| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09596187B2 |
Time-triggered Ethernet-based data transmission method and node device
A time-triggered Ethernet (TTE)-based data transmission method and node device, solving the problem of wasting network bandwidth resources in the prior art during TTE-based data transmission; in the method, a main node determines a scheduling period table based on a time-triggered packet; when a node has a to-be-transmitted event-triggered packet, and the node determines, according to the information stored in the scheduling period table, that a physical link occupied by the event-triggered packet is not in conflict with a physical link corresponding to the current time slot, the node transmits the event-triggered packet in the current time slot. The main node does not need to separately allocate time for the event-triggered packet of each node. Therefore, when a node has a to-be-transmitted event-triggered packet, the node can transmit the event-triggered packet in the current time slot as long as the physical link occupied by the event-triggered packet is not in conflict with the physical link corresponding to the current time slot, thus effectively improving data transmission efficiency and network bandwidth utilization. |
| US09596185B2 |
Selection of data offer
According to an example embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus configured at least to determine a maximum data quality that is to be offered to a user equipment, compile an offer comprising at least an identifier of a first data item, a quality level of the first data item being at most the maximum data quality, wherein the maximum data quality is determined at least in part based on an access token received from the user equipment. |
| US09596181B1 |
Two stage bloom filter for longest prefix match
A device may receive a packet that includes a destination address. The device may analyze a first Bloom filter, based on the destination address, in order to identify a prefix range entry associated with the destination address and included in a set of prefix range entries associated with the first Bloom filter. The device may analyze a second Bloom filter, based on the destination address and the identified prefix range entry, in order to identify a prefix length entry associated with the destination address and included in a set of prefix length entries associated with the second Bloom filter. The device may determine routing information associated with the identified prefix length entry. The routing information may identify a longest prefix match associated with the destination address. The device may provide the packet based on the routing information. |
| US09596180B2 |
Installation of cached downward paths based on upward data traffic in a non-storing low-power and lossy network
In one embodiment, a method comprises: receiving, by a parent network device in a directed acyclic graph (DAG) network topology, a data packet destined toward a DAG root and having been output by a target device in the network topology; identifying, by the parent network device based on the received data packet, an identifiable condition for caching a downward path enabling the parent network device to reach the target device independent of any route table entry in the parent network device; and caching, in the parent network device, the downward path enabling the parent network device to reach the target device independent of any route table entry in the parent network device. |
| US09596179B2 |
Optimizing private virtual local area networks (VLANS)
A network device is provided in a private virtual local area network (VLAN). The network device receives a packet on one of multiple private VLAN ports of the network device, and assigns a classified VLAN signature to the packet. The network device also assigns a primary VLAN signature to the packet, and stores a media access control (MAC) address and the classified VLAN signature of the packet in a single MAC address table. |
| US09596175B2 |
Virtual machines in a packet switching device
In one embodiment, a packet switching device creates multiple virtual packet switching devices within the same physical packet switching device using virtual machines and sharing particular physical resources of the packet switching device. One embodiment uses this functionality to change the operating version (e.g., upgrade or downgrade) of the packet switching device by originally operating according to a first operating version, operating according to both a first and second operating version, and then ceasing operating according to the first operating version. Using such a technique, a packet switching device can be upgraded or downgraded while fully operating (e.g., without having to reboot line cards and route processing engines). |
| US09596172B2 |
Mechanism for exchange of routing data between controllers
Inter-tenant and inter-openflow island software communicate in SDN networks by: (i) providing a software defined networking (SDN) network including a plurality of Openflow islands, a first tenant and a second tenant; and (ii) communicating, from the first tenant over the SDN network to the second tenant, a first communication. The first communication passes through at least two Openflow islands of the plurality of Openflow islands as the first communication is communicated through the SDN network from the first tenant to the second tenant. |
| US09596171B1 |
Network traffic classification
A computer program product for implementing a method comprising receiving a data packet from a network source, extracting source and destination data from the received data packet, and determining a user from the extracted source and destination data from the received data packet. If a label does not exist for the extracted source and destination data from the received data packet, creating a label for the data packet, the label comprising the extracted source data and historic source data for the determined user, calling a chaotic function with the label for the received data packet. If the chaotic function returns false, calling an alternative function for an output with the label for the received data packet. If the chaotic function returns true, capturing the output of the chaotic function, and updating the label with the output of the chaotic function or with the output of the alternative function. |
| US09596170B2 |
Dynamically optimizing content delivery using manifest chunking
Implementations described and claimed herein provide a system and methods for dynamic re-localization and manifest chunking in a content delivery network. In one implementation, one or more stimuli corresponding to a connection to deliver content from a content source over a network to a user device along a network path are detected. The one or more stimuli indicate a connection issue. An optimized network path through which to deliver the content to the user device is determined based on current network conditions. The optimized network path responds to the connection issue. The user device is dynamically rerouted to the optimized path while providing a substantially continuous delivery of content to the user device. |
| US09596169B2 |
Dynamic control channel establishment for software-defined networks having centralized control
