| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09559211B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, which enables miniaturization and reduction of defect, is provided. It includes forming an oxide semiconductor layer, and source and drain electrodes in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, over an insulating surface; forming insulating layers over the source electrode and the drain electrode; forming a gate insulating layer over the oxide semiconductor layer, the source and drain electrodes, and the insulating layer; forming a conductive layer over the gate insulating layer; forming an insulating film covering the conductive layer; processing the insulating film so that at least part of a region of the conductive layer, which overlaps with the source electrode or the drain electrode, is exposed; and etching the exposed region of the conductive layer to form a gate electrode overlapping with at least part of the region sandwiched between the source electrode and the drain electrode, in a self-aligned manner. |
| US09559210B2 |
Thin film transistor and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor is provided as follows. A first gate electrode and a second gate electrode are stacked on each other. A semiconductor layer is interposed between the first and second gate electrodes. A source electrode and a drain electrode are interposed between the semiconductor layer and the second gate electrode. A connection electrode connects electrically the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode. A first insulating film is interposed between the first gate electrode and the semiconductor layer. A second insulating film includes a first part interposed between the semiconductor layer and the second gate electrode and a second part interposed between the second gate electrode and the drain electrode. A third insulating film includes a first part interposed between the connection electrode and the second gate electrode. |
| US09559207B2 |
Semiconductor device having epitaxy structure
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor fin, a gate stack, and an epitaxy structure. The semiconductor fin is disposed in the substrate. A portion of the semiconductor fin is protruded from the substrate. The gate stack is disposed over the portion of the semiconductor fin protruded from the substrate. The epitaxy structure is disposed on the substrate and adjacent to the gate stack. The epitaxy structure has a top surface facing away the substrate, and the top surface has at least one curved portion having a radius of curvature ranging from about 5 nm to about 20 nm. |
| US09559206B2 |
FinFETs with necking in the fins
A method includes forming isolation regions in a semiconductor substrate, forming a first semiconductor strip between opposite portions of isolation regions, forming a second semiconductor strip overlying and contacting the first semiconductor strip, and performing a first recessing to recess the isolation regions. A portion of the second semiconductor strip over top surfaces of remaining portions of the isolation regions forms a semiconductor fin. A second recessing is performed to recess the isolation regions to extend the semiconductor fin downwardly, with an inter-diffusion region of the first semiconductor strip and the second semiconductor strip being exposed after the second recessing. The inter-diffusion region is then etched. |
| US09559203B2 |
Modular approach for reducing flicker noise of MOSFETs
In one example implementation, the present disclosure provides a modular approach to reducing flicker noise in metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) in a device. First, a circuit designer may select one or more surface channel MOSFETs in a device. Then, the one or more surface channel MOSFETs are converted to one or more buried channel MOSFETs to reduce flicker noise. One or more masks may be applied to the channel(s) of the one or more surface channel MOSFETs. The technique maybe used at the input(s) of operational amplifiers, and more particularly, rail-to-rail operational amplifiers, as well as other analog and digital circuits such a mixers, ring oscillators, current mirrors, etc. |
| US09559198B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacture therefor
A semiconductor device comprises a first contact layer, a first drift layer adjacent the first contact layer, a buried body layer adjacent the first drift layer and a second contact layer. A first vertical trench and a second vertical trench are provided, the first and second vertical trenches being spaced with respect to each other and extending from the second contact layer to substantially beyond the buried body layer. A second drift layer is also provided and sandwiched between the buried body layer and the second contact layer. |
| US09559194B2 |
Transistors and methods of forming transistors
Some embodiments include a transistor having a drain region and a source region. A conductive gate is between the source and drain regions. First channel material is between the gate and the source region. The first channel material is spaced from the gate by one or more insulative materials. Second channel material is between the first channel material and the source region, and directly contacts the source region. The first and second channel materials are transition metal chalcogenide. One of the source and drain regions is a hole reservoir region and the other is an electron reservoir region. Tunnel dielectric material may be between the first and second channel materials. |
| US09559193B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film is disclosed. In the semiconductor device, the oxide semiconductor film is provided along a trench formed in an insulating layer. The trench includes a lower end corner portion and an upper end corner portion having a curved shape with a curvature radius of longer than or equal to 20 nm and shorter than or equal to 60 nm, and the oxide semiconductor film is provided in contact with a bottom surface, the lower end corner portion, the upper end corner portion, and an inner wall surface of the trench. The oxide semiconductor film includes a crystal having a c-axis substantially perpendicular to a surface at least over the upper end corner portion. |
| US09559192B1 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first fin-shaped pattern having a first fin mask pattern disposed thereon on a substrate, forming a second fin-shaped pattern having a second fin mask pattern disposed thereon on the substrate, forming a first trench by removing the first fin mask pattern, forming a fin-cut mask pattern filling the first trench, and removing the second fin mask pattern and the second fin-shaped pattern using the fin-cut mask pattern as a first etch mask. |
| US09559189B2 |
Non-planar FET
The present invention provides a non-planar FET which includes a substrate, a fin structure, a gate and a gate dielectric layer. The fin structure is disposed on the substrate. The fin structure includes a first portion adjacent to the substrate wherein the first portion shrinks towards a side of the substrate. The gate is disposed on the fin structure. The gate dielectric layer is disposed between the fin structure and the gate. The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing the non-planar FET. |
| US09559187B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of epitaxial layers stacked over a supportive substrate, a first buried impurity region formed to share the supportive substrate with a lowermost epitaxial layer among the multiple epitaxial layers, one or more second buried impurity regions formed to be coupled with the first buried impurity region and share an Nth epitaxial layer and an (N+1)th epitaxial layer among the multiple epitaxial layers, where N is a natural number, a body region formed in an uppermost epitaxial layer among the multiple epitaxial layers and a deep well formed in the uppermost epitaxial layer to surround the body region and to be coupled with the second buried impurity regions that share the uppermost epitaxial layer. |
| US09559185B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including an active fin structure, a plurality of gate structures, a first spacer on sidewalls of each of the gate structures, and a second spacer on sidewalls of the first spacer. The active fin structure may extend in a first direction and including a plurality of active fins with adjacent active fins divided by a recess. Each of the plurality of gate structures may extend in a second direction crossing the first direction, and may cover the active fins. The first spacer may include silicon oxycarbonitride (SiOCN), and may have a first carbon concentration. The second spacer may include SiOCN and may have a second carbon concentration which is different from the first carbon concentration. The semiconductor device may have a low parasitic capacitance and good electrical characteristics. |
| US09559183B2 |
Semiconductor device with varying thickness of insulating film between electrode and gate electrode and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
To provide a semiconductor device having improved characteristics. The semiconductor device has a substrate and thereon a buffer layer, a channel layer, a barrier layer, a trench penetrating therethrough and reaching the inside of the channel layer, a gate electrode placed in the trench via a gate insulating film, and drain and source electrodes on the barrier layer on both sides of the gate electrode. The gate insulating film has a first portion made of a first insulating film and extending from the end portion of the trench to the side of the drain electrode and a second portion made of first and second insulating films and placed on the side of the drain electrode relative to the first portion. The on resistance can be reduced by decreasing the thickness of the first portion at the end portion of the trench on the side of the drain electrode. |
| US09559180B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a P-well and an N-well disposed in the semiconductor substrate, a source disposed in the N-well and a drain disposed in the P-well, a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure disposed in the P-well, a gate structure disposed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein a portion of the gate structure extends into the semiconductor substrate and is disposed in a location corresponding to the STI structure. |
| US09559179B2 |
Fabrication of shielded gate trench MOSFET with increased source-metal contact
A semiconductor device formed on a semiconductor substrate having a substrate top surface, comprising: a gate trench extending from the substrate top surface into the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode in the gate trench; a gate top dielectric material disposed over the gate electrode; a body region adjacent to the gate trench; a source region embedded in the body region; a metal layer disposed over at least a portion of a gate trench opening and at least a portion of the source region, wherein: the source region has a curved sidewall portion that is adjacent to the gate trench, and that extends above the gate top dielectric material. |
| US09559168B2 |
Field effect transistors and methods of forming same
Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A first gate stack is formed over a substrate, wherein the first gate stack comprises a first ferroelectric layer. A source/channel/drain stack is formed over the first gate stack, wherein the source/channel/drain stack comprises one or more 2D material layers. A second gate stack is formed over the source/channel/drain stack, wherein the second gate stack comprises a second ferroelectric layer. |
| US09559166B2 |
Fabricating transistors having resurfaced source/drain regions with stressed portions
Methods are providing for fabricating transistors having at least one source region or drain region with a stressed portion. The methods include: forming, within a cavity of a substrate structure, the at least one source region or drain region with the internal stress; and resurfacing the at least one source region or drain region to reduce surface defects of the at least one source region or drain region without relaxing the stressed portion thereof. For instance, the resurfacing can include melting an upper portion of the at least one source region or drain region. In addition, the resurfacing can include re-crystallizing an upper portion of the at least one source region or drain region, and/or providing the at least one source region or drain region with at least one {111} surface. |
| US09559163B2 |
Memory arrays
The invention includes semiconductor constructions having trenched isolation regions. The trenches of the trenched isolation regions can include narrow bottom portions and upper wide portions over the bottom portions. Electrically insulative material can fill the upper wide portions while leaving voids within the narrow bottom portions. The trenched isolation regions can be incorporated into a memory array, and/or can be incorporated into an electronic system. The invention also includes methods of forming semiconductor constructions. |
| US09559162B2 |
Thermoresistance sensor structure for integrated circuits and method of making
A first pair of resistors formed in a first layer of material, and a second pair of resistors formed in the first layer or in a second layer can be wired into a Wheatstone bridge to form a temperature sensor. Either layer can include a semiconductor or a dielectric. In a semiconductor layer, a pair of resistors can be doped areas of the layer, while in a dielectric, a pair of resistors can be material deposited in cavities in the layer, such as material from an added “middle-of-line” (MOL) metallization layer. |
| US09559152B2 |
Display device with a touch device
A display device with a touch device comprises a substrate, a first bridge electrode positioned on the substrate, a plurality of insulating layer patterns covering both ends and a central portion of the first bridge electrode, a plurality of first electrodes separately positioned on the substrate comprising the insulating layer patterns, and connected to the first bridge electrode, a second bridge electrode positioned on the insulating layer patterns covering the central portion of the first bridge electrode, and crossing the first bridge electrode, and a plurality of second electrodes positioned to be separated from the first electrode on the substrate and integrally connected with the second bridge electrode. |
| US09559151B2 |
OLED display architecture
A device that may be used as a multi-color pixel is provided. The device has a first organic light emitting device, a second organic light emitting device, a third organic light emitting device, and a fourth organic light emitting device. The device may be a pixel of a display having four sub-pixels. The first device may emit red light, the second device may emit green light, the third device may emit light blue light and the fourth device may emit deep blue light. |
| US09559149B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus including a photoelectric conversion unit disposed between another photoelectric conversion unit and a photoelectric conversion film
A solid-state imaging device which includes, a photoelectric conversion film provided on a second surface side which is the opposite side to a first surface on which a wiring layer of a semiconductor substrate is formed, performs photoelectric conversion with respect to light in a predetermined wavelength region, and transmits light in other wavelength regions; and a photoelectric conversion layer which is provided in the semiconductor substrate, and performs the photoelectric conversion with respect to light in other wavelength regions which has transmitted the photoelectric conversion film, in which input light is incident from the second surface side with respect to the photoelectric conversion film and the photoelectric conversion layer. |
| US09559147B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes first conductive lines and first and second insulation patterns on a substrate, first structures spaced apart from each other on the first conductive lines, a variable resistance pattern on the first structures, and a second electrode on the variable resistance pattern. The first conductive lines extend in a first direction. The first structures include a switching pattern and a first electrode sequentially stacked. The first insulation pattern fills a space between the first structures in a second direction and the first insulation pattern has a first top surface higher than a top surface of the first structures. The second insulation pattern fills a space between the first structures in the first direction, and the second insulation pattern has a second top surface higher than a top surface of the first structures. The variable resistance pattern fills an opening defined by the first and second insulation patterns. |
| US09559146B2 |
Phase-change memory cell implant for dummy array leakage reduction
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe phase-change memory cell implant for dummy array leakage reduction. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of phase-change memory (PCM) elements, wherein individual PCM elements of the plurality of PCM elements are dummy cells including a bottom electrode layer, a select device layer disposed on the bottom electrode layer, a middle electrode layer disposed on the select device layer, a phase-change material layer disposed on the middle electrode layer, and a top electrode layer disposed on the phase-change material layer, wherein the phase-change material layer is doped with an impurity to reduce cell leakage of the dummy cells. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09559138B2 |
Image sensor and methods of manufacturing the same
An image sensor includes a first substrate, a photodiode array, a first wiring structure, a second wiring structure, a third wiring structure and a light blocking layer pattern. The photodiode array is disposed in the first substrate. The photodiode array includes first photodiodes in a first region, second photodiodes in a second region and third photodiodes in a third region. The first wiring structure is disposed in the first region. The first wiring structure is electrically connected to the first photodiodes. The second wiring structure is disposed in the second region. The second wiring structure includes power supply wiring. The third wiring structure is disposed in the third region. The third wiring structure is electrically connected to the third photodiodes. The light blocking layer pattern is disposed on the first substrate. The light blocking layer pattern covers the third region and the fourth region. |
| US09559137B2 |
Color filter of illumination image sensor and method for fabricating the same
The invention provides a color filter of an illumination image sensor and a method for fabricating the same. A color filter of an illumination image sensor includes a light shield portion constructed by a plurality of grid photoresist patterns, wherein the light shield portion covers a back side surface of the silicon wafer in a periphery region of an illumination image sensor chip. |
| US09559136B2 |
Semiconductor device manufacturing method, and photoelectric conversion device
A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes a step of forming a hole reaching a first insulating layer over a first conductive member; a step of forming a trench reaching a second insulating layer and in communication with the hole; a step of forming an opening exposing the first conductive member in the hole; and a step of forming a second conductive member connected to the first conductive member by embedding a conductive material in the opening, the hole, and the trench. The trench is formed under an etching condition such that the etching rate with respect to the second insulating layer is lower than the etching rate with respect to the third insulating layer. |
| US09559132B2 |
Solid-state image capture device
A semiconductor substrate is provided with a plurality of photosensitive regions on a first principal surface side. An insulating film has a third principal surface and a fourth principal surface opposed to each other, and is arranged on the semiconductor substrate so that the third principal surface is opposed to the first principal surface. A cross section parallel to a thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate, of a region corresponding to each photosensitive region in the first principal surface is a corrugated shape in which concave curves and convex curves are alternately continuous. A cross section parallel to a thickness direction of the insulating film, of a region corresponding to each photosensitive region in the third principal surface is a corrugated shape in which concave curves and convex curves are alternately continuous corresponding to the first principal surface. The fourth principal surface is flat. |
| US09559128B2 |
Pad structure and display device having the same
The present disclosure provides a pad structure and associated display device. The pad structure comprises: a plurality of line on glass (LOG) lines that are arranged in parallel in a first direction and in a film bonding area, wherein each of the LOG lines includes a plurality of metal layers of which at least one extends to an outside of the film bonding area, wherein the film bonding area is in a non-active area of a substrate, and wherein the LOG lines are spaced apart from each other, wherein the pad structure further comprises an overcoat layer that is positioned in an external area of the film bonding area, and is adjacent to both boundaries of the film bonding area, wherein the overcoat layer includes a removed portion between each of the LOG lines, wherein the removed portion extends in the first direction. |
| US09559126B2 |
Array substrate and display device
An array substrate and a display including the array substrate, the array substrate includes a substrate (1); a pixel structural layer formed on the substrate (1); and a wiregrid layer (6) located between the substrate (1) and the pixel structural layer. The wiregrid layer (6) includes a plurality of light blocking bars (4) arranged in parallel. With the wiregrid layer (6) formed of light blocking bars (4), an occurrence of light leak due to a stress generated by the substrate (1) can be avoided. |
| US09559122B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate and display
The invention provides a thin film transistor substrate includes: a substrate; and a plurality of transistors, wherein each of the transistors includes a gate electrode disposed on the substrate; a first diffusion barrier layer disposed on the substrate and covering an upper surface and a ring sidewall of the gate electrode; a gate insulating layer disposed on the first diffusion barrier layer; an active layer disposed on the gate insulating layer and over the gate electrode; a source electrode disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the active layer; a drain electrode disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the active layer; and a protective layer covering the source electrode and the drain electrode. |
| US09559118B2 |
Vertical ferroelectric field effect transistor constructions, constructions comprising a pair of vertical ferroelectric field effect transistors, vertical strings of ferroelectric field effect transistors, and vertical strings of laterally opposing pairs of vertical ferroelectric field effect transistors
A vertical ferroelectric field effect transistor construction comprises an isolating core. A transition metal dichalcogenide material encircles the isolating core and has a lateral wall thickness of 1 monolayer to 7 monolayers. A ferroelectric gate dielectric material encircles the transition metal dichalcogenide material. Conductive gate material encircles the ferroelectric gate dielectric material. The transition metal dichalcogenide material extends elevationally inward and elevationally outward of the conductive gate material. A conductive contact is directly against a lateral outer sidewall of the transition metal dichalcogenide material that is a) elevationally inward of the conductive gate material, or b) elevationally outward of the conductive gate material. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09559115B2 |
Three-dimensional semiconductor memory devices including a vertical channel
Semiconductor memory devices and methods of forming the semiconductor devices may be provided. The semiconductor memory devices may include a channel portion of an active pillar that may be formed of a semiconductor material having a charge mobility greater than a charge mobility of silicon. The semiconductor devices may also include a non-channel portion of the active pillar including a semiconductor material having a high silicon content. |
| US09559109B2 |
Memory including blocking dielectric in etch stop tier
Vertical memories and methods of making the same are discussed generally herein. In one embodiment, a vertical memory can include a vertical pillar extending to a source, an etch stop tier over the source, and a stack of alternating dielectric tiers and conductive tiers over the etch stop tier. The etch stop tier can comprise a blocking dielectric adjacent to the pillar. In another embodiment, the etch stop tier can comprise a blocking dielectric adjacent to the pillar, and a plurality of dielectric films horizontally extending from the blocking dielectric into the etch stop tier. |
| US09559102B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes first and second active regions. Each active region includes a plurality of fin protrusions and a recessed area disposed between the fin protrusions. A plurality of gate structures are disposed on each of the plurality of fin protrusions. A semiconductor layer is disposed in each recessed area. A distance between the gate structures of the first active region is the same as a distance between the gate structures of the second active region, and a height difference between a bottom surface of the semiconductor layer of the first recessed area and a top surface of each of the fin protrusions of the first active region is smaller than a height difference between a bottom surface of the semiconductor layer of the recessed area of the second active region and a top surface of each of the fin protrusions of the second active region. |
| US09559101B2 |
Semiconductor device with impurity-doped region and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulating film formed on a substrate, a plurality of contacts formed in the interlayer insulating film, and an impurity-doped region formed around the contacts in the interlayer insulating film and along a lengthwise direction of the contacts. |
| US09559100B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes first and second Fin FET transistors and a separation plug made of an insulating material and disposed between the first and second Fin FET transistors. The first Fin FET transistor includes a first fin structure extending in a first direction, a first gate dielectric formed over the first fin structure and a first gate electrode formed over the first gate dielectric and extending a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second Fin FET transistor includes a second fin structure, a second gate dielectric formed over the second fin structure and a second gate electrode formed over the first gate dielectric and extending the second direction. In across section along the second direction and across the first gate electrode, the second gate electrode and the separation plug, the separation plug has a tapered shape having atop size smaller than a bottom size. |
| US09559096B2 |
Devices and methodologies related to structures having HBT and FET
A semiconductor structure includes a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) including a collector layer located over a substrate, the collector layer including a semiconductor material, and a field effect transistor (FET) located over the substrate, the FET having a channel formed in the semiconductor material that forms the collector layer of the HBT. In some implementations, a second FET can be provided so as to be located over the substrate and configured to include a channel formed in a semiconductor material that forms an emitter of the HBT. One or more of the foregoing features can be implemented in devices such as a die, a packaged module, and a wireless device. |
| US09559093B2 |
Method of forming a semiconductor device having a GaNFET, an overvoltage clamping component, and a voltage dropping component
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes a GaN FET with an overvoltage clamping component electrically coupled to a drain node of the GaN FET and coupled in series to a voltage dropping component. The voltage dropping component is electrically coupled to a terminal which provides an off-state bias for the GaN FET. The overvoltage clamping component has a breakdown voltage less than a breakdown voltage of the GaN FET. The voltage dropping component is formed to provide a voltage drop which increases as current from the overvoltage clamping component increases. The semiconductor device is configured to turn on the GaN FET when the voltage drop across the voltage dropping component reaches a threshold value. |
| US09559086B2 |
Semiconductor device with modified current distribution
Semiconductor devices having modified current distribution and methods of forming the same are described herein. As an example, a memory die in contact with a logic die can be configured to draw a sum amount of current from a current source. The memory die can include a plurality of through-substrate vias (TSVs) formed in the memory die and configured to provide the sum amount of current to the memory die from the current source. The memory die can include at least two interconnection contacts associated with a first TSV closer to the current source that are not connected. The memory die can include an electrical connection between at least two interconnection contacts associated with a second TSV that is further in distance from the current source than the first TSV. |
| US09559083B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device
Provided is a compact and high-luminance semiconductor light-emitting device which has excellent color rendering characteristics and which enables arbitrary selection of emission color depending on the use of the device. The semiconductor light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element assembly configured by a plurality of fluorescent semiconductor light-emitting elements each of which has external connection electrodes respectively connected to an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer, wherein at least an outer surface other than the external connection electrodes of each of the fluorescent semiconductor light-emitting elements is coated with a resin containing a fluorescent material. The light-emitting element assembly is configured such that the external connection electrodes of the fluorescent semiconductor light-emitting elements are directly connected in series using solder. |
| US09559080B2 |
Integrated circuit device packages and methods for manufacturing integrated circuit device packages
An integrated circuit device package may include a flexible substrate having a first wiring, an integrated circuit device having a second wiring, a flexible insulation structure having a first opening and a second opening exposing the first wiring and the second wiring, respectively, a third wiring electrically connecting the first wiring to the second wiring, and a flexible protection member covering the third wiring. A stacked flexible integrated circuit device package may include a flexible substrate, a first flexible integrated circuit device including a first connection pad, a second flexible integrated circuit device including a second connection pad, a connection wiring electrically connecting the first and the second connection pads to an external device, and a flexible protection member disposed on the second flexible integrated circuit device. |
| US09559076B2 |
Package having substrate with embedded metal trace overlapped by landing pad
An embodiment package includes a conductive pillar mounted on an integrated circuit chip, the conductive pillar having a stepper shape, a metal trace partially embedded in a substrate, the metal trace having a bonding pad portion protruding from the substrate, and a solder feature electrically coupling the conductive pillar to the bonding pad portion of the metal trace. |
| US09559075B1 |
Semiconductor product with interlocking metal-to-metal bonds and method for manufacturing thereof
A structure and method for performing metal-to-metal bonding in an electrical device. For example and without limitation, various aspects of this disclosure provide a structure and method that utilize an interlocking structure configured to enhance metal-to-metal bonding. |
| US09559072B2 |
Metal bump joint structure
A structure comprises a first semiconductor chip with a first metal bump and a second semiconductor chip with a second metal bump. The structure further comprises a solder joint structure electrically connecting the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip, wherein the solder joint structure comprises an intermetallic compound region between the first metal bump and the second metal bump, wherein the intermetallic compound region is with a first height dimension and a surrounding portion formed along exterior walls of the first metal bump and the second metal bump, wherein the surrounding portion is with a second height dimension, and wherein the second height dimension is greater than the first height dimension. |
| US09559068B2 |
Wafer scale package for high power devices
A semiconductor device package is formed of DBC in which thinned MOSgated and/or diode die are soldered to the bottom of an etched depression in the upper conductive layer. A via in the insulation layer of the DBC is filled with a conductive material to form a resistive shunt. Plural packages may be formed in a DBC card and may be separated individually or in clusters. The individual packages arc mounted in various arrays on a support DBC board and heat sink. Integrated circuits may be mounted on the assembly and connected to the die for control of the die conduction. |
| US09559064B2 |
Warpage control in package-on-package structures
A package includes a bottom substrate and a bottom die over and bonded to the bottom substrate. A metal-particle-containing compound material is overlying a top surface of the bottom die, wherein the metal-particle-containing compound material comprises metal particles. A molding material molds at least a lower part of the bottom die therein, wherein the molding material is overlying the bottom substrate. |
| US09559063B2 |
Semiconductor device having crack-resisting ring structure and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulating layer disposed over a semiconductor substrate, and including a plurality of wiring layers; a seal ring disposed in the interlayer insulating layer, and surrounding a circuit region of the semiconductor substrate; a crack lead ring disposed in the interlayer insulating layer, and surrounding the seal ring; and a protective film disposed over the interlayer insulating layer, and covering the crack lead ring and the seal ring. The crack lead ring includes an uppermost wiring layer in an uppermost layer of a plurality of wiring layers. When the crack lead ring has a wiring in an underlayer below the uppermost layer, the uppermost layer wiring extends towards the outside of the device, relative to the wiring in the underlayer. The protective film has an end overlapped with an end of the uppermost layer wiring to form a step over the interlayer insulating layer. |
| US09559061B2 |
Substrate-to-carrier adhesion without mechanical adhesion between abutting surfaces thereof
Wafer to carrier adhesion without mechanical adhesion for formation of an IC. In such formation, an apparatus has a bottom surface of a substrate abutting a top surface of a support platform without adhesive therebetween. A material is disposed around the substrate and on the top surface of the support platform. The material is in contact with a side surface of the substrate to completely seal an interface as between the bottom surface of the substrate and the top surface of the support platform to retain abutment of the top surface and the bottom surface. |
| US09559059B2 |
Methods of forming an improved via to contact interface by selective formation of a conductive capping layer
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming an opening in a layer of insulating material so as to thereby expose at least a portion of a conductive contact, performing a selective deposition process to selectively form a layer of conductive material in the opening and on the conductive contact, performing an anneal process, depositing at least one conductive material above the selectively formed conductive material layer so as to over-fill the opening, and performing at least one planarization process so as to remove excess materials to thereby define a conductive via that is positioned in the opening and conductively coupled to the conductive contact. |
| US09559056B2 |
Electronic component
In an embodiment, an electronic component includes a dielectric core layer having a first major surface, a semiconductor die embedded in the dielectric core layer, and a first conductive layer. The semiconductor die includes a first major surface and at least two conductive fingers arranged on the first major surface which are coupled to a common potential. The first conductive layer is arranged on, and electrically coupled to, the at least two conductive fingers and extends from the at least two conductive fingers over the first major surface of the dielectric core layer. |
| US09559054B2 |
Repairing line structure and circuit repairing method using same
The present invention discloses a repairing line structure for repairing a breakage at a crossing point of electric wires extending along different directions on a thin film transistor panel. The repairing line structure includes a repair line extending from a same side of the electric wire where the breakage is defined and connecting opposite ends of the breakage and an amorphous silicon protection pattern. The repairing line traverses the other electric wire crossing with the electric wire where the breakage is defined. The amorphous silicon protection pattern is located between the repairing line and the electric wire traversed by the repairing line. |
| US09559049B1 |
Memory device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a memory device including a plurality of first conductive line layers, a plurality of support structures, and a charge storage layer. Each of the first conductive line layers extends along a plane defined by a first direction and a second direction. Each of the first conductive line layers includes a plurality of first conductive lines extending along the first direction. The support structures are located between the adjacent first conductive line layers. The charge storage layer covers upper surfaces, lower surfaces, and two side surfaces of the first conductive lines and surfaces of the support structures. |
| US09559044B2 |
Package with solder regions aligned to recesses
A method includes forming a passivation layer over a portion of a metal pad, forming a polymer layer over the passivation layer, and exposing the polymer layer using a photolithography mask. The photolithography mask has an opaque portion, a transparent portion, and a partial transparent portion. The exposed polymer layer is developed to form an opening, wherein the metal pad is exposed through the opening. A Post-Passivation Interconnect (PPI) is formed over the polymer layer, wherein the PPI includes a portion extending into the opening to connect to the metal pad. |
| US09559043B2 |
Multi-level leadframe with interconnect areas for soldering conductive bumps, multi-level package assembly and method for manufacturing the same
A leadframe, a package assembly and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. A plurality of electronic devices are stacked in a plurality of levels in the package assembly. The leadframe includes a plurality of leads having interconnect areas. The plurality of leads are grouped so that the interconnect areas of each group of leads have a height corresponding to one level of electronic devices. In the package assembly, the interconnect areas of each group of leads are soldered to one level of electronic devices. The leadframe and the package assembly result in increased packaging density, less usage of bonding wires in the package assembly, and improve reliability. The method for manufacturing the package assembly reduces adverse effects of a reflow process on properties of the electronic devices, and thus further improves reliability of the package assembly. |
| US09559039B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of using substrate having base and conductive posts to form vertical interconnect structure in embedded die package
A semiconductor device has a substrate including a base and a plurality of conductive posts extending from the base. The substrate can be a wafer-shape, panel, or singulated form. The conductive posts can have a circular, rectangular, tapered, or narrowing intermediate shape. A semiconductor die is disposed through an opening in the base between the conductive posts. The semiconductor die extends above the conductive posts or is disposed below the conductive posts. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and around the conductive posts. The base and a portion of the encapsulant is removed to electrically isolate the conductive posts. An interconnect structure is formed over the semiconductor die, encapsulant, and conductive posts. An insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor die, encapsulant, and conductive posts. A semiconductor package is disposed over the semiconductor die and electrically connected to the conductive posts. |
| US09559038B2 |
Package for a semiconductor device
A package for a semiconductor device or circuit comprises a semiconductor switch module having a metallic base on an exterior side and metallic pads. A metallic enclosure is arranged for receiving the semiconductor switch module. The metallic enclosure has a recess of a size and shape for receiving the semiconductor switch module. The metallic enclosure has a set of dielectric regions with embedded or pass-through electrical terminals that are electrically insulated or isolated from the metallic enclosure. The electrical terminals are electrically connected to the metallic pads. A metallic bridging connection fills and hydraulically seals what would otherwise be a perimeter gap between the metallic base and the metallic enclosure. |
| US09559037B2 |
Package integrated synthetic jet device
Embodiments include a synthetic jet device formed within layers of a package substrate, such as to provide a controlled airflow for sensing or cooling applications. The jet device includes an electromagnetically driven vibrating membrane of conductive material between a top and bottom cavity. A top lid with an opening covers the top cavity, and a permanent magnet is below the bottom cavity. An alternating current signal conducted through the membrane causes the membrane to vibrate in the presence of a magnetic field caused by the permanent magnet. By being manufactured with package forming processes, the jet (1) is manufactured more cost-effectively than by using silicon chip or wafer processing; (2) is easily integrated as part of and with the other layers of a package substrate; and (3) can be driven by a chip mounted on the package. Embodiments also include systems having and processes for forming the jet. |
| US09559036B1 |
Integrated circuit package with plated heat spreader
An integrated circuit package may include an integrated circuit die with lower and upper surfaces. The integrated circuit die is mounted on a package substrate. An underfill material is deposited between the integrated circuit die and the package substrate. A molding compound may be injected to surround the integrated circuit die while leaving the upper surface of the integrated circuit die exposed. The integrated circuit package further includes a metal layer that contacts the exposed upper surface of the integrated circuit die. The metal layer may also cover the molding compound. If desired, an additional metal layer may be formed on the layer of metal as a heat spreader. Such a configuration may also be applicable for wire bond packages, in which the metal layers are formed on an overmold that is disposed over a wire-bonded integrated circuit die on a package substrate. |
| US09559034B2 |
Package for high-power semiconductor devices
Methods and apparatuses for forming a package for high-power semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. A package may include a plurality of distinct thermal spreader layers disposed between a die and a metal carrier. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09559033B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having an edge, a semiconductor layer provided on a substrate, an electrode pad provided on the semiconductor layer, an inorganic insulating film having a first opening through which an upper surface of the electrode pad is exposed, and a resin film provided on the inorganic insulating film, the resin film having a second opening and a third opening separated from each other, where the upper surface of the electrode pad is exposed through the second opening, where the third opening is located between the second opening and the edge of the substrate, and where a bottom of the third opening is constituted by the resin film or the inorganic insulating film. |
| US09559031B2 |
Apparatus and method for fabricating epi wafer and epi wafer
A method for fabricating an epi wafer according to the embodiment comprises depositing an epi layer on a wafer in a first chamber; transferring the wafer to a second chamber connected to the first chamber; forming a protective layer on the wafer in the second chamber; and cooling the wafer in the second chamber.Further, an apparatus for fabricating an epi wafer according to the embodiment comprises a first chamber comprising an epi deposition part; a second chamber comprising a protective layer forming part and a cooling part; and a wafer transfer apparatus connected to lower portions of the first chamber and the second chamber. |
| US09559028B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device can be manufactured with a reduced cost. The semiconductor device (1D) includes, a substrate (100D), which includes a main surface (101D) and a recess (108D) depressed from the main surface (101D), and includes a semiconductor material; a wiring layer (200D) in which at least a portion thereof is formed on the substrate (100D); one or more first elements (370D) accommodated in the recess (108D); a sealing resin (400D) covering at least a portion of the one or more first elements (370D) and filled in the recess (108D); and a plurality of columnar conductive portions (230D) penetrating through the sealing resin (400D) in the depth direction of the recess (108D), and respectively connected with the portion of the wiring layer (200D) that is formed at the recess (108D). |
| US09559023B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing beam instability in laser annealing
Systems and methods for reducing beam instability in laser annealing are disclosed. The method includes: directing a conditioned laser beam through an opening in an aperture using a beam-redirecting element; forming a line image on the surface of the semiconductor wafer by imaging the aperture onto the surface, thereby locally heating the surface to form an annealing temperature distribution; detecting a thermal emission from the locally heated wafer surface; determining the annealing temperature distribution from the detected thermal emission; determining from the annealing temperature distribution a line-image intensity profile that includes a time-varying amount of slope; and adjusting the beam-redirecting element to redirect the laser beam to reduce or eliminate the time-varying amount of slope in the line-image intensity profile. |
