an outer layer part including a plurality of differential signal transmission cables for an outer layer that are wound around an outer periphery of the press winding tape. The inner layer part further includes a buffer tape disposed between the two differential signal transmission cables. |
| US09548140B2 |
Nuclear reactor vessel support structure and construction method of nuclear reactor vessel support structure
A nuclear reactor vessel structure includes an inner peripheral tube-shaped steel plate, an outer peripheral tube-shaped steel plate, and an intermediate tube-shaped steel plate disposed between the inner and outer peripheral tube-shaped steel plates, and is configured to support a nuclear reactor vessel on the inner peripheral side of a tube-shaped structure with concrete placed between the steel plates. The nuclear reactor vessel structure includes a support having a tube-shaped plate disposed on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate tube-shaped steel plate, and an annular plate which protrudes to the inner peripheral side of the tube-shaped plate and to which a connection section is affixed. The support is affixed to the concrete, which is placed between the inner peripheral and the intermediate tube-shaped steel plates, by first bar members, and the support is also affixed to the inner peripheral tube-shaped steel plate by second bar members. |
| US09548138B2 |
Test method for memory
A test method tests a memory device including a memory array having a plurality of symmetric memory cells, a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines. In testing a first word line, a first bit line is charged to test a single bit of a first half of an adjacent first symmetric memory cell; and a second bit line is charged to test a single bit of a second half of an adjacent second symmetric memory cell. In testing a second word line, the first bit line is charged to test a single bit of the second half of an adjacent third symmetric memory cell; and the second bit line is charged to test a single bit of the first half of an adjacent fourth symmetric memory cell. In testing each of the word lines, each of the bit lines is charged once. |
| US09548137B2 |
Integrated circuit defect detection and repair
In accordance with the present description, a device includes an internal defect detection and repair circuit which includes a self-test logic circuit built in within the device and a self-repair logic circuit also built in within the device. In one embodiment, the built in self-test logic circuit may be configured to automatically identify defective memory cells in a memory. Upon identifying one or more defective memory cells, the built in self-repair logic circuit may be configured to automatically repair the defective memory cells by replacing defective cells with spare cells within the memory. |
| US09548134B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device and multi chip package including the same
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a first circuit block configured to receive data from a plurality of data I/O (input/output) lines and output test data in a test mode, and a second circuit block configured to connect the plurality of data I/O lines and the first circuit block, output the data of the plurality of data I/O lines in a normal mode and output the test data provided from the first circuit block in the test mode. |
| US09548132B2 |
Shift register memory device, shift register, and data storage method
According to one embodiment, a shift register memory device includes a shift register, a program/read element, and a rotating force application unit. The shift register includes a plurality of rotors arranged along one direction and provided with a uniaxial anisotropy. Each of the plurality of rotors has a characteristic direction rotatable around a rotational axis extending in the one direction. The program/read element is configured to program data to the shift register by causing the characteristic direction of one of the rotors to match one selected from two directions conforming to the uniaxial anisotropy and configured to read the data by detecting the characteristic direction. The rotating force application unit is configured to apply a rotating force to the shift register to urge the characteristic direction to rotate. The plurality of rotors are organized into a plurality of pairs of every two mutually adjacent rotors. A first force acts to urge the characteristic directions to be opposingly parallel for two of the rotors belonging to the same pair. A second force acts to urge the characteristic directions to be opposingly parallel for two mutually adjacent rotors belonging to mutually adjacent pairs. |
| US09548129B2 |
Word line look ahead read for word line to word line short detection
Techniques are provided for operating a memory device which detect word line short circuits, such as short circuits between adjacent word lines. In an example implementation, during a programming operation, the number of program loops used to complete programming or reach another programming milestone for WLn are counted. If the number of program loops exceeds a loop count limit, the memory cells of WLn+1 are evaluated to determine whether a short circuit is present. The evaluation involves a read operation which counts erased state memory cells in the upper tail of the Vth distribution of WLn+1. If the count exceeds a bit count limit, it is concluded that a short circuit exits between WLn and WLn+1, and a corrective action is taken. The loop count limit is adjusted lower as the number of program-erase cycles increases. |
| US09548122B2 |
Level shift driver circuit capable of reducing gate-induced drain leakage current
A level shift driver circuit comprises a level shift circuit and a driver circuit. The driver circuit comprises a first and a second P-type transistors and a first and a second N-type transistors coupled in series. When a first input signal of the level shift circuit is at an operative voltage, the level shift circuit turns off the second N-type transistor. A control terminal of the first N-type transistor receives the operative voltage to avoid a gate-induced drain leakage current of the second N-type transistor. When the first input signal is at a system base voltage, the level shift circuit turns off the first P-type transistor. A control terminal of the second P-type transistor receives the operative voltage to avoid a gate-induced drain leakage current of the first P-type transistor. |
| US09548120B2 |
Content addressable memory
Content addressable memory (CAM) devices provide for high density, low cost CAM devices. CAM devices include a non-volatile memory array having a plurality of NAND memory cell strings, wherein a NAND memory cell string of the non-volatile memory array comprises a plurality of CAM memory cells, and wherein the CAM memory cells comprise non-volatile memory cells of a same NAND memory cell string. The CAM devices further include a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is adapted to search data words stored in the plurality of NAND memory cell strings for a match to at least a portion of an input data word. |
| US09548117B2 |
Non-volatile SRAM with multiple storage states
Technologies are generally described herein for a non-volatile static random access memory device with multiple storage states. In some examples, the multi-storage state non-volatile random access memory device has two or more memory cells. Each memory cell may include a pair of programmable resistive devices that may be dynamically programmed to configure the memory cell in a particular logic state. |
| US09548116B2 |
Resistive memory with program verify and erase verify capability
A resistive non-volatile memory cell is programmed. A programming voltage is applied to a first terminal of the resistive non-volatile memory cell. Sensing, during the applying the programming voltage, determines if the resistive non-volatile memory cell has been programmed. Current is limited through the resistive non-volatile memory cell to a first magnitude. After a predetermined time, if the sensing has not detected that the resistive non-volatile memory cell has been programmed, the current through the resistive non-volatile memory cell is limited to a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude. The resistive non-volatile memory cell is also erased. |
| US09548113B2 |
Tamper-resistant non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells, a read circuit that, in operation, obtains pieces of resistance value information each relating to the resistance value of one of the memory cells, an arithmetic circuit that, in operation, calculates a binary reference value based on at least a part of the pieces of resistance value information, and a data adjustment circuit. In operation, the read circuit assigns, based on the binary reference value, 0 or 1 to each of the pieces of resistance value information. In operation, the data adjustment circuit determines whether to adjust the binary reference value, in accordance with a difference between the numbers of pieces of digital data “0” and digital data “1” in the pieces of digital data. |
| US09548110B2 |
Memory device and method for thermoelectric heat confinement
A memory device for thermoelectric heat confinement and method for producing same. The memory device includes a plurality of phase-change memory cells, wherein each of the phase-change memory cells has a first electrode, a second electrode and a phase-change material. The first electrode and the phase-change material are arranged such that a surface normal of a dominating interface for a current flow between the first electrode and the phase-change material points on one side to the phase-change material of the phase-change memory cell and on an opposite side to a phase-change material of a neighboring phase-change memory cell. A method for producing a memory device for thermoelectric heat confinement is also provided. |
| US09548109B2 |
Circuit and system of using FinFET for building programmable resistive devices