Dynamic control channel establishment for an access network is described in which a centralized controller provides seamless end-to-end service from a core-facing edge of a network to access nodes. For example, a method includes receiving, by the centralized controller, a discover message originating from a network node, which includes an intermediate node list that specifies a plurality of network nodes the discover message traversed from the network node to an edge node, determining, based on the plurality of nodes specified by the discover message, a path from the edge node to the network node, allocating each of a plurality of Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) labels to a respective outgoing interface of each of the plurality of network nodes, and outputting one or more control messages for configuring the network node, wherein the control messages are encapsulated within a label stack comprising the allocated plurality of labels. |
| US09596167B1 |
Internet protocol virtual private network service performance monitoring
An example router includes a control unit configured to receive virtual private network (VPN) routing and forwarding table (VRF) configuration data defining a VRF for a VPN and VPN address space for the VPN, receive configuration data defining a measurement endpoint for measuring performance of a layer 3 (L3) service and associating the measurement endpoint with a remote measurement endpoint of a remote router. The control unit is configured to encapsulate, to generate a flow measurement packet, a layer 2 (L2) measurement packet in a layer 4 (L4) header and an L3 header, where the L3 header includes a source L3 address within the VPN address space and associated with the measurement endpoint, and where the L3 header includes a destination L3 address within the VPN address space and associated with the remote measurement endpoint. The control unit is configured to output the flow measurement packet to the remote router. |
| US09596162B1 |
Method and system of imposing a policy rule for heavy usage
Disclosed is a method and system of imposing a policy rule for excessive usage in an access network. According to the disclosure, a policy enforcement point (PEP) may detect that usage by a given client device is threshold high and responsively request, from a policy decision point (PDP), a policy directive that specifies a policy rule to apply to the given client device. However, thereafter, the PEP may determine that the requested policy directive has not been received from the PDP and then responsively apply, to the given client device, a default policy rule for threshold-high usage. |
| US09596159B2 |
Finding latency through a physical network in a virtualized network
Techniques are described for determining latency in a physical network that includes a number of network devices over which packets travel. A virtual network controller receives a plurality of messages from a plurality of network devices in a network, each of the messages including a packet signature comprising a hash of an invariant portion of an original packet that uniquely identifies the original packet, an identifier of one of the plurality of network devices from which the respective message was received, and a timestamp indicating a time an original packet was processed by the network device from which the respective message was received. The virtual network controller determines a latency of a physical network path in the network based on analysis of contents of the identified messages having a common packet signature. |
| US09596158B2 |
Common information model (CIM) object transfer via requestor statistical tracking
Systems and methods for Common Information Model (CIM) object transfer via requestor statistical tracking. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a computer-implemented method may include providing, via an Information Handling System (IHS), a management console for a CIM environment, wherein the CIM environment includes a plurality of hosts accessible to the console via a network, and wherein each of the hosts has remote agent(s); creating a request to collect data from the remote agent(s), wherein the request follows a Web Services-Management (WS-Man) protocol, the request specifies a timeout and a maximum number of elements to be included in the remote agent(s)' responses, and the maximum number of elements is calculated to allow the remote agent(s) sufficient time to respond to the request prior to expiration of the timeout; and transmitting the request to the remote agent(s). |
| US09596157B2 |
Server restart management via stability time
A computer-implemented method for monitoring server stability based on a stability time specification of a server includes specifying a stability time for the server, wherein the stability time is defined as a time between a starting state of the server and a stability point of the server. The server activity is monitored by an availability manager to determine an availability status of the server. Responsive to the server activity progressing to the stability point within the stability time, an embodiment determines that the server is stable. Responsive to the server activity failing to progress to the stability point within the stability time, an embodiment determines that the server is unreliable. |
| US09596156B2 |
Network connectivity methods and systems
Methods and systems are provided for connecting an electronic device to a network. In some situations, the electronic device connects to a first network provider and pings a first server having a static internet protocol address and a second server having a dedicated uniform resource locator. If the electronic device receives a response from the first and second server, the electronic device maintains its connection to the first network provider. Otherwise, the electronic device connects to a second network provider and pings the first and second servers. |
| US09596155B2 |
Encrypted peer-to-peer detection
Encrypted peer-to-peer detection is provided. In some embodiments, encrypted peer-to-peer detection includes monitoring network traffic from a first client to determine whether the first client is executing a peer-to-peer application; and generating network traffic that emulates peer-to-peer network traffic sent from the peer-to-peer application executing on the first client to a second client after detecting unknown network traffic sent from the first client to the second client. In some embodiments, encrypted peer-to-peer detection includes monitoring network traffic from a client to determine that the client is sending a request for information for a peer-to-peer application executing on the client; and generating a network traffic response to the client that emulates peer-to-peer network traffic. |
| US09596148B2 |
Minimizing service restart by optimally resizing service pools
A method, computer program product, and system for optimizing service pools supporting resource sharing and enforcing SLAs, to minimize service restart. A computer processor determines a first resource to be idle, wherein a service instance continues to occupy the first resource that is idle. The processor adds the first resource to a resource pool, wherein the service instance continues to occupy the first resource as a global standby service instance on the first resource. The processor receives a request for a resource, wherein the request for the resource includes a global name associated with a service that corresponds to the global standby service instance, and the processor allocates, from the resource pool, the first resource having the global standby service instance, based on the request for the resource that includes the global name associated with the service corresponding to the global standby service instance. |
| US09596138B2 |
Smart dumping of network switch forwarding database
Techniques are provided for retrieving entries from a routing table or a forwarding database in a distributed network switch. The forwarding database includes match and mask registers used to compare routing entries and return matching routing entries to a requesting management controller. The forwarding database uses a separate timeout value associated with the forwarding database to avoid timeout errors for general register operations, and allows for an asynchronous dump operation of routing entries. |
| US09596134B2 |
Synchronization of configuration file of virtual application distribution chassis
Methods and systems for synchronization of configuration files of a plurality of blades in a virtual application distribution chassis are disclosed. In an exemplary method, a master blade processes a configuration command, updates a first configuration file with the configuration command and generates an updated tag, and sends a configuration message to at least one slave blade of the virtual application distribution chassis informing of the updated configuration file. The configuration message is received by a given slave blade of the one or more slave blades and compared with a second configuration file stored at the given slave blade; and in response to determining that the updated tag in the configuration message is more recent than the tag in the second configuration file stored at the given slave blade, the slave blade sends a request for the updated configuration file to the master blade. |
| US09596133B2 |
Process execution method and apparatus
A disclosed method includes: specifying an activity to be executed, based on process definition that includes plural activities, and that includes a sequence of transitions between activities, wherein each activity includes information representing a device that is operated through a network; first determining, based on the sequence of the transitions, whether or not the specified activity is an initial operation for a certain device whose information is included in the specified activity; and obtaining an access right to the certain device, when determining that the specified activity is the initial operation for the certain device. |
| US09596132B1 |
Virtual sandboxing for supplemental content
A virtual sandbox environment enables a publisher to publish rules for supplemental content, such as third party advertising, displayed on a page or other grouping of content from the publisher. One or more rule sets can be applied or enforced in a number of ways, such as through active script on a page, as part of a browser or other such application or interface, or via a third party such as an anti-virus application or service. A rule set can specify behavior that is allowed or prohibited, in various circumstances, as well as actions to be taken in response to any unapproved or prohibited behavior. Rule sets may be maintained on, and enforced by, or cached on a client device such that any number of pages or other groupings of content can utilize the same rule set without reloading the set. |
| US09596120B2 |
Signal transmission apparatus, distortion compensation apparatus, and signal transmission method
A signal conversion unit (120) of a signal transmission apparatus (10) includes an in-band distortion compensation analog circuit unit (122) that generates, for each band, an in-band distortion compensation signal for compensating for in-band intermodulation distortion occurring due to frequency mixing of RF signals of a single band, the distortion being included in RF signals which are output from an amplification unit (130), and causes the generated signal to be carried by the RF signals corresponding to the single band, and an inter-band distortion compensation analog circuit unit (124) that generates, for each combination of two bands, an inter-band distortion compensation signal for compensating for cross-modulation distortion occurring due to frequency mixing of RF signals between a plurality of bands which are input to the amplification unit (130), and causes the generated signal to be carried by each of the RF signals corresponding to the two bands. |
| US09596118B2 |
FBMC receiver using a method for synchronization in a frequency domain
A filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC) receiver implementing a synchronization in the frequency domain. The receiver includes a synchronization module including an error estimator on the sampling instants and, for each subcarrier, an interpolating filter for reconstructing the samples at the accurate sampling instants. A phase-shifter is provided, for each subcarrier, at the output of the interpolating filter, to make a phase compensation. The phase-shifter can be followed by an equalizer in the frequency domain. |
| US09596112B2 |
Method for communication via three orthogonal waveforms
Aspects of the present disclosure aim at providing three orthogonal waveforms that can be used for transmitting 3n bits (n bits from each waveform) at a given frequency. Such three orthogonal waveforms can be used in applications such as QAM to create a 3-dimensional QAM, along with use in other like applications such as in Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), among others. In an aspect, a method of the present disclosure includes a step of generating three orthogonal waveforms as cos(θ)+k, cos(θ+2π/3)+k, and cos(θ+4π/3)+k, where k is the DC component and can have a value of 0.5 volts, and θ=2 πft with f being the (baseband or passband) frequency=1/T, with T being Time Period, and t being time. Cosine waveforms can be equivalently replaced by sine waveform separated by 120 degrees. |
| US09596106B2 |
Pilot pattern for observation-scalar MIMO-OFDM
In an embodiment, a transmitter includes a transmission path configurable to generate first pilot clusters in response to a matrix, each first pilot cluster including a respective first pilot subsymbol in a first cluster position and a respective second pilot subsymbol in a second cluster position such that a vector formed by the first pilot subsymbols is orthogonal to a vector formed by the second pilot subsymbols, the matrix having a dimension related to a number of cluster positions in each of the first pilot clusters. For example, where such a transmitter transmits simultaneous orthogonal-frequency-division-multiplexed (OFDM) signals (e.g., MIMO-OFDM signals) over respective channels that may impart inter-carrier interference (ICI) to the signals due to Doppler spread, the pattern of the pilot symbols that compose the pilot clusters may allow a receiver of these signals to estimate the responses of these channels more accurately than conventional receivers. |
| US09596099B2 |
Scalable network virtualization with aggregate endpoints
Techniques provided herein use aggregate endpoints in a virtual overlay network. In general, aggregate endpoints operate as a single receiving entity for certain packets/frames sent between different physical proximities of the virtual overlay network. |
| US09596098B1 |
Systems and methods for communication between devices and remote systems with a power cord
Systems and methods for remote control of an electronic device using a power cord are disclosed. A power cord that provides electric power to the device includes a module configured to receive wireless control signals originating from and/or transmit wireless signals to a remote device. The power cord includes one or more control wires for communicating signals between the module and the device. The module may be configured to translate information or signals received from the communications protocol of the remote device to the communications protocol of the device, and vice versa. The control wire(s) may extend along or within the power cord. Methods for wirelessly controlling a device comprise transmitting a command from a remote device to a module connected to the device's power cord, the module wirelessly receiving the command and transmitting the command to the appliance via control wires extending from the module to the device. |
| US09596096B2 |
Navigation crowd sourcing based on LTE multicast
A method for providing crowd sourced navigation alerts including receiving, at a User Equipment (UE), an Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) start session message when the UE is located within a predefined MBMS area. The method may further include receiving traffic message data, which includes information regarding at least one traffic event, over the MBMS session, where the traffic message data may be based on at least one traffic notification provided by at least one second UE. The method may also include comparing a distance from the UE to a position of the at least one traffic event described in the traffic message data to at least one threshold, and providing at least one alert associated with the at least one traffic event based on the comparing. |
| US09596095B2 |
Optimized near-simultaneous distribution of multimedia content
The “swarming” behavior of multimedia content distribution network subscribers—numerous, near-simultaneous requests for the same content by different users—is predicted, based on analysis of past viewing habits. Users are grouped based on correlations in the multimedia content requested and the time at which it is requested. When a set of users of a group requests particular multimedia content, that content is autonomously distributed, via a shared distribution channel, to the terminal equipment of all users in the group, where it is buffered. As other users in the group request the same multimedia content, an initial portion is distributed to each requesting user via an individual channel. As the rendered content catches up to the buffered content, the terminal equipment switches from the content delivered via the individual distribution channel to the buffered content. The individual distribution is then terminated, and the individual distribution channel released. |
| US09596093B2 |
Communication apparatus, control method for communication apparatus, and recording medium
A communication apparatus having a first state and a second state having different power consumptions receives a communication start request from another communication apparatus when the communication apparatus is in the first state, shifts a state of the communication apparatus to the second state having power consumption which is larger than that of the first state, in response to the reception of the communication start request, and transmits a response to the communication start request to the another communication apparatus if the communication setting used for the communication with the another communication apparatus is not changed after shifting to the second state, and does not transmit a response indicating that the communication in accordance with the communication start request is available to the another communication apparatus if the communication setting is changed. |
| US09596092B2 |
On-demand power management in a networked computing environment
Methods, apparatuses, program products, and systems are disclosed for on-demand power management in a networked computing environment. A device module determines one or more non-critical devices of a plurality of devices of a software defined network. A non-critical device is determined based on one or more network characteristics of the device. A usage module receives a bandwidth utilization for each of the one or more non-critical devices. The bandwidth utilization includes an amount of network traffic associated with a non-critical device. A power module shuts down at least a portion of the software defined network comprising the one or more non-critical devices in response to the bandwidth utilizations for the one or more non-critical devices being less than a threshold bandwidth. The power module restarts portions of the software defined network that were shut down in response to bandwidth utilizations for different portions of the network exceeding a threshold bandwidth. |
| US09596091B2 |
Multiple sensor data processor interface and relay
The present invention relates generally to a system and method of networking and interconnecting a large number of various types of sensors to a remote location in an efficient manner. Specifically, the invention utilizes a flexible, configurable, scalable and power-efficient sensor interface relay architecture to gather sensor data from various locations and then relay it to a remote location via the internet. |
| US09596085B2 |
Secure battery authentication
An embodiment includes a method executed by at least one processor comprising: an out-of-band cryptoprocessor receiving security credentials from a battery, which is included in a mobile computing node that comprises the at least one processor, while the mobile computing node is engaged in at least one of (a) booting, and (b) exchanging the battery after booting and during run-time; the cryptoprocessor accessing an authentication key; and the cryptoprocessor successfully authenticating the battery, via out-of-band processing, based on the security credentials and the authentication key. In an embodiment the security credentials are included in a certificate. Other embodiments are described herein. |
| US09596078B2 |
Set of servers for “machine-to-machine” communications using public key infrastructure
A set of servers can support secure and efficient “Machine to Machine” communications using an application interface and a module controller. The set of servers can record data for a plurality of modules in a shared module database. The set of servers can (i) access the Internet to communicate with a module using a module identity, (i) receive server instructions, and (iii) send module instructions. Data can be encrypted and decrypted using a set of cryptographic algorithms and a set of cryptographic parameters. The set of servers can (i) receive a module public key with a module identity, (ii) authenticate the module public key, and (iii) receive a subsequent series of module public keys derived by the module with a module identity. The application interface can use a first server private key and the module controller can use a second server private key. |
| US09596077B2 |
Community of interest-based secured communications over IPsec
A method and system for establishing secure communications between endpoints includes transmitting a first message including a token having one or more entries each corresponding to a community of interest associated with a user of the first endpoint and including an encryption key and a validation key associated with the first endpoint. The method includes receiving a second message including a second authorization token including one or more entries, each entry corresponding to a community of interest associated with a second user and including an encryption key and a validation key associated with the second endpoint. The method includes, for each community of interest associated with both users, decrypting an associated entry in the second authorization token to obtain the encryption key and validation key associated with the second endpoint. The method also includes generating a shared secret based on the key pair, transmitting a third message including the created key pair to the second endpoint, and initializing tunnel using the shared secret to derive encryption keys used for IPsec-secured communications between the endpoints. |
| US09596075B2 |
Transparent serial encryption
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for configuring and using one or more block ciphering techniques in order to encrypt/decrypt serial data streams while maintaining cryptographic synchronization and attempting to minimize the amount of overhead introduced into the stream. The techniques disclosed herein may be used to encrypt and decrypt serial data streams using a block cipher in a manner that can be substantially transparent to the devices involved in the serial communication session. For example, the serial user data may be left unframed by the encryption device while monitoring for opportunistic times to transmit framed cryptographic synchronization information during periods of relative inactivity in an asynchronous serial data stream. A cryptographic device implementing the techniques described herein may be configured to implement one or more of an encryption device or a decryption device. |
| US09596074B2 |
Clock recovery for data signals
Embodiments of the present invention provide improved techniques for recovering clock information from data signals. In one embodiment, a general purpose device such as a real-time oscilloscope acquires a data signal. The device takes a derivative of the data signal, then computes the square or absolute of the derivative before applying a bandpass filter. The bandpass filter is a windowing function a spectrum that is wider than the clock, and has a flat top and smooth transitions on both sides. In one embodiment, at Tukey window may be used. The device finds edge crossing times of the filtered result, and applies a phase-locked loop or lowpass filter to the edge crossing times in order to recover a stable clock signal. When the improved techniques are implemented in software, they may be used with any number of different equalizers that are required by various high-speed serial data link systems. |
| US09596070B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for device-to-device communication
A UE for a cellular communication network is disclosed. The UE is adapted to communicate in a duplex mode with a network node of the cellular communication network, transmitting data to the network node in a UL duplex resource, and receiving data from the network node in a DL duplex resource. The UE is further capable of direct D2D communication with another UE of the cellular communication network using the UL duplex resource. The UE comprises a transceiver adapted to, as part of a D2D control procedure, receive, from the network node, a grant to listen to a transmission in the UL duplex resource from the other UE to the network node. Furthermore, the transceiver is adapted to, as part of the D2D control procedure, in response to receiving said grant, listen to said transmission in the UL duplex resource from the other UE, and determine a quality metric of said transmission from the other UE as received by the transceiver of the UE. A corresponding network node and corresponding methods are also disclosed. |
| US09596069B2 |
Narrow bandwidth device in a broadband network
Technology for communicating with a narrow bandwidth wireless device in a broadband network is disclosed. One method can include the wireless device retrieving at least one of secondary narrow bandwidth device region (NBDR) configuration information or primary NBDR configuration information from a primary NBDR located in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) region of a subframe. The primary NBDR and the secondary NBDRs can be subsets of frequency resources within a wide bandwidth subframe. The wireless device can receive data in at least one of the primary NBDR and the secondary NBDR based on the configuration information. The primary NBDR can be located in the central part of a signal bandwidth spectrum including direct current (DC) subcarrier. The secondary NBDR can use frequency resources within the subframe not used by the primary NBDR. |
| US09596067B2 |
Method and apparatus for transceiving channel status information in wireless communication system supporting cooperative transmission
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. A method for reporting CSI (Channel State Information) in a cooperative multi-point (CoMP) wireless communication system, the method performed by a user equipment (UE) and comprising receiving first resource configuration information for a CSI-RS (Channel-State Information-Reference Signal) and second resource configuration information for interference measurement; and calculating CSI using the first resource configuration information and the second resource configuration information, the CSI being for one or more base stations (BSs) among a plurality of BSs participating the COMP, wherein an interference measurement resource according to the second resource configuration information exists in a union of zero-power CSI-RS resources of each of the plurality of BSs. |
| US09596065B2 |
Enhanced SRS transmission for MIMO operation in LTE-A
Enhanced sounding reference signal (SRS) transmissions for multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) operation are disclosed in which a user equipment (UE) detects an observed interference level for each receiver chain of the UE. In response to an imbalance, the UE precodes a SRS targeting downlink operation to indicate the imbalance. The UE then transmits the precoded SRS. In alternative aspects, the precoded SRS vector may be determined by an evolved nodeB (eNB). In such aspects, the eNB determines the precoded SRS vector targeting downlink operations for the served UEs, wherein the determined precoded SRS vector includes determining the precoded SRS vector on a per UE basis, enabling the precoded SRS vector for either one or both of frequency division duplex (FDD) systems and time division duplex (TDD) systems, or enabling the precoded SRS vector for aperiodic SRS only. The eNB then transmits the determined precoded SRS vector to the UE. |
| US09596064B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting or receiving downlink signal
A method for receiving a downlink signal by user equipment in a wireless communication system that supports coordinated multiple-point transmission and reception (CoMP) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes receiving information regarding two candidate demodulation reference signal (DMRS) groups for generating a sequence of downlink demodulation reference signals; and generating a sequence of downlink demodulation reference signals using one of at least two candidate DMRS configuration parameter sets. Each of at least two candidate DMRS configuration parameter sets includes a cell identifier and a scrambling identifier. The scrambling identifier included in one of at least two candidate DMRS configuration parameter sets may be determined whether the two cell identifiers included respectively in at least two candidate DMRS configuration parameter sets are the same or not. |
| US09596060B1 |
Tone block allocation for orthogonal frequency division multiple access data unit
A method for transmitting a first field and one or more second fields is described. A number of devices in a group of multiple devices to which a first OFDMA data unit is to be transmitted is selected. A block allocation that indicates respective integer numbers of different tone blocks of a WLAN communication channel to be assigned to each device in the group of multiple devices is selected. A first field is encoded to indicate both the selected number of devices in the group and the selected block allocation. One or more second fields are encoded to indicate a respective device identifier for each device in the group of multiple devices. The first field and the one or more second fields are transmitted to each device in the group of multiple devices. |
| US09596054B1 |
Optical fiber signal quality measuring and reporting in aviation systems and related method
A system and method are disclosed for measurement and reporting of signal quality in an optical data link in terms of Bit Error Rate (BER). The system and method of optical fiber signal quality measurement is highly accurate in early determination of signal degradation, is computationally simple in implementation, and is immune to instability with variable temperature and other environmental factors. Counting a number of error free Cyclic Redundancy Checks (CRC) of a plurality of video signals, the computationally simple method limits the data analysis required to determine a link OK, a link degraded and a link fault status of the optical data link. |
| US09596049B2 |
Secure open-air communication system utilizing multi-channel decoyed transmission
A secure communication system utilizes multiple “decoy” data signals to hide one or more true data signals. The true data signal(s) are encrypted, and received at a scrambling unit according to an original set of channel assignments. The channel assignments are optically switched with multiple decoy data signals to form a multi-channel “scrambled” output signal that is thereafter transmitted across a communication system. The greater the number of decoy signals, the greater the security provided to the open-air system. Further security may be provided by encrypting the decoy signals prior to scrambling and/or by utilizing a spatially diverse set of transmitters and receivers. Without the knowledge of the channel assignment(s) for the true signal(s), an eavesdropper may be able to intercept (and, with time, perhaps descramble) the open-air transmitted signals, will not be able to distinguish the true data from the decoys without also knowing the channel assignment(s). |
| US09596048B2 |
Method for sharing optical fiber for cloud-based wired and wireless access network, and system and apparatus for same
A system for sharing an optical fiber for a cloud-based wired and wireless access network, includes: a centralization device to generate summing signals by respectively summing multi-channel optical signals input from a wireless donor unit group and by summing multi-channel wired signals input from a wired donor unit group or generate wavelength-converted signals by wavelength-converting the multi-channel optical signals or the multi-channel wired signals, multiplex the summing signals or the wavelength-converted signals, and distribute the summing signals or the wavelength-converted signals to a plurality of devices connected to the centralization device via a shared optical fiber; and a distribution device group to generate corresponding optical signals by demultiplexing the summing signals or the wavelength-converted signals in units of wavelengths, and transmit the corresponding optical signals or the multi-channel wired signals to a wireless remote unit group and/or a wired remote unit group via a preset optical fiber. |
| US09596046B2 |
Optical line terminal and optical network unit
An optical line terminal which includes an observing unit that observes information of any one or all of an arrival interval of frames, an instantaneous bandwidth under use of a flow, a queue length of a queue temporarily storing the frames, and a traffic type, and a stop determining unit that dynamically determines a sleep time to be a period in which a sleep state where partial functions of the ONU are stopped is maintained, on the basis of the information obtained by the observing unit. The ONU is entered into a sleep state, immediately after communication ends, after a predetermined waiting time passes from when the communication ends, or after a waiting time determined on the basis of the information passes from when the communication ends. |
| US09596044B2 |
Method and apparatus for analog and digital audio blend for HD radio receivers
A method and apparatus are provided for blending analog and digital portions of a composite digital radio broadcast signal by processing compressed audio packets to compute corresponding digital audio quality indicator values, storing the compressed audio packets in an audio blend buffer, processing audio information from each compressed audio packet stored in the audio blend buffer with an audio decoder to generate decompressed digital audio signal samples, and using the digital audio quality indicator values to guide a blending process for combining analog audio signal samples with the digital audio signal samples to produce an audio output by preventing unnecessary blending back and forth between analog and digital if the digital audio quality indicator values indicate that the compressed audio packets are degraded or impaired. |
| US09596043B2 |
Quality prediction method and device for physical downlink control channel of long term evolution system
Provided are a quality prediction method and device for a physical downlink control channel of a long term evolution system. In the method, a target user equipment (UE) requiring physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) quality prediction is determined, and information reported by the target UE is received. According to the reported information, a prediction index of the target UE is determined, wherein the prediction index is a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) of the control channel or an equivalent reception level (RPPDCCH) of the control channel. According to the SINR or the RPPDCCH, the PDCCH quality of the target UE is determined. The present document can be applied to provide more accurate and highly efficient control channel quality prediction for LTE users without adding measurement and signalling, thereby achieving the purpose of providing a quick and precise positioning basis for a control channel element (CCE) resource and power allocation algorithm of an Evolved Node B (eNodeB). |
| US09596039B2 |
Method and device for testing radio frequency index and wireless index of active antenna system
A method and apparatus for testing a radio frequency index and a wireless index of an active antenna system are provided. A probe-type testing cover based on a near field coupling mode is adopted to test the radio frequency index of the tested active antenna system. The method comprises testing cover monomer calibration, testing cover environment calibration, radio frequency index test, putting the tested active antenna system into the testing cover, wherein the test environment is the same as the calibration environment, and performing radio frequency test on the tested active antenna system through a radio frequency port of a test probe after compensating the test environment according to a calibration result obtained from the calibration. Further a comprehensive testing method is provided. |
| US09596038B2 |
Random spread spectrum modulation
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a spread spectrum clocking signal. In a frequency synthesizer, a sequence of values may be generated and used to modulate a frequency of an input signal to the frequency synthesizer. |
| US09596034B2 |
High brightness dense wavelength multiplexing laser
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for beam wavelength stabilization and output beam combining in dense wavelength multiplexing (DWM) systems. Systems and methods are described for performing beam wavelength stabilization and output beam combining in DWM systems while achieving increased wall-plug efficiency and enhanced beam quality. Interferometric external resonator configurations can be used to greatly increase the brightness of DWM system output beams by stabilizing the wavelengths of the beams emitted by the emitters of the DWM laser source. The resonant cavities described by the present disclosure provide advantages over the prior art in the form of decreased cost, increased wall plug efficiency and increased output beam quality. Particular implementations of the disclosure achieve increased wall plug efficiency and increased output beam quality through a combination of innovative cavity designs and the utilization of reflection diffraction elements for beam combining. |
| US09596033B2 |
Optical paired channel transceiver and system
An optical paired channel transceiver component comprises an optical channel interface to concurrently receive an inbound optical signal at a designated receiver frequency, and output an outbound optical signal at a designated transmitter frequency distinct from the receiver frequency; a receiver operable to process the inbound optical signal at the receiver frequency; a laser input interface to receive a laser input at the transmitter frequency to produce the outbound optical signal; and a resonant optical structure optically coupling each of the laser input interface and the receiver to the optical channel interface via respective optical paths, and having a resonance corresponding to one of the transmitter frequency and the receiver frequency such that a resonant one of the inbound signal and the outbound signal is resonantly redirected by the resonant optical structure along a resonant one of the respective paths. |
| US09596027B2 |
Signal deformation measurement on polarization-multiplexed signals
There is provided a method and an apparatus for determining quality parameters on a polarization-multiplexed optical signal based on an analysis of the power spectral density of the Signal-Under-Test (SUT). The method is predicated upon knowledge of the spectral shape of the signal in the absence of significant noise or spectral deformation. This knowledge is provided by a reference optical spectrum trace. Based on this knowledge and under the assumption that ASE noise level is approximately constant in wavelength over a given spectral range, the spectral deformation of the signal contribution of the SUT may be estimated using a comparison of the spectral variations of the optical spectrum trace of the SUT with that of the reference optical spectrum trace. |
| US09596026B2 |
Data communication systems and methods
The present invention provides systems and methods for improved data communication between communication terminals such as a base station and an unmanned aerial vehicle. In some instances, the systems and methods described herein provide robust transmission uplink data such as control data and wideband transmission of downlink data such as image data or other sensor data, while avoiding interference between the uplink data transmission and the downlink transmission. |
| US09596023B2 |
Satellite communication centre
The invention provides a computer-implemented system (and corresponding method) arranged and configured to manage, manipulate or monitor a plurality of devices provided in association with a unit. The unit may be a vehicle or structure, such as an automotive vehicle, a boat, a trailer or building. The vehicle or structure may be an incident command unit. The invention enables a user to monitor or manage the plurality of devices via a consolidated interface. The plurality of devices may include a satellite support mechanism supporting satellite-related equipment provided in association with the unit; and the system may comprise a satellite controller component to enable a user to manipulate and/or re-orientate the satellite support mechanism via the consolidated interface. |
| US09596021B2 |
Method for identifying interfering transmitters from a plurality of known satellite transmitters
A method for identifying interfering transmitters, wherein, for each of the satellite transmitters present, a comparison parameter is identified for each transmitter, where the signal is divided into signal periods, each of the samples is normalized, a sampling vector is then created for each of the normalized samples, the sampling vectors are entered into a signal matrix, the elements of the signal matrix are normalized, a singular value decomposition of the signal matrix is performed, and lines of a unitary matrix identified for the signal are used as a comparison parameter for preparation of the signal, and where an interference signal is identified for determining an interfering transmitter for the signal, and a comparison parameter is likewise identified therefor. |
| US09596012B2 |
Precoding-related signal transmitting or receiving method and apparatus
The present specification relates to a precoding-related information transmitting or receiving method and apparatus. A precoder-related information receiving method by a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present specification comprises the steps of: transmitting an aperiodic channel state information (CSI) report; receiving a rank indicator and a first precoder indicator from a base station; acquiring a second precoder indicator included in the most recent aperiodic CSI report which corresponds to the rank indicator in the aperiodic CSI reports transmitted by the user equipment; and receiving a signal using the first precoder indicator and the second precoder indicator. According to an embodiment of the present specification, precoding-related information can be effectively transmitted or received. |
| US09596009B2 |
Multicast control channel design
A system for providing a multicast control channel (MCCH) including information related to a service is provided. The system includes a processor programmed to promote transmission of a MCCH including a multi-cell information portion that contains information common to a plurality of cells in a wireless telecommunications network, and a cell-specific information portion that contains information specific to one of the cells. A method for providing control information is also provided. The method includes transmitting a multicast control channel (MCCH) including information related to a service, wherein the MCCH has a cell-specific portion that contains information specific to a specific cell in a telecommunications network, and wherein the MCCH has a multi-cell portion that contains information common to a plurality of cells in the telecommunications network. |
| US09596005B2 |
Wireless energy transfer using variable size resonators and systems monitoring
A variable shape magnetic resonator includes an array of at least two resonators each being of a substantially different shapes and at least one power and control circuit configured to selectively connect to and energize at least one of the resonators. |
| US09596004B2 |
Method and system of communicating personal health data in a near field communication environment
A method and a system for communicating personal health data in a Near Field Communication (NFC) environment are provided. An NFC manager sets control information in an NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) for providing synchronized communication of personal health data between the NFC manager and an NFC agent. The control information may include a direction flag, a state flag, sequence identifier field, and request/response flag. The NFC manager writes the NDEF format including the control information and payload data into an NFC tag associated with the NFC agent. Subsequently, the NFC manager reads the NDEF record stored in the NFC tag and determines whether the NDEF record is written into the NFC tag by the NFC agent based on the control information in the read NDEF format. Accordingly, the NFC manager repeats the above mentioned steps if the NDEF record includes payload data of the NFC agent. |
| US09596003B2 |
Near field communication devices, systems, and methods using Q factor adjustments
An NFC (near field communication) device can include a resonance unit and an NFC chip. The resonance unit may communicate with an external device through an electromagnetic wave. The NFC chip can provide output data to the resonance unit, receive input data from the resonance unit, and can reduce a Q factor (quality factor) of the resonance unit when a signal receive operation is performed in a card mode, and can maintain the Q factor of the resonance unit in a reader mode and when a signal transmit operation is performed in the card mode. |
| US09596001B2 |
Apparatus for providing communication services and methods thereof
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for modulating a first electrical signal to generate first modulated electromagnetic waves, and transmitting the first modulated electromagnetic waves on a waveguide located in proximity to a transmission medium. In one embodiment, the first electromagnetic waves can induce second electromagnetic waves that propagate on an outer surface of the transmission medium. The second electromagnetic waves can have a first spectral range that is divided into, contains or otherwise includes a first control channel and a first plurality of bands. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09596000B2 |
Method for selecting optimal central controller in power line network
The present invention is to provide a method for selecting the optimal central controller in a power line network, which is applicable to the power line network including at least one terminal device, at least one network device and a plurality of controllers. The controllers are respectively installed with a central controller evaluation and selection software and connected to the terminal device and/or network device, and can communicate with one other through power line. The method is performed by a central controller, that is determined by negotiation between the controllers, via the software and includes the steps of detecting and calculating the connected states of the controllers in the power line network; selecting the optimal controller according to the connected states, assigning the optimal controller as new central controller, and notifying the new central controller to the other controllers, so as to optimize the performance of the power line network. |
| US09595996B2 |
Wireless communications systems using multiple radios
The present invention relates to a communication system and methods of use thereof. The system includes sets of complementary radios for transmitting and receiving signals to achieve high reliability and reduced costs. The sets of complementary radios are in wireless communication with each other. A new connection is made by selecting from amongst the complementary radios. Switching between complementary radios during a connection is also permitted. Optimized protocols and hardware for implementing the system are disclosed. |
| US09595995B2 |
Systems and methods for signal processing using power spectral density shape
A signal processing method is provided. The signal processing method includes receiving, at a signal processing system, a signal of interest, calculating, using the signal processing system, a power spectral density for the signal of interest, calculating, using the signal processing system, a basis vector based on the power spectral density shape, performing, using the signal processing system, a linear regression using the basis vector to generate an estimate for at least one parameter of the signal of interest, and transmitting, based on the at least one generated estimate, a signal that avoids interference with the signal of interest. |
| US09595992B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a cover panel and a case, and at least a board disposed therebetween. A plurality of components are disposed on a board and have heights different from one another. A gap reduction member is disposed so as to face the plurality of components. Steps are formed on the gap reduction member in accordance with the heights of the plurality of components which faces the plurality of components to reduce breakage of a cover panel of the electronic apparatus. |
| US09595989B1 |
Rain fade mitigation in a satellite communications system
A beam plan that defines beams generated by a satellite that satisfy a set of communication service requirements is obtained. Fade condition information that indicates an amount of fade at particular geographic areas for one or more of the beams is obtained. A modification to the beam plan that mitigates the amount of fade at the particular geographic areas for the one or more of the beams is determined. The beam plan is modified based on the determined modification. |
| US09595986B2 |
Method and system for extending dynamic range of receiver by compensating for non-linear distortion
A method is provided for extending dynamic range of a receiver. The method includes receiving a known input signal at the receiver, detecting a first output signal in response to the known input signal, and determining a correction function based on the first output signal and the known input signal for compensating for non-linear distortion introduced by the receiver. The method further includes receiving an unknown input signal at the receiver, detecting a second output signal in response to the unknown input signal, and applying the correction function to the second output signal in a time domain to recover the unknown input signal. |
| US09595984B2 |
Concept for transmitting and receiving an information symbol
Devices, methods and examples concerning a concept for transmitting an information symbol from a symbol alphabet (I0; I1; I2; I3). For a first information symbol (I1) from the symbol alphabet, a first signal sequence (S1) is transmitted. For a second information symbol (I2) of the symbol alphabet, a second signal sequence (S2) is transmitted. A cross-correlation between the first signal sequence (S1) and the second signal sequence (S2) is lower than a predetermined cross-correlation threshold (Ψthreshold). For a third information symbol (I3) of the symbol alphabet, a third signal sequence (S3) is transmitted such that both a cross-correlation between the third signal sequence (S3) and the first signal sequence (S1) and also a cross-correlation between the third signal sequence (S3) and the second signal sequence (S2) are above the predetermined cross-correlation threshold (Ψthreshold). |
| US09595982B2 |
Relaxed digitization system linearization
An approach to linearization relaxes the requirements on the digitization of the analog output signal while maintaining the benefits of a high sampling rate of the output signal. The digitization approach extracts sufficient information to characterize the output signal over a wide bandwidth without necessarily determining sufficient information to fully represent the output signal, for example, without sampling the output signal at the Nyquist sampling rate with a sufficient precision to accurately represent the signal. |
| US09595980B2 |
Oscillation circuit and transmitter including the same
Provided is an oscillation circuit including a voltage adjuster adjusting a magnitude of a power supply voltage according to a digital signal, an LC tank circuit connected between first and second nodes and generating a resonance signal on a basis of the magnitude adjusted power supply voltage, and a differential amplification circuit oscillating the resonance signal or modifying an oscillation state of the resonance signal to output first and second output voltage signals to the first and second nodes, respectively. |
| US09595978B2 |
Transmitting apