| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09554043B2 |
Methods and systems for processing a video for stabilization using dynamic crop
Methods and systems for processing a video for stabilization are described. A recorded video may be stabilized by removing at least a portion of shake introduced in the video. An original camera path for a camera used to record the video may be determined. A crop window size may be selected, a crop window transform may accordingly be determined, and the crop window transform may be applied to the original video to provide a modified video from a viewpoint of the modified motion camera path. |
| US09554040B2 |
Multi-viewpoint image capturing method and image display method
The present technique provides a method of capturing a multi-viewpoint image of an object with a rotation axis of the object optionally changed by a user and an image display method. The present technique is a multi-viewpoint image capturing method including shooting an object from a plurality of different viewpoints, and capturing a plurality of still images, wherein the object is placed at a center of a virtually set ICO sphere, and during the shooting of the object, the images of the object are captured from a vertex of the virtually set ICO sphere toward the center of the ICO sphere such that the plurality of still images are generated. |
| US09554038B1 |
Camera system transmission in bandwidth constrained environments
An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode. |
| US09554028B2 |
Imaging device, imaging system, imaging method, and computer-readable recording medium associating image data with responsibility acceptance or abandonment information
An imaging device includes a first communication unit, an imaging control unit, and a recording determination unit that determines whether or not an image data is to be recorded according to an operation instruction. The first communication unit transmits recording permission information to an external communication device when a user operation is a recording permission operation, and transmits recording prohibition information to the communication device when the user operation is a recording prohibition operation. The imaging control unit associates image data with determination result determined by the recording determination unit and either one of the recording permission information and the recording prohibition information and controls a recording unit to record the image data. |
| US09554026B2 |
Image-capturing apparatus
An image-capturing apparatus is disclosed, including a lens driver module and a sensor module; wherein the lens driver module includes a lens housing chamber and a female engagement base, the lens housing chamber being for housing a lens, and the female engagement base being located inside the lens driver module; the sensor module includes a sensor and a male engagement base; the female engagement base being disposed on the male engagement base; and an optical calibration facility being used to adjust the lens driver module; when an optical axis of the lens driver module is parallel to a sensor optical axis of the sensor module, a glue is applied to fasten the lens driver module and the sensor module so that the female engagement base and the male engagement base do not move with respect to each other. |
| US09554023B2 |
Lens driving actuator for auto-focus function and handshake compensation function
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a camera module includes: a movable element having first magnets which are formed at uniform intervals on the outer circumferential surface of a bobbin fixing a lens and second magnets which are arranged between the first magnets on the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin; a stator having first coil blocks which respectively face the first magnets, second magnets which respectively face the second magnets, and a housing which fixes the first coil blocks and the second magnets; an elastic member elastically supporting the movable element with respect to the stator; a base supporting the stator; and a case covering the housing and coupled to the base. |
| US09554022B2 |
Camera module for use in automobile
Embodiments provide a camera module including a lens unit, a first board formed with an electromagnetic circuit, a second board spaced apart from the first board, the second board including a terminal for external electrical connection and being formed with an electromagnetic circuit, a first support member having one side coupled to the first board and the other side coming into contact with one surface of the second board, so as to maintain a constant distance between the first board and the second board, and an electromagnetic-field shield configured to receive the first board and the second board therein, the electromagnetic-field shield serving to inhibit outward leakage of an electromagnetic-field formed in each board. |
| US09554021B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiving video signal
An analog video signal received through a cable may be distorted due to the cable and noise during its transmission. Provided is a method and apparatus for determining a level of transmission distortion and compensating for an analog video signal. A video signal reception method and apparatus may determine a distortion level of an analog video signal using an equalizing pattern signal included in a video signal, and may compensate for the analog video signal based on the distortion level. |
| US09554019B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus reads an image on an original and generates lines of data by causing a carriage to perform scanning, then by referring to the data, detects chromatic color pixels that exist between two achromatic color pixels, being first and second achromatic color pixels, from among pixels in the image that has been read in the scanning direction of the carriage, and determines one of the detected chromatic color pixels as a pixel of interest and corrects the pixel of interest to an achromatic color pixel while shifting the position of the pixel of interest pixel-by-pixel N times from a pixel position adjacent to the first achromatic color pixel in a direction toward the second achromatic color pixel. |
| US09554017B2 |
Generating a username based on user name and domain name obtained from print data attribute information
There is provided an image processing apparatus which comprises: a receiving unit configured to receive a print job from an information processing apparatus; an obtaining unit configured to obtain at least owner information and domain information from a header of the print job; a generating unit configured to generate user identification information including the owner information and the domain information; a registering unit configured to register the user identification information; and a storage unit configured to store the print job in association with the user identification information. Thus, it is possible to register the appropriate user identification information according to environments of a network system. |
| US09554016B2 |
System, and method for controlling the system
An image forming apparatus, which forms an image on paper and is connected to be communicable with an image capturing apparatus that captures a person existing around the image forming apparatus, includes a receiving unit configured to receive a job, a generation unit configured to generate information representing a user who has input the job received by the receiving unit, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the information representing the user, which has been generated by the generation unit, to the image capturing apparatus. |
| US09554015B2 |
Image compression apparatus to perform compression of image data and dividing pixel value into an invalid and valid region to calculate valid bit width
Provided is an image compression apparatus including a dividing unit that divides a bit width pixel value set in advance that indicates compressed image information into an invalid bit region and a valid bit region other than the invalid bit region that are replaced with a fixed value determined in advance, an image information conversion unit that makes a value of the valid bit region be a value of a bit corresponding to the pixel value and makes a value of the invalid bit region be the fixed value determined in advance and converts the compressed image information to conversion image information, and a compression unit that compresses the conversion image information. |
| US09554011B2 |
Light irradiator, image reader and image forming apparatus
A light irradiator includes a light source and a light guide to guide a light flux from the light source to an illumination area. The light guide has an incident surface, an emission surface and two side surfaces. The emission surface is located apart from a reading optical axis with an inclination relative to the reading optical axis. The following relations are satisfied: S1(x)≧S2(x) S1(L)>S2(L) wherein S1 represents a divided cross-sectional area near the reading optical axis and S2 represents a divided cross-sectional area far from the reading optical axis when a virtual cross-sectional area S parallel to the incident surface of the light guide is divided by a plane passing the center of the incident surface, formed by a direction perpendicular thereto and the incident surface and the main scanning direction; S (x) represents a virtual cross-sectional area distant from the incident surface of the light guide by x; L is a distance from the incident surface to the emission surface; and 0≦x |
| US09554010B2 |
Image reading apparatus and reflecting mirror unit
The invention relates to an image reading apparatus and includes: scanning unit including a light source; a focusing mirror which reflects light from the light source on a reflecting surface portion; and a mirror holder which fixes the focusing mirror on fixing portions formed at both ends of the mirror holder, wherein, when the scanning unit is moved to read image information, the focusing mirror is formed such that the fixing portion is smaller than the reflecting surface portion in at least one of strength and rigidity. |
| US09554009B2 |
Image scanning apparatus configured with a DC voltage power source
An image scanning apparatus has a scanner configured to read an original sheet on a line basis at a constant line cycle and generate analog image data for each pixel of the line, and output the analog image data for each pixel at a pixel cycle, a power source including a DC/DC converter configured to convert a first DC voltage to a second DC voltage by applying a switching control to the first DC voltage at a switching cycle, the second DC voltage being supplied to the scanner, a convertor configured to sample the analog image data at the pixel cycle to convert the analog image data to digital image data, a sampling setting unit configured to set the pixel cycle, and a controller configured to cause the sampling setting unit to set the pixel cycle to be an integer multiple of the switching cycle of the DC/DC convertor. |
| US09554006B2 |
Information processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and processing image selection method
Provided is an image forming apparatus with which, in selecting one of plural processing image areas in one image, even an inexpensive display unit will not lower the convenience. An information processing part of image forming apparatus includes a division number questioning part, answer receiving part, image dividing part, key highlighting part, processing image selection part, and reporting display part. Division number questioning part makes a question about a required image division number. Answer receiving part receives an answer. Image dividing part displays image, dividing it into plural processing image areas by the required image division number answered. Key highlighting part highlights keys corresponding to processing image areas. Processing image selection part selects processing image area corresponding to a key operated, as processing object. Upon a highlighted key being operated, reporting display part reports that processing image area corresponding to that key is selected as processing object. |
| US09554005B2 |
Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes a reception unit and a display controller. The reception unit receives an operation for selecting a destination from a transmission destination list containing a registered mail address of the destination to which an image is to be transmitted. The display controller displays an object image in a predetermined display region. The object image indicates a parameter of an image reading unit that reads the image. When the destination is selected by the operation, the display controller makes the display region display the mail address registered in the transmission destination list in place of the object image. When a preset time period elapses, the display controller sets the display back to the object image. |
| US09554004B2 |
Image processing system
In the case where state information has already been obtained from a service providing server on the Internet at the time when an MFP requests access to the service providing server, a mediation server gives a notification using the MFP based on the state information. In this case, the mediation server switches a notification method between a method of displaying a view on a display panel of the MFP and other methods in accordance with a function of the MFP. |
| US09554001B2 |
Information processing apparatus, output system, and output method
An information processing apparatus stores output data in a storage unit, in an output system in which an output device acquires and outputs the output data stored in the storage unit. The information processing apparatus includes a determining unit configured to determine whether a substitute output function should be valid for the output data, based on information read from the output data, by using a substitute output setting including the information that can be read from the output data for which the substitute output function should be valid; and a specifying unit configured to specify a substitute output person, based on information read from the output data, and reflect information of the specified person in output-data-related-information relating to the output data that is stored together with the output data in the storage unit, when it is determined that the substitute output function should be valid for the output data. |
| US09554000B2 |
Server and communication system including the same
A server includes a controller and an interface for communicating with image processing devices and an information processing device. The controller performs: obtaining, from a first image processing device, first identification information about the first image processing device and a first particular code input to the first image processing device; determining whether at least one code in a storage contains the obtained first particular code; transmitting first corresponding information corresponding to the first particular code to the first image processing device when the at least one code contains the obtained first particular code; receiving the first corresponding information provided from the first image processing device to the information processing device and first user account information input to the information processing device; and registering the received first user account information and the first identification information identified by the received first corresponding information, into the storage in association with each other. |
| US09553997B2 |
Toll-free telecommunications management platform
A Toll-Free Management Platform (TFMP) includes methods and systems for number administration, customer administration, call management services, texting services and text registry, and a smart services registry. The TFMP may allow users to search for, receive recommendations for, and make reservations of toll-free numbers. A user interface may allow activating a toll-free number, through a one-click activation function and users may access the TFMP to create and access existing templates of toll-free call routing templates, and utilize a routing tree engine to create customized call routing trees for the toll-free numbers of interest to the user. Predictive analytic services may be provided that allow a user through a customizable user interface, or dashboard, to access third party data sources and other information derived from toll-free telecommunications networks. |
| US09553990B2 |
Recommended roster based on customer relationship management data
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for facilitating collaboration in a contact center by providing a roster of recommended subject matter experts on a topic related to an ongoing customer contact session. For example, embodiments can use a modification of the skills matching algorithm of the CRM system used to initially select an agent to also evaluate the needs of the service incident, and match those needs with people who would be able to contribute to a conversation and help the agent. The system can then recommend these possible contributors in a ranked order based on how well each collaborator's skills match the requirements of the incident. When the agent requires assistance and creates a conversation, the system can recommend to the agent a list of users that can help, based on the strength of the match to the skill that would equate to the incident. |
| US09553989B1 |
Method and computer readable medium for geographic agent routing
A method and computer readable medium for routing a call to geographically dispersed agents based on agent skill-set, agent location and caller location that results in the call being delivered to the best available agent. The computer readable medium and method are utilized with a system comprised of a call center application module coupled to a database module with a communications network being used to couple incoming calls from customers with the best available agent. A database contains a ranking of available agents, based on a dataset including information regarding skill-set, previous interaction with the customer, proximity to the customer, language capability, current availability, and the like. The method chooses the best available agent to service a customer call based on the agent rankings. In the case where the customer has a preference for proximity of the agent to the customer, the system adjusts the agent rankings according to the agent's distance from the customer prior to making a selection. |
| US09553984B2 |
Systems and methods for remotely tuning hearing devices
A method of tuning a hearing device includes sending a test signal to a model of a hearing device that may be remote from the actual hearing device being tuned. The test signal is encoded by the model and sent to the hearing device being tuned. The user of that hearing device sends a response signal based at least in part on the encoded test signal. This response is received and compared to the original test signal. Thereafter, an operational parameter is sent to the hearing device based on the comparison. |
| US09553981B2 |
Devices and methods of providing response message in the devices
A device includes a communication unit configured to receive a call request from a calling user; and a control unit configured to control the communication unit to provide a response message including information about a current situation based on information about an application currently being executed to the calling user in response to a rejection regarding the call request. |
| US09553980B1 |
Providing caller identification to mobile devices
A caller information server provides caller identification (ID) information to a mobile device. The server receives caller ID information from local address books stored on multiple mobile devices. The caller information server aggregates the received caller ID information to generate a pooled address book. The caller information server may determine whether names within the caller ID information are legitimate and store or filter the information accordingly. When a mobile device receives a call from a telephone number for which it lacks caller ID information in its local address book, the mobile device sends a request for the caller ID information for the telephone number, to the caller information server. The server identifies caller ID information associated with the telephone number in the pooled address book, and sends this information to the mobile device. |
| US09553977B2 |
System and method for automated adaptation and improvement of speaker authentication in a voice biometric system environment
A system for automated adaptation and improvement of speaker authentication in a voice biometric system environment, comprising a speech sample collector, a target selector, a voice analyzer, a voice data modifier, and a call flow creator. The speech sample collector retrieves speech samples from a database of enrolled participants in a speaker authentication system. The target selector selects target users that will be used to test the speaker authentication system. The voice analyzer extracts a speech component data set from each of the speech samples. The call flow creator creates a plurality of call flows for testing the speaker authentication system, each call flow being either an impostor call flow or a legitimate call flow. The call flows created by the call flow creator are used to test the speaker authentication system. |
| US09553976B2 |
Mobile device management during synchronized audio playback in coordination with external video playback
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for mobile device management during synchronized audio playback in coordination with external video playback. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for mobile device management during synchronized audio playback in coordination with external video playback includes receiving in memory of a mobile device a request to synchronize playback of an audio file through the mobile device with a presentation of video externally to the mobile device and in response to the request, automatically dimming a display of the mobile device and synchronizing playback of the audio file with the external presentation of the video. |
| US09553975B2 |
Portable terminal and method for controlling portable terminal
Avoided is falsely detecting a hand of a usual user being in contact with a contact sensor, instead of detecting an object, such as water, having a high dielectric constant being in contact with the contact sensor. A smartphone (1) includes a contact determination section (101) which determines that (i) a hand is in contact with a contact sensor (11) in a case where an output value outputted by the contact sensor (11) is not lower than TH1 and lower than TH3 and (ii) an object, such as water, having a high dielectric constant is in contact with the contact sensor (11) in a case where the output value is not lower than TH3. |
| US09553970B2 |
Cell phone system for enabling and disabling a vehicle
A cell phone system (10) for enabling and disabling a vehicle (12) includes a cell phone (20) and a receiving receptacle (22) secured within the vehicle (12) that is configured so that the cell phone (20) cannot transmit signals whenever the cell phone (20) is secured within the receiving receptacle (22). A vehicle enabling mechanism (44) is secured within the receiving receptacle (22) and is also secured in communication with an engine (50) of the vehicle (12) so that placement of the cell phone (20) within the receiving receptacle (22) activates the vehicle enabling mechanism (44) to put the vehicle (12) in an enabled mode, and so that removal of the cell phone (20) from the receiving receptacle (22) deactivates the vehicle enabling mechanism (44) to put the vehicle (12) in a disabled mode. |
| US09553969B2 |
Password methods and systems for use on a mobile device
Systems and methods for operation upon a mobile device to handle a duress situation caused by another person. An input password is received from a user. The input password is decoded by the device. Responsive to the input password being a duress indication, a duress operation is performed to protect data on the mobile device. |
| US09553962B2 |
Window member and display apparatus having the same
A window member includes a base substrate that includes a display area transmitting a light and a non-display area disposed adjacent to the display area, a color pattern disposed on a surface of the base substrate in the non-display area, and a heat-discharge member that covers the color pattern and absorbs a heat to discharge the heat to an outside. |
| US09553961B2 |
Wireless multimedia communication device
A wireless multimedia communication device includes a shell module, a wireless module, and an energy storage module. The shell module has a waterproof function. The wireless module installed in the shell module has a mobile communication function. The energy storage module installed in the shell module for storing energy. When the wireless module is turned on, the wireless module utilizes the energy to operate. |
| US09553960B1 |
Loudspeaker with laminate panel for mobile computing platforms
Systems and methods enhancing loudspeaker audio performance in thin devices, such as mobile computing platforms and/or communication handsets. In some embodiments, a laminate panel including a dielectric membrane and one or more conductive traces forming an inductive loop suitable wireless charging and/or near field communication (NFC) element is employed as a loudspeaker driven at audio frequencies. In some embodiments, the laminate panel is driven with one or more piezoelectric element. In some embodiments, the laminate panel is of a stiffness and mass to provide a frequency response distinct from that of integrated micro-speakers for a 2.1 audio solution with wider bandwidth than is possible with micro-speakers employing back-side cavities. In some embodiments, the frequency spectrum spanned by the laminate panel loudspeaker enables a tweeter design lacking back-side cavities for smaller device form factor. In some ultra-small form factors, micro-speakers may be eliminated from the platform with the laminate panel providing the only loudspeaker diaphragm for the mobile platform. |
| US09553957B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus and signal processing method thereof
A transmitting apparatus includes: a baseband packet generator configured to generate a baseband packet including a header and payload data corresponding to an input stream; a frame generator configured to generate a frame including the baseband packet; a signal processor configured to process the generated frame; and a transmitter configured to transmit the processed frame, wherein the header includes information about whether a number of null packets deleted when generating the baseband packet is more than a predetermined number, information about a number of packets within the baseband packet, and information about a number of the deleted null packets. |
| US09553956B2 |
Self-adaptive network control transmission method and system based on TCP
Embodiments of the invention relate to a self-adaptive network control transmission method and system based on TCP. By creating network coding layer between transmission layer and IP layer on both the sending and receiving nodes, we can add network-coding headers which contains specific variables in the coding packets and ACK packets, transmit and refresh those variables through network-coding packets and ACK packets, and adjust redundancy factor R according to the variables. This method can strengthen the resistance to burst loss and maintain the redundancy factor R at the optimum value, thus raise the network throughputs. |
| US09553953B2 |
Method and apparatus for extending capabilities of a virtualization domain to support features available in a normal desktop application
Examples of systems and methods are provided for communication and for establishing a remote session between a client device and a remote server using RDP. An RDP share option is enabled to notify the remote server of a request for a shared RDP session. Multiple client devices may connect to the single shared RDP session. One client device may be considered the presenter and given special permissions. Any other client devices may be considered attendees and given only restricted access. Multiple RDP sessions may be initiated for multiple client devices. |
| US09553952B2 |
Image processing system
An image processing system in which a client apparatus transmits RAW image data to a server apparatus, receives a result developed by the server apparatus, and displays onto a display area. The client apparatus reduces the RAW image data to a size suitable to display, transmits to the server apparatus, and requests a development processing. The client apparatus also starts a transmission processing of original RAW image data to the server apparatus. While making adjustment of the development processing to reduced RAW image data, the client apparatus and the server apparatus execute a transmission and reception processing of the original RAW image data in parallel therewith. After the development processing of the reduced RAW image data, if there is a request from the client apparatus, the server apparatus also executes the development processing of the original RAW image data. |
| US09553949B2 |
Method and system implemented by a collaborative distributed computational network, and related devices
Method and system implemented by a collaborative distributed computational network, and related devices, comprising a plurality of client devices supported by a computational network to cooperatively perform interactive operations in at least one community of practice organized in a hierarchical structure at strategic levels, wherein said method comprises the steps of registering at least one community of practice on the computational network, creating a network of practice; assigning a unique identification code for a device on the network of practice computational network, identifying a user through an unique identification user code; connecting the user to at least one community of network of practice; defining a practice; unfolding the practice in strategic levels of this community of practice; registering the practice on the computational network; locating the practice in organizational or geographical coordinates; registering the localization of practice on the computational network; selecting a template guide containing sequential instructions content (as a script) and components; configuring the guide that implements the practice at the strategic level of the community of practice; publishing the guide in a client device through computer applications; setting up the interfaces of guides of client device for groups of people in group interactions of the same strategic level or between community of practice strategic levels; setting up specific interfaces of guides for individual actions on the client devices for individual interaction; manipulating guides on the client device group for the group interaction or when there is interaction between community of practice strategic levels; manipulating the individual guides on personal client devices when there are individual actions; storing the guide manipulation data in a distributed and asynchronous way on the client devices; maintaining versioning of data from historical records; synchronize data between client devices themselves and with the servers when the there is connectivity between them; and process the distributed guide data organizing and sorting out the history of best practices. |
| US09553947B2 |
Embedded video playlists
A system, method and various user interfaces provide an embedded web-based video player for navigating video playlists and playing video content. A website publisher can create and store a video player with customized parameters (e.g., player type, appearance, advertising options, etc.) and can associate the player with a playlist of selected videos. The stored video player is associated with a player ID in a player database and can be embedded in a website using an embed code referencing the player ID. A user interface for the embedded player provides controls for controlling video playback and for controlling the selection of a video from the playlist. |
| US09553944B2 |
Application server platform for telecom-based applications using an actor container
In accordance with various embodiments, a set of features are described for enabling an application server platform for telecom based applications. A system for providing an application server for telecom-based applications can include a computer, including a computer readable medium and processor. The system can also include an application server, executing on the computer. The application server can include an actor container that manages and provides lifecycle and runtime properties for application classes that are executed as actors in the application server. The actor container can manages a set of event transactions, wherein all storage operations are performed as part of the event transaction that spans each event handler invocation. |
| US09553938B2 |
Evaluation of content based on user activities
Embodiments of the present invention provide an automated scheme for identifying high/low value content. Playback data from users in a social network may be periodically submitted by users of the social network. The playback data indicates segments of content, such as audio or video that the user has skipped over or tagged as low value. The playback data may also indicate segments of content that the user has repeated or tagged as high value. The playback data is then analyzed in aggregate and various clips are identified. In addition, the playback data may be compiled and organized among the users for future use. The playback data may be used to indicate segments of high/low interest to peers in the social network or to arbitrary users. |
| US09553935B2 |
Mechanism for configuring service endpoints in native client applications at runtime
A system and method for facilitating efficient interaction between a client device and a server. An example method includes receiving at a server, a request for server configuration information sent to the server by a client device, and then employing a first web service in communication with the server to convey configuration information about a server to a client device in response to the request message received therefrom by the server. The configuration information includes information pertaining to known capabilities that may be offered by the server to the client device. Generally, embodiments described herein provide various features for facilitating configuring service endpoints in native client applications at runtime, thereby enabling implementation of changes to server-side components that a client application invokes or communicates with, without needing to change the client application. |
| US09553931B2 |
Train-information managing apparatus
A train-information managing apparatus receives a series of control information attached to serial numbers, which are transmitted from a central apparatus, in order of the transmission and carries out control in the order, and even when the central apparatus is changed or the serial numbers are reset, prevents a blank period of control from occurring. Therefore, when a reception serial number n included in received data is a preferential serial number (n≦M) and an old number nprev, which is a serial number included in data received and stored last time, is a cyclic serial number (nprev≧M+1), the train-information managing apparatus stores the received data. |
| US09553929B2 |
Episodic coordination model for distributed applications
An episodic execution of program instances and a coordinated message exchange protocol are combined to achieve eventual consistency in the communication between nodes of a distributed system. Program instances run in episodic loops that are triggered by defined input events and that generate checkpoints. The checkpoints indicate when messages are to be sent from the one instance to another instance or other device. The coordinated message exchange protocol allows the instance to send a message to a receiver, to acknowledge that the message has been received, and to confirm the acknowledgement to the receiver. |
| US09553926B2 |
System and method for peer to peer social networking
System enables users to surf the web and engage in social networking interaction through a downloadable peer-to-peer client that stores all user's private information locally on the user's computer. System establishes communication between the computers of multiple users participating in social interaction without having to store users' personal information on central servers. All user data, including, without limitation, pictures, ideas, personal information and communications with friends is maintained locally on the user's own computer and the social communication takes place between two or more users' computers. This provides the users with greater control over the dissemination of their personal information. In addition, the system randomly selects peer-to-peer social networking clients that are online at any given time and enable such clients to randomly and automatically connect with one another. |
| US09553924B1 |
Load sharing among loosely coupled or independent video servers
Methods, systems, and apparatuses can provide a pooling architecture for video servers and network resources. The pooling architecture can be based upon allocating content object copies to two or more nodes, intelligently selecting a primary streaming resource and a failover streaming resource, and identifying and compensating for exception asymmetries in system resource demand. |
| US09553920B2 |
Narrowcast media content distribution and display system with content biasing engine
Media content distribution that includes a central server, a plurality of remote display devices in electronic communication therewith. The central server receives and stores a plurality of media content, where each of the media content has one or more attributes associated therewith that relate to characteristics of the media content. The plurality of remote display devices receive via the electronic network the media content from the central server. Each of the remote display devices has one or more target attributes associated with the remote display device for causing the electronic display to display only those of the media content having one or more of the attributes associated therewith that satisfy a predetermined matching criteria with respect to the one or more target attributes. |
| US09553918B1 |
Stateful and stateless cookie operations servers
A stateful or stateless cookie operations server machine can provide real-time, actionable, user-specific tracking abilities in the collection of impressions and user interactions with a company's digital properties. The client-side code (e.g., in a web browser) may request an element configured with parameters and a hyperlink (e.g., URL) that causes parameters to be sent to a remote server. The remote server may process the parameters and perform various operations based on the parameters. Mathematical and/or other operations may be performed using the parameters. The remote server may retrieve a configuration corresponding to the request. The remote server may generate or transform content, based on the configuration. The remote server may transmit the transformed content. |
| US09553917B2 |
Server, device and recording medium for HTTP file transfer during chatting session established by another protocol
A message server for transferring a file by using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) during a chatting session established by another protocol, includes: a server transceiver unit configured to transmit and receive data; and a server control unit configured to provide a chatting service by establishing the chatting session between a transmitting terminal device and a receiving terminal device through the server transceiver unit, and transmit file link information to the receiving terminal device through the server transceiver unit when the file link information is received from the transmitting terminal device through the server transceiver unit, wherein the file link information is associated with a file uploaded using HTTP to a content server by the transmitting terminal device. |
| US09553915B2 |
Method and system for implementing commands
A method for implementing commands includes storing data defining command operations in a memory. The data defining command operations include a hierarchy of Uniform Resource identifiers (URIs) and Extensible Markup Language (XML) document schema defining XML documents. The method also includes receiving a command request from a remote computer. The command request contains an URI and a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) method. Further, the method includes determining a command operation based on the data defining command operations stored in the memory and the command request received, and executing the command operation based on the command request. |
| US09553912B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting media content via a single port or multiple ports
Disclosed is a method for generating a substream ID usable in transmitting media content based on a plurality of scenarios, and allocating the substream ID for transmitting media. A method for allocating an ID for transmitting media content comprises: a step of generating a substream ID containing information required for transmitting the media content based on a certain scenario from among a plurality of scenarios; and a step of transmitting the substream ID to a client. According to the present invention, a header for the transmission of media may be simplified, media content may be transmitted regardless of the number of ports, number of servers, and presence/absence of additional information, an application to be introduced in the future may be used, and backward compatibility for an existing media content transmission system may be provided. |
| US09553910B2 |
Backfill of video stream
A data streaming method is performed at a computing device having one or more processors and memory. The memory stores one or more programs configured for execution by the one or more processors. The process records video from a camera in real-time. The recorded video is stored in the memory in a circular buffer in chronological order. The process sends data in chronological order from the circular buffer to a destination in real-time. In response to detecting that a portion of content from the circular buffer needs to be resent, the process concurrently resends to the destination in reverse chronological order data from the portion of content from the circular buffer. |
| US09553907B2 |
Methods circuits devices systems and associated computer executable code for conveying information between network elements over an open dataflow
Disclosed are methods, circuits, devices, systems and associated computer executable code for providing information exchange between two or more network elements of a communication network over an existing or open dataflow. According to embodiments, there may be provided two or more network elements adapted to perform deep packet inspection of an existing packet and to modify one or more fields of the packet header to include information to be conveyed to another network element further along the packet flow path. According to some embodiments, one or more of the network elements may reside within a tunneled area of the communication network. |
| US09553905B2 |
Devices and methods supporting content delivery with adaptation services
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 adaptation services. |
| US09553903B2 |
Wide area aggregated communications
Methods, systems, and techniques for federating operations, in an optimized way using wide area networks are provided. Example systems provide an API for generating and handling federated requests as an aggregation. In one example Wide Area Network Aggregation System, WANAS provides an API, a connection manager, and connection iterators to manage inter-site connections and requests, and inter-pod requests and messaging. These components cooperate to distribute a task across multiple physically disparate sites using a representative connection to the site and fan out of requests to other pods within the site. |
| US09553902B1 |
Story development and sharing architecture: predictive data
A community of authors, readers and contributors interact with each other through a communication framework. The authors share creative works, such as fictional stories, for consumption by the readers and for commenting by the contributors. The readers may see successive drafts of the work as an author completes and revises the work. The contributors may provide comments or other contributions to assist the author. For example, the contributors may make suggestions about how to change the work or provide supplemental content, such as cover artwork, to the author. The author may recognize publicly contributors who provide helpful comments. The likelihood of an author completing a final draft of a work may be determined based on the author's activities regarding the work. The likelihood of a completed work being popular with readers may also be determined based on user interaction with a draft of the work. |
| US09553901B2 |
VOIP service with streamlined call transfer options
In at least some embodiments, a system includes at least one server to manage voice over internet protocol (VOIP) services. The managed VOIP services provided by the at least one server include a telephony service to establish a calling phase between an initiator device and a mobile target device in response to a call command received from the initiator device, and a streamline call transfer service to transfer a call from the mobile target device to a transfer target device in response to a one-touch transfer command received from the mobile target device during the calling phase. |
| US09553895B2 |
System and method for building intelligent and distributed L2-L7 unified threat management infrastructure for IPv4 and IPv6 environments
A security gateway appliance is configured to evaluate network traffic according to security rules that classify traffic flows according to specifically identified application programs responsible for producing and/or consuming the network traffic and to enforce policies in accordance with network traffic classifications. The appliance includes an on-box anti-virus/anti-malware engine, on-box data loss prevention engine and on-box authentication engine. One or more of these engines is informed by an on-box dynamic real tie rating system that allows for determined levels of scrutiny to be paid to the network traffic. Security gateways of this type can be clustered together to provide a set of resources for one or more networks, and in some instances as the backbone of a cloud-based service. |
| US09553894B2 |
System and method for transparently injecting policy in a platform as a service infrastructure
A system and method for enforcing policy in a computing environment with a plurality of hosts that includes establishing a policy update specified through a namespaced addressing syntax; publishing the policy update to a set of components associated with a referenced component namespace; at a host of the set of components, authenticating the policy update; at the host, locally verifying policy compliance of an operation request by the host directed towards at least a second component; applying results of verifying the policy compliance of the operation request within a communication channel flow, which comprises routing the operational request through the communication channel to the second component if the operational request is permitted and preventing the operational request if the operational request is not permitted. |
| US09553891B1 |
Device blocking tool
Automated locating and disconnection of undesired devices may include receiving both the addresses of the device and the switch coupled to the device and determining whether the switch can blackhole the traffic of the device. If it is determined that the switch cannot blackhole the traffic associated with the device, systems and methods of the present disclosure may further determine whether the switch can reroute the traffic of the device. If, however, the switch can blackhole traffic of the device, a blackhole command may be issued to transform a destination of the traffic associated with the device to a null destination. Alternatively, if it is determined that the switch can reroute traffic of the device, a reroute command may be issued to transform the destination of the traffic associated with the device to a safe zone. |