Junction diodes or MOS devices fabricated in standard FinFET technologies can be used as program selectors or One-Time Programmable (OTP) element in a programmable resistive device, such as interconnect fuse, contact/via fuse, anti-fuse, or emerging nonvolatile memory such as MRAM, PCRAM, CBRAM, or RRAM. The MOS or diode can be built on at least one fin structure or at least one active region that has at least one first active region and a second active region. The first and the second active regions can be isolated by a dummy MOS gate or silicide block layer (SBL)to construct a diode. |
| US09548108B2 |
Virtual memory device (VMD) application/driver for enhanced flash endurance
A Virtual-Memory Device (VMD) driver and application execute on a host to increase endurance of flash memory attached to a Super Enhanced Endurance Device (SEED) or Solid-State Drive (SSD). Host accesses to flash are intercepted by the VMD driver using upper and lower-level filter drivers and categorized as data types of paging files, temporary files, meta-data, and user data files, using address ranges and file extensions read from meta-data tables. Paging files and temporary files are optionally written to flash. Full-page and partial-page data are grouped into multi-page meta-pages by data type before storage by the SSD. Ramdisks and caches for storing each data type in the host DRAM are managed and flushed to the SSD by the VMD driver. Write dates are stored for pages or blocks for management functions. A spare/swap area in DRAM reduces flash wear. Reference voltages are adjusted when error correction fails. |
| US09548106B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
A semiconductor storage device provided can increase a write margin and suppress increase of a chip area. The semiconductor storage device includes plural memory cells arranged in a matrix; plural bit-line pairs arranged corresponding to each column of the memory cells; a write driver circuit which transmits data to a bit-line pair of a selected column according to write data; and a write assist circuit which drives a bit line on a low potential side of the bit-line pair of a selected column to a negative voltage level. The write assist circuit includes first signal wiring; a first driver circuit which drives the first signal wiring according to a control signal; and second signal wiring which is coupled to the bit line on the low-potential side and generates a negative voltage by the driving of the first driver circuit, based on inter-wire coupling capacitance with the first signal wiring. |
| US09548105B1 |
Enhanced post-write read for 3-D memory
Apparatus and method for performing a post-write read in a memory device are disclosed. A memory device may include 3-dimensional memory, with the wordlines in a memory block each having multiple strings. Periodically, the memory device may analyze the wordlines for defects by performing a post-write read on a respective wordline and analyzing the read data to determine whether the respective wordline is defective. Rather than reading all of the strings for the respective wordline, less than all of the strings (such as only one of the strings) for the respective wordline are read. In this way, determining whether the respective wordline in 3-dimensional memory may be performed more quickly. |
| US09548096B1 |
Reverse complement magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) bit cells employing shared source lines, and related methods
Reverse complement MTJ bit cells employing shared source lines are disclosed. In one aspect, a 2T2MTJ reverse complement bit cell employing shared source line is provided. Bit cell includes first MTJ and second MTJ. Value of first MTJ is complement of value of second MTJ. First bit line is coupled to top layer of first MTJ, and first electrode of first access transistor is coupled to bottom layer of first MTJ. Second bit line is coupled to bottom layer of second MTJ, and first electrode of second access transistor is coupled to top layer of second MTJ. Word line is coupled to second electrode of first access transistor and second access transistor. Shared source line is coupled to third electrode of first access transistor and second access transistor. Employing shared source line allows the bit cell to be designed with reduced parasitic resistance. |
| US09548093B2 |
Magnetic memory element and magnetic memory
A magnetic memory element includes a first magnetic unit, a second magnetic unit, a third magnetic unit, a read/write unit, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, a first current source, the second current source. The third magnetic unit is connected to one end in the first direction of the first magnetic unit and one end in the first direction of the second magnetic unit. The read/write unit includes a nonmagnetic layer and a pinned layer. The nonmagnetic layer is connected to the third magnetic unit. The pinned layer is connected to the nonmagnetic layer. The first current source causes a current to flow between the third electrode and at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode. The second current source causes a current to flow between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US09548087B2 |
Systems and methods of non-volatile memory sensing including selective/differential threshold voltage features
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing selective threshold voltage characteristics via use of MOS transistors having differential threshold voltages. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a metal oxide semiconductor device comprising a substrate of semiconductor material having a source region, a drain region and a channel region therebetween, an insulating layer over the channel region, and a gate portion of the insulating layer. Moreover, with regard to the device, the shape of the insulating layer and/or the shape or implantation of a junction region are of varied dimension as between the gate-to-drain and gate-to-source junctions to provide differential threshold voltages between them. |
| US09548086B2 |
Integrated circuit device body bias circuits and methods
A system having an integrated circuit (IC) device can include a die formed on a semiconductor substrate and having a plurality of first wells formed therein, the first wells being doped to at least a first conductivity type; a global network configured to supply a first global body bias voltage to the first wells; and a first bias circuit corresponding to each first well and configured to generate a first local body bias for its well having a smaller setting voltage than the first global body bias voltage; wherein at least one of the first wells is coupled to a transistor having a strong body coefficient formed therein, which transistor may be a transistor having a highly doped region formed below a substantially undoped channel, the highly doped region having a dopant concentration greater than that the corresponding well. |
| US09548085B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a memory cell array disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a capacitor and a control circuit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells. The control circuit supplies a voltage to the memory cell array. The memory cell array includes a first conductive body disposed in a first region on the semiconductor substrate. The first conductive body extends in a first direction intersecting with a surface of the substrate. The capacitor includes first and second electrodes disposed in a second region different from the first region on the semiconductor substrate. The electrodes each include a second conductive body extending in the first direction. The first conductive body and the second conductive body include an identical material. |
| US09548084B2 |
Terminal apparatus, content transmission method, content transmission program, and content playback system
A terminal apparatus includes: by way of a gateway apparatus configured to perform communication with an in-vehicle apparatus capable of playing back a content through a CAN bus, a first communication section configured to transmit command information for changing a mode of the in-vehicle apparatus to the in-vehicle apparatus; and a second communication section configured to transmit content data to the in-vehicle apparatus. |
| US09548083B2 |
Read sensor testing using thermal magnetic fluctuation noise spectra
A read head is tested by measuring the thermal magnetic fluctuation noise spectrum. A non-uniformity in the magnetic field of the free layer is produced and the thermal magnetic fluctuation noise spectrum is measured, with and/or without an external magnetic field applied. A peak in the thermal magnetic fluctuation noise spectrum can be used to derive the desired dimension of the free layer, such as track width and stripe height. The resulting measurement may then be fed back into the process control for the production of the read heads if desired. Additionally, the stiffness of the free layer and the strength of the reference layer may be determined using ferromagnetic resonance peaks in the thermal magnetic fluctuation noise spectrum. |
| US09548078B2 |
Method for determining bit rate and apparatus therefor
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a bit rate and an apparatus therefor, and more specifically to an apparatus for storing a bit rate changed according to a significant level in a memory and a method for determining the bit rate, which meets the requirements for the distortion according to the memory space limitation and the significant level of the image information so as to minimize the energy consumption. |
| US09548076B2 |
Magnetic devices with overcoats
A magnetic device including a magnetic writer; and an overcoat positioned over at least the magnetic writer, the overcoat including oxides of yttrium, oxides of scandium, oxides of lanthanoids, oxides of actionoids, oxides of zinc, or combinations thereof. |
| US09548075B2 |
Magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus
According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording medium has an arrangement obtained by sequentially stacking a nonmagnetic substrate, a soft magnetic underlayer, a nonmagnetic seed layer containing silver grains having an fcc structure and an amorphous germanium grain boundary formed between the silver grains, a reaction barrier layer containing 90 at % or more of silver or aluminum and having a thickness of 2 nm or less, a nonmagnetic interlayer formed on the reaction barrier layer and made of ruthenium or a ruthenium alloy, and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer. |
| US09548074B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic recording media with magnetic anisotropy gradient and local exchange coupling
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic coercivity Hk extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length. |
| US09548070B1 |
HDD magnetic head degradation field-failure detection and prediction
A method, apparatus, and system for implementing head degradation detection and prediction for hard disk drives (HDDs) are provided. Statistical parameter stability tests are used that are calculated as Confidence Intervals (CIs) from HDD parameter measurements. HDD parameters include, for example, change or delta in fly height (dFH), magnetic resistor resistance (MRR) head values, servo variable gain amplifier (SVGA) readback amplitude values, that are used in conjunction with two or more confidence level indicators and an Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving-Average (ARIMA) (p, d, q) predictor for head degradation detection and field failure prediction. |
| US09548067B2 |
Estimating pitch using symmetry characteristics
An estimate of a pitch of a signal may be computed by using correlations of frequency portions of a frequency representation of the signal. An initial pitch estimate may be obtained and frequency portions of the frequency representation may be identified using multiples of the initial pitch estimate. Correlations of the frequency portions may be computed, and a score for the initial pitch estimate may be determined using the correlations. A second pitch estimate may be determined using the first score, and the process may be repeated. |
| US09548065B2 |
Energy post qualification for phrase spotting
In one embodiment, a computing device can detect an utterance of a target phrase within an acoustic input signal. The computing device can further determine a first estimate of cumulative signal and noise energy for the detected utterance in the acoustic input signal with respect to a first time period spanning the duration of the detected utterance, and a second estimate of noise energy in the acoustic input signal with respect to a second time period preceding (or following) the first time period. The computing device can then calculate a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the detected utterance based on the first and second estimates and can reject the detected utterance if the SNR is below an SNR threshold. |
| US09548062B2 |
Information processing apparatus, auxiliary device therefor, information processing system, control method therefor, and control program
Disclosed is a noise suppression technology for suppressing various types of noise including unknown noise without storing a large number of noise information in advance.Specifically disclosed is an auxiliary device connectable to an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus is provided with: means for suppressing noise in a noisy signal, generating the noise information, and suppressing the noise in the noisy signal by using the generated noise information; and noise information generation means for updating the noise information on the basis of the result of suppression of the noise in the noisy signal. The auxiliary device is provided with a mechanism unit for generating noise to be suppressed by the noise suppression means and a mechanism control unit for controlling the mechanism unit so that the noise occurs at a timing at which the noise suppression means performs a noise suppression process. |
| US09548056B2 |
Signal adaptive FIR/IIR predictors for minimizing entropy
The present document relates to coding. In particular, the present document relates to coding using linear prediction in combination with entropy encoding. A method (600) for determining a general prediction filter for a frame of an input signal (111) is described. The z-transform of the general prediction filter comprises an approximation to the z-transform of a finite impulse response, referred to as FIR, filter with the z variable of the FIR filter being replaced by the z-transform of an allpass filter. The FIR filter comprises a plurality of FIR coefficients (412). The allpass filter exhibits a pole defined by an adjustable pole parameter. The method (600) comprises determining the pole parameter and the plurality of FIR coefficients, such that an entropy of a frame of a prediction error signal (414) which is derived from the frame of the input signal (111) using the general prediction filter defined by the pole parameter and the plurality of FIR coefficients (412) is reduced. |
| US09548054B2 |
Speaker authentication methods and related methods of electronic devices using calendar data
An embodiment of the invention provides a method of preparing for speaker authentication. The method includes: receiving speech data that represents an utterance made by a user; extracting side information; examining the side information to determine whether to allow speaker model training using the speech data; and generating a feedback message for the user based on the side information if speaker model training using the speech data is not allowed; wherein the feedback message contains a message indicating at least a condition of the side information comprising calendar data to the user. |
| US09548052B2 |
Ebook interaction using speech recognition
A user device receives audio data of a user reading aloud a displayed portion of an ebook, and converts a portion of the audio data to spoken-text data. The user device determines one or more similarity scores based on a comparison between the spoken-text data and text data associated with the displayed portion of the ebook, and ranks the one or more similarity scores to determine a reading location in the text data that corresponds to the spoken-text data. The user device determines a pronunciation score using the spoken-text data and pronunciation data associated with the text data at the reading location. The user device performs an action based in part on the reading location and the pronunciation score. |
| US09548051B2 |
System and method of spoken language understanding in human computer dialogs
A system and method are disclosed that improve automatic speech recognition in a spoken dialog system. The method comprises partitioning speech recognizer output into self-contained clauses, identifying a dialog act in each of the self-contained clauses, qualifying dialog acts by identifying a current domain object and/or a current domain action, and determining whether further qualification is possible for the current domain object and/or current domain action. If further qualification is possible, then the method comprises identifying another domain action and/or another domain object associated with the current domain object and/or current domain action, reassigning the another domain action and/or another domain object as the current domain action and/or current domain object and then recursively qualifying the new current domain action and/or current object. This process continues until nothing is left to qualify. |
| US09548048B1 |
On-the-fly speech learning and computer model generation using audio-visual synchronization
A speech recognition computer system uses video input as well as audio input of known speech when the speech recognition computer system is being trained to recognize unknown speech. The video of the speaker can be captured using multiple cameras, from multiple angles. The audio can be captured using multiple microphones. The video and audio can be sampled so that timing of events in the video and audio can be determined from the content independent of an audio or video capture device's clock. Video features, such as a speaker's moving body parts, can be extracted from the video and random sampled, to be used in a speech modeling process. Audio is modeled at the phoneme level, which provides word mapping with minor additional effort. The trained speech recognition computer system can then be used to recognize speech text from video/audio of unknown speech. |
| US09548044B2 |
Vibration-sensing music instrument mountable device
A music instrument mountable device. The music instrument mountable device includes a vibration sensing device configured to detect a note being played on a music instrument. The music instrument mountable device also includes an attachment. The attachment includes a magnet configured to releasably secure the vibration sensing device to the music instrument. The attachment also includes a ferromagnetic attachment configured to attach to the music instrument. The magnet and the ferromagnetic attachment are configured to magnetically connect the vibration sensing mountable device to the music instrument. |
| US09548037B2 |
Liquid crystal display with enhanced display quality at low frequency and driving method thereof
A controller for a liquid crystal display includes a data driver and a gate driver. The data driver applies data voltages having different polarities to a first pixel and a second pixel. The gate driver applies different gate-on voltages to a first gate line coupled to the first pixel and a second gate line coupled to the second pixel. The gate-on voltages have at least one of a different width or a different level when at least one of a still image or a moving picture is to be displayed. The different gate-on voltages translate into different pixel charging speeds, which may translate into improvements in the luminance and/or other properties of the display. |
| US09548036B2 |
Scan driving circuit for oxide semiconductor thin film transistors
The present invention provides a scan driving circuit for oxide semiconductor thin film transistors, a pull-down holding circuit part (600) employed in the scan driving circuit for the oxide semiconductor thin film transistors comprises a main inverter and an auxiliary inverter. By introducing a constant low voltage level (DCL) and setting the constant low voltage level (DCL) |
| US09548031B2 |
Display device capable of driving at low speed
A display device capable of driving at low speed is disclosed. Pixels connected to a first data line on odd-numbered display lines of a display panel are positioned on one side of the left and right sides of the first data line, and pixels connected to the first data line on even-numbered display lines of the display panel are positioned on the other side of the first data line based on a Z-inversion scheme. When a mode conversion control signal for switching to an interlaced low speed driving mode is input during a normal drive, in which a length of one frame is set to P, a timing controller expands a length of one frame for a low speed drive to (n×P), where n is a positive integer equal to or greater than 2 and assigns a length P to each of n sub-frames of the one frame. |
| US09548030B2 |
Image display device and image display method
A light quantity measurement unit measures a quantity of light of a light source that has a first light-emitting element that emits light of a first wavelength band and a second light-emitting element that emits light of a second wavelength band. The light quantity measurement unit includes first and second filters having the first and second wavelength bands as the detection wavelength bands. The first and second light-emitting elements are caused to sequentially emit light, and on the basis of the results of measurement of the quantity of light that is measured by way of the first and second filters, a control unit generates first compensation information in which light of the second wavelength band is measured with the first filter and second compensation information in which light of the first wavelength band is measured with the second filter, finds a first compensation light quantity of the first light-emitting element by excluding the quantity of light based on the first compensation information from the quantity of light that is measured by way of the first filter, finds a second compensation light quantity of the second light-emitting element by excluding a quantity of light based on the second compensation information from the quantity of light measured by way of the second filter, and then controls the quantity of light of the first and second light-emitting elements based on the first and second compensation light quantities. |
| US09548029B2 |
Display apparatus, light source driving apparatus and driving method thereof
Disclosed are a display apparatus, a light source driving apparatus and a driving method thereof, the display apparatus including: an image processor which is configured to process an image; and a controller which is configured to set a plurality of current levels corresponding to a plurality of screen modes for a display and control the display to perform a dimming by receiving a current level of a current which corresponds to a screen mode of the display. |
| US09548024B2 |
Pixel driving circuit, driving method thereof and display apparatus
Provided are a pixel driving circuit, a driving method thereof and a display apparatus. The pixel driving circuit includes an electroluminescent element, a driving transistor, a switch unit, a charging unit, a compensation unit, a cutoff unit and a storage unit. The pixel driving circuit charges the storage capacitor by the charging unit first, and then uses the method of charging first and discharging later to make the voltage in the storage capacitor match the driving current quickly to perform fast compensation of the threshold voltage Vth, and thus make the driving current provided by the driving transistor not influenced by the threshold voltage Vth, thereby raising the consistency of the driving currents and improving the uniformity of brightness. |
| US09548022B2 |
Pixel and organic light emitting display device including current mirror
An organic light emitting display includes: pixels respectively positioned in areas defined by scan lines and data lines; and a data driver configured to supply a data signal to the data lines, the data signal includes a first data signal corresponding to an emission of the pixels and a second data signal corresponding to a non-emission of the pixels, wherein each pixel includes: an organic light emitting diode; a first transistor coupled to the organic light emitting diode, the first transistor configured to be a current source driven in a saturation region; a second transistor coupled as a current mirror to the first transistor, the second transistor configured to control an amount of a current flowing in the first transistor; and a third transistor coupled to the second transistor, the third transistor configured to be a switch driven in a linear region, according to the data signal. |
| US09548018B2 |
Display device having an electrode partially covering a picture element
An optical switch, e.g. a display cell based on layer displacement or layer break up having at least two different states, in which one of the fluids e.g. oil in a first state adjoins at least a first support plate and in the second state the other fluid at least partly adjoins the first support plate. Part of an otherwise homogeneous electrode is removed to realize oil motion control. |
| US09548016B2 |
Method of driving display panel and display apparatus for performing the same
A method of driving a display panel includes determining whether an input data signal represents a video image or a static image, determining whether the input data signal has a color difference generating pattern and outputting an output data signal. The output data signal has a first frequency if the input data signal represents a video image. The output data signal has the first frequency if the input data signal represents a static image and the input data signal includes the color difference generating pattern. The output data signal has a second frequency lower than the first frequency if the input data signal represents a static image and the input data signal does not include the color difference generating pattern. |
| US09548015B2 |
Image color enhancement method and device for display
An image color enhancement method for a display comprises the steps of: gathering tristimulus values of CIE1931 color space in light of all RGB combination of an image shown on the display, and computing a relative chrominance value and a relative luminance value; obtaining a RGB triangle of color gamut of the display according to the chrominance value; for a chromaticity point D1 which is relative to the RGB triangle of a RGB data, defining a relative saturation is S 1 = OD 1 OD ; adopting a gain function to conduct gain computing for the relative saturation S1 and obtaining a gain saturation S2; according to a formula OD2=OD*S2, obtaining the gain saturation S2 relative to the chrominance point D2 in the RGB triangle and the chrominance point D2 is located in the line OD; computing the RGB data corresponding to the chrominance point D2 and obtaining the RGB data after saturation enhancement. An image color enhancement device is for executing the image color enhancement method. |
| US09548009B2 |
Illuminated signage using quantum dots
An illuminated sign has a primary light source in spaced apart relation to a transparent or translucent substrate having quantum dot phosphors printed or coated thereon. The primary light source may be a blue LED, a white LED or an LED having a significant portion of its emission in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. The LED may be a backlight for the transparent or translucent substrate and/or an edge light, a down light or an up light. |
| US09548007B2 |
Display board assembly
A display board assembly includes a map rail and a supplemental display board mounted thereto. The map rail includes a top track defined by a top support rail and a top guard rail, and a bottom track defined by a bottom support rail and a bottom guard rail. The supplemental display board includes a wheeled mounting assembly on a rear surface thereof, the wheeled mounting assembly including: a top wheel forced to engage the top track and confined by the top guard rail, and a bottom wheel forced to engage the bottom track and confined by the bottom guard rail, wherein the supplemental display board is slidable on the top wheel and bottom wheel to different lateral positions on the map rail. |
| US09548003B2 |
System, method and computer program for training for medical examinations involving body parts with concealed anatomy
The present invention is a medical training simulation apparatus for training of medical professionals in medical examinations involving body parts with concealed geometry. The apparatus may comprise a physical model of a body part having an opening and structure that simulates the concealed geometry of a body part and may receive an inserted medical tool. A video display may be disposed within the structure of the apparatus to display at least one image of a physical defect or medical condition for the body part. The at least one image may e be alterable such that its appearance simulates the appearance of the defect or medical condition within the concealed geometry when viewed using the medical tool in relation to an applicable human or animal subject patient. The training apparatus is operable for one or more simulations for training a trainee in a medical examination or procedure for a body part in accordance with a training method. |
| US09548002B2 |
First entry model
A simulated abdominal wall model that is ideal for practicing laparoscopic first entry surgical techniques is provided. The model includes a simulated abdominal wall portion captured between two frame elements of a support. The support is connectable to a surgical trainer. When connected to the trainer, the model provides a penetrable abdominal tissue portion for accessing an internal cavity of the trainer. The simulated abdominal wall includes a plurality of layers including a skin layer, a fabric posterior rectus sheath layer, a simulated fat layer of low-resilience polyurethane foam and at least two layers that provide distinctive haptic feedback upon penetration of the simulated transversalis fascia and muscle layers. The simulated abdominal wall includes a simulated umbilicus across several layers of simulated tissue. |
| US09547999B2 |
Multi-functional chopsticks for children
The multifunctional chopsticks comprise an intelligent control device having a sensor module, a pressure induction module, a timing module, a voice module, a communication module and a power module; the sensor module is arranged at one end of the chopstick body and connected with the timing module, the pressure induction module is arranged on the middle upper portion of the chopstick body and also connected with the timing module; the voice module, the communication module and the power module are arranged at the other end of the chopstick body; the voice module is connected with the sensor module, the timing module and the pressure induction module; and the voice module is connected with the communication module and the power module. The pair of multifunctional chopsticks for children can help the children to use the chopsticks correctly, enables parents to learn about the children's dining habits and obtain specific food information. |
| US09547998B2 |
Context-aware training systems, apparatuses, and methods
Context-aware training systems, apparatuses and systems. The context-aware training systems, apparatuses and systems are computer-implemented and include sensing a user action and, based on a training needs model, estimating a cost or benefit to exposing the user to a training action, selecting a training action from a collection of available training actions and delivering the training action to the user if the user action indicates a need for the user to be trained and the cost or benefit to exposing the user to the training action indicates user exposure to the training action is warranted. |
| US09547986B1 |
Lane assignments for autonomous vehicles
Disclosed are various embodiments for coordination of autonomous vehicles in a roadway. A roadway management system can generate lane configurations for a roadway or a portion of the roadway. The roadway management system can determine the direction of travel for lanes in a roadway and direct autonomous automobiles to enter the roadway in a particular lane. |
| US09547981B1 |
System, method and apparatus for using a wireless device to control other devices
A system, method and apparatus which permits the use of a wireless cell phone or other communications device as a connection, communications and control device able to connect a full-sized desktop monitor or other digital display device, keyboard, mouse, speakers, printer and other external devices to a wireless cell phone device using any combination of wireline or wireless connections from the desktop devices to the wireless cell phone device. The wireless cell phone device is used to create an Internet or other network connection capable of accessing any browser-based web site or browser-based software application, e.g., via an Internet connection. Once the connections between the components are established with the wireless cell phone device and the Internet connection is established components. Access to Internet software, services and media includes all forms of browser-based desktop software, as well as digital movies, music, and streaming video. |
| US09547980B2 |
Smart gateway, smart home system and smart controlling method thereof
A smart controlling method applied to a smart home system for controlling a number of home appliances of the smart home system is able to learn the habits of the user in relation to the home appliances, deeming a control operation a habit when a certain controlling command is repeated for more than a predetermined number of times in a predetermined period. When the current certain condition value matches one of the habit certain conditions, the smart home system calls the corresponding habit controlling command to control the relative home appliance to execute the habitual operation. A smart gateway and a smart home system are also provided. |
| US09547978B2 |
Emergency alert warning system and method
An emergency alert system, method and device are disclosed. The invention employs an emergency alert message, which directs end users to take some particular action like evacuating an identified geographic area. The invention further employs a geographic area message, which is based on a particular geographic area within which all persons should receive the emergency alert message. The invention utilizes an emergency alert enabled device that receives both the emergency alert message and the geographic area message. The emergency alert enabled device determines whether it is located within the geographic area of concern, and if so, presents the emergency alert message to the end user. |
| US09547976B1 |
Device to alert drivers to the possibility of forgetting objects in vehicle
A device designed to help people from forgetting objects in vehicles. The device includes a central unit, a power cable, and a conducting insert that closes a circuit. The central unit includes a. case that houses the circuit with an internal power source, a buzzer, a switch, and a relay. The circuit is disconnected and when the conducting insert is inserted, it bridges the switch and completes the circuit. The power cable has a plug on one end and a car charger plug on the other. When the vehicle is running and the car charger plug is plugged into the cigarette charger socket, the plug is powered. When the plug is plugged into the relay in powering mode, the circuit is opened. If the plug is in non-powering mode, the relay will remained closed and the circuit will remain completed at this point. |
| US09547974B2 |
Device for detecting blockage of air filter mesh
A device for detecting blockage of an air filter mesh, including: an air inlet, an air outlet, an air duct, a fan or a wind wheel, a blower motor, an air filter mesh, and a controller. The controller includes a main control board including: a microprocessor, an inverter circuit, and a motor operation parameter detecting circuit. The air filter mesh is disposed in the air duct. The motor operation parameter detecting circuit inputs a real time operation parameter into the microprocessor, and the output terminal of the microprocessor controls the inverter circuit. A function module of the microprocessor calculates a detected air volume according to the real time operation parameter. When the detected air volume is smaller than a preset air volume, the microprocessor determines that the air filter mesh is obstructed and outputs a signal to an alarm circuit to trigger an alarm. |
| US09547972B2 |
Methods and systems for emergency alerts
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for biometric sensors being embedded in a wearable computing device. The biometric sensors may determine a user's biometric data, and the determined biometric data may be transmitted to a biometric server over a network. In response to receiving the biometric data, the biometric server may parse the received biometric data to determine if an emergency alert signal should be transmitted to third parties. |
| US09547968B2 |
Pre-smoke detector and system for use in early detection of developing fires
A pre-smoke detector and system for use in early detection of developing fires whereby vapors of marker chemicals generated during the melting and/or smoldering of common household materials are detected before detection by conventional smoke detectors. Vapors resulting from heating and resultant vaporization of substances are detected as well as vapors resulting from their breakdown, decomposition, or pyrolysis during the pre-combustion stage. Conventional smoke detectors focus on particle detection and are most effective after a developing fire has produced smoke. To minimize false alarms caused by common household odors, the pre-smoke detectors focus on detecting medium temperature pyrolysis products using sensor coatings that can be consistent with a 10 year operational lifetime and multiple orthogonal detection processes. Since virtually all marker chemicals of interest for pre-smoke detection are heavier than air, a system is described that appropriately integrates with smoke detector alarm systems present in most homes. |
| US09547967B2 |
Environment detection alarm system
The system includes a control module, an environment detection unit and an electricity generation module. The control module includes a control unit for data processing and operating and an alarm unit, electrically connected to the control unit for receiving a command of the control unit. The environment detection unit is electrically connected to the control unit of the control module for detecting a physical quantity of environmental matter to generate a signal to send back to the control unit. The electricity generation module is electrically connected to the control module and has an electricity generator for generating electricity by environmental energy to supply the control module and the environment detection unit. |
| US09547966B2 |
Uncoupling device and method
A removal device for a security tag attached to an article, including an identification of the security tag, offered for sale in a commercial establishment; where the removal device can be connected to a processor device configured, in turn, to supply an activation signal from the removal device, once the payment transaction has been completed, in order to remove the security tag in the event that there is a positive match between the security tag read by an identification reading device and a machine-readable identification tag read by a device for reading machine-readable identification tags prior to the completion of the sales transaction. |
| US09547965B2 |
Battery operated device and tag for a battery operated device
A device tag including a housing that includes a first connector structure constructed and arranged to engage with a battery operated device and a second connector structure constructed and arranged to slidingly engage with a battery such that the device tag is provided between the battery operated device and the battery. The device tag also includes an electrical connector carried by the housing and constructed and arranged to provide an electrical connection between the battery operated device and the battery. The device tag further includes an electronic device carried by the housing and constructed and arranged to transmit electrical signals. |
| US09547963B1 |
Monitoring system control technology using multiple sensors, cameras, lighting devices, and a thermostat
Techniques are described for providing control of a monitoring system (e.g., a home alarm or security system) using one or more mobile devices. In some implementations, a native mobile device application enables use of a mobile device as a security/automation system keypad and controller for a home security system. In these implementations, the mobile device, using the native mobile device application, checks real time status of system and sensors, arms/disarms system, turns lights on/off, looks in on live video of security cameras, reviews history of system events, reviews saved video clips, monitors/changes thermostat settings, and performs other features of a traditional security keypad in a home security system. |
| US09547960B2 |
System, method, article of manufacture of mixed reality based, biometrically signed reusable physical financial instrument
The present invention relates to a reusable physical financial instrument and a system and a method for enabling the financial instrument to perform multiple financial transactions. The financial instrument is capable of creating mixed reality experience when it comes in vicinity of the payor or payee device or ATM. Through the created mixed reality experience, the payor and the payee inputs payor-side and payee-side transaction and biometric data which are stored onto smart chip of the instrument and/or on Cloud Storage using cloud computing interface. The stored payor-side and payee-side transaction data are cross-validated and their biometric data is further verified against golden copy at the respective financial institutions or at the Central Authority's repositories for performing the financial transaction. Upon completing the transaction, the payor-side and the payee-side data is erased, deleted or invalidated from the smart chip, thus making the financial instrument reusable for performing another transaction. |
| US09547957B2 |
System and method for implementing internet-based games wherein a plurality of different games share a common prize structure
A system and computer implemented method for conducting play of Internet-based lottery games includes providing players with a plurality of different Internet-based lottery games playable on an Internet enabled device in communication with an Internet game site, wherein the games have different game themes and mechanics of play by the player. A selection is accepted from a player for play of a particular one of the Internet-based lottery games. The plurality of different Internet-based games are linked to a common predetermined prize structure associated with a defined set of data files loaded in a secure game outcome generator such that the data files determine the outcome and prize structure of a defined number of game plays regardless of the particular game selected for play by the player from the plurality of different games. |
| US09547954B2 |
Associating mobile device with electronic gaming machine
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include communicably connecting a mobile device to a wagering game server on a wagering game network. The operations can further include associating, by the wagering game server, the mobile device with a selected wagering game machine among a plurality of wagering game machine. The operations can further include providing content to present on the mobile device, the content including a play initiation button of a wagering game played via the selected wagering game machine. The operations can further include in response to the play initiation button being actuated, receiving, at the wagering game server, a command from the mobile device to initiate play of the wagering game. The operations can further include in response to the command, presenting a result of the wagering game on the selected wagering game machine. |
| US09547949B2 |
Method and device for examining the optical state of value documents
A method for examining the optical condition of a value document on the basis of a digital image of at least a specified region of the value document, the image comprising pixels, comprises searching the pixels of the digital image are searched for sets of error pixels which are respectively given in that the error pixels fulfill a specified deviation criterion for an impermissible deviation of at least one specified pixel property, and the distance of each error pixel of the respective set from at least one other error pixel of the same set does not exceed a specified distance that is greater than the distance of directly neighboring pixels of the digital image, and a number of sets found during the search and/or a value for at least one property of at least one of the sets found during the search is ascertained. |
| US09547948B1 |
Vehicle coin dispenser
The vehicle coin dispenser is a device that is adapted for use with one or more coins. The vehicle coin dispenser is adapted for use with a vehicle. The vehicle coin dispenser is mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle. The vehicle coin dispenser receives coins, sorts the coins received by value, counts the coins received, receives a dispense amount request, and dispenses the collected and received coins such that the value of the dispensed coins equals the requested dispense amount. The vehicle coin dispenser comprises a housing and a control system. |
| US09547945B2 |
Integration of an autonomous industrial vehicle into an asset management system
A control system operates an industrial vehicle that includes a propulsion drive system and a guidance and navigation system operatively connected to the propulsion drive system to control motion of the industrial vehicle along a path, in an unmanned, autonomous mode. A wireless communicator transmits vehicle operational data to an asset management computer located remotely from the industrial vehicle, and receives commands from the asset management computer for remotely controlling operation of the industrial vehicle. For example, when the vehicle encounters an obstacle in the path a message indicating that event is sent to the asset management computer where a human operator can send a command which instructs the industrial vehicle how to avoid the obstacle. |
| US09547942B2 |
Automated detection of area at risk using quantitative T1 mapping
A medical imaging system (5) includes a data store (12), a clustering module (22), and a display device (32). The data store (12) includes a first imaging data set and a second imaging data set, each data set created with the same imaging device (10) and the same measured value. The measured value of a first and a second tissue type overlap in the first imaging data set. The measured value of the second and a third tissue type overlap in the second data set. The data sets are co-registered, and an external event changes the measured value of the second data set. The clustering module (22) classifies the tissue type based on a fuzzy clustering of the measured value of the first data set and the measured value of the second data set for each location. The display device (32) displays a medical image which contrasts each classified tissue type. |
| US09547939B2 |
Detecting and visualizing wireless network devices in communication networks
There is provided techniques for improved visualization of wireless devices in a communication network. The techniques include receiving, via an identification device, real-time display data, determining, via the identification device, a location of a network device and displaying, via a display of the identification device, the real-time display data and an indication of the location of the network device relative to the real-time display data. |
| US09547937B2 |
Three-dimensional annotation system and method
Embodiments enable a three-dimensional annotation system and method that accepts desired depths for regions of input images and annotates two-dimensional/three-dimensional images with three-dimensional annotations for viewing at the desired depth(s) in any three-dimensional manner. Enables rapid and intuitive specification of desired depth and application of depth to regions in the two-dimensional images, or when editing three-dimensional images, as annotated by the three-dimensional annotations having at least one depth associated with the annotation. Enables rapid and intuitive depth augmentation or editing of an input image. |
| US09547935B2 |
Method and a system for building a three-dimensional model from satellite images
The invention relates to a method for building a 3D model of an area of interest on the surface of a planet. The method comprises providing a plurality of 2D images from satellites, where each 2D image out of the plurality of 2D images at least partly covers the area of interest. Also, each subarea of the area of interest is covered by at least two images, taken from different angles, out of the plurality of 2D images. Bundle adjustments are performed for the plurality of 2D images and the area of interest is divided into parts. For each part of the area of interest at least one combination and preferably all possible combinations out of two images covering that part of the area of interest are taken. Said two images are taken from the at least two images, taken from at least two different angles, out of the plurality of 2D images. Further, for each part of the area, point matching correspondence is established for a set of points for each such combination of two images. The sets of points are combined if more than one set of points exists. Even further, for each part of the area, a 3D model of said part of the area of interest is built based on the combined set of points. The 3D models from each part of the area of interest are combined to a 3D model of the whole area of interest. The invention also relates to a system, a computer program and a computer program product. |
| US09547934B2 |
Tessellating patches of surface data in tile based computer graphics rendering
A method and system for culling a patch of surface data from one or more tiles in a tile based computer graphics system. A rendering space is divided into a plurality of tiles and a patch of surface data read. Then, at least a portion of the patch is analyzed to determine data representing a bounding depth value evaluated over at least one tile. This may comprise tessellating the patch of surface data to derive a plurality of tessellated primitives and analyzing at least some of the tessellated primitives. For each tile within which the patch is located, the data representing the bounding depth value is then used to determine whether the patch is hidden in the tile, and at least a portion of the patch is rendered, if the patch is determined not to be hidden in at least one tile. |
| US09547930B2 |
Hardware switching between direct rendering and binning in graphics processing
This disclosure presents techniques and structures for determining a rendering mode (e.g., a binning rendering mode and a direct rendering mode) as well as techniques and structures for switching between such rendering modes. Rendering mode may be determined by analyzing rendering characteristics. Rendering mode may also be determined by tracking overdraw in a bin. The rendering mode may be switched from a binning rendering mode to a direct rendering mode by patching commands that use graphics memory addresses to use system memory addresses. Patching may be handled by a CPU or by a second write command buffer executable by a GPU. |
| US09547929B1 |
User interface device for adaptive systems
A system for providing feedback regarding the division of automated and operator tasks is provided. The system includes a display device and a processor. The processor is configured to at least selectively supply image rendering display commands to the display device that cause the display device to simultaneously render an operator pane, an automation pane, and a shared pane. The operator pane displays one or more tasks that have been allocated for execution by a human operator, the automation pane displays one or more tasks that have been allocated for execution by automation, and the shared pane displays one or more tasks that have been allocated for execution by both automation and a human operator. |
| US09547925B2 |
Force-directed graphs
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for graphing networks. In one embodiment, a dampening heuristic is utilized to graph networks to increase their stability. Nodes are visualized by finding local and global minima and equilibrium positions. Factors such as the influence of neighboring nodes; attraction and repulsion phases; and dynamism of complex networks are addressed by embodiments of the present invention. The stability of nodes are measured quantitatively using vectors, degree of influence of neighboring nodes on other nodes, and updating dampening heuristics. |
| US09547918B2 |
Techniques for deferred decoupled shading
Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques for reducing the processing demands of shading primitives in rendering a 2D screen image from a 3D model. A device includes a fine rasterizing component to employ multiple screen image samples per screen image pixel to perform fine rasterization to identify a set of visible primitives, a coarse rasterizing component to employ a single shading image sample per shading image pixel to perform coarse rasterization from the same perspective as the fine rasterization to identify at least one primitive along a path of a shading image pixel, and a shading component to shade a primitive identified by a screen image sample of a first screen image pixel as visible within the shading image pixel and identified as along the path of the shading image sample associated with the shading image pixel to derive a color value. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09547917B2 |
Using augmented reality to determine information
Methods and systems according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for using augmented reality to determine information. In an embodiment, an augmented reality (AR) system comprises one or more processors, and one or more memories in communication with the one or more processors and adapted to store a plurality of machine-readable instructions which when executed by the one or more processors cause the system to: capture an image view via a viewer; deconstruct the image view into one or more objects; identify at least one object of interest based on specific relevancy information; determine real time information about the object(s) of interest; and present the real time information on a user interface. |
| US09547916B2 |
Segment-based encoding system including segment-specific metadata
An encoder segments frames of video data and associates metadata with segments. The metadata elements can be associated with the segments that include areas of the frame associated with the metadata elements. A motion matcher can match segments of a reference frame to pixels of a current nonkey frame being encoded when a metadata associator associates elements of metadata with segments of the segmentation of the reference frame and associates a matched segment's metadata elements with matched areas of the current frame. The metadata elements might represent actions to be taken when a user of the video data indicates a selection of an area of an image that has that metadata element associated therewith. The metadata associations can be included in the encoded video data or deduced by a decoder. The metadata associations can be independent of segment indices or other segment changes. |
| US09547915B2 |
Inter-image prediction method and device and corresponding coding method and apparatus
The invention relates to a method for predicting a pixel block of an image using a weighted sum of pixel blocks belonging to patches of a dictionary from a set of candidate patches, each patch being formed of a pixel block of an image and a causal neighborhood of this pixel block. The method is wherein a subset of candidate patches is obtained from the set of candidate patches and the dictionary is formed of a patch of the subset of candidate patches, called the first patch, and at least one other patch of said set of candidate patches, called the second patch. |
| US09547910B2 |
Method and apparatus for vision aided navigation using image registration
A navigation system comprises an image sensor operable to obtain a first image at a first moment in time and a second image at a second moment in time; an inertial measurement unit (IMU) operable to obtain measurement data corresponding to the first and second moments in time; and a processing unit coupled to the image sensor and the IMU. The processing unit is operable to estimate motion between the first and second moments in time based on the measurement data from the IMU; calculate a plurality of transformations based on the estimated motion; apply each of the plurality of transformations to the first image to produce a plurality of predicted images; compare the second image to each of the plurality of predicted images; select the predicted image from the plurality of predicted images which most closely matches the second image; and compensate for error in the IMU measurement data based on the transformation corresponding to the selected predicted image. |
| US09547909B2 |
Image edge detection method and apparatus thereof, image target identification method and apparatus thereof
The edge detection method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: convolving pixels to be processed, based on templates in respective predetermined directions for edge detection operators and a logarithm of grayscale values for respective pixels adjacent to the pixels to be processed, so as to obtain brightness differential approximations in the respective predetermined directions for the pixels to be processed; calculating gradient magnitudes of the pixels to be processed, based on the brightness differential approximations in the respective predetermined directions for the pixels to be processed; comparing the gradient magnitudes of the pixels to be processed with a gradient magnitude threshold, and selecting the pixels to be processed whose gradient magnitudes are larger than or equal to the gradient magnitude threshold as edge pixels; and extracting a contour of a target within an image, based on the resultant edge pixels. |
| US09547906B2 |
System and method for data driven editing of rib unfolding
A method and apparatus for data driven editing of rib centerlines is disclosed. A user input location indicating an inaccuracy in a rib centerline extracted from a medical image volume is received. A local correction of the rib centerline is performed. A portion of the rib surrounding a current centerline point to be corrected is segmented based on image data of the medical image volume. A corrected centerline point for the current centerline point is generated based on the segmented portion of the rib. The centerline correction is then extended to subsequent points along the rib centerline. |
| US09547905B2 |
Monitoring system with a position-dependent protected area, method for monitoring a monitoring area and computer program
A monitoring system for monitoring a monitoring area, having an input interface for accepting monitoring images of the monitoring area, having a localization module for locating at least one moving monitoring object in the monitoring area, wherein the localization module is designed to locate a position of the monitoring object, having a definition module for defining a position-dependent protected area in the monitoring area, and having a monitoring module for monitoring the protected area, wherein the definition module is designed to define the position-dependent protected area on the basis of the position of the moving monitoring object. |
| US09547899B1 |
Mobile hemolysis detection in whole blood samples
A system for hemolysis detection, where the system generally includes—individually or in combination—a containment apparatus for holding the blood sample and a software application for analyzing the blood sample. The containment apparatus houses the sample therein, and blocks out any light from penetrating the apparatus and reflecting off of the sample. In conjunction, the software application uses camera color for processing the color of the sample to determine the hemoglobin level in plasma based on the color. |
| US09547898B2 |
Automated cytology/histology viewers and related methods
Methods, systems, workstations, viewers, grossing stations and computer include a display and a viewer circuit configured to cause the display to concurrently display: (i) a macroscopic view of a grossing specimen with virtual cut location marks associated with orientation and location of actual physical cut locations used to obtain tissue samples from the grossing specimen and (ii) at least one digital microscopic whole-slide image (WSI) of a tissue section from the specimen. The display can show the at least one WSI image on the display with a relevant cut location mark on the macroscopic view shown visually enhanced from other cut location marks on the macroscopic view to thereby allow a user to visually connect where the tissue section in the WSI image was obtained during a grossing procedure. |
| US09547897B2 |
System and method for predicting scoliosis progression
There is described a system, method, and computer-readable medium having stored thereon executable program code for generating a final Cobb angle prediction for idiopathic scoliosis, the method comprising: receiving patient-specific 3D morphological spine parameters, a selected curve type, and a selected skeletal maturity; applying the patient-specific 3D morphological spine parameters, a selected curve type, and a selected skeletal maturity to a predictive model based on 3D morphological spine parameters, curve type, and skeletal maturity, and generating the final Cobb angle prediction by modeling a progression curve of the idiopathic scoliosis. |
| US09547896B2 |
Lesion classification apparatus, and method of modifying lesion classification data
A method of and apparatus for changing lesion classification data, the method including determining whether at least one mass is included in an image of an object, determining whether the at least one mass corresponds to a lesion by using first data including at least one first information, selecting a false negative (FN) mass which has been determined as not corresponding to the lesion among the at least one mass, based on a first input, and changing the first data to second data by using second information of the selected FN mass. |
| US09547895B2 |
Medical image processing system and method
A system 100 for processing medical images, the system being arranged for obtaining a first medical image 102 and a second medical image 104, the first medical image and the second medical image being rigidly registered medical images of an anatomical structure, and the system comprising a displacement estimator 120 for establishing displacement vectors 122 for at least a first portion of the first medical image, the displacement vectors matching the first portion of the first medical image to a second portion of the second medical image, a deformation estimator 140 for, in dependence on the displacement vectors, establishing deformation values 142 for the first portion, the deformation values representing a deformation of the first portion with respect to the second portion, and a visualization generator 160 for generating visualization data 162 for, when being displayed on a display 180, establishing a multi-dimensional graph 182 comprising magnitudes of the displacement vectors as first variables 184 and the deformation values as second variables 186. |
| US09547893B2 |
Generating a suitable model for estimating patient radiation dose resulting from medical imaging scans
Patient radiation exposure during computerized tomography (CT) scans is estimated. More specifically, efficient approaches for generating a suitable patient model which may be used to make an estimate of a radiation dose received at specific anatomical landmarks or organs of the patient are provided. Further disclosed are approaches for estimating the patient dose by interpolating the results of multiple simulations, and for enabling a service provider to host a dose estimation service made available to multiple CT scan providers. |
| US09547886B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing interpolation based on transform and inverse transform
Provided are a method and apparatus for interpolating an image. The method includes: selecting a first filter, from among a plurality of different filters, for interpolating between pixel values of integer pixel units, according to an interpolation location; and generating at least one pixel value of at least one fractional pixel unit by interpolating between the pixel values of the integer pixel units by using the selected first filter. |
| US09547883B1 |
Systems and methods for dewarping images
A computer-implemented method comprises: extracting a setting from a description file of a virtual pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera used to capture an original image through a wide-angle lens; determining a first set of coordinates of a pixel of the original image for each cell of a sparse conversion map represented as a first look-up table, wherein the sparse conversion map corresponds to a sparse grid of pixels of an output image; determining, via interpolating the first set of coordinates, a second set of coordinates of a pixel of the original image for each cell of a full conversion map, wherein the second set of coordinates is represented as a second look-up table, wherein the full conversion map corresponds to a full grid of pixels of the output image; instructing a display to present the output image, wherein the original image is less rectilinear than the output image. |
| US09547878B1 |
Central reservation system availability engine
The system and method of the invention describes a unique and simplified design for Hotel Central Reservations Systems that reduces cost and response time by factors of 2 to 10 times. The system accepts ARI information from Property Management Systems and services availability requests from external sources such as Global Distribution Systems or Online Travel Agencies, and proprietary web sites or call centers. The system provides for complete generality with respect to room types and rate management by hotel and by day, for an arbitrary number of room types and for an arbitrary number of days in the future, for specific rates for each room type, each day. The system of the invention can be implemented as a web service, a service appliance, or as a separate software product that would integrate with an existing HCRS. The system could also be used by rental car or airline CRSs. |
| US09547877B2 |
Identification of a trigger-type leader in a social network
Techniques for identification of a trigger-type leader in a social network are described. According to various embodiments, a specific content item posted by a particular actor of a plurality of actors and interactions by other actors of the plurality of actors with the specific content item are identified. A leadership score associated with the particular actor is then calculated, the leadership score indicating a propensity of the particular actor to stimulate discussion among actors of the online social network service. The particular actor is then classified as an information trigger among the plurality of actors of the online social network service, based on the calculated leadership score. |
| US09547873B2 |
Smartphone-based methods and systems
Methods and arrangements involving portable devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, are disclosed. Exemplary arrangements utilize the camera portions of such devices to identify nearby subjects, and take actions based thereon. Others rely on near field chip (RFID) identification of objects, or on identification of audio streams (e.g., music, voice). Some of the detailed technologies concern improvements to the user interfaces associated with such devices. Others involve use of these devices in connection with shopping, text entry, sign language interpretation, and vision-based discovery. Still other improvements are architectural in nature, e.g., relating to evidence-based state machines, and blackboard systems. Yet other technologies concern use of linked data in portable devices—some of which exploit GPU capabilities. Still other technologies concern computational photography. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US09547865B2 |
System and method for providing advertising server optimization for online computer users
A system and method for providing advertising server optimization for online computer users is disclosed. A particular embodiment includes obtaining an advertisement; defining a set of features of the advertisement; generating a predicted click through rate (CTR) corresponding to the advertisement based in part on the set of features; ranking the advertisement based on the generated click through rate; and serving the advertisement based on the ranking. |