| US09559021B2 |
Wafer back-side polishing system and method for integrated circuit device manufacturing processes
A wafer polishing process includes polishing a central area on the back side of a wafer, polishing a peripheral area on the back side of the wafer, buffing the central area, and buffing the peripheral area. The process can significantly reduce scratch-related wafer breakage, can correct focus spots on wafers, and can replace cleaning processes that use chemical etchants. Polishing and buffing can include polishing and buffing the bevel region. Further improvements include polishing with abrasive pads having a soft backing, polishing or buffing with pads having relatively soft abrasive particles, polishing or buffing with abrasive pads made from abrasive particles that have been sorted and selected for regularity of shape, irrigating the surface being polished or buffed with an aqueous solution that includes a friction-reducing agent, and buffing with abrasive pads having 20k or finer grit or non-abrasive pads. |
| US09559009B2 |
Gate structure cut after formation of epitaxial active regions
A gate structure straddling a plurality of semiconductor material portions is formed. Source regions and drain regions are formed in the plurality of semiconductor material portions, and a gate spacer laterally surrounding the gate structure is formed. Epitaxial active regions are formed from the source and drain regions by a selective epitaxy process. The assembly of the gate structure and the gate spacer is cut into multiple portions employing a cut mask and an etch to form multiple gate assemblies. Each gate assembly includes a gate structure portion and two disjoined gate spacer portions laterally spaced by the gate structure portion. Portions of the epitaxial active regions can be removed from around sidewalls of the gate spacers to prevent electrical shorts among the epitaxial active regions. A dielectric spacer or a dielectric liner may be employed to limit areas in which metal semiconductor alloys are formed. |
| US09559005B2 |
Methods of packaging and dicing semiconductor devices and structures thereof
Methods of packaging and dicing semiconductor devices, and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of packaging and dicing semiconductor devices includes a first cutting process performed on a wafer to form a groove passing through a passivation layer and an interconnect structure on a scribe line region and a portion of a semiconductor substrate on the scribe line region. Next, a molding compound layer is formed on a frontside of the wafer to fill the groove. After performing a grinding process on a backside of the wafer to thin down the semiconductor substrate, a second cutting process is performed on the wafer to separate the individual dies. The second cutting process cuts through the molding compound layer in the groove and the semiconductor substrate underlying the groove. |
| US09559003B2 |
Three-dimensional semiconductor architecture
A system and method for making semiconductor die connections with through-substrate vias are disclosed. Through substrate vias are formed through the substrate to allow for signal connections as well as power and ground connections. In one embodiment the substrate has an interior region and a periphery region surrounding the interior region. A first set of through substrate vias are located within the periphery region, and a second set of through substrate vias are located within the interior region, wherein the second set of through substrate vias are part of a power matrix. The second set of through substrate vias bisect the substrate into a first part and a second part. |
| US09558997B2 |
Integration of Ru wet etch and CMP for beol interconnects with Ru layer
Embodiments described herein provide approaches for interconnect formation in a semiconductor device. Specifically, a Cu layer is removed to a top surface of an Ru layer using CMP, the Cu layer is removed to form a recess within each of a plurality of trenches of a dielectric of the semiconductor device, and the Ru layer is removed using an etch process (e.g., a wet etch). An additional CMP is performed to reach the desired target trench height and to planarize the wafer. |
| US09558996B2 |
Method for filling trench with metal layer and semiconductor structure formed by using the same
A method for filling a trench with a metal layer is disclosed. A deposition apparatus having a plurality of supporting pins is provided. A substrate and a dielectric layer disposed thereon are provided. The dielectric layer has a trench. A first deposition process is performed immediately after the substrate is placed on the supporting pins to form a metal layer in the trench, wherein during the first deposition process a temperature of the substrate is gradually increased to reach a predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the substrate reaches the predetermined temperature, a second deposition process is performed to completely fill the trench with the metal layer. The present invention further provides a semiconductor device having an aluminum layer with a reflectivity greater than 1, wherein the semiconductor device is formed by using the method. |
| US09558995B2 |
HDP fill with reduced void formation and spacer damage
A method for filling gaps between structures includes forming a plurality of high aspect ratio structures adjacent to one another with gaps, forming a first dielectric layer on tops of the structures and conformally depositing a spacer dielectric layer over the structures. The spacer dielectric layer is removed from horizontal surfaces and a protection layer is conformally deposited over the structures. The gaps are filled with a flowable dielectric, which is recessed to a height along sidewalls of the structures by a selective etch process such that the protection layer protects the spacer dielectric layer on sidewalls of the structures. The first dielectric layer and the spacer dielectric layer are exposed above the height using a higher etch resistance than the protection layer to maintain dimensions of the spacer layer dielectric through the etching processes. The gaps are filled by a high density plasma fill. |
| US09558984B2 |
Device for holding a planar substrate
A device (1) for holding a planar substrate (4), in particular for a wafer or an eWLB, is shown, with a support (2) which forms a supporting surface (3) for the substrate (2) and has at least one recess (5) provided in the region of the supporting surface (3) for the substrate (2), and with at least one holding means which is connected in terms of flow to said recess (6) and is intended for fixing the substrate (2) on the device (1) with the aid of a vacuum generated between the support (2) and substrate (4). In order to be able to grip a multiplicity of substrates of geometrically differing profile, it is proposed that the support (2) has at least one recess (6) with an elastic seal (7) which is designed to be movable from a position (9) protruding over the edge (8) of the recess (6) into a position (10) pulled back in relation to the edge (8) of the recess (6) or at most corresponding to said edge and which interacts with the recess (5) for sucking the full area of the substrate (4) onto the support (2). |
| US09558983B2 |
Base film for dicing sheet and dicing sheet
A base film for a dicing sheet is provided which can suppress dicing debris from generating during the dicing of a cut object without imparting physical energy, such as electron beam or γ ray. The base film for a dicing sheet comprises a resin layer. The resin layer comprises: a norbornene-based resin that is a thermoplastic resin having a norbornene-based compound as at least one type of monomer; and an olefin-based thermoplastic resin other than the norbornene-based resin. The norbornene-based resin in the resin layer has a content of more than 3.0 mass %. A dicing sheet is also provided which comprises: the base film for a dicing sheet; and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer placed on a surface of the film at the resin layer side. |
| US09558978B2 |
Material handling with dedicated automated material handling system
An apparatus includes a dedicated material handling module having a dedicated automated material handling system (AMHS) defines a transport route between a first tool and a second tool selected from a plurality of tools in a fabrication facility. The dedicated AMHS is configured to transport wafer carriers between the first tool and the second tool or vice versa independent of a fabrication facility AMHS that is configured to transport wafer carriers among the plurality of tools. |
| US09558976B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus, method of transferring substrate, method of manufacturing semiconductor device, and state detecting program
A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate retaining mechanism into which retaining members on which substrates are placed are installed to retain the substrates; a substrate transfer unit configured to transfer at least one substrate; a detecting unit configured to detect states of the retaining members installed into the substrate retaining mechanism; a determination unit configured to compare data representing the states of the retaining members, which is obtained by the detecting unit, with master data, which is reference data obtained by detecting normal states of the retaining members, beforehand to determine the states of the retaining members; and a transfer control unit configured to control the substrate transfer unit according to the determination of the determination unit. |
| US09558973B2 |
Laser annealing systems and methods with ultra-short dwell times
Laser annealing systems and methods for annealing a semiconductor wafer with ultra-short dwell times are disclosed. The laser annealing systems can include one or two laser beams that at least partially overlap. One of the laser beams is a pre-heat laser beam and the other laser beam is the annealing laser beam. The annealing laser beam scans sufficiently fast so that the dwell time is in the range from about 1 μs to about 100 μs. These ultra-short dwell times are useful for annealing product wafers formed from thin device wafers because they prevent the device side of the device wafer from being damaged by heating during the annealing process. Embodiments of single-laser-beam annealing systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09558972B2 |
Liquid treatment apparatus including return path and switching mechanism
In one embodiment, a clean gas supply mechanism includes a supply path having an upstream end provided with a gas intake port, and a downstream end connected to a treatment chamber. The supply path is provided therein with a fan, and a filter disposed upstream of the fan. A return path branches from the supply path at a first position downstream of the fan and upstream of the treatment chamber and is connected to the supply path at a second position downstream of the filter and upstream of the fan. A switching mechanism selectively switches between a first state where the clean gas flows into the treatment chamber, and a second state where the clean gas returns to the supply path through the return path. |
| US09558959B2 |
Polishing compositions and methods for selectively polishing silicon nitride over silicon oxide films
Stable aqueous polishing compositions that can selectively polish silicon nitride (SiN) films and nearly stop (or polish at very low rates) on silicon oxide films are provided herein. The compositions comprise an anionic abrasive, a nitride removal rate enhancer containing a carboxyl or carboxylate group, water, and optionally, an anionic polymer. The synergistic combination of anionic (negatively charged) abrasives and the nitride removal rate enhancer provide beneficial charge interactions with the dielectric films during CMP, a high SiN rate and selectivity enhancement (over oxide), and stable colloidal dispersed slurries. |
| US09558957B2 |
Method for manufacturing a substrate provided with different active areas and with planar and three-dimensional transistors
A substrate is successively provided with a support (7), an electrically insulating layer (8), and a semi-conductor material layer (2). A first protective mask (1) completely covers a second area (B) of the semi-conductor material layer and leaves a first area (A) of the semi-conductor material layer uncovered. A second etching mask (3) partially covers the first area (A) and at least partially covers the second area (B), so as to define and separate a first area and a second area. Lateral spacers are formed on the lateral surfaces of the second etching mask (3) so as to form a third etching mask. The semi-conductor material layer (2) is etched by means of the third etching mask so as to form a pattern made from semi-conductor material in the first area (A), the first etching mask (3) protecting the second area (B). |
| US09558956B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided, which includes forming a first mask pattern and a second mask pattern on a first layer, forming a block mask that covers the second mask pattern on the first layer, forming first spacers on side walls of the first mask pattern, exposing the second mask pattern through removal of the first mask pattern and the block mask, forming a third mask pattern and a fourth mask pattern through etching of the first layer using the first spacers and the second mask pattern as etch masks, and forming second spacers and third spacers on side walls of the third mask pattern and side walls of the fourth mask pattern, respectively. |
| US09558954B2 |
Selective wet etching and textured surface planarization processes
The present invention relates to systems and methods associated with selective wet etching and textured surface planarization. The systems and methods described herein can be used to etch a component of a multi-layer stack, such as a GaN layer. In some embodiments, the multi-layer stack can include a substrate having a patterned surface and a light generating region. The substrate can be removed from the first multi-layer stack to form a second multi-layer stack. In some embodiments, the pattern on the surface of the substrate can leave behind a pattern on a surface of the second multi-layer stack. Accordingly, in some cases, the surface of the second multi-layer stack can be wet etched, for example, to smoothen the surface. In some embodiments, removing the substrate can expose an N-face of a GaN layer, and the wet etch can be performed such that the N-face of the GaN layer is etched. In some embodiments, the multi-layer stack includes a light generating region and can be part of a light emitting device. |
| US09558953B2 |
Etching method, and method of producing semiconductor substrate product and semiconductor device using the same
An etching method, having the step of applying an etching liquid onto a TiN-containing layer in a semiconductor substrate thereby etching the TiN-containing layer, the etching liquid comprising water, and a basic compound and an oxidizing agent in water thereof to be within the range of pH from 8.5 to 14, and the TiN-containing layer having a surface oxygen content from 0.1 mol % to 10 mol %. |
| US09558950B1 |
Overhang hardmask to prevent parasitic epitaxial nodules at gate end during source drain epitaxy
A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a gate covered by a hard mask over a substrate; disposing a mask over the gate and the hard mask; patterning the mask to expose a portion of the gate and the hard mask; cutting the gate and hard mask to form two shorter gates, each of the two shorter gates having an exposed end portion; undercutting the exposed end portion of at least one of the two shorter gates to form an overhanging hard mask portion over the exposed end portion; and forming spacers along a gate sidewall and beneath the overhanging hard mask portion. |
| US09558947B2 |
Pattern decomposition lithography techniques
Techniques are disclosed for realizing a two-dimensional target lithography feature/pattern by decomposing (splitting) it into multiple unidirectional target features that, when aggregated, substantially (e.g., fully) represent the original target feature without leaving an unrepresented remainder (e.g., a whole-number quantity of unidirectional target features). The unidirectional target features may he arbitrarily grouped such that, within a grouping, all unidirectional target features share a common target width value. Where multiple such groupings are provided, individual groupings may or may not have the same common target width value. In some cases, a series of reticles is provided, each reticle having a mask pattern correlating to a grouping of unidirectional target features. Exposure of a photoresist material via the aggregated series of reticles substantially (e.g., fully) produces the original target feature/pattern. The pattern decomposition techniques may be integrated into any number of patterning processes, such as litho-freeze-litho-etch and litho-etch-litho-etch patterning processes. |
| US09558943B1 |
Stress relaxed buffer layer on textured silicon surface
A method of forming a stress relaxed buffer layer (SRB) on a textured or grooved silicon (Si) surface and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a textured surface in an upper surface of a Si wafer; epitaxially growing a low-temperature seed layer on the textured surface of the Si wafer; depositing a SRB layer over the low-temperature seed layer; and planarizing an upper surface of the SRB layer. |
| US09558942B1 |
High density nanowire array
A method of fabricating a nanowire array is disclosed. The method includes forming a mask layer over a substrate, wherein the mask layer includes a plurality of openings; growing a first plurality of nanowires through the plurality of openings; forming a conformal layer over the first plurality of nanowires and the mask layer; planarizing the conformal layer over the first plurality of nanowires to form a coplanar top surface defined by the first plurality of nanowires and the conformal layer; removing a portion of the conformal layer and a portion of the mask layer to expose the substrate, wherein the portions of the conformal layer and the mask layer are located between adjacent nanowires from the plurality of nanowires; and growing a second plurality of nanowires on the exposed substrate. |
| US09558936B2 |
Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor manufacturing method
In one embodiment, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes an accommodation module configured to accommodate a substrate. The apparatus further includes a first flow channel including first openings configured to emit a first gas into the accommodation module. The apparatus further includes a second flow channel including second openings configured to emit the first gas into the accommodation module, a number or a size of the second openings being different from a number or a size of the first openings. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to control supplying of the first gas to the first and second flow channels such that the first gas is emitted from the first openings at a first flow velocity and the first gas is emitted from the second openings at a second flow velocity different from the first flow velocity. |
| US09558934B2 |
Hydrogen-free silicon-based deposited dielectric films for nano device fabrication
Embodiments of the present invention provide hydrogen-free dielectric films and methods of fabrication. A hydrogen-free precursor, such as tetraisocyanatosilane, and hydrogen-free reactants, such as nitrogen, oxygen (O2/O3) and nitrous oxide are used with chemical vapor deposition processes (PECVD, thermal CVD, SACVD, HDP CVD, and PE and Thermal ALD) to create hydrogen-free dielectric films. In some embodiments, there are multilayer dielectric films with sublayers of various materials such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride. In embodiments, the hydrogen-free reactants may include Tetra Isocyanato Silane, along with a hydrogen-free gas including, but not limited to, N2, O2, O3, N2O, CO2, CO and a combination thereof of these H-Free gases. Plasma may be used to enhance the reaction between the TICS and the other H-free gasses. The plasma may be controlled during film deposition to achieve variable density within each sublayer of the films. |
| US09558933B2 |
Method for forming a semiconductor device
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes carrying out an anodic oxidation of a surface region of a semiconductor substrate to form an oxide layer at a surface of the semiconductor substrate by generating an attracting electrical field between the semiconductor substrate and an external electrode within an electrolyte to attract oxidizing ions of the electrolyte, causing an oxidation of the surface region of the semiconductor substrate. Further, the method includes reducing the number of remaining oxidizing ions within the oxide layer, while the semiconductor substrate is within an electrolyte. |
| US09558931B2 |
System and method for gas-phase sulfur passivation of a semiconductor surface
Improved methods and systems for passivating a surface of a high-mobility semiconductor and structures and devices formed using the methods are disclosed. The method includes providing a high-mobility semiconductor surface to a chamber of a reactor and exposing the high-mobility semiconductor surface to a gas-phase sulfur precursor to passivate the high-mobility semiconductor surface. |
| US09558928B2 |
Contact clean in high-aspect ratio structures
Method and apparatus for cleaning a substrate having a plurality of high-aspect ratio openings are disclosed. A substrate can be provided in a plasma processing chamber, where the substrate includes the plurality of high-aspect ratio openings, the plurality of high-aspect ratio openings are defined by vertical structures having alternating layers of oxide and nitride or alternating layers of oxide and polysilicon. The substrate can include a silicon oxide layer over a damaged or amorphous silicon layer in the high-aspect ratio openings. To remove the silicon oxide layer, a bias power can be applied in the plasma processing chamber at a low pressure, and a fluorine-based species can be used to etch the silicon oxide layer. To remove the underlying damaged or amorphous silicon layer, a source power and a bias power can be applied in the plasma processing chamber, and a hydrogen-based species can be used to etch the damaged or amorphous silicon layer. |
| US09558927B2 |
Wet cleaning method for cleaning small pitch features
A method for reducing contaminants in a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes cleaning the semiconductor substrate. The cleaning includes rotating the semiconductor substrate and dispersing an aerosol at a predetermined temperature to a surface of the semiconductor substrate or a layer formed on the substrate to be cleaned. The aerosol includes a chemical having a predetermined pressure and a gas having a predetermined flow rate. |
| US09558924B2 |
Systems for separating ions and neutrals and methods of operating the same
A mass spectrometer system includes a pulsed ion source configured to generate ionized molecules and neutral molecules. The system also includes a first enclosure coupled in flow communication with the pulsed ion source. The first enclosure defines a first vacuum chamber and an ion inlet aperture. The system further includes a detector positioned within said first enclosure and a plurality of ion transmission devices positioned within the first vacuum chamber and aligned with the ion inlet aperture. The plurality of ion transmission devices is configured to channel and accelerate ionized molecules through a first transmission path such that the ionized molecules and the neutral molecules are physically separated in space and temporally separated. |
| US09558922B2 |
Quantitative peptide analysis by mass spectrometry based on bell-function fitting for ion isotope distribution
A method for determining the concentration ratio in a sample of a target peptide to a reference peptide that is chemically identical with the target peptide, but labeled by isotopes, acquires mass spectra of the target and reference peptides. One of a plurality of families of superimposed bell-shaped curves which is a best fit to ion current peak groups of the target and reference peptides in the mass spectra is determined by varying parameters of the families. In each family, each bell-shaped curve has a predetermined height, the curves have fixed distances from each other and the relative curve heights and curve distances in the families are individually calculated from an elemental composition of the peptides and an isotope abundance distribution of elements composing the peptides, taking into account purity of the isotopes. The concentration ratio is then determined from the parameters of the best fit. |
| US09558919B2 |
Method of modifying electrostatic chuck and plasma processing apparatus
A method of modifying an electrostatic chuck that electrostatically attracts a processing object is provided. The method includes a gas supplying step of supplying a gas containing hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) into a chamber accommodating the electrostatic chuck having a surface that is fluorinated; and a modifying step of turning the gas supplied to the chamber into plasma using a high frequency power, exposing the electrostatic chuck to the plasma, and modifying the fluorinated surface of the electrostatic chuck. |
| US09558918B2 |
Cold plasma treatment devices and associated methods
A cold plasma treatment device for delivery of a cold plasma to patient treatment area. Gas is fed to a gas compartment where it is energized by an electrode coupled to a pulse source to thereby generate a cold plasma. A dielectric barrier is sandwiched between the gas compartment and the electrode to form a dielectric barrier discharge device. The cold plasma exits the gas compartment via a bottom member having a plurality of holes. Gases that can be used include noble gases such as helium or combinations of noble gases. |
| US09558916B2 |
Lithography system and method of manufacturing articles
At least one method of manufacturing articles and at least one lithography system are provided herein. A lithography system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a drawing apparatus that includes a plurality of optical systems and draws a pattern on a substrate with beams having been respectively shaped by the plurality of optical systems, and a transmission unit configured to select pattern data to be used by the drawing apparatus from a plurality of types of pattern data commonly used by the plurality of optical systems and configured to transmit the selected pattern data to the drawing apparatus. The pattern data is a set of data including a plurality of sub pattern data, and a width of a stripe-shaped drawing region corresponding to one sub pattern data piece is equivalent to a length obtainable by dividing a drawing width of the beams by an integer value. |
| US09558915B2 |
Method and apparatus for a high resolution imaging system
The present invention provides apparatus for an imaging system comprising a multitude of imaging elements upon a substrate. In some embodiments the substrate may be approximately round with a radius of approximately one inch. Various methods relating to using and producing an imaging system are discussed. |
| US09558908B2 |
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for ion traps
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for ion traps are described herein. One apparatus includes a number of microwave (MW) rails and a number of radio frequency (RF) rails formed with substantially parallel longitudinal axes and with substantially coplanar upper surfaces. The apparatus includes two sequences of direct current (DC) electrodes with each sequence formed to extend substantially parallel to the substantially parallel longitudinal axes of the MW rails and the RF rails. The apparatus further includes a number of through-silicon vias (TSVs) formed through a substrate of the ion trap and a trench capacitor formed in the substrate around at least one TSV. |
| US09558905B2 |
Fuse with insulated plugs
An improved fuse including a fuse body formed of an electrically insulative material. The fuse body defines a cavity which extends from a first end of the fuse body to a second end of the fuse body. A fusible element is disposed within the cavity and extends from a first end face of the first end of the fuse body to a second end face of the second end of the fuse body. Insulated plugs are disposed within the cavity at the first and second ends of the fuse body wherein the plugs adhere to an interior surface of the fuse body and form seals that close the internal cavity. The fuse may further include end terminations that are applied to the ends of the fuse body in electrical contact with the fusible element. |
| US09558903B2 |
MEMS-based switching system
A switching element that is at least partially implemented in one or more printed wiring boards (PWBs). A plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs may be integrated into the PWB(s). In some embodiments, a plurality of contact bars may also be comprised in respective contact bar pockets bounded at least partially ab at least one of the PWB(s). The switching element is selectively operable in first and second states, the first state in which at least one contact bar couples one of the plurality of inputs to one of the plurality of outputs such that an analog signal input to the respective input is routed to the respective output and the second state in which at least one contact bar is held in an off state. |
| US09558900B2 |
Vacuum assisted electrical disconnect with dynamic shield
An electrical disconnect includes a housing having a recess defined therein extending from an opening toward a base. The disconnect also includes a vacuum envelope defined within the housing near the base; a fixed contact assembly including a fixed contact structured to be in electrical communication with a voltage source disposed partially within the vacuum envelope; and a movable contact assembly including a movable contact having a first end disposed within the vacuum envelope and a second end disposed in the recess near the base and movable between a closed position in electrical contact with the fixed contact and an open position spaced apart from the fixed contact a separation distance. The housing includes a dynamic shield electrically connected to the movable contact, the dynamic shield being disposed about the recess within the housing and extending from the base toward the opening thereof. |
| US09558891B2 |
Polymerization solution, conductive polymer film obtained from the polymerization solution, and solid electrolytic capacitor
Disclosed is a polymerization solution for electrolytic polymerization containing borodisalicylic acid and/or a salt thereof as a supporting electrolyte, in which precipitation due to the hydrolysis of borodisalicylate ions is inhibited and which provides a conductive polymer exhibiting excellent heat resistance. The polymerization solution has: a solvent consisting of 100 to 80% by mass of water and 0 to 20% by mass of an organic solvent; at least one monomer having a π-conjugated double bond; at least one supporting electrolyte selected from the group consisting of borodisalicylic acid and borodisalicylic salts; and at least one stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of nitrobenzene and nitrobenzene derivatives, and the content of the stabilizing agent content is more than ⅛ mol per 1 mol of the supporting electrolyte. A complex is formed by the stabilizing agent and borodisalicylic acid, and the formation of precipitation due to the hydrolysis of borodisalicylate ions is inhibited. |
| US09558890B2 |
Electronic component
An electronic component includes a laminated capacitor and a substrate-type terminal on which the laminated capacitor is mounted, with an viscoelastic resin located in a space between the laminated capacitor and the substrate-type terminal. The substrate-type terminal includes a substrate body, component connecting electrodes to mount the laminated capacitor are located on a component mounting surface of the substrate body, and external connecting electrodes to be connected to a circuit board are located on a substrate mounting surface of the substrate body. |
| US09558889B2 |
Capacitor device for a conductor loop in a device for the in-sity production of heavy oil and bitumen from oil-sand deposits
The embodiments relate to a capacitor device for a conductor loop in a device for the in-situ production of heavy oil and bitumen from oil-sand deposits, characterized by a housing and a capacitor unit arranged therein to compensate for the inductive voltage drop along the conductor loop, wherein there are two connection interfaces, wherein each connection interface is designed for mechanical and electrically conductive connection between the capacitor unit and a conductor element of the conductor loop. |
| US09558888B2 |
Multilayer polymer film having a charge-delocalizing interface
A multilayer polymer dielectric film includes a stack of coextruded, alternating first dielectric layers and second dielectric layers that receive electrical charge. The first dielectric layers include a first polymer material and the second dielectric layers include a second polymer material different from the first polymer material. The first polymer material has a permittivity greater than the second polymer material. The second polymer material has a breakdown strength greater than the first polymer material. Adjoining first dielectric layers and second dielectric layers define an interface between the layers that delocalizes electrical charge build-up in the layers. The stack has substantially the crystallographic symmetry before and during receiving electrical charge. |
| US09558887B2 |
Forming conductive portions in insulating materials matreials using an ion beam
A method of forming a conductive portion in an insulating material. The insulating material includes carbon and at least one other constituent. The method includes exposing the insulating material to ions to preferentially remove the other constituent. |
| US09558885B2 |
Method for producing surface-modified rare earth metal-based sintered magnet
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a surface-modified rare earth metal-based sintered magnet having extremely excellent corrosion resistance even in an environment with fluctuating temperature and humidity and also having excellent magnetic characteristics. The method for producing a surface-modified rare earth metal-based sintered magnet of the present invention as a means for achieving the object is characterized by comprising a step of subjecting a rare earth metal-based sintered magnet to a heat treatment at 200° C. to 600° C. in an atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure of 1×103 Pa to 1×105 Pa and a water vapor partial pressure of 45 Pa or less with the ratio between the oxygen partial pressure and the water vapor partial pressure (oxygen partial pressure/water vapor partial pressure) being 450 to 20000. |
| US09558881B2 |
High current power inductor
A surface mount power inductor includes a preformed conductive winding clip and first and second-shaped core pieces. The core pieces may be configured to reduce unbalanced force experienced in the power inductor in certain types of power management circuitry. Reduction in the unbalanced force reduces vibration of the power inductor in use, and in turn reduces acoustic noise as the power inductor operates. |
| US09558874B2 |
Sintered NdFeB magnet and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a sintered NdFeB magnet having high coercivity (HcJ) a high maximum energy product ((BH)max) and a high squareness ratio (SQ) even when the sintered magnet has a thickness of 5 mm or more. The sintered NdFeB magnet is produced by diffusing Dy and/or Tb in grain boundaries in a base material of the sintered NdFeB magnet by a grain boundary diffusion process. The sintered NdFeB magnet is characterized in that the amount of rare earth in a metallic state in the base material is between 12.7 and 16.0% in atomic ratio, a rare earth-rich phase continues from the surface of the base material to a depth of 2.5 mm from the surface at the grain boundaries of the base material, and the grain boundaries in which RH has been diffused by the grain boundary diffusion process reach a depth of 2.5 mm from the surface. |
| US09558873B2 |
Method for manufacturing superconducting wire, and superconducting wire
A method for manufacturing a superconducting wire material in which the superconducting current is not saturated even when a superconducting layer is made into a thick film, and a superconducting wire material. In the method a superconducting layer is formed on a metal substrate interposed by an intermediate layer, the method including heating the metal substrate up to the film-formation temperature of a superconducting film for forming the superconducting layer, forming a superconducting film having a film thickness of at least 10 nm and no more than 200 nm on the intermediate layer, and reducing the metal substrate temperature to a level below the film-formation temperature of the superconducting film, and the superconducting film-formation, including the heating, the film-formation, and the cooling, are performed a plurality of times. |
| US09558872B2 |
R-T-B rare earth sintered magnet, alloy for R-T-B rare earth sintered magnet, and method of manufacturing the same
An R-T-B rare earth sintered magnet contains R which represents a rare earth element; T which represents a transition metal essentially containing Fe; a metal element M which represents Al and/or Ga; B; Cu; and inevitable impurities the R-T-B rare earth sintered magnet including 13.4 to 17 at % of R, 4.5 to 5.5 at % of B, and 0.1 to 2.0 at % of M, and T as the balance; in which the R-T-B rare earth sintered magnet is formed of a sintered body which includes a main phase composed of R2Fe14B and a grain boundary phase including a larger amount of R than the main phase; in which the magnetization direction of the main phase is a c-axis direction, in which crystal grains of the main phase have one of an elliptical shape and an oval shape extended in such a direction so as to cross the c-axis direction; and in which the grain boundary phase includes an R-rich phase in which the total atomic concentration of the rare earth elements is 70 at % or greater and a transition metal-rich phase in which the total atomic concentration of the rare earth elements is 25 to 35 at %. |
| US09558871B2 |
Fe-based amorphous alloy and dust core made using Fe-based amorphous alloy powder
An Fe-based amorphous alloy of the present invention has a composition represented by formula (Fe100-a-b-c-d-eCraPbCcBdSie (a, b, c, d, and e are in terms of at %), where 0 at %≦a≦1.9 at %, 1.7 at %≦b≦8.0 at %, 0 at %≦e≦1.0 at %, an Fe content (100-a-b-c-d-e) is 77 at % or more, 19 at %≦b+c+d+e≦21.1 at %, 0.08≦b/(b+c+d)≦0.43, 0.06≦c/(c+d)≦0.87, and the Fe-based amorphous alloy has a glass transition temperature (Tg). |
| US09558870B2 |
Dual resolution potentiometer
An electrical assembly including a conductor arrangement and a dual resolution potentiometer electrically connected to the conductor arrangement. The dual resolution potentiometer includes a first resistive element having a first adjustment mechanism and a second resistive element having a second adjustment mechanism. The first adjustment mechanism being coupled in a hysteresis arrangement to the second adjustment mechanism. |
| US09558860B2 |
Graphene-enhanced anode particulates for lithium ion batteries
A nano graphene-enhanced particulate for use as a lithium-ion battery anode active material, wherein the particulate is formed of a single sheet of graphene or a plurality of graphene sheets and a plurality of fine anode active material particles with a size smaller than 10 μm. The graphene sheets and the particles are mutually bonded or agglomerated into the particulate with at least a graphene sheet embracing the anode active material particles. The amount of graphene is at least 0.01% by weight and the amount of the anode active material is at least 0.1% by weight, all based on the total weight of the particulate. A lithium-ion battery having an anode containing these graphene-enhanced particulates exhibits a stable charge and discharge cycling response, a high specific capacity per unit mass, a high first-cycle efficiency, a high capacity per electrode volume, and a long cycle life. |
| US09558856B2 |
Control system for plant
In a control system for a plant controlling a plant such as a nuclear power plant 1 with use of a plurality of digital control devices 41, the plurality of digital control devices 41 include a plurality of control functions 46 to 56, and the plurality of control functions 46 to 56 are provided in the plurality of digital control devices 41 in a distributed manner so that the digital control devices 41 may not fall below safety standards preset by safety analyses. This provides a control system for a plant using the plurality of digital control devices 41 and configured to control a plant safely even when a digital control device is failed. |
| US09558855B2 |
Pressurized water reactor with upper plenum including cross-flow blocking weir
A pressurized water reactor (PWR) comprises: a nuclear core comprising a fissile material; a cylindrical pressure vessel having a vertically oriented cylinder axis and containing the nuclear core immersed in primary coolant water; and a hollow cylindrical central riser disposed concentrically with and inside the cylindrical pressure vessel. A downcomer annulus is defined between the hollow cylindrical central riser and the cylindrical pressure vessel. The hollow cylindrical central riser has a radially expanding upper orifice that merges into an annular divider plate that separates an upper plenum above the annular divider plate from a lower plenum below the annular divider plate. The upper plenum is in fluid communication with the radially expanding upper orifice and the lower plenum is in fluid communication with the downcomer annulus. A weir may extend away from a bottom wall of the lower plenum into the lower plenum. An emergency core cooling system (ECCS) return line nozzle may be arranged to inject water into the upper plenum. A pump support plate spans the inner diameter of the cylindrical pressure vessel and forms a portion of the pressure boundary of the cylindrical pressure vessel, and reactor coolant pumps (RCPs) are supported by the pump support plate. Alternatively, reactor coolant pumps (RCPs) are supported by an arcuate annular ledge formed in the upper portion of the cylindrical pressure vessel. |
| US09558854B2 |
Systems and methods for providing override control for a feedwater pump recirculation valve
Systems and methods for providing override control for a feedwater pump recirculation valve are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive one or more measurements associated with pump motor power driving feedwater pump flow. The feedwater pump recirculation valve may be configured to maintain a predetermined minimum recirculation flow through the feedwater pump by regulating recirculation pump flow through a recirculation line. The processor may be also configured to calculate, based at least in part on the one or more measurements, the recirculation pump flow, and compare the recirculation pump flow to the predetermined minimum recirculation flow. Based at least in part on the comparing, the processor may selectively provide an override control signal to the feedwater pump recirculation valve to selectively modify the recirculation pump flow. |
| US09558852B2 |
Method and apparatus for defect repair in NAND memory device
System and method of selecting defective columns in NAND memory devices for repair. After locating the defective blocks and defective columns in a NAND memory device, a weight value is calculated for each defective block by dividing a total number of defective blocks that would be inherently repaired as a result of repairing the respective defective block by a number of defective data columns in the respective defective block. A defective block with the greatest weight value is selected for repair in which the defective columns in the selected block are substituted by redundant columns. Other defective blocks with defective columns having the same column addresses with the defective columns in the selected defective block are automatically selected for repair as well. Remaining defective columns are selected for repair by iteratively updating weight values and selecting a defective block that has the greatest weight value among the remaining defective blocks. |
| US09558850B1 |
Efficient calibration of a data eye for memory devices
A system and method for efficient data eye training reduces the time and resources spent calibrating one or more memory devices. A temporal calibration mechanism reduces the time and resources for calibration by reducing the number tests needed to sufficiently determine the boundaries of the data eye of the memory device. For one or more values of the voltage reference, the temporal calibration mechanism performs a minimal number of tests to find the edges of the data eye for the hold and setup times. |
| US09558849B1 |
Methods for memory interface calibration
Integrated circuits with memory interface circuitry may be provided. Prior to calibration, a number of samples may be determined by computing probability density function curves as a function of timing window edge asymmetry for different degrees of oversampling. During calibration, duty cycle distortion in data strobe signals may be corrected by selectively delaying the data strobe rising or falling edges. A data clock signal that is used for generating data signals may also suffer from duty cycle distortion. The rising and falling edges of the data clock signal may be selectively delayed to correct for duty cycle distortion. The data path through which the data signals are routed may be adjusted to equalize rising and falling transitions to minimize data path duty cycle distortion. Multi-rank calibration may be performed by calibrating to an intersection of successful settings that allow each memory rank to pass memory operation tests. |
| US09558847B2 |
Defect logging in nonvolatile memory
A method of operating a nonvolatile memory block includes reading data from physical units in the block and determining individual error rates for data from the physical units. The error rate data is stored. This is repeated over multiple iterations and aggregated stored error rates are used to identify bad physical units in the block. |
| US09558846B1 |
Feedback validation of arbitrary non-volatile memory data
An integrated circuit and method of performing a reliability screen of an electrically programmable non-volatile memory array in the integrated circuit. At a first memory address of the array, a most stringent value of a sensing reference level at which correct data are read is identified. The remainder of the addresses of the array are evaluated in sequence, beginning at the value determined for the first address, and incrementally adjusting the sensing reference level for each, if necessary, until correct data are read at that address. The sensing reference level may be a reference current applied to a sense amplifier, against which read current from the addressed memory cell is compared, or may be control gate voltage applied to the control gate of a floating-gate transistor in the addressed memory cell. The process continues until all addresses in the memory array have been evaluated, following which the reference level identifies the strength of the weakest cell in the array, and the weakest address can be identified. |
| US09558845B2 |
Sampling network and clocking scheme for a switched-capacitor integrator
Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a sampling network of a switched-capacitor integrator and a clocking scheme associated therewith, which may be used in an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), for example. The integrator generally includes five sets of switches which allow for a decreased switching frequency (e.g., halved) at an input stage of the integrator compared to conventional double sampling networks. As a result, the input impedance of the integrator may be increased (e.g., doubled), resulting in lower power consumption and reduced strain on driving circuitry. |
| US09558843B2 |
Shift register unit, gate driving circuit, and display device comprising the same
A shift register unit, a gate driving circuit, and a display device are disclosed. The shift register unit comprising: a pull-up module for pulling up level signal at present-stage signal output based on a signal at a pull-up control node and a first clock input; a control module connected to a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal for controlling the level at the pull-up control node based on a signal inputted to a first signal input and a second clock input; and a reset module for resetting the level signal outputted from the present-stage signal output based on a signal inputted to a second signal input. Signal lines and TFTs integrated in the shift register unit may be reduced, thereby saving space occupied by the circuit and reducing product cost. |
| US09558841B2 |
Generating stabilized output signals during fuse read operations
A circuit includes a fuse cell, a sense circuit and an output control circuit. The fuse cell includes an electrical fuse. The sense circuit is electrically coupled to the fuse cell and configured for generating a sense signal indicative of a programmed condition of the electrical fuse, at an output of the sense circuit. The output control circuit is electrically coupled to the output of the sense circuit, and the output control circuit is configured for latching the sense signal indicative of the electrical fuse having been programmed, during a read operation of the fuse cell. |
| US09558839B2 |
Power fail saving modes in solid state drive with MLC memory
A solid state drive has a power failure savings mode that permits a reduction in holdup time for a temporary backup power supply. The solid state drive stores data in a multi-level cell (MLC) mode. In a power fail saving mode system metadata is written in a pseudo Single Level Cell (pSLC) mode. In the normal operating mode page writes are performed in complete blocks. In the power fail save saving mode data from a write buffer is written and additional dummy pages written to reduce the total number of pages that must be written to below a complete block size with the dummy pages providing protection from data corruption. |
| US09558838B2 |
Semiconductor device for masking data stored in twin cell and outputting masked data
A memory array includes a plurality of twin cells, each of the twin cells composed of a first storage element and a second storage element configured to hold binary data according to a difference in threshold voltage between them, the first storage element and the second storage element each being electrically rewritable. Upon receiving a request to read the twin cell, when the threshold voltage of the first storage element forming the twin cell is lower than an erasure determination level and the threshold voltage of the second storage element forming the twin cell is lower than the erasure determination level, an output circuit masks the data stored in the twin cell and outputs the masked data. |
| US09558837B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a sense amplifier, a register, a controller. The memory cell array includes a memory cell. The sense amplifier connects to the bit line. The register holds write data, and a write voltage. The controller outputs a busy signal. The controller causes the register to hold the write data and the write voltage upon receiving the first command, and resumes the write operation based on the write data and the write voltage held in the register upon receiving the resumption command. |
| US09558836B2 |
Compact high speed sense amplifier for non-volatile memory with reduced layout area and power consumption
A compact and versatile high speed sense amplifier suitable for use in non-volatile memory circuits is presented. The sense amp circuit is connected to first and second supply levels, a first level used for setting a program inhibit level on bit lines and a second level used for pre-charging bit lines for sensing operation. Outside of a data latch, the sense amp can employ only NMOS transistors. The arrangement of the circuit also allows for the discharging the bit line at the same time as transfers the sensing result out to other latches. |
| US09558829B2 |
System having a semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor memory apparatus including a latch unit configured to be driven in response to activation of a reset selection signal and resetting a first node and a second node; and an auxiliary driving unit configured to support a driving force of the latch unit in response to the reset selection signal and a voltage logic level of the first node or the second node, wherein the first node and the second node have substantially opposite voltage logic levels. |
| US09558828B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including a NAND string
A semiconductor memory device includes a first NAND string and a second NAND string are connected to a bit line. One of the first and second NAND strings is selected by first to fourth select memory cells. At the write time, data is written in a first memory cell of the first NAND string selected by of the first to fourth select memory cells, then data is written in a second memory cell of the second NAND string selected at the same time as the first memory cell, data is written in a third memory cell adjacent to the first memory cell of the first NAND string and finally data is written in a fourth memory cell of the second NAND string selected at the same time as the third memory cell. |
| US09558826B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of driving semiconductor device
A first potential and a second potential lower than the first potential are applied to a first end of a memory gate electrode part of the nonvolatile memory and to a second end of the memory gate electrode part, respectively, so that a current is caused to flow in a direction in which the memory gate electrode part extends, then, a hole is injected from the memory gate electrode part into a charge accumulating part below it, therefore, an electron accumulated in the charge accumulating part is eliminated. By causing the current to flow through the memory gate electrode part of a memory cell region as described above, Joule heat can be generated to heat the memory cell. Consequently, in the erasing by a FN tunneling method in which the erasing characteristics degrade at a low temperature, the erasing speed can be improved by heating the memory gate electrode part. |
| US09558824B2 |
Semiconductor device and operating method thereof
To improve information retention resistance of a resistance change memory which requires high information retention resistance. On the assumption that a special data storage memory and a general-purpose data storage memory are distinguished from each other, a forming operation small in resistance rise rate is used for an information writing operation of the special data storage memory. A switching operation is used for information writing of the general-purpose data storage memory. That is, the special data storage memory is configured so as to store information while adapting an initial resistance state to “0” whereas adapting a low resistance state to “1”. On the other hand, the general-purpose data storage memory is configured so as to store information while adapting a high resistance state to “0” whereas adapting a low resistance state to “1”. |
| US09558823B1 |
Resistance drift recovery method for MLC PCM
A method is provided for operating a memory device including an array of memory cells including programmable resistive memory elements. Memory cells in the array are programmed to store data by applying program pulses to the memory cells to establish resistance levels within a number N of specified ranges of resistance, where each of the specified ranges corresponds to a particular data value. A drift recovery process is executed to the memory cells, including applying a recovery pulse having a pulse shape to a set of programmed memory cells, where memory cells in the set have resistance levels within two or more of the specified resistance ranges. |
| US09558817B2 |
Conditioning phase change memory cells
A method for conditioning at least one Phase Change Memory, PCM, cell. The PCM cell is characterized by a number of pre-defined characteristics or properties. For pre-conditioning, at least one conditioning pulse is applied to the PCM such that at least one selected characteristic of the number of pre-defined characteristics is changed to a desired value. |
| US09558813B2 |
Method of operating incrementally programmable non-volatile memory
An array of programmable non-volatile devices, such as a nominal OTP cell, is operated such that a Vt representing a particular binary logic state is changed over time. This allows for re-programming and emulating a few times or multi-time programmable device. |
| US09558811B1 |
Disturb-proof static RAM cells
A circuit includes a latch circuit, a buffer transistor having a control terminal coupled to a first output of the latch, a first write transistor having a conduction terminal coupled to the first output and a control terminal coupled to a first write bitline, and a second write transistor having a conduction terminal coupled to a second output of the latch and a control terminal coupled to a second write bitline. A method of operating a memory cell circuit includes providing a first value on first and second write bitlines when a read operation is performed, and when a write operation is performed, providing first and second values on the first and second write bitlines, respectively, when a first storable value is to be stored, and providing the first and second value on the second and first write bitlines, respectively, when a second storable value is to be stored. |
| US09558806B1 |
Electronic device
The number of terminals included in a semiconductor device which is included in an electronic device is reduced. The electronic device includes: a first semiconductor device having first and second input terminals; a second semiconductor device having a first output terminal and a first driver circuit to drive the first output terminal; and a wiring substrate over which the first and second semiconductor devices are mounted. The first and second input terminals are commonly coupled to the first output terminal via a first line formed on the wiring substrate. A composite resistance value of first and second termination resistors coupled to the first and second input terminals, respectively, is equivalent to a drive impedance of the first driver circuit. |
| US09558803B2 |
Fixed voltage sensing in a memory device
Methods for sensing ferroelectric memory devices and apparatuses using the same have been disclosed. One such apparatus includes a ferroelectric memory cell coupled to a data line, a reference capacitance, and a common node coupled between the data line and the reference capacitance. A current mirror circuit is coupled to the data line and the reference capacitance. During a sense operation, the common node is configured to be at a fixed voltage and the current mirror circuit is configured to mirror displacement current from the reference capacitance to the ferroelectric memory cell. |
| US09558802B2 |
Fast programming of magnetic random access memory (MRAM)
A method of programming an MTJ includes selecting an MTJ that is coupled to an access transistor at the drain of the access transistor. The gate of the access transistor is coupled to a selected word line (WL), the selected WL being substantially at a first voltage, Vdd; whereas the WLs that are not coupled to the MTJ are left to float. A second voltage, Vx, is applied to the unselected bit lines (BLs) and further applied to a source line (SL), the SL being coupled to the source of the access transistor. A third voltage, Vdd or 0 Volts, is applied to a selected BL, the selected BL being coupled the MTJ. The first voltage is applied to a SL, the SL being coupled to the source of the access transistor thereby causing the WL to boot above the first voltage. |
| US09558800B2 |
Non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM)
A non-volatile memory device includes an array of non-volatile memory cells. A memory cell in the array of memory cells includes a first resistive element including a first terminal and a second terminal, a second resistive element including a first terminal and a second terminal, and a select transistor including a gate electrode coupled to a word line, a first current electrode coupled to the first terminal of the first resistive element and the first terminal of the second resistive element, and a second current electrode coupled to a bit line. The second terminal of the first resistive element is coupled to a first source line, and the second terminal of the second resistive element is coupled to a second source line. |
| US09558785B2 |
Layered audio coding and transmission
Embodiments of systems and methods are described for generating layered audio such that computing devices can request a variable amount of data based on criteria such as their available bandwidth, device capability, or user selection. A base layer and one or more enhancement layers that incrementally enhance the previous layers may be generated. A computing device may retrieve the base layer and/or one or more enhancement layers, adjusting, in real-time or near real-time, which layers are retrieved based on fluctuations in the available bandwidth among other possible criteria. |
| US09558778B2 |
Lubricant compound for magnetic disk and magnetic disk
A lubricant compound is contained in a lubrication layer of a magnetic disk in which at least a magnetic layer, a protective layer, and a lubrication layer are sequentially provided on a substrate, and the lubricant compound contains a component A represented by Chemical formula 1 and a component B represented by Chemical formula 2: wherein X in Chemical formula 1 represents OH wherein X in Chemical formula 2 represents OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH, and the lubricant compound further contains a component C made of a specific compound having a phosphezene ring in the structure thereof. |
| US09558777B2 |
Heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) media having a highly ordered crystalline structure
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes: a substrate, a seed layer positioned above the substrate, and a magnetic recording layer structure positioned above the seed layer. The magnetic recording layer structure includes: a first magnetic recording layer having a plurality of FePtCu magnetic grains and a first segregant, and a second magnetic recording layer positioned above the first magnetic recording layer, the second magnetic recording layer having a plurality of FePt magnetic grains and a second segregant, where a Curie temperature of the first magnetic recording layer is lower than a Curie temperature of the second magnetic recording layer. |
| US09558775B2 |
Laser diode submount/slider interface with reduced thermal resistance
An apparatus comprises a slider of a magnetic recording head, a submount, and an interface defined between the slider and the submount. A laser diode is connected to the submount. A metal layer is provided at the interface between the slider and the submount. The metal layer connects at least about 30% of the surface area of the submount at the interface to the slider and serves as a thermal conduction pathway between the submount and the slider. |
| US09558773B2 |
Apparatus and method for setting slider surface potential
An apparatus includes a slider body of a disk drive. The slider body is electrically coupled to a plurality of end bond pads. A voltage applied to one more of the end bond pads sets a surface potential of the slider body. |
| US09558772B1 |
Position error signal (PES) detection
Methods and apparatuses for modulating a position error signal detection gate signal responsive to a track crossing velocity are discussed. The position error signal can be used to detect position information. A track crossing velocity can be estimated and then used via the modulating. Phase errors due to the track crossing velocity can be minimized. |
| US09558771B2 |
Piezoelectric disk drive suspension motors having plated stiffeners
Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal on which a motor is mounted. The motor comprises a first terminal, one or more layers of piezoelectric material, and a metal stiffener disposed directly on the first terminal. The stiffener comprises a layer of metal defining a majority of a top side of the motor. The first terminal can be gold sputtered on the piezoelectric material while the stiffener can be nickel plated on the gold. The stiffener can cause the motor, and the flexure on which it is mounted, to curl upon electrical activation of the motor. |
| US09558768B1 |
Suspension standoff geometry for slider crown change reduction
A head gimbal assembly for a hard disk drive comprises a flexure having a planar surface and a standoff structure extending from the planar surface, where the standoff structure includes a monolithic element. A head slider in which a read-write head is housed is adhered to the flexure with an adhesive, such that the adhesive surrounds the monolithic element so that the monolithic element may absorb strain energy caused by curing of the adhesive. |
| US09558762B1 |
System and method for distinguishing source from unconstrained acoustic signals emitted thereby in context agnostic manner
A system and method are provided for distinguishing between a plurality of sources based upon unconstrained acoustic signals captured therefrom. A spectrographic transformation is applied to time-captured segments of acoustic signals to generate a spectral vector for each. A selectively executed sparse decomposition includes in a training system mode simultaneous sparse approximation upon a joint corpus of spectral vectors for a plurality of acoustic signal segments from distinct sources. At least one sparse decomposition is executed for each spectral vector in terms of a representative set of decomposition atoms. Discriminant reduction executes during the training system mode to down-select from the representative set an optimal combination of atoms for cooperatively distinguishing acoustic signals emitted by different distinct sources. Classification is subsequently executed upon the sparse decomposition of an input acoustic signal segment unit to discover a degree of correlation for the input acoustic signal segment relative to each distinct source. |
| US09558761B2 |
Causation of rendering of song audio information based upon distance from a sound source
A method comprising receiving microphone audio information from at least one microphone, identifying a song based, at least in part, on the microphone audio information, receiving song audio information based, at least in part, on the identification of the song, causing display of, at least a portion of, a song indicator that represents the song, receiving information indicative of a song rendering input in relation to the song indicator, and causing rendering of the song audio information based, at least in part, on the song rendering input is disclosed. |
| US09558758B1 |
User feedback on microphone placement
A speech-controlled appliance that provides a user with an indication of when a speech input will likely not be acted upon by the device due to a poor signal-to-noise conditions. The device may provide this indication even without a speech input, so that the user may be informed that a command will not be acted upon before speaking the command. The indication may be, for example, lighting a visual indicator on the device, and/or outputting an audible notification via a speaker. The visual indicator may be a same indicator the device uses to indicate when its microphone(s) are muted so that the user will intuitively recognize that a speech command will not be acted upon by the device. |
| US09558757B1 |
Selective de-reverberation using blind estimation of reverberation level
Features are disclosed for estimating reverberation an audio signal without prior knowledge of the sound captured in the audio signal and without prior knowledge of the environment in which the sound was captured. This reverberation estimation may be referred to as “blind estimation.” The reverberation may be blindly estimated using autocorrelation of the sound intensity of the signal with respect to time. The blind estimation can be used to decide whether or not to mitigate the effects of reverberation in the signal prior to performing subsequent processes, such as automatic speech recognition. |
| US09558756B2 |
Method and system for adjusting user speech in a communication session
A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, receive user speech captured at a second end user device during a communication session between the second end user device and a first end user device, apply speech recognition to the user speech, identify an unclear word in the user speech based on the speech recognition, adjust the user speech to generate adjusted user speech by replacing all or a portion of the unclear word with replacement audio content, and provide the adjusted user speech to the first end user device during the communication session. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09558750B2 |
Method and apparatus for concealing frame error and method and apparatus for audio decoding
Disclosed is a frame error concealment (FEC) method. The method includes: selecting an FEC mode based on states of a current frame and a previous frame of the current frame in a time domain signal generated after time-frequency inverse transform processing; and performing corresponding time domain error concealment processing on the current frame based on the selected FEC mode, wherein the current frame is an error frame or the current frame is a normal frame when the previous frame is an error frame. |
| US09558747B2 |
High intelligibility voice announcement system
A high intelligibility voice announcement system is described herein. One system includes an announcement station containing a speech to text engine in which a spoken announcement from a user is converted to text data, wherein any errors are identified and marked in the converted text data and displayed to the user. After the user has corrected any errors, the corrected text data is transmitted to one or more speakers, where a text to speech engine converts the text data to an audible message that is then broadcast via the speakers. |
| US09558744B2 |
Audio processing apparatus and audio processing method
An audio processing apparatus and an audio processing method are described. In one embodiment, the audio processing apparatus include an audio masker separator for separating from a first audio signal an audio material comprising a sound other than stationary noise and utterance meaningful in semantics, as an audio masker candidate. The apparatus also includes a first context analyzer for obtaining statistics regarding contextual information of detected audio masker candidates, and a masker library builder for building a masker library or updating an existing masker library by adding, based on the statistics, at least one audio masker candidate as an audio masker into the masker library, wherein audio maskers in the maker library are used to be inserted into a target position in a second audio signal to conceal defects in the second audio signal. |
| US09558742B2 |
Mixed speech recognition
The claimed subject matter includes a system and method for recognizing mixed speech from a source. The method includes training a first neural network to recognize the speech signal spoken by the speaker with a higher level of a speech characteristic from a mixed speech sample. The method also includes training a second neural network to recognize the speech signal spoken by the speaker with a lower level of the speech characteristic from the mixed speech sample. Additionally, the method includes decoding the mixed speech sample with the first neural network and the second neural network by optimizing the joint likelihood of observing the two speech signals considering the probability that a specific frame is a switching point of the speech characteristic. |
| US09558737B2 |
System and method for audibly presenting selected text
Disclosed herein are methods for presenting speech from a selected text that is on a computing device. This method includes presenting text on a touch-sensitive display and having that text size within a threshold level so that the computing device can accurately determine the intent of the user when the user touches the touch screen. Once the user touch has been received, the computing device identifies and interprets the portion of text that is to be selected, and subsequently presents the text audibly to the user. |
| US09558735B2 |
System and method for synthetically generated speech describing media content
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for providing an automatic synthetically generated voice describing media content, the method comprising receiving one or more pieces of metadata for a primary media content, selecting at least one piece of metadata for output, and outputting the at least one piece of metadata as synthetically generated speech with the primary media content. Other aspects of the invention involve alternative output, output speech simultaneously with the primary media content, output speech during gaps in the primary media content, translate metadata in foreign language, tailor voice, accent, and language to match the metadata and/or primary media content. A user may control output via a user interface or output may be customized based on preferences in a user profile. |
| US09558734B2 |
Aging a text-to-speech voice
A voice recipient may request a text-to-speech (TTS) voice that corresponds to an age or age range. An existing TTS voice or existing voice data may be used to create a TTS voice corresponding to the requested age by encoding the voice data to voice parameter values, transforming the voice parameter values using a voice-aging model, synthesizing voice data using the transformed parameter values, and then creating a TTS voice using the transformed voice data. The voice-aging model may model how one or more voice parameters of a voice change with age and may be created from voice data stored in a voice bank. |
| US09558731B2 |
Headphones using multiplexed microphone signals to enable active noise cancellation
Headphones or a headset to enable active noise cancellation or binaural recording. Microphone signals are multiplexed within the headphones/headset and are conveyed to an attached device using a single contact point in the audio plug. The audio plug may be a conventional four connector audio plug to provide backwards compatibility. The multiplexing is analog multiplexing, and may be time-domain or frequency-domain multiplexing. |
| US09558730B2 |
Audio signal processing system
An audio processing system includes an audio receiving module, a sound source separation module and a noise suppression module. The audio receiving module receives at least two audio signals. The sound source separation module receives a plurality of space features of the audio signals and obtains a main sound source signal separated from the audio signals based on the space features. The noise suppression module processes the main sound source signal based on an averaged amplitude value of noise in the main sound source signal so as to suppress noise in the main sound source signal. Each audio signal of the at least two audio signals includes signals from a plurality of sound sources. |
| US09558728B2 |
Setting and editing tone setting information via link
A storage device stores a plurality of sets of tone setting information, each of the sets of tone setting information including one or more tone setting parameters. The storage device also stores, for each of the sets of tone setting information, a link ID identifying a link set in association with the set of tone setting information. Processing is performed to cause, based on the link IDs, settings of the tone setting parameters to match between a plurality of sets of the tone setting information having a same link ID. A selected set of the tone setting information is editable in accordance with a user operation. In accordance with the editing, processing is performed to cause a setting of any one of the tone setting parameters in one or more other sets of the tone setting information, having a same link ID as the link ID associated with the edited set of the tone setting information, to match a setting of the tone setting parameter in the edited set of the tone setting information. |
| US09558727B2 |
Performance method of electronic musical instrument and music
An electronic music instrument and music performance method mainly comprises the following steps: a, selecting a music score to be played in an electronic music score management unit, and selecting a played voice part and/or an automatic accompaniment voice part, the type of a music instrument, a corresponding input device, a performance music instrument, an output device and a reference voice part; b, starting an electronic music instrument performance device for playing said music score, transmitting a performance control signal to a digital music instrument unit under the control of a performance control unit to enable the digital music instrument unit to carry out corresponding performance actions or transmitting the performance control signal to a signal output unit. |
| US09558724B2 |
Guitar pick having CVD diamond or DLC coating
A guitar pick comprises a substrate layer and a diamond film layer or coating. The diamond film layer is composed of chemical vapor deposited diamond, or diamond-like carbon. The diamond film coating or layer is applied to the substrate in one or more layers under intense heat and low pressure. The substrate layer can be composed of at least one of steel, stainless steel, molybdenum, titanium, tungsten, copper, aluminum, tantalum and alloys thereof, silicon, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, quartz, or sapphire. Coating of the diamond film layer may be achieved by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), ion beam deposition (IBD), plasma-assisted deposition, cathodic arc deposition, hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD), or microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). |
| US09558723B2 |
Contoured guitar tremolo arm
An improved tremolo arm is provided configured for engagement to a pivoting bridge of a stringed instrument such as a guitar. The arm features a facing surface formed in a complimentary fashion to the shape of the palm of a user's hand. The arm is engageable to conventional bridges or may be employed with an arm mount having a centered attachment point to provide an even pivoting of the bridge during use. |
| US09558718B2 |
Streaming video data in the graphics domain
In one example, a method for transmitting video data includes capturing, by a source device, a plurality of tokens of graphical commands renderable into video data along with one or more texture elements; and generating, by the source device, a plurality of command frames that each correspond to at least one token of the plurality of tokens. In this example, each respective command frame of the plurality of command frames includes: an identification of at least one graphical command corresponding to the at least one token, and one or more arguments associated with the at least one token. In this example, the method also includes outputting, by the source device and for transmission to a sink device, the plurality of command frames. |
| US09558714B2 |
System and method for controlling a display of a mobile device
A method and system are provided for controlling the display of an mobile device by: capturing an image using a camera device of the mobile device, the camera device being directed in a same direction as a display of the mobile device, the image comprising one or more subjects (e.g. users or other humans seen in the image); determining a point of regard in the image for at least one of the one or more subjects, the point of regard being indicative of an area on the display at which a gaze of the corresponding subject is directed; determining, based on the point of regard, an instruction for controlling the display; and controlling the display according to the instruction, wherein controlling the display includes reducing visibility of at least one portion of what is displayed on the display. |
| US09558712B2 |
Unified optimization method for end-to-end camera image processing for translating a sensor captured image to a display image
A computer implemented method of determining a latent image from an observed image is disclosed. The method comprises implementing a plurality of image processing operations within a single optimization framework, wherein the single optimization framework comprises solving a linear minimization expression. The method further comprises mapping the linear minimization expression onto at least one non-linear solver. Further, the method comprises using the non-linear solver, iteratively solving the linear minimization expression in order to extract the latent image from the observed image, wherein the linear minimization expression comprises: a data term, and a regularization term, and wherein the regularization term comprises a plurality of non-linear image priors. |
| US09558711B2 |
Display apparatus, mobile apparatus, system and setting controlling method for connection thereof
Disclosed are a display apparatus, a mobile apparatus, a system including the same, and a connection control method thereof. The display apparatus includes: a camera configured to receive second communication interface information displayed and supported by a mobile apparatus; and a controller configured to set up a communication connection with the mobile apparatus, based on first communication interface information supported by the display apparatus and the second communication interface information displayed and supported by the mobile apparatus and received through the camera. |
| US09558709B2 |
Mobile terminal and display control method
A mobile terminal is provided as a solution to a problem in which ease use is low. Display part 1A is provided on casing A, while display part 1B is provided on casing B. Detector 2 detects the attitude of at least one of casings A and B and the opening/closing angle between casings A and B. Execution section 3 executes an application. Controller 4 displays a view of the application on at least one of display parts 1A and 1B in a display style according to detection results detected by detector 2. |
| US09558708B2 |
Display drive circuit and display device
A display drive circuit includes: source amplifiers capable of driving source lines of a display panel connected thereto; preamplifiers capable of outputting first gradation voltages; source circuits each including a division of the source amplifiers, provided that the source amplifiers are divided equally; and resistance arrays. Each source circuit is provided with one of the resistance arrays. Each resistance array divides input first gradation voltages to generate second gradation voltages and provides them to the corresponding source circuit. The worsening of the capability of converging of gradation lines for supplying second gradation voltages to the source circuits can be suppressed without providing gradation-voltage-generation circuits even with a display driver IC having an increased long side length, or more than one display driver IC provided. |
| US09558707B1 |
VCOM with reduced supply rails
A VCOM generator circuit generates a VCOM signal for an electronic display. The VCOM circuit includes an operational amplifier having reduced supply rails. In an implementation, the VCOM circuit has at least three supply rails, AVDD, ground or GND, and VP or VN, or both. VP is less than AVDD and greater than VN. VN is higher than ground and below VP. The VCOM circuit with reduced voltage supply rails for VP and VN reduces power consumption of the VCOM op amps. By reducing power consumption, this also reduces the surface temperature of the integrated circuit. |
| US09558706B2 |
Imaging device with zero ohmic drop in a data conductor
An imaging device comprising comprises a matrix of pixels, at least one data conductor connected to several pixels of the matrix, organized row-wise and successively transporting signals delivered by respectively the pixels of the row and an electronic current generator supplying several pixels, each of the pixels comprising: a transistor delivering at the node of the pixel, the signal delivered by the pixel considered and wherein can flow a bias current from the current generator, and a first electronic switch connecting the node of the pixel to the data conductor associated with this pixel as a function of a selection signal of the pixel. Each of the pixels comprises a second electronic switch, distinct from the first electronic switch, joined to the node of the pixel, the current arising from the generator to be made to flow in the transistor as a function of the selection signal for the pixel. |
| US09558702B2 |
Self-compensating gate driving circuit
A self-compensating gate driving circuit includes cascade-connected GOA units of which a Nth GOA unit includes a pull-up controlling part, a pull-up part, a transmission part, a first pull-down part, a bootstrap capacitor part and a pull-down holding part. The pull-up part, the first pull-down part, the bootstrap capacitor part and the pull-down holding circuit are respectively coupled to a Nth gate signal point Q(N) and a Nth horizontal scanning line G(n). The pull-up controlling part and the transmission part are each coupled to the Nth gate signal point Q(N). The pull-down holding part is inputted with a first DC low voltage VSS1 and a second DC low voltage VSS2. The pull-down holding part includes a first pull-down holding part and a second pull-down holding part to alternately work. |
| US09558700B2 |
Display device having cyclically-arrayed sub-pixels
In a display device, first and second sub pixels arranged in juxtaposition between adjacent scan lines are lined alternately in a column direction in at least one of first and third columns of sub pixels; at least one of third and fourth sub pixels is arranged between adjacent scan lines in at least one of second and fourth columns of sub pixels; the first, second, third, and fourth sub pixels are included in an identical row of pixels and the first, second, third, and fourth columns of sub pixels; and a first pixel that is in an identical row of pixels and includes sub pixels of the first and second columns includes a sub pixel not present in a second pixel that is adjacent to the first pixel in a row direction and is included in the third and fourth columns. |
| US09558691B2 |
Display method and apparatus having a display panel with a backlight unit utilizing white and blue light sources
A display apparatus is disclosed. The display apparatus includes a panel unit which comprises a plurality of sub pixels having different colors; a backlight unit which provides backlight to the panel unit using a white light source and a blue light source; an image processing unit which converts image data into first color frame data and second color frame data; a panel driving unit which turns on a first color sub pixel according to the first color frame data, and which turns on a second color sub pixel according to the second color frame data; a backlight driving unit for driving the backlight unit; and a control unit which controls the backlight driving unit to consecutively turn on the white light source and the blue light source according to operations of the panel driving unit. Accordingly, brightness may be enhanced. |
| US09558688B2 |
Image display device and control method thereof
An image display device includes: a light transmitting unit having transmission wavelength characteristics corresponding to each of a plurality of colors; an illuminating unit configured to emit light corresponding to each of the plurality of colors, the illuminating unit being configured to emit, with respect to at least one predetermined color, light including first light and second light whose emission peak wavelengths are both within a range of the transmission wavelength characteristics corresponding to the predetermined color and whose emission peak wavelengths differ from one another; and a control unit configured to control an intensity of each of the light of the plurality of emission spectra corresponding to the predetermined color in accordance with a color distribution of the image. |
| US09558685B2 |
Wall mounting-type flexible display
The present invention relates to a wall mounting-type flexible display, which can be mounted on a wall, the display comprising: a display panel having a bending portion having a bent peripheral area; a support bar for supporting the display panel by being in contact with the bending portion; and a bracket coupled to the support bar and fixed to a wall surface, wherein the bending portion of the display panel comprises at least two curved surfaces having at least one inflection point, and the first and second curved surfaces, which are adjacent to each other about the inflection point, may have different curvatures. The first curved surface is directly adjacent to the end portion of the display panel, the second curved surface is adjacent to the first curved surface while being spaced from the end portion of the display panel, and the curvature of the first curved surface may be larger than the curvature of the second curved surface. |
| US09558681B2 |
Labels and methods of producing the same
Labels having identification tags and tamper evident pattern release layers and methods of producing such labels are disclosed. An example method includes moving a first substrate in a direction. The first substrate has a first side opposite a second side. The first side has a first adhesive and a pattern release layer. The method also includes coupling a third side of a tag to the first side of the first substrate. The tag includes the third side and a fourth side opposite the third side. The method also includes mating transfer tape of a second substrate over the first side and the fourth side. The second substrate includes a liner layer and the transfer tape. The transfer tape is to be positioned immediately adjacent the tag. |
| US09558680B2 |
Payload in picture encoding
Processes include a process for transmitting a payload embedded in a picture using payload-in-picture-encoding. The process may comprises transmitting a human recognizable picture by a first device, receiving the transmitted human recognizable picture by a second device, the received human recognizable picture is processed and transformed into a payload, wherein the payload is one of a 2D payload image, an encrypted 2D payload image, a text message, an encrypted text message, a file, and encrypted file. The process is performed by taking remainders of an modulo operation with a modulus M of brightness values of pixels of the received recognizable picture, combining the taken remainders having n′ bits of a plurality of pixels of the received human recognizable picture into a payload having n bits, wherein n is larger than n′, and wherein a maximum of n′ bit number is less than the modulus M, reconstructing the transformed payload comprising the payload having n bits combined from the taken remainders having n′ bits. |
| US09558678B1 |
Near-infrared imager training device
A training device includes a base formed of a thermoplastic elastomeric material that transmits near-infrared radiation and which re-seals after being punctured by a needle of the type used to draw blood from veins. A plurality of simulated veins is formed in the thermoplastic elastomeric material. Each simulated vein is an elongate cylindrical void or lumen formed in the thermoplastic elastomeric material. A blood-simulating and near-infrared absorbing fluid is disposed in each lumen of the plurality of simulated veins. A first simulated vein is formed near a top surface of the thermoplastic elastomeric material, a second simulated vein is positioned further from the top surface, and a third simulated vein is positioned still further from the top surface. A white-in-color cover overlies the base to reflect a computer projected image representing underlying near-infrared absorbing structures that simulate veins that are detectable by near-infrared vein imagers. |
| US09558675B2 |
Analytical tools for evaluating student learning and performance
In various embodiments, tools, strategies, and techniques are provided for analyzing student performance and learning activity to facilitate enhancing the student experience in different learning environments. A learning analysis system can be provided that uses a statistical analysis framework for making inferences about the level of learning of both individual students and classes of multiple students in association with different knowledge components included in a learning domain. |
| US09558674B2 |
Aircraft systems and methods to display enhanced runway lighting
A display system for an aircraft includes a processing unit configured to determine runway lighting information for runway lighting associated with a selected runway and to generate display commands based on the runway lighting information. The runway lighting is located at a first location relative to the selected runway. The display system further includes a display device coupled the processing unit for receiving the display commands and operable to selectively render first symbology representing the runway lighting information at a second location relative to the selected runway. |
| US09558669B2 |
Datalink message prioritization system and method
A system and method are provided for prioritizing incoming datalink messages. When a datalink message is received in an aircraft, it is parsed into individual information elements. The relevance of the received datalink message is then assessed from the individual information elements. The received datalink message is then categorized into one of a plurality of playback priority categories, based on the assessed relevance of the received datalink message. |
| US09558666B2 |
Collision avoidance in traffic crossings using radar sensors
A system and method for avoiding collisions in a traffic intersection using radar sensors is disclosed. The system detects the location, speed, size, and direction of travel of objects, including vehicles and vulnerable road users, in and approaching a traffic intersection. Using this information, trajectories for all objects are determined, and, if a likelihood of a collision is determined, one or more traffic signal transitions are delayed in an attempt to avoid the collision. |
| US09558654B2 |
System and method for configuring the remote control functionality of a portable device
A system and method used to configure a smart device to command functional operations of a target appliance. The smart device retrieves from a controllable appliance, such as a settop box, data indicative of a codeset identity of the target appliance wherein the codeset identity was determined during a process used to configure a conventional universal remote control to command functional operations of the target appliance and wherein the process used to configure the conventional universal remote control is performed in cooperation with the controllable appliance. A remote control application resident on the smart device then uses the data indicative of the codeset identity retrieved from the controllable appliance to also configure the smart device to command functional operations of the target appliance. |
| US09558649B2 |
System and method for managing patient monitoring alarms