| US09553890B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for detecting proximity-based mobile malware propagation
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. An agent resides in a mobile communication device. The agent detects Proximity-based Mobile Malware Propagation. The agent injects one or more trigger network connections in the candidate connection list. These connections appear as legitimate networks and devices, but instead trigger connection to an agent server on a service provider's network. By attempting to connect through the trigger network connection, the malware reveals itself. The system helps collect the malware signature within a short period of time after the malware outbreak in local areas, though such attacks typically bypass network based security inspection in the network. |
| US09553878B2 |
People directory with social privacy and contact association features
In one embodiment, a social networking system provides people look up service and establish anonymous communication session between users; creates contact association for future communication between users; and configures one or more privacy settings for users. |
| US09553877B2 |
Installing virtual machines within different communication pathways to access protected resources
One or more processors fractionate a computer application into disparate components, and assign two or more of the disparate components to different communication pathways, where the different communication pathways lead to requisite resources needed to execute the disparate components. The processor(s) create a virtual machine that controls access to a particular requisite resource by a particular disparate component, and install the virtual machine within at least one of the different communication pathways to control access to the particular requisite resource by the particular disparate component. The processor(s) transmit a resource retrieval instruction to retrieve the particular requisite resource via the virtual machine and at least one of the different communication pathways, and adjust a quantity of virtual machines between the computer application and the particular requisite resource according to a threat level for the particular disparate component. |
| US09553874B2 |
Programmable display apparatus, control method, and program with facial authentication
Provided is a programmable display apparatus that can permit access to an application through facial authentication, and can display a screen corresponding to an authenticated user after the access is permitted. The programmable display apparatus stores feature data of faces of a plurality of users and screen data for displaying a plurality of screens. The programmable display apparatus performs facial authentication based on image data of a user obtained through image capture and on the feature data. The programmable display apparatus permits a user to access the application if the user has been authenticated. Upon permitting the access, the programmable display apparatus displays, on a display, a screen corresponding to the authenticated user from among the plurality of screens. |
| US09553868B2 |
Toggle between accounts
Techniques are described for enabling administrators of teams that use a particular service to specify which sign-on options, of multiple possible sign-on options, are assigned to the members of the teams to which the administrators belong. For example, an administrator may assign a first sign-on option, which only allows users to use native authentication, to one set of members of the team. At the same time, the administrator may assign a second sign-on option, which only allows users to use third-party single-sign-on authentication, to another set of members of the same team. |
| US09553863B2 |
Computer implemented method and system for an anonymous communication and computer program thereof
A communication service accessible on a web that authenticates user credential information of a first user to authorize a request in order to perform a communication with at least a second user; the first user requesting to the communication service to generate a hyperlink that is associated to its address and provides the generated hyperlink to at least a second user; the latter requesting to initiate said requested communication with said first user by directly clicking on said provided hyperlink, wherein the identity of said at least second user is maintained anonymous and the identity of said first user is done based on the information provided on said hyperlink; said communication between said at least second user and said first user being authorized by and a first server. |
| US09553860B2 |
Email effectivity facility in a networked secure collaborative exchange environment
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for managing access to a secure exchange environment managed by an intermediate business entity through a user email identity, the method comprising establishing a secure exchange server hosted by an intermediate business entity, wherein communications and access to a collection of files established by a first business entity are managed for a second business entity; and establishing an email effectivity facility that allows a user of the first business entity to specify a condition for email-based access to at least one resource in the collection of files, wherein the condition expresses (a) an effective period for using an email providing access to the resource and (b) a condition of email access to the resource by a designated individual of the second business entity, wherein the access permission was assigned using a specific email address of the designated individual. |
| US09553855B2 |
Storing a key to an encrypted file in kernel memory
Storing a key to an encrypted file in a kernel memory is disclosed. Authentication data may be received and authentication credentials of the authentication data may be stored in a file. The file may be encrypted and a key to the encrypted file may be generated. The encrypted file may be stored in a user space and the key may be stored in a kernel space. The key may be retrieved from the kernel space and applied to the encrypted file in the user space to decode the encrypted file and subsequently access the authentication credentials stored in the encrypted file. |
| US09553854B2 |
Data security service
A distributed computing environment utilizes a cryptography service. The cryptography service manages keys securely on behalf of one or more entities. The cryptography service is configured to receive and respond to requests to perform cryptographic operations, such as encryption and decryption. The requests may originate from entities using the distributed computing environment and/or subsystems of the distributed computing environment. |
| US09553850B2 |
Multi-tenant secure separation of data in a cloud-based application
Multi-tenant and single-tenant methodologies are blended into a single solution to provide cost savings of multi-tenancy along with data security and privacy of a single-tenant environment. The cloud infrastructure is partitioned to include a first set of servers, and a second set of servers. The first set of servers are dedicated to a first operation, such as data presentation, while the second set of servers are dedicated to a second operation, such as data processing. The first set is operated in a multi-tenant operating mode, while the second set is operated in a single-tenant operating mode. Thus, the first set is available for general use, presenting data from any of the server(s) in the second set. The second set, in contrast, is dedicated to individual tenants. Preferably, each tenant has dedicated server(s) in the second set, which functions like a traditional, single-tenant environment providing inherent security and privacy guarantees. |
| US09553849B1 |
Securing data based on network connectivity
A method includes identifying a trusted computer network. The method also includes monitoring a plurality of active network connections. The method further includes determining that the trusted computer network is unavailable by determining that the plurality of active network connections does not comprise the trusted computer network. The method additionally includes, in response to determining that the trusted computer network is unavailable, securing sensitive data documents. Securing the sensitive data documents includes, for each data document of a plurality of data documents, determining a respective classification of a plurality of classifications. The plurality of classifications includes a sensitive classification based on predetermined criteria. Securing the sensitive data documents also includes encrypting particular data documents having the sensitive classification. |
| US09553847B2 |
Virtual desktop accelerator with support for multiple cryptographic contexts
In particular embodiments, a method includes intercepting a remote desktop connection request and connecting to a network gateway based on the remote desktop connection request. A first connection with a server is initiated via the network gateway using a first communication protocol. A plurality of cryptographic contexts are exchanged with the server. A token encrypted using one of the plurality of cryptographic contexts is received from the server. The token is sent from a client device to the server or a proxy to authenticate the client device, and a second connection is initiated with the server, via the proxy, using a second communication protocol. |
| US09553846B2 |
Method and system for realizing virtual network
A virtual network (VN) realization method and system are provided. The method includes setting a VN-AP in a data center network and/or a broadband network. A service deployment and management function entity receives a VN service request from a user to generate feature information of the VN; a PC/VM automatically discovers the VN-AP, the automatically discovered VN-AP generates the VN forwarding table entry of the PC/VM after the PC/VM passes the identity authentication of the VN, and performs tunnel encapsulation according to the VN forwarding table entry to forward a packet from the PC/VM. By discovering a VN-AP for processing a VN automatically, the disclosure realizes the automatic and rapid deployment of the VN. |
| US09553841B1 |
Interactive content in a messaging platform
A messaging platform forms an interactive message with one or more components and broadcasts the interactive message to client devices associated with accounts. The interactive message has a plurality of states that update based on event data received from a content source. While the event is in progress, the messaging platform receives event data relating to the event and transitions to an updated state based on the received event data. When the interactive message transitions to the updated state, the messaging platform updates the interactive message broadcast to the client devices. The interactive message may include interactive components that accounts may use to perform various interactions with the event, the content source, or each other. |
| US09553838B1 |
Querying for devices based on location
Querying for devices based on location is disclosed. A request to send a push notification to a location is received. One or more bucket indexes to search for the presence of a device identifier are determined. The one or more bucket indexes are searched for the presence of the device identifier. One or more device identifiers are received in response to the search. The push notification is sent to one or more devices associated with the received one or more device identifiers. |
| US09553835B2 |
Active e-mails
A computer-implemented method can include accessing a micro-blog to retrieve a real-time copy of the micro-blog thread and delivering the real-time copy of the micro-blog thread for display in an e-mail message. |
| US09553833B2 |
Confidential messages in a group chat
A device is configured to receive a message associated with a group chat. The group chat may include a communication session among a set of user devices including a first user device and a second user device. The device is configured to receive an indication that the message is confidential and designate the message as a confidential messaged based on the indication. The device is configured to determine that the first user device is authorized to display the message and that the second user device is not authorized to display the message. The device is configured to provide the confidential message to the first user device for display as part of the group chat, and to provide a blocked version of the confidential message to the second user device for display as part of the group chat. |
| US09553831B2 |
Adaptive publish/subscribe system
A context-driven publication option is received over a network at an adaptive publish subscribe broker from a publishing network device. The context driven publication options are presented over the network to a subscribing network device. A selection of a context-driven subscription is received over the network at the adaptive publish/subscribe broker from the subscribing network device. A publication configured for network management and operations is received at the adaptive publish/subscribe broker. Publications are filtered at the adaptive publish/subscribe broker for the subscribing network device according to the selection of the context-driven subscription. |
| US09553830B2 |
Managing instant messaging sessions on multiple devices
Transferring instant messaging sessions includes receiving a selection, from a user within a user interface, of at least one instant messaging session from among multiple instant messaging sessions to transfer from a first instant messaging controller on a first device to at 5 least a second instant messaging controller on a second device, where the user is signed on concurrently to the first instant messaging controller on the first device and the second instant messaging controller on the second device. At least a portion of the selected instant messaging session is transferred from the first instant messaging controller on the first device to the second instant messaging controller on the second device and the transferred portion of 10 the instant messaging session is made perceivable on the second instant messaging controller on the second device. |
| US09553827B2 |
Automatic modeling of virtual resources with sizing recommendations
A method includes accessing a database comprising a respective non-linear scalability model for each of a plurality of physical resources and each of a plurality of virtual resources in a virtualization environment. The method also includes generating a respective capacity consumption model for each of the plurality of virtual resources based on the non-linear scalability models. The method further includes determining a deviation from a predetermined threshold range in the respective capacity consumption model for a first virtual resource in the plurality of virtual resources. The method additionally includes determining a slope of the respective capacity consumption model for the first virtual resource, and determining a sizing recommendation for components of the first virtual resource based on the slope and the deviation. The method also includes modifying at least one of the components of the first virtual resource based on the sizing recommendation. |
| US09553826B2 |
Real-time sharing method, apparatus and system
A real-time sharing method, apparatus and system, which relate to the online application field to solve the problem that a user cannot actively send a request to another terminal by using a terminal according to a personal requirement to implement real-time sharing of resources of an online application of another terminal. The real-time sharing method for sharing of an online application includes: receiving a browsing request message sent by a first terminal, where the browsing request message carries an identifier of a second terminal; acquiring, according to the identifier of the second terminal, virtual machine information of a virtual machine that provides an online application service for the second terminal; and sending, to the first terminal, resource information sent to the second terminal by the virtual machine corresponding to the virtual machine information. |
| US09553825B2 |
Electronic information caching
Electronic information is made available to access requestors based on anticipated demand. Electronic information stored on a first storage medium is identified for transport. A determination is made to store the electronic information on a second storage medium that is more accessible to the access requestors. The determination is based on an anticipated demand of the access requestors for the electronic information. The anticipated demand is determined based at least on information that is not particular to any single access requestor. The electronic information then is stored on the second storage medium and the access requestors are provided access to the electronic information from the second storage medium. |
| US09553821B2 |
Equitable distribution of excess shared-resource throughput capacity
Methods and apparatus for equitable distribution of excess shared-resource throughput capacity are disclosed. A first and a second work target are configured to access a shared resource to implement accepted work requests. Admission control is managed at the work targets using respective token buckets. A first metric indicative of the work request arrival rates at the work targets during a time interval, and a second metric associated with the provisioned capacities of the work targets are determined. A number of tokens determined based on a throughput limit of the shared resource is distributed among the work targets to be used for admission control during a subsequent time interval. The number of tokens distributed to each work target is based on the first metric and/or the second metric. |
| US09553811B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing flood traffic in train switches
An improved method and apparatus for making forwarding decisions in a switching device. The invention reduces the flooding of frames to particular network segments connected to the switch. To insure a device sees a frame addressed to it, if a switch does not know what segment a device address is connected to for a unicast frame, the switch typically floods the frame to all segments in the broadcast domain. This invention allows segments to be identified as having a predefined maximum number of device addresses that will be associated with it. When that number of addresses is already in the forwarding table the switch will not flood unicast frames to that segment since no more devices should be connected to that segment. |
| US09553810B2 |
Dynamic reconfiguration of network devices for outage prediction
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for dynamic reconfiguration of network devices for outage prediction is disclosed. The method includes: aggregating a plurality of network devices to form an input/output (I/O) link bundle; identifying a quality of service level of data throughput needed by at least one workload utilizing the I/O link bundle; monitoring a parameter of each of the network devices of the I/O link bundle; determining whether the monitored parameter indicates a predicted data throughout quality of service level decrease by a network device being utilized by the workload below the quality of service level for the workload; and responsive to determining that the monitored parameter indicates a predicted quality of service level decrease by the respective network device, dynamically reconfiguring the link bundle to maintain the quality of service level for the workload utilizing the I/O link bundle. |
| US09553809B2 |
Asymmetric packet flow in a distributed load balancer
A distributed load balancer in which a router receives packets from at least one client and routes packet flows to multiple ingress servers. For unknown packet flows, an ingress server cooperates with primary and secondary flow trackers to establish connections to server nodes. For known packet flows, the ingress server sends the packets to target server nodes. The server nodes randomly select egress servers for outgoing packets of the packet flows. The ingress servers, flow trackers, and egress servers are implemented by multiple load balancer nodes in a load balancer node layer. The ingress and egress servers for a given packet flow may be on different load balancer nodes. The load balancer nodes may use a consistent hash function to compute a consistent hash ring for the nodes according to packet flow client/public endpoint pairs so that nodes associated with given packet flows can be located. |
| US09553808B1 |
Protocol-independent packet routing
In one aspect, one or more processors may be coupled to a content-addressable memory, a first memory and a second memory. The one or more processors may be configured to receive a data packet, read a predetermined number of bytes from the data packet, and match the read bytes to patterns corresponding to rows of the content-addressable memory. Further, the one or more processors may determine a number associated with the matched row, and based on the number, determine an initial routing instruction. The one or more processors may then determine which bits of the read bytes to hash using hash information stored in the first memory, hash the bits to generate a hash value, determine whether the value corresponds to routing information in the second memory, and route the data packet based on the routing information. |
| US09553804B2 |
Method, device, and system for supporting content subscription in content network
A method is provided for content subscription in content network. A content requesting node in the content network receives a first interest packet comprising a content identifier through a first port from a first user device, creates a subscription entry comprising the content identifier and an identifier of the first port, sends the first interest packet to the content providing node, receives a second interest packet through a second port from a second user device; adds an identifier of the second port to the subscription entry, receives multiple data packets provided by the content providing node according to the first interest packet, and sends the multiple data packets through the first port and the second port respectively to the first user device and the second user device according to the subscription entry. |
| US09553803B2 |
Periodical generation of network measurement data
Some embodiments provide a method that generates different network measurements data (e.g., network topology, bandwidth estimation of different paths, etc.) for a pair of endpoints upon receiving a network administrative request (e.g., an application programming interface (API) request) or by other means (e.g., automatically and without intervention of a user). In some embodiments, the method is implemented by a network measurement agent operating on each endpoint and a centralized service component (e.g., web service layer) executing on a network manager machine (e.g., a controller) that responds to measurement requests. The network measurement agent probes the network periodically (i.e., in certain time intervals) or upon an API request that it receives through the network manager machine to gather the measurement data of a particular network topology between a pair of endpoints. |
| US09553798B2 |
Method and system of updating conversation allocation in link aggregation
A method of updating conversation allocation in link aggregation is disclosed. The method starts with verifying that an implementation of a conversation-sensitive link aggregation control protocol (LACP) is operational at a network device of a network for an aggregation port. Then it is determined that operations through enhanced link aggregation control protocol data units (LACPDUs) are possible. The enhanced LACPDUs can be used for updating conversation allocation information, and the determination is based at least partially on a compatibility check between a first set of operational parameters of the network device and a second set of operational parameters of a partner network device. Then a conversation allocation state of an aggregation port of the link aggregation group is updated based on a determination that the conversation allocation state is incorrect, where the conversation allocation state indicates a list of conversations transmitting through the aggregation port. |
| US09553794B1 |
Traffic engineering for network usage optimization
A traffic engineering process seeks to optimize network utilization and creating paths in the network such that the network is used efficiently. The exemplary embodiments seek to maintain fairness across allocation of flows while honoring constraints on the number of paths used per flow and the granularity of splits allowed. Exemplary embodiments provide a solution in a speedy manner and get close to optimal solutions for allocation of the network traffic. |
| US09553789B2 |
Inter-node communication scheme for sharing node operating status
A gossiping scheme for sharing node status in a cluster of nodes provides a robust mechanism for determining node status within the cluster. Nodes transmit gossip messages to each other nodes, the gossip messages listing other nodes in the cluster that are operational. When a node does not receive a gossip message from a particular node within a predetermined time period, then the node transmits messages to the other nodes indicating that the particular node is down. However, if another node has received a packet from the particular node within the predetermined time period and receives the node down message, then the other node responds with a node alive message. |
| US09553788B1 |
Monitoring an interconnection network
The following description is directed to monitoring an interconnection network. In one embodiment, a method of monitoring an internal link of an interconnection network can comprise creating a network packet. The network packet can comprise a data-link-layer destination address corresponding to a management interface of a first router of the interconnection network, and a network-layer destination address corresponding to a host computer. The network-layer destination address can be within a subnet associated with a management interface of a second different router of the interconnection network. The internal link can connect the first router and the second router. The method can further comprise transmitting the network packet from the host computer, and determining one or more performance metrics of the internal link based, at least in part, on whether the network packet is received at the host computer. |
| US09553787B1 |
Monitoring hosted service usage
Systems and methods are disclosed which facilitate monitoring of usage information associated with services implemented within a hosted computing environment. Providers of a service, or other authorized parties, may be enabled to associate one or more descriptors with a service. Thereafter, each service instances may be monitored for such descriptors. By correlating usage information of instances with specific descriptors, usage information for the descriptor may be generated. In some instances, usage information corresponding to a descriptor may be utilized to monitor license agreements associated with services including the descriptor. Further, use of descriptors may reduce or eliminate the need to associate services with physical attributes of hosting computing devices, such as media access control addresses. |
| US09553786B2 |
Storing data associated with packet related metrics
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for storing data associated with packet related metrics are disclosed. According to one method, the method includes generating a test packet including a port tuple sequence number (PTSN), wherein the PTSN indicates a number of packets across multiple flows associated with a same port tuple, wherein the port tuple indicates an ingress port and an egress port that the test packet traverses at a device under test (DUT), and storing the PTSN in an entry of a data structure, wherein the entry is indexed by the port tuple. |
| US09553782B2 |
Dynamically modifying quality of service levels for resources running in a networked computing environment
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for dynamically modifying Quality of Service (QoS) levels for resources (e.g., applications, processes, services, etc.) running in a networked computing environment. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention dynamically adjust transport level networking QoS parameters based on associated service level agreements (SLA) term. In a typical embodiment, a set of service level requirements associated with a resource running in the networked computing environment will first be identified (e.g., in a computer data structure). Then, the set of service level requirements will be mapped to a set of QoS parameters associated with a transport layer of the networked computing environment. A current performance of the resource within the transport layer will then be determined. Once the current performance has been determined, it will be further determined whether the current performance meets the set of service level requirements. Based on this determination/comparison, the set of QoS parameters can be adjusted accordingly. |
| US09553781B2 |
Service level agreement based storage access
A method and a system implementing a service level agreement based storage access system. A service level agreement based storage access system presents a single interface for data storage consumers and translates generic data operation requests to data operation request specific to a storage server. The SLA based storage access system also monitors storage server performance and may throttle processes to ensure service level agreements are not violated. |
| US09553779B2 |
Framework supporting content delivery with content delivery services
A framework supporting content delivery includes a plurality of devices, each device configured to run at least one content delivery (CD) service of a plurality of CD services. The plurality of CD services include services supporting content delivery. |
| US09553778B2 |
Layered request processing in a content delivery network (CDN)
In a content delivery network (CDN a method includes: receiving a request for a CDN service of a particular type, wherein a CDN service of said particular type defines a fixed number of configurable layers of request processing, sequentially from a first layer to a last layer; and processing said request, starting at said first layer, said processing being based on a modifiable runtime environment, said processing continuing conditionally through each of said layers in turn until either said request is terminated by one of said layers or said last layer processes said request. The CDN service may be selected from: delivery services, collector services, reducer services, rendezvous services, configuration services, and control services. |
| US09553777B2 |
Framework supporting content delivery with adaptation services
A framework supporting content delivery includes a plurality of devices, each device configured to run at least one content delivery (CD) service of a plurality of CD services. The plurality of CD services include adaptation services. |
| US09553772B2 |
Dynamically determining node locations to apply learning machine based network performance improvement
In one embodiment, techniques are shown and described relating to dynamically determining node locations to apply learning machine based network performance improvement. In particular, a degree of significance of nodes in a network, respectively, is calculated based on one or more significance factors. One or more significant nodes are then determined based on the calculated degree of significance. Additionally, a nodal region in the network of deteriorated network health is determined, and the nodal region of deteriorated network health is correlated with a significant node of the one or more significant nodes. |
| US09553769B2 |
Devices and methods for communication in ad-hoc networks
In a particular embodiment, a method includes determining, by a first device, a number of discovery messages received during at least one discovery interval. Based on the number of discovery messages, an estimated number of devices in an ad-hoc network is determined. The method further includes transmitting, during a second discovery interval that is subsequent to the at least one discovery interval, a discovery message. The discovery message indicates the estimated number of devices in the ad-hoc network. |
| US09553767B2 |
Host connectivity templates to configure host of virtual machines
A system and a method are disclosed for configuring hosts of virtual machines. The system and method include receiving, by a management server, a network configuration of a first host, wherein the first host is associated with a network identified by a network label, storing the network configuration of the first host in a template record, in response to a request to configure a second host, determining if the second host is to join the network identified by the network label, and configuring the second host using the template record. |
| US09553765B2 |
Geospatial based management of configuration profiles
A system, method and program product for managing profiles for devices in a network. A computer system is disclosed having a configuration management system for managing configuration profiles for a set of devices within a network, and includes: a boundary definition system that employs a computerized process for defining a plurality of geospatial boundaries; a device manager that employs a computerized process for interfacing with remote agents associated with respective devices to recognize when a device has migrated into a new geospatial boundary; and a profile management system that employs a computerized process for uploading an updated configuration profile to the remote agent in response to the device being migrated to the new geospatial boundary. |
| US09553762B1 |
Network-on-chip with fixed and configurable functions
Systems and methods are provided herein for providing an NoC including a configurable array of nodes, where a node of the configurable array of nodes operates in a default operating mode until a replacement operating mode is triggered. For example, when an NoC is unconfigured, a latch bank may be initialized to “clear,” such that no routing decisions are stored. This may enable a default operating mode where routing logic updates the latches' values as needed to implement required routing behavior in a dynamic fashion until configuration is performed. |
| US09553761B2 |
Dynamic server to server configuration and initialization
An apparatus includes a discovery component to identify a first application routine within a storage for execution, to identify execution of a remote application routine within a node device as a first requisite for execution of the first application routine from a first application requisites data, and to provide indications of storage of the first application routine and the first requisite to a control master; a start component to restart an earlier started execution of the first application routine in response to receipt of an indication that execution of the remote application routine within the node device has been restarted in accordance with a catalog received from the control master, the catalog including indications of the first and remote application routines and an indication of the first requisite; and a status component to provide an indication to the control master of the restart of execution of the first application routine. |
| US09553758B2 |
Sandboxing individual applications to specific user folders in a cloud-based service
An example system and method comprises receiving a request from the third-party application, wherein the request includes a user identifier; allocating an area that is specific for the third-party application and for the user; and granting access of the area to the third-party application. In one embodiments, the method further comprises providing to the third-party application a token which allows the third-party application to access a given area. Additional embodiments provided herein enable a third-party application to use a user identifier (e.g., an email address or other identifiers) of its user to access area specific of a cloud-based environment/platform/services (e.g., collaboration, file sharing, and/or storage services) without necessarily triggering user account authentication, thereby avoiding the process of requiring access codes from the user which can adversely impact user experience as well as compromise security and/or user's privacy. |
| US09553753B2 |
Generating synchronization signals for wireless communication systems
The present disclosure relates to a method for facilitating synchronization in a wireless communication system. A number sequence of length L is defined. The number sequence is mapped on a first set of discrete Fourier frequency coefficients. A second set of discrete Fourier frequency coefficients is generated by frequency shifting the first set of discrete Fourier frequency coefficients. The second set of discrete Fourier frequency coefficients is transformed into a time domain signal. |
| US09553746B2 |
System and method for multi-threaded OFDM channel equalizer with coprocessor
A system for an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) equalizer, said system comprising a program memory, a program sequencer and a processing unit connected to each other, wherein the processing unit comprises an input selection unit, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a coprocessor and an output selection unit; further wherein the program sequencer schedules the processing of one or more symbol-carrier pairs input to said OFDM equalizer using multiple threads; retrieves, for each of the one or more symbol-carrier pairs, multiple program instructions from said program memory; generates multiple expanded instructions corresponding to said retrieved multiple program instructions; and further wherein said ALU performs said processing of the one or more symbol-carrier pairs using the multiple threads across multiple pipeline stages, wherein said processing comprises said ALU executing arithmetic operations to process said expanded instructions using said multiple threads across the multiple pipeline stages. |
| US09553744B2 |
Two-dimensional (2D) burst marker (BM) to identify data start and stop
A communication device includes a communication interface and a processor configured to generate, transmit, receive, and process signals. The communication device generates orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) frame(s) that include a two-dimensional (2D) start burst marker (BM), a data payload, and a 2D stop BM, and transmits the OFDM frame(s) to another communication device. Alternatively, the communication device receives OFDM frame(s) that include a 2D start BM and a 2D stop BM, and then identifies a data payload within those OFDM frame(s) based on the 2D start burst marker and a 2D stop BM. The 2D start and stop BMs are based on predetermined sequences having particular formats based on corresponding 2D sub-carrier and OFDM/A frame based structure. A receiver communication device then detects the 2D start BM and 2D stop BM within the received OFDM frame(s) based on knowledge of these predetermined sequences and particular formats. |
| US09553740B2 |
Method and apparatus for equalizing signals
A system and apparatus are disclosed for a method and apparatus for equalizing signals. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an equalizer having a channel estimation calculator for calculating a time domain channel estimation from a baseband signal, a Fast Fourier Transform processor for translating the time domain channel estimation to a frequency domain channel estimation, a tap weight calculator for calculating a frequency domain tap weight according to the frequency domain channel estimation, an inverse Fast Fourier Transform processor for translating the frequency domain tap weight calculation to a time domain tap weight calculation, and a filter for equalizing the baseband signal according to the time domain tap weight calculation. |
| US09553735B1 |
Systems and methods for determining broadcast parameters for a transmission
Systems and methods are described for determining broadcast parameters for a transmission. A plurality of broadcast content that comprise a priority level may be received, where each of the plurality of broadcast content may also comprise a timing for broadcasting. For each of the plurality of broadcast content, a number of nodes for broadcasting may be determined based on the priority level and the timing for broadcasting. The plurality of broadcast content may also be ranked based on the timing for broadcasting and the number of nodes for broadcasting. At least one scheduler may be instructed to schedule the plurality of content for broadcasting based on the ranking and the priority level for each of the plurality of broadcast content. |
| US09553731B2 |
Transmission method and system for terminal unique information
A terminal unique information transmission method including: receiving, by a server, from a terminal, a terminal unique information acquisition request including a terminal unique public key certificate of the terminal; generating an encrypted terminal unique public key certificate by encrypting the terminal unique public key certificate of the terminal; checking, by the server, whether the generated encrypted terminal unique public key certificate is described in a discarded terminal information table; and transmitting, by the server, when the generated encrypted terminal unique public key certificate is not described in the discarded terminal information table, a terminal unique information of the terminal to the terminal. |
| US09553727B2 |
Secure and mobile biometric authentication for electronic health record management
A portable device receives an encrypted message from an electronic health record database server including a request to perform a biometric authentication to approve a transaction. The device prompts a user to speak a pass phrase. The device creates a set of variables including the pass phrase and at least one more variable characterizing the spoken voice. The authentication module transmits an encrypted message to the health record database server including a session identification information and the set of variables. In response, the device receives an encrypted message from the health record database server determining whether the biometric authentication is successful and the transaction is approved, wherein determination is made by the health record database server and is based on verifying the session identification information, the pass phrase, and the user identity. |
| US09553723B2 |
Multi-dimensional encryption
A method of encrypting data is provided. The method includes generating a key and encrypting data using the key. Generating the key includes determining a number of coefficients for a polynomial having a number of variables and selecting a polynomial level from the number of coefficients. Generating the key also includes selecting a first value based on the polynomial level, generating a vector (c) having coefficients based on the polynomial level, and generating a vector (t) based on the polynomial level. Furthermore, generating the key includes generating a vector (t′) based on a product of the vector (c) and the vector (t) and calculating a second value based on the first value, the vector (t), and the product. In addition, generating the key includes comparing the second value with the polynomial level and returning the coefficients of the vector (c) as the number of coefficients for the polynomial. |
| US09553715B2 |
Optical phase detector for an optical phase lock loop
An optical phase detector circuit is provided that is suitable for use in an optical phase lock loop. The optical phase detector includes a first optical flip-flop circuit configured to produce a first digital output based on ON/OFF state of a first digital optical input and a digital electrical control signal. A second optical flip-flop circuit is configured to produce a second digital output based on ON/OFF state of a second digital optical input and the digital electrical control signal. An AND gate is operably coupled to both the first and second optical flip-flops. The AND gate produces the digital electrical control signal for supply to the first and second optical flip-flop circuits according to an AND function of the first and second digital outputs produced by the first and second optical flip-flop circuits. |
| US09553713B2 |
Method and system for transmitting clock reference streams with timestamps directly to audio/video end nodes in an audio/video bridging network
An apparatus used to communicate with a plurality of audio/video (A/V) end nodes in an Audio Video Bridging (AVB) network. The apparatus may include a first A/V end node. The first A/V end node may be configured to transmit a clock reference stream including a plurality of timestamps to a plurality of A/V end nodes. The plurality of A/V end nodes may transmit a media stream including a plurality of video samples and a plurality of audio samples to one another. The media stream may be separate from the plurality of timestamps. The plurality of A/V end nodes may be arranged to syntonize or synchronize the plurality of video samples and the plurality of audio samples with one another for playback in response to the plurality of timestamps. |
| US09553709B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless communication using a short-range base station with multiple radio interfaces of different technologies
A method and an apparatus is provided for conducting wireless data communications using whitespace and non-whitespace channels. A short-range base station with an interface for whitespace channels and another interface for non-whitespace channels communicates with user equipment outfitted with equivalent interfaces. The short-range base station has a preference for using the interface for the whitespace channels, where the whitespace channels are whitespace spectrum bands that are available during periods when a primary user is not actively utilizing the whitespace. A spectrum server analyzes spectrum occupancy database information and whitespace spectrum sensing measurements to determine lists of available whitespace spectrum bands for use by the short-range base station. |
| US09553708B2 |
Communication system, terminal, and base station
A terminal that performs a reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement of a channel-state information reference signal, on the basis of a second measurement target configuration in a case where the second measurement target configuration is contained in a measurement object configuration, where the second measurement target configuration containing at least a first index. In addition, the terminal transmits a first measurement result with a second index, where the first measurement result includes a reference signal received power of a channel-state information reference signal based on the second measurement target configuration. |
| US09553702B2 |
Antenna time offset in multiple-input-multiple-output and coordinated multipoint transmissions
A method for wireless communication is provided which includes receiving first and second signals transmitted from first and second antennas, respectively, determining a time offset between the first and second antennas based on the first and second signals, and reporting information regarding the time offset, including information regarding the time offset as being above or below a predetermined threshold. Another method for wireless communication is provided which includes generating channel state information feedback based on an assumption that the time offset is being compensated at a transmitter side. Yet another method for wireless communication is provided which includes receiving information regarding a time offset between multiple transmit antennas, including information regarding the time offset as being above or below a predetermined threshold, and adapting downlink transmissions to account for the time offset. |
| US09553699B2 |
Frame transmitting method and frame receiving method
A method of transmitting a frame by a device in a wireless communication network is provided. The device generates a first symbol having a first subcarrier spacing where a symbol duration of the first symbol, excluding a guard interval, has a first length. The device generates a second symbol having a second subcarrier spacing narrower than the first subcarrier spacing wherein a symbol duration of the second symbol, excluding a guard interval, has a second length that is twice the first length. The device transmits a frame including the first symbol and the second symbol. |
| US09553698B2 |
Terminal device and retransmission method for dynamic TDD UL/DL configuration
A terminal capable of ensuring that when a UL-DL configuration is switched over, recognition of a UL HARQ process continued in the UL-DL configuration before and after the switchover is matched between a base station and the terminal. A terminal (200) can be switched to either one of configuration patterns including a downlink subframe used in downlink communication and an uplink subframe used in uplink communication. Mapping between an uplink subframe and a retransmission process is set for each of the configuration patterns. On the basis of mapping in a unique base frame determined by a pre-switchover configuration pattern and a post-switchover configuration pattern, a determination unit (206) determines a first retransmission process to be continued after switchover from among retransmission processes in the pre-switchover configuration pattern, and a second retransmission process to be continued from the first retransmission process from among retransmission processes in the post-switchover configuration pattern. |
| US09553696B2 |
Bit interleaver for low-density parity check codeword having length of 64800 and code rate of 3/15 and quadrature phase shift keying, and bit interleaving method using same
A bit interleaver, a bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM) device and a bit interleaving method are disclosed herein. The bit interleaver includes a first memory, a processor, and a second memory. The first memory stores a low-density parity check (LDPC) codeword having a length of 64800 and a code rate of 3/15. The processor generates an interleaved codeword by interleaving the LDPC codeword on a bit group basis. The size of the bit group corresponds to a parallel factor of the LDPC codeword. The second memory provides the interleaved codeword to a modulator for quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation. |
| US09553694B1 |
RF jamming mitigation system and method
A jamming detection system for a vehicle may include an antenna configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) wave defining a series of RF pulse and quiet phase durations. The system may include a processor programmed to lock the vehicle in response to one but not both of the durations exceeding a predetermined threshold. The processor may also be programmed to arm an alarm of the vehicle in response to both of the durations exceeding respective predetermined thresholds. |
| US09553692B2 |
Method and system for determining and controlling power of optical transmitter of optical network unit for time and wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network
Disclosed are a method and system for determining and controlling power of an optical transmitter of an optical network unit (ONU) for a time and wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (TWDM-PON). The system includes an RSSI collector configured to collect received signal strength indication (RSSI) information from upstream optical signals received from the ONUs connected to optical line terminal (OLT) ports, an ONU power level determiner configured to gather the pieces of RSSI information about the ONUs from the RSSI collector, and to determine power of optical transmitters of the ONUs based on the gathered information, and a power mode controller configured to receive power mode setting information of the optical transmitters of the ONUs from the ONU power level determiner, and to generate a physical layer operation and maintenance (PLOAM) message to control power modes of the ONUs based on the received power mode setting information. |
| US09553681B2 |
Source separation using nonnegative matrix factorization with an automatically determined number of bases
Methods and systems for source separation based on determining a number of bases for a nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) model are disclosed. A method includes receiving, at a computing device, a mixed signal including a combination of first signal data and second signal data. The method also includes generating, by the computing device, a time-frequency representation of the mixed signal. The method further includes determining, by applying a structured stochastic variational inference (SSVI) algorithm to the NMF model, a number of bases for a dictionary of signal-related components of the mixed signal. The method uses the number of bases and the time-frequency representation to construct the dictionary and an activation matrix of weights, the weights indicating how active each one of the signal-related components is at a given time. The method then uses the dictionary and the activation matrix to separate the first signal data from the second signal data. |
| US09553677B1 |
Self-referenced continuous-variable quantum key distribution
Various technologies for continuous-variable quantum key distribution without transmitting a transmitter's local oscillator are described herein. A receiver on an optical transmission channel uses an oscillator signal generated by a light source at the receiver's location to perform interferometric detection on received signals. An optical reference pulse is sent by the transmitter on the transmission channel and the receiver computes a phase offset of the transmission based on quadrature measurements of the reference pulse. The receiver can then compensate for the phase offset between the transmitter's reference and the receiver's reference when measuring quadratures of received data pulses. |
| US09553676B2 |
Method and system for split voltage domain receiver circuits
Methods and systems for split voltage domain receiver circuits are disclosed and may comprise amplifying received electrical signals in a plurality of partial voltage domains, and combining the amplified received signals, utilizing a stacked cascode amplifier for each partial voltage domain, into a single differential signal in a single voltage domain. The stacked cascode amplifiers may comprise a feedback loop having a comparator which controls a current source in each domain. The signals may be received from a photodiode, which may be integrated in the integrated circuit. The amplified signals may be combined via stacked common source or common emitter amplifiers. The received signals via may be amplified by stacked inverters. The amplified received signals may be AC or DC coupled prior to the combining. The received electrical signals may be amplified and combined via cascode amplifiers. The voltage domains may be stacked and may be controlled by feedback loops. |
| US09553675B2 |
Frequency domain coded modulation with polarization interleaving for fiber nonlinearity mitigation in digital sub-carrier coherent optical communication systems
An optical transmitter may receive and encode a first group of bits into first encoded data and second encoded data. The optical transmitter may supply a first sub-carrier carrying a first symbol and a second sub-carrier carrying a second symbol. The first symbol and the second symbol may be based on the first encoded data and the second encoded data, respectively, such that the first sub-carrier has a first polarization state comprising first and second polarization components, and the second sub-carrier has a second polarization state comprising first and second polarization components. The first polarization state may be substantially orthogonal to the second polarization state. An optical receiver may receive the first symbol via the first sub-carrier, may receive the second symbol via the second sub-carrier, may decode the first symbol and the second symbol into a second group of bits, and may output the second group of bits. |
| US09553672B1 |
Integrated control for silicon photonics
In an example, the present invention includes an integrated system on chip device. The device is configured on a single silicon substrate member. The device has a data input/output interface provided on the substrate member. The device has an input/output block provided on the substrate member and coupled to the data input/output interface. The device has a signal processing block provided on the substrate member and coupled to the input/output block. The device has a driver module provided on the substrate member and coupled to the signal processing block. In an example, the device has a driver interface provided on the substrate member and coupled to the driver module and configured to be coupled to a silicon photonics device. The device also has an interface configured to communicate between the silicon photonics device and the control block. |
| US09553671B1 |
Package structure for photonic transceiving device
A photonic transceiver apparatus in Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP) package. The apparatus includes a case having a base member, two partial side members, and a lid member to provide a spatial volume with an opening at a back end of the base member. Additionally, the apparatus includes a printed circuit board (PCB), installed inside the spatial volume over the base member having a pluggable electrical connector at the back end. Further, the apparatus includes multiple optical transmitting devices in mini-transmit-optical-sub-assembly package, each being mounted on a common support structure and having a laser output port in reversed orientation toward the back end. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a silicon photonics chip, including a fiber-to-silicon attachment module, mounted on the PCB and coupled to a modulation driver module and a trans-impedance amplifier module. Moreover, the apparatus includes a pair of optical input/output ports being back connected to the fiber-to-silicon attachment module. |
| US09553663B1 |
System and method for calibration of an optical module
A system and method for calibrating an optical module. The optical module including a microprocessor with non-volatile memory is provided at a calibration station for measuring calibrated value of a device parameter against raw values starting from minimum value in each of multiple zones of a primary parameter with one or more secondary parameters at least being set to a basis calibration point to determine coefficients for generating a N-spline function for the multiple zones and multiple multipliers for each zone corresponding to multiple calibration points. The coefficients and multiple multipliers are stored in the non-volatile memory and reused respectively for calculating a basis calibrated value based on any current raw value of the primary parameter a N-spline function in particular zone and for determining a final multiplier by interpolation of the multiple multipliers associated with the one or more secondary parameters, leading to a calibrated value for any condition. |
| US09553662B2 |
Integrated driver redundancy for a silicon photonics device
In an example, the present invention includes an integrated system on chip device. At least a pair of laser devices are associated with a channel and coupled to a switch to select one of the pair of laser devices to be coupled to an optical multiplexer to provide for a redundant laser device. |
| US09553661B2 |
Adaptive preconfiguration in optical transport network
A network element operating in an Optical Transport Network (OTN) network and configured to adaptively preconfigure OTN connections includes one or more ports, each port including hardware supporting an Optical channel Transport Unit level k (OTUk) configured to transport an Optical channel Data Unit level k (ODUk) or one or more Optical channel Data Unit level j's (ODUj's), j |
| US09553657B2 |
Multiple antenna system and method for mobile platforms
A method and system facilitate communication between a constellation of satellites and a mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator. The method and system may include the use of a first antenna suited for operation using a first frequency band in a first geographic region and a second antenna suited for operation using either the first or a second frequency band in a second geographic region. The method and system may use a controller to determine which antenna to activate based on one or more of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator. The system used by the method to facilitate the communication may have one or more enclosures over the antennas and controller for mounting to a mobile platform. |
| US09553655B2 |
Data-receiving method and apparatus for relay station in wireless communication system
A method for receiving data by a relay station (RS) in a wireless communication system includes: receiving radio resource allocation information via an R-PDCCH (R-Physical Downlink Control Channel); and receiving data from a base station (BS) via an R-PDSCH (R-Physical Downlink Shared Channel) indicated by the radio resource allocation information, wherein the radio resource allocation information includes information regarding an allocation of resource blocks in a frequency domain and information regarding an allocation of OFDM symbols in a time domain. Since the radio resource allocation information providing information regarding a time relationship between a control channel transmitted by the BS to a UE and a control channel transmitted by the RS to a UE connected to the RS is provided, the RS can reliably receive a signal transmitted from the BS in a backhaul link between the BS and the RS in a wireless communication system including the RS. |
| US09553645B2 |
Data transmission device and method in a wireless communications system
The present invention provides a data transmission device and method in a wireless communication system. The device comprises a processor which is connected with the M antennas and which is formed so as to generate data to be transmitted through the M antennas, on the basis of a precoding matrix; the precoding matrix is generated based on a plurality of matrices; and a first matrix, which is one matrix among the plurality of matrices, is selected from within a codebook for N antennas (where N |
| US09553643B2 |
User equipment and methods for codebook subsampling for enhanced 4TX codebooks
Embodiments of user equipment (UE) and methods for codebook subsampling for enhanced 4TX codebooks in 3GPP LTE wireless networks are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) is configured for transmission of channel state information (CSI) feedback including a rank indicator (RI) and a precoding matrix (W1). The rank indicator (RI) and a precoding matrix (W1) are jointly encoded and codebook subsampling is performed for the enhanced 4Tx codebook for at least one of: PUCCH report type 5 (RI/1st PMI) in PUCCH 1-1 submode 1; PUCCH report type 2c (CQI/1st PMI/2nd PMI) in PUCCH 1-1 submode 2; and PUCCH report type 1a (subband CQI/2nd PMI) in PUCCH 2-1. |
| US09553641B2 |
Device and method for HSPA WCDMA uplink pilots
A UE, for an HSPA WCDMA system, equipped with a first and a second transmit antenna, and arranged to use one or more sets of pre-coding weights for transmission. The UE is arranged to receive instructions from a NodeB on the set or sets of pre-coding weights to be used, and to transmit a first and a second pilot signal, and to use a first set of pre-coding weights for the first pilot signal and a second set of pre-coding weights for the second pilot signal, where the first set of pre-coding weights is the same as the UE uses for transmitting a first data stream, and to use different spreading codes for the first data stream and for the first pilot signal. |
| US09553640B1 |
Using multi-feed antennas
Methods and devices for use with a multi-feed antenna used in a MIMO communication system are described herein. A method can include obtaining an antenna feed characteristic indicator associated with each of the feeds of the multi-feed antenna, and controlling how power is distributed among the feeds based on the antenna feed characteristic indicator associated with each of the feeds. An antenna feed characteristic indicator can be, e.g., an indicator of impedance matching, in which case power can be distributed among the feeds of the multi-feed antenna based on the indicators of impedance matching associate with each of the feeds. Power can also be distributed based on an indicator of link quality. Additionally, or alternatively, coding rate and/or modulation type can also be controlled for each of the feeds of the multi-feed antenna, based on one or more antenna feed characteristic indicators and/or one or more indicators of link quality. |
| US09553637B2 |
Near field communications (NFC) and proximity sensor for portable devices
Described herein are techniques related to near field coupling and proximity sensing operations. For example, a proximity sensor uses a coil antenna that is utilized for near field communications (NFC) functions. The proximity sensor may be integrated into an NFC module to form a single module. |
| US09553636B2 |
Contactless electricity supply device with foreign object detector
This contactless electricity supply device, which contactlessly performs charging of the battery (28) of a vehicle, is provided with: an electricity transmission coil (12) disposed at a road surface; and an electricity reception coil (22) disposed in the vehicle. A foreign object detection coil (13) is provided to the upper surface of the electricity transmission coil (12), and on the basis of induced voltage arising at the foreign object detection coil (13) during a trial electricity supply, foreign objects between the electricity transmission coil (12) and the electricity reception coil (22) are detected. |
| US09553635B1 |
Time based equalization for a C-PHY 3-phase transmitter
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for data communication over a multi-wire, multi-phase interface are provided. The method may include providing a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a 3-wire interface, each symbol in the sequence of symbols defining one of three voltage states for each wire of the 3-wire interface, driving all wires of the 3-wire interface to a common voltage state during a transition from a first transmitted symbol to a second transmitted symbol, driving each wire of the 3-wire interface in accordance with the second transmitted symbol after a predetermined delay. Each wire may be in a different voltage state from the other wires of the 3-wire interface during transmission of the each symbol. The common voltage state may lie between two of the three voltage states. |
| US09553629B2 |
Protective implement for electronic devices
A protective implement for portable electronic devices such as, but not limited to, smartphones, tablets and laptops includes a set of self-holding protective members that fit tightly on the corners of an electronic device without the need for tools or adhesives. Each protective member fits onto a respective corner of the electronic device and includes a shell formed of a generally rigid material (e.g., plastic, polycarbonate, ABS, silicon, metals, or wood) and an inner shock absorbing material such as, but not limited to, a rubber-like material that frictionally engages the top and bottom of the electronic device at the corner. The shell may be structured to receive a U-shaped spring element to assist with holding the protective member on the corner of the electronic device. |
| US09553627B2 |
Protective case capable of enhancing light prompting effect and manufacturing method for same
A manufacturing method for manufacturing a protective case, includes steps: a reflective film is prepared; a first filter film, a second filter film, and a third filter film of a color filter film, and then a decorative film are laminated on the reflective film in sequence to form a multilayer film structure; and a plurality of couples of relative positions of opposite surfaces of the multilayer film structure are processed via a bidirectional processing machine, thereby forming a plurality of light transmission openings penetrating the reflective film and the decorative film and further penetrating at least one or zero of first filter film, the second filter film, and the third filter film. A rear plate including the plurality of light transmission openings, the reflective film, the color filter film, and the decorative film is formed accordingly. |
| US09553626B2 |
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. |
| US09553625B2 |
Modular functional band links for wearable devices
A wearable device is coupled to a band including multiple modular functional band links that are each electrically and mechanically connected to one or more other of the band links and/or the wearable device and include one or more electronic components. In various implementations, the wearable device may receive identifiers from each of the band links, determine functionality available using the identifiers, and communicate with the band links to utilize the determine functionality. In some implementations, the band links may include multiple different output devices and the wearable device may determine to provide an output pattern and signal the respective output devices according to the output pattern. In various implementations, the band links may include multiple different input devices and the wearable device may receive input indications from the input devices and perform an action based on a pattern in which the input indications were detected by the respective input devices. |
| US09553620B2 |
Signal detection and characterization
A method and system for detecting and characterizing an input signal receive a signal having an in-phase (I) component and a quadrature-phase (Q) component. A first IQ sample of the signal is acquired at a first point in time, and a second IQ sample of the signal is acquired at a second point in time, Using one or more processors, a delayed complex conjugate multiply (DCM) is applied to the first IQ sample of the signal and the second IQ sample of the signal to produce a constant product having an in-phase (IC) component and a quadrature-phase (QC) component. A signal magnitude and a signal frequency are determined from the IC component of the constant and the QC component of the constant, using the one or more processors. |
| US09553617B2 |
Apparatus and methods for reconfigurable directional couplers in an RF transceiver with controllable capacitive coupling
Provided herein are apparatus and methods for reconfigurable directional couplers in an RF transceiver. Reconfigurable directional couplers can be reconfigured and designed to provide high directivity using configurable capacitors to effect a mutual coupling and using lumped components or delay lines to effect a phase shift. Depending on the embodiment, the reconfigurable directional coupler can include capacitors, inductors, and switching components. The coupler can be designed for multi-band operation with an adjustable coupling factor conducive to semiconductor process integration. The coupler can have configurable coupling capacitors and phase shifters. |
| US09553613B2 |
Transmitter and puncturing method thereof
Provided are a transmitter for processing an L1 signaling including an L1-pre signaling and an L1-post signaling, a receiver of the L1 signaling, and methods of controlling the transmitter and the receiver. The transmitter includes: an encoder configured to perform Bose, Chaudhuri, Hocquenghem (BCH) encoding and Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoding with respect to the L1-post signaling, and a puncturing unit configured to puncture at least a part of LDPC parity bits constituting an LDPC codeword generated by the LDPC encoding of the L1-post signaling, wherein the number of bits to be punctured is calculated based on the number of bits available for transmission of the LDPC codeword and a modulation order of the L1-post signaling. |
| US09553611B2 |
Error correction coding with high-degree overlap among component codes
A method for Error Correction Code (ECC) encoding includes receiving data to be encoded. The data is encoded to produce a composite code word that includes multiple component code words. Each component code word in at least a subset of the component code words is encoded in accordance with a respective component code and has at least one respective bit in common with each of the other component code words. |
| US09553607B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and signal processing method thereof
A transmitting apparatus is provided. The transmitting apparatus includes a segmenter configured to segment Layer 1 (L1) signaling; and an encoder configured to perform Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoding with respect to each of the segmented L1 signalings, and the encoder punctures parity bits from LDPC parity bits added by the LDPC encoding as many as bits of a predetermined group unit. |
| US09553605B2 |
Efficient data encoding
A source data set is processed to produce a symbol table and a distribution without using a tree construct or any tree-related processing. The symbol table and the distribution outputted for encoding the data set and decoding encoded versions of the data set. |
| US09553603B2 |
R-2R ladder resistor circuit, ladder resistor type D/A conversion circuit, and semiconductor device
An R-2R ladder resistor circuit including: plural first resistance elements, one end of each being connected to an input terminal; plural second resistance elements, one end of each being connected to a reference potential; plural third resistance elements, one end of each being connected to an output terminal; and plural switching connection sections that are each in correspondence relationships with the first resistance elements, the second resistance elements, and the third resistance elements, and that connect the input terminal and the output terminal according to a bit signal, wherein, according to the bit signal, each switching connection section switchably connects another end of the third resistance element to another end of the first resistance element or to another end of the second resistance element, among the first resistance element, the second resistance element, and the third resistance element corresponding thereto. |
| US09553601B2 |
Conversion of analog signal into multiple time-domain data streams corresponding to different portions of frequency spectrum and recombination of those streams into single-time domain stream
An electrical signal is processed by digitizing the electrical signal to produce a stream of digitized data in the time domain, wherein the stream has an original frequency spectrum, transmitting the stream to N signal paths (N>1), and down-converting and filtering the stream in each of the N signal paths to produce N streams of digitized data in the time domain, wherein the N streams have N frequency spectra, respectively, and the N frequency spectra cover N different portions of the original frequency spectrum, respectively. |
| US09553598B2 |
Analog-to-digital converter and semiconductor integrated circuit
A time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter that samples an analog input signal at a sampling frequency and converts the analog input signal into a digital output signal is enabled to perform correction processing on an error by: converting the analog input signal into the digital output signal by a plurality of analog-to-digital conversion circuits in a time-interleaved manner; and performing gain correction processing and skew correction processing with respect to the analog-to-digital conversion circuit, on the basis of a mixed signal, the mixed signal being obtained by mixing an output signal from the analog-to-digital conversion circuit with a signal made by shifting a phase of the output signal by π/2. |
| US09553596B1 |
Frequency synthesizer and method for frequency synthesis
A frequency synthesizer and a method for frequency synthesis are provided. The frequency synthesizer includes a subband phase-locked loop (PLL) and a main PLL. A divisor of an adjustable non-integer frequency divider in the subband PLL is adjusted, and a channel frequency of a maximum frequency band of all frequency bands is output. A divisor of an adjustable integer frequency divider in the main PLL is adjusted, and a center frequency required for each frequency band of the all frequency bands is output. The center frequency and the channel frequency are mixed by a mixer to produce a band frequency. A quantization noise generated by the adjustable non-integer frequency divider is filtered out by the subband PLL to reduce the impact of the quantization noise on the main PLL. |
| US09553594B1 |
Delay-locked loop with false-lock detection and recovery circuit
A DLL includes a phase detector, a counter, a delay circuit, and a false-lock detection and recovery circuit. The false-lock detection and recovery circuit checks whether the DLL is in a true-lock condition or not, based on an average of a phase difference between a clock signal and an intermediate clock signal. The intermediate clock signal is generated by the delay circuit based on a count value generated by the counter and a select signal generated by the false-lock detection and recovery circuit. The false-lock detection and recovery circuit generates and provides a control signal to the counter. Based on the control signal, the counter modifies the count on which a delay between the clock signal and an output signal of the DLL depends when the DLL is not in the true-lock condition. |
| US09553592B1 |
Circuits for and methods of generating a divided clock signal with a configurable phase offset
A circuit for generating a divided clock signal with a configurable phase offset comprises a first latch circuit adapted to receive a clock signal to be divided; a second latch coupled to an output of the first latch circuit and generating a divided output clock signal; and an initialization circuit coupled to the first latch circuit and the second latch circuit, the initialization circuit coupled to receive an initialization signal. The initialization signal determines a phase offset between the divided output clock signal and the clock signal to be divided. A method of generating a divided clock signal is also described. |
| US09553590B1 |
Configuring programmable integrated circuit device resources as processing elements
A programmable integrated circuit device includes a plurality of clusters of programmable logic resources. Programmable device interconnect resources allow user-defined interconnection between the clusters of programmable logic resources. A plurality of specialized processing blocks have dedicated arithmetic operators and programmable internal interconnect resources, and having inputs and outputs programmably connectable to the programmable device interconnect resources. A plurality of dedicated memory modules have inputs and outputs programmably connectable to the programmable device interconnect resources. Programmably connectable direct interconnect between at least one respective individual one of the specialized processing blocks and at least one respective individual one of the dedicated memory modules allow the formation of a processor element from a specialized processing block and a memory module. The specialized processing block may be designed with a datapath and operators arranged to support the configuring of a processor element. |
| US09553588B2 |
System level interconnect with programmable switching
Different functional elements are all located on a same integrated circuit wherein at least one of the functional elements comprises a micro-controller. Configuration registers or configuration memory in the integrated circuit store configuration values loaded by the micro-controller. Connectors are configured to connect the integrated circuit to external signals A system level interconnect also located in the integrated circuit programmably connects together the different functional elements and different connectors according to the configuration values loaded into the configuration registers. |
| US09553585B1 |
Level shifter and parallel-to-serial converter including the same
A level shifter circuit includes a level shifting unit configured to receive signals that may vary in a first range via a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal, respectively and to output signals that may vary in a second range to a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal, respectively, where the second range is larger than the first range, a first pre-charging unit configured to pre-charge the positive output terminal to a predetermined level when a clock is in a first level, and a second pre-charging unit configured to pre-charge the negative output terminal to the predetermined level when the clock is in the first level. |
| US09553584B2 |
Level-shifting latch
A level-shifting latch circuit for coupling a first circuit in a first voltage domain with a second circuit in a second voltage domain, includes an input node to receive an input signal provided by the first circuit, and an output node to output a level-shifted signal, corresponding with the input signal. The level-shifting latch circuit also includes a first latch, having a first node and a second node, for storing the input signal in the first voltage domain, and a second latch, having a third node and a fourth node, for storing the input signal in the second voltage domain. In addition, the level-shifting circuit also includes a first switching element which provides a path to transfer a low voltage at the first node to the third node, and a second switching element which provides a path to transfer a low voltage at the second node to the fourth node. |
| US09553580B2 |
Low powered activation arrangement and method thereof
A fabric product includes a body having a skin made by interweaving a plurality of textile fabrics and a low powered activation arrangement which includes an electronic unit and one or more conductive threads extended underneath the skin of the body. The electronic unit includes a power source, an activation circuit which is a low powered activation circuit, and an operator. Each of the conductive threads has a proximal end portion electrically coupled with the activation circuit and a distal end portion which is extended to an outer surface of the skin of the body at a predetermined location thereof and is arranged in such a manner that when the distal end portion of the conductive thread is being contacted, the activation circuit is activated to actuate the operator. |
| US09553575B2 |
Semiconductor device
Two or more pads and are connected to a gate region, so that a pad for applying a gate voltage can be selected. In the case where, for example, the peripheral region is likely to overheat, a turn-on voltage is applied to the first pad to turn on the peripheral region later than the central region, and a turn-off voltage is applied to the second pad to turn off the peripheral region earlier than the central region. The problem that the peripheral region is likely to overheat can be addressed. In the case where the flow of an excess current raises the temperature, the turn-off voltage is applied to the second pad. The problem that the temperature is likely to rise in the peripheral region when an excess current flows can be addressed. |
| US09553572B2 |
Self clocking comparator for a charge pump
A self clocking comparator for clocking a charge pump providing a high voltage output including multiple gain stages and a reset circuit. The gain stages are configured to assert the compare voltage at a first voltage level in a default state when the sense voltage is greater than the reference voltage, and to assert the compare voltage to a second voltage level in a reset state when the sense voltage falls below the reference voltage. The reset circuit resets, or otherwise forces, the gain stages back to the default state in response to the compare voltage transitioning to the second voltage level. The compare voltage oscillates while the sense voltage is less than the reference voltage at a frequency based on a magnitude of a difference between the sense voltage and the reference voltage up to a predetermined maximum frequency level. |
| US09553571B1 |
Reset circuitry for mitigating offsets in a MEMS device interpolator
A method and apparatus for mitigating offsets in an interpolator are disclosed. In the method and apparatus, a first number of clock cycles of a first clock signal observed over a first clock cycle of a second clock signal is determined and then stored. Also a second number of clock cycles of the first clock signal observed over a second clock cycle of the second clock signal subsequent to the first clock cycle is determined and stored. The first number of clock cycles and the second number of clock cycles are compared to determine whether they are different from each other. If they are different from each other, a reset signal is asserted under control of the second clock signal to reset at least one of a derivator stage and an integrator stage of an interpolator. |
| US09553569B1 |
Low power buffer with dynamic gain control
The present disclosure provides a detailed description of techniques for implementing a low power buffer with dynamic gain control. More specifically, some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a buffer having a gain boost configuration and a current shunt circuit to control the gain of a respective gain boosting transistor of the gain boost configuration. The current shunt circuit and resulting gain are dynamically controlled by a gain control signal such that the buffer gain can be adjusted to within an acceptable range of the target gain for the current operating and device mismatch conditions. In one or more embodiments, the gain boost configuration with dynamic gain control can be deployed in a full differential implementation. Both analog and digital dynamic calibration and control techniques can be used to provide the gain control signals to multiple current shunt circuits and multiple buffers. |
| US09553566B2 |
Hybrid driver circuit
In one embodiment, a voltage mode driver circuit includes a first voltage adjusting circuit configured to provide an adjustable first pseudo-supply voltage to a first node based on a first supply voltage, including generating the first pseudo-supply voltage based on a first reference voltage and feedback from the first node. In this embodiment, the voltage mode driver circuit includes switching circuitry configured to selectively couple one of the first node or a second node to a first differential output terminal and a different one of the first node or the second node to a second differential output terminal based on a data signal. In this embodiment, the voltage mode driver circuit includes a current mode emphasis driver configured to selectively couple one of the first differential output terminal or the second differential output terminal to a first set of one or more current supplies and a different one of the first differential output terminal or second differential output terminal to a second set of one or more current supplies, based on one or more emphasis signals. |
| US09553565B2 |
Automatic frequency compensation method and apparatus
A method an apparatus for performing automatic frequency compensation (or control) is disclosed. A method and apparatus for performing automatic frequency compensation (or control) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes a radio receiver receiving a radio signal and detecting a preamble in the radio signal. The method further includes freezing an automatic frequency compensation (AFC) loop responsive to detecting the preamble. A clock source of the AFC loop may be switched from a first clock signal to a second clock signal. The method further includes subsequently unfreezing the AFC loop. |
| US09553563B1 |
Apparatus and methods for a variable gain passive attenuator with multiple layer attenuation devices
Provided herein are apparatus and methods for a variable gain passive attenuator with multiple layer attenuation devices. In certain configurations, at least two rows of stacked FETs are layered in blocks, namely H (horizontal) blocks in a hierarchical schematic representation of the variable gain passive attenuator. Each stack of FETs receives a control signal, and by delaying a second control signal with respect to a first control signal, performance and linearity can be enhanced while insertion loss is reduced. |
| US09553561B2 |
Vibrating device and manufacturing method therfor
A vibrating device having vibrating arms connected to a supporter. The vibrating arms have an n-type Si layer which is a degenerated semiconductor and an exciter provided on the n-type Si layer. The exciter has a piezoelectric thin film and a first and second electrodes with the piezoelectric thin film interposed therebetween. |
| US09553559B2 |
Configurable bias tee
Bias tees, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, include switches in the AC signal path, the DC signal path, or both, to improve the capability of the bias tees to be used for high impedance AC measurement, low current DC measurement, or both. Optical control of the switches, as well as control of the switches using a DC bias present within the AC signal input to the bias tee, is described. Including a set of diodes into the DC signal path, rather than a switch, provides enhanced capability of the bias tee to be used for high impedance AC measurements. |
| US09553557B2 |
Post-filter common-gain determination
An apparatus for processing an input sound signal, the apparatus including: gain circuitry configured to control a gain based on a plurality of respective sub-signals of the input sound signal; and an amplification apparatus configured to adjust the amplification of all the plurality of amplitudes based on the common gain. |
| US09553556B2 |
Receiving apparatus that receives packet signal
An RF unit receives predetermined signals. The RF unit amplifies the received signals. A gain control unit controls the gain at the RF unit based on the amplified signal and has the RF unit use the controlled gain. The gain control unit performs different controls on the received signals, depending on the case when the received signal is a known signal placed in the beginning of packet signal and the case when the received signal is a signal other than the packet signal. |
| US09553552B2 |
Diversity amp module and apparatus comprising the same
An amplifying module having one input terminal and one output terminal and passing an antenna signal input through the input terminal towards the output terminal. The amplifying module includes a first switch connected to the input terminal, a plurality of filters selectable by the first switch, a plurality of amplifiers respectively connected to the plurality of filters and amplifying a signal that has passed through the filters, and a second switch for connecting the amplified signal to the output terminal. |
| US09553550B2 |
Multiband RF switch ground isolation
A radio frequency (RF) switch semiconductor die and an RF supporting structure are disclosed. The RF switch semiconductor die is attached to the RF supporting structure. The RF switch semiconductor die has a first edge and a second edge, which may be opposite from the first edge. The RF supporting structure has a group of alpha supporting structure connection nodes, which is adjacent to the first edge; a group of beta supporting structure connection nodes, which is adjacent to the second edge; and an alpha AC grounding supporting structure connection node, which is adjacent to the second edge. When the group of alpha supporting structure connection nodes and the alpha AC grounding supporting structure connection node are active, the group of beta supporting structure connection nodes are inactive. |
| US09553544B2 |
Support racking for solar panel
A supporting rack for a solar panel with a framework mountable on a surface such as a roof, this framework including two elongate runners extending parallel to each other and a cross-member extending between and connecting the two runners. Upper and lower clamp assemblies detachably and adjustably mount the solar panel on top of the framework so that the panel extends at an acute angle to the plane of the runners. There are two front clamp assemblies, each mountable on a respective runner and clamped to a front edge of the solar panel. A clevis pin connection pivotally connects the clamping mechanism to its respective runner. Two upper, rear clamp assemblies each have an adjustable J-clamp member and a back plate. After installation of the rack, the panel is pivotable from an operating position at an acute angle to the runners to a greater angle to facilitate maintenance or repair. |
| US09553533B2 |
DC pre charge circuit
Systems and methods are provided for pre-charging the DC bus on a motor drive. Pre-charging techniques involve pre-charge circuitry including a manual switch, an automatic switch, and pre-charge control circuitry to switch the automatic switch between pre-charge and pre-charge bypass modes in response to an initialized pre-charge operation, input voltage sags, and so forth. In some embodiments, the pre-charge operation may be initialized by switching the manual switch closed. In some embodiments, the pre-charge operation may also be initialized by a detected voltage sag on the DC bus. The pre-charge circuitry may also be configured to disconnect to isolate a motor drive from the common DC bus under certain fault conditions. |
| US09553525B2 |
Active bridge back powering protection and powered device interface with active bridge control
A method is disclosed to at least partially prevent back powering of power sourcing equipment. In one or more implementations, the method includes detecting a magnitude of current through a current sensor, such as a transistor and/or a resistor. The active FET bridge is configured to rectify input power supplied by power sourcing equipment to a power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device. The method also includes causing the transistor to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration to at least substantially prevent current flow through the transistor when the magnitude of current is below a predefined threshold to at least substantially prevent back powering of the PSE. |
| US09553523B2 |
Circuit for converting power between a three-phase grid and a single-phase grid
Described is a circuit for converting electric power between a three-phase grid and a single-phase grid. The circuit includes, in at least one embodiment, a first transformer that is connected to the three-phase grid, a number of first converter stages assigned to the first transformer, the associated DC intermediate circuits and the associated second converter stages. The second converter stages are connected to each other at the alternating-current side outputs with the aid of a series connection. |
| US09553517B2 |
Hybrid energy storage system and methods
A system includes a first DC rail configured to be coupled to a first terminal of a first energy storage device (e.g., a battery), a second DC rail configured to be coupled to a first terminal of a second energy storage device (e.g., an ultracapacitor), and a plurality of converter legs coupled between the first and second DC rails and including at least one first converter leg configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the first energy storage device and at least one second converter leg configured to be coupled to second terminal of the second energy storage device. The system further includes a switch configured to couple and decouple the second terminals of the first and second energy storage devices. The at least one first converter leg and the at least one second converter leg provide different current capacities to deal with differences in power density of the energy storage devices. |
| US09553516B2 |
Multi-level power converter
This is a multi-level converter comprising one or more arms (B) to each be connected between a voltage source (VDC) and a current source (I). Each arm comprises two stages (E1, E2) in cascade, the first to be connected to the voltage source (VDC), the second to be connected to the current source (I). The first stage (Et1) comprises several elementary stages (E1n, . . . , E12, E11) of rank one to n in cascade, the elementary stage (E11) of rank one being connected to the second stage (Et2) and the elementary stage (E1n) of rank n having to be connected to the voltage source (VDC). Each elementary stage (E1n) comprises a pair of identical cells of NPC type (Cen1, Cen2) in series, the connection being direct in the elementary stage of rank 1, the connection being made via n−1 capacitive cells ((Can(1), . . . , Can(n−1)) for each elementary stage of rank greater than one, the second stage (Et2) comprising a floating capacitor cell (Ce10). |
| US09553513B2 |
Control circuit with chopping amplifier for switching converter
A control circuit for switching converter has a chopping amplifier, a sample-hold circuit, a first comparator, an oscillator and a logic circuit. The chopping amplifier generates an amplified error signal based on a reference signal and a feedback signal. The sample-hold circuit generates a sample-hold signal based on the amplified error signal. The first comparator generates a first logic signal based on a comparison result between the sample-hold signal and a current sensing signal representing a current flowing through a power switch in the switching converter. The oscillator generates a clock signal. The logic circuit generates a control signal based on the first logic signal and the clock signal, the control signal is used to control the power switch. |
| US09553512B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing a regulated output voltage via a voltage regulator based on multiple voltage references
A voltage regulator including a comparing circuit, a first circuit, a transistor, a voltage reference circuit, and a latching circuit. The comparing circuit compares a first and second voltage references and generates an output based on the comparison. The first circuit amplifies the output of the comparing circuit. The transistor includes: a gate configured to receive a first output of the first circuit; a first terminal connected to a voltage supply terminal; and a second terminal. A regulated output voltage of the voltage regulator is based on a voltage at the second terminal. The voltage reference circuit generates the second voltage reference based on the voltage at the second terminal. The latching circuit, based on a second output of the first circuit: adjusts the second voltage reference; and switches between forcing the second output of the first circuit to be in a first state to be in a second state. |
| US09553510B2 |
Switching regulator control circuit, switching regulator, electronic appliance, switching power supply device, and television receiver
A high-side variable current source and a high-side transistor are provided in series between a supply power terminal of a control circuit and a gate of a switching transistor. A low-side variable current source and a low-side transistor are provided in series between the gate of the switching transistor and a ground terminal. A slew rate controller controls the current value of at least one of the high-side and low-side variable current sources according to the state of a setting terminal. A switching power supply device has a plurality of output transistors connected in parallel with one another and a controller that generates control signals turning on and off the output transistors at a predetermined frequency so as to generate a desired output voltage from an input voltage and supply the output voltage to a load. The controller determines which output transistor to drive according to the magnitude of the load. |
| US09553504B2 |
Power factor correction control circuit and power adapter thereof
Disclosed are a power factor correction circuit and a power adapter, and the power factor correction circuit includes a sampler, a controller and a current limiter, and the controller includes an error amplification unit, a peak value adjusting unit, an ON/OFF computing unit and a phase lock unit. The sampler is coupled to the phase lock unit, and the current limiter is coupled to the error amplification unit and the ON/OFF computing unit, so as to achieve the effects of enhancing the power factor property of the power factor correction circuit, lowering the manufacturing cost, and improving the electric power utilization. |
| US09553500B2 |
Inverter for a distributed power generator
Provided is a maximum power point (MPP) tracker for a PV cell inverter, and a PV cell inverter. The MPP tracker decouples output power oscillations from the input power generation and extracts maximum available power from the PV cell. The PV cell inverter uses the MPP tracker and generates a sinusoidal output current from the MPP tracker output. The sinusoidal output current may be fed to a power distribution grid. The PV cell inverter may use a pulse width modulation technique to cancel harmonics in the sinusoidal output current. The circuits use a minimum number of components and avoid use of large electrolytic capacitors. |
| US09553496B2 |
Low-inertia direct drive having high power density
The invention relates to electric machines having permanent excitation, having a very high specific torque and a high power density when correspondingly supplied through power electronics. They are characterized by advantageous production possibilities using composite materials that can be pressed in molds. The nonferrous rotor construction and low required magnet mass results in an extremely low moment of inertia. |
| US09553490B2 |
Motor
A motor includes a rotary and a stationary portion. The rotary portion includes a shaft, a rotor holder, and a rotor magnet. The stationary portion includes a bearing member, a housing, a stator, a circuit board directly or indirectly held in the housing, positioned axially below the rotor holder, and a circuit board support portion provided together with the housing as a monolithic member or directly or indirectly held in the housing, directly or indirectly attached to a device body. The circuit board includes first and second circuit boards positioned respectively axially above and below the circuit board support portion. The first and second circuit boards are electrically connected via a connecting member, and partially overlap. An attachment portion attaching the motor to a device is positioned on an outer peripheral surface of the circuit board support portion. |
| US09553489B2 |
Electrical machine for submerged application and energy conversion system
The invention relates to an electrical machine for submerged applications and an energy conversion system for conversion of mechanical energy of unidirectional or reciprocating linear or rotational motion into electric energy and vice versa. The electric energy may be in the form of DC or AC current and voltage. The system is totally submerged in pure or salt water. The enabling element of the invention is multi-pole permanent magnet synchronous machine with separately encapsulated stator and rotor, integrated with mechanical system and power electronics. |
| US09553488B2 |
Electrical machine, particularly a permanent magnet motor, and a method to provide the electrical windings thereof
An electrical machine, particularly a permanent magnet motor, having a number of poles and teeth or tooth groups that is divisible by a whole number A around which coil-forming loops of winding wire are arranged such that B coils are arranged in series, the coils having a number of windings equivalent to C/B where C is a whole number divisor of B and indicates the wire diameter as a quotient of a traditional standard winding, as well as a method to provide a corresponding winding structure. |
| US09553477B2 |
Mobile communication terminal
A mobile communication terminal comprises: a magnetic field unit for generating magnetic field; an induction unit comprising at least one coil; a fixed unit and a motion unit which is movable relative to the fixed unit, wherein one of the magnetic field unit and the induction unit is arranged on the fixed unit, and the other is arranged on the motion unit; and an energy storage unit electrically connected to the induction unit for storing electrical energy generated by the induction unit. The mobile communication terminal can solve the problem that existing mobile communication terminals have large power consumption and short continuous service time. It can take full advantage of energies and have long continuous service time. |
| US09553476B2 |
Antenna assembly and method for manufacturing same
Disclosed is an antenna assembly including a substrate, and a wireless charge antenna pattern on the substrate. The wireless charge antenna pattern has a sectional surface including a plurality of inner angles in which two inner angles are different from each other. The antenna assembly includes a wireless communication antenna pattern formed on the substrate and provided at an outside of the wireless charge antenna pattern. The wireless communication antenna pattern has a plurality of inner angles at a sectional surface thereof, and a plurality of angle values of the inner angles provided at the sectional surface of the wireless communication antenna pattern correspond to a plurality of angle values of the inner angles provided at the sectional surface of the wireless charge antenna pattern, respectively. |
| US09553470B2 |
Method and apparatus for charging a lead acid battery
The invention relates to a method of operating a lead acid battery which undergoes discharging phases and charging phases in a cyclical fashion. The method involves monitoring the current discharged from the battery during a discharging phase and recording information relating to that current flow, such as the charge lost from the battery. During the subsequent charging phase, a desired amount of charge to be supplied to the battery is calculated based upon the recorded information, and then supplied to the battery. |
| US09553468B2 |
Charging techniques for solid-state batteries in portable electronic devices
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a solid-state battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system monitors a temperature of the solid-state battery during use of the solid-state battery with the portable electronic device. Next, the system modifies a charging technique for the solid-state battery based on the monitored temperature to increase a capacity or a cycle life of the solid-state battery. To modify the charging technique based on the monitored temperature, the system may increase a charge rate of the solid-state battery if the temperature exceeds a first temperature threshold. On the other hand, the system may maintain the charge rate of the solid-state battery if the temperature does not exceed the first temperature threshold. |
| US09553467B2 |
Distribution apparatus
Disclosed herein is an invention of a power system including a distal distributor, an electric actuator which receives a supply of power from the distal distributor, and a relay device. Regenerative power generated by the electric actuator is output to a storage battery. |
| US09553459B2 |
Supply system and method for supplying an electric load
A system for supplying an electric load, in particular for charging a battery device, including a charging station with an accommodation unit for the battery device and a detection unit for the battery device. The detection unit includes a first optical transmitting device for transmitting a first optical signal and an optical receiving device for receiving the first optical signal. The battery device includes a second optical transmitting device for transmitting a second and third optical signal, the second optical transmitting device functioning as a transmitter of a discretely configured optocoupler for transmitting information from the battery device to the charging station. The optical receiving device of the charging station is configured as a receiver of the discretely configured optocoupler for receiving the second and third optical signals. |
| US09553456B2 |
Power converter in resonance power transmission system, and resonance power transmission apparatus
A power converter for transmitting a resonance power is provided that includes: an input end that receives a direct current (DC) voltage of a predetermined level; a first power converter that converts the DC voltage of a predetermined level to an alternating current (AC) signal using a first switching pulse signal having substantially the same frequency as a resonant frequency; a second power converter that converts the DC voltage of a predetermined level to an AC signal using a second switching pulse signal having an opposite phase to the first switching pulse signal; a first short circuit that reduces or eliminates an odd harmonic of the AC signal outputted from the first power converter, and provides the AC signal; and a second short circuit that reduces or eliminates an odd harmonic of the AC signal outputted from the second power converter, and provides the AC signal. |
| US09553453B2 |
Management of energy demand and energy efficiency savings from voltage optimization on electric power systems using AMI-based data analysis
A method, apparatus, system and computer program is provided for controlling an electric power system, including implementation of a voltage control and conservation (VCC) system used to optimally control the independent voltage and capacitor banks using a linear optimization methodology to minimize the losses in the EEDCS and the EUS. An energy validation process system (EVP) is provided which is used to document the savings of the VCC and an EPP is used to optimize improvements to the EEDCS for continuously improving the energy losses in the EEDS. The EVP system measures the improvement in the EEDS a result of operating the VCC system in the “ON” state determining the level of energy conservation achieved by the VCC system. |
| US09553448B2 |
Energy conserving (stand-by mode) power saving design for battery chargers and power supplies with a control signal
A system is described that turns off a high power, power supply when a device no longer needs high power. A low power, power supply or a rechargeable battery provides power to determine when the device again needs high power. The low power supply consumes a minimum possible power when the device does not need high power and the power rechargeable battery is not charged. That is, the high power and low power, power supplies are turned on or off based on the real time power consumption need of the device and the charged state of the battery. The power need of the device is monitored by a current shunt monitoring circuit and a control signal monitoring circuit. |
| US09553440B2 |
Wire seal assembly
In at least some implementations, a seal for a wire includes a body having at least one opening adapted to receive at least one wire therethrough, and an axially extending engagement surface disposed around at least a portion of each of said at least one openings. The engagement surface has at least a portion that is not parallel to an axis of the opening and is disposed at an acute included angle relative to the axis so that, when the engagement surface is contacted by another component, the size of the adjacent opening tends to be reduced. |
| US09553438B2 |
Adjustable mud ring assemblies
An adjustable mud ring assembly is provided that includes a base plate, a movable ring, and an indexing screw configured to move the movable ring with respect to the base plate between a first position and a second position. The base plate has a junction box connecting portion, a support connecting portion, and a stationary ring. The base plate can have an offset distance (D2) between the junction box connecting portion and the support connecting portion where the offset distance is sufficient to allow the movable ring to move into stationary ring to the first position without protruding, at a lowermost point, into a junction box connected to the junction box connecting portion. |
| US09553437B1 |
Electrical outlet safety cover having a cap removably attached to a slot in a rear side of a cover plate
An electrical outlet safety cover consisting of a cover plate removable caps to cover and prevent access by children to underlying electrical outlets. The cover plate replaces a standard electrical cover plate on an electrical outlet and secures to the electrical outlet with an attachment screw. A rear side of the cover plate is provided with slots on each side of each electrical socket access opening into which tabs provided on sides of the child proof safety caps insert as a means of removably securing the caps over the electrical outlets. A tab housing surrounds each slot to prevent the tabs from inserting too far inwardly when inserting or removing the caps from the cover plate. The caps are sufficiently large to cover the attachment screw and to prevent choking by a child. |
| US09553434B2 |
Electronic component assembly structure and electrical junction box
An electronic component includes a main body section having a plurality of surfaces and a terminal portion that is disposed in the main body section and that is fitted to a terminal fitting. A housing member includes a first housing chamber that guides and accommodates the main body section and a second housing chamber that accommodates and holds the terminal fitting. The terminal portion includes a base end and a fitting portion that extends from a protruding tip of the base end and that is fitted to the terminal fitting. The fitting portion extends from the protruding tip of the base end, along a side surface of the main body section with a gap from the side surface, without causing an extending tip to protrude beyond the deep surface. |
| US09553432B2 |
Push-in cable connector and electrical box assembly
A cable connector is provided for coupling to and mounted within the internal cavity of an electrical box for securing an electrical cable passing through an opening in the electrical box. The cable connector includes a body having a first end positioned next to or adjacent the cable opening in the electrical box and a second end spaced from the first end and the cable opening. At least one and typically two retaining members are spring biased from the first end of the body and extend into a cable passage of the body toward the second end. A front wall is provided at the second end of the body with an opening for receiving the wires and forming a stop member to prevent the armor sheathing from passing through the front wall. |
| US09553427B2 |
Corona ignition device
The invention relates to a corona ignition device for igniting fuel in an internal combustion engine by means of a corona discharge, comprising a central electrode, an insulator, into which the central electrode plugs, a housing, into which the insulator plugs, a bobbin, onto which a coil which is attached to the central electrode is wound, and a shield cap, which is plugged onto an end portion of the bobbin facing the insulator. According to the invention, a portion of the central electrode protrudes through a bottom of the shield cap, or a circumferential wall of the shield cap has one or more slots, or the shield cap has a circumferential wall, which protrudes only on one side beyond the bottom of the shield cap only on one side. |
| US09553426B1 |
Optical device structure using GaN substrates and growth structures for laser applications
Optical devices having a structured active region configured for selected wavelengths of light emissions are disclosed. |
| US09553424B2 |
Flared laser oscillator waveguide
A broad area semiconductor diode laser device includes a multimode high reflector facet, a partial reflector facet spaced from said multimode high reflector facet, and a flared current injection region extending and widening between the multimode high reflector facet and the partial reflector facet, wherein the ratio of a partial reflector facet width to a high reflector facet width is n:1, where n>1. The broad area semiconductor laser device is a flared laser oscillator waveguide delivering improved beam brightness and beam parameter product over conventional straight waveguide configurations. |
| US09553420B1 |
Current amplification to improve optical amplifier performance
Methods and systems for current amplification to improve optical amplifier performance may include equalizing a current level indicative of input optical power to an optical amplifier with a current level indicative of an output optical power level of the optical amplifier. In this manner, a first bandwidth of an input log amp may be matched with a second bandwidth of an output log amp in a gain control loop circuit to improve overall transient gain accuracy of the optical amplifier, irrespective of the input optical power. In this manner, the optical amplifier may be enabled to operate at a defined gain level even in the presence of transients in the input signal. |
| US09553414B2 |
Motor power feed wiring structure having a vehicle body-side power feed wire rotatably connected to a motor-side power feed wire
A motor power feed wire routing structure for an in-wheel motor driven wheel includes an electrical connection that electrically connects a motor side feed wire extending from the motor and a vehicle body-side feed wire extending from a vehicle mounted power source such that the vehicle body-side feed wire is rotatably connected relative to the motor side feed wire. The electrical connection mechanism is disposed on the knuckle outside of a space of a wheel recess of the wheel. The configuration allows reduction of whirling of the vehicle body-side wire during steering operation. |
| US09553412B2 |
Electronic connector
The present disclosure provides a main connector including a shield housing, an insulated body, a plurality of metal terminals, and a shielding plate. The shield housing has an opening for a butt joint connector to insert. The insulated body is encapsulated inside the shield housing. Each of the metal terminals has a contact portion and a fixing portion. The contact portion is arranged in two rows inside the opening of the shield housing, and the fixing portion is fixed to the insulated body. The shielding plate has at least one elastic arm with bending formation and is disposed between two rows of the metal terminals. |
| US09553409B2 |
Electrical tongue connector with good shielding and improved contact performance
A connector plug comprises a shielding shell, an insulating base, a terminal module and two baffles, the insulating base comprises a base and a tongue plate connected to a front end of the base, a front end face of the tongue plate being backwards concavely provided with a slot running through a rear end of the base; the terminal module comprises an upper terminal module, a lower terminal module and a hook plate sandwiched between the upper terminal module and the lower terminal module; the terminal module is embedded into the slot of the insulating base; and the two baffles are disposed on upper and lower surfaces of the tongue plate, respectively, the shielding shell encloses the tongue plate and the two baffles, and the two baffles are connected to the shielding shell, respectively. |
| US09553408B2 |
USB port locking device
Provided is a USB port locking device including: a blocking member having a blocking coupling part to block access of an external device; an external USB port part connected to the blocking member and to which an external USB connection port is insertively coupled; a signal connection part enabling signal transmission between a terminal inside the USB port of the electronic device and the external USB connecting port; a locking member selectively locked to the electronic device so that the blocking member is not forcedly removed; a stopping member selectively blocking an unauthorized external USB connecting port from being inserted into the external USB port part; and a lock member controlling a locking operation of the locking member and a blocking operation of the stopping member by interfering with the locking member and the stopping member when they are inserted into the blocking member. |
| US09553402B2 |
Electrical plug connector with plug-in connection and cable outlet member
An electrical plug connector with a plug-connection member and a cable outlet member is provided. The cable outlet member has a cable guidance channel for guiding and a cable clamping arrangement for fixing a cable which is connected to the plug-connection member. The cable outlet member has a first and a second housing shell and also a cap nut. The second housing shell is movable between an open position which releases the first housing shell and a closed position which covers the first housing shell. The cable clamping arrangement has clamping wedges which are arranged on the inner sides of the housing shells which face each other. The cap nut in the closed position of the second housing shell is able to be screwed onto the two housing shells. |
| US09553401B2 |
Electrical connector for strain relief for an electrical cable
A strain relief for an electrical cable includes a longitudinal base portion including curved side portions extending upwardly from opposing longitudinal sides thereof, and first and second opposing strain relief latches extending from opposing lateral sides of the base portion. Each latch includes a curved connecting portion extending from a lateral side of the base portion first curving upwardly and then curving downwardly and terminating at an arm portion that extends downwardly. The arm portion is configured to resiliently deflect outwardly to accommodate secure attachment of the strain relief to an electrical connector. |
| US09553398B2 |
Hermetic feed through assembly
An electrical feed through assembly includes a mechanical connector extending between a first end and a second end. The mechanical connector defines at least one opening through the mechanical connector between the first end and the second end. The electrical feed through assembly includes a first electrical connector attached to the first end of the mechanical connector. The first electrical connector includes a conductor portion that extends through the at least one opening in the mechanical connector. The first electrical connector includes a grounded portion within which the conductor portion is received. An inner radial surface of the grounded portion is sealed with the conductor portion. An outer radial surface of the grounded portion is attached to the mechanical connector. |
| US09553393B2 |
Lever-type connector
A lever-type connector has tubular fitting (13) with an outer regulating wall (20) on a side opposite to a lever accommodating portion (16) across a terminal accommodating portion (10). A receptacle (41) includes an inner regulating wall (44) arranged along the outer regulating wall (20) and a facing wall (45) arranged along the lever accommodating portion (16) and facing the inner regulating wall (44). Regulating protrusions (48) are formed on an inner surface of the inner regulating wall (44). Posture inclination between a female housing (F) and a male housing (M) is regulated by contact of a tip outer edge (44E) of the inner regulating wall (44) and an inner surface of the outer regulating wall (20) and by the contact of a tip outer edge (10E) of the terminal accommodating portion (10) and the regulating protrusions (48). |
| US09553389B2 |
Active cooling of electrical connectors
An electrical connector having an active cooling system is described herein. The electrical connector can include a conductor having an electrically conductive pin, and a conductor receiver slidably coupled to the conductor. The conductor receiver can include a wall having an electrically conductive material forming a cavity into which the pin is received. The conductor receiver can also include an insulating sleeve mechanically coupled to the wall. The conductor receiver can further include a heat sink mechanically coupled to the insulating sleeve and a channel that collects heat absorbed by the heat sink. The heat collected by the channel can be vented outside the conductor receiver. Alternatively, the wall of the conductor receiver can be coupled to an insulator and have at least one aperture that vents heat from the cavity to the insulator. |
| US09553388B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes a connector terminal, a housing formed with a slider groove, and a retainer locking the connector terminal and preventing the connector terminal from being released by sliding from the unlocking position to the locking position. The retainer includes a basal end housed in the slider groove, and a projection projecting from the basal end toward the opening of an engagement hole. The basal end is formed with an operation hole in which an operating jig that changes the position of the retainer between the locking position and the unlocking position is inserted. The projection is formed with a guide portion that guides the insertion of the operating jig in the operation hole. |
| US09553385B2 |
Electronic device comprising an electronic connector and a flexible printed circuit
An electronic device includes an electronic connector, a flexible printed circuit and a structure having a stationary printed circuit board. The electronic connector rotates according to a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis with respect to the structure. The flexible printed circuit is fixed to the electronic connector and the stationary printed circuit board, and transfers an electronic current between the electronic connector and the stationary printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board comprises a first partly circular bend moving in response to the rotation of the electronic connector according to the first pivot axis and a second partly circular bend moving in response to the rotation of the electronic connector according to the second pivot axis. |
| US09553383B2 |
Transmission module, transmission cable, and connector
A transmission module, a transmission cable, and a connector are provided. The transmission module includes a connector component including a connector side substrate having a terminal component including a ground terminal and a data terminal, and a transmission cable component including a cable side substrate having a flexibility on which a cable side ground layer electrically connected to the ground terminal and a signal line are provided, wherein the cable side ground layer disposed at least at lower and upper sides of the signal line is folded, wherein a connector side ground layer electrically connected to the ground terminal is provided on the connector side substrate, and wherein the connector side ground layer disposed at least at lower and upper sides of an area where electromagnetic noises are generated is folded. |
| US09553378B2 |
Electrical connection unit between two electronic boards
An electrical connection unit for electrically interconnecting two electronic boards, is disclosed. The connection unit includes at least one electrical pin for electrically interconnecting the two boards, a mechanical link part for mechanically interlinking the two boards, where the electrical connection unit is disposed to enable concomitantly the electrical connection of the two boards via the pin and the mechanical link of the two boards via the link part, and a body which simultaneously carries the electrical pin and the mechanical link part, the body including a support portion for receiving and supporting one of the electronic boards, the support portion and the link part being disposed in such a way that the electronic board is held in place by being wedged between the support portion of the body and a point at which the mechanical link part is secured to the board. |
| US09553370B2 |
Antenna module and method for manufacturing the same
First and second conductor layers are formed on a main surface of a base layer. A tapered slot is formed between the first and second conductive layers. A first slit is formed at the first conductor layer, and a second slit is formed at the second conductor layer. Thus, the first conductor layer is divided into a first device connection portion and a first antenna portion, and the second conductor layer is divided into a second device connection portion and a second antenna portion. A semiconductor device is connected to the first and second device connection portions. |
| US09553357B2 |
Antenna mounting system
An antenna mounting system for use with recreational vehicles and boats as well as stationary objects. The system includes a pedestal securable to the recreational vehicle and an antenna head containing an antenna element and securable to the pedestal. The pedestal has an upstanding male portion slidably receivable in a mating, female portion of the antenna head. In assembling the system, the male and female portions are first axially aligned and then moved axially toward each other to a predetermined, operating position where they are snapped together in a locking engagement. Anti-rotation structure including one or more pairs of mating, channels and protuberance is also provided to prevent the pedestal and antenna head from being rotated relative to each other about their aligned axes (and the coaxial cable running through them from being twisted) as they are moved together to the predetermined and locked, operating position. |
| US09553354B2 |
Digital TV antenna
The present antenna comprises a metallic base, defining an inner housing; an irradiating element, in the form of a metallic rod, having one end to be secured, in an electrically insulated manner, to the base; and a coaxial cable to connect the antenna to the TV set and having a mesh and a central wire, respectively and electrically connected to the base and to the irradiating element, in the interior of the housing. The antenna further comprises an electronic circuit located in the interior of the housing and having an input connected to the end of the rod, and an output connected to the central wire of the coaxial cable, said electronic circuit blocking the passage of signals in undesired frequencies, from the irradiating element to the coaxial cable. |
| US09553351B2 |
Glazing having antennas and a method of manufacturing said glazing
The invention is a new type of antenna connection which allows two or more antennas to be connected to an external circuit via a small surface contact. Surface contact size is reduced due to the use of coupling electrodes, at least portions of which are laid adjacent to and parallel with each other such that alternating current coupling occurs between them. |
| US09553350B2 |
Antenna mount assembly
An antenna mount assembly disclosed herein provides for an efficient and elegant solution for installation of radio frequency antennas on existing wooden poles. An implementation of the antenna mount assembly includes a saddle comprising a plurality of concave plates, each of the plurality of concave plates configured to be attached to a pole. A pipe mount attachment element is welded to one of the plurality of concave plates. A pipe mount is attached to the pipe mount attachment element and the pipe mount is configured to attach an antenna element thereto. |
| US09553347B2 |
Transmission line
A signal line conductor extends in a direction in which a signal propagates, and a dielectric, surrounding the signal line conductor, also extends in the direction in which the signal propagates. Conductive films that define and function as a ground conductor extend on a side surface of the dielectric in the direction in which the signal propagates. Furthermore, conductive films that define and function as a bridge conductor extend on a side surface of the dielectric in a direction across the direction in which the signal propagates, and thus connect the conductive films to each other. |
| US09553346B2 |
Battery system with selective thermal management
The present invention is directed to battery systems. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a battery system having a first battery group and a second battery group. The first battery group and the second battery group can share a single housing, or be positioned within separate housings. The first battery group and the second battery group can each have a plurality of cells configured in parallel, and the two groups can be electrically integrated. When operating at a low temperature, the first battery group is configured to provide electrical energy to a heating module that selectively heats up one or more segments of the second battery group. In addition, the first battery group also provides energy for initial operation of an electric vehicle or equipment. Once the selected segments of the battery group are heated up to an operating temperature, the selected segments supply electrical power to the vehicle or equipment and charge the first battery group. In addition, the selected segments of the second battery group provide electrical energy for heating other segments of the second battery group. There are other embodiments as well. |
| US09553342B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells; a case accommodating the battery cells; a protective circuit module comprising a circuit board adjacent to the battery cells; a temperature sensitive element on the protective circuit module; and a flexible printed circuit board comprising a conductive pattern layer, wherein the conductive pattern layer is thermally connected to the temperature sensitive element. |
| US09553341B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling access to a logic circuit in a battery by multiple components connected to the battery
A method and apparatus for controlling access to a logic circuit in a battery by one or more components connected to the battery includes the components initially providing no voltage to a data contact, and sampling a voltage level at the data contact to determine if another component is presently connected to the logic circuit. When the sampled voltage indicates no other component is presently accessing the logic circuit, the component applies a voltage to the logic circuit via the data contact and access the logic circuit. When the sampled voltage indicates that a prior-connected component is connected to the battery, the component uses a voltage level provided by the prior-connected component to access the logic circuit. |
| US09553339B2 |
Security architecture, battery and motor vehicle having a corresponding battery
A security architecture, a battery, and a motor vehicle that has a corresponding battery are configured to be used to combine battery packs of a lower security integrity level into a battery system that has a higher security integrity level. The security architecture is for at least two batteries and each battery includes at least one electrochemical cell. The at least two batteries are each combined with at least one data processing unit to form a respective module. The security architecture is configured such that input signals of at least one second module are processed by the at least one data processing unit of at least one first module. |
| US09553338B2 |
Lithium secondary battery
The present invention relates to a lithium secondary battery including a cathode, an anode, a separator disposed between the cathode and the anode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. An ionomer is included in at least one element selected from the group consisting of the cathode, the anode, the separator, and the non-aqueous electrolyte. |
| US09553337B2 |
Sodium secondary battery
Provided is a sodium secondary battery capable of operating at a low temperature. More particularly, the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention includes: an anode containing sodium; a cathode containing a transition metal and an alkali metal halide; and a sodium ion conductive solid electrolyte provided between the anode and the cathode, wherein the cathode is impregnated in a molten salt electrolyte containing a sodium.metal halogen salt including at least two kinds of halogens. |
| US09553336B2 |
Power supply system for well
Provided is a power supply system capable of being used in a well over a long period of time. A power supply system for a well according to the present invention includes a secondary battery having an operating temperature range including a temperature of the inside of a well and supplying power to a device installed in the well; and a charge-discharge mechanism for charging and discharging the secondary battery, and is installed in the well. The secondary battery to be used in the power supply system may be a molten salt battery, and may include a sensor and communication apparatus. |
| US09553335B2 |
Lead-acid battery
A lead-acid battery improving the charge acceptance in an initial stage, suppressing the decrease of the charge acceptance for a long time use of the battery and having a long life is provided. In a lead-acid battery using a paste type negative plate prepared by filling a past form negative active material using a lead powder as a starting material in a collector made of a lead alloy, a flake graphite and a condensate of bisphenols and aminobenzene sulfonic acid are contained in the negative active material. The average primary particle diameter of the flake graphite is 10 μm or more and 220 μm or less, preferably, 100 μm or more and 220 μm or less. The content of the flake graphite is preferably from 0.5 mass parts to 2.7 mass parts and, more preferably, from 1.1 mass parts to 2.2 mass parts based on 100 mass parts of the negative active material (spongy metallic lead) in a fully charged state. |
| US09553333B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolytic solution and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
Provided are a nonaqueous electrolyte solution having improved durability properties in terms of cycling, storage and the like and improved discharge characteristic at a high current density, and a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that uses that nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt and a nonaqueous solvent that dissolves the lithium salt, wherein the nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains a compound represented by formula (1) and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound having a cyano group, a cyclic ester compound having a sulfur atom and a compound having an isocyanate group. |
| US09553329B2 |
Bipolar battery assembly
The invention relates to an article comprising: a) one or more stacks of battery plates comprising one or more bipolar plates; b) located between each plate is a separator and a liquid electrolyte; further comprising one of more of the features: an integrated valve and an integrated channel communicating with the valve. |
| US09553325B2 |
Polymer electrolyte and preparation method thereof
Provided are a polymer electrolyte membrane used in fuel cells, and a method for producing the same, the method including a step of filling a crosslinkable ion conductor in the pores of a porous nanoweb support; and a step of crosslinking the ion conductor filled in the pores of the porous nanoweb support. The method for producing a polymer electrolyte membrane uses a relatively smaller amount of an organic solvent, can ameliorate defects of the support caused by solvent evaporation, and can enhance the impregnability of the ion conductor to the support and the convenience of the process. |
| US09553318B2 |
Surfactant removal from palladium nanoparticles
A method for removing a surfactant from a palladium nanoparticle includes exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen and removing the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle. A method includes synthesizing a palladium nanoparticle using a surfactant. The surfactant influences a geometric property of the palladium nanoparticle and bonds to the palladium nanoparticle. The method also includes exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen to remove the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle. |
| US09553314B2 |
Pulsed laser chemical vapor deposition and surface modification
An ultra-short pulse laser physically and/or chemically modifies a substrate surface. A laser ablation process is configured to form raised surface features on the substrate. The laser also functions as the energy source in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The laser delivers energy to the substrate with parameters such as pulse energy, size, duration, and spacing sufficient to simultaneously vaporize substrate material and cause the substrate material to react with a controlled environment that includes constituents of a desired coating composition. A battery electrode having a face with microneedle features coated with an active metal compound can be produced by the process. The active metal compound is a lithium-containing compound in a lithium-ion battery. |
| US09553310B2 |
Secondary battery
A secondary battery according to the present invention has a current collector and a positive electrode mixture layer that coats the current collector. The positive electrode mixture layer includes a positive electrode active material, an electrically conductive material, and a binder, and the positive electrode active material is constituted by hollow-structure secondary particles formed by the aggregation of a plurality of primary particles of a lithium transition metal oxide and has a through hole penetrating from outside to a hollow portion. In addition, a particle porosity A1 of the positive electrode active material satisfies 2.0(%)≦A1≦70(%). Furthermore, a DBP absorption A2 of the positive electrode active material satisfies 23 (mL/100 g)≦A2. Moreover, the tap density A3 of the positive electrode active material satisfies 1.0 (g/mL)≦A3≦1.9 (g/mL). |
| US09553305B2 |
Anode active material, anode and lithium battery containing the same, and preparation method thereof
An anode active material. The anode active material includes a core including SiOx (0.5≦x≦1.7), and a coating layer formed on the core at least partially. The coating layer includes metal unreactive toward lithium. |
| US09553297B2 |
Battery pack
The present invention relates to a battery pack including a housing, a latch mechanism, a printed circuit board connected to electrical terminals, and an internal frame. The housing includes a first and second portion. The first portion includes openings that receive the latch mechanism and openings that receive the terminals. The battery pack also includes a latch cover that protects against water infiltrating between the openings and the latch mechanism, and a terminal cover that protects against water infiltrating between the first housing portion and the terminals. Water that enters the battery pack is directed to the bottom of the battery pack. The water is then drained through openings in the lower housing portion. The internal frame includes openings that secure batteries within the lower housing portion with the help of wedges that are positioned in between adjacent rows of batteries. |
| US09553295B2 |
Battery pack
Provided is a battery pack in which a terminal stand having electrode terminals of battery modules inserted and connected thereinto is formed at one side of a sub plate in which the battery modules are seated, such that the battery modules are easily electrically connected to each other and are attachable and detachable. |
| US09553294B2 |
Electric storage device, manufacturing method of electric storage device, and bus bar used for electric storage device
An electric storage device includes: electric storage elements including external terminals; and bus bars connected to the external terminals, wherein the bus bars include thin-walled portions, and the thin-walled portions and the external terminals are welded together. |
| US09553293B2 |
Rechargeable lithium battery
A rechargeable lithium battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator includes a substrate having a first side facing the negative electrode and a second side facing the positive electrode. A first layer is positioned on the first side of the substrate and includes an organic material, and a second layer is positioned on the second side of the substrate and includes an inorganic material. |
| US09553292B2 |
Rechargeable lithium battery and method of fabricating the same
In an aspect, a rechargeable lithium battery that includes a positive electrode; negative electrode; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and including a porous substrate and a coating layer formed on at least one side of the porous substrate; and an electrolyte including a lithium salt, a non-aqueous organic solvent, and an additive is provided. |
| US09553289B2 |
Battery module
A battery module with a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction in a battery array, the battery module including a plurality of barriers in which a pair of adjoining ones of the barriers mount a battery cell therebetween, a frame having at least a pair of opposed frame members, the battery array and the barriers being between the opposed frame members and disposed internally thereof, the frame including a pair of end blocks at outermost sides of the battery array, side frames connecting the end blocks, and a degassing portion overlying vent portions of each of the plurality of battery cells and providing a passage for directing vented gas from the battery cells away from the battery module, the degassing portion rigidly supporting the battery cells and barriers of the battery array within the frame. |
| US09553288B2 |
Step configuration for traction battery housing
A vehicle traction battery assembly is provided which may include a housing, a battery system supported within the housing, and a connector electrically connected with the system and extending through and away from the recessed face into a region normal to the recessed face and adjacent to the ledge such that the ledge limits travel of objects into the region impacting the lateral end. The lateral end may have a step configuration defined by the ledge and the recessed face. The housing may also include a middle face extending between the ledge face and recessed face, opposing side faces, and a lower face. The connector may be a battery control interface connector, an accessory connector, or a high-voltage connector. |
| US09553287B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack including a plurality of bare cells electrically connected to one another; and a housing including a bottom portion accommodating the bare cells therein, a middle portion mounted on the bottom portion, and a top portion on the middle portion, the top portion including a first fastening portion, and the middle portion including a second fastening portion facing the first fastening portion, and at least a portion of the first fastening portion or the second fastening portion is spaced apart from the other of the first fastening portion or the second fastening portion. |
| US09553281B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device is provided with a structure body which has an inner surface including a region with a negative Fresnel lens shape and a high refractive index material layer which is closely in contact with the inner surface. The high refractive index material layer has a Fresnel lens shape in a region closely in contact with the inner surface, and a plane light-emitting body is provided over the structure body with the high refractive index material layer interposed therebetween. The high refractive index material layer is provided so as to fill at least the negative Fresnel lens shape of the structure body and thus has a surface including the region with the Fresnel lens shape at the interface with the structure body. |
| US09553280B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display comprising flexible substrate, electronic device including the same, and method of manufacturing the OLED display
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, electronic device including the same and method of manufacturing the OLED display are disclosed. In one aspect, the OLED display includes a first plastic layer, a first barrier layer formed over the first plastic layer and a first intermediate layer formed over the first barrier layer. The OLED display also includes a second plastic layer formed over the first intermediate layer, a second intermediate layer formed over the second plastic layer and a second barrier layer formed over the second intermediate layer. The OLED display further includes an OLED layer formed over the second barrier layer and a thin-film encapsulation layer encapsulating the OLED layer. |
| US09553272B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device
An organic electroluminescent device comprises, between an anode and a cathode, a hole injection layer, a hole-transporting layer, a luminous layer and an electron-transporting layer, wherein the hole injection layer contains an arylamine compound (α) having three or more triphenylamine skeletons, the hole-transporting layer contains an arylamine compound (β) having two triphenylamine skeletons, and the electron-transporting layer contains an electron-transporting compound having an anthracene ring skeleton and a pyridoindole ring skeleton. The organic EL device emits light highly efficiently, drives on a low voltage, and features excellent durability and long life. |
| US09553267B2 |
Method of manufacturing organic light-emitting device
A method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting device including a plurality of pixels using an organic solution spray apparatus, where each of the pixels comprises a plurality of sub-pixels having different colors, includes: preparing a substrate on which a plurality of sub-pixel regions is defined; generating a potential difference between a nozzle of the organic solution spray apparatus and the sub-pixel regions; spraying an organic solution from the nozzle of the organic solution spray apparatus to the sub-pixel regions; and forming an organic material layer by selectively depositing the organic solution to the sub-pixel regions using the potential difference between the nozzle and the sub-pixel regions. |
| US09553266B2 |
Process of structuring an active organic layer deposited on a substrate
A method of structuring an active organic layer deposited on a substrate, including depositing a sacrificial layer on the substrate by photolithography, the sacrificial layer being made of at least one resist, creating at least one pattern inside of the sacrificial layer, depositing an active organic layer on the sacrificial layer and in the pattern, depositing a protective layer made of organic polymer on the active layer and in the pattern of the resist sacrificial layer, removing the sacrificial layer by projection of a solvent on the resin forming the layer, and removing the protective layer by dissolving the polymer forming it in a solvent. |
| US09553261B2 |
Methods of manufacturing a magnetic field sensor
A semiconductor process integrates three bridge circuits, each include magnetoresistive sensors coupled as a Wheatstone bridge on a single chip to sense a magnetic field in three orthogonal directions. The process includes various deposition and etch steps forming the magnetoresistive sensors and a plurality of flux guides on one of the three bridge circuits for transferring a “Z” axis magnetic field onto sensors orientated in the XY plane. |
| US09553257B1 |
Linear MRAM device with a self-aligned bottom contact
A technique relates to a linear magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device. A linear magnetic tunnel junction structure includes a non-magnetic tunnel barrier on top of a free layer and a reference layer on top of the non-magnetic tunnel barrier, where the linear magnetic tunnel junction structure is in a line. Bottom contacts are separated from one another by a column space while the plurality of bottom contacts are self-aligned to the linear magnetic tunnel junction structure, such that the plurality of bottom contacts are in the line with and underneath the linear magnetic tunnel junction structure. The bottom contacts abut a bottom of the linear magnetic tunnel junction structure. MRAM devices are formed by having non-conducting parts of the free layer isolating individual interfaces between the bottom contacts and the free layer. The MRAM devices are formed in the line of the linear magnetic tunnel junction structure. |
| US09553251B2 |
Piezoelectric device, liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and manufacturing method of piezoelectric device
A piezoelectric device includes a deformation portion, a non-deformation portion which hinders deformation of the elastic layer, and a piezoelectric element. The deformation portion includes a first area in which the piezoelectric element is disposed, a third area adjacent to the non-deformation portion, and a second area disposed between the first area and the third area. In the first area, the elastic layer, an insulation layer, the lower electrode layer, the piezoelectric layer, and the upper electrode layer are sequentially stacked. In the second area, the elastic layer, the insulation layer, the piezoelectric layer, and the upper electrode layer are sequentially stacked. In the third area, the elastic layer and the upper electrode layer are sequentially stacked. The elastic layer is silicon oxide, and impurities are added to the upper electrode layer in the silicon oxide in the third area. |
| US09553249B2 |
Method for producing thermoelectric components by powder metallurgy
The invention relates to a method for producing a thermoelectric component or at least one semi-finished product of same, in which a multiplicity of thermolegs made of a thermoelectrically active material are introduced into an essentially planar substrate made of an electrically and thermally insulating substrate material such that the thermolegs extend through the substrate essentially perpendicular to the substrate plane, and in which the active material is provided in pulverulent form, is pressed to give green bodies and is then sintered within the substrate to give thermolegs. It is based on the object of refining the method of the generic type mentioned in the introduction so as to increase the freedom of choice of the thermally and electrically insulating substrate material. The object is achieved in that the pulverulent active material is pressed, in a mould arranged outside the substrate, to give green bodies, the green bodies are pushed out of the mould and into holes provided in the substrate, where they are sintered to give thermolegs. |
| US09553247B2 |
Lead frame for mounting LED elements, lead frame with resin, method for manufacturing semiconductor devices, and lead frame for mounting semiconductor elements
A lead frame for mounting LED elements includes a frame body region and a large number of package regions arranged in multiple rows and columns in the frame body region. The package regions each include a die pad on which an LED element is to be mounted and a lead section adjacent to the die pad, the package regions being further constructed to be interconnected via a dicing region. The die pad in one package region and the lead section in another package region upward or downward adjacent to the package region of interest are connected to each other by an inclined reinforcement piece positioned in the dicing region. |
| US09553246B2 |
Silicone-grafted core-shell particles, polymer matrix, and LED containing same
A silicone-grafted core-shell particle is described wherein the silicone-grafted core-shell particle comprises a core of an inorganic particle and a shell of a grafted poly(dimethylsiloxane) polymer formed from a bi-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) having reactive groups at each terminal end. The silicone-grafted core-shell particles may be dispersed in a polysiloxane polymer matrix and employed as an LED encapsulant. |
| US09553245B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes: a substrate having a base body and a plurality of wiring parts provided on at least one side of the base body; a first covering part that covers part of the wiring parts; a plurality of light emitting elements that are disposed on the wiring parts exposed from the first covering part; a second covering part that is disposed on the first covering part surrounding the light emitting elements and is formed from a material whose reflectivity is higher than that of the first covering part, and a resin component that seals the substrate and the light emitting elements, and is disposed in contact with the first covering part and the second covering part. |
| US09553244B2 |
Branched polycarbonate compositions having conversion material chemistry and articles thereof
Disclosed herein is a light emitting device, comprising: a lighting element located in a housing, wherein the housing is formed from a plastic composition comprising: a conversion material, and a polycarbonate composition comprising: a flame retardant comprising a sulfonate salt and three polycarbonates. The first polycarbonate has a branching level of greater than or equal to 2%, a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 g/mole to 55,000 g/mole and a peak melt viscosity of greater than or equal to 25,000 poise. The second polycarbonate has a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to 170° C. The third polycarbonate has a branching level of 0 to less than 2% and a molecular weight of 17,000 to 40,000 g/mol. |
| US09553243B2 |
Light emitting device
This disclosure relates to a light-emitting apparatus comprising a submount, a chip carrier formed on the submount, a light-emitting chip formed on the chip carrier, a reflecting cup formed on the submount and enclosing the light-emitting chip and the chip carrier, and a transparent encapsulating material for encapsulating the light-emitting chip. |
| US09553240B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting element
A semiconductor light-emitting element includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductive type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductive type, a light-emitting layer formed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, a first electrode connected to the first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode connected to the second semiconductor layer. The second electrode includes an ohmic electrode contacting the second semiconductor layer, and a semiconductor electrode made of a semiconductor layer contacting the ohmic electrode. |
| US09553238B2 |
Method of manufacturing light emitting element
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting element includes forming a semiconductor stacked layer body on a substrate, the semiconductor stacked layer body including a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer; removing a portion of the semiconductor stacked layer body and exposing the first semiconductor layer such that the second semiconductor layer includes an extending portion that extends in a plane direction; forming a conductor layer electrically connecting the first semiconductor layer and the extending portion of the second semiconductor layer; forming a first electrode electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer and a second electrode electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer; forming a protective film covering at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode; and after forming the protective film, removing a portion of the exposed portion of the extending portion. |
| US09553233B2 |
Light emitting diode
A light emitting diode includes a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first semiconductor layer, the active layer, and the second semiconductor layer are orderly stacked on the substrate. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer. The second electrode electrically is connected to the second semiconductor layer. The substrate has a number of three-dimensional nano-structures, and each of the number of three-dimensional nano-structures has a stepped structure. |
| US09553232B2 |
Light emitter with a conductive transparent p-type layer structure
A light emitting device includes an n-type layer, a p-type layer structure, a layer of p-type nano-dots imbedded in the p-type layer structure, and an active region sandwiched between the n-type layer and the p-type layer structure, where the p-type nano-dots possess a sheet density of 1010 to 1012 cm−2, a lateral dimension of 2-20 nm, and a vertical dimension of 1-5 nm. The p-type layer structure with a layer of p-type nano-dots imbedded therein provides good vertical conductivity and UV transparency. Also provided is a method for making the light emitting device. |
| US09553231B2 |
Semiconductor layer sequence and method of operating an optoelectronic semiconductor chip
The semiconductor layer sequence includes an n-conductive layer, a p-conductive layer and an active zone located therebetween. The active zone comprises N quantum wells with N≧2. At a first working point (W1) at a first current density, the quantum wells have a first emission wavelength and, at a second working point (W2) at a second current density, a second emission wavelength. At least two of the first emission wavelengths differ from one another and at least some of the second emission wavelengths differ from the first emission wavelengths. The first current density is smaller than the second current density and the current densities differ from one another at least by a factor of 2. |
| US09553230B2 |
Method and apparatus for fabricating light emitting apparatus
A method for fabricating a light emitting apparatus in which at least a portion of a light emitting element is covered with a light transmissive resin containing phosphor which emits light when excited by light emitted by the light emitting element, the method including directly processing the phosphor by irradiating the phosphor with a laser beam which passes through the light transmissive resin, to adjust the chromaticity of light to be emitted by the light emitting apparatus. |
| US09553225B2 |
Tapered trunking system with distributed combiner
A tapered trunking bus for carrying electricity from a row of solar panel arrays to a safety switch. The trunking bus includes a number of combiner and junction boxes connected in series. Each successive combiner and junction box combines the output of the previous combiner and junction box, received on a conductor of a first cross-sectional area, with electrical current received from a pair of solar panel arrays and outputs a higher current on a conductor of higher cross-sectional area. The cross-sectional area of each conductor is chosen to match the current to be carried and to account for the distance to the next combiner and junction box. For lower current segments of the trunking bus, cables or wires in conduits, of increasing gauges, can be used between combiner and junction boxes. For higher-current segments, metal bus bars of increasing cross-sectional area can be used between combiner and junction boxes. |
| US09553224B2 |
Semiconductor photodetector element and method
A semiconductor photodetector element includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type; a columnar structure formed on a first surface of the semiconductor substrate, the columnar structure being composed of a semiconductor of the first conductivity type; a light absorption layer formed so as to surround the columnar structure; and a semiconductor layer formed so as to surround the light absorption layer. |
| US09553221B2 |
Electromagnetic casting method and apparatus for polycrystalline silicon
Disclosed is an electromagnetic casting method of polycrystalline silicon which is characterized in that polycrystalline silicon is continuously cast by charging silicon raw materials into a bottomless cold mold, melting the silicon raw materials using electromagnetic induction heating, and pulling down the molten silicon to solidify it, wherein the depth of solid-liquid interface before the start of the final solidification process is decreased by reducing a pull down rate of ingot in a final phase of steady-state casting. By adopting the method, the region of precipitation of foreign substances in the finally solidified portion of ingot can be reduced and cracking generation can be prevented upon production of a polycrystalline silicon as a substrate material for a solar cell. |
| US09553220B2 |
Field-shaping multi-well avalanche detector for direct conversion amorphous selenium
A field shaping multi-well avalanche detector and method for fabrication thereof are disclosed. The field shaping multi-well avalanche detector provides stable avalanche multiplication gain in direct conversion amorphous selenium radiation detectors. The detector provides stable avalanche multiplication gain by eliminating field hot-spots using high-density avalanche wells with insulated wells and field-shaping within each well. |
| US09553218B2 |
High transmittance thin film solar panel
A high transmittance thin film solar panel includes a transparent substrate, a front electrode layer, a light absorption layer and a rear electrode layer. The light absorption layer is formed with opening patterns with the same width at positions aligned correspondingly to form at least one first opening trench, a plurality of second opening trenches with continuously and periodically sinusoidal-wave shape, and a plurality of third opening trenches parallel to, interlace with or superpose the second opening trenches, and extend in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the first opening trench. The high transmittance thin film solar panel of the present invention is mainly used for green buildings. The opening trenches of the high transmittance thin film solar panel are formed in a manner of curve shape by an oscillating laser head, and can enhance the transmittance by more than about 3% in comparison with the conventional one. |
| US09553217B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and structure with trenches in passivation film
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a passivation film on a substrate including a first element region, a second element region adjacent to the first element region in a first direction, a third element region adjacent to the first region in a second direction, and a first scribe region extending to the first direction between the first element region and the third element region, forming a first trench in the passivation film between the first scribe region and the first element region, forming a second trench in the passivation film between the third element region and the first scribe region, and forming a film on the passivation film where the trenches have been formed by coating. The each of trenches is formed continuously along the first and the second element region. |
| US09553215B2 |
Method and device for recognizing faults in a photovoltaic system
The invention relates to a method and a device for recognizing faults in a photovoltaic system (1). A first output voltage (U0, UMPP) of the system (1) and/or a first parameter derived from the output voltage (U0, UMPP) is determined at a first point in time in a first operating state of the photovoltaic system (1). At a second point in time in a second operating state comparable to the first operating state, a second output voltage (U0, UMPP) and/or a second parameter of the system (1) derived from the output voltage (U0, UMPP) is determined. Finally, a deviation between the first and the second output voltage (U0, UMPP) and/or between the first and the second parameter is identified and a fault notification is output if the deviation exceeds a predeterminable threshold. |
| US09553212B2 |
Optical coupler
An optical coupler includes an optical transmitting unit and an optical receiving unit in a facing arrangement. The optical transmitting unit includes a power lead having a first die-pad portion, a light emitting element on the first die-pad portion, a ground lead having a second die-pad portion, and an integrated circuit on the second die-pad portion. The integrated circuit has a power pad portion, a light emitting element pad portion, and input pad portions thereon. An inter-center distance between an inner lead of the first input lead and an inner lead of the second input lead is equal to or less than an inter-center distance between an outer lead of the first input lead and an outer lead of the second input lead. |
| US09553211B2 |
Schottky barrier diode and apparatus using the same
A Schottky barrier diode includes a first semiconductor layer, a LOCOS layer arranged in contact with the first semiconductor layer, a Schottky junction region provided on a contact surface between the first semiconductor layer and a first electrode, a second semiconductor layer connected to the first semiconductor layer and having a higher carrier concentration than that of the first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode forming an ohmic contact with the second semiconductor layer. In this case, the Schottky junction region and the LOCOS layer are in contact. |
| US09553197B2 |
Thin film transistor and display device including the same
A thin film transistor includes: a lower gate electrode on a substrate; a gate insulating layer on the lower gate electrode; a first semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer; a source electrode on the first semiconductor layer, a drain electrode on the first semiconductor layer and spaced apart form the source electrode; a second semiconductor layer on a channel region of the first semiconductor layer and on the source electrode and the drain electrode; a passivation layer on the second semiconductor layer; and an upper gate electrode disposed on the passivation layer, corresponding to the channel region. |
| US09553195B2 |
Method of IGZO and ZNO TFT fabrication with PECVD SiO2 passivation
The present invention generally relates to a method of manufacturing a TFT. The TFT has an active channel that comprises IGZO or zinc oxide. After the source and drain electrodes are formed, but before the passivation layers or etch stop layers are deposited thereover, the active channel is exposed to an N2O or O2 plasma. The interface between the active channel and the passivation layers or etch stop layers are either altered or damaged during formation of the source and drain electrodes. The N2O or O2 plasma alters and repairs the interface between the active channel and the passivation or etch stop layers. |
| US09553191B1 |
Fin field effect transistor and method for fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a FinFET includes at last the following steps. A semiconductor substrate is patterned to form a plurality of trenches in the semiconductor substrate and at least one semiconductor fin between the trenches. Insulators are formed in the trenches. A gate stack is formed over portions of the semiconductor fin and over portions of the insulators. A strained material doped with a conductive dopant is formed over portions of the semiconductor fin revealed by the gate stack, and the strained material is formed by selectively growing a bulk layer with a gradient doping concentration. |
| US09553190B2 |
Semiconductor devices including source/drain regions having multiple epitaxial patterns
A semiconductor device includes an active pattern protruding from a substrate, a gate structure crossing over the active pattern, and source/drain regions disposed on the active pattern at opposite sides of the gate structure. Each of the source/drain regions includes a first epitaxial pattern contacting the active pattern and a second epitaxial pattern on the first epitaxial pattern. The first epitaxial pattern comprises a material having a lattice constant which is the same as that of the substrate, and the second epitaxial pattern comprises a material having a lattice constant greater than that of the first epitaxial pattern. |
| US09553188B1 |
High-voltage semiconductor device with finger-shaped insulation structure
A high-voltage semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, a drain, an insulation structure, and a plurality of conductive structures. The insulation structure is disposed in the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the gate structure and the drain. The insulation structure includes a plurality of insulation units disposed separately from one another. Each of the conductive structures is embedded in one of the insulation units. |
| US09553187B2 |
Semiconductor device and related fabrication methods
Semiconductor device structures and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary semiconductor device structure includes a body well region having a first conductivity type, a drift region and a source region each having a second conductivity type, where a channel portion of the body well region resides laterally between the source region and a first portion of the drift region that is adjacent to the channel portion. A gate structure overlies the channel portion and the adjacent portion of the drift region. A portion of the gate structure overlying the channel portion proximate the source region has the second conductivity type. Another portion of the gate structure that overlies the adjacent portion of the drift region has a different doping, and overlaps at least a portion of the channel portion, with the threshold voltage associated with the gate structure being influenced by the amount of overlap. |
| US09553186B2 |
Recessed gate silicon-on-insulator floating body device with self-aligned lateral isolation
Embodiments of a manufacturing process for recessed gate devices on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate with self-aligned lateral isolation are described. This allows the creation of true in-pitch recessed gate devices without requiring an extra isolation dimension. A lateral isolation trench is formed between pairs of recessed gate devices by etching the silicon-on-insulator area down to a buried oxide layer on which the silicon-on-insulator layer is formed. The position of the trench is self-aligned and defined by the gate width and the dimension of spacers disposed on either side of the gate. The isolation trench is filled with a dielectric material and then etched back to the middle of the SOI body and the remaining volume is filled with a doped conductive material. The doped conductor is subject to a thermal cycle to create source and drain regions of the device through out-diffusion of the doped material. |
| US09553185B2 |
MOS-driven semiconductor device and method for manufacturing MOS-driven semiconductor device
A mask used to form an n+ source layer (11) is formed by a nitride film on the surface of a substrate before a trench (7) is formed. At this time, a sufficient width of the n+ source layer (11) on the surface of the substrate is secured. Thereby, stable contact between the n+ source layer (11) and a source electrode (15) is obtained. A CVD oxide film (12) that is an interlayer insulating film having a thickness of 0.1 micrometer or more and 0.3 micrometer or less is formed on doped poly-silicon to be used as a gate electrode (10a) embedded in the trench (7), and non-doped poly-silicon (13) that is not oxidized is formed on the CVD oxide film (12). Thereby, generation of void in the CVD oxide film (12) is suppressed and, by not oxidizing the non-doped poly-silicon (13), a semiconductor apparatus is easily manufactured. |
| US09553183B2 |
Gate stack for normally-off compound semiconductor transistor
A normally-off compound semiconductor transistor includes a heterostructure body and a gate stack on the heterostructure body. The heterostructure body includes a source, a drain spaced apart from the source, and a channel for connecting the source and the drain. The channel includes a first two-dimensional charge carrier gas of a first polarity arising in the heterostructure body due to piezoelectric effects. The gate stack controls the channel in a region of the heterostructure body under the gate stack. The gate stack includes at least one III-nitride material which gives rise to a second two-dimensional charge carrier gas of a second polarity opposite the first polarity in the gate stack or in the heterostructure body under the gate stack due to piezoelectric effects. The second two-dimensional charge carrier gas counter-balances polarization charges in the first two-dimensional charge carrier gas so that the channel is disrupted under the gate stack. |
| US09553182B2 |
Circuit structure, transistor and semiconductor device
A circuit structure includes a substrate, a III-V semiconductor compound over the substrate, a AlxGa(1−X)N (AlGaN) layer over the III-V semiconductor compound, a gate over the AlGaN layer, a passivation film over the gate and over a portion of the AlGaN layer, a source structure, and a drain structure on an opposite side of the gate from the source structure, wherein X ranges from 0.1 to 1. The source structure has a source contact portion and an overhead portion. The overhead portion is over at least a portion of the passivation film between the source contact portion and the gate. A distance between the source contact portion and the gate is less than a distance between the gate and the drain structure. |
| US09553178B2 |
Semiconductor component with an emitter control electrode
A semiconductor component includes a first emitter zone of a first conductivity type, a second emitter zone of a second conductivity type, a first base zone arranged between the first and second emitter zones and a first control structure. The first control structure includes a control electrode arranged adjacent the first emitter zone, the control electrode being insulated from the first emitter zone by a first dielectric layer and extending in a current flow direction of the semiconductor component. The first control structure includes a first control connection and at least one first connection zone arranged between the first control connection and the control electrode and comprising a semiconductor material. |
| US09553170B2 |
Manufacturing method of thin film transistor and thin film transistor
A manufacturing method of a thin film transistor and a thin film transistor are provided. In the manufacturing method, formation of pattern of a source electrode (7), a drain electrode (8) and an active layer (6) comprises: forming a semiconductor layer (10) and a conductive layer (11) that cover the whole substrate on the substrate in sequence; forming a first photoresist layer (4) at a region where the source electrode is to be formed and at a region where the drain electrode is to be formed on the conductive layer (11), respectively; forming a second photoresist layer (5) at least at a gap between the source electrode and the drain electrode that are to be formed on the conductive layer (11); conducting an etching process on the substrate with the first photoresist layer (4), the second photoresist layer (5), the semiconductor layer (10) and the conductive layer (11) formed thereon, so as to form pattern of the active layer (6), the source electrode (7) and the drain electrode (8). |
| US09553169B2 |
Method for manufacturing AMOLED backplane
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an AMOLED backplane, in which after a first metal layer is patternized to form a first gate terminal (61), a second gate terminal (63), and an electrode plate (65), with the patternized first metal layer as a shielding layer, a patternized polysilicon layer is subjected to N-type light doping; and then, an insulation layer (7) is deposited and the insulation layer (7) is subjected to non-isotropic etching to form spacers (71), and with patternized first metal layer and the spacers (71) as a shielding layer, the patternized polysilicon layer is subjected to N-type heavy doping to form light-doping drain areas (N−) exactly below the spacers (71) on the opposite sides of the first gate terminal (61), whereby light-doping drain areas (N−) on opposite sides of a channel area of a switching TFT are made symmetric to each other and the length of the light-doping drain areas (N−) is shorten; a conduction current is increased; a photoelectric current can be effectively reduced; one photo mask can be saved; and the cost can be lowered down. |
| US09553157B2 |
Diffusion-controlled oxygen depletion of semiconductor contact interface
A device is created by forming a layer of dielectric material on a silicon-containing region of a semiconductor substrate. An opening is created through the layer of dielectric material, the opening having a bottom and exposing the silicon-containing region. A metal stack is formed within the opening. The metal stack includes at least a first metal film on the silicon-containing region and a second gettering metal film on the first metal film. The metal stack is annealed to cause oxygen to migrate from the substrate to the gettering metal film. A first liner is formed within the opening. A fill metal is deposited in the opening. |
| US09553152B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer which is formed over a substrate and is formed from a nitride semiconductor; a second semiconductor layer which is formed over the first semiconductor layer and is formed from a nitride semiconductor; a third semiconductor layer which is formed over the second semiconductor layer and is formed from a nitride semiconductor; a source electrode and a drain electrode which are formed over the third semiconductor layer; an opening which is formed in the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode; an insulating layer which is formed on a side surface and a bottom surface of the opening; and a gate electrode which is formed in the opening through the insulating layer. |
| US09553144B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor device manufacturing method
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; a first semiconductor region that includes an extension portion extending in a specific direction at a specific width as viewed along a direction orthogonal to the main surface; a second semiconductor region that is shaped to include a portion running along the extension portion of the first semiconductor region as viewed along the direction orthogonal to the main surface; a field relaxation layer that relaxes a field generated between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region, that is formed on the second semiconductor region side of the main surface, and that is formed by a semiconductor layer; and a conductor that is connected to the second semiconductor region, and that has an end portion on the first conductor region side positioned within the range of the field relaxation layer. |
| US09553143B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor layer disposed over the semiconductor layer; a first well region disposed in the semiconductor layer and the semiconductor substrate; a second well region disposed in the semiconductor layer; a first isolation element disposed in the first well region; a second isolation element disposed in the second well region; a gate structure disposed in the semiconductor layer between the first isolation element and the second isolation element; a first doped region disposed in the first well region; and a second doped region disposed in the second well region. The bottom surface of the gate structure is above, below or substantially level with a bottom surface of the first isolation structure. |
| US09553140B2 |
Integrated circuit and method of fabricating the same
An integrated circuit and a method of fabricating the integrated circuit are provided. In various embodiments, the integrated circuit includes a substrate and a polysilicon resistor. The polysilicon resistor is disposed on the substrate. The polysilicon resistor has at least one positive TCR portion and at least one negative TCR portion. The positive TCR portion is adjacent to the negative TCR portion, and the positive TCR portion is in direct contact with the negative TCR portion. |
| US09553136B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, including a flexible substrate bent in a first direction, an OLED arranged on the flexible substrate, a first thin film transistor connected to the OLED and including a first channel area extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and one or more additional thin film transistors connected to the first thin film transistor and including corresponding additional channel areas extending in the second direction. |
| US09553133B2 |
Method for producing an optoelectronic assembly, and optoelectronic assembly
A method for producing an optoelectronic assembly having a first and at least a second optoelectronic components may include forming a first electrically conductive layer on a substrate, forming a second electrically conductive layer on the first electrically conductive layer, applying an insulator material on the second electrically conductive layer and the substrate, such that at least a first insulator region, which insulates a first component region from a second component region, a second insulator region, which insulates the second component region from a first contact region, a third insulator region arranged on a side of the first component region, and a fourth insulator region arranged between the first and second insulator regions on a side of the second component region are formed by the insulator material, forming a first and second optically functional layers in the first and second component regions, respectively, and applying an electrically conductive electrode layer. |
| US09553131B2 |
Semiconductor device and forming method
Disclosed is a semiconductor device that reduces the area of a transistor in a ReRAM. A plurality of memory cells differ from each other in the combination of bit line and plate line. The potential of plate line PL2 is a forming voltage. By contrast, the potentials of the other plate lines are +Vi. The potential of bit line BL2 is 0 V (ground potential). By contrast, the potentials of the other bit lines are +Vi. The potential of is +Vgf. By contrast, the potentials of the other word lines are +Vi. |
| US09553130B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for producing a semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes four or more memory cells arranged on a row, the memory cells each including a first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, a first gate insulating film around the semiconductor layer, a first gate line around the first gate insulating film, a third gate insulating film around an upper portion of the semiconductor layer, a first contact electrode around the third gate insulating film, a second contact electrode connecting upper portions of the semiconductor layer and the first contact electrode, and a magnetic tunnel junction storage element on the second contact electrode, a first source line connecting lower portions of the semiconductor layers to each other, a first bit line extending in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the first gate line and connected to an upper portion of the storage element, and a second source line extending in a direction perpendicular to the first source line. |
| US09553129B2 |
Magnetic tunnel junction stack alignment scheme
Device and methods of forming a device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate defined with a memory cell region. A first upper dielectric layer is provided over the substrate. The first upper dielectric layer includes a first upper interconnect level with one or more metal lines in the memory cell region. A second upper dielectric layer is provided over the first upper dielectric layer. The second upper dielectric layer includes a via plug coupled to the metal line of the first upper interconnect level. An alignment trench which extends from a top surface of the second upper dielectric layer to a portion of the second upper dielectric layer is formed. Various layers of a MTJ stack are formed over the second upper dielectric layer. Profile of the alignment trench is transferred to surfaces of the various layers of the MTJ stack to form a topography feature which serves as an alignment mark. The various layers of the MTJ stack are patterned to form a MTJ element using the alignment mark visible in top surface of the various layers of the MTJ stack to align the memory element to the underlying via plug. |
| US09553126B2 |
Wafer-level bonding method for camera fabrication
A wafer-level method for fabricating a plurality of cameras includes modifying an image sensor wafer to reduce risk of the image sensor wafer warping, and bonding the image sensor wafer to a lens wafer to form a composite wafer that includes the plurality of cameras. A wafer-level method for fabricating a plurality of cameras includes bonding an image sensor wafer to a lens wafer, using a pressure sensitive adhesive, to form a composite wafer that includes the plurality of cameras. |
| US09553125B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic apparatus
Disclosed is a solid-state imaging device including: a solid-state imaging element which outputs an image signal according to an amount of light sensed on a light sensing surface; a semiconductor element which performs signal processing with respect to the image signal output from the solid-state imaging element; and a substrate which is electrically connected to the solid-state imaging element and the semiconductor element, in which the semiconductor element is sealed by a molding resin in a state of being accommodated in an accommodation area which is provided on the substrate, and in which the solid-state imaging element is layered on the semiconductor element via the molding resin. |
| US09553121B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A connection portion connects a copper-based first wiring layer with a copper-based second wiring layer arranged on the upper side of a first diffusion barrier film. The first diffusion barrier film includes a first opening region formed in a semiconductor circuit region that is a partial region in a two-dimensional view and a second opening region formed as an opening region different from the first opening region in a two-dimensional view. The opening regions are formed in a region different from an opening region formed to allow the connection portion to pass through the first diffusion barrier film. A mark wiring layer is arranged immediately above the second opening region as the same layer as the second wiring layer. A second diffusion barrier film is arranged in contact with the upper surface of the mark wiring layer. |
| US09553101B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device may include gate structures spaced apart above a top surface of a substrate. The gate structures may include a horizontal electrode extending in a first direction parallel with the top surface of a substrate. An isolation insulating layer may be disposed between the gate structures. A plurality of cell pillars may penetrate the horizontal electrode and connect to the substrate. The plurality of cell pillars may include a minimum spacing defined by a shortest distance between any two of the plurality of cell pillars. The thickness of the horizontal electrode may be greater than the minimum spacing of the cell pillars. |
| US09553100B2 |
Selective floating gate semiconductor material deposition in a three-dimensional memory structure
A method of forming a three-dimensional memory device includes forming a stack of alternating first and second material layers over a substrate, forming a memory opening through the stack, forming a memory film and a semiconductor channel in the memory opening, and forming backside recesses by removing the second material layers selective to the first material layers and the memory film, where an outer sidewall of the memory film is physically exposed within each backside recess. The method also includes forming at least one set of surfaces selected from silicon deposition inhibiting surfaces on the first material layers and silicon deposition promoting surfaces over the memory film in the back side recesses, selectively growing a silicon-containing semiconductor portion laterally within each backside recess, forming at least one blocking dielectric within the backside recesses, and forming conductive material layers by depositing a conductive material within the backside recesses. |
| US09553096B2 |
Semiconductor arrangement with capacitor
A semiconductor arrangement includes a logic region and a memory region. The memory region has an active region that includes a semiconductor device. The memory region also has a capacitor within one or more dielectric layers over the active region. The semiconductor arrangement includes a protective ring within at least one of the logic region or the memory region and that separates the logic region from the memory region. The capacitor has a first electrode, a second electrode and an insulating layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, where an electrode unit of the first electrode has a first portion and a second portion, and where the second portion is above the first portion and is wider than the first portion. |
| US09553094B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
Provided is a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming an interlayer insulating layer on a substrate, the interlayer insulating layer including a first trench; forming a high-k dielectric layer in the first trench; successively forming a diffusion layer and a blocking layer on the high-k dielectric layer; subsequently performing annealing; after the annealing, successively removing the blocking layer and the diffusion layer; forming a first barrier layer on the high-k dielectric layer; successively forming a work function adjustment layer and a gate conductor on the first barrier layer; and forming a capping layer on the gate conductor. |
| US09553089B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device, including first and second fin patterns separated by a first trench; a gate electrode intersecting the first and second fin patterns; and a contact on at least one side of the gate electrode, the contact contacting the first fin pattern, the contact having a bottom surface that does not contact the second fin pattern, a height from a bottom of the first trench to a topmost end of the first fin pattern in a region in which the contact intersects the first fin pattern being a first height, and a height from the bottom of the first trench to a topmost end of the second fin pattern in a region in which an extension line of the contact extending along a direction in which the gate electrode extends intersects the second fin pattern being a second height, the first height being smaller than the second height. |
| US09553088B1 |
Forming semiconductor device with close ground rules
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming active regions on a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate stack over the active regions and regions adjacent to the active regions, depositing a layer of conductive material over the active regions and the substrate, patterning a first mask over the conductive material, etching to remove exposed portions of the conductive material and form conductive contacts, patterning a second mask over portions of the gate stacks and conductive contacts, and etching to remove exposed portions of the gate stack. |
| US09553087B1 |
Semiconductor device
In some embodiments, a semiconductor device includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor includes a first source region in a first bulk region having a first concentration, and a first gate. The second transistor includes a second source region in a second bulk region having a second concentration higher than the first concentration. The second source region is connected with the first source region and the first gate. |
| US09553086B2 |
Reverse-conducting semiconductor device
A Reverse-conducting semiconductor device which comprises a freewheeling diode and an insulated gate bipolar transistor on a common wafer, part of which wafer forms a base layer of a first conductivity type with a first doping concentration and a base layer thickness. The insulated gate bipolar transistor comprises a collector side and an emitter side opposite the collector side of the wafer. A cathode layer of a first conductivity type with at least one first region and a anode layer of a second conductivity type with at least one second and pilot region are alternately arranged on the collector side. Each region has a region area with a region width surrounded by a region border. The Reverse-conducting-IGBT of the present application satisfies a number of specific geometrical rules. |
| US09553085B2 |
Fabricating method for high voltage semiconductor power switching device
A three terminal high voltage Darlington bipolar transistor power switching device includes two high voltage bipolar transistors, with collectors connected together serving as the collector terminal. The base of the first high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the base terminal. The emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor connects to the base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor (inner base), and the emitter of the second high voltage bipolar transistor serves as the emitter terminal. A diode has its anode connected to the inner base (emitter of the first high voltage bipolar transistor, or base of the second high voltage bipolar transistor), and its cathode connected to the base terminal. Similarly, a three terminal hybrid MOSFET/bipolar high voltage switching device can be formed by replacing the first high voltage bipolar transistor of the previous switching device by a high voltage MOSFET. |
| US09553083B2 |
Apparatus for controlling heat flow
An apparatus configured to control a heat flow is provided. The apparatus may include a semiconductor device region formed in a matrix; a heat rectifier region formed adjacent to the semiconductor device region; and a heat flow blocker formed in at least one region contacting the semiconductor device region and the heat rectifier region. |
| US09553081B2 |
Semiconductor device including a redistribution layer and metallic pillars coupled thereto
A semiconductor device and method of forming the same including, in one embodiment, a semiconductor die formed with a plurality of laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (“LDMOS”) cells. The semiconductor device also includes a redistribution layer electrically coupled to the plurality of LDMOS cells and a plurality of metallic pillars distributed over and electrically coupled to the redistribution layer. |
| US09553074B2 |
Semiconductor package having cascaded chip stack
A semiconductor package that includes a package substrate, a lower semiconductor chip mounted on the package substrate, and an upper semiconductor chip stacked on the lower semiconductor chip in a cascade shape is provided. An active surface of the lower semiconductor chip is facing an active surface of the upper semiconductor chip. |
| US09553071B1 |
Multi-chip package with interconnects extending through logic chip
A microelectronic package includes a first microelectronic element comprising logic circuitry which is flip-chip mounted to a substrate, the substrate having terminals for connection with a circuit panel or other external component. A second microelectronic element overlies a rear surface of the first microelectronic element and has contacts electrically coupled with the substrate through electrically conductive interconnects extending through a region of the first microelectronic element. A heat spreader is thermally coupled with the rear surface of the substrate, either directly or through an additional element overlying the rear surface. Additional contacts of the second microelectronic element may be coupled with contacts of the substrate through electrically conductive structure disposed beyond an edge surface of the first microelectronic element. |
| US09553067B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer, an electrode layer arranged on the semiconductor layer, a crack starting point layer arranged above the semiconductor layer, and a solder layer being in contact with the electrode layer and the crack starting point layer. A joining force between the solder layer and the crack starting point layer is smaller than a joining force between the solder layer and the electrode layer. |
| US09553060B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor
Provided are a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method therefor that can prevent electric short-circuiting between redistribution lines. A barrier film is formed over each side surface of a copper redistribution line. The barrier film includes, for example, a manganese oxide film. The barrier film is also in contact with each end surface of a barrier metal film that is located in the position receding inward from the side surface of the copper redistribution line. A redistribution portion is formed by the copper redistribution line, the barrier film, and the barrier metal film. |
| US09553057B1 |
E-plane probe with stepped surface profile for high-frequency
A method of forming an E-plane probe includes forming a plurality of monolithically integrated circuits (MICs) on a wafer, each MIC including a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC), and an E-plane probe coupled to the MMIC, mounting the wafer on an ultra-violet (UV) tape, cutting the wafer with a laser at a first power and a first linear cutting speed along vertical streets and then along horizontal streets to form separate substrates, cutting with the laser at a second power and a second linear cutting speed a rectangle or a portion of a rectangle from the separate substrates to form narrow substrate extensions on the substrates, and repeating this step for each rectangle or portion of a rectangle to be cut to form substrate extensions, and curing the UV tape, wherein the E-plane probes are on the narrow substrate extensions. |
| US09553056B1 |
Semiconductor chip having tampering feature
Silicon-based or other electronic circuitry is dissolved or otherwise disabled by reactive materials within a semiconductor chip should the chip or a device containing the chip be subjected to tampering. Triggering circuits containing normally-OFF heterojunction field-effect photo-transistors are configured to cause reactions of the reactive materials within the chips upon exposure to light. The normally-OFF heterojunction field-effect photo-transistors can be fabricated during back-end-of-line processing through the use of polysilicon channel material, amorphous hydrogenated silicon gate contacts, hydrogenated crystalline silicon source/drain contacts, or other materials that allow processing at low temperatures. |
| US09553055B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor devices having reinforcing elements
The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating semiconductor devices having reinforcing elements. The method includes steps of providing a first wafer having a lower electrode layer and an insulation layer; forming a device layer; etching the device layer and the insulation layer to form recesses; etching the device layer to form separation trenches and upper electrodes; forming reinforcing elements; and depositing metal pads. The reinforcing elements strengthen the integration of the upper electrodes and the insulation layer. |
| US09553054B2 |
Strain detection structures for bonded wafers and chips
Strain detection structures used with bonded wafers and chips and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming lower metal wiring structures associated with a lower wafer structure. The method further includes bonding the lower wafer structure to an upper wafer structure and thinning the upper wafer, and forming upper metal wiring structures. The method further includes electrically linking the lower metal wiring structures to the upper metal wiring structures by formation of through silicon via structures to form an electrically connected chain extending between multiple wafer structures. The method further includes forming contacts to an outside environment which electrically contact two of the lower metal wiring structures. |
| US09553053B2 |
Bump structure for yield improvement
A bump structure for electrically coupling semiconductor components is provided. The bump structure includes a first bump on a first semiconductor component and a second bump on a second semiconductor component. The first bump has a first non-flat portion (e.g., a convex projection) and the second bump has a second non-flat portion (e.g., a concave recess). The bump structure also includes a solder joint formed between the first and second non-flat portions to electrically couple the semiconductor components. |
| US09553051B2 |
Electronic component
In an embodiment, an electronic component includes a dielectric layer having a first surface and a second surface, one or more semiconductor dies embedded in the dielectric layer and at least one electrically conductive member. The electrically conductive member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a foil including a first metal and the second portion includes an electrodeposited layer including a second metal. The first portion and the second portion are embedded in the dielectric layer. |
| US09553050B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an interlayer insulating film on the semiconductor substrate and having a first hole extending therethrough, and a contact portion in the first hole of the interlayer insulating film. The contact portion includes a first silicon film along an inner surface of the first hole of the interlayer insulating film. |
| US09553047B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor devices with combined array and periphery patterning in self-aligned quadruple patterning
Provided are improved semiconductor memory devices and methods for manufacturing such semiconductor memory devices. A method may incorporate the patterning of the array and periphery regions in self-aligned quadruple patterning and provide semiconductor devices resulting from the combined patterning. |
| US09553046B2 |
E-fuse in SOI configuration
A method of forming a semiconductor device comprising a fuse is provided including providing a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure comprising an insulating layer and a semiconductor layer formed on the insulating layer, forming raised semiconductor regions on the semiconductor layer adjacent to a central portion of the semiconductor layer and performing a silicidation process of the central portion of the semiconductor layer and the raised semiconductor regions to form a silicided semiconductor layer and silicided raised semiconductor regions. |
| US09553037B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element having a front surface and a rear surface, a pair of heat sinks disposed facing each other so as to sandwich the semiconductor element, and attached respectively to the front surface and the rear surface, and a fastening screw fastening the pair of the heat sinks in the facing direction, the fastening screw having insulation property. Threads are arranged on at least a part of the fastening screw in an axis direction of the fastening screw between the pair of the heat sinks. |
| US09553034B1 |
Combined semiconductor metrology system
A semiconductor wafer inspection system includes a camera and two or more illuminators. The illuminators illuminate a line of the semiconductor wafer in sequence and the camera captures an interleaved image of illuminated lines such that the individual images can be recovered from the interleaved image. The semiconductor wafer can be moved by a conveyor so that adjacent lines can be sequentially illuminated by the illuminators. The camera may include two or more line sensors. |
| US09553033B2 |
Semiconductor device models including re-usable sub-structures
Methods and tools for generating measurement models of complex device structures based on re-useable, parametric models are presented. Metrology systems employing these models are configured to measure structural and material characteristics associated with different semiconductor fabrication processes. The re-useable, parametric sub-structure model is fully defined by a set of independent parameters entered by a user of the model building tool. All other variables associated with the model shape and internal constraints among constituent geometric elements are pre-defined within the model. In some embodiments, one or more re-useable, parametric models are integrated into a measurement model of a complex semiconductor device. In another aspect, a model building tool generates a re-useable, parametric sub-structure model based on input from a user. The resulting models can be exported to a file that can be used by others and may include security features to control the sharing of sensitive intellectual property with particular users. |
| US09553032B2 |
Fin field effect transistor including asymmetric raised active regions
Merged and unmerged raised active regions on semiconductor fins can be simultaneously formed on a same substrate by control of growth rates of a deposited semiconductor material on surfaces of the semiconductor fins. In one embodiment, a growth-rate-retarding dopant can be implanted by angled ion implantation onto sidewall surfaces of first semiconductor fins on which retardation of growth rates is desired, while second semiconductor fins are masked by a masking layer. In another embodiment, a growth-rate-enhancing dopant can be implanted by ion implantation onto sidewall surfaces of second semiconductor fins, while first semiconductor fins are masked by a masking layer. The differential growth rates of the deposited semiconductor material can cause raised active regions on the first semiconductor fins to remain unmerged, and raised active regions on the second semiconductor fins to become merged. |
| US09553030B2 |
Method of manufacturing P-channel FET device with SiGe channel
A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided including providing a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer comprising a first semiconductor layer comprising a first material component and formed on a buried oxide (BOX) layer, and forming a channel region of a P-channel transistor device, including forming a second semiconductor layer only over a first portion of the first semiconductor layer, wherein the second semiconductor layer comprises the first material component and a second material component different from the first material component, forming an opening in the first semiconductor layer outside the first portion and subsequently performing a thermal anneal to push the second material component from the second semiconductor layer into the first semiconductor layer. |
| US09553028B2 |
Methods of forming reduced resistance local interconnect structures and the resulting devices
A method includes forming a layer of insulating material above first and second transistors, within the layer of insulating material, forming a set of initial device-level contacts for each of the first and second transistors, wherein each set of initial device-level contacts comprises a plurality of source/drain contacts and a gate contact, forming an initial local interconnect structure that is conductively coupled to one of the initial device-level contacts in each of the first and second transistors, and removing the initial local interconnect structure and portions, but not all, of the initial device-level contacts for each the first and second transistors. The method also includes forming a copper local interconnect structure and copper caps above the recessed device-level contacts. |
| US09553027B2 |
Fine patterning methods and methods of fabricating semiconductor devices using the same
A fine-patterning method includes forming a mask layer with lower and upper mask layers on an underlying layer, forming a pair of sacrificial patterns on the mask layer, forming a connection spacer between the sacrificial patterns and first spacers that are spaced apart from each other with the pair of sacrificial patterns interposed therebetween and covering side surfaces of the sacrificial patterns, etching the upper mask layer using the first spacers and the connection spacer as an etch mask to form upper mask patterns, forming second spacers to cover side surfaces of the upper mask patterns, etching the lower mask layer using the second spacers as an etch mask to form lower mask patterns, and etching the underlying layer using the lower mask patterns as an etch mask. |
| US09553023B2 |
Substrate dividing method
A substrate dividing method which can thin and divide a substrate while preventing chipping, and cracking from occurring. This substrate dividing method comprises the steps of irradiating a semiconductor substrate 1 having a front face 3 formed with functional devices 19 with laser light while positioning a light-converging point within the substrate, so as to form a modified region including a molten processed region due to multiphoton absorption within the semiconductor substrate 1, and causing the modified region including the molten processed region to form a starting point region for cutting; and grinding a rear face 21 of the semiconductor substrate 1 after the step of forming the starting point region for cutting such that the semiconductor substrate 1 attains a predetermined thickness. |
| US09553020B2 |
Interconnect structure for connecting dies and methods of forming the same
A structure includes a first chip having a first substrate, and first dielectric layers underlying the first substrate, with a first metal pad in the first dielectric layers. A second chip includes a second substrate, second dielectric layers over the second substrate and bonded to the first dielectric layers, and a second metal pad in the second dielectric layers. A conductive plug includes a first portion extending from a top surface of the first substrate to a top surface of the first metal pad, and a second portion extending from the top surface of the first metal pad to a top surface of the second metal pad. An edge of the second portion is in physical contact with a sidewall of the first metal pad. A dielectric layer spaces the first portion of the conductive plug from the first plurality of dielectric layers. |
| US09553013B2 |
Semiconductor structure with TRL and handle wafer cavities
A method is disclosed. The method comprises fabricating a device layer on a top portion of a semiconductor wafer that comprises a substrate. The device layer comprises an active device. The method also comprises forming a trap rich layer at a top portion of a handle wafer. The forming comprises etching the top portion of the handle wafer to form a structure in the top portion of the handle wafer that configures the trap rich layer. The method also comprises bonding a top surface of the handle wafer to a top surface of the semiconductor wafer. The method also comprises removing a bottom substrate portion of the semiconductor wafer. |
| US09553010B2 |
Wafer gripper with non-contact support platform
A wafer transport system includes a substantially horizontal non-contact support platform for supporting a wafer substantially horizontally at a substantially fixed vertical distance from the platform. A wafer gripping device includes wafer grippers to grip a surface of the wafer that is opposite the non-contact support platform. Each of the wafer grippers is mounted on a vertically flexible holder to enable the wafer gripper to adapt to a height of the wafer above the wafer gripping device while maintaining a substantial horizontal rigidity of the vertically flexible holder so as to prevent horizontal motion of the wafer relative to the wafer gripping device. |
| US09553006B2 |
High definition heater system having a fluid medium
An apparatus, such as a heater, is provided that includes a base member having at least one fluid passageway. A two-phase fluid is disposed within the fluid passageway, a pressure of the two-phase fluid being controlled such that the two-phase fluid provides at least one of heating and cooling to the base member. A tuning layer is secured to the base member, and the tuning layer includes a plurality of zones. Furthermore, a component, such as a chuck by way of example, is secured to the tuning layer. |
| US09553005B2 |
Metal liftoff tools and methods
In certain embodiments the metal liftoff tool comprises an immersion tank for receiving a wafer cassette with wafers therein, the immersion tank including an inner weir, a lifting and lowering mechanism capable of raising and lowering the wafer cassette while submerged in fluid in the immersion tank, low pressure high velocity primary spray jets for stripping the metal, the primary spray jets positioned at opposing sides of the immersion tank parallel to the wafer surfaces planes, and secondary spray jets for pressure equalization force, positioned at the bottom of the immersion tank. A wafer lift insert is positioned at the bottom of the immersion tank to receive and periodically lift the wafers within the cassette. |
| US09553000B2 |
Interconnect structure for wafer level package
A package includes a device die having a substrate. A molding compound contacts a sidewall of the substrate. A metal pad is over the substrate. A passivation layer has a portion covering an edge portion of the metal pad. A metal pillar is over and contacting the metal pad. A dielectric layer is over the passivation layer. A package material formed of a molding compound or a polymer is over the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a bottom portion between the passivation layer and the package material, and a sidewall portion between a sidewall of the metal pillar and a sidewall of the package material. A polymer layer is over the package material, the molding compound, and the metal pillar. A post-passivation interconnect (PPI) extends into the polymer layer. A solder ball is over the PPI, and is electrically coupled to the metal pad through the PPI. |
| US09552994B2 |
Plating apparatus, plating method, and storage medium
A plating apparatus 20 includes a substrate holding device 110 configured to hold and rotate the substrate 2; a first discharge device 30 configured to discharge a plating liquid toward the substrate 2 held on the substrate holding device 110; and a top plate 21 that is provided above the substrate 2 and has an opening 22. The first discharge device 30 includes a first discharge unit 33 configured to discharge the plating liquid toward the substrate 2, and the first discharge unit 33 is configured to be moved between a discharge position where the plating liquid is discharged and a standby position where the plating liquid is not discharged. Further, the first discharge unit 33 is configured to be overlapped with the opening 22 of the top plate 21 at the discharge position. |
| US09552991B2 |
Trench vertical NAND and method of making thereof
A method of making a monolithic three dimensional NAND string includes providing a stack of alternating first material layers and second material layers different from the first material layer over a substrate, etching the stack to form at least one trench in the stack, forming a blocking dielectric over a side wall of the at least one trench, forming a charge storage layer over the blocking dielectric in the at least one trench, forming a tunnel dielectric over the charge storage layer in the at least one trench and forming a semiconductor channel over the tunnel dielectric in the at least one trench. |
| US09552976B2 |
Optimized HID arc tube geometry
The geometry of a High Intensity Discharge (HID) arc tube is controlled to improve lamp color control and temperature distribution. In some embodiments, conical sections located at the transition zones near the electrodes are included to provide funnel-like body-leg interface portions. The body-leg interface portions are shaped so as to advantageously control the temperature distribution along the internal surface of the discharge chamber wall so that it monotonically decreases resulting in a stable local cold spot location at the body-leg interface. |
| US09552974B2 |
Ion mobility separator with variable effective length
An ion mobility separator or spectrometer is disclosed comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder defining an annular volume through which ions are transmitted. Spiral electrodes a-f are arranged on a surface of the inner cylinder and/or on a surface of the outer cylinder. A first device is arranged and adapted to maintain a DC electric field and/or a pseudo-potential force which acts to urge ions from a first end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer to a second end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer. A second device is arranged and adapted to apply transient DC voltages to the one or more spiral electrodes in order to urge ions towards the first end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer. The net effect is to extend the effective path length of the ion mobility separator. |
| US09552971B2 |
Bubble removal from liquid flow into a mass spectrometer source
Methods and systems for delivering a liquid sample to an ion source are provided herein. In various aspects, the methods and systems can improve the stability of a flow of liquid sample delivered to an ion source. In accordance with various aspects, the methods and systems can remove bubbles (e.g., cavitation bubbles or otherwise) present in the liquid sample prior to its injection into an ionization chamber. |
| US09552969B2 |
Ion mobility separation device
An ion mobility separator 4 and a method of separating ions according to their ion mobility are disclosed. An RF ion guide is provided having a plurality of electrodes that are arranged to form an ion guiding path that extends in a closed loop. RF voltages are supplied to at least some of the electrodes in order to confine ions within said ion guiding path. A DC voltage gradient is maintained along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the ion guide, wherein the voltage gradient urges ions to undergo one or more cycles around the ion guide and thus causes the ions to separate according to their ion mobility as the ions pass along the ion guide. The closed loop ion guide enables the resolution of the ion mobility separator to be increased without necessitating a large device, since the drift length through the device can be increased by causing the ions to undergo multiple cycles around the device. |
| US09552967B2 |
Abatement system having a plasma source
Embodiments disclosed herein include an abatement system for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The abatement system includes a plasma source that has a first plate and a second plate parallel to the first plate. An electrode is disposed between the first and second plates and an outer wall is disposed between the first and second plates surrounding the electrode. The plasma source has a first plurality of magnets disposed on the first plate and a second plurality of magnets disposed on the second plate. The magnetic field created by the first and second plurality of magnets is substantially perpendicular to the electric field created between the electrode and the outer wall. In this configuration, a dense plasma is created. |
| US09552963B2 |
Charged particle beam writing apparatus and method therefor
A charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a reading unit to read an identifier from a substrate where an absorber film which absorbs extreme ultraviolet light is formed and the identifier which can be optically read is formed, a storage unit to store defect position information indicating a position of a defect on the substrate based on reference marks, defect size information indicating a size of the defect, which are corresponding to the identifier, and pattern data for writing, an examination unit to input partial pattern data corresponding to a region including at least the defect in the pattern data, the defect position information based on reference marks, and the defect size information, and to examine whether a pattern layout is formed such that the defect is located in a region where the absorber film remains after patterning, and a writing unit to write a pattern on the substrate. |
| US09552945B2 |
Direct current switch with a device for arc extinction independent of current direction
A direct current switch with a device for arc extinction independent of current direction includes at least two interconnected switch units, each switch unit having at least one current path having an interruption surface and having at least two switch contact elements for forming the interruption surface. An arc extinction device is associated with one or a plurality of current paths of the switch units. Devices for magnetic field generation are included, each generated magnetic field being assigned to different switch units' interruption surface and oriented such that its field lines run transversally to the respective interruption surface. Given a current flow direction, deflection forces of at least two generated magnetic fields act through flow paths contrary to arcs extending longitudinally to respective interruption surface such that an arc is deflected towards the arc extinction device and a further arc is deflected away from the arc extinction device. |
| US09552943B2 |
Switching device which is suitable for DC operation
A switching device suitable for DC operation includes at least a pair of contacts having a first and second contact, wherein at least one of the two contacts is mobile and the two contacts are in contact with one another in a switched-on state and are not in contact with one another in a switched-off state, having an arc driver arrangement which generates a magnetic field at least in the region of the pair of contacts, and comprising a first arc guiding arrangement by which an arc which is produced between the contacts is guided in a first current direction to a quenching device for quenching the arc, wherein a second arc guiding arrangement is provided, by means of which an arc which is produced between the contacts is guided in a second current direction, which is opposite the first current direction, to said quenching device for quenching the arc. |
| US09552939B2 |
Keyboard equipped with multipoint press positions
A keyboard equipped with multipoint press positions comprises at least a baseboard, a keycap assembly and a command trigger assembly. The keycap assembly includes a support frame to hold a plurality of keycaps. The command trigger assembly includes a command circuit board and a plurality of elastic switches. The command circuit board includes a plurality of trigger portions corresponding to the keycaps and triggered by the keycaps, and at least one primary command circuit electrically connected to each trigger portion. The elastic switches are corresponding to and depressible by the keycaps to trigger the trigger portions. Each elastic switch includes a base and a primary movement portion, a first secondary movement portion and a second secondary movement portion that are respectively corresponding to a primary trigger switch and at least two secondary trigger switches of the trigger portions. The keyboard thus formed can provide higher press sensitivity. |
| US09552927B2 |
Ceramic electronic component
A ceramic electronic component includes a first fired electrode layer disposed on top of a ceramic body. The first fired electrode layer includes first to fifth portions that are separate from each other. The first portion is disposed on top of a first end surface. The second portion is disposed on top of a first principal surface. The third portion is disposed on top of a second principal surface. The fourth portion is disposed on top of a first side surface. The fifth portion is disposed on top of a second side surface. |
| US09552924B2 |
Methods for forming electrically precise capacitors on insulative substrates, and structures formed therefrom
High precision capacitors and methods for forming the same utilizing a precise and highly conformal deposition process for depositing an insulating layer on substrates of various roughness and composition. The method generally comprises the steps of depositing a first insulating layer on a metal substrate by atomic layer deposition (ALD); (b) forming a first capacitor electrode on the first insulating layer; and (c) forming a second insulating layer on the first insulating layer and on or adjacent to the first capacitor electrode. Embodiments provide an improved deposition process that produces a highly conformal insulating layer on a wide range of substrates, and thereby, an improved capacitor. |
| US09552922B2 |
Ferrite core structure for a power supply device of an electric vehicle and power supply road structure using same
A ferrite core structure for a power supply device of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The ferrite core module improves output and limits a reduction in strength due to warpage in a traveling direction of the vehicle to prevent cracks generated in a surface of an intermediate portion of a power supply road from occurring. The ferrite core structure includes: a plurality of horizontal core parts arranged spaced apart from each other; a plurality of first vertical core parts extending upward from both ends of the horizontal core parts; a second vertical core part having at least two rows extending upward from an intermediate portion of each of the horizontal core parts. The second vertical core part is arranged parallel to the first vertical core parts. A first support part connecting the plurality of first vertical core parts to each other to support the first vertical core parts. |
| US09552919B2 |
Coupling device for a multi-phase converter
The invention relates to a coupling device (4) for four phases of a multi-phase converter (2). Said coupling device (4) includes four coupling modules (6, 8, 12, 14), each of which encompasses four parallel through-holes. At least one section of a conductor loop (18, 20, 22, 24) for a phase. At least one section of a conductor loop (18, 20, 22, 24) for a phase penetrates a through-hole of a coupling module (6, 8, 12, 14), sections of conductor loops (18, 20, 22, 24) for at least two phases penetrating all four through-holes of a coupling module (6, 8, 12, 14). |
| US09552918B2 |
Magnetic device
Coil patterns are provided in first and second outer surface layers and an inner layer of the board. First and second heat-dissipation patterns are provided in the second outer surface layer. A first thermal inter-layer connection member connects the coil pattern of the first outer surface layer and the first heat-dissipation pattern. A second thermal inter-layer connection member connects the coil pattern of the inner layer and the second heat-dissipation pattern. The coil pattern provided in the second outer surface layer and the first and second heat-dissipation patterns are separated from each other. An area of the second heat-dissipation pattern is larger than an area of the first heat-dissipation pattern. |
| US09552913B2 |
Superconducting coil and superconducting device
A superconducting coil includes: first and second pancake coils that are formed by winding a superconducting wire, are stacked in a thickness direction, and are adjacent to each other; and a cooling substrate that is provided in contact with an end surface of the first pancake coil and is separable into a plurality of cooling plates. |
| US09552909B2 |
Conductive polymer electronic devices with surface mountable configuration and methods for manufacturing same
Surface-mountable devices include a conductive polymer layer between first and second electrodes, on which are disposed first and second insulation layers, respectively, with first and second planar terminals on the second insulation layer. A first cross-conductor connects the second electrode to the first terminal, and is separated from the first electrode by a portion of the first insulation layer. A second cross-conductor connects the first electrode to the second terminal, and is separated from the second electrode by a portion of the second insulation layer. At least one cross-conductor may include a beveled portion through the first insulation layer. Alternatively, at least one cross-conductor may contact an anchor pad on the first insulation layer, the anchor pad having a small area relative to the areas of the terminals. Enhanced adhesion between the cross-conductor(s) and the first insulation layer is provided, while allowing thermal expansion without excessive stress. |
| US09552908B2 |
Chip resistor device having terminal electrodes
A chip resistor having terminal electrodes is provided. In the chip resistor, a first protector layer has a size different from that of a first resistor layer. Thus, two ends of the first resistor layer are exposed to form new current conduction path. Original current conduction path having the same size of the protective layer and the resistor layer is thus replaced. Hence, resistance variation of the chip resistor is solved; yield of the chip resistor is increased; and, the material cost of the front terminal electrode is greatly reduced. |
| US09552902B2 |
Transparent conducting oxides
The invention provides a transparent conducting film which comprises a compound of formula (I): Zn1-x[M]xO1-y[X]y(I) wherein: x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 0.25; y is from 0 to 0.1; [X] is at least one dopant element which is a halogen; and [M] is: (a) a dopant element which is selected from: a group 14 element other than carbon; a lanthanide element which has an oxidation state of +4; and a transition metal which has an oxidation state of +4 and which is other than Ti or Zr; or (b) a combination of two or more different dopant elements, at least one of which is selected from: a group 14 element other than carbon; a lanthanide element which has an oxidation state of +4; and a transition metal which has an oxidation state of +4 and which is other than Ti or Zr. The invention further provides coatings comprising the films of the invention, processes for producing such films and coatings, and various uses of the films and coatings. |
| US09552901B2 |
Lithium ion batteries with high energy density, excellent cycling capability and low internal impedance
Batteries with particularly high energy capacity and low internal impedance have been described herein. The batteries can exhibit extraordinary long cycling with acceptable low amounts of fade. Pouch batteries using high specific capacity lithium rich metal oxide as positive electrode material combined with graphitic carbon anode can reach an energy density of at least about 180 Wh/kg at a rate of C/3 from 4.35V to 2V at room temperature while having a room temperature areas specific DC resistance of no more than about 75 ohms-cm2 at 20% SOC based on a full charge to 4.35V. High specific capacity lithium rich metal oxide with specific stoichiometry ranges used in these batteries are disclosed. |
| US09552900B2 |
Composite conductive material, power storage device, conductive dispersion, conductive device, conductive composite and thermally conductive composite
A composite conductive material includes at least graphene-like exfoliated from a graphite-based graphite carbon material and a conductive material dispersed in a base material. The graphite-based carbon material has a rhombohedral graphite layer (3R) and a hexagonal graphite layer (2H), wherein a Rate (3R) of the rhombohedral graphite layer (3R) and the hexagonal graphite layer (2H), based on an X-ray diffraction method, which is defined by following Equation 1 is 31% or more: Rate(3R)=P3/(P3+P4)×100 (Equation 1) wherein P3 is a peak intensity of a (101) plane of the rhombohedral graphite layer (3R) based on the X-ray diffraction method, and P4 is a peak intensity of a (101) plane of the hexagonal graphite layer (2H) based on the X-ray diffraction method. |
| US09552897B2 |
Method for the capture and storage of waste
Systems and methods for capturing waste are disclosed. The systems and methods provide for a high level of confinement and long term stability. The systems and methods include adsorbing waste into a metal-organic framework (MOF), and applying pressure to the MOF material's framework to crystallize or make amorphous the MOF material thereby changing the MOF's pore structure and sorption characteristics without collapsing the MOF framework. |
| US09552896B2 |
Memory controller and method of reading data from nonvolatile memory by memory controller
Provided are a nonvolatile memory and a data reading method of reading data from a nonvolatile memory by the memory controller. The data reading method includes reading data from memory cells of the nonvolatile memory, storing the read data in the internal memory, overwriting some of the read data stored in the internal memory with backup data, performing an error correction operation using the backup data stored in the internal memory, and overwriting the backup data stored in the internal memory with data corrected by the error correction operation. |
| US09552891B2 |
Integrated driving apparatus including stages driving display panel
A display panel includes: gate and data lines; pixels connected to the gate and data lines; and a stage includes: a pull-up driver including an output terminal of the stage and which outputs a gate-on voltage, an output pull-down unit which pulls down an output terminal of the stage, a reset unit which changes a voltage of a second node into a low voltage based on a voltage of the output terminal of the stage, a first node pull-up unit which changes a first node into a high voltage based on a gate-on voltage from a previous stage, a first node pull-down unit which changes the first node into the low voltage based on the gate-on voltage from a subsequent stage, and a first node reset unit which changes the voltage of the first node into the low voltage based on the voltage of the second node. |
| US09552889B2 |
Clock mode determination in a memory system
A clock mode configuration circuit for a memory device is described. A memory system includes any number of memory devices serially connected to each other, where each memory device receives a clock signal. The clock signal can be provided either in parallel to all the memory devices or serially from memory device to memory device through a common clock input. The clock mode configuration circuit in each memory device is set to a parallel mode for receiving the parallel clock signal, and to a serial mode for receiving a source synchronous clock signal from a prior memory device. Depending on the set operating mode, the data input circuits will be configured for the corresponding data signal format, and the corresponding clock input circuits will be either enabled or disabled. The parallel mode and the serial mode is set by sensing a voltage level of a reference voltage provided to each memory device. |
| US09552887B2 |
Semiconductor memory systems using regression analysis and read methods thereof
A memory system includes: a bit counter and a regression analyzer. The bit counter is configured to generate a plurality of count values based on data read from selected memory cells using a plurality of different read voltages, each of the plurality of count values being indicative of a number of memory cells of a memory device having threshold voltages between pairs of the plurality of different read voltages. The regression analyzer is configured to determine read voltage for the selected memory cells based on the plurality of count values using regression analysis. |
| US09552885B2 |
Partial block erase for open block reading in non-volatile memory
A non-volatile memory system mitigates the effects of open block reading by analyzing the un-programmed region of a block before programming to determine a potential for read disturbance. The system may determine a read count value associated with open block reading of the memory block and/or perform partial block erase verification. To mitigate the effects of open block read disturbance, the system performs partial block erase for the un-programmed region of the memory block and/or limits programming in the un-programmed region. |
| US09552883B1 |
Semiconductor memory device and operating method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cells connected to a plurality of word lines; a peripheral circuit suitable for applying a program pulse to at least one of the word lines, performing a program verification operation to the plurality of memory cells by using a first program verification voltage; and a control logic suitable for controlling the peripheral circuit to repeat the applying of the program pulse and the performing the program verification operation until program verification passes by increasing a level of the program pulse by an amount of a step voltage at each repetition, wherein a size of the step voltage decreases at each repetition. |
| US09552882B2 |
Sense amplifier with efficient use of data latches
A non-volatile memory includes an data latch structure for programming bit lines using at least three programming levels. A sense amplifier includes a first data latch for controlling the voltage of a corresponding bit line, and a second static data latch with scan circuitry for performing logic operations on the program data and sense results. The sense amplifier scans low verify sense results with program data to generate reduced programming data. The reduced programming data is transferred out of the first data latch after sensing for all states and the program data is scanned to generate program enable/inhibit data which is stored in the first data latch. After setting the bit line to a program inhibit or program enable level, the reduced programming data is transferred back to the first data latch. The bit lines for reduced programming are then adjusted to the reduced programming level. |
| US09552881B2 |
Search system comprising first and second search units with different search schemes that respectively use specific and non-specific bit strings of search key
A search system is obtained by combining a TCAM and a search engine not using the TCAM. The search engine not using the TCAM is constructed using a general-purpose memory cell structure, and includes a different-sized memory spaces each corresponding to an effective bit length of search target data. |
| US09552879B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device having variable resistance memory cells and a method of resetting by initially performing pre-read or strong set operation
A method of resetting a variable resistance memory cell in a nonvolatile memory device includes; programming the memory cell to a set state using a corresponding compliance current, and then programming the memory cell to a reset state by pre-reading the variable resistance memory cell to determine its resistance and resetting the memory cell using a variable reset voltage determined in response to the determined resistance. |
| US09552877B2 |
Writable device based on alternating current
A nonvolatile memory device is writable to a high resistance state and a low resistance state. The nonvolatile memory device may be heated to at least a threshold temperature, based on application of an alternating current (AC) signal, and may be written based on application of a voltage bias. |
| US09552873B2 |
Memory device
A device includes memory cells, reference memory cells, and a sensing unit. The reference memory cells are configured to store first bit data, second bit data, third bit data, and fourth bit data, in which the first bit data and the fourth bit data are configured to be a high logic state, and the second bit data and the third bit data are configured to be a low logic state. The sensing unit is configured to read bit data stored in one of the memory cells according to the first bit data, the second bit data, the third bit data, and the fourth bit data. |
| US09552871B1 |
Low power high performance electrical circuits
Hybrid Super Threshold (SupVt) circuits are CMOS circuits that can function in two different operation modes: a normal operation mode and a SupVt power saving mode. At normal operation mode, a hybrid SupVt circuit operates in the same ways as typical CMOS circuits. At SupVt mode, the standby leakage current of the circuit is reduced significantly, while the circuit still can function at high speed. Typically, most parts of a hybrid SupVt circuit stay in power saving mode. A circuit block is switched into normal operation mode when it needs to operate at full speed. The resulting circuits are capable of supporting ultra-low power operations without sacrificing performance. |
| US09552870B1 |
Memory includes transmitter for data synchronization transmission after a mode switch and method thereof
An apparatus includes a memory and a circuit. The memory may have a transmitter. The memory may be configured to (a) train transmit parameters of the transmitter that synchronize transmission of data with a clock signal while in a first mode, (b) save the transmit parameters in response to a command received while in the first mode, and (c) transmit additional data while in a second mode using the transmit parameters learned while in the first mode. The circuit may have a receiver in communication with the memory. The circuit may be configured to (a) train receive parameters of the receiver that synchronize reception of the data with the clock signal while the memory is in the first mode and (b) receive the additional data from the memory while the memory is in the second mode using the receive parameters learned while the memory was in the first mode. |
| US09552867B2 |
Semiconductor memory devices and memory systems including the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a control logic and a memory cell array in which a plurality of memory cells are arranged. The memory cell array includes a plurality of bank arrays, and each of the plurality of bank arrays includes a plurality of sub-arrays. The control logic controls an access to the memory cell array based on a command and an address signal. The control logic dynamically sets a keep-away zone that includes a plurality of memory cell rows which are deactivated based on a first word-line when the first word-line is enabled. The first word-line is coupled to a first memory cell row of a first sub-array of the plurality of sub-arrays. Therefore, increased timing parameters may be compensated, and parallelism may be increased. |
| US09552864B1 |
Offset compensation for ferroelectric memory cell sensing
Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. Offsets in the threshold voltage of switching components (e.g., transistors) connected to digit lines may be compensated by using various operating techniques or additional circuit components, or both. For example, a switching component connected to a digit line may also be connected to an offset capacitor selected to compensate for a threshold voltage offset. The offset capacitor may be discharged in conjunction with a read operation, resulting in a threshold voltage applied to the switching component. This may enable all or substantially all of the stored charge of the ferroelectric memory cell to be extracted and transferred to a sense capacitor through the transistor. A sense amplifier may compare the voltage of the sense capacitor to a reference voltage in order to determine the stored logic state of the memory cell. |
| US09552857B1 |
Address generation circuit and semiconductor memory device including the same
An address generation circuit includes: a first address control clock generation unit suitable for generating a first address control clock signal in response to an internal clock signal; a second address control clock generation unit suitable for generating a second address control clock signal in response to one of an address initialization signal and the first address control clock signal; an address counting unit suitable for counting the second address control clock signal and generating a counting address; and a repair control unit suitable for latching the counting address in response to the second address control clock signal, comparing the latched counting address with a repair address, and generating a redundancy address based on the comparison result. |
| US09552856B2 |
Memory timing self-calibration
Methods for memory input timing self-calibration, apparatuses for input timing self-calibration, and systems are disclosed. One such method includes sequentially programming a plurality of delay trim settings into a delay circuit of a data path. The data path can include a data latch coupled to the delay circuit. A clock is coupled to the data latch to clock data into the data latch. Transitions of the data are substantially aligned with transitions of the clock. An output of the data latch is read after each delay trim setting is programmed. A boundary is determined between a first output state of the data latch and a second output state of the data latch wherein the boundary is associated with a particular delay trim setting of the plurality of delay trim settings. The particular delay trim setting is programmed into the delay circuit. |
| US09552854B1 |
Register files including distributed capacitor circuit blocks
Some embodiments include apparatuses having a first node to receive a supply voltage, a second node, a switching circuit to couple the first node to the second node and to decouple the first node from the second node, circuit blocks coupled to the second node and the switching circuit, and drivers coupled to the second node. Each of the circuit blocks includes a capacitor having a plate coupled to the second node. Each of the drivers is associated with a conductive line. The conductive line is associated with memory cells. |
| US09552852B2 |
Doped metal-insulator-transition latch circuitry
Some embodiments of the present invention may include one, or more, of the following features, characteristics or advantages: (i) latch device including multiple Ecrit material regions all electrically connected to a common terminal (sometimes structured and shaped in the form of a storage plate conductor); (ii) bi-stable three-terminal latch device using two Ecrit property regions; (iii) three-terminal, two-Ecrit-region latch device where, for each Ecrit region, (Vdd−Vss) divided by (region thickness, dn) is greater than the region's Ecrit value; or (iv) use of multiple Ecrit material region latch devices to provide data storage instrumentality in a static memory device. |
| US09552848B2 |
Solid state drive with improved enclosure assembly
The present invention pertains to a hard disk drive form factor compatible solid-state storage device enclosure assembly that protects circuit boards contained within the enclosure from environmental disruption, such as mechanical stress, vibration, external electronic disruption, or any combination of these, while allowing for a variable number of circuit boards in the SSD enclosure. In another embodiment, the solid-state storage device enclosure assembly, or a similar circuit board assembly, includes an alignment guide that precludes a circuit board from being misaligned within the enclosure. |
| US09552840B2 |
Three-dimensional sound capturing and reproducing with multi-microphones
A method for audio signal processing is described. The method includes decomposing a recorded auditory scene into a first category of localizable sources and a second category of ambient sound. The method also includes recording an indication of the directions of each of the localizable sources. The method may be performed with a device having a microphone array. |
| US09552836B2 |
Slider including one or more fluid pathways, and related apparatuses and methods
The present invention is directed to a slider that includes at least one fluid pathway that is in fluid communication with an air bearing face and/or the trailing edge face of the slider. The at least one fluid pathway is configured to propel/transport a fluid such as a lubricant toward at least one side face via capillary action. The present invention is also directed to related apparatuses and methods. |
| US09552835B1 |
Actuator limiters for multiple disk-stack, shared actuator hard disk drive
An actuator rotational limiter mechanism for a multiple disk-stack, shared actuator hard disk drive includes an actuator comb with a cam-lock feature and an actuator limiter with a rotatable cam-roller that is engagable with the cam-lock feature to temporarily hold in place the actuator comb. The cam-lock feature may be positioned at or near a middle location of a back arm of the actuator armature, where the actuator comb being held in place by the cam-roller corresponds to the head slider being positioned on a load/unload ramp between adjacent disk stacks. |
| US09552834B1 |
Stabilization of one or more upper sensors in multi-sensor readers
A multi-sensor reader that includes a first sensor that has a first sensor stack, which includes a sensing layer that has a magnetization that changes according to an external magnetic field. The first sensor also includes a first seed element below the first sensor stack. The multi-sensor reader also includes a second sensor stacked over the first sensor. The second sensor includes a second sensor stack, which includes a sensing layer that has a magnetization that changes according to the external magnetic field. The second sensor also includes a second seed element below the second sensor stack. The second seed element is structurally different from the first seed element and includes a stabilization feature. |
| US09552829B2 |
System and method for low-loss removal of stationary and non-stationary short-time interferences
According to a preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a system and method that allows the user to remove stationary and not stationary short time interference signals in speech or other recordings in the audio part of a video recording. The system is automatically analyzing the input signal and in a plurality of individual steps detects the interference signal and removes it accordingly. |
| US09552828B2 |
Audio signal processing device
An audio signal processing device includes: a frequency-domain conversion unit that generates a plurality of pieces of frequency-domain information from a plurality of audio input signals acquired at different positions; a relative value calculation unit that calculates, for each piece of frequency-domain information, a relative value between a time-frequency component included in one frequency-domain information and a time-frequency component included in another frequency-domain information; a mask generation unit that compares the relative value with an emphasized range set based on a relative value threshold stored in advance to generate a time-frequency mask that decreases a value of the frequency-domain information corresponding to the relative value which is outside the emphasized range; a mask multiplication unit that multiplies the time-frequency mask by the frequency-domain information to generate emphasized frequency-domain information; and a time-domain conversion unit that converts the emphasized frequency-domain information into an audio output signal indicated as being time-domain information. |
| US09552827B2 |
Echo control through hidden audio signals
A method (800) for determining an estimate (215, 261) of an echo path property of an electronic device (200, 250, 300, 600). The electronic device is configured to render a total audio signal using a loudspeaker (102), and the electronic device is configured to record an echo of the rendered audio signal using a microphone (103), thereby yielding a recorded audio signal (112). The method comprises inserting (801), in an inaudible manner, an auxiliary audio signal (212) into the total audio signal to be rendered; wherein the auxiliary audio signal (212) comprises a tonal audio signal at a first frequency; isolating (803) the echo of the auxiliary audio signal (212) from the recorded audio signal (112); and determining (804) the estimate (215, 261) of the echo path property based on the inserted auxiliary audio signal (212) and based on the isolated echo of the auxiliary audio signal (212). |
| US09552821B2 |
Encoding method, encoder, program and recording medium
A value of gain is updated so that the greater the difference between the number of bits or estimated number of bits in a code obtained by encoding a string of integer value samples obtained by dividing each sample in a sample string derived from an input audio signal in a given interval by gain before the update and a predetermined number B of allocated bits, the greater the difference between the gain before the update and the updated gain. A gain code corresponding to the updated gain and an integer signal code obtained by encoding a string of integer value samples obtained by dividing each sample in the sample string by the gain are obtained. |
| US09552817B2 |
Incremental utterance decoder combination for efficient and accurate decoding
An incremental speech recognition system. The incremental speech recognition system incrementally decodes a spoken utterance using an additional utterance decoder only when the additional utterance decoder is likely to add significant benefit to the combined result. The available utterance decoders are ordered in a series based on accuracy, performance, diversity, and other factors. A recognition management engine coordinates decoding of the spoken utterance by the series of utterance decoders, combines the decoded utterances, and determines whether additional processing is likely to significantly improve the recognition result. If so, the recognition management engine engages the next utterance decoder and the cycle continues. If the accuracy cannot be significantly improved, the result is accepted and decoding stops. Accordingly, a decoded utterance with accuracy approaching the maximum for the series is obtained without decoding the spoken utterance using all utterance decoders in the series, thereby minimizing resource usage. |
| US09552812B1 |
Predicting outcomes for events based on voice characteristics and content of a voice sample of a contact center communication
Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer-program products for predicting an outcome for an event of interest associated with a contact center communication. That is to say, various embodiments of the invention involve predicting an outcome for an event of interest associated with a party involved in a contact center communication based on characteristics and content of the communication conducted with the party by utilizing one or more classifier models. |
| US09552811B2 |
Speech recognition system and a method of using dynamic bayesian network models
A computer-implemented method for speech recognition, comprising the steps of: registering (201) by means of an input device (102A), electrical signal representing speech and converting the signal to frequency or time-frequency domain (202), analyzing the signal in an analysis module based on Dynamic Bayesian Network (205) configured to generate hypotheses of words (W) and their probabilities on the basis of observed signal features (OA, OV), recognizing (209) a text corresponding to the electrical signal representing speech on the basis of certain word (W) hypotheses and their probabilities. The method is characterized by inputting to the analysis module (205), observed signal features (308-312), which are determined for the signal in frequency or time-frequency domain (202) in at least two parallel signal processing lines (204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, 201a) for time segments distinct for each line, and analyzing in the analysis module (205) relations between observed signal features (308-312) for at least two distinct time segments in the analysis module (205). |
| US09552804B2 |
Managing acoustic noise produced by a device
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that manages the acoustic noise produced by a device. During operation, the system receives a set of acoustic characteristics for the device. The system then uses these acoustic characteristics to estimate the acoustic noise being generated by the device. Next, the system uses the estimated acoustic noise to adjust a setting in the device to manage the acoustic noise produced by the device. |
| US09552803B2 |
Communication method, communication system, and magnetic resonance apparatus
A communication method is provided. The communication method includes generating a pseudo background sound signal based on a gradient pulse control signal, performing a computation of subtracting the pseudo background sound signal from an acoustic signal having a sound signal and a background sound signal including a gradient coil drive sound signal, the acoustic signal obtained by an input device configured to receive the voice of a subject, and outputting sound based on a result of the computation, wherein a parameter of generating the pseudo background sound signal is controlled to reduce the difference resulting from the subtraction. |
| US09552801B2 |
Electronic music instrument, system and method for controlling an electronic music instrument
An electronic music instrument comprises an input configured for receiving at least one note event from an input device having a plurality of input elements configured for generating at least one note event when activated; a software module configured for including: at least one instrument plugin configured for defining sounding note events and non-sounding control events, and at least one play assistant module, wherein the software module is further configured for at least one of the group comprising excluding the control events from being processed by play assistant functions and excluding play assistant functions generating control events. |
| US09552793B2 |
Data processing device, display device having the same, and gamut mapping method
A data processing device includes a first reference value generator which generates a first reference value corresponding to a ratio of a chromatic color using image signals or first image signals obtained by gamma-compensating the image signals, a white generator which generates a white image signal and second image signals using the first image signals and a second reference value corresponding to an amount of a white data in use, a third reference value generator which generates a third reference value using a first color coordinate corresponding to a color coordinate of the second image signals, a second color coordinate corresponding to a color coordinate of the white image signal, the first reference value, and the second reference value, and a gamut mapper which maps the second image signals to a color coordinate corresponding to the third reference value to generate third image signals. |
| US09552788B2 |
GOA circuit based on LTPS semiconductor TFT
The present invention provides a GOA circuit based on LTPS semiconductor TFT, comprising a plurality of GOA units which are cascade connected, and N is set to be a positive integer and an Nth GOA unit comprises a pull-up control part (100), a pull-up part (200), a first pull-down part (400) and a pull-down holding part (500); the pull-down holding part (500) utilizes a high/low voltage reverse design and comprises a first, a second and a third DC constant low voltage levels (VSS1, VSS2, VSS3) which are sequentially abated and a DC constant high voltage level (H), the influence of electrical property of the LTPS semiconductor TFT to the GOA driving circuit, and particularly the bad function due to the electric leakage issue can be solved; meanwhile, the existing issue that the second node voltage level and the pull-down holding circuit part in the GOA circuit based on the LTPS semiconductor TFT cannot be at higher voltage level in the non-functioning period can be solved to effectively maintain the first node (Q(N)) and the output end (G(N)) at low voltage level. |
| US09552781B2 |
Content adaptive LCD backlight control
An apparatus, computing device, and a computer readable medium are described herein. The apparatus includes logic to process pixels using content adaptive LCD backlight control. The apparatus also includes logic to perform analog current level control dimming when processing the pixels, and logic to linearly compensate for the analog current level control dimming when processing the pixels. |
| US09552775B2 |
Electro-optical device and driving method of the same
In the electro-optical device for carrying out an image display by using n-bit (n is a natural number) digital image signals, one pixel incorporates n×m (m is a natural number) memory circuits, and has a function to store the digital image signals for m frames in the pixel (in examples shown in the drawings, n=3, m=2, and memory circuits A1 to A3 and B1 to B3 store signals for 3 bits×2 frames). Thus, in the display of a still picture, the digital image signals once stored in the memory circuits are repeatedly read out and a display is carried out for each frame, so that driving of a source signal line driver circuit is stopped during the display. Thus, the electric power consumption of the electro-optical device is reduced. |
| US09552768B2 |
Display device including a defective pixel correcting system
A display device is provided with an image processing circuit that outputs a pixel value of each pixel to a pixel driving circuit, the pixel driving circuit that inputs a pixel voltage to each of pixels based on the pixel value of each of the pixels, and a control circuit that detects a defective pixel. Here, the image processing circuit corrects the pixel value of the defective pixel in the image data to be displayed which is input to the image processing circuit, to a pixel value for black, and then outputs each pixel value of the image data to be displayed in which the pixel value of the defective pixel is corrected to the pixel value for black, to the pixel driving circuit. |
| US09552765B2 |
Pixel, pixel driving method, and display device including the pixel
A pixel includes a switching transistor connected to a data line, a first circuit to control compensation of a first driving transistor, and a second circuit to control compensation of a second driving transistor. The first and second circuits are connected to the switching transistor. The first and second transistors are connected to respective organic light emitting diodes of a same pixel. Compensation of the first and second driving transistors is based on respective first and second subscan signals, which overlap periods of corresponding common scan signals to be received by the switching transistor. |
| US09552761B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device where delay or distortion of a signal output to a gate signal line in a selection period is reduced is provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate signal line, a first and second gate driver circuits which output a selection signal and a non-selection signal to the gate signal line, and pixels electrically connected to the gate signal line and supplied with the two signals. In a period during which the gate signal line is selected, both the first and second gate driver circuits output the selection signal to the gate signal line. In a period during which the gate signal line is not selected, one of the first and second gate driver circuits outputs the non-selection signal to the gate signal line, and the other gate driver circuit outputs neither the selection signal nor the non-selection signal to the gate signal line. |
| US09552760B2 |
Display panel
An EL light-emitting element is driven digitally to reduce power consumption using a pixel having three transistors and two capacitors. A reset transistor for diode connection writes the threshold voltage of the drive transistor onto a coupling capacitor. The data voltage plus threshold voltage is then written onto the gate of the drive transistor. This reduces the amplitude of the data voltage required, further reducing power consumption. |
| US09552759B2 |
Display with gate lines in a diagonal direction
A display apparatus includes a display panel including a driving part arranged along one side of the display panel, the display panel including a plurality of first gate lines that zigzag across the display in a diagonal direction between the first and second directions by alternately extending in the first and the second directions. The display device includes a first display area and a second display area, pixels within the first display area always receiving gate signals from a driving part connected to an end of the first gate lines. Within the second display area, a second gate lines extending in the first direction may be electrically connected to the first gate lines that relay gate signals to the first gate lines. This results in a reduced peripheral area of the display area, so that many displays can be combined together to produce a single image. |
| US09552756B2 |
Method for repairing organic light emitting display
A method for repairing an organic light emitting display having a plurality of unit pixels each including a white subpixel is provided. The method includes detecting a defective white subpixel by checking circuit units of the white subpixels, connecting a circuit unit of a neighboring subpixel positioned adjacent to the defective white subpixel in the unit pixel with a light emitting unit of the defective white subpixel using a repair conductive pattern, storing a repair position to which the repair conductive pattern is connected, and compensating for digital video data that will be input to the repair position. |
| US09552748B1 |
Apparatus for displaying a card
Apparatus and methods for displaying a card via a decorative figurine, or similar device, equipped with one or more card retention mechanisms. In one embodiment, the retention mechanisms are arranged in a V shape to allow a card placed therein to be retained in a partially open state. In another embodiment, upper projections may be included to provide further stability to the retained card. In some embodiment, the apparatus is in the form of a quadruped, the retention mechanisms are integral to or coupled to the quadruped's legs, and the upper projections are in the form of the quadruped's arms. In another embodiment, a tent-style card is held between upper and lower retention mechanisms. In another embodiment, the card is permanently adhered to the figurine. |
| US09552745B1 |
Medical attachment device tracking system and method of use thereof
A tracking system and method for tracking a medical attachment device relative to a subject including at least a first reflector defining a first tracking region. The tracking system includes a medical attachment device having at least one reflector sensor operable to integrate the first reflector. A processor is communicatively coupled to the medical attachment device. The processor is operable to determine a distance between the medical attachment device and the first tracking region to determine a location of the medical attachment device relative to a subject. |
| US09552743B2 |
Toothbrush monitoring device
The invention relates to a toothbrushing monitoring device (18). In order to obtain an efficient monitoring device, the monitoring device comprises: an input device (21), an acceleration sensor, a signal conditioner, a memory, a comparator which compares the numbers of brushing cycles registered by each teeth surface specific counter during brushing with corresponding reference values maintained in said memory, and an output device (27) which indicates that the brushing of the teeth region (L-U) in question is accepted. |
| US09552735B2 |
Autonomous vehicle identification
A computer in a first vehicle is configured to receive data relating to a second vehicle. The computer may use the data to determine that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously. Further, the computer may cause the first vehicle to take an action to autonomously operate the first vehicle based at least in part on determining that the second vehicle is being operated at least partially autonomously. |
| US09552730B2 |
Method for the computer-assisted processing of the vicinity of a vehicle
A method for computer-supported processing of the vicinity of a vehicle includes detecting the surroundings of a vehicle and providing surroundings data by a sensor system. The surroundings data may be processed to ascertain, for pre-specified sections of the surroundings of the vehicle, a specific distance to objects detected by the sensor system. A collision probability between one of the detected objects and the vehicle is ascertained depending on a predicted and/or actual vehicle movement determined using odometric data. Moreover, the surroundings of the vehicle are depicted on an output unit where, for at least one of the pre-specified sections, distance information between such at least one pre-specified section of the surroundings and the detected object is output using at least one of a graphic element and an acoustic element that includes collision information about a collision probability. |
| US09552727B2 |
V2V system with a hybrid physical layer
A vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication transponder for use in V2V communication, safety and anti-collision systems using a hybrid protocol combining time-division multiplexed access (TDMA), with collision sense multiple access (CSMA) protocol. The TDMA frame is broken into regions, a priority and emergency TDMA region, and a non-priority CSMA region. The sizes of the TDMA regions change dynamically based on demand, with the CSMA region using the remaining time slots. Transponders self-select time slots; selected slots are held until a new time slot selection criteria; all transponders participate in notifying a transponder of a time slot message collision. An inter-transmission guard time may be dynamic based on range. Embodiments are free of MAC and IP addresses. No central authority or road-side equipment (RSU) is required. Embodiments include equipped vehicles and V2V system using the transponder. |
| US09552726B2 |
Providing driving condition alerts using road attribute data
A method and system for providing a driving condition alert to vehicle drivers and others are disclosed. The alert is provided based on road location and attribute data; real-time, historic, and forecast traffic data; real-time, historic, and forecast weather data; and/or scheduled and unscheduled event data. The alert may include information indicating the reason for the alert provided. In addition, the alert may include a relative scale of hazard (e.g., a scale of 1-10 with 1 representing no hazard and 10 representing the highest hazardous condition). As a result of receiving the alert, the driver may adjust their route or driving behavior. |
| US09552720B2 |
Testing system and method for fire alarm system
A system and method for testing fire detection and fire annunciation devices of a fire alarm system includes a central operations system, which provides a link between a control panel of the fire alarm system and a mobile computing device operated by a technician. During a walkthrough test, the on-site technician activates fire detection or fire annunciation devices of the fire alarm system and the activated devices signal the control panel and event data are generated. Event data from the control panel are sent to the central operations system to be stored. The central operations system sends the event data to a mobile computing device operated by the technician. The on-site technician is then able verify that the devices are physically sound, unaltered, working properly, and located in their assigned locations. |
| US09552719B1 |
Systems and methods of dynamically varying a pre-alarm time of a security system
Systems and methods of adjusting a pre-alarm time are provided, including detecting, by a sensor, an entry into a building by a person and generating detection data according to the detected entry. A processor communicatively coupled to the sensor adjusts a pre-alarm time according to the detection data. An alarm is output, by an alarm device communicatively coupled to at least the processor, according to the detection data and the adjusted pre-alarm time. |
| US09552714B2 |
Occupant egress prediction systems, methods and devices
A method comprises determining a person's level of risk for developing an adverse condition; selecting a care protocol based on the level of risk; displaying a proposed configuration of a person support structure corresponding to the care protocol for a caregiver to approve; and upon approval by the caregiver, implementing the configuration. |
| US09552710B2 |
Systems and methods for customer deactivation of security elements
Systems (100) and methods (1100) for activating an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) element deactivator. The methods involve: obtaining customer-related data from a customer of a business organization who is attempting to deactivate an EAS element of at least one item; obtaining transaction data contained in a receipt issued upon completion of a checkout transaction for the customer; communicating the customer-related data, transaction data and a unique identifier for an EAS element deactivation system to a remote computing device; processing the customer-related data and transaction data to obtain confirmation that the customer has recently successfully completed the checkout transaction for the item and the EAS element of the item has not yet been deactivated; and activating the EAS element deactivator of the EAS element deactivation system subsequent to when the confirmation is obtained. |
| US09552708B2 |
Systems and methods for protecting retail display merchandise from theft
Security systems and methods configured for use with an item of merchandise for retail display include a housing, at least one sensor carried by the housing and at least one output device carried by the housing. The security system further includes a controller carried by the housing and operably coupled to the sensor and to the output device. The controller is operable to determine a distance traveled by the item of merchandise from a retail display “home” position based upon a sensor input from the sensor, and to activate the output device based upon the distance traveled by the item of merchandise exceeding a threshold distance. The controller may utilize the at least one sensor in conjunction with an inertial navigation system (INS) and motion processing algorithms or techniques to determine the distance traveled by the item of merchandise from the retail display “home” position. |
| US09552706B2 |
Color changing backlight for fluid delivery devices displaying temperature
A display unit for a fluid delivery device which outputs water includes a printed circuit board, a diffuser supported by the printed circuit board, and a display screen electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The display unit further includes a first light source electrically coupled to the printed circuit board, and a second light source electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The first and second light sources define backlighting for the display screen. Operation of the first and second light sources is adjusted in response to a change in temperature of the output water of the fluid delivery device. |
| US09552704B2 |
Wagering game having multi-array symbol placement feature
A gaming system includes one or more display devices, one or more processors, and one or more memory devices. The one or more memory devices store instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to (i) display, on at least one of one or more display devices, a first symbol array and a second symbol array, (ii) in response to a triggering symbol appearing in the first symbol array, place a first symbol into a number of symbol positions within the second symbol array, the number being defined by a quantifier associated with the triggering symbol, (iii) provide an award based on one or more winning symbol combinations in the second array with the first symbols placed in the symbol positions. |
| US09552696B2 |
System and method of providing an integrated wagering and interactive media platform
The invention relates to systems and methods of providing an integrated wagering and interactive media platform. The system may allow various types of third party interactive media providers such as video game publishers (including smartphone and tablet game publishers, console game publishers, etc.), video and other multimedia download or streaming services, and others to access outcomes of real-world wagers associated with users so that the outcomes may be revealed in association with interactive media. Other types of systems may also access the reveal mechanisms to reveal outcomes of real-world wagers such as, for example, retail systems, kiosks, vending machines, and/or other user touch points that can identify a user, obtain wager outcomes from the system, and provide the wager outcomes to the user. Furthermore, in-house developed games and other interactive media may use the reveal mechanisms described herein to reveal outcomes of real-world wagers associated with the user. |
| US09552695B2 |
Wagering game history features
This description describes techniques for storing and utilizing wagering game histories. In one embodiment, a method for recording progress of a wagering game can include detecting a first event indicating a first activity of the wagering game. The method can also include storing the first event according to a first data format and detecting a second event indicating a second activity of the wagering game, wherein the second event includes random number information indicating a result of the wagering game. The method can also include encrypting the second event and storing the second event according to the first data format. |
| US09552688B2 |
Gaming system and method for providing a multiple dimension cascading symbols game
A gaming system including a cascading symbol game which utilizes a plurality of adjacent symbol display position grids arranged at different depths. The multiple symbol display position grids at different depths provides that one or more of the symbols of at least a first symbol display position grid at a first depth are displayed to a player while one or more of the symbols of at least a second symbol display position grid at a second depth are not displayed to the player. When one or more symbols are removed from the first symbol display position grid at the first depth, before and/or after shifting the remaining displayed symbols from the first symbol display position grid into created empty symbol display positions of the first symbol display position grid, one or more symbols from the second symbol display position grid at the second depth become exposed. |
| US09552687B2 |
Three-dimensional reels for an electronic gaming device
Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for delivering game play, which may include providing wagering game options that may include a two-dimensional option, a three-dimensional option, and/or a combination of both. |
| US09552682B2 |
Apparatus, method and article for redistributing power storage devices, such as batteries, between collection, charging and distribution machines
A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices. To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution. |
| US09552681B2 |
Apparatus for assessing or mitigating insurance risk
The apparatus, which is used with a vehicle, comprises a breath alcohol sensor and a computing device. The computing device is operatively coupled in use to the sensor and the vehicle and configured to record data: which provides information indicative of the likelihood that the vehicle has been operated in circumstances wherein a breath sample has not been delivered to the sensor within a predetermined period preceding the commencement of said operation; and associated with the delivery of breath samples to the sensor that contain alcohol in excess of a predetermined threshold. |
| US09552678B2 |
Distance to empty energy compensation
A method of estimating distance to empty (DTE) for a vehicle includes, in response to detecting an energy loss condition expected to be present during an initial portion of a drive cycle for a period of time needed for a current temperature or pressure associated with the vehicle to achieve a steady state, outputting a DTE. The DTE is based on an amount of drive energy available and an energy loss factor associated with the energy loss condition that accounts for conversion of some of the drive energy to heat as the current temperature or pressure increases to the steady state. |
| US09552673B2 |
Grasping virtual objects in augmented reality
An augmented reality system which enables grasping of virtual objects is described such as to stack virtual cubes or to manipulate virtual objects in other ways. In various embodiments a user's hand or another real object is tracked in an augmented reality environment. In examples, the shape of the tracked real object is approximated using at least two different types of particles and the virtual objects are updated according to simulated forces exerted between the augmented reality environment and at least some of the particles. In various embodiments 3D positions of a first one of the types of particles, kinematic particles, are updated according to the tracked real object; and passive particles move with linked kinematic particles without penetrating virtual objects. In some examples a real-time optic flow process is used to track motion of the real object. |
| US09552671B2 |
Method for operating three-dimensional handler and terminal supporting the same
A terminal for supporting an operation of a three-dimensional handler includes: a display unit displaying a three-dimensional handler region having at least one link object and a link object information region outputting link object information in response to a movement or selection of the at least one link object on the three-dimensional handler and outputting the collected link object information in the link object information region. |
| US09552668B2 |
Generation of a three-dimensional representation of a user
Described herein are technologies pertaining to generating a relatively accurate virtual three-dimensional model of a head/face of a user. Depth frames are received from a depth sensor and color frames are received from a camera, wherein such frames capture a head of a user. Based upon the depth frames and the color frames, the three-dimensional model of the head of the user is generated. |
| US09552667B2 |
Adaptive shading in a graphics processing pipeline
One embodiment of the present invention includes a parallel processing unit (PPU) that performs pixel shading at variable granularities. For effects that vary at a low frequency across a pixel block, a coarse shading unit performs the associated shading operations on a subset of the pixels in the pixel block. By contrast, for effects that vary at a high frequency across the pixel block, fine shading units perform the associated shading operations on each pixel in the pixel block. Because the PPU implements coarse shading units and fine shading units, the PPU may tune the shading rate per-effect based on the frequency of variation across each pixel group. By contrast, conventional PPUs typically compute all effects per-pixel, performing redundant shading operations for low frequency effects. Consequently, to produce similar image quality, the PPU consumes less power and increases the rendering frame rate compared to a conventional PPU. |
| US09552664B2 |
Relative encoding for a block-based bounding volume hierarchy
A system, method, and computer program product for implementing a tree traversal operation for a tree data structure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving at least a portion of a tree data structure that represents a tree having a plurality of nodes and processing, via a tree traversal operation algorithm executed by a processor, one or more nodes of the tree data structure by intersecting the one or more nodes of the tree data structure with a query data structure. A first node of the tree data structure is associated with a first local coordinate system and a second node of the tree data structure is associated with a second local coordinate system, the first node being an ancestor of the second node, and the first local coordinate system and the second local coordinate system are both specified relative to a global coordinate system. |
| US09552654B2 |
Spatio-temporal color luminance dithering techniques
Embodiments include techniques that use color-shifting and luminance for creation and display of spatio-temporal dithered images. In one embodiment, adjacent pixels are color-shifted with respect to each other and the color values of the adjacent pixels are temporally alternated with color values of pixels in the group. In another embodiment, the luminance of group of adjacent pixels is determined and the luminance of the group is made more homogenous, spatially and temporally, by distributing color variations over a larger number of pixels so as to reduce the luminance difference between the pixel with the least luminance and the pixel with the greatest luminance. Individual color components (e.g., red, green, blue) may also be separated and used so that the color-shifts associated with each color component may be simultaneously present in different pixels. |
| US09552653B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium
There is provided an information processing apparatus including an acquisition unit configured to acquire a motion state of a real object, and a display control unit configured to display a virtual object according to the acquired motion state. |
| US09552652B2 |
Image encoder and image decoder
An image encoder includes an extreme value determiner, a floating point-to-integer converter and an encoder. The extreme value determiner determines minimal and maximal values of a floating point image value of each pixel of a part of an image, an image or a group of images. The floating point-to-integer converter maps the floating point image value of each pixel to an integer image value. The minimal floating point image value is mapped to a minimal integer image value of a predefined range of integer image values and the maximal floating point image value is mapped to a maximal integer image value of the predefined range of integer image values. The encoder encodes the integer image value of each pixel to obtain and provide encoded image data of the part of the image, the image or the group of images. |
| US09552651B2 |
Method for monitoring inside a chamber of a coke oven, management method for a chamber wall of a coke oven, and monitoring system
A coke oven monitoring system capable of quantitatively monitoring changes in the state of the furnace walls in a coke oven with good accuracy has: an oven width measurement device (6) that measures the oven width; an in-furnace observation device (7) that photographs the oven walls; and a computer (10) that analyzes oven width data measured by the oven width measurement device, and oven wall image data captured by the in-furnace observation device. The computer is characterized by including: a oven width/oven wall image data extraction unit (10a) that extracts width data and oven wall image data in different extrusion cycles for the same location of the same kiln; and an oven width/oven wall image data analysis and processing unit (10b) that determines oven wall abnormalities when the oven width data and oven wall image data obtained in the current extrusion cycle have both changed relative to the oven width data and oven wall image data obtained in past extrusion cycles in such a manner as to exceed established values.A coke oven monitoring system capable of quantitatively monitoring changes in the state of the furnace walls in a coke oven with good accuracy has: an oven width measurement device (6) that measures the oven width; an in-furnace observation device (7) that photographs the oven walls; and a computer (10) that analyzes oven width data measured by the oven width measurement device, and oven wall image data captured by the in-furnace observation device. The computer is characterized by including: a oven width/oven wall image data extraction unit (10a) that extracts width data and oven wall image data in different extrusion cycles for the same location of the same kiln; and an oven width/oven wall image data analysis and processing unit (10b) that determines oven wall abnormalities when the oven width data and oven wall image data obtained in the current extrusion cycle have both changed relative to the oven width data and oven wall image data obtained in past extrusion cycles in such a manner as to exceed established values. |
| US09552647B2 |
Method and arrangement for analysing the behaviour of a moving object
The detected movements of an object are analyzed. Each location record includes coordinates of a detected or assumed location of the object and time information. For a number of location records, there is calculated a location-record-specific descriptor value that becomes the more significant the more densely there are other location records around the location record for which the descriptor value is calculated. After selecting a location record that has the most significant descriptor value, those other location records are found that according to their time information are the latest and earliest in a certain environment. The analysis result is that the object stopped at the coordinates of the selected location record for a stopping time calculated from the time information of the latest and earliest location records. |
| US09552646B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and image processing program, for detecting an image from a visible light image and a temperature distribution image
An image processing device has a first image input unit that inputs a visible light image of a target area imaged by a first camera, a second image input unit that inputs a temperature distribution image of the target area imaged by a second camera, a first image processing section that processes the visible light image input to the first image input unit, and detects an object imaged in the visible light image, a second image processing section that processes the temperature distribution image input to the second image input unit and detects an object imaged in the temperature distribution image, and an image region extracting unit that extracts an image region not suited for the detection of the object in the first image processing section for the visible light image of the target area input to the first image input unit. |
| US09552643B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating position of part of object
An apparatus configured to estimate a position of a part of an object in an image includes: an image receiver configured to receive the image; a reference point setter configured to set a reference point in the image; a controller configured to generate information about the reference point by repeating a process a predetermined number of times, the process comprising obtaining one piece of direction information about a probability and a direction that the reference point is to be moved to the part of the object by a classifier, and resetting the reference point by moving the reference point a predetermined distance based on the one piece of direction information; and a location estimator configured to estimate a position of the part of the object in the image by using the information about the reference point as the reference point is reset the predetermined number of times. |
| US09552642B2 |
Apparatus and method for tracking object using feature descriptor, and apparatus and method for removing garbage feature
An apparatus and method for tracking an object using a feature descriptor and an apparatus and method for removing a garbage feature are disclosed. A feature descriptor generation unit generates a plurality of features descriptors indicating information of a plurality of features extracted from an input image from which an object of interest is desired to be detected. A matching unit matches the feature descriptors with feature descriptors of a target object stored in advance, and determines the feature descriptors of the object of interest corresponding to the target object. A feature point removal unit removes feature descriptors that do not meet a geometric comparison condition from among the feature descriptors of the object of interest, and establishes final feature descriptors of the object of interest. |
| US09552641B2 |
Estimation of shift and small image distortion
Disclosed is method of measuring the displacement between a reference region of a reference image and a sample region of a sample image. The method spatially varies the reference region using a one-dimensional filter having complex kernel values, wherein a length (radius) and direction (angle or tangent segment) of the filter is a function of position in the reference region. The method then measures a displacement between the reference region and the sample region by comparing the spatially varied reference region and the sample region. |
| US09552637B2 |
Image analysis for determining characteristics of groups of individuals
Embodiments include methods for predicting one or more characteristics of an individual, such as a human or non-human animal, by applying computational methods to image(s) of the individual to generate one or more metrics indicative of the characteristics. Embodiments determine predictors of characteristics by creating a sample library of individuals, determining facial measurements for each individual, determining relationships between facial measurements and additional library data, and selecting predictors from these relationships. Embodiments include methods for predicting characteristics of individuals not in the library. Embodiments include methods for predicting characteristics of groups using predicted characteristics of individuals. Embodiments determine suitability of a pair of individuals (from the same or different species) for a particular purpose, task, or relationship based on characteristics of individuals. Other embodiments determine the compatibility of an individual with a group of other individuals. Embodiments include systems, devices, and computer-readable media comprising one or more of these methods. |
| US09552636B2 |
Detecting defects on a wafer using defect-specific and multi-channel information
Methods and systems for detecting defects on a wafer using defect-specific and multi-channel information are provided. One method includes acquiring information for a target on a wafer. The target includes a pattern of interest (POI) formed on the wafer and a known defect of interest (DOI) occurring proximate to or in the POI. The method also includes detecting the known DOI in target candidates by identifying potential DOI locations based on images of the target candidates acquired by a first channel of an inspection system and applying one or more detection parameters to images of the potential DOI locations acquired by a second channel of the inspection system. Therefore, the image(s) used for locating potential DOI locations and the image(s) used for detecting defects can be different. |
| US09552633B2 |
Depth aware enhancement for stereo video
Systems, methods, and devices for enhancing an image are described herein. In some aspects, a device comprises a memory unit configured to store a left image and a right image. The left image and right image each depict a same scene from a different viewpoint. The device further comprises a coder configured to retrieve the left image and the right image from the memory unit. The coder is configured to determine a depth map based on a difference in spatial orientation between the left and right image. The device further comprises a processor coupled to the coder. The processor is configured to identify a portion of the left or right image selected by a user. The processor is further configured to determine an enhancement region surrounding the portion selected by the user based on the depth map. The processor is further configured to enhance the enhancement region. |
| US09552619B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing interface circuit
An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of image processing module parts, a module arbiter part, and a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) part. Each of the image processing module parts includes a module core for executing a predetermined image processing. The plurality of image processing module parts is connected to the module arbiter part. The module arbiter part arbitrates memory access which is given by the plurality of image processing module parts through a bus. The DMAC part is connected between the module arbiter part and the bus, and executes memory access related to the arbitration result obtained by the module arbiter part. |
| US09552617B2 |
Mobile media, devices, and signaling
Consumer uses of mobile devices and electronic media are changing. Mobile devices include increased computational capabilities, mobile broadband access, better integrated sensors, and higher resolution screens. These enhanced features are driving increased consumption of media such as images, maps, e-books, audio, video, and games. As users become more accustomed to using mobile devices for media, opportunities arise for new digital watermarking usage models. For example, transient media, like images being displayed on screens, can be watermarked to provide a link between mobile devices, extending the reach of digital watermarking. Digital fingerprinting can also be employed. Applications based on these emerging usage models can provide richer user experiences and drive increased media consumption. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US09552613B2 |
Label inference in a social network
At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method of inferring attribute labels for a user in a social networking system based on the user's social connections and user-specified attribute labels in the social networking system. The method can include: establishing variational equations based on attribute labels of nodes in an ego network in a social graph of a social networking system; determining likelihood scores for at least a portion of the attribute labels of neighboring nodes from a focal user node in the ego network based on user-specified attribute labels from the social networking system; and calculating probability distributions of possible attribute labels for the focal user node of the ego network based on the variational equations and the likelihood scores. |
| US09552609B2 |
Intelligent information dissemination
The technology is suitable for any kind of distributed networks having different data rates on different connections and a computer system where the data to distribute is created. The system comprises one or more supersets of data to be distributed to client computers by extracting subsets of data from the superset(s) of data. Thereafter, the subsets of data are distributed to selected groups of clients based on information about the network architecture. This provides an efficient way of distributing data without having to duplicate distributed data. In example implementations, subsets may be distributed to clients based on a counter performance or a data rate of a client's connection to the computer system. |
| US09552607B2 |
Systems and methods for selling sounds
Systems and methods sell a sound file to a user of a digital audio workstation (DAW). A sound vendor receives the sound file from a sound creator and analyzes the sound file to automatically determine a beats-per-minute value and a musical key value. The sound file is stored, in association with the beats-per-minute value and the musical key value, within a database of the sound vendor. A web interface is generated to interact with the user to receive a search request defining at least one of the beats-per-minute value and the musical key value. The sound file is selected from the database based upon the search request, a financial agreement between the user and the sound creator is completed for sale of the sound file to the user, and the sound file is sent to the DAW. |
| US09552604B2 |
Systems and methods for generating customized travel itineraries
A method for generating a customized travel itinerary is disclosed. The method may comprise associating an individual with a travel sign based upon the results of a travel quiz; associating the individual with a travel location based upon the travel sign and a travel date; and associating the individual with an activity item based upon the travel sign. The method may additionally comprise receiving, by a mobile communication device, a travel itinerary comprising a plurality of travel locations; displaying, by the mobile communication device, a first travel location from the plurality of travel locations prior to a scheduled departure time for the first travel location; and displaying, by the mobile communication device, a second travel location from the plurality of travel locations prior to a scheduled departure time for the second travel location. |
| US09552601B2 |
Presenting information for containers in search results
Methods and systems to build containers of uncategorized items are described. In some example embodiments, the methods and systems access a search query received by a network-based publication system, identify a container of uncategorized items having a title that satisfies the search query, and return a result for the search query that is associated with the identified container. |
| US09552599B1 |
Platform for multi-service procurement
The present invention describes an on demand service provisioning system to interface with suppliers and customers. One embodiment of the present invention includes a database to store information on customers, suppliers and transactions; a module to interface customers; a module to interface suppliers; a module to interface the database; a stateful section including the module to interface with the database; and a stateless section including the module to interface with the customers and the suppliers. |
| US09552598B2 |
Mobile trigger web workflow
In an example embodiment, actions taken on a web site using one device initiate a workflow on a different device. A main process, including a series of steps, is executed on one user device. When a particular step in the main process is reached, a secondary process is then initiated on another device, such as a mobile device. |
| US09552596B2 |
Tracking content through serial presentation
Computer systems, methods, and computer program products for tracking content using serial presentation are disclosed. Some embodiments track an aggregated quantity of words displayed by Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSPV) in a digital media item across a plurality of user electronic devices. Some embodiments track what words are displayed by RSVP. Some embodiments track a percentage of words displayed by RSVP across a plurality of user sessions. Some embodiments track trends in the percentage of words displayed by RSVP. Some embodiments use RSVP tracking and trending information to enhance search results. Some embodiments analyze RSVP consumption across a plurality of sessions to determine opportunities for improving content consumption and improving selection of sub-content items. These and other embodiments are further disclosed herein. |
| US09552594B2 |
System for presenting marketing content in a personal television channel
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller that receives media content from a subscriber of a media communication system, receive marketing content from a marketing information source, and present the media content and the marketing content in a personal TV channel. The media content is presented in a first region of a two-dimensional, segmented display configuration, with the media content presented in a first region and the marketing content presented in a second region of the segmented display configuration. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09552590B2 |
Systems, methods, and media for mobile advertising conversion attribution
A method for mobile advertising conversion attribution can include receiving, for example, at a conversion tracking server, a signal from a user device indicating that a conversion tag has been received. The signal can include a segment identifier, and a user agent (UA) and/or an internet protocol (IP) address of the user device. A conversion identifier can be defined that is associated with the segment identifier, the UA, and/or the IP address. The conversion identifier can be stored in a first database along with an indication of when the conversion identifier was received. A second database can be searched for an advertisement identifier that matches the conversion identifier and was received within a predetermined period of time before the conversion identifier. If a match between the conversion identifier and an advertisement identifier is located, a signal indicating that an advertisement was converted can be sent to an advertiser. |
| US09552588B2 |
Online contests with social networks
In an embodiment, a method comprises causing, to be displayed to a user through a web page of a social network provider that provides a social network, contest data that indicates an online contest; receiving, at a particular entity, input that indicates an intention by the user to participate in the online contest; sending, from the particular entity, request data that indicates a request, by the particular entity, for one or more permissions that allows the particular entity to access information from the social network provider about the user; after sending the request data, receiving, at the particular entity, acceptance data that indicates that the user accepts the request; in response to receiving the acceptance data, causing the user to be entered in the online contest; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices. |
| US09552586B2 |
System for encoding customer data
A rules engine stores customer data, a first rule comprising a first plurality of conditions, and a second rule comprising a second plurality of conditions, wherein the customer data is associated with a particular customer. The rules engine transforms a first portion of the customer data into a first code segment by applying the first rule and by satisfying a condition of the first plurality of conditions of the first rule. It also transforms a second portion of the customer data into a second code segment by applying the second rule and by satisfying a condition of the second plurality of conditions of the second rule. The rules engine further combines at least the first code segment and the second code segment to form a customer profile code. An interface engine communicatively coupled to the rules engine communicates the customer profile code to a third party. |
| US09552585B2 |
Server and method for providing survey of broadcasting program
A survey providing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a survey participation signal, from a user device, related to the broadcasting program that is being reproduced in a broadcasting device, a user authentication unit configured to authenticate a user based on identification information of the user device included in the received survey participation signal and user information that is previously stored in a database, a transmission unit configured to transmit a survey list for the broadcasting program to the user device and a survey result generation unit configured to generate a survey result based on a survey response to the survey list and the user information, wherein the transmission unit is further configured to transmit the generated survey result to the broadcasting device. |
| US09552584B1 |
Electronic Wallet Ready to Pay Timer
A mobile device having a time controlled electronic wallet is disclosed. The mobile device comprises a processor and an electronic wallet application that executes on the processor. The electronic wallet application enters a ready-to-pay mode, initiates a ready-to-pay timer when entering the ready-to-pay mode, transmits the confidential information when in the ready-to-pay mode based on receiving contactless communication, and leaves the ready-to-pay mode when the ready-to-pay timer expires. |
| US09552578B2 |
Method and system for authentication of payment card transactions
A method and a system are provided for authenticating secure payment card transactions and verifying and validating payment card user identities. The method includes determining a numeric or alphanumeric code on a vehicle registration plate of a vehicle (e.g., a driverless vehicle or a drone) bearing a processing device that is approaching a payment area (e.g., a toll road, a refueling station, or a retail store). A wireless communication circuit (e.g., Near Field Communication (NFC) circuit) is communicatively coupled to the processing device. The method also includes determining a numeric or alphanumeric identification of the processing device; comparing the numeric or alphanumeric code on the vehicle registration plate with the numeric or alphanumeric identification of the processing device to determine whether or not an association exists between the vehicle and the processing device; and assessing the determined association to facilitate determining whether a payment transaction using the processing device is valid or invalid (e.g., potential fraud). |
| US09552570B2 |
Document classification system, document classification method, and document classification program
A document classification system is provided. The document classification system analyzes digital document information which is collected to be submitted as evidence in a lawsuit and classifies the digital document information. The document classification system includes an extraction unit that extracts documents from the collected document information, a document display unit that displays an extracted document group, a classification code receiving unit that receives a classification code assigned to the displayed document group, a selection unit that classifies the extracted document group for each classification code, analyzes a keyword commonly appearing in the classified document group, and selects the keyword, a database that records the selected keyword, a search unit that searches for the keyword from the document information, a score calculation unit that calculates a score indicating connection between the classification code and the document, and an automatic classification unit that automatically assigns the classification code. |
| US09552568B2 |
Mobile dispensing cart inventory management system
A mobile dispensing cart having a plurality of locked drawers has medical articles stored therein for particular patients. The storage drawers have sizes wherein the resonant frequency of the sizes does not match the frequency of operation of the RFID system of the cart. Enclosures are used in the storage areas that provide robust RFID fields for exciting and reading RFID tags. A health care practitioner for a particular patient obtains access and opens a drawer. An RFID tracking system takes an inventory of the cart after the drawer is later closed to determine if any medical article was taken, and if so which one. The identified taken article is compared to a data base of medical articles stored in the cart for the patient and if the taken article does not match the patient data base, an alarm is provided. |
| US09552567B2 |
Computer-implemented methods and systems for determining fleet conditions and operational management thereof
A method for determining fleet conditions and operational management thereof, performed by a central system includes receiving fleet data from at least one distributed data repository. The fleet data is substantially representative of information associated with a fleet of physical assets. The method also includes processing the received fleet data for the fleet using at least one process of a plurality of processes. The plurality of processes assess the received fleet data into processed fleet data. The method additionally includes determining a fleet condition status using the processed fleet data and the at least one process of the plurality of processes. The method further includes generating a fleet response. The fleet response is substantially representative of a next operational step for the fleet of physical assets. The method also includes transmitting the fleet response to at least one of a plurality of fleet response recipients. |
| US09552563B2 |
System to construct an improved view of a process
The proper visualization of a business process plays a key role in analyzing, changing, simulating and monitoring the business process. Most BPMS systems today, provide a modeling environment where the business user can define and visualize business processes as BPMN diagrams. Some more advanced systems (such as Savvion Business Manager) enable monitoring of the business process at run-time via a color-coded view of the process diagram. While process diagram is an important view of the process, it lacks the level of abstraction needed to provide information in an optimal way to the business users. The proposed visualization, called the 360 degree view provides an optimal view of a business process without losing important details about the process. |
| US09552557B2 |
Visual representation of chart scaling
Techniques for visual representation of chart scaling are described. In implementations, a chart is employed to display data associated with a resource. Examples of such a resource include a computer hardware resource, a network resource, a financial resource, a commodity (e.g., a manufactured commodity), and so on. In implementations, a chart is associated with a scale that corresponds to a set of data values represented in the chart. Further, a chart can be rescaled to display data values in a variety of different scales, e.g., that correspond to different sets of data values. In at least some embodiments, a scale mark is provided which provides a visual indication of a scale represented in a chart. When the chart is rescaled, the scale mark is repositioned to indicate a change in scale. Thus, a scale mark can be dynamically repositioned to visually indicate different chart scales. |
| US09552555B1 |
Methods, systems, and media for recommending content items based on topics
Mechanisms for recommending content items based on topics are provided. In some implementations, a method for recommending content items is provided that includes: determining a plurality of accessed content items associated with a user, wherein each of the plurality of content items is associated with a plurality of topics; determining the plurality of topics associated with each of the plurality of accessed content items; generating a model of user interests based on the plurality of topics, wherein the model implements a machine learning technique to determine a plurality of weights for assigning to each of the plurality of topics; applying the model to determine, for a plurality of content items, a probability that the user would watch a content item of the plurality of content items; ranking the plurality of content items based on the determined probabilities; and selecting a subset of the plurality of content items to recommend to the user based on the ranked content items. |
| US09552554B2 |
Bayes network for target identification
A method for target identification includes receiving, at one or more processors, a number of measurements of a target, each measurement from the number of measurements being observed at a predetermined time (zk), a number of target types (T), each one of the number of measurements, each one the number of target type and each one of one or more hidden states, each hidden state (xk) being characterized at the predetermined time, being correlated to one another, providing, using the one or more processors, a first conditional probability distribution, a conditional probability of a target type given a number of measurements, defined inductively, and obtaining an estimate of the target type from the first conditional probability. Systems that implement the method are also disclosed. |
| US09552553B1 |
Identifying item preparation requirements
Disclosed are various embodiments for an item preparation application. Business logic and machine learning may be applied to attributes of an item to generate a recommendation for item preparation prior to storage in a physical storage facility. The recommendation may indicate whether preparation is to be applied, or what type of preparation is required. A machine learning knowledge base may be updated based on feedback or overrides of recommendations. |
| US09552552B1 |
Identification of over-clustered map features
A system and method for managing online map information determines map records that represent more than one map feature by identifying map feature records where at least one attribute of the map feature record has more than value wherein each of the values has a probability of being correct that exceeds a threshold. |
| US09552546B1 |
Apparatus and methods for efficacy balancing in a spiking neuron network
Apparatus and methods for plasticity in spiking neuron networks. In various implementations, the efficacy of one or more connections of the network may be adjusted based on a plasticity rule during network operation. The rule may comprise a connection depression portion and/or a potentiation portion. Statistical parameters of the adjusted efficacy of a population of connections may be determined. The statistical parameter(s) may be utilized to adapt the plasticity rule during network operation in order to obtain efficacy characterized by target statistics. Based on the statistical parameter exceeding a target value, the depression magnitude of the plasticity rule may be reduced. Based on a statistical parameter being below the target value, the depression magnitude of the plasticity rule may be increased. The use of adaptive modification of the plasticity rule may improve network convergence while alleviating a need for manual tuning of efficacy during network operation. |
| US09552544B1 |
Method and apparatus for an action selection system based on a combination of neuromodulatory and prefrontal cortex area models
Described is a system for action selection based on a combination of neuromodulatory and prefrontal cortex models. The system inputs group attack probability estimates for multiple groups in a prefrontal cortex (PFC) input area of a model instance. The system encodes a dispersion of the group attack probability estimates in an anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) conflict input area of the model instance, resulting in activation of the ACC conflict input area. The activation is propagated to an action area and a neuromodulatory area of the model instance. An action strategy is selected in the action area. The action strategy is implemented, and a reward and a cost is generated for the implemented action strategy. An assessment of possible action strategies is updated based on the generated reward and cost. Each model instance modulates its subsequent action strategy selection based on the updated assessment of the possible action strategies. |
| US09552535B2 |
Data acquisition for machine perception systems
Apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for obtaining examples that break a visual expression classifier at user devices such as tablets, smartphones, personal computers, and cameras. The examples are sent from the user devices to a server. The server may use the examples to update the classifier, and then distribute the updated classifier code and/or updated classifier parameters to the user devices. The users of the devices may be incentivized to provide the examples that break the classifier, for example, by monetary reward, access to updated versions of the classifier, public ranking or recognition of the user, a self-rewarding game. The examples may be evaluated using a pipeline of untrained crowdsourcing providers and trained experts. The examples may contain user images and/or depersonalized information extracted from the user images. |
| US09552534B2 |
Apparatus for detecting afterimage candidate region and apparatus including the same for preventing afterimage
An apparatus for detecting an afterimage candidate region includes: a comparison unit which compares gradation data of an n-th frame with integrated gradation data of an (n−1)-th frame and generates integrated gradation data of the n-th frame, where n is a natural number; a memory which provides the integrated gradation data of the (n−1)-th frame to the comparison unit and stores the integrated gradation data of the n-th frame; and an afterimage candidate region detection unit which detects an afterimage candidate region based on the integrated gradation data of the n-th frame, where each of the integrated gradation data of the n-th frame and the integrated gradation data of the (n−1)-th frame comprises a comparison region and a gradation region. |
| US09552532B2 |
System and method for describing image outlines
The present invention relates to the field of image processing and methodologies to construct a descriptor from binary silhouette images. The method comprises the steps of; receiving a parametric equation of a closed planar curve, choosing nodes on the closed planar curve with equal intervals, generating a continuous scale space of the nodes on the curve by successively convolving the planar curve with a Gaussian filter and down-sampling it after each octave, calculating orientation vectors and orientation angle values for each sampled point at each interval of each octave, creating a orientation scale space (OSS) which is a matrix obtained from stacking each orientation angle value on top of each other, representing the outline with a descriptor including all the orientation vectors and their respective parameters position and scale. |
| US09552531B2 |
Fast color-brightness-based methods for image segmentation
Image segmentation utilizing the color and brightness of sections of the image to generate super-pixels is described herein. The image segmentation is implemented pixel-wise. A color triangle is utilized in the classification of the pixels. By using a hierarchical classification table, the memory usage is significantly reduced, and the image segmentation is able to be performed on-the-fly in real-time. |
| US09552529B2 |
Analysis of electrophoretic bands in a substrate
A method and system to enhance analysis of electrophoretic bands by overlaying only the pixels of interest. The overlaid pixels are superimposed as a layer above, i.e., in the foreground of, the overlaid image, i.e., in the background. A user employs the superimposed pixels for molecular weight determination and is still able to generate densitometry analysis of the remaining pixels in the overlaid image. |
| US09552526B2 |
Image processing using cellular simultaneous recurrent network
A method of image processing using a cellular simultaneous recurrent network (CSRN) is provided. In particular, the method includes a processor that sets initial parameters of the CSRN and generates a target image based on the initial parameters. Then, a training process is executed to learn an image processing task. The training process performs an image processing task on one of a plurality of sub-images of an input image and then the sub-image is stored after the training process. The training process is then repeated until the image processing task has been performed on each of the plurality of sub-images of the input image. Once the training process is complete, an image transformation is performed on the input image and an output image is displayed based on the transformed input image. |
| US09552521B2 |
Human body security inspection method and system
The present invention provides a human body security inspection method and system. The method comprises: retrieving in real-time scanning row or column image data of a personal to be inspected; transmitting in real-time the image data to an algorithm processing module and processing these image data by the module; automatically recognizing a suspicious matter by a suspicious matter automatic target recognition technique, after retrieving an image data of an entire scanning image of the personal; any of the following three inspection modes is selected, so as to perform a further processing on basis of the recognition result of the suspicious matter, (1) in a manner of automatic target recognition technique, (2) in a combination manner of the automatic target recognition technique and a privacy protection image; and (3) a combination manner of the automatic target recognition technique, a privacy protection image and human intervention. |
| US09552515B2 |
Autogenerating video from text
A method of converting user-selected printed text to a synthesized image sequence is provided. The method includes capturing a first image of printed text and generating a model information associated with the text. |
| US09552512B2 |
Personalized, automated receptionist
Methods, systems, and computer program products for creating a personalized, automated, receptionist are provided herein. A method for providing an automated receptionist for a host user includes obtaining one or more images of a work environment of the host user; processing the one or more images to determine if a visitor is present in the work environment; and if the visitor is determined to be present in the work environment, notifying the host user that the visitor is present in the work environment, wherein at least one of the steps are performed by at least one hardware device. The method may be initiated, for example, when the host user is not present in the work environment. The automated receptionist can optionally (i) provide a greeting to the visitor; (ii) enable communication between the visitor and the host user; and/or (iii) provide one or more information items to the visitor when the host user is not present. |
| US09552511B2 |
Identifying images using face recognition
A method includes identifying a named entity, retrieving images associated with the named entity, and using a face detection algorithm to perform face detection on the retrieved images to detect faces in the retrieved images. At least one representative face image from the retrieved images is identified, and the representative face image is used to identify one or more additional images representing the at least one named entity. |
| US09552510B2 |
Facial expression capture for character animation
Techniques for facial expression capture for character animation are described. In one or more implementations, facial key points are identified in a series of images. Each image, in the series of images, is normalized from the identified facial key points. Facial features are determined from each of the normalized images. Then a facial expression is classified, based on the determined facial features, for each of the normalized images. In additional implementations, a series of images are captured that include performances of one or more facial expressions. The facial expressions in each image of the series of images are classified by a facial expression classifier. Then the facial expression classifications are used by a character animator system to produce a series of animated images of an animated character that include animated facial expressions that are associated with the facial expression classification of the corresponding image in the series of images. |
| US09552509B2 |
Method and system for rectifying distorted fingerprint
A method and a system for rectifying a distorted fingerprint are provided. The method includes following steps. A feature of a distorted fingerprint is extracted, a reference distorted fingerprint whose feature is matched with the feature of the distorted fingerprint is searched for in a reference distorted fingerprint database, a dense distortion field of the reference distorted fingerprint is obtained in the reference distorted fingerprint database and the distorted fingerprint is rectified to a normal one according to the dense distortion field of the reference distorted fingerprint. |
| US09552507B2 |
System and method for reading optical codes on bottom surface of items
An automated checkout system and method of operation for reading encoded data on a bottom surface of an item using a data reader. The automated checkout system includes a leading conveyor section and a trailing conveyor section separated by a gap therebetween, where the item is transported across the gap as it moves between the conveyors. A first and second reading device are each positioned beneath the conveyor sections, where each reading device has a field of view projecting through the gap. The first reading device is configured to acquire a first set of scan data and the second reading device is configured to acquire a second set of scan data different from the first. In some embodiments, the first set of scan data may include two-dimensional area views of the encoded data, and the second set of scan data may include linescans of the encoded data. |
| US09552506B1 |
Method and apparatus for industrial identification mark verification
The invention provides methods and apparatus for analysis of images of direct part mark identification codes to measure and assess a print quality. Methods to assess the quality of a direct part mark identification code are presented that provide diagnostic information of a code that cannot be assessed using verification methods that require the results of a valid decoding step. |
| US09552502B1 |
Calibration circuit and method of use
A calibration circuit includes a single-wire memory and a transmission line. The single-wire memory includes a power/interrogation terminal and a ground terminal. The single-wire memory is configured to store calibration data for a sensor. The transmission line is configured to be coupled between the sensor and a sensor reader. The transmission line includes first and second conductors. The first conductor is coupled to the power/interrogation terminal and is configured to provide the calibration data and a sensor output signal to the sensor reader. The second conductor is coupled to the ground terminal and is configured to provide a ground reference for the first conductor, the single-wire memory, and the sensor. |
| US09552501B2 |
Card reader and control method of card reader
The present invention is to provide a card reader that can prevent the illegal acquisition of magnetic information recorded on a magnetic stripe, based on an output signal from a pre-head. More specifically described, in a card reader having a card insertion slot for guiding a magnetic card having a magnetic stripe to a transport passage and a pre-head arranged in the vicinity of the card insertion slot for detecting the presence of the magnetic stripe, the pre-head is equipped with a head portion having at least one pair of magnetic cores arranged to be opposite from each other having a magnetic gap between them and coils wound around a pair of the magnetic cores; and a signal different from that of the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic stripe is output from the pre-head. |
| US09552498B2 |
On-chip storage, creation, and manipulation of an encryption key
A system and method for encrypting data provides for retrievial of an encryption key; identification of the address in memory of a first portion of the data to be encrypted; derivation of a first unique key from the encryption key and the address of the first portion of data; encryption of the first portion of data using the first unique key; identification of the address in memory of a second portion of data to be encrypted; derivation of a second unique key from the encryption key and the address of the second portion of data; and encryption of the second portion of data using the second unique key. |
| US09552496B2 |
Virtual storage system and methods of copying electronic documents into the virtual storage system
A virtual storage system in data communication with a user computing device via a communication network and methods of selectively or automatically copying electronic documents to a virtual storage system where the virtual storage system includes at least one processor configured to process, encrypt and copy electronic documents retrieved from an external system, and a plurality of redundant physical storage devices in data communication with the at least one processor and each configured to store the electronic documents retrieved from the external system. |
| US09552495B2 |
System and method for security and privacy aware virtual machine checkpointing
A checkpointing method for creating a file representing a restorable state of a virtual machine in a computing system, comprising identifying processes executing within the virtual machine that may store confidential data, and marking memory pages and files that potentially contain data stored by the identified processes; or providing an application programming interface for marking memory regions and files within the virtual machine that contain confidential data stored by processes; and creating a checkpoint file, by capturing memory pages and files representing a current state of the computing system, which excludes information from all of the marked memory pages and files. |
| US09552493B2 |
Access control framework for information centric networking
One embodiment provides an access-control framework for publishing and obtaining a collection of encrypted data in encrypted form. During operation, a content consumer can obtain a Manifest object for a data collection, such that the Manifest includes references to a set of encrypted Content Objects of the data collection, and includes one or more Access Control Specifications (ACS) that each specifies a decryption protocol for decrypting one or more Content Objects of the data collection. The consumer can disseminate Interest messages to receive encrypted Content Objects listed in the Manifest over an Information Centric Network (ICN). The client can also obtain, from the Manifest, an ACS associated with a respective encrypted Content Object, and decrypts the respective encrypted Content Object using the decryption protocol specified in the ACS. |
| US09552491B1 |
Systems and methods for securing data
Systems and methods for securing data are disclosed. An administrative system may create a secure configuration. The secure configuration may disable functionality of a managed node that compromises sensitive data. However, the secure configuration may not prevent all user access to the managed node. The administrative system may deploy the secure configuration to at least one managed node. The administrative system may cause the secure configuration to be applied to the at least one managed node. |