A patient monitoring secondary alarm notification system comprises a plurality of devices, configured to generate an alarm data, and a central station. The central station comprises a processor configured to receive the alarm data from the plurality of devices and monitor a plurality of dynamic conditions. The processor is further configured to assess the alarm data and the dynamic conditions to determine an alarm notification. |
| US09558648B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring hygiene
Method and apparatus for monitoring and reporting hand washing at a sanitizing station employs a sensor for signaling the dispensing of a sanitizer from a dispenser and a sensor module detecting the direction of passage of an individual into and out of a portal, such as the entrance to a sanitary area. The apparatus operates in a normal mode and a bypass mode. In the normal mode, the apparatus responds to the sensor indicating that an individual has not dispensed sufficient sanitizer to mitigate the spread of germs from care giver/health care worker to patient, and sounds an alarm when the individual passes through the portal in a particular direction, for example into or out of the sanitary area. Separate signals can be generated and recorded for each direction of passage through the portal. In the bypass mode, the alarm is not sounded and allows passage into and out of the sanitary area when a sanitary condition is not needed. |
| US09558647B1 |
Employee hygiene assurance system
A hygiene assurance system utilizing a plurality of individual sensors having a correlating fixture or entrance, a keypad for identifying the user and a plurality of audible signals to ensure a user of a bathroom facility washes ones hands before leaving the area. Additionally the present invention provides sensors having individual controls for what predetermined parameters must be met to activate said sensor. |
| US09558644B2 |
Security system with earthquake detection
The present disclosure relates to approaches for detecting and monitoring for earthquakes using a control unit of a security system. A security system may include a plurality of sensors that detect alarm conditions and send alarm condition messages to a control unit for the security system. The control unit may be communicatively coupled to the sensors and configured to receive the alarm condition messages from the sensors. The security system may also include an earthquake sensor that senses earthquake conditions and sends an earthquake condition message to the control unit if it detects the earthquake condition. The control unit may include an alarm module. The control unit causes the alarm module to generate an alarm in response to receiving the earthquake condition message from the earthquake sensor. |
| US09558642B2 |
Sleep state monitoring
A method for operating a security and/or automation system is described. A sensor may identify when a first person is in a sleep state. The sensor may detect a disturbance in the sleep state, and alert a second person when the detected disturbance satisfies one or more disturbance parameters. |
| US09558641B2 |
System and method for monitoring a person
An apparatus is provided for monitoring a person. The apparatus is configured for identifying one or more undesirable conditions, by analyzing data from a sensor unit associated with the person's bed, the data being indicative of the person's presence in or absence from the bed. Upon identification of at least one undesirable condition, the apparatus emits a local alarm and transmits an alert signal to a remote apparatus, which is configured for notifying one or more responders about the undesirable condition. If one or more responders responds to the notification, or if the apparatus is reset locally, the local alarm is stopped. |
| US09558638B2 |
Security arrangement and method therfor
The present invention relates to a security arrangement (1) comprising: a housing (2); a sensor arrangement (3) arranged in said housing; a camera device (4) arranged in said housing; and a communication unit (5) arranged in said housing; wherein said sensor arrangement is configured to detect movement of a door (6) being monitored by said security arrangement and said security arrangement is configured to in response to detection of movement of said door activate said camera device and take a picture, and wherein said security arrangement is configured to transmit a taken picture to a contact list utilizing said communication unit. |
| US09558637B2 |
Systems and methods for performing haptic conversion
Systems and methods for haptic conversion are described. One disclosed method includes the steps of: determining a characteristic of a target user interface device having a target haptic output device, determining a source haptic effect associated with a source user interface device having a source haptic output device; converting the source haptic effect to a target haptic effect, the conversion based at least in part on the characteristic of the target haptic output device, and generating a haptic signal associated with the target haptic effect, the haptic signal configured to cause the target haptic output device to output the target haptic effect. |
| US09558634B2 |
Method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system
A method of gaming in a gaming system comprise selecting a plurality of symbols for display on a display of the gaming system at a plurality of display positions, each display position comprising a plurality of borders, each display position having a least one common border with at least two other display positions. The method involves determining with the gaming system, whether there are one or more groups of at least three symbols corresponding to a designated winning symbol combination displayed at respective ones of a plurality of display positions linked in a contiguous group, the determination being based on the display positions sharing a common border. An award corresponding to a determined group is made. |
| US09558633B2 |
Slot machine game with mystery bonus feature using mixed math
Provided is a mixed-math slot machine game having a reels-first base game and a mystery bonus feature with prize-first game logic. After any winning play of the base game, the reels have the possibility of re-spinning a number of times, with the preferred version varying the re-spins from one to four times, for example. If this happens, the game screen informs the player that he or she has been awarded the bonus. While this bonus is triggered by the first base game spin of the reels, the possible prizes it awards are statistically weighted based on the amount of the initial base game prize from the winning reel stop. Various ways of implementing the change of gaming logic are provided. |
| US09558627B2 |
Methods and system for providing outcomes
Gaming devices may generate outcomes to be sold in printed form. Representations of the outcomes, corresponding payouts, and other information are printed on sheets of paper. Multiple printed outcomes are assembled into books, wrapped, and sold to consumers. Consumers may purchase the books and browse through the printed outcomes at their leisure. When finished with a book, a consumer may submit a portion of the book to the casino that sold the outcomes. The casino may then pay the player based on the payouts associated with the outcomes in the book. |
| US09558620B2 |
Systems and methods for multi-player remote gaming
A mobile gaming device may be a player's own personal tablet, smartphone, PDA, etc., with an application program installed via the internet for carrying out a remote gaming session. All gaming functions are carried out by a stationary gaming terminal communicating with the mobile device, such as by using WiFi. The mobile device operates as a user interface The games involve a plurality of players. |
| US09558618B2 |
Using a message-oriented protocol in a gaming machine
A gaming machine, such as a video slot or video poker machine, may be configured to use a message-oriented protocol. An application on the gaming machine may request subscription to a topic managed by a message broker. The application may receive a message published to the topic by another application and alter its execution in response. |
| US09558615B2 |
Interchangeable overlay for amusement devices
An overlay for a nonportable amusement device is provided. The nonportable amusement device has a housing, a display, a memory and a controller. The overlay includes one or more panels selectively attachable to and removable from the housing of the nonportable amusement device. |
| US09558611B2 |
Wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system and method with nudging re-spinning stacked wilds
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more stacked wild symbols which when appearing, trigger one or more re-spins wherein stacked wild symbols are locked in place for at least one re-spin. Awards are paid following each game outcome. In the event that a portion of a stacked wild symbol is displayed as part of a game outcome, the associated reel may nudge upward or downward to shift the entire stacked wild symbol into view, awards are then paid on the winning outcomes, and one or more re-spins may ensue with any displayed stacked wild symbols being locked for at least one subsequent re-spin. |
| US09558609B2 |
Gaming system and method having a partial selectable symbol matrix
A gaming device including a plurality of symbol generators adapted to generate a plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol positions. In one embodiment, a player selects a first symbol position, the selected symbol position is activated and the gaming device reveals whether a terminator is associated with the selected symbol position. In this embodiment, the player continues selecting symbol positions (and the gaming device continues activating the selected symbol positions) until a terminator is revealed to be associated with a selected symbol position. After a terminator is revealed, the gaming device randomly generating a symbol at each of the activated symbol positions. The gaming device determines an outcome based on the symbols or combinations of symbols generated at the activated symbol positions and provides the player the determined outcome. |
| US09558605B2 |
Systems and methods for authorizing access to facilities
Systems and methods are provided for authorizing access to facilities. In connection therewith, a first request comprising data indicative of a card number is received at a first node. When the first request comprises a request for access to a facility, a set of rules associated with the card number are identified and access to the requested facility is authorized in accordance with the identified set of rules. In addition, a second request comprising data indicative of the card number is received at a second node. When the second request comprises a payment request, a payment provider associated with the card number is identified and the payment request is transmitted to the payment provider. |
| US09558601B2 |
System and method for detecting vehicle system faults
A method for detecting vehicle system faults includes receiving, with a processor, a plurality of sensor signals from one or more sensors; thresholding, with the processor, the plurality of sensor signals for each respective sensor substantially in real time; and generating, with the processor, abnormal derivative frequency values for each of the plurality of thresholded sensor signals in real time and determining an operational status of at least each of the one or more sensors based on the abnormal derivative frequency values. |
| US09558599B2 |
Stress and/or accumulated damage monitoring system
A monitoring system implemented on a truck. The system includes: a plurality of strain and pressure gauges at critical locations at which a failure is predicted to occur; a processor with memory hardware configured to process the acquired real-time data from the gauges to determine measures of actual instantaneous stress and a real-time operating state; an output device configured to provide information comparing measures of actual instantaneous stress with corresponding reference values of maximum allowable stress, and to provide the real-time information derived from the real-time operating state. The real-time information derived from the real-time operating state preferably includes an amount of cumulative damage or closeness to failure having regard to the measures of actual instantaneous stress and the real-time operating state. |
| US09558594B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An index extraction unit detects indices from a sensed image sensed by a sensing unit which senses an image of a physical space on which a plurality of indices is laid out. A convergence arithmetic unit calculates position and orientation information of the sensing unit based on the detected indices. A CG rendering unit generates a virtual space image based on the position and orientation information. A sensed image clipping unit extracts, as a display image, an image in a display target region from the sensed image. An image composition unit generates a composite image by compositing the extracted display image and the generated virtual space image. A display unit displays the composite image. |
| US09558593B2 |
Terminal apparatus, additional information managing apparatus, additional information managing method, and program
There is provided a terminal apparatus including: a photographing portion configured to photograph a subject which is present in a reality space; an additional information acquiring portion configured to acquire additional information which is made to correspond to an object an image of which is recognized within a photographed image; and an additional information storing portion configured to store therein the acquired additional information in relation to either user identification information or photographing apparatus identification information. |
| US09558591B2 |
Method of providing augmented reality and terminal supporting the same
A method of providing augmented reality and a terminal supporting the same are provided. The terminal for supporting augmented reality includes: a display unit displaying a specific image during a preview image mode; and a controller recognizing at least one surface from the specific image according to a predetermined criteria, combining an image of a virtual object with the specific image so that the image of a virtual object is displayed on the recognized at least one surface, and controlling the display unit to output the combined image. |
| US09558590B2 |
Augmented reality light guide display
Augmented reality light guide display techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a housing configured in a hand-held form factor, one or more sensors configured to detect a position and orientation of the housing in three dimensions in a physical environment of the housing, a light guide that is at least partially transparent and supported by the housing, a light engine that is optically coupled to the light guide, and one or more modules disposed within the housing and implemented at least partially in hardware. The one or more modules are configured to calculate a position and orientation of an augmentation and cause the light engine to output the augmentation for display using the light guide such that the augmentation is viewable concurrently with at least a portion of the physical environment through the light guide. |
| US09558589B2 |
Medical image display apparatus, method, and program
A medical image display apparatus includes a three-dimensional image obtaining unit that obtains a three-dimensional image of a subject, a tubular tissue region obtaining unit that obtains a tubular tissue region representing a tubular tissue of the subject from the three-dimensional image, an endpoint identification unit that identifies, if the tubular tissue region obtained by the tubular tissue region obtaining unit is separated, each endpoint of the two tubular tissue regions connecting to the separating portion, a cross-sectional image generation unit that generates a cross-sectional image that includes the two endpoints identified by the endpoint identification unit, a display control unit that displays the cross-sectional image generated by the cross-sectional image generation unit and a three-dimensional image of the tubular tissue region, and a route receiving unit that receives input of a route connecting the two tubular tissue regions. |
| US09558588B2 |
Method for building a 3D model of a rock sample
A method for building a 3D model of a rock sample comprises performing X-ray micro/nanoCT scanning of a rock sample and obtaining its initial three-dimensional microstructure image in a gray scale. Then, an analysis of the obtained three-dimensional image of the rock sample is performed and a binarization method is selected in dependence of the image quality and properties of the rock sample. The selected binarization method is at least once applied to the obtained initial three-dimensional image of the sample. Obtained 3D binarized image represents a 3D model of the rock sample. |
| US09558587B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating model of patient specified target organ
Provided is an apparatus and method to create a model of a target organ of a patient. The apparatus and method generate a deformation matrix between at least two shape models of a target organ based on at least two three-dimensional (3D) images of the target organ. The apparatus and method also extract constraints about the target organ from a two-dimensional (2D) image of the target organ. The apparatus and method create the model of the target organ based on the constraints and the deformation matrix. |
| US09558584B1 |
3D position estimation of objects from a monocular camera using a set of known 3D points on an underlying surface
An example method may include determining a three-dimensional (3D) location of a plurality of reference points in an environment, receiving a two-dimensional (2D) image of a portion of the environment that contains an object, selecting certain reference points from the plurality of reference points that form a polygon when projected into the 2D image that contains at least a portion of the object, determining an intersection point of a ray directed toward the object and a 3D polygon formed by the selected reference points, and based on the intersection point of the ray directed toward the object and the 3D polygon formed by the selected reference points, determining a 3D location of the object in the environment. |
| US09558579B2 |
Apparatus and method for synthesizing additional information while rendering object in 3D graphic-based terminal
An apparatus and a method synthesize additional information while rendering an object in a 3D-based terminal. A disparity of the additional information is determined with a value that is equal to a disparity of an object or greater than the disparity of the object by a predetermined value in a situation in which the object hidden by the additional information is to be synthesized using a depth buffer. The additional information is overlaid on an image with consideration of the determined disparity of the additional information. |
| US09558576B2 |
Path side image in map overlay
One or more systems, devices, and/or methods for generating a map including path side data include storing path side data referenced to three-dimensional geographic coordinates. The path side data may be optical data or optical data modified based on one or more panoramic images. The path side data is combined with map data received from a map database. The map data includes nodes and segments. A processor rotates the path side data based on one of the segments. The rotation may be about the segment or about a featured identified in the optical data. The path side data overlaid on the map data is outputted to a display, a file, or another device. |
| US09558575B2 |
Methods and devices for selecting objects in images
Methods and devices for selecting objects in images are described. In one example aspect, a method includes: receiving stereoscopic image data, the stereoscopic image data includes a first image obtained from a first camera and a second image obtained from a second camera; identifying an object in the first image by analyzing the first image and the second image; displaying the first image, the identified object in the first image being selectable. |
| US09558568B2 |
Visualization method for a human skeleton from a medical scan
A visualization method is provided that allows for the unfolding of a human skeleton from a medical image scan and providing increased efficiency for interacting with the image scan and whole body bone reading from such scans. That is, a full head-to-toe unfolded skeleton view (e.g., a 2D unfolded view) is realized for improved visualization and diagnostic capabilities. |
| US09558565B2 |
Dimension calculation method for a semiconductor device
An automatic calculation method for thickness calculation of a deposition layer in a Fin-type field-effect transistor (FinFET) is disclosed through mapping edge lines onto an Excel spreadsheet. The similar method is also applied to the thickness calculation of superlattice or multiple quantum well for a light emitting diode (LED). The edge lines are obtained and transformed from an electronic image taken by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Focus Ion Beam (FIB), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), or X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) of the device. |
| US09558564B1 |
Method for finding important changes in 3D point clouds
A motion detector comprising a sensor apparatus and a calculator arranged for: generating first and second successive frames comprising each a 3-D cloud of points, wherein each point represents a position in space of a surface of at least an object in the field of vision of said sensor apparatus; transforming each of the first and second frames by: mapping each cloud of 3-D points into a 2-D grid of cells associated each to a sequence of predetermined volumes; and associating to each cell of the 2-D grid of cells a sequence of the lists of the points contained in corresponding volumes of the sequence of predetermined volumes; comparing the sequences of lists associated to the same cells of the 2-D grids obtained for the first and second frames; and indicating that motion occurred based on the sequence of lists being different in the first and second frames. |
| US09558562B2 |
System and method for reflection mitigation using blue noise pattern
An information handling system includes a display for displaying an image and a processor. The processor is configured to receive an input image, determine if a pixel is in an edge region, generate an anti-reflective image by applying an edge preserving blue noise pattern to pixels within the edge region, and applying a mean persevering blue noise pattern to pixels outside of the edge region. The anti-reflective image is provided to the display. When displayed, the anti-reflective image reduces artifacts caused by reflection or glare on the display. |
| US09558561B2 |
Semiautomatic drawing tool for image segmentation
A semiautomatic drawing tool is configured to generate an image segmentation contour that corresponds to a visible edge within a digital image. Individual contour points define the shape and location of the image segmentation contour, and the semiautomatic drawing tool determines the locations of these contour points based on both user input and on the location of a steep luminance gradient that corresponds to the visible edge. The semiautomatic drawing tool determines the location of a particular point of the image segmentation contour based on the current location of an input device pointer, e.g., a cursor, the location of the steepest luminance gradient, and the location of previously selected points of the image segmentation contour. |
| US09558560B2 |
Connected component labeling in graphics processors
Systems and methods may provide for obtaining data associated with an image and using a plurality of threads in a graphics processor to conduct a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) scan of the data. Additionally, systems and methods may provide for generating a plurality of connection tables corresponding to the plurality of threads based on the SIMD scan. In one example, a plurality of threads in the graphics processor are used to conduct a single phase merge of the plurality of connection tables onto a global connected components labeling (CCL) table for the image. |
| US09558557B2 |
Online reference generation and tracking for multi-user augmented reality
A multi-user augmented reality (AR) system operates without a previously acquired common reference by generating a reference image on the fly. The reference image is produced by capturing at least two images of a planar object and using the images to determine a pose (position and orientation) of a first mobile platform with respect to the planar object. Based on the orientation of the mobile platform, an image of the planar object, which may be one of the initial images or a subsequently captured image, is warped to produce the reference image of a front view of the planar object. The reference image may be produced by the mobile platform or by, e.g., a server. Other mobile platforms may determine their pose with respect to the planar object using the reference image to perform a multi-user augmented reality application. |
| US09558555B2 |
Adjusting motion capture based on the distance between tracked objects
The technology disclosed relates to adjusting the monitored field of view of a camera and/or a view of a virtual scene from a point of view of a virtual camera based on the distance between tracked objects. For example, if the user's hand is being tracked for gestures, the closer the hand gets to another object, the tighter the frame can become—i.e., the more the camera can zoom in so that the hand and the other object occupy most of the frame. The camera can also be reoriented so that the hand and the other object remain in the center of the field of view. The distance between two objects in a camera's field of view can be determined and a parameter of a motion-capture system adjusted based thereon. In particular, the pan and/or zoom levels of the camera may be adjusted in accordance with the distance. |
| US09558552B2 |
Eye-fundus image optimization output device and method, and computer readable medium
An eye-fundus image output device, including circuitry to: select a site of a presented eye-fundus image, optimize an image of the selected site, output an image in which the selected site has been optimized, and generate a graphical user interface (GUI) corresponding to a received instruction, the GUI selects, as a grayscale adjustment mode, a mode in which a selected portion of an image of a predetermined range in the periphery of a designated position is optimized according to the grayscale adjustment mode. |
| US09558551B2 |
Image measurement apparatus and image measurement method for determining a proportion of positive cell nuclei among cell nuclei included in a pathologic examination specimen
An image measurement apparatus includes: a lighting unit that emits a first narrowband light with a bandwidth (i) narrower than a bandwidth of a visible light and (ii) including a dominant wavelength of a color of a positive cell nucleus; an image obtaining unit that obtains an examination image by capturing an image of a pathologic examination specimen to which the first narrowband light is emitted; a cell nuclei extracting unit that extracts pixels of positive cell nuclei from the examination image by comparing pixel values of the examination image with a predetermined threshold; a positive proportion calculating unit that calculates a proportion of the positive cell nuclei among cell nuclei included in the pathologic examination specimen, using the pixels of the positive cell nuclei extracted by the cell nuclei extracting unit; and an output unit that outputs the proportion. |
| US09558545B2 |
Predicting and controlling critical dimension issues and pattern defectivity in wafers using interferometry
Systems and methods for predicting and controlling pattern quality data (e.g., critical dimension and/or pattern defectivity) in patterned wafers using patterned wafer geometry (PWG) measurements are disclosed. Correlations between PWG measurements and pattern quality data measurements may be established, and the established correlations may be utilized to provide pattern quality data predictions for a given wafer based on geometry measurements obtained for the give wafer. The predictions produced may be provided to a lithography tool, which may utilize the predictions to correct focus and/or title errors that may occur during the lithography process. |
| US09558543B2 |
Image fusion method and image processing apparatus
An image fusion method and an image processing apparatus are provided. A first image is generated based on a first photographing parameter, and a second image is generated based on a second photographing parameter. A first pixel reference value of each of first pixels is calculated by using a self-define mask according to color components and a luminance component of the first pixels on the first image. A second pixel reference value of each of second pixels is calculated by using the self-define mask according to color components and a luminance component of the second pixels on the second image. A synthesizing reference map recording a plurality of synthesizing weights is obtained by comparing the first pixel reference value and the corresponding second pixel reference value. A fusion image is obtained by synthesizing the first image and the second image according to the synthesizing reference map. |
| US09558539B2 |
Method of processing image data and display system for display power reduction
To process image data, a distribution of gray levels of frame image data is detected. A remapping function for providing remapped gray levels is determined based on the distribution of the gray levels such that a number of the remapped gray levels is less than a number of the gray levels. Low-power frame image data are provided based on the frame image data and the remapping function such that displaying the low-power frame image data uses less power than the frame image data. |
| US09558537B2 |
Image denoising method and image denoising apparatus
The present invention provides an image denoising method and an image denoising apparatus. The image denoising method includes performing preliminary denoising processing to an acquired image to be processed, so as to obtain a preliminarily denoised image; calculating a residual quantity corresponding to a central pixel of each unit area in the image to be processed according to numerical values of specific energy parameters to which the image to be processed and the preliminarily denoised image correspond, respectively; and using the residual quantity to calculate a weight matrix corresponding to each unit area, and performing non-local mean value calculation to the image to be processed according to the weight matrix, so as to realize the denoising processing of the image to be processed. The image denoising method is able to denoise effectively, and make a denoised image more visually natural. |
| US09558533B2 |
3D asset performance enhancement
Three-dimensional (3D) asset performance enhancement is disclosed. In various embodiments, the 3D assets may be retrieved from a specific folder, each 3D asset describing one or more 3D models. The 3D assets may be processed at build-time of an application to enhance the performance of the 3D assets at runtime of the application by performing one or more enhancements on the 3D assets before adding the enhanced 3D assets to a bundle of the application. |
| US09558529B2 |
Rendering video data in an information handling system using a management controller
A method, video processing system, and information handling system (IHS) provides rendering of video data. The method includes triggering a management controller to generate a virtual monitor that is accessible by a host and enabling, via a processor of the host, at least one graphics processing unit (GPU). The method further includes determining if a processor is writing video data to a video driver. In response to the processor writing video data to the video driver, the video data is converted to bulk video data. The bulk video data is transmitted to the management controller. |
| US09558521B1 |
System and method for populating a field on a form including remote field level data capture
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for populating a field on a form. The method includes: establishing a communication session between a first computing device and a second computing device; receiving, from a user of the first computing device, a selection of source data; transferring, over the secure communication session, the source data from the first computing device to the second computing device; matching, based on a matching criterion, the source data to the field in the second computing device; calculating, after matching the source data to the field, a value for the field based on the matching criterion and the source data; and populating the field with the value. |
| US09558518B2 |
Method, system, and computer-readable medium for bandwidth auctions with bandwidth bid requests based mobile device application tables
Technologies and implementations for facilitating and participating in bandwidth auctions are generally disclosed. Examples may include transmitting a bandwidth bid request including a bandwidth request quantity, a bandwidth request timing, a bandwidth request bid price, and a bandwidth request location to a bandwidth auction provider in response to a bandwidth need notification, receiving a bid win notification including a bandwidth bid win quantity, a bandwidth bid win timing, a bandwidth bid win location, a bandwidth bid win price, a bandwidth provider and a bandwidth activation token from the bandwidth auction provider, transmitting a bandwidth request including the bandwidth activation token to the bandwidth provider in response to the bid win notification, and receiving bandwidth from the bandwidth provider based at least in part on the bandwidth activation token. |
| US09558514B2 |
Considering selling exemplar-based goods, items, or services
One aspect relates to managing deliveries of at least one goods, items, and/or services that could be received by at least one customer, at least partially by recognizing an exemplar as corresponding to the at least one goods, items, and/or services. Another aspect relates to considering selling goods, items, and/or services from an exemplar merchant and/or store at least partially utilizing an exemplar item information as derived from a customer's previous history, wherein at least some of the exemplar item information as derived from the customer's previous history could be stored in certain embodiments of at least a portion of a shopping control mechanism. Yet another aspect relates to receiving an exemplar item information that can be used to recognize an exemplar as corresponding to an at least one goods, items, and/or services. |
| US09558513B2 |
Querying for business service processing status information
Querying for business service processing status information is disclosed, including: receiving a query reference message from a server, wherein the query reference message includes information associated with a set of processing nodes associated with a business service, a sequence associated with the set of processing nodes, and a set of predicted measures of time corresponding to the set of processing nodes; determining a next information query time associated with a current processing node of the set of processing nodes based at least in part on a predicted measure of time of the set of predicted measures of time corresponding to the current processing node; in response to occurrence of the next information query time, sending an information query request to the server; and receiving an information query response from the server, wherein the information query response includes a current business service processing status information associated with the business service. |
| US09558512B2 |
Providing a customized application to a user terminal
Techniques for providing a user terminal with a web application, which is customized in respect of terminal-specific properties and, optionally, user-specific parameters. An application server stores a template for the customized web application and a feature set for each of several terminal types; receives a request for creation of the customized web application, and determines the user-specific parameters based on the request; sends the user terminal a data message which triggers a request from the user terminal; determines the user terminal's type based on the request; determines the terminal-specific properties based on the determined type; creates the customized web application based on the template, the user-specific parameters and the terminal-specific properties; inserts the customized web application into a set of delivery files for a data communication system and transmits the set of delivery files to the user terminal. |
| US09558510B2 |
System and method to create listings using image and voice recognition
In various example embodiments, a system and method to provide services associated with an image is disclosed. The method includes receiving image data of an item of interest from a client device. The image data is used to identify a similar item from an image catalog based on the image data of the item. Attribute information associated with the similar item is retrieved and used to pre-populate a template. The pre-populated template is sent to the client device, and modified data from the client device is received in response, with the modified data resulting in a final template. A listing based on the final template is generated. |
| US09558508B2 |
Energy-efficient mobile advertising
Various technologies described herein pertain to prefetching advertisements for mobile advertising. A prediction model for estimating a number of advertisements that a mobile client is likely to request during an upcoming prediction time period can be employed. An estimated total amount of time of likely interaction with application(s) executed by the mobile client can be predicted; based upon such prediction, a number of advertisement slots likely to be available and a probability of each of the advertisement slots being available can be computed. Moreover, an ad server can allocate advertisements in a pending advertisement queue and/or disparate advertisements collected from an ad exchange to the mobile client based upon the number of advertisement slots likely to be available, the probability of each of the advertisements slots being available, and aggregated probabilities of the pending advertisements in the pending advertisement queue being displayed prior to corresponding deadlines for expiration. |
| US09558504B2 |
Systems and methods for providing offers using a mobile device
A wireless device is enabled to provide offers. The wireless device receives card data for a financial account card and stores the card data in a memory associated with the wireless device. Responsive to using the card data in a transaction at a first merchant location, the wireless device receives transaction line-item data from a computing system associated with the first merchant location. The wireless device determines merchant information for a second merchant location and determines an offer associated with the second merchant location based on the line-item data and the merchant information for the second merchant. The wireless device presents the offer when the wireless device is near the second merchant location. |
| US09558503B2 |
Matching mobile device to transaction and/or customer account
Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed that provide enhanced customer services based on detected mobile identifiers of mobile devices. One system includes a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, a wireless sensor, and a backend system. The POS terminal handles sales of items and generate transactions for sold items. The wireless sensor is positioned proximate the POS terminal and detects mobile identifiers from mobile devices proximate the POS terminal. The backend system receives transactions from the POS terminal and detected mobile identifiers from the wireless sensor. The backend system matches a received transaction to a received mobile identifier based on a detection time of an associated mobile device proximate the wireless sensor and a transaction time for an associated transaction of the POS terminal. The backend system updates a purchase history associated with the matched mobile identifier based on sold items of the matched transaction. |
| US09558495B1 |
Methods and systems for managing transaction card accounts enabled for use with particular categories of providers and/or goods/services
A computer-implemented method and system for managing transaction card accounts involves enabling a transaction card account by a card issuer for use with pre-defined categories of providers of goods/services and goods/services sold and issuing a transaction card and establishing an associated pre-qualified category card account. Upon receiving data for a transaction with the transaction card at a transaction terminal by a processing platform of the card issuer via a card association processing network, the category of the provider and goods/services is interrogated to determine whether or not the transaction can be posted on the pre-qualified category card account of the cardholder, and the transaction is approved and posted to the pre-qualified category card account if the transaction falls within the pre-qualified category of the cardholder. |
| US09558491B2 |
Scrambling passcode entry interface
A method of secured passcode entry is disclosed. The method, in one embodiment, includes: receiving a request to authenticate a user; in response to receiving the request, generating a passcode entry interface that includes a plurality of buttons for the user to compose a passcode entry, each button representing a character of a set of characters, the set of characters having a natural sequence, wherein said generating includes displaying the buttons on a touchscreen of the electronic device in an arrangement that does not reflect the natural sequence of the set of characters; detecting a touch event, represented as a coordinate on the touchscreen, interacting with the touchscreen while the passcode entry interface is displayed, wherein the touch event is indicative of at least a portion of a passcode entry by the user; and verifying an authenticity of the passcode entry based at least partly on the touch event. |
| US09558490B2 |
Systems and methods for predicting a merchant's change of acquirer
According to some embodiments, an acquiring party prediction platform may receive transaction information about a plurality of transactions associated with a merchant, and different transactions may be associated with different acquiring parties. The transaction information may be analyzed to generate a prediction that a particular acquiring party may be associated with a transaction volume below a threshold volume in the future. An indication associated with the prediction may then be transmitted. |
| US09558489B2 |
Smart card loading transactions using wireless telecommunications network
A smart card transaction allows a consumer to load value onto a smart card and to make purchases using a smart card with a mobile telephone handset over the telecommunications network. For loading, the system includes: a mobile telephone handset including a card reader; a gateway computer; a funds issuer computer; and an authentication computer. The mobile telephone handset receives a request from a user to load a value onto the smart card. The handset generates a funds request message which includes the value and sends the funds request message to a funds issuer computer. The funds issuer computer debits an account associated with the user. Next, the handset generates a load request message with a cryptographic signature and sends the load request message to an authentication computer which authenticates the smart card. The handset receives a response message which includes a cryptographic signature and an approval to load. Finally, the handset validates the second cryptographic signature and loads the value onto the smart card. For payment, the system includes a merchant server and a payment server. First, the handset sends an order request message to the merchant server computer, and in return receives a purchase instruction message. The handset processes the purchase instruction message locally, and then sends a draw request message to a payment server computer. The payment server computer sends a debit message which includes a cryptographic signature and an approval to debit the smart card. Finally, the handset validates the cryptographic signature and debits the smart card. |
| US09558488B2 |
Customer's CE device interrogating customer's e-card for transaction information
A bank customer's electronic debit or credit card (“e-card”) is interrogated by the customer's CE device to report transaction information including interrogations the e-card receives from a point of sale (POS) apparatus. |
| US09558486B2 |
Processing a fueling transaction based on entry of an authenticator at a fueling pump
A method and system for authenticating and processing a transaction request using a vehicle based wireless system is provided. A vehicle may include a wireless tag or transponder, and a wireless system at a service station or fuel station can detect the presence of the wireless tag in a predefined general wireless service area. The wireless system can transmit vehicle information based on the detection of the wireless tag or vehicle. A user may enter an authenticator at a specific fuel dispenser within the general wireless service area. In response to entry of the authenticator, an authenticator processor may then associate a fueling authorization request with the specific fuel dispenser. In response to successful authorization of the transaction, a transaction authorization may be transmitted to the specific fuel dispenser where the authenticator was presented, which may be used to enable the specific fuel dispenser for use. |
| US09558480B2 |
Phone-on-file opt-in at a merchant server
A phone-on-file opt-in method is described. A phone-on-file opt-in request is received at the billing server including a msisdn and a merchant supplied unique consumer identifier. The billing server confirms the phone-on-file opt-in with a consumer device and records a phone-on-file opt-in status as active if the first phone-on-file is confirmed. A charge method includes receiving, at the billing server, a charge API call from a merchant server including at least one identifier and an amount, determining a phone-on-file opt-in status corresponding to the identifier at the billing server and transmitting a request to charge a user account to a carrier server if the phone-on-file opt-in status is active, but not if the phone-on-file opt-in status is inactive, the request including an amount corresponding to the amount received in the charge API call. |
| US09558477B2 |
Method and system for effecting payment by checks through the use of image replacement documents
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a computerized method for effecting payment by a check includes electronically receiving payment information for a check drawing on a checking account of an account holder, retrieving from a storage location an image replacement document template associated with the checking account in response to receiving the payment information, and generating an image replacement document representative of the check by inserting the payment information into respective fields of the image replacement document template. The payment information includes a date, a payee, a dollar amount, a legal amount, and a signature. |
| US09558474B2 |
Systems management operational workflow templates
Provided are techniques for the specification of templates for the orchestration of workflows such as, but not limited to, computer system server, storage, network, virtualization and cloud infrastructure management operations and tasks. The disclosed techniques support non-scripted native representations of the workflows, the addition of new object types or operation sets or services, atomicity, transactional semantics of workflows and the ability to configure parameters for execution of workflow. |
| US09558473B2 |
Collaborative contact management
A solution for managing a set of collaborative contacts is provided. Each collaborative contact includes one or more collaboration capabilities, each of which corresponds to a unique collaboration tool (e.g., voice over IP, instant messaging, email, and/or the like). Identifying text can be used to search the set of collaborative contacts and obtain a set of candidate contacts. An availability status for each collaboration capability of each candidate contact can be requested and a display can be generated that includes the set of candidate contacts. In one embodiment, the display can include an indication of the collaboration capabilities for one or more of the candidate contacts, and/or the availability status for one or more collaboration capabilities. A user can use the display to request a collaboration session between the user and one or more of the candidate contacts. |
| US09558469B2 |
System and methods for verifying that one or more end user transport directives do not conflict with one or more package delivery directives
Computationally implemented methods and systems that are designed for receiving one or more package delivery directives that direct a transportation vehicle unit to deliver one or more packages; receiving one or more end user transport directives that direct the transportation vehicle unit to transport one or more end users; and verifying that the one or more end user transport directives do not conflict with the one or more package delivery directives such that transport of the one or more end users by the transportation vehicle unit in accordance with the one or more end user transport directives will not violate one or more package delivery obligations of the transportation vehicle unit to deliver the one or more packages in accordance with the one or more package delivery directives. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text. |
| US09558462B2 |
Identifying and amalgamating conditional actions in business processes
Methods and systems for identifying conditional actions in a business process are disclosed. In accordance with one such method, text fragments are extracted from input documents. In addition, a plurality of pairs of the text fragments that respectively include text fragments that are similar according to a pre-defined similarity standard are determined. For each pair of at least a subset of the pairs, at least one difference between the text fragments of the corresponding pair is determined. Further, at least two particular pairs of the subset of the pairs are merged in response to determining that the particular pairs have at least one of the determined differences in common. Additionally, the merged particular pairs are output to indicate the conditional actions in the business process. |
| US09558459B2 |
Dynamic selection of actions in an information technology environment
Management of an Information Technology environment is facilitated by preparing the environment for management. The environment is prepared for a specific management goal, such as an availability goal or a performance goal. To prepare the environment, one or more recommended preparatory actions are selected, initiated and monitored. Resources associated with the actions are also monitored. |
| US09558451B2 |
Adapting parameters of a call in progress with a model that predicts call quality
The disclosure relates to a communication client application for running on a user terminal to conduct calls over a network. The client is configured to access a model which models quality of user experience for calls based on a set of technical parameters of each call. The model itself is based on user feedback indicating subjective quality of multiple past calls as experienced by multiple users, modeled with respect to the technical parameters collected from each of the past calls. The model generates a predicted call quality score predicting the quality of user experience for the call given its technical parameters. Based on this process, one or more of the technical parameters of the call can be adapted to try to increase the quality experienced by the user. |
| US09558450B2 |
System for recommending helicopter engine maintenance
The invention relates to a system for recommending maintenance of helicopter engines depending on the technical condition of the engine, the standard replacement of parts between engines, and the replacement of parts with different parts. The system comprises: a centralized database storing data relating to (i) working condition and working condition indicators, (ii) modifications of the engines, (iii) maintenance plans for the engines, (iv) causes of unscheduled events, (v) maintenance applied to the engines, and (vi) instantiated configurations; means for acquiring the working condition indicators and for updating the working condition data; means for identifying maintenance to be applied to the engines depending on the data; means for generating an alarm for identified maintenance to be performed; means for the digitally-signed updating of the applied maintenance and configuration data according to maintenance operations; and means for deactivating an alarm once the maintenance associated with the alarm is completed. |
| US09558448B2 |
Dynamic interfacing in a deep question answering system
System, method, and computer program product for performing an operation, the operation comprising analyzing a question submitted to a deep question answering system to determine a level of sophistication of the question, and modifying one or more subsequent communications issued by the deep question answering system based on the determined level of sophistication, wherein the modifying attempts to more closely match the determined level of sophistication of the question with a level of sophistication of the one or more subsequent communications. |
| US09558446B2 |
Method for planning trips to transport passengers
A method for planning trips to transport passengers on the basis of a preferably statistical predictive model, in particular to plan capacities, optimize the utilization of vehicle fleets, determine the routes to be taken, etc., preferably in short-distance passenger traffic, wherein the predictive model takes into account, using parameters, characteristic passenger patterns over the course of a day, week, and/or year, is characterized in that the predictive model additionally uses weather-specific parameters. |
| US09558445B1 |
Input validation techniques
Described are techniques for processing inputs. A plurality of rules engines is provided. Each of the rules engines is written in a different programming language. Input validation processing is performed of a first set of one or more inputs by a first of the plurality of rules engines using a first portion of a set of validation rules. Input validation processing is performed for the first set of one or more inputs by a second of the plurality of rules engines using the first portion of validation rules. |
| US09558442B2 |
Monitoring neural networks with shadow networks
A method for generating an event includes monitoring a first neural network with a second neural network. The method also includes generating an event based on the monitoring. The event is generated at the second neural network. The event may be generated based on a spike received at the second network during the monitoring. |
| US09558440B2 |
Wireless IC device
An electromagnetic coupling module includes a wireless IC chip and a functional substrate. The electromagnetic coupling module is mounted on a radiation plate, preferably using an adhesive, for example. On the upper surface of a base material of the radiation plate, two long radiation electrodes are provided. On the undersurface of the functional substrate, capacitive coupling electrodes that individually face inner ends of the radiation electrodes are provided. A matching circuit arranged to perform the impedance matching between the wireless IC chip and each of the radiation electrodes includes the capacitive coupling electrodes. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size, facilitate the design, and reduce the cost of a wireless IC device. |
| US09558439B2 |
System and method for quality management utilizing barcode indicators
A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of bar coded quality indicators each operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter, a barcode indicator reader operative to read the barcoded quality indicators and to provide output indications, the barcoded quality indicators being readable by the barcode indicator reader at all times after first becoming readable, including times prior to, during and immediately following exceedance of the at least one threshold by the at least one product quality affecting parameter, and a product type responsive indication interpreter operative to receive the output indications and to provide human sensible, product quality status outputs. |
| US09558438B2 |
Information broadcast using color space encoded image
Embodiments of the present disclosure can include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer program products for using color space encoded images to perform image-based information broadcasting. In certain aspects, the information broadcasting can include using the encoded images to broadcast information to multiple devices within view of the encoded images. Embodiments can also include broadcasting information independent of network availability. In certain aspects, a public display having a camera can register or capture a color space encoded image from a remote device, where the encoded image encodes a request for information from a user. The public display can send the encoded image to be decoded, and receive the decoded request for information. The public display can encode an encoded image representing a response, and display the encoded image representing a response for decoding by the user. |
| US09558434B2 |
Remote operation system, image forming apparatus, remote operation apparatus, and recording medium
A remote operation system comprises an image forming apparatus and a remote operation apparatus. The image forming apparatus has an operation input part including a touch panel and a hardware key and a transmission part for transmitting synthesizable area information indicating a synthesizable area in a candidate screen (first screen) of the remote operation screen to the remote operation apparatus. The first screen is a screen including a touch panel area and a hardware key area, and the synthesizable area is defined in the synthesizable area information as an area not including a hardware key image. The remote operation apparatus generates a second screen by synthesizing an additional image to be added to the first screen into the synthesizable area of the first screen on the basis of the synthesizable area information and displays the second screen on the display part as the remote operation screen. |
| US09558426B2 |
Robust feature identification for image-based object recognition
Techniques are provided that include identifying robust features within a training image. Training features are generated by applying a feature detection algorithm to the training image, each training feature having a training feature location within the training image. At least a portion of the training image is transformed into a transformed image in accordance with a predefined image transformation. Transform features are generated by applying the feature detection algorithm to the transformed image, each transform feature having a transform feature location within the transformed image. The training feature locations of the training features are mapped to corresponding training feature transformed locations within the transformed image in accordance with the predefined image transformation, and a robust feature set is compiled by selecting robust features, wherein each robust feature represents a training feature having a training feature transformed location proximal to a transform feature location of one of the transform features. |
| US09558425B2 |
Automatically computing emotions aroused from images through shape modeling
Shape features in natural images influence emotions aroused in human beings. An in-depth statistical analysis helps to understand the relationship between shapes and emotions. Through experimental results on the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) dataset, evidence is presented as to the significance of roundness-angularity and simplicity-complexity on predicting emotional content in images. Shape features are combined with other state-of-the-art features to show a gain in prediction and classification accuracy. Emotions are modeled from a dimensional perspective in order to predict valence and arousal ratings, which have advantages over modeling the traditional discrete emotional categories. Images are distinguished vis-a-vis strong emotional content from emotionally neutral images with high accuracy. All of the methods and steps disclosed herein are implemented on a programmed digital computer, which may be a stand-alone machine or integrated into another piece of equipment such as a digital still or video camera including, in all embodiments, portable devices such as smart phones. |
| US09558424B2 |
On-road stereo visual odometry without explicit pose determinations
A method determines motion between first and second coordinate systems by first extracting first and second sets of keypoints from first and second images acquired of a scene by a camera arranged on a moving object. First and second poses are determined from the first and second sets of keypoints. A score for each possible motion between the first and the second poses is determined using a scoring function and a pose-transition graph constructed from training data where each node in the post-transition graph represents a relative pose and each edge represents a motion between two consecutive relative poses. Then, based on the score, a best motion is selected as the motion between the first and second coordinate systems. |
| US09558421B2 |
Image mastering systems and methods
Systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein may apply a computational spatial-temporal analysis to assess pixels between temporal and/or perspective view imagery to determine imaging details that may be used to generate image data with increased signal-to-noise ratio. |
| US09558419B1 |
Method and apparatus for receiving a location of a vehicle service center from an image
Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive a location of a vehicle service center corresponding to the vehicle license plate image in response to the transmission. |
| US09558418B2 |
Apparatus and system for processing currency bills and financial documents and method for using the same
A document processing device convertible between a first configuration and a second configuration includes an input receptacle, a transport mechanism, a scanner, and a convertible output area. The input receptacle is configured to receive documents including currency bills therein. The transport mechanism is configured to transport the documents along a transport path from the input receptacle. The scanner is positioned along the transport path and is configured to scan at least a portion of each of the documents transported to generate data associated therewith. The convertible output area is configured to be selectively coupled with a first output assembly and a second output assembly. |
| US09558411B1 |
Plane estimation for contextual awareness
Aspects of the disclosure relate to classifying the status of objects. For examples, one or more computing devices detect an object from an image of a vehicle's environment. The object is associated with a location. The one or more computing devices receive data corresponding to the surfaces of objects in the vehicle's environment and identifying data within a region around the location of the object. The one or more computing devices also determine whether the data within the region corresponds to a planar surface extending away from an edge of the object. Based on this determination, the one or more computing devices classify the status of the object. |
| US09558407B1 |
Methods, systems, and media for detecting and presenting related media content
Methods, systems, and media detecting and/or presenting related media content are provided. In some embodiments, methods for detecting and presenting related media content are provided, the methods comprising: receiving, using a hardware processor, a query media content item corresponding to a query episode; selecting a portion of the query media content item; receiving at least one reference media content item; determining whether the reference media content item and the query media content item contain matching content; and identifying a related episode corresponding to the reference media content item in response to determining that the reference media item and the query media content item contain matching content. |
| US09558405B2 |
Imaging based instrument event tracking
A method includes obtaining real-time imaging data of at least a sub-portion of an object and a region of interest therein. The method further includes displaying the real-time imaging data as the real-time imaging is obtained. The method further includes tracking extraction of a sample from the region of interest by an extraction device based on the real-time imaging data. The method further includes identifying an extraction location for the extracted sample based on the tracking and the real-time imaging data and generating a signal indicative thereof. |
| US09558402B2 |
Data processing systems, devices, and methods for content analysis
Systems, devices and methods operative for identifying a reference within a figure and an identifier in a text associated with the figure, the reference referring to an element depicted in the figure, the reference corresponding to the identifier, the identifier identifying the element in the text, placing the identifier on the figure at a distance from the reference, the identifier visually associated with the reference upon the placing, the placing of the identifier on the figure is irrespective of the distance between the identifier and the reference. |
| US09558397B2 |
Method and apparatus for automated analysis and identification of a person in image and video content
A method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for identifying a person in an image includes an image analyzer. The image analyzer determines the content of an image such as a person, location, and object shown in the image. A person in the image may be identified based on the content and event data stored in a database. Event data includes information concerning events and related people, locations, and objects determined from other images and information. Identification metadata is generated and linked to each analyzed image and comprises information determined during image analysis. Tags for images are generated based on identification metadata. The event database can be queried to identify particular people, locations, objects, and events depending on a user's request. |
| US09558396B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for face tracking based on calculated occlusion probabilities
A face tracking apparatus includes: a face region detector; a segmentation unit; an occlusion probability calculator; and a tracking unit. The face region detector is configured to detect a face region based on an input image. The segmentation unit is configured to segment the face region into a plurality of sub-regions. The occlusion probability calculator configured to calculate occlusion probabilities for the plurality of sub-regions. The tracking unit is configured to track a face included in the input image based on the occlusion probabilities. |
| US09558395B2 |
Image correction device, image correction method, and imaging device
There is provided an image correction device including a flash band detection unit configured to detect a flash band, the flash band being a step occurred between levels for respective lines in a frame by a flash of light, the step being occurred by a difference in exposure time between the lines of a video signal output for each frame from pixels included in a rolling shutter image sensor, a shutter operation determination unit configured to determine whether or not shutter operation has been performed in an imaging device including the image sensor, and a flash band correction unit configured to, when the shutter operation determination unit determines that shutter operation has been performed and the flash band detection unit has detected the flash band, output a video signal of a previous frame output from the image sensor earlier than a frame containing the detected flash band. |
| US09558377B2 |
Electronic access control systems including pass-through credential communication devices and methods for modifying electronic access control systems to include pass-through credential communication devices
Electronic access control systems and methods address one or more weaknesses of conventional electronic access control systems. In some cases, an electronic access control system includes a secure communication channel for transmitting information to the access control system computer (ACC). In some cases, a method secures the communication channel between user access credentials (UACs) and the ACC. |
| US09558376B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a display unit configured to display characters, a contact detection unit configured to detect a contact, a tactile sensation providing unit configured to provide a tactile sensation to an object contacting the contact detection unit, and a control unit configured to control such that predetermined characters are displayed as turned characters on the display unit, wherein the control unit, when the contact detection unit detects the contact at a position corresponding to the turned characters displayed on the display unit, controls the tactile sensation providing unit such that a tactile sensation associated with the characters corresponding to the turned characters is provided to the object. |
| US09558372B2 |
Disablement of lost or stolen device
Active disablement of a target device that is reported as lost or stolen, even if the device no longer has a cellular link. A service assembles a list of target devices that have been reported as lost or stolen, and transmits at least a subset of the assembled list of target devices to candidate proximate systems. If one of the candidate proximate system receives an identification signal from a target device that is on the received list, the proximate system commands the target device to at least partially disable itself. The target device then disables as commanded, and the proximate system may acknowledge the same to the service. |
| US09558369B2 |
Information processing device, method for verifying anonymity and medium
The present invention provides an information processing device that enables a reduction in the processing cost of verifying anonymity during anonymization when multi-dimensional data is the subject of anonymization. The information processing device is provided with: a unit which generates information indicating the correspondence between a record contained in a data set and a class specifying a unique combination of quasi-identifier attribute values; a unit which verifies the anonymity of each record on the basis of the class thereof indicated in the information; and a unit which, on the basis of the results of verifying the anonymity, updates the information in a manner such that whether or not the record satisfies the anonymity can be identified and outputs the record-class correspondence information. |
| US09558368B2 |
System and methods for identifying compromised personally identifiable information on the internet
In one embodiment, a method includes generating, by a computer system, a search-engine query from stored identity-theft nomenclature. The method also includes querying, by the computer system, at least one search engine via the search-engine query. Further, the method includes crawling, by the computer system, at least one computer-network resource identified via the querying. In addition, the method includes collecting, by the computer system, identity-theft information from the at least one computer-network resource. Additionally, the method includes processing, by the computer system, the identity-theft information for compromised personally-identifying information (PII). |
| US09558360B2 |
Protecting information using policies and encryption
A technique and system protects documents at rest and in motion using declarative policies and encryption. Encryption in the system is provided transparently and can work in conjunction with policy enforcers installed at a system. A system can protect information or documents from: (i) insider theft; (ii) ensure confidentiality; and (iii) prevent data loss, while enabling collaboration both inside and outside of a company. |
| US09558357B2 |
Delegation of access rights to an account after the disappearance of the user
A management process for access to secure data includes: storing secure data associated with a first user and authentication data of said first user, managing access to the secure data of the first user, as a function of the authentication data of this first user. The process includes: storing, in the secure data of the first user, a heritage rule and a list of at least one second user and, for each second user of said list, an rule for access to secure data of the first user, storing authentication data for each second user of said list, and when the heritage rule is satisfied, managing access, by said at least one second user, to the secure data of the first user, as a function of the authentication data of the second user and of the rule for access of the second user. |
| US09558349B2 |
Using power fingerprinting (PFP) to monitor the integrity and enhance security of computer based systems
Procedures are described for enhancing target system execution integrity determined by power fingerprinting (PFP): by integrating PFP into the detection phase of comprehensive defense-in-depth security; by deploying a network of PFP enabled nodes executing untrusted devices with predefined inputs forcing a specific state sequence and specific software execution; by embedding module identification information into synchronization signaling; by combining signals from different board elements; by using malware signatures to enhance PFP performance; by automatic characterization and signature extraction; by providing secure signature updates; by protecting against side-channel attacks; performing real-time integrity assessment in embedded platform by monitoring their dynamic power consumption and comparing it against signatures from trusted code, including pre-characterizing power consumption of the platform by concentrating on trace sections carrying the most information about the internal execution status; by using PFP from sequence of bit transitions to detect deviations from authorized execution of software in a digital processor. |
| US09558341B1 |
Integrated user profile administration tool
A computer system is provided including a single sign-on system with applications and a data store storing user profiles, each including a user ID, wherein each of the user profiles has a corresponding application password for one or more of the applications, and a user profile administration tool. The user profile administration tool includes a password provisioning section where an administrator selects a user profile and further selects an application type. The application type includes an application type wherein the administrator resets the password for one or more of the applications. The application type also includes a stand-alone application type wherein the administrator resets a password for a stand-alone application. The user profile administration tool further includes a password synchronizing section wherein the user profile administration tool automatically synchronizes the application passwords with each of the corresponding user profiles. |
| US09558339B2 |
Method, device, and system of protecting a log-in process of a computerized service
Devices, systems, and methods of detecting user identity, differentiating between users of a computerized service, and detecting a cyber-attacker. An end-user device (a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like) interacts and communicates with a server of a computerized server (a banking website, an electronic commerce website, or the like). The interactions are monitored, tracked and logged. User Interface (UI) interferences or irregularities are intentionally introduced to the communication session; and the server tracks the response or the reaction of the end-user to such communication interferences. The system determines whether the user is a legitimate human user, or a cyber-attacker or automated script posing as the legitimate human user. The system further detects click-fraud, and prevents or mitigates Application Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks. |
| US09558336B2 |
Persistent authentication using sensors of a user-wearable device
A user-wearable device includes a housing and a band that straps the housing to a portion of a user's body (e.g., wrist). One or more skin contact sensors in and/or on the housing can sense biometric information of a user wearing the device. An authentication module performs or receives results of an authentication determination that compares the sensed biometric information to baseline biometric information to determine whether they match. An on-body detector uses one or more of the sensors to determine whether the device is being worn by a user. After a user is authenticated based on a match between the sensed and baseline biometric information, the authentication module continually concludes that the user is authenticated for at least a period of time, without an additional comparison between sensed and baseline biometric information, if the on-body detector detects that the user-wearable device is still being worn by the user. |
| US09558335B2 |
Systems and methods related to security credentials
A method includes receiving, from a user via an electronic device, input representing a password to be utilized for an account; automatically determining, utilizing a processor, a complexity value for the input password; automatically determining, based on the determined complexity value, security settings for the account; receiving, from a user via an electronic device, input representing an attempt to login to the account, the input representing an attempt to login to the account including an attempted password; automatically determining that the attempted password does not match the password to be utilized for the account; and determining a course of action to take in response to the determination that the attempted password does not match the password to be utilized for the account, the course of action being determined based at least in part on the automatically determined security settings for the account. |
| US09558334B2 |
Access requests at IAM system implementing IAM data model
Systems and methods are provided for provisioning access rights to physical computing resources using an IAM system implementing an IAM data model. The IAM data model may identify logical and physical computing resources. An access request handler may receive an access request and identify a set of logical permissions based on the access request. The access request handler may derive a set of logical entitlements based on the set of logical permissions. An entitlement translator may translate the set of logical entitlements to a physical entitlement specification based on a set of physical permission specifications associated with the set of logical permissions. A physical permission specification may be obtained by mapping a logical permission to one or more physical permissions. An access control manager may then provision access rights to at least one physical computing resource indicated in the physical entitlement specification. |
| US09558332B1 |
Virtual communication device interfaces
Systems and methods for virtual communication device interfaces are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving identification from a resident (e.g., an inmate or prisoner) of a controlled-environment facility (e.g., a jail or prison) and authenticating the resident based upon the identification. The method may also include retrieving, from one or more of a plurality of electronic information sources over a computer network, information associated with the resident. The method may further include subjecting the information to a security protocol, the security protocol configured to identify a first portion of the information that is suitable for disclosure to the resident and a second portion of the information that is unsuitable for disclosure to the resident. The method may then include withholding the second portion of the information from the resident and providing the first portion of the information to the resident. |
| US09558331B2 |
Application licensing for a centralized system of medical devices
Centralized systems execute one or more applications for monitoring and operating a plurality of network enabled medical devices. An indication to start a selected application at the centralized system or at a network enabled medical device is received at the centralized system/network enabled medical device. The selected application may require a license to operate and, at the time the indication is received, may have a first license available. Instead of using the first license, the centralized system/network enabled medical device may determine to inherit at least a portion of a second license to operate the selected application. The centralized system/network enabled medical device may inherit at least the portion of the second license to form an inherited license, where the inherited license enables features of the selected application. Using the inherited license, the selected application is started with the enabled features. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US09558322B2 |
Secure computing systems and methods
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for facilitating trusted handling of genomic and/or other sensitive information. Certain embodiments may use a virtualized execution environment to execute code and/or programs that wish to access and/or otherwise use genomic and/or other sensitive information. In some embodiments, data requests from the code and/or programs may be routed through a transparent data access proxy configured to transform requests and/or associated responses to protect the integrity of the genomic and/or other sensitive information. |
| US09558300B2 |
Stochastic computational model parameter synthesis system
A stochastic computational model parameter synthesis system comprising at least one processor capable of executing processor executable code, and a non-transitory computer memory operably coupled with the at least one processor and storing processor executable code, which when executed by processor, causes processor to synthesize at least one parameter of a stochastic computational model to satisfy one or more behavioral specifications of properties observed in a modeled system. The processor generates and searches randomized projections of a first parameter space having n dimensions into one or more second abstract parameter space having d dimensions, where d is less than n, and outputs a signal indicative of a synthesized parameter value to the user. |
| US09558299B2 |
Submatch extraction
A method for submatch extraction may include receiving an input string, receiving a regular expression. The method may further include converting the regular expression with capturing groups into ordered binary decision diagrams (OBDDs) to extract submatches. |
| US09558296B2 |
Method for processing a graph containing a set of nodes
The invention relates to a computerized method for processing a graph containing a set of nodes processing a graph containing a set of nodes, wherein forest of trees is provided corresponding to a directed acyclic graph containing a set of nodes, each of said nodes having a type chosen from a set of types; a depth for each node in said forest of trees is determined; in a breadth-first traversal manner, the depth and type of each node in said forest of trees is compared to a predefined matrix, said matrix defining for each depth and type combination one of the following actions to be carried out: no action, creating a new sub-tree, triggering exception handling. |
| US09558294B2 |
Asynchronous caching to improve user experience
A request for information is received, and results corresponding to the request are obtained. The results are provided to a ranking module that ranks them based on user-specific and environmental-specific ranking characteristics in order of how likely they are to be selected by the user in response to the user's request. Before the user selects one of the results, an asynchronous caching component caches the top ranked results so that if they are selected by the user they can quickly be retrieved from cache. |
| US09558290B2 |
Apparatus, method, and system for providing hover information
A modification platform for dynamically modifying hover information associated with on-screen field of an application is disclosed. The modification platform stores the hover information in a row of a database. The row is associated with the on-screen field to which the hover information applies. The modification platform initiates a programmatic script to retrieve the hover information when the application is running. The programmatic script queries the database to retrieve the hover information. Further, a user interface is presented for editing and storing the hover information in the database. |
| US09558280B1 |
Methods, apparatuses and computer-readable media for annotating ads with location tags
When a contact of a user tags a location, a posted comment, or a shared item, the location tag may be used to boost ad scores and/or annotate content such as advertisements. The location tag may be used to annotate ads to indicate that the contact has tagged a location associated with the ad. Persons other than contacts of the user may also tag and have their location tags be counted in annotations as well. Advertisers may specify locations that are associated with their ads. Location tags may be stored in a table, and used by an ads server to boost scores of ads that have been location tagged. An annotation server may also use location tags to construct annotations that are sent to a client device operated by the user. The annotations may be based on one or more location tags made by one or more users. |
| US09558279B2 |
Systems and methods for event tracking using time-windowed counters
Some embodiments include tracking events and classifying assets within a computer system. A time series of occurrences of an event type associated with at least one asset is generated. A first signal value and a second signal value is determined based on the time series. The at least one asset can be classified based on comparison of the first signal value and the second signal value. The time series can be based on at least one time window including time intervals. Counters to determine a number of occurrences of an event type can be associated with the time intervals. Each of the counters can be incremented upon occurrence of the event type associated with the at least one asset during an associated time interval. |
| US09558278B2 |
Integrated content recommendation
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices and methods for providing integrated content recommendations in a graphical user-interface GUI). Specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure employ a recommendation request from a client running a GUI for content recommendations formatted to fit within the GUI. An external component determines the recommendations, formats the recommendations to match a layout/look and feel of the GUI and the formatted recommendations are presented in the GUI as an integrated component of the GUI. |
| US09558277B2 |
Computer implemented methods and apparatus for identifying topical influence in an online social network
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable storage media for identifying topical influence in an online social network. In some implementations, an entity associated with a feed item is identified. A topic associated with the entity or with the feed item is also identified. The entity can be determined to be a topical influencer regarding the topic in the online social network based on one or more factors, such as a factor indicating dissemination of information associated with the identified topic to other entities. A display device can be configured to display information indicating the determination that the entity is a topical influencer of the identified topic. |
| US09558274B2 |
Routing query results
Systems and method for routing search query results in a networked computing environment. An initial search query is reformulated into at least one sub-query in accordance with one or more configurable rules. The sub-query is sent to at least one information system or source, and any potential hits associated with the same are optionally combined and then rendered for viewing. |
| US09558271B1 |
Ontology development for profile matching
A method of matching job profiles with a candidate profile is disclosed. A plurality of concepts corresponding to an ontology is extracted from a candidate profile. A normalized candidate profile is generated, wherein the normalized candidate profile includes the plurality of concepts. A search query is formed at least in part based on the normalized candidate profile and the ontology. The search query is submitted to a source of job profiles. An initial batch of job profiles potentially matching the candidate profile is received from the source of job profiles. At least a subset of the plurality of concepts corresponding to the ontology is extracted from a job profile among the batch of job profiles. A normalized job profile is generated, wherein the normalized job profile includes the at least a subset of the plurality of concepts. Whether the normalized candidate profile matches with the normalized job profile is determined. |
| US09558269B2 |
Extracting and mining of quote data across multiple languages
Extracting and mining of quote data across multiple languages, including: retrieving, from a plurality of quote sources, a plurality of commentary summarizations, wherein each commentary summarization is embodied as a machine-readable data structure and wherein the plurality of commentary summarizations include information in at least two or more languages; for each commentary summarization: identifying, within the commentary summarization, quote data, wherein the quote data represents a quote from a commentator; creating a quote tuple for the quote data, the quote tuple including information associated with quantifiable aspects of the quote data; and storing, in a quote tuple repository, the quote tuple; mining, for quote analysis information, the quote tuple repository; and presenting, to a user, the quote analysis information. |
| US09558263B2 |
Identifying and displaying relationships between candidate answers
Mechanisms are provided for identifying commonalities between candidate answers generated by a Question and Answer (QA) system in response to an input question. The mechanisms receive a plurality of candidate answers for an input question from the QA system and identify terms present in the candidate answers. The mechanisms determine relationships between terms in each of the candidate answers and determine a common relationship between a first term and a second term, the common relationship being common amongst at least a subset of the plurality of candidate answers, based on the determined relationships between terms in each of the candidate answers. The mechanisms present the plurality of candidate answers and the common relationship to a user. |
| US09558262B2 |
Sorting method of data documents and display method for sorting landmark data
A sorting method of data documents is provided, adapted to an electronic device. The sort method includes the following steps: retrieving a plurality of keywords from contents of a plurality of data documents; retrieving corresponding keyword rankings of the plurality of keywords by a search engine; searching corresponding keyword categories of the plurality of keywords; and generating a sort algorithm based on the plurality of keywords, the keyword ranking and the keyword category of each of the plurality of keywords, and a current ranking of each of the plurality of data documents, wherein the sort algorithm is used to calculate a predicting ranking of another data document and to sort the another data document. |
| US09558261B2 |
Ontology-based data access monitoring
Technologies are generally described for methods and systems effective to monitor a data access activity. In some examples, a method may include receiving, by a processor, a destination concept. The processor may identify a set of concepts, which may include the destination concept and at least one related concept associated with the destination concept, in an ontology. The processor may generate a planned path, which may define a first data access order associated with access of at least one of the related concepts and the destination concept, using the set of concepts. The processor may generate a browsing path which may define a second data access order associated with the data access activity. The processor may compare the planned path with the browsing path. The processor may determine a deviation based on the comparison of the planned path and the browsing path. The processor may monitor the data access activity using the deviation. |
| US09558260B1 |
Establishing governance rules over data assets
Transform governance rules for a data asset to apply to a set of related data assets. Establishing a governance rule over a first data asset based on a second governance rule applied to either an upstream or a downstream data asset. |
| US09558257B2 |
Method of synchronizing data between databases, and computer system and computer program for the same
Systems for synchronizing data between a first-database and a second-database are presented including: a memory; and a client configured for determining whether a retrieval request requires a synchronization of the second-database before processing the received retrieval request, where the system partially synchronizes the second-database from the first-database with only that portion of the first-database associated with the retrieval request in response to determining whether synchronization is required and for processing the retrieval request from the second-database. |
| US09558250B2 |
System tools for evaluating operational and financial performance from dispatchers using after the fact analysis
A decision-support tool is provided to evaluate operational and financial performance for dispatchers in power grid control centers associated with utility systems. A scheduler engine is coupled to a comprehensive operating plan that applies after the fact analysis for performance metrics, root-cause impacts and process re-engineering. A relational database is coupled to a data archiver that captures actual system and resource conditions and then supplies the system and resource conditions to the relational database. The scheduler engine receives the actual system and resource conditions from the relational database and processes it to calculate system performance. A user interface is configured to display at least one of, transmission evaluation application displays, reference and scenario cases and associations between them, results presented with a graphical or tabular displays, comparison results between scenario cases and a reference case, a family of curves where each curve is a performance metric, comparison of scenario input data, study results and statistical analysis and historical data. |
| US09558246B1 |
System and method for time-based clustering of data-access instances
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a data-access history for a time period, the data-access history comprising a plurality of data-access instances. The method further includes initially associating each data-access instance with a time-based data-access cluster of a plurality of time-based data-access clusters based, at least in part, on a time of the data-access instance. In addition, the method includes iteratively refining a time distribution of the plurality of data-access instances across the plurality of time-based data-access clusters. Further, the method includes facilitating a time-density analysis of the plurality of data-access instances using the iteratively refined plurality of time-based data-access clusters. |
| US09558243B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing method is disclosed which includes the steps of: (a) calculating levels of similarity between a standard form vector as a comparison basis vector and each of a plurality of item characteristic vectors of the standard form which are characteristic of a plurality of items, the standard form vector being made up of N components individually representative of N attributes of each of the plurality of items, N being an integer of at least 1, step (a) further determining as the items to be recommended to a user a plurality of items corresponding to the item characteristic vectors of which the level of similarity satisfies a first condition; (b) determining one of the N attributes of the plurality of recommended items determined in step (a) as a common recommendation reason common to the plurality of recommended items when the determined attribute satisfies a second condition; and (c) controlling presentation to the user of either the plurality of recommended items determined in step (a) or information about the recommended items, together with the common recommendation reason determined in step (b). |
| US09558242B2 |
Social where next suggestion
A group recommendation provides end users in a social group a set of recommended destinations based on the combined personal preferences of the members of the social group. Members of a social group are identified using a combination of location based signals and social graph information in response to receiving a recommendation request. The group recommendation may be determined by combining the personal preferences associated with each member of the group into a master preference profile. Alternatively, the group recommendation may be determined by first calculating an individual recommendation list for each member of the social group and then calculating a composite score for each recommendation on the individual recommendation lists. |
| US09558241B2 |
System and method for performing longest common prefix strings searches
A method and system a method for compressing and searching a plurality of strings. The method includes inputting a plurality of strings into a compression engine. The method also includes converting each of the plurality of strings into a new, prefix-preserving compressed string, using the compression engine. For every string P that is a strict prefix of a string S, P's resulting compressed string is a strict prefix of S's resulting compressed string. |
| US09558239B2 |
Relational query planning for non-relational data sources
A query plan for executing a query within a relational database system including at least one non-relational data source is generated by analyzing expressions that reference a non-relational data source within a query for the database system via an interface for that non-relational data source, determining for each analyzed expression at least one of the database system and interface capable of processing that analyzed expression for executing the query, providing an indicator for each of the analyzed expressions that indicates at least one of the database system and interface determined to process that analyzed expression, and generating the query plan for execution of the query, via the database system, based on the indicators for the expressions of the query. |
| US09558235B1 |
Storage and management of conference data
A conferencing system receives a live stream of conference data generated during a video conference. Data associated with the live stream of conference data may be stored in a storage medium in response to a conferee request. Storage of the data associated with the live stream of conference data may automatically begin at the beginning of the meeting. The system may retrieve the data associated with the live stream of conference data from the storage medium in response to a retrieval request. Retrieval of the data may occur subsequent to that portion of the video conference associated with the live stream. A local copy of the data associated with the live stream of conference data may be provided to a requesting user's computer. |
| US09558232B1 |
Data movement bulk copy operation
Techniques are described for performing a copy operation. A first request is received to perform a copy operation. The first request includes a set of parameters in accordance with a defined interface and include a source area and a target area. The source area includes source ranges and source devices. Each of the source ranges identifies a portion of a logical address range of a different one of the source devices. The target area includes target ranges and target devices. Each of the target ranges identifies a portion of a logical address range of a different one of the target devices. The first request is partitioned in to a plurality of other requests each of which is a request to copy a portion of source data located in the source area to a corresponding location in the target area. The other requests are then issued. |
| US09558231B2 |
Data viewer for clinical data
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a data view for clinical data are described. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request from a user to view summarized case report form (CRF) data, where the CRF data corresponds to a plurality case report forms (CRFs) stored in one or more normalized transactional tables. A view query is constructed based, at least in part, on the request and executed on one or more denormalized summary tables to construct a view. The denormalized summary tables store selected CRF data from the normalized transactional tables and are updated concurrently with each update to the transactional tables. The method includes rendering the view for display. |
| US09558227B2 |
Reducing lock occurrences in server/database systems
Limiting the number of concurrent requests in a database system. Arranging requests to be handled by the database system in at least one queue. Defining a maximum value (SS) of concurrent requests corresponding to the at least one queue. Monitoring at least one queue utilization parameter corresponding to the at least one queue and calculating a performance value based on the at least one queue utilization parameter. Adapting the maximum value (SS) of concurrent requests of the at least one queue dynamically based on the performance value (PF) in order to improve system performance. Limiting the number of concurrent requests of the at least one queue dynamically based on the dynamically adapted maximum value (SS). |
| US09558225B2 |
Event stream processor
In an example embodiment, a method for performing event stream processing is provided. An event stream is received, the event stream comprising a real time indication of one or more events occurring. Then it is determined that the event stream is identified in a streaming publish service inside a database. The event stream may then be inserted directly into one or more database tables in the database based on the determining. |
| US09558222B1 |
Blended ranking of dissimilar populations using an N-furcated normalization technique
Systems and methods for blending dissimilar, ordered populations into a single selection for users are disclosed herein. In an aspect, content items belonging to distinct parent populations which display a large disparity in the value which is used for ranking purposes, can be displayed together in a single continuously ranked list for simple browsing and selection by users. Further, a score can be assigned to the respective media content items based at least in part on a median value of a distribution of media content items corresponding to the respective parent populations and this score can be used as a normalized, universal value with which to rank content from all dissimilar populations together. |
| US09558221B2 |
Multi-pass, parallel merge for partitioned intermediate pages
Multi-pass parallel merging in a database includes identifying characteristics of non-final pages during database query operations. A phase of page consolidation is triggered based on the identified characteristics and a final page is stored. |
| US09558218B2 |
Truncating data associated with objects in a multi-tenant database
An exemplary embodiment of a multi-tenant database system is provided. The system includes a multi-tenant database, an entity definition table, and a data processing engine. The database has database objects for multiple tenants, including an existing object for a designated tenant. Each entry in the existing object has a respective entity identifier. The definition table has metadata entries for the database objects, including a metadata entry for the existing object. This metadata entry has a tenant identifier for the designated tenant, an entity name for the existing object, and an old key prefix for the existing object. Each entity identifier of the existing object begins with the old key prefix. The engine performs a data truncation operation on the existing object by updating the metadata entry to replace the old key prefix with a new key prefix. This results in an updated object that is identified by the new key prefix and the tenant identifier. |
| US09558217B2 |
Data storage devices based on supplementation
New data storage devices and techniques are provided. In some aspects of the invention, a new remote supplementation based media and system are provided. A local file and control system comprises a data density distribution that varies depending on Media Depth. A remote supplementation source and control system are also provided in a common network with the local control system. The local control system reports local file attributes, authorization and factors impacting media depth in real time, and the supplementation control system delivers permanent and streaming data corrections, supplementation and format updates to the local control system. In additional aspects of the invention, a patterned reference media device aids in building the local data density distribution. In some embodiments, the 3D arrangement, or other attributes, of structural storage device elements may serve as the patterned reference device. |
| US09558214B1 |
Secondary mappings to enable code changes without schema updates
Systems and methods are described for using secondary mappings in an Object Relational Mapping (ORM) system to enable source code changes to be implemented and carried out without requiring updates to the database schema. In order to use secondary mappings, one or more attributes of an object in the ORM system are annotated to indicate that they are secondary mapped attributes. The annotation can indicate to the ORM system that the various operations (e.g. read operations, write operations) referencing attributes of the object may need to be remapped if the column for the attribute being referenced does not actually exist in the database. For example, if no column is directly mapped to the attribute being referenced, the ORM system can remap the operation to point to a secondary data structure (e.g. a map stored in-memory) that will be used to store the value for that attribute. |
| US09558211B1 |
Incremental schema consistency validation on geographic features
Aspects of the invention relate generally to updating interconnected feature data stored in a repository while maintaining highly consistent views of the data. More specifically, aspects relate to updating some features in bulk while providing for incremental updates for others which are not completely independent of the bulk edits. Features which may be updated incrementally may contain references to other features and may be validated on an as-needed basis. These “incremental” features may also be associated with “backreferences,” which link two features together and are used in the validation process. For example, where feature A contains a link to feature B and feature B does not also include a link to feature A, if any edits are performed on feature B, a backreference may direct the server to determine whether the references in A are still consistent with the edits to B before the edit goes into a live state. |
| US09558210B1 |
Determining the quality of locations based on travel time investment
Methods and apparatus related to associating a quality measure with a given location. For example, an anticipated distance value for a given location may be identified that is indicative of anticipated time and/or distance to reach the given location. At least one actual distance may be identified that is indicative of actual time for the one or more members to reach the given location. In some implementations, the anticipated/actual distance values may include one or more distributions. A quality measure is then determined based on a comparison of the anticipated distance value and the identified actual distance value. The quality measure is associated with the given location. The quality measure may be further based on additional factors. |
| US09558209B2 |
Location input mistake correction
A system for automatically correcting a mistaken geocoded location input. A wireless device such as a cell phone ranks possible location input based on edit distance, which is a ‘confidence factor’. If there is no perfect match, then a list of geocode options is returned, preferably sorted by the score. The ‘closeness’ is derived by looking at the edit distance to go from the input to the matched address. Edit distance is defined herein as the number of insertion/deletion/replacement operations to go from input location to the possible matched location. In one embodiment, an option list, or ‘pick list’, may be provided based on an edit distance scoring system. The edit distance scoring system is preferably based on a number of keystrokes difference between the input location name and the possible matched location name. |
| US09558208B1 |
Cluster file system comprising virtual file system having corresponding metadata server
A cluster file system comprises a physical file system that includes multiple storage tiers, a virtual file system configured to provide an interface between the physical file system and multiple clients, and a metadata server associated with the virtual file system. The virtual file system receives files from each of one or more of the clients and arranges the files into objects for object-based storage in the storage tiers of the physical file system. The virtual file system also controls movement of the objects between the storage tiers. The metadata server stores information indicating for each of the objects the corresponding storage tier of the physical file system that currently stores that object. In some embodiments, the virtual file system comprises a parallel log-structured file system (PLFS) and arranging the files into objects comprises associating multiple ones of the files with a single PLFS object. |
| US09558207B1 |
Versioning of database partition maps
System and methods for managing versions of partition maps in a distributed data store are disclosed. A relational database may use partition maps to indicate the location of data in a particular partition, or in a replica thereof. These partition maps may be versioned using a two-stage mechanism in which partition map updates are communicated to all nodes, or to affected nodes only, and in which operation may continue without waiting for acknowledgment of their application to each node. The system may handle minor partition changes differently than major partition changes. For example, if a replica of a partition is promoted to be a primary copy due to hardware or network failures, partition map changes may only be propagated to nodes in the same replica group. For major partition changes (e.g., splits, moves, mergers, added partitions, or size change), a new partition map may be made available to all nodes. |
| US09558205B2 |
Method for creating clone file, and file system adopting the same
In the prior art clone creating technique of a file, a management table of a snapshot and the file was created when creating the clone file, so that a considerable amount of creation time for creating the clone file and storage capacity was required. In order to solve the problems of the prior art, the present invention provides a system wherein if a request to create a clone of a file is received, a differential file is created while inhibiting update of the file, and update data is written to the differential file. Further, when a first update request is received to the differential file after creating the differential file, a management table is created. According to the invention, a large amount of clone files can be created speedily. |
| US09558203B2 |
Data mover discovery of object extent
Performing data backup for a client includes receiving, at a host other than the client, volume information including data indicating a physical data storage location of at least a part of a volume comprising one or more stored objects associated with the client; and determining at the host, based at least in part on the volume information, a stored object information for a stored object included in the volume, the stored object information including data associated with a physical data storage location of the stored object. |
| US09558202B2 |
Server side techniques for reducing database workload in implementing selective subfolder synchronization in a cloud-based environment
Techniques are disclosed for reducing database workload in implementing selective subfolder synchronization in a cloud-based environment. In one embodiment, a method comprises, in response to a selection, from a user, of a first synchronization state of a first folder in the workspace, synchronizing content of the first folder in the workspace with a corresponding folder on devices of a user (and collaborators) based on the first synchronization state. The workspace is shared among the user and one or more collaborators of the user. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining the first synchronization state of the first folder based on synchronization states of one or more folders, other than the first folder, that are related to the first folder. The entries can be configured to identify hierarchical relationships between the one or more folders and the first folder on a per-user basis. |
| US09558199B2 |
Efficient data deduplication
Efficient data deduplication is described herein. A deduplication bit array partition can be created that corresponds to a number of data items in an expected dataset. The deduplication bit array partition can track whether the data items have been received. When a data item in the expected dataset is received, a bit in the deduplication bit array partition corresponding to the received data item can be accessed to determine, based on the value of the bit, if the received data item has already been received. When the value of the bit indicates that the received data item has not already been received, the value can be changed to indicate that the data item has now been received. When the value of the bit indicates that the received data item has already been received, the data item can be deleted or ignored. |
| US09558196B2 |
Automatic correlation of dynamic system events within computing devices
Systems and methods are described herein for logging system events within an electronic machine using an event log structured as a collection of tree-like cause and effect graphs. An event to be logged may be received. A new event node may be created within the event log for the received event. One or more existing event nodes within the event log may be identified as having possibly caused the received event. One or more causal links may be created within the event log between the new event node and the one or more identified existing event nodes. The new event node may be stored as an unattached root node in response to not identifying an existing event node that may have caused the received event. |
| US09558195B2 |
Depopulation of user data from network
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for depopulation of user data from a network. A network management platform can communicate with a set of managed machines in a network, and generally manage user accounts including user IDs, associated network processes, services, application files, data files, and/or other user data. In embodiments, a user may have a change in status, such as departing from the organization operating the network, changing their name or user name, or other updates. In such cases, a systems administrator may need to update or delete files, processes, services, and/or other user data associated with the user from the network. The network management platform can interrogate the network for files, processes, or other resources associated with the user ID of interest. The search can exhaustively interrogate every available node in the network, to update or purge all files associated with the subject user ID(s). |
| US09558190B1 |
System and method for taking action with respect to an electronic media work
Methods and systems to perform methods comprising receiving, at a computer system from a first electronic device a first electronic media work; extracting one or more features therefrom; determining that at least a portion of the first electronic media work corresponds to a first reference media work based on a matching of the extracted features against a database of reference features; receiving, from a second electronic device, a query related to the first electronic media work; linking the query to action information in an action database based upon determining that at least a portion of the first electronic media work corresponds to the first reference media work; generating machine-readable instructions associated with the action to be performed based at least in part on the linking of the query to the action information; transmitting, to the second electronic device, the machine-readable instructions; and logging an event associated with the machine-readable instructions. |
| US09558185B2 |
Method and system to discover and recommend interesting documents
Disclosed are several examples of systems that can read millions of news feeds per day about topics (e.g., your customers, competitors, markets, and partners), and provide a small set of the most relevant items to read to keep current with the overwhelming amount of information currently available. Topics of interest can be chosen by the user of the system for use as seeds. The seeds can be vectorized and compared with the target documents to determine their similarity. The similarities can be sorted from highest to lowest so that the most similar seed and target documents are at the top of the list. This output can be produced in XML format so that an RSS Reader can format the XML. This allows for easy Internet access to these recommendations. |
| US09558180B2 |
Systems and methods for quote extraction
Embodiments of the present disclosure may be utilized to analyze a content item comprising text to identify: a quote, a named entity that is the source of the quote (e.g., a person or organization such as a company), and identification information for the named entity (such as a title of the person giving the quote). Quotes may also be ranked to determine, for example, the best quotes to include in an article. |
| US09558177B2 |
User interface and geo-parsing data structure
A method to allocate memory, in response to application requests, for a compact data structure having location data and a trailer section is provided. The trailer section of the compact data structure is checked to determine an offset for listings and indices representing the location data. Upon determining the offset, the listings and indices are loaded into memory and responses to the application requests are generated by utilizing the listings and indices stored in the memory. |
| US09558175B2 |
Generating an individualized web page template with entities of a web page publisher organization associated with areas of the template
Briefly, embodiments disclosed herein may relate to generating signals and/or states representative of a template for a web page. One or more areas of a template may be associated with a respective one or more entities of a web page publisher, and content for the one or more areas associated with the one or more entities may be selected. |
| US09558170B2 |
Creating and switching a view of a collection including image data and symbolic data
An Image Based Document Management (IBDM) server includes a state recorder, a query engine, a view creation module and a user interface engine. The view creation module creates a first view of a collection based on at least one operation from a first user. The state recorder receives a selection of the first view of the collection from a user. The query engine runs a query associated with the first view of the collection. The user interface engine generates graphical data for presenting a list of views of the collection including the first view of the collection to a user and for displaying the first view of the collection to the user. |
| US09558169B2 |
Hierarchical grouping columns
A system and process that automatically responds to changes in displayed table data to determine and reestablish a hierarchy for the table. A column hierarchy order component checks each column of a table to determine the number of groupings of entries and reorders the columns based on the number of groupings. A column order at the time a table is loaded is saved and can be used to restore that original order. |
| US09558168B2 |
Managing product configuration
A computer-implemented method, carried out by one or more processors, for managing product configuration files. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of receiving, by one or more processors, a document containing one or more annotations, wherein the one or more annotations are associated with one or more files; determining, by one or more processors, an annotation has been selected from the one or more annotations to access a particular file associated with the selected annotation; linking, by one or more processors, a storage location for the particular file associated with the selected annotation to the received document; and displaying, by one or more processors, content of the particular file associated with the selected annotation in the received document. |
| US09558167B2 |
Method, system and web server for adding related microblogs on webpage
Disclosed in the present disclosure is a method for adding related microblogs on webpage. The method comprises: extracting keywords from web content of a webpage; acquiring the microblog information related to the web content of the webpage according to the keyword; and adding and displaying microblog information on the webpage. Disclosed in the present disclosure also is a system and web server for adding related microblogs on a webpage. The present disclosure enables the user to acquire the latest microblog information related to a webpage, and perform related operations on microblogs when the user is browsing the webpage, and thereby improving the user experience and the utilization of network resources. |
| US09558166B2 |
Device and method for image search using one or more selected words
A user terminal device is provided that includes a display part configured to display a document preparation window, an input part configured to receive a selection command for selecting a text in a document displayed in the document preparation window, a communication part configured to connect to a server, and a controller configured to control displaying of an activated search button in a region of the document preparation window when the text is selected, and to search for, when the search button is selected, at least one image corresponding to the selected text using the communication part, wherein the controller is further configured to control displaying of images searched for from at least one of the server and a storage part of the user terminal device, and to, when one of the searched images is selected, insert the selected image at a predetermined position of the document preparation window. |
| US09558165B1 |
Method and system for data mining of short message streams
A method and system for summarizing messages from a message stream is disclosed in which association analysis is applied to stream of short data messages comprising words in a spoken language, such as English. Clusters of words are identified that provide a summary of the several conversations (short data messages originating from different human sources) that are imbedded in the message stream. Each word cluster may represent a set of messages that are its instances. The word clusters may collectively constitute a summary of the entire message stream. The word clusters that have been extracted from message stream may also be grouped into topics. Also, an identity of one or more message originators may be listed based on their influence on the messages being analyzed. The short data messages may also be sorted based on a geographical location of one or more originators of messages. |
| US09558163B1 |
Method for accelerated webpage development for at least one mobile computing device
A method for accelerated developing of mobile device specific webpages using a hypertext generator and a domain free interface traverser to collect predefined data from one or more third party servers, store the collected data, and maintain consistency throughout with a plurality of rules for a consistent look and feel. A replication step verifies consistence of predefined data. The method includes use of a document processor to merge predefined data into a webpage document template creating a mobile device specific webpage by one or more untrained webpage developers and generate a consistent look. |
| US09558162B2 |
Dynamic multimedia pairing
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for producing mixed media. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are configured to provide users the ability to play one or more multimedia files and mix the files in real time (live) according to user manipulation of system controls and or manipulation of user defined presets, thus producing a mixed media mashup. Further embodiments of the present invention are configured to allow users to record, save, replay, and share the mixed media mashup. |
| US09558159B1 |
Context-based dynamic rendering of digital content
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for dynamic character enhancement for rendering digital content. Example methods may include identifying a reading speed indicative of a rate at which a user desires to read, determining a number of words in a portion of content to present to the user, and determining a base time interval for at least one word of the portion of content based at least in part on the reading speed. Methods may include determining an average difficulty value of the portion of content, determining that a first difficulty value of a first word exceeds the average difficulty value, and determining a first time adjustment for the first word based at least in part on the first difficulty value. Methods may include determining a first time interval based at least in part on the base time interval and the first time adjustment. |
| US09558158B2 |
Automated document translation
Systems and methods for automated document translation. An example method comprises: scanning an image of an original document using a scanner of a multi-function device; performing, by a processor, optical character recognition of the image to retrieve a text of the original document, wherein the text comprises at least a portion expressed in a source natural language; responsive to receiving a user input specifying a translation method, producing a translated document by causing the portion of the text to be translated into a target natural language using the translation method, wherein the translation method is provided by one of: a machine translation or a human translation; and printing the translated document using a printer of the multi-function device. |
| US09558156B1 |
Sparse matrix multiplication using a single field programmable gate array module
According to some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for performing sparse matrix dense matrix (SpMM) multiplication on a single field programmable gate array (FPGA) module comprising a k-stage pipeline is described. The method may include interleaving k-stage threads on the k-stage pipeline comprising a plurality of threads t0 to tk-1, wherein a first result of thread t0 is ready one cycle after the first input of thread tk-1 is fed into the pipeline, and outputting a result matrix Y. |
| US09558155B2 |
Apparatus for performing modal interval calculations based on decoration configuration
Apparatus performs various modal interval computations, while accounting for various modal interval operand configurations that are not amenable to ordinary computational operations. Upon detecting an exponent field of all 1's, the apparatus adapts various conventions involving leading bits in the fraction field of the modal interval endpoints to return a result having a useful meaning. |
| US09558151B2 |
Data processing device and data processing method thereof
Disclosed is a data processing device capable of efficiently performing an arithmetic process on variable-length data and an arithmetic process on fixed-length data. The data processing device includes first PEs of SIMD type, SRAMs provided respectively for the first PEs, and second PEs. The first PEs each perform an arithmetic operation on data stored in a corresponding one of the SRAMs. The second PEs each perform an arithmetic operation on data stored in corresponding ones of the SRAMs. Therefore, the SRAMs can be shared so as to efficiently perform the arithmetic process on variable-length data and the arithmetic process on fixed-length data. |
| US09558150B2 |
Processing system with synchronization instruction
Embodiments of a multi-processor array are disclosed that may include a plurality of processors, and controllers. Each processor may include a plurality of processor ports and a sync adapter. Each sync adapter may include a plurality of adapter ports. Each controller may include a plurality of controller ports, and a configuration port. The plurality of processors and the plurality of controllers may be coupled together in an interspersed arrangement, and the controllers may be distinct from the processors. Each processor may be configured to send a synchronization signal through its adapter ports to one or more controllers, and to pause execution of program instructions while waiting for a response from the one or more controllers. |
| US09558146B2 |
IWARP RDMA read extensions
Apparatus, method and system for supporting Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) Read V2 Request and Response messages using the Internet Wide Area RDMA Protocol (iWARP). iWARP logic in an RDMA Network Interface Controller (RNIC) is configured to generate a new RDMA Read V2 Request message and generate a new RDMA Read V2 Response message in response to a received RDMA Read V2 Request message, and send the messages to an RDMA remote peer using iWARP implemented over an Ethernet network. The iWARP logic is further configured to process RDMA Read V2 Response messages received from the RDMA remote peer, and to write data contained in the messages to appropriate locations using DMA transfers from buffers on the RNIC into system memory. In addition, the new semantics removes the need for extra operations to grant and revoke remote access rights. |
| US09558145B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for measuring latency in a physical unit of a circuit
In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a counter to count between a start value and an end value according to a local clock signal, a first register to store an output of the counter, a mirror elastic buffer to store samples of the counter output received from the first register, where the mirror elastic buffer is to mirror an elastic buffer of a receiver circuit, and a resolution logic to receive a counter output sample from the mirror elastic buffer and a current counter value output from the counter, and to determine a transit latency for a data element to traverse the receiver circuit based at least in part on the counter output sample and the current counter value. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09558141B2 |
System and method for accessing a user interface via a secondary device
An adapter provides a link between a digital media player having a memory on which is stored digital media files, a display device, and a remote control. The adapter receives from the digital media player data which is used to generate a representation of a user interface which is provided to the display device for display. The adapter also receives from the remote control data for use in generating commands for controlling operations of the digital media player whereby a change in state of the digital media player resulting from a performance of an operation caused by the remote control will be reflected in the user interface on the display device. |
| US09558137B2 |
Card control device and control card of computer system having card control device
A computer system includes at least one mother board and a number of control cards monitored by the motherboard via an I2C bus. Each control card has a unique ID. The computer system connects one of the control cards to the I2C bus using a card control device installed in each of the control cards to monitor each of the control cards via the single I2C bus. |
| US09558128B2 |
Selective management of security data
Security techniques may be selectively performed on data based on a classification of the data. One example technique includes receiving a memory access command specifying a target data block on a storage medium storing both security data and non-security data. The technique further includes determining whether data affected by the access command is security data. Response to such determination, one of multiple data management schemes is selected to implement the memory access command, where each of the data management schemes is adapted to implement the memory access command via a different series of processing operations to provide a different level of security protection for data affected by the memory access command. |
| US09558127B2 |
Instruction and logic for a cache prefetcher and dataless fill buffer
A processor includes a cache hierarchy and an execution unit. The cache hierarchy includes a lower level cache and a higher level cache. The execution unit includes logic to issue a memory operation to access the cache hierarchy. The lower level cache includes logic to determine that a requested cache line of the memory operation is unavailable in the lower level cache, determine that a line fill buffer of the lower level cache is full, and initiate prefetching of the requested cache line from the higher level cache based upon the determination that the line fill buffer of the lower level cache is full. The line fill buffer is to forward miss requests to the higher level cache. |
| US09558122B2 |
Cache reclamation using prioritized record removal
In an example implementation, a method includes receiving an indication to reclaim memory from a cache, the cache including a plurality of data buckets each configured to store one or more records and corresponding access bits. The method also includes selecting a data bucket from the cache, and processing the selected data bucket. Processing the selected data bucket includes determining access bits of the selected data bucket that are clear, and expunging data records corresponding to those access bits from the cache. Processing the selected data bucket also includes determining access bits of the selected data bucket that are set and do not correspond to records relevant to outstanding requests by a process utilizing the cache, and clearing those access bits. The method also includes repeating selecting and processing data buckets until a stop criterion is satisfied. |
| US09558121B2 |
Two-level cache locking mechanism
A virtually tagged cache may be configured to index virtual address entries in the cache into lockable sets based on a page offset value. When a memory operation misses on the virtually tagged cache, only the one set of virtual address entries with the same page offset may be locked. Thereafter, this general lock may be released and only an address stored in the physical tag array matching the physical address and a virtual address in the virtual tag array corresponding to the matching address stored in the physical tag array may be locked to reduce the amount and duration of locked addresses. The machine may be stalled only if a particular memory address request hits and/or tries to access one or more entries in a locked set. Devices, systems, methods, and computer readable media are provided. |
| US09558117B2 |
System and method for adaptive implementation of victim cache mode in a portable computing device
Systems and methods for adaptive implementation of victim cache modes in a portable computing device (PCD) are presented. In operation, an upper level cache is partitioned into a main portion and a sample portion; and a lower level cache is partitioned into a corresponding main portion and sample portion in communication with the main portion and sample portion of the upper level cache. A victim mode sample data set and a normal mode sample data set are obtained from the lower level cache. Based on the victim mode and a normal mode sample data sets, a determination is made whether to operate the lower level cache as a victim to the upper level cache. The main portion of lower level cache is caused to operate either as a victim or non-victim to the main portion of the upper level cache in accordance with the determination. |
| US09558115B2 |
Write-back caching-based atomicity in a distributed storage system
A method includes receiving an atomic operation for execution, wherein the execution of the atomic operation is to access a data container stored in more than one data store device of a plurality of data store devices in a distributed storage system. The method includes executing, in response to receiving the atomic operation, a write-back cache operation for the data container to preclude access of the data container by a different operation prior to completion of the atomic operation. The method also includes executing the atomic operation, wherein executing the atomic operation comprises accessing the data container stored in the more than one data store device of the distributed storage system. |
| US09558112B1 |
Data management in a data storage device
A data storage device includes multiple flash memory devices with each of the flash memory devices being arranged into multiple blocks having multiple pages for storing data. The data storage device includes a memory controller operationally coupled with the flash memory devices. The memory controller is configured to mark one or more of the pages of the flash memory devices as available for deletion and maintain the marked pages as available for being read until deleted during garbage collection. |
| US09558111B1 |
Storage space reclaiming for virtual provisioning
A reclaim system frees previously allocated, but currently unused, storage space in a thin or virtual provisioning environment. The reclaim system may be used in connection with a maintenance operation performed upon determining that significant allocated space of a thin device is no longer being used or may be performed periodically to analyze a thin device and free appropriate space back to a thin device storage pool. In an embodiment, the reclaim system may run online while user applications are accessing a target storage volume. |
| US09558110B2 |
Method for managing a flash memory
A method of managing a rewritable mass memory subdivided into sectors within which data pages are recorded, and data periodically updated, where data erasure in a sector erases all previously written data therein. The method includes: writing pieces of data in a sector, each piece being associated with a first block containing at least one information for identifying the data piece, writing information data in an administrative block for managing the data of the sector concerned in the sector, each block being written among other data of the sector and being associated with a second block including one information piece and one check information piece, a block including a first part giving general indications and a second part including a counter being incremented at each writing of an administrative block in a new sector, each first block including a check number which is based on the corresponding administrative block counter. |
| US09558108B2 |
Half block management for flash storage devices
A method for managing block erase operations is provided for an array of memory cells including erasable blocks of memory cells in the array. The method comprises maintaining status data for a plurality of sub-blocks of the erasable blocks of the array. The status data indicate whether the sub-blocks are currently accessible and whether the sub-blocks are invalid. The method comprises, in response to a request to erase a selected sub-block of a particular erasable block, issuing an erase command to erase the particular block if the other sub-blocks of the particular erasable block are invalid, else updating the status data to indicate that the selected sub-block is invalid. |
| US09558104B2 |
Risk-based test coverage and prioritization
A processor receives a rule containing a first set of code statements. The processor compares the first set of code statements of the rule to a second set of code statements of a plurality of code statements of source code. The processor responds to a match of the first set of code statements of the rule and the second set of code statements of the plurality of code statements of the source code, by applying a weight modifier to the rule, which adds a weighted value to the rule, and the processor, in response to a second matching of the first set of code statements of the rule to the second set of code statements of the plurality of code statements of the source code, applies the weight modifier to the rule, which includes a weighted value, and the weight modifier adjusts the weighted value of the rule. |
| US09558102B2 |
Pre-translation testing of bi-directional language display
A method for testing the display of bi-directional language script prior to translation in an application under test can include using unidirectional glyphs with shaping indicators to simulate right-to-left characters. The using step can include reversing an ordering of a first set of unidirectional text characters in an input string and mapping the unidirectional text characters to right-to-left code points in a bi-directional language code page to produce a pseudo-translated string. Multiple unidirectional language glyphs can be loaded where each corresponds to a same one of the right-to-left character code points as had been used to produce the pseudo-translation. The pseudo-translation and the glyphs can be combined to simulate right-to-left character rendering in the application under test such the resultant output is visually similar to the input string. Finally, the glyphs can include character shaping indicia such that a resultant output allows for the detection of shaping errors. |
| US09558098B1 |
Method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media for the assessment of software products
A method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to objectively assess the quality of software products. The method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium relate to determining a product maturity level of one or more software products. The disclosure describes a method for acquiring product quality attributes of a software product. Each product quality attribute is assessed by one or more metric parameters which test the software product by mathematical or logical test methodologies. Once evaluated, the one or more metric parameters and the one or more product quality attributes may each be mapped to a capability level based on a capability scale. A maturity level may be mapped from the capability level of the capability level of the one or more product quality attributes to the software product to provide a quality assessment of the software product. |
| US09558097B2 |
Automated recording and playback of application interactions
Some embodiments of automated recording and playback of application interactions have been presented. In one embodiment, an application proxy server communicatively coupled between an application server and a client records responses and requests between an application server and a client during a transaction. Furthermore, the application proxy server generates a script based on the responses and requests recorded. |
| US09558086B2 |
System on chip with debug controller and operating method thereof
A System on Chip (SOC) is disclosed. The SOC comprises a first UART controller, a second UART controller, a debug controller, a processor, a UART port, a first multiplexer and a second multiplexer. The first UART controller and the second UART controller have different baud rates. The UART port has a R×D pin coupled to a R×D pin of the second UART controller. The debug controller generates a control signal with a first state and checks whether a received data from the UART controller is equal to a keyword after power-up or a hardware reset. When the received data from the second UART controller is equal to the keyword, the debug controller generates the control signal with the second state, and starts parsing and executing at least one debug command from the second UART controller. |
| US09558083B2 |
Triangular asynchronous replication
Storing recovery data includes providing chunks of data to a remote destination, where each chunk of data represents data written before a first time and after a second time and where the second time for one of the particular chunks corresponds to a first time for a subsequent one of the particular chunks, providing synchronous data to a local destination, and providing an indicator to the local destination in connection with creation of a new chunk of data for storage at the remote destination. The local destination may maintain a plurality of maps, where each of the maps associates synchronous data being provided thereto with a specific chunk of data. In response to receiving an indicator in connection with creation of a new chunk of data, the local destination may point to a new map. There may be two maps or more than two maps. |
| US09558081B2 |
Hypervisor assisted virtual memory obfuscation
Remote computing resource service providers allow customers to execute one or more applications in a virtual environment on computer systems provided by the computing resource service provider. The virtual machines may be managed by a hypervisor executing on computer systems operated by the service provider. The virtual machines' memory may be protected by a memory obfuscation service and the hypervisor. The memory obfuscation service may enable the virtual machines to maintain at least a portion of sensitive information in an obfuscated format. The virtual machines may request access to the virtual machines' memory, the memory obfuscation service may obtain the requested memory in an obfuscated format and un-obfuscate the memory such that it may be used by the virtual machines. |
| US09558080B2 |
Crash recovery using non-volatile memory
Crash recovery of a computing system in the context in which the computing system includes a volatile memory which has contents lost due to the crash, an intermediate non-volatile memory that (together with the volatile memory) contributes to the active memory of the computing system, and non-volatile storage. The recovery occurs by identifying pages that were in the volatile memory at the time of the crash. For each of these pages, the recovery determines whether to recover the page into the volatile memory from either the intermediate non-volatile memory or the storage, and then performs the recovery. In embodiments in which access speeds for the intermediate non-volatile memory may be much faster than for the storage, and in which much of the pages to be recovered are recovered from the intermediate non-volatile memory, the recovery time may be reduced. |
| US09558078B2 |
Point in time database restore from storage snapshots
Archiving a database and point in time recovery of the database. A method includes taking a first snapshot of a database. The first snapshot of the database includes a first snapshot of the data in the data storage and a first snapshot of the log records in the log storage. The method further includes taking a second snapshot of the database. The second snapshot of the database includes a second snapshot of the data in data storage and a second snapshot of the log records. The method further includes restoring the database to a particular point by applying the first snapshot of the data in the data storage to the database, applying the first snapshot of the log records in the log storage to the database and applying a portion of the second snapshot of the log records in the log storage to the database. |
| US09558072B1 |
Block-level incremental recovery of a storage volume
A source volume is restored to the time of a selected incremental backup volume without writing over all of the data blocks in the source volume. If the source volume has valid data blocks and there are valid records of the changes to these valid data blocks and the valid records are consistent with the state of the source volume and indicate that certain valid data blocks did not change since the selected incremental backup, then the restoration does not write over the valid data blocks that did not change since the selected incremental backup. Otherwise, data blocks are recovered from the selected incremental backup and one or more backups prior to the selected incremental backup. For example, data blocks are recovered by scanning incremental backups in reverse chronological order to find the most recent version of the block in these backups. |
| US09558071B2 |
Dispersed storage with partial data object storage and methods for use therewith
A first section of the data object is received that contains less than a full amount of the data object. A processing module of a distributed storage (DS) processing unit determines that communication of the data object has been interrupted and whether to store the first section of the data object. The first section of the data object is stored in a DS network when determined to store the first section of the data object. |
| US09558069B2 |
Failure mapping in a storage array
A storage cluster is provided. The storage cluster includes a plurality of storage nodes within a chassis. The plurality of storage nodes has flash memory for storage of user data and is configured to distribute the user data and metadata throughout the plurality of storage nodes such that the storage nodes can access the user data with a failure of two of the plurality of storage nodes. Each of the storage nodes is configured to generate at least one address translation table that maps around defects in the flash memory on one of a per flash package basis, per flash die basis, per flash plane basis, per flash block basis, per flash page basis, or per physical address basis. Each of the plurality of storage nodes is configured to apply the at least one address translation table to write and read accesses of the user data. |
| US09558064B2 |
Estimating an error rate associated with memory
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for estimating an error rate associated with memory. A number of embodiments include sensing data stored in a memory, performing an error detection operation on the sensed data, determining a quantity of parity violations associated with the error detection operation, and estimating an error rate associated with the memory based on the determined quantity of parity violations. |
| US09558059B2 |
Detecting data requiring rebuilding in a dispersed storage network
A method begins with a processing module within a dispersed storage network (DSN) determining to perform a rebuild scanning function for a virtual memory vault, where the virtual memory vault has a DSN address range that is divided into multiple DSN address sub-ranges. The method continues with a first rebuild scanning agent module initiating a rebuilding scanning function for a first group of DSN address sub-ranges and processing first rebuild responses to produce a first list of encoded data slices for rebuilding. The method continues with a second rebuild scanning agent module initiating the rebuilding scanning function for a second group of DSN address sub-ranges and processing second rebuild responses to produce a second list of encoded data slices for rebuilding. The method continues with the processing module queuing the first and second lists of encoded data slices for rebuilding. |
| US09558055B2 |
System level memory leak detection
A method for detecting memory leaks with an administrative client begins by transmitting to all of the processes running on at least one computing device, a first command to return memory track information. The administrative client receives memory track information from each of the processes, and combines them into a first system wide memory allocation. The administrative client transmits an instruction to run a test case process, and then transmits, to each of the processes, a second command to return memory track information. The administrative client receives the second set of memory track information and combines it to generate a second system wide memory allocation. To generate a list of potential memory leaks originating from the test case process, the administrative client compares the first system wide memory allocation with the second system wide memory allocation. |
| US09558053B1 |
Computer systems monitoring using beat frequency analysis
A monitoring service receives, from a variety of hardware components of a set of computer systems, binary signals indicative of operation of these components. The monitoring service determines, based at least in part on these signals, a set of beat frequencies for pairings of hardware components of the set of computer systems. The monitoring service uses this set of beat frequencies, as well as information included in a profile for the set of computer systems, to determine whether there is any indication of anomalous behavior in operation of the set of computer systems. If so, the monitoring service generates one or more alerts indicating the anomalous behavior. |
| US09558047B1 |
Navigation payload detection
Described are techniques for event processing. Notification is received at a navigation service of a first navigation event. The notification includes a set of parameters and information identifying a target navigation point in the application. Responsive to receiving the notification, the navigation service performs first processing including: identifying first target code of the application to be invoked to update the user interface to include a content view associated with the target navigation point; updating location information and payload information in accordance with a target path in a hierarchical navigation structure of the application, wherein the payload information is updated to include additional information identifying the set of parameters; and transferring control to the first target code whereby the location information and the payload information are provided as inputs to the first target code. |
| US09558046B2 |
Computer system and program for prior verification of a workflow program
It is provided a computer system comprising a management computer to be coupled to a management subject resource managed by the management computer, which includes at least one of a server apparatus, a storage apparatus or a network apparatus, and a display computer coupled to the management computer. The management computer includes a memory storing at least one workflow program including a work procedure, and a CPU configured to execute the at least one workflow program. The work procedure changes a configuration of the management subject resource, and acquires information from the management subject resource. The CPU executes prior verification processing of verifying an operation environment of the management subject resource to operate the work procedure included in the at least one workflow program before execution of the at least one workflow program, and displays an execution result of the prior verification processing on the display computer. |
| US09558045B2 |
Realizing graph processing based on the MapReduce architecture
A method and device for realizing graph processing based on the MapReduce architecture is disclosed in the invention. The method includes the steps of: receiving an input file of a graph processing job; predicting a MapReduce task execution time distribution of the graph processing job using an obtained MapReduce task degree-execution time relationship distribution and a degree distribution of the graph processing job; and dividing the input file of the graph processing job into input data splits of MapReduce tasks according to the predicted MapReduce task execution time distribution of the graph processing job. |
| US09558041B2 |
Transparent non-uniform memory access (NUMA) awareness
A computing device having a non-uniform memory access (NUMA) architecture implements a method to attach a resource to an application instance that is unaware of a NUMA topology of the computing device. The method includes publishing the NUMA topology of the computing device, where the published NUMA topology indicates for one or more resources of the computing device, a NUMA socket associated with each of the one or more resources of the computing device. The method further includes grouping one or more resources that have a same attribute into a resource pool, receiving a request from the application instance for a resource from the resource pool, determining a central processing unit (CPU) assigned to execute the application instance, where the CPU is associated with a NUMA socket, choosing a resource from the resource pool that is associated with a NUMA socket that is closest to the NUMA socket associated with the CPU assigned to execute the application instance, and attaching the chosen resource to the application instance. |
| US09558039B2 |
Managing resources of a shared pool of configurable computing resources
Disclosed aspects include managing resources of a shared pool of configurable computing resources having a particular shared pool resource. An application program is run for processing on the shared pool of configurable computing resources. A set of resource data for the application program is collected by the application program. An offer of the particular shared pool resource for use by the application program is detected by the application program. The set of resource data associated with the particular shared pool resource is analyzed by the application program. Based on the set of resource data and in response to analyzing the set of resource data associated with the particular shared pool resource, the application program determines to refuse the offer. In response to determining to refuse the offer, the application program selects to refuse the offer. |
| US09558033B2 |
Constructing and deploying patterns of flows
A flow pattern is generated from a single flow, in which the flow pattern describes a plurality of flows that are structurally similar to one another and perform similar tasks. End users are then capable of exploring the different flows of the pattern and selecting one or more flows based on high-level goals. |
| US09558032B2 |
Conditional instruction end operation
A conditional instruction end facility is provided that allows completion of an instruction to be delayed. In executing the machine instruction, an operand is obtained, and a determination is made as to whether the operand has a predetermined relationship with respect to a value. Based on determining that the operand does not have the predetermined relationship with respect to the value, the obtaining and the determining are repeated. Based on determining that the operand has the predetermined relationship with respect to the value, execution of the instruction is completed. The obtaining the operand, the determining whether the operand has the predetermined relationship, the based on determining that the operand does not have the predetermined relationship with respect to the value, repeating the obtaining and the determining, and the based on determining that the operand has the predetermined relationship with respect to the value, completing execution of the instruction are performed as part of a single instruction having one operation code. |
| US09558031B2 |
Updating and redistributing process templates with configurable activity parameters
A centralized controller may include at least one processor, a memory and a communication interface. The centralized controller may configure a computing system in a single deployment of an executable process. The executable process may include multiple executable instances associated with one of multiple different templates for the executable process. Each template may include multiple user-configurable parameters. A user may request a template associated with a first executable instance and update the template using the user-configurable parameters. The centralized controller may generate a second executable instance of the executable process and a second template associated with the second executable instance based on the updated template. The centralized controller may reconfigure the computing system based on the second executable instance of the executable process while maintaining the configuration of the computing system based on the first executable instance. |
| US09558026B2 |
Multi-component consent-based virtual machine migration
A system, method, and computer program product for controlling migration of a VM operable on a first site and a second site. The system includes an identify component for identifying the second site; a request component for sending a consent request message to a software component, wherein the consent request message comprises at least one of an identifier of the VM and an identifier of the second site; a calculate component, operable on the software component and responsive to receiving the consent request message, for determining consent for the second site; a send component, responsive to a positive determination, for sending a consent message; and a migrate component, responsive to receiving the consent message, for migrating the VM from the first site to the second site. |
| US09558023B2 |
Live application mobility from one operating system level to an updated operating system level and applying overlay files to the updated operating system
Provided are techniques for comparing a first fileset associated with a first operating system (OS) with a second fileset associated with a second OS; determining, based upon the comparing, that the second OS is a more current version of the first OS; in response to the determining that the second OS is a more current version of the first OS, moving, in conjunction with live application mobility, a virtual machine (VM) workload partition (WPAR) on the first LPAR to a second LPAR, the moving comprising determining a set of overlays associated with the WPAR corresponding to the second OS; removing from the WPAR any overlays associated with the first OS; applying to the WPAR a set of overlays corresponding to the second OS; check pointing processes associated with the WAPR; and copying live data associated with the LPAR from the first LPAR to the second LPAR. |
| US09558021B2 |
System and method for cross-platform application execution and display
A method is provided for downloading and running a non-native application designed for a source operating system (OS) on a target device having a target OS, the method includes: connecting the target device to a source device having the application in a paring operation; transferring a shareable provisional profile containing characteristics related to the application, including information on the source OS needed to run the application from the source device to the target device; and obtaining the source OS on the target device. Once the source OS is present on the target device, the method downloads the application from the source device to the target device, executes the source OS as a virtual machine on the target device, and runs the application within the source OS virtual machine. |
| US09558019B2 |
Coordinating instances of a thread or other service in emulation
A system, method, computer program product, and carrier are described for obtaining a software flaw indication resulting from an emulation of a first instance of a thread at least partly in response to a first input from a user interface or indicating a virtually instantiated service via a data flow between a user interface and an operating system, the virtually instantiated service including at least a virtual instance; and accessing another instance of the virtually instantiated service at least partly in response to the user interface after indicating the virtually instantiated service via the data flow between the user interface and the operating system or manipulating a second instance of the thread at least partly in response to a second input arriving from the user interface after beginning the emulation of the first instance of the thread. |
| US09558017B2 |
Software dependency management through declarative constraints
In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, systems and methods are provided for managing software component dependencies for applications using declarative constraint definitions, including enabling specification of constraint definitions using a declarative language to analyze and detect software component dependencies on one or more libraries that meet certain criteria, identifying and checking software component dependencies on the one or more libraries that violate the constraint definitions, and implementing an algorithm for analyzing applications and resolving software component dependencies on the one or more libraries that violate the constraint definitions. |
| US09558012B2 |
System boot with external media
Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for a system that is able to boot from a variety of media that can be connected to the system, including SPI NOR and SPI NAND memory, universal serial bus (“USB”) devices, and devices attached via PCIe and Ethernet interfaces. When the system is powered on, the system processor is held in a reset mode, while a microcontroller in the system identifies an external device to be booted, and then copies a portion of boot code from the external device to an on-chip memory. The microcontroller can then direct the reset vector to the boot code in the on-chip memory and brings the system processor out of reset. The system processor can execute the boot code in-place on the on-chip memory, which initiates the system memory and the second stage boot loader. |
| US09558010B2 |
Fast hot boot of a computer system
Apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that enable a computer that is executing a first operating system kernel to load a second operating system kernel and one or more software components to a region in a memory. Using functions incorporated in the kernel, the region in the memory is tagged, and the computer initiates a boot of a second operating system kernel while preserving in the tagged region contents stored therein. Following the boot of the second operating system kernel, the computer executes the one or more software components from the tagged region that was preserved during the boot. |
| US09558006B2 |
Continuous automatic tuning of code regions
Described herein are mechanisms for continuous automatic tuning of code regions for optimal hardware configurations for the code regions. One mechanism automatically tunes the tunable parameters for a demarcated code region by calculating metrics while executing the code region with different sets of tunable parameters and selecting one of the different sets based on the calculated metrics. |
| US09558004B1 |
Inter-platform management of computing resources
A computer-implemented method includes identifying a primary computing platform, identifying one or more secondary computing platforms, and identifying a requesting virtual server. The requesting virtual server resides on the primary computing platform and is associated with one or more requesting clients. One or more donating virtual servers are identified. The donating virtual servers reside on the primary computing platform and are associated with one or more donating clients. One or more external virtual servers are identified. The external virtual servers reside on the secondary computing platforms. A resource donation scenario is determined. The resource donation scenario includes one or more resource exchanges between the requesting virtual server and the donating virtual servers. A resource adjustment scenario is determined. The resource adjustment scenario includes one or more resource exchanges between the external virtual servers. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed. |
| US09557997B2 |
Configurable logic constructs in a loop buffer
Techniques are described herein for using configurable logic constructs in a loop buffer. In an embodiment, a configurable hardware block is programmed based on one or more target functions within a loop. The configurable hardware block is associated with a plurality of registers, including a loopcount register and a first output register. For each iteration of the loop, a counter value in the loopcount register is updated and a target value in the first output register is updated using the programmed configurable hardware block. For each iteration of the loop, a set of one or more instructions may be fetched from the instruction buffer and executed based on the updated target value in the first output value. |
| US09557995B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for performing segmented operations
A data processing apparatus and method are provided for performing segmented operations. The data processing apparatus comprises a vector register store for storing vector operands, and vector processing circuitry providing N lanes of parallel processing, and arranged to perform a segmented operation on up to N data elements provided by a specified vector operand, each data element being allocated to one of the N lanes. The up to N data elements forms a plurality of segments, and performance of the segmented operation comprises performing a separate operation on the data elements of each segment, the separate operation involving interaction between the lanes containing the data elements of the associated segment. Predicate generation circuitry is responsive to a compute descriptor instruction specifying an input vector operand comprising a plurality of segment descriptors, to generate per lane predicate information used by the vector processing circuitry when performing the segmented operation to maintain a boundary between each of the plurality of segments. As a result, interaction between lanes containing data elements from different segments is prevented. This allows very effective utilisation of the lanes of parallel processing within the vector processing circuitry to be achieved. |
| US09557992B2 |
Processor micro-architecture for compute, save or restore multiple registers, devices, systems, methods and processes of manufacture
An electronic circuit (4000) includes a bias value generator circuit (3900) operable to supply a varying bias value in a programmable range, and an instruction circuit (3625, 4010) responsive to a first instruction to program the range of said bias value generator circuit (3900) and further responsive to a second instruction having an operand to repeatedly issue said second instruction with said operand varied in an operand value range determined as a function of the varying bias value. |
| US09557989B2 |
Comparison and merging of IC design data
The proposed approach includes a method and system for managing integrated circuit (IC) design information for multiple data stores. Each data store is split into sections, allowing larger data sets to be compared. Keys are assigned to objects in each data set, in order to determine if objects are added, deleted, or modified between multiple data stores, and also to determine object differences. The user may compare and merge differences between the data stores, using either a graphical or text-based approach. The proposed approach is highly efficient and accurate for large databases. The proposed approach allows the user to easily visualize differences in complex databases and to merge in desired changes easily. |
| US09557988B2 |
Workflow-based application generator
A workflow-based application generator to generate a workflow application based upon at least one received workflow process. The application generator is to generate, based on the received workflow process, workflow configuration rules that include a list of determined workflow pages based on a required functionality, and configuration routing rules that include an order of the workflow pages and dependency information pertaining to the workflow pages. The workflow-based application generator is to generate a workflow context according to the workflow configuration rules, the configuration routing rules, and the retrieved workflow pages. Based upon the generated workflow context, the workflow-based application generator is to build a workflow application. |
| US09557984B2 |
Performing code load operations on managed components in a system
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for performing code load operations on managed components in a system. A first node group comprising at least one computational node in the computer system performs code load operations for the managed components. Status of the code load operations at the managed component is written to a status data structure while the code load operations are being performed at the managed component. The first node group transfers control of the code load operations for the managed components to a second node group comprising at least computational node in the computer system while the code load operations are occurring at the managed components. A second node group reads the status data structure for the managed components to determine the status of the code load operations and continue the code load operations at managed components. |
| US09557983B1 |
Flexible storage application deployment mechanism
Programming methods and products are described for developing and producing installation and/or upgrade software for systems where multiple versions of software are available. Information is stored representing the version of software that is being installed, the version of software being installed having an updated feature. Groups of commands enable the transition from a present version of the software to another version of software having another version of the feature. An example of such a feature is deployment of logical volume partitions. A state machine is executed that consults the stored information to access one or more of the groups of commands. The one or more groups of commands is executed to transition from the present version of the software to the version of software that is being installed having the updated feature. If an error occurs during the execution of a group of commands, then recovery information including remediation commands is executed. |
| US09557980B2 |
Seamless application integration apparatus and method
A seamless application integration apparatus and method are provided. The seamless application integration apparatus includes a seamless integration server that is installed in a host virtual machine so as to provide a seamless application integration (SAI) environment in a virtualization system that comprises the host virtual machine and at least one guest virtual machine. The apparatus also includes a dynamic reconfiguration unit determines whether a seamless integration client that corresponds to the seamless integration server has been installed in the guest virtual machine, and that may install the seamless integration client in the guest virtual machine according to the determination result. |
| US09557979B2 |
Autonomic application installation
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to application installation and provide a method, system and computer program product for autonomic application installation. In one embodiment of the invention, an autonomic application installation method can be provided. The method can include initiating an installation of an application onto a target computing system, remotely retrieving a configuration for the target computing system previously established for other computing systems installing the application, applying the remotely retrieved configuration to the target computing system prior to installing the application onto the target computing system, and installing the application onto the target computing system. |
| US09557974B2 |
System and method for supporting compatibility checking for lambda expression
A system and method can support compatibility checking in a programming language environment. The programming language environment can check whether a target type associated with an expression in the programming language environment is functional, wherein the target type is functional when it has exactly one method meeting one or more criteria that define that method as relevant in a counting system. Then, the programming language environment can derive a function descriptor from the target type, which is context-dependent. Furthermore, the programming language environment can type-check the expression with the function descriptor associated with the target type. |
| US09557972B2 |
System and method for code recommendation and share
Disclosed is a system for code recommendation and share, including: an editor plug-in extracting source code unit information of a developer by interlocking with an editor of the developer; and a code recommendation server including a code repository storing code data, wherein the code recommendation server selects recommendation code data in the code repository through a code recommendation algorithm based on the source code unit information of the developer extracted in the editor plug-in. |
| US09557969B2 |
Automated blueprint assembly for assembling an application
The embodiments provide a data processing apparatus for automated blueprint assembly. The data processing apparatus includes a micro-blueprint assembler configured to receive a request for automated blueprint assembly for assembling an application, where the request specifies at least one feature, and a model database configured to store model data. The model data includes a plurality of classes and class properties. The data processing apparatus further includes a micro-blueprint database configured to store a plurality of micro-blueprints. Each micro-blueprint corresponds to a functional component of a stack element or service tier, and the functional component is annotated with one or more classes of the plurality of classes and at least one required capability and available capability. The micro-blueprint assembler is configured to generate at least one application blueprint based on the model data and the plurality of micro-blueprints according to the request. |
| US09557968B1 |
Comparison graph
A system for comparing code branches comprises a code branch separator for determining a first set of commits in a first code branch that are not common to a second code branch, and determining a second set of commits in the second code branch that are not common to the first code branch; and a user interface determiner for determining a display of the first set of commits and the second set of commits. |
| US09557967B1 |
Enhanced policy editor with completion support and on demand validation
In an approach to providing completion support and on demand validation in a web tool that operates on live resources, one or more computer processors create one or more lists of content, where the one or more lists of content include one or more references to one or more runtime objects. The one or more computer processors parse the one or more lists of content. The one or more computer processors populate one or more lists of one or more choices with the parsed one or more lists of content. The one or more computer processors create one or more callbacks for one or more runtime objects referenced by the one or more lists of one or more choices. |
| US09557962B2 |
Voice control device, voice control method and program
According to an illustrative embodiment, an information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus includes a communication device to receive plural pieces of tag information corresponding to respective positions within a target area, the target area having a position defined by the position of the apparatus; and an output device to output a plurality of sounds such that for each sound at least a portion of the sound overlaps with at least a portion of another of the sounds, each of the sounds being indicative of a respective piece of tag information. |
| US09557961B2 |
Display device and method of operating the same
A wearable electronic device including a wireless communication unit configured to be wirelessly connected to a projector for projecting a stored presentation onto a screen of an external device; a main body configured to be worn by a user; a microphone integrally connected to the main body; a display unit configured to be attached to the main body; and a controller configured to match voice information input through the microphone with corresponding contents of the stored presentation, and display at least a following portion of content that follow the corresponding contents on the display unit. |
| US09557959B2 |
Analog/digital audio converter and a method thereof
An analog/digital audio converting apparatus enables listening to both digital and analog audio signals received from a digital receiving apparatus and analog audio signals input from an external source using the same receiver by providing a formatter capable of converting the analog audio signal into a digital audio signal with the digital broadcasting receiving apparatus. |
| US09557955B2 |
Sharing of target objects
A method of sharing a target object which includes: obtaining a geo location of a first user; obtaining a focus of the first user to a target object; determining a distance to the target object from the first user; determining the geo location of the target object; obtaining a geo location of a second user; transmitting the geo location of the target object to the second user; prompting the second user to focus on the target object; and displaying the target object to the second user. The method may be implemented on one or more computer devices. There is also a computer program product and a system for sharing a target object between a first user and a second user. |
| US09557953B2 |
Private image viewer
Techniques related to viewing a private image are described herein. The techniques may include a public device including a processor and a public display to display a display image. The techniques may also include an input receiver to receive input at the public device, and a privacy controller to alter the display image from the public display when the display image is private. Techniques may further include a transmitter to transmit the display image to a private device when the display image is private. |
| US09557941B2 |
Printing apparatus for performing printing based on data including a plurality of pages
When sequentially receiving pages one by one from the outside and printing them at the time of printing based on printing data including a plurality of pages, a page count per copy when printing a plurality of copies is acquired, and data of a predetermined portion of a printing area are extracted from respective pages by the page count. It is determined whether the data of the extracted predetermined portion is identical between the respective pages. When it is determined that the data is identical, it is determined that printing of the printing data is not collation printing. When it is determined that the data is different, it is determined that printing of the printing data is collation printing. |
| US09557939B2 |
Print job processing system and method
A print job processing system comprising at least one printer, a user interface, a job file receiving section for receiving a print job having print job properties, a conflict checking section for checking for a conflict in the print job, and an auto resolve section for automatically resolving the conflict according to an auto resolve strategy, wherein the print job processing system comprises a system setting section adapted to set according to user input by means of the user interface per print job property a user interaction strategy out of a plurality of user interaction strategies, each user interaction strategy of the plurality of user interaction strategies comprising a different user interaction and each user interaction strategy being configured to be executed if the corresponding print job property has been changed due to the auto resolve strategy for the conflict. |
| US09557935B2 |
Computing system including storage system and method of writing data thereof
Provided is a method of writing data of a storage system. The method includes causing a host to issue a first writing command; causing the host, when a queue depth of the first writing command is a first value, to store the first writing command in an entry which is assigned in advance and is included in a cache; causing the host to generate a writing completion signal for the first writing command; and causing the host to issue a second writing command. |
| US09557931B1 |
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for managing a hosts file
A hosts file manager is provided that displays a user interface with a list of selectable server groups. The list may comprise, for example, identifications server groups. Each server group corresponds to an IP address, and the hosts file manager has access to such IP address data. A user selection of a first server group may be made and received via said user interface. A computer's hosts file may then be modified to correlate a hostname with an IP address of the selected server group. |
| US09557925B1 |
Thin replication
A computer implemented method, system, and computer program product for use replication comprising parsing a file system containing one or more virtual disks (VMD) to determine what portion of the VMDK is thinly provisioned and ignoring, by the vDPA, initialization IO noted determined to be directed to a portion of the VMD that is thinly provisioned. |
| US09557923B2 |
Block-level predictive data migration
An apparatus for migrating data in a tiered storage architecture includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices coupled to the processors and storing instructions for execution by the processors. The instructions cause the one or more processors to: track temperature (i.e., frequency of access) of data blocks in a tiered storage architecture; generate heat maps indicating the temperature of the data blocks across different time intervals; process the heat maps using an image processing algorithm; compress the heat maps to reduce the size of the heat maps; compare the heat maps from the time intervals to identify temperature patterns occurring over time; predict, from the temperature patterns, when selected data blocks will change in temperature; and migrate the selected data blocks between tiers of the tiered storage architecture in anticipation of their changes in temperature. |
| US09557922B2 |
System and method for peer-to-peer PCIe storage transfers
Techniques for peer-to-peer Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) storage transfers are disclosed. In some embodiments, the techniques may be realized as a method for providing peer-to-peer storage transfers between PCIe devices including providing, in memory of a first PCIe device, a queue for data communicated between the first PCIe device and a target PCIe device, receiving, at the first PCIe device, queue memory allocation information transmitted from a host device communicatively coupled to the first PCIe device and the target PCIe device, and generating, using a computer processor of the first PCIe device, a storage command. |
| US09557920B2 |
Method and system for data archiving
A data server, method and computer readable storage medium for receiving a current request relating to a data archive, determining a number of queued requests relating to the data archive present in a request queue, determining a waiting time for the current request based on the number of queued requests and adding the current request to the request queue after the waiting time has elapsed. |
| US09557917B2 |
Conditional stack frame allocation
A method for allocating memory includes an operation that determines whether a prototype of a callee function is within a scope of a caller. The caller is a module containing a function call to the callee function. In addition, the method includes determining whether the function call includes one or more unnamed parameters when a prototype of the callee function is within the scope of the caller. Further, the method may include inserting instructions in the caller to allocate a register save area in a memory when it is determined that the function call includes one or more unnamed parameters. |
| US09557916B2 |
Keyboard system with automatic correction
Alternative textual interpretations of each sequence of inputs detected within an auto-correcting keyboard region are determined. Actual keystroke contract locations may occur outside the boundaries of specific keyboard key regions associated with the actual characters of word interpretations proposed for selection. The distance from each contact location to each corresponding intended character may increase with the expected frequency of the intended word. An intended word is selected from among generated interpretations and is automatically accepted for output. |
| US09557911B2 |
Touch sensitive control
An aspect provides a method, including: activating, using a processor, a touch sensitive surface which comprises at least a bezel portion of a display; accepting, using a processor, user input to the bezel portion of the touch sensitive surface; and controlling, using a processor, an information handling device operatively coupled to the touch sensitive surface in response to touch input in the bezel portion of a display. Other aspects are described and claimed. |
| US09557910B2 |
Apparatus and method for turning E-book pages in portable terminal
An apparatus and method turn electronic book (e-book) pages in a portable terminal. The method determines whether a touch is input outside of a predetermined User Interface (UI) activation region of a screen of the portable terminal. The method determines whether a drag and release is input in a direction towards the predetermined UI activation region in response to detecting the touch. The method displays one of a preceding page and a next page on the screen in response to determining that the touch is outside of the predetermined UI activation region and that the drag and release is input in the direction towards the predetermined UI activation region. |
| US09557907B2 |
Display device capturing digital content and method of controlling therefor
A method of controlling a display device according to one embodiment of the present specification includes the steps of displaying a digital content, displaying a capturing window in a manner of overlapping the digital content, wherein the capturing window captures an inside area of the capturing window, detecting a first control input moving the digital content on an inside of the capturing window, moving the digital content according to the first control input and including the digital content, which moved to the inside of the capturing window, in a capturing object, detecting a second control input moving the digital content on an outside of the capturing window, and moving the digital content according to the second control input and excluding the digital content, which moved to the inside of the capturing window by the second control input, from the capturing object. |
| US09557903B2 |
Method for providing user interface on terminal
The present invention relates to a method for providing a user interface on a terminal, which provides a user interactive information search service that uses, as information, a user response to an information search request so as to overcome local limitations coverable by an information search service and expand a search function for the domain that cannot be supported. A method for providing a user interface on a terminal according to one embodiment disclosed in the present specification comprises a step of transmitting, to a server, an information search request based on a user voice input; a step of receiving, from the server, a response to the information search request; and a step of displaying an item to take, in the form of a voice input, a user response to the information search request in the event that the response indicates that there is nothing found as a search result. |
| US09557902B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing interactive control of radio and other media
A method for presenting content to a user through a content management device. The method includes receiving at a content management device content from a plurality of content providers. The content management device generates a supplemental programming data from the content providers. The content management device receives guide programming data from a content-independent programming data source. The content management device generates an interactive program guide in response to the supplemental programming data and the guide programming data, the interactive program guide presenting content available to the user. |
| US09557899B2 |
Visualization profiles and templates for auto-configuration of industrial automation systems
A visualization system utilizing pre-configured visualization profiles and templates to reduce the level of effort and time required to commission an industrial automation visualization system. The preconfigured visualization profiles and templates include graphic displays, informational reports and data sampling and collection strategies appropriate for the specific sector of manufacturing or industry. |
| US09557895B2 |
Electronic book with changeable paths
An e-book (112) has navigation controls (124) for accessing the sections (110) of a first path (130) of sections of the e-book. In response to receipt (101) of a path-change command (134), the active path (129) is changed to a second path (132). Concomitantly, the navigation controls are changed so that they provide for navigation along the second path instead of along the first path. |
| US09557894B2 |
Display system, display apparatus, manipulation apparatus and function selection apparatus
A display system includes a screen panel, an input unit, a switch section, and a resizing section. The screen panel switches a display mode between a window selection mode and a function selection mode. The input unit includes an input panel arranged apart from the screen panel, and defines an arrangement of input regions corresponding to an arrangement of display windows displayed in the window selection mode of the screen panel. When a target input region is manipulated, the switch section sets the target input region as a selected input region, and the resizing section enlarges a size of the selected input region and rearranges an enlarged selected input region on the input panel. |
| US09557891B2 |
Information supply device
An online shopping server (10) includes a receiving unit (17a) that, when a plurality of first item information are selected by a user operation on a user terminal (T), acquiring the plurality of selected first item information, a retrieval unit (17b) that recognizes a common item attribute among the plurality of acquired first item information and reads item information different from the plurality of first item information and corresponding to the common item attribute as second item information from an item database (14), and a transmitting unit (17c) that outputs the read second item information in order to display the second item information together with the common item attribute on the user terminal (T). |
| US09557890B2 |
Completing a word or acronym using a multi-string having two or more words or acronyms
This disclosure describes techniques enabling character-string completion. These techniques present characters and character strings responsive to a selected prior character and enable selection of one of these characters or character strings quickly, easily, and/or accurately. |
| US09557886B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating user interface and recording medium using the same
A method and an apparatus for operating a user interface, and a recording medium using the same are provided. First, a plurality of user interfaces is provided and one of them is displayed on a touch screen of a portable electronic device. Then, the touch screen is used for detecting a touch signal. When the touch signal is moved toward a first direction, the currently displayed user interface is switched to another one. When the touch signal is moved toward a second direction, an item of the currently displayed user interface is switched to another item. Accordingly, a more intuitive and convenient manner for operating the user interface is provided for the user. |
| US09557885B2 |
Digital media editing
A computer-implemented method involving an object-based editing environment for defining a digital video as a linear arrangement of discrete media objects, each digital media object electronically stored as a digital file. The method includes displaying a graphical representation of a first digital media object within the editing environment; displaying one or more user interface icons associated with the digital media object; displaying a first menu in response to receiving a first user input; receiving second user input associated with the first menu and identifying a second digital media object; displaying a graphical representation of the second digital media object within the editing environment; and generating a digital video comprising the first digital media object and the second digital media object. |
| US09557884B2 |
System for generating a user interface for a social network and method therefor
A device, system, and method may variously include or utilize a processor to cause a user device to display a content selection display area and a content display area. The content selection display area may include subject matter categories and icons, at least some of the icons being individually associated with at least one of the subject matter categories and at least some of the categories being associated with at least one of the plurality of icons. Each category is associated with at most a predetermined number of the plurality of icons. The content display area is configured to display content corresponding to at least one of the plurality of icons as selected in the content selection display area. |
| US09557882B2 |
Context-sensitive views
A context-sensitive viewing system is disclosed in which various data visualizations, also referred to a contextual views, of a common set of data may be viewed by a user on an electronic device. Data in the system may comprise data objects and associated properties and/or metadata, and may be stored in one or more electronic data stores. As a user of the system views and manipulates a first contextual view of a set of data objects, one or more other contextual views of the same set of data objects may be updated accordingly. Updates to the secondary contextual views may, in various embodiments, happen real-time. Further, the secondary contextual views may be visible to the user simultaneously with the primary contextual view. A user may switch from one view to another, and may manipulate data in any view, resulting in updates in the other views. |
| US09557880B2 |
Shared user interface services framework
This disclosure provides various embodiments for providing UI services. An application-independent, reusable UI framework receives a request from a first application, to perform a first operation on a first set of data relating to presentation of the first set of data on a UI. A subset of the first set of data is received from a data provider independent of the UI framework. At least one first service is identified in response, the first service hosted by the UI framework and adapted to perform the first operation on the first set of data. The first operation is performed on the subset of the first set of data using the at least one identified first service to produce a first processed set of data adapted for presentation on a UI of the first application. The first processed set of data is sent to the first application. |
| US09557878B2 |
Permitting participant configurable view selection within a screen sharing session
A screen sharing session between a participating computer and a presenting computer can be established. A copy of a graphical user interface screen from the presenting computer can be presented within a display on the participating computer. A selection of the sub-portion of the copy of the graphical user interface screen from the participating computer can be received. Boundaries of the sub-portion can be determined and can be transmitted from the participating computer to the presenting computer. Responsive to receiving the boundaries, the remotely located computer can define the sub-portion of the graphical user interface screen of the presenting computer. The defined sub-portion of the graphical user interface screen can be conveyed over a network from the presenting computer to the participating computer without conveying data for other portions of the graphical user interface screen. |
| US09557873B2 |
Electronic device and method for controlling the electronic device
A sensor-integrated display panel including an operation surface for performing an input operation and an image display surface which are formed integrally with a sensor as one piece. A data transfer device supplies the sensor-integrated display panel with a drive signal for driving the sensor and outputs sensing data corresponding to a potential of a sensor signal output from the sensor. A contact electrode is provided in a frame formed around the sensor-integrated display panel to vary the potential of the sensor signal when a conductor touches or does not touch to the frame. An application executing device receives and analyzes the sensing data and generates a signal to select an operating function in accordance with an analysis result. |
| US09557869B2 |
High-accuracy single-layer capacitive touch panel device with one side for connection
A high-accuracy single-layer capacitive touch panel device with one side for connection includes a substrate, a plurality of conductive lines, and a touch detection circuit. The conductive lines are arranged in parallel on the surface of the substrate and extended from the first side to the second side of the substrate. Each conductive line includes a conductive trace having opposite first edge and second edge and a plurality of triangle sensing electrodes arranged at the two edges of the conductive trace. Each triangle sensing electrode is connected with the conductive trace via a connection part. Each conductive line only has one connection end close to the second side. A touch detection circuit is electrically connected to the connection ends of the plurality of conductive lines through a connection circuit, so as to detect variations of the equivalent resistances and the equivalent capacitances of the plurality of conductive lines. |
| US09557868B2 |
Noise reduction for touch sensor system with active stylus
A touch sensor may overlap a display. A transparent shield layer that is grounded around its edges may be interposed between the display and the touch sensor to help prevent noise from display data lines from reaching the touch sensor. The data lines may extend along a first dimension. The touch sensor may have first elongated electrodes that extend along the first dimension and second elongated electrodes that extend along a second dimension that is perpendicular to the first dimension. The second electrodes may be interposed between the first electrodes and the data lines. Pen present electrodes may be used to gather pen present data associated with a stylus on the touch sensor. Adjacent noise sensors may collect noise data that is removed from the pen present data. |
| US09557867B2 |
Touch panel and manufacturing process thereof
A touch panel includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged along a first direction and parallel to each other, wherein each first electrode includes a plurality of first electrode blocks and a plurality of first connection traces. A plurality of second electrodes arranged along a second direction and parallel to each other, wherein each second electrode includes a plurality of second electrode blocks and a plurality of second connection traces. And a plurality of insulating blocks, wherein each insulating block includes a main portion and at least one extending portion, the main portion is disposed between each first connection trace and each second connection trace, the extending portion extends from the main portion to the space between the first electrode block and the second electrode block. The present invention further provides a method for forming the touch panel mentioned above. |
| US09557855B2 |
Touch sensitive holographic displays
We describe a touch sensitive holographic image display device for holographically projecting a touch sensitive image at an acute angle onto a surface on which the device is placed. The device includes holographic image projection optics comprising at least one coherent light source illuminating a spatial light modulator (SLM), output optics to project a hologram onto an acute angle surface, and a remote touch sensing system to remotely detect a touch of a location within or adjacent to the holographically displayed image. A control system is configured to provide data defining an image for display, to receive detected touch data, and to control the device responsive to remote detection of a touch of a the displayed image. |
| US09557852B2 |
Method of identifying palm area of a touch panel and a updating method thereof
A method of identifying a palm area for a touch panel has steps of: receiving sensing frame information having multiple touching sensing points from the touch panel; selecting one of the touching sensing points; outwardly extending a distance from an outline of the selected touching sensing point to define a searching range; checking whether other touching sensing points are within the searching range; marking the touching sensing points in the searching range and expanding the searching range based on the currently marked touching sensing points; sequentially selecting and checking each touching sensing point if it is within the present searching range; and finally merging all the outlines of the marked touching sensing points to form a final outline as a palm area. Other unmarked touching sensing points are defined as touching reference points. |
| US09557851B2 |
Configurable touch screen LCD steering wheel controls
An entertainment system control arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a graphical LCD with a configurable touch screen. The graphical LCD is disposed on the steering wheel. A processor is communicatively coupled to the graphical LCD. The processor prompts a user to select a function to assign to the configurable touch screen. The processor assigns the selected function to the configurable touch screen. |
| US09557848B2 |
Handheld electronic apparatus and method for controlling the same
Handheld electronic apparatuses and methods for controlling a handheld electronic apparatus are provided. The handheld electronic apparatus includes a display having a touch panel, a proximity sensor, a communication unit, a processing unit, and a motion sensor. The communication unit establishes a call. The processing unit disables the touch panel during the call based on the detection of the presence of a nearby object to the proximity sensor. The motion sensor detects an instant acceleration value of the handheld electronic apparatus. The processing unit determines whether a value that is only related to the instant acceleration value is greater than an acceleration threshold while the touch panel is disabled during the call. The processing unit enables the touch panel during the call based on the determination that the value is greater than the acceleration threshold. |
| US09557847B2 |
Touch panel, touch display panel and touch signal sensing method
A touch panel includes a substrate, a sensing array, a plurality of first connection lines and at least two button sensing pads. The substrate has an active region and a peripheral region disposed on at least one side of the active region. The sensing array is disposed in the active region, which includes a plurality of first sensing electrode series disposed in the active region along a first direction and a plurality of second sensing electrode series disposed in the active region along a second direction. The first and second sensing electrode series intersect and form a plurality of sensing units. The first connection lines are disposed in the peripheral region and electrically connected to the first sensing electrode series respectively. The at least two button sensing pads are disposed in the peripheral region, and electrically connected to at least two first connection lines respectively to form a virtual button. |
| US09557843B2 |
Vibration sensing system and method for categorizing portable device context and modifying device operations
Disclosed herein are methods for operating a computing device including determining an amount of pressure exerted on a touch-sensitive surface of the computing device. According to the various embodiments, a touch input is received by the touch-sensitive surface. The amount of pressure exerted by the touch input on the touch-sensitive surface is then determined. The computing device operates in a first manner when a first amount of pressure is received and operates in a second manner when a second amount of pressure is received. |
| US09557840B2 |
Displays with intra-frame pause
A touch screen display may include gate line driver circuitry coupled to a display pixel array. The display may be provided with intra-frame pausing (IFP) capabilities, where touch or other operations may be performed during one or more intra-frame blanking intervals. In one suitable arrangement, a gate driver circuit may include multiple gate line driver segments each of which is activated by a separate gate start pulse. Each gate start pulse may only be released at the end of an IFP interval. In another suitable arrangement, dummy gate driver units may be interposed among active gate driver units. Gate output signals may propagate through the dummy gate driver units during the IFP internal. In another suitable arrangement, each active gate driver unit may be provided with a buffer portion that protects at least some transistor in the gate driver unit from undesired stress. |
| US09557837B2 |
Touch input apparatus and operation method thereof
This invention provides several touch input apparatuses and operating methods. One touch input apparatus includes two carbon nanotube (CNT) layers, a plurality of contact pads and a processing circuit. The CNTs of the two CNT layers are respectively disposed to two different arrangement directions. The contact pads are divided into two groups to electrically connect the edges of the two CNT layers respectively. Each group of the contact pads is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the corresponding carbon nanotubes. The processing circuit provides a comparison voltage to one group of the contact pads and reads out the voltages on the other contact pads. When one CNT layer receives an external force so that the forced position on one CNT layer is electrically connected to the other CNT layer, the processing circuit calculates the strength of the external force according to the readout voltage values. |
| US09557834B2 |
Touch panel system, stylus pen, and electronic device
A touch panel system (1) according to one aspect of the invention includes: a stylus pen (15) including a drive circuit (26) that generates a first driving voltage based on a first code sequence and a second driving voltage based on a second code sequence, and a sensor circuit (40) that drives a pen point (38) with a multiplexed voltage obtained by multiplexing the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage; and a touch panel controller (2) that detects a position of the stylus pen (15) touching a touch panel. |
| US09557831B2 |
Optical navigation method for dynamically adjusting size of image sensing region and related apparatus thereof
An optical navigation method includes: detecting inertia of an image of a feature point; and determining an effective sensing region of an image sensing array according to the detected inertia for reducing power consumption. Besides, an optical navigation apparatus includes a detecting circuit and a determining unit. The detecting circuit is arranged for detecting a moving inertia of a feature point. The determining circuit is coupled to the detecting circuit, and arranged for determining an effective sensing region of an image sensing array according to the detected moving inertia for reducing power consumption. |
| US09557827B2 |
Optical digitizer system with position-unique photoluminescent indicia
A digitizer system including a substrate having a position-unique photoluminescent indicia pattern. A stylus component receives optical signals indicative of the indicia pattern and determines therefrom the position of the stylus relative to the substrate. Methods of disposing indicia on the substrate, and styli suitable for sensing photoluminescent indicia are also described. |
| US09557820B2 |
Methods and systems for commencing a process based on motion detection
Methods and systems for commencing a process based on motion detection are provided. First, a first electronic device obtains an input, and receives motion information from a second electronic device, wherein at least one sensor detects a motion of the second electronic device to generate the motion information. The first electronic device determines whether the motion information conforms to the input. When the motion information conforms to the input, a process on the first electronic device is performed. |
| US09557818B2 |
Contextually-specific automatic separators
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for outputting a graphical keyboard comprising a group of keys, wherein each key in the group of keys is associated with a respective, different display region, receiving an indication of a gesture to select a sequence of keys that are each included in the group of keys of the graphical keyboard, determining that the selected sequence of keys corresponds to a character string that is identifiable by at least one format source, wherein the format source is associated with a syntax, determining, based at least in part on the syntax, that at least one separator character is associated with the character string, and in response to determining that the at least one separator character is associated with the character string, outputting the character string and the at least one separator character at a location proximal to the character string. |
| US09557817B2 |
Recognizing gesture inputs using distributed processing of sensor data from multiple sensors
The techniques discussed herein contemplate methods and systems for providing, for example, interactive virtual experiences that are initiated or controlled using user gestures. In embodiments, the techniques provide for gestures performed by users holding devices to be recognized and processed in a cloud computing environment such that the gestures produce a predefined desired result. According to one embodiment, a server communicates with a first device in a cloud computing environment, wherein the first device can detect surrounding devices, and an application program is executable by the server, wherein the application program is controlled by the first device and the output of the application program is directed by the server to one of the devices detected by the first device. |
| US09557814B2 |
Biometric interface for a handheld device
Methods and systems for applying biometric data to an interactive program executed by a portable device are provided. According to embodiments of the invention, raw bio-signal data is captured and filtered so as to determine the bio-signal of the user of the interactive program. The bio-signal is analyzed so as to determine biometrics of the user, which are applied as input to the interactive program. A setting or state of the interactive program is modified based on the biometrics. An updated state of the interactive program is rendered to the user, reflecting the modification of the setting or state of the interactive program. |
| US09557813B2 |
Method for reducing perceived optical distortion
One variation of a method for reducing perceived optical distortion of light output through a dynamic tactile interface includes: rendering an image on a digital display coupled to a substrate opposite a tactile layer, the tactile layer defining a tactile surface, a peripheral region, and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region, disconnected from the substrate, and operable between a retracted setting and an expanded setting, the deformable region substantially flush with the peripheral region in the retracted setting and offset above the peripheral region in the expanded setting; estimating a viewing position of a user relative to the digital display; transitioning the deformable region from the retracted setting into the expanded setting; and modifying the portion of the image rendered on the digital display according to the estimated viewing position of the user and a profile of the tactile surface across the deformable region in the expanded setting. |
| US09557812B2 |
Eye gaze user interface and calibration method
A software controlled user interface and calibration method for an eye gaze controlled device, designed to accommodate angular accuracy versus time averaging tradeoffs for eye gaze direction sensors. The method can scale between displaying a small to large number of different eye gaze target symbols at any given time, yet still transmit a large array of different symbols to outside devices with minimal user training. At least part of the method may be implemented by way of a virtual window onto the surface of a virtual cylinder, with eye gaze sensitive symbols that can be rotated by eye gaze thus bringing various groups of symbols into view, and then selected by continual gazing. Specific examples of use of this interface and method on an eyeglasses-like head-mountable, vision-controlled, device are disclosed, along with various operation examples including sending and receiving text messages, control of robotic devices and control of remote vehicles. |
| US09557804B2 |
Dynamic power limit sharing in a platform
A method and apparatus for dynamic power limit sharing among the modules in the platform. In one embodiment of the invention, the platform comprises a processor and memory modules. By expanding the power domain to include the processor and the memory modules, dynamic sharing of the power budget of the platform between the processor and the memory modules is enabled. For low-bandwidth workloads, the dynamic sharing of the power budget offers significant opportunity for the processor to increase its frequency by using the headroom in the memory power and vice versa. This enables higher peak performance for the same total platform power budget in one embodiment of the invention. |
| US09557803B2 |
Method and device for storing an item of wake-up information in users of a CAN bus system
A device for connecting a user station to a CAN bus, the user station in the active state being able to exchange messages with other user stations via the CAN bus using the device, according to the standard ISO 11898; the user station in the at-rest state being able to be activated using the device, in response to the reception of a wake-up information; the wake-up information configured as a CAN message according to the standard ISO 11898; in the device, a suitable first arrangement selectively evaluating the wake-up information received, so that the wake-up process is initiated only in response to the presence of wake-up information that is specified or specifiable for the respective user station which is characterized in that a storage arrangement is provided in the device in order, in case the wake-up process is initiated, which store the wake-up information evaluated for this entirely or partially. |
| US09557801B2 |
Cache device, cache system and control method
According to an embodiment, a cache device includes a cache memory, an access controller, and a power controller. The cache memory includes a plurality of memory areas associated with a plurality of ways, respectively. The access controller controls access to the memory areas. The power controller controls power supplied to each of the memory areas individually such that power supplied to a memory area that has not been accessed for a predetermined time is standby power that is lower than operating power that enables the memory area to operate. The power controller controls power supplied to a memory area such that standby power for a memory area that is highly likely to be accessed has a value closer to the operating power than a value of standby power for a memory area that is less likely to be accessed. |
| US09557800B2 |
Sequence power control
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for sequence power control. A number of embodiments include executing a number of sequences associated with a number of commands, wherein a number of logical unit (LUN) controllers execute the number of sequences by locating power consumption information and a starting address of the number of sequences stored in a data structure on the number of LUN controllers. |
| US09557796B2 |
Network node having a power saving mode
A network node has an interface which has different modes of operation, including at least a power saving mode and a normal operating mode. The node has a power saving mode management module for maintaining information about whether the interface is in the power saving mode of operation. The power saving mode management module is able to make available to one or more layers higher than the physical layer of the interface information about whether the interface is in the power saving mode of operation. |
| US09557795B1 |
Multiprocessor system with performance control based on input and output data rates
A multi-processor system with dynamic power optimization for an integrated circuit and methods thereof are described. An input rate control signal is generated responsive to at least one input data stream. An output rate control signal is generated responsive to an output of the plurality of processors. The input rate control signal and the output rate control signal are monitored. The at least one input data stream is partitioned in response to the input rate control signal. The partitioned data is distributed to at least a portion of the plurality of processors. The plurality of processors is operated in a plurality of modes responsive to the monitoring. |
| US09557794B2 |
System and method for distributing electrical power
A bus for distributing electrical power to a plurality of sets of electrical devices is disclosed. The bus includes one or more bus separators and a plurality of bus sections. The plurality of bus sections includes at least a first bus section and a second bus section electrically coupled to each other via a bus separator, where the first bus section is electrically connectable to a first set of electrical devices having a first importance metric and the second bus section is electrically connectable to a second set of electrical devices having a second importance metric different from the first importance metric. The bus separator is configured to isolate the first bus section and the second bus section based on occurrence of a fault condition. A Direct Current power distribution system employing the bus and a method for distributing electrical power via the bus are also disclosed. |
| US09557793B2 |
Calculating expected maximum CPU power available for use
A method of calculating a processing power available from a supervisor of a multi-programmed computing system by a first partition of a plurality of partitions, the method comprising collecting, by the first partition, state data from the supervisor, the state data including a processing capacity of the multi-programmed computing system. The method further comprises initializing a remaining capacity variable to the processing capacity of the multi-programmed computing system; initializing variables, including setting a binary variable to a first logic value for each of the plurality of partitions; iteratively computing an entitlement and amount of power to award for each of the plurality of partitions having their respective binary variables set to the first logic value; and requesting the processing power from the supervisor, based on the iterative computation. |
| US09557792B1 |
Datacenter power management optimizations
Methods and apparatus for datacenter power management optimization are disclosed. Metrics, including workload data, thermal measurements and the like are collected from numerous endpoints within a datacenter. System profiles of a plurality of servers, and application workload profiles for various workloads, are stored. Based on analysis of collected metrics, power optimization operations comprising either workload scheduling operations, power configuration change operations, or both, are initiated. |
| US09557788B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including array e-fuse
A semiconductor device includes a fuse unit comprising an array e-fuse and suitable for generating a boot-up end signal when a boot-up operation ends, a power generation unit suitable for generating a plurality of driving voltages for the fuse unit in response to a power-up signal indicating start of the boot-up operation and a power control unit suitable for controlling the generation of the driving voltages in response to the power-up signal and the boot-up end signal. |
| US09557785B2 |
Computer device with heat-dissipation channels
A computer device with at least one heat-dissipation channel includes a master unit and a peripheral unit. A case of the master unit includes a first connection surface including a first hole. The first hole communicates to an external space through a first heat-dissipation channel inside the master unit. A case of the peripheral unit includes a second connection surface including a second hole. The second hole communicates to the external space through a second heat-dissipation channel. A fan is located inside the second peripheral unit channel. When the first connection surface and the second connection surface are aligned to connect with each other, the first heat-dissipation channel, the first hole, the second hole and the second heat-dissipation channel are sequentially communicated in space to form an integrated heat-dissipation channel for guiding a cooling airflow driven by the fan to pass therethrough. |
| US09557776B1 |
Friction resistance hinge with auto-lock
A hinge resistively holds an orientation between first and second members. The hinge has an elongated shaft with a head mating with a bore in the first member. A key is rotatably disposed on an axel portion of the shaft and has a tab mating with a slot in the second member. A friction ring is disposed on the shaft adjacent the key, and keyed to rotated with the shaft. The friction ring and the key have opposing bearing surfaces to hold their relative position by friction. One of the friction ring and the key can have a dimple while the other has a detent. A spring is carried by the shaft and biases the key and the friction ring together. |
| US09557775B2 |
Detecting an operating mode of a computing device using accelerometers
In one general aspect, a method can include obtaining, by a computing device, a lid accelerometer vector for a lid accelerometer included in a lid portion of the computing device, and obtaining, by the computing device, a base accelerometer vector for a base accelerometer included in a base portion of the computing device. The method can include calculating a value for a lid angle based on the lid accelerometer vector and the base accelerometer vector, and identifying an operating mode for the computing device based on the calculated value of the lid angle, the operating mode being one of a laptop mode and a tablet mode. |
| US09557774B2 |
3-D glass enclosures for electronic devices
A 3-D glass enclosure comprises a generally planar glass base member, an encircling glass side wall member connected to the base member, and a generally planar glass cover member connected to the side wall member to form a unitary glass enclosure, the base, sidewall and cover members being made by reforming softened glass sheet preforms and subjecting the reformed members to ion-exchange strengthening, thus providing strong transparent enclosures for electronic devices such as tablet computers, cellphones, media players and televisions. |
| US09557771B2 |
Electronic device including flexible display
An electronic device is provided including: a flexible display; a first housing member; a second housing member; a hinge module coupled to the first housing member and the second housing member; and a support body disposed between the flexible display and the first and second housing members, wherein the second housing member is adapted to pivot about the hinge module relative to the first housing member. |
| US09557767B2 |
Interchangeable panels
Certain implementations of a system for mounting an electronic device, such as a tablet computer, can include an enclosure housing to receive an electronic device, and multiple panels, each panel configured to be removably and interchangeably connected to the enclosure housing to modify a configuration of the enclosure housing based on the electronic device. The system of removable and interchangeable panels can be implemented as part of the design of the enclosure for the electronic devices to allow the enclosure to be flexibly configured with a variety of different accessory devices which may extend the capabilities of the electronic device in desirable ways. |
| US09557764B2 |
Clock tree circuit and memory controller
A clock tree circuit Including a first clock source, generating a first signal, and a first tree circuit. The first clock tree circuit includes a first driving stage for receiving the first signal, a second driving stage, connected to the first driving stage, a third driving stage, connected to the second driving stage, and a metal connection element, coupled between different nodes of the third driving stage and configured as a short-circuited element. |
| US09557763B2 |
Electronic circuit and method for providing a clock signal
According to an embodiment, an electronic circuit is described comprising a processing circuit, a power supply configured to supply power to the processing circuit via two supply nodes; a determiner configured to determine whether the voltage between the two supply nodes is above a predetermined reference voltage; and a clock generator configured to generate a clock signal for the processing circuit wherein the clock generator is configured to if the determiner determines that the voltage between the two supply nodes is again, after pausing the generation of clock edges, above the predetermined threshold the clock generator generates a clock edge irrespective of whether it is currently a time point given by the predetermined periodicity. |
| US09557760B1 |
Enhanced phase interpolation circuit
A phase control circuit comprising a differential current generator having a differential output node configured to provide a differential drive current and a current conversion circuit connected to the differential output node configured to receive the differential drive current through saturated input Field-Effect Transistors (FETs), the saturated input FETs connected to triode mirroring FETs, the triode mirroring FETs configured to generate linearized current drive signals through first and second output drive nodes to drive a phase interpolator circuit. |
| US09557756B2 |
Bias drift compensation
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide detection of a voltage drift of an electrical component or system. A detection circuit detects the voltage drift based on a comparison of a received signal from a test circuit and a reference voltage. A compensation voltage may be generated and applied at one or more locations within the test circuit to compensate for the voltage drift. |
| US09557754B2 |
Load tap changer
A method of switching taps of an on-load tap changer includes providing a main finger, a first side finger including a first solid state switch and a second side finger including a second solid state switch. The main finger, the first side finger and the second side finger are utilized to provide a connection between the taps and a power terminal of the on-load tap changer. The method also includes triggering the on-load tap changer to shift the fingers from a first tap to a second tap of the on-load tap changer when a tap change signal is received and utilizing the first solid state switch and the second solid state switch to commutate a current during the tap change operation. |
| US09557751B2 |
Sensor temperature control apparatus
A sensor temperature control apparatus (1) includes switching device (51); energization control means S1 and S2 for controlling duty ratio DT to maintain sensor element section (3) at a target temperature; storage means (75) for storing a first duty ratio DT1 in advance; element temperature judgment means S3 for determining whether the temperature of the sensor element section falls within a first temperature range including the target temperature; and semi-shorted state detection means S4 to S6 for comparing a present duty ratio DT2 with the first duty ratio in a state in which the temperature of the sensor element section falls within the first temperature range, to thereby determine whether a semi-shorted first temperature range state has arisen in which only a portion of the current flowing through switching device flows through heater section (4) and the temperature of the sensor element section falls within the first temperature range. |
| US09557750B2 |
Cloud based building automation systems
A control system for operating the HVAC systems within a building to control the environmental conditions within a building having an onsite component networked to a remote offsite component. The onsite component monitors the conditions within the building and operates the HVAC systems, while the offsite component can be used by the system provider to communicate updates to the onsite component and monitor the effectiveness of the control algorithms used to operate the HVAC systems. The invention includes the method of providing tailored HVAC related controls, reports, notices and diagnostic services to a client under various subscription plans. |
| US09557749B2 |
Valves for bypass circuits in heat exchangers
A valve can be incorporated as an integral part of the heat exchanger as a plug-in item that can be located anywhere desired between the inlet and outlet flow manifolds of the heat exchanger. |
| US09557741B1 |
System and method for autonomous valet parking using plenoptic cameras
Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for autonomously valet parking a vehicle based on images obtained from a plurality of plenoptic (light field) cameras. According to one embodiment, an autonomous valet parking system comprises a plenoptic camera configured to: obtain an image external to a vehicle, and for the image, generate a depth map including location information for an object in the image; and a controller configured to: using the depth map, generate an occupancy map indicating whether each of a plurality of regions surrounding the vehicle is occupied; and using the occupancy map, control the vehicle to navigate to a desired parking space. |
| US09557740B2 |
Autonomous mobile platform for service applications
The invention disclosed with this Application is a autonomous mobile system comprising: a means of achieving mobility, a means of navigating, a means of providing autonomous power, and a means of providing general purpose computing.In some embodiments, the system comprises a base unit capable of sensing its environment and computing navigation instructions to direct the system to move to particular locations and execute particular functions, as directed by a set of programmed instructions.In some embodiments, a coupling exists on the base unit to attach additional structures and mechanisms. These structures may comprise a means for carrying packages or other items, robotic manipulators that can grab and move objects, interactive audio and video displays for telepresence applications, a means for serving food and drink, etc. These extensions may be designed to be detachable and interchangeable, or may be designed to be permanently attached to the base unit. |
| US09557738B2 |
Return path configuration for remote controlled aerial vehicle
Disclosed is a configuration to control automatic return of an aerial vehicle. The configuration stores a return location in a storage device of the aerial vehicle. The return location may correspond to a location where the aerial vehicle is to return. One or more sensors of the aerial vehicle are monitored during flight for detection of a predefined condition. When a predetermined condition is met a return path program may be loaded for execution to provide a return flight path for the aerial vehicle to automatically navigate to the return location. |
| US09557735B2 |
Methods and apparatus to manage process control status rollups
Example methods and apparatus to manage process control status rollups are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving process control information from at least one process control device included within a process control system, determining at least one issue associated with a portion of the received process control information, receiving a selection of a status type, determining if the at least one issue is associated with the selected status type, and displaying a process control status rollup associated with the selected status type and including the at least one issue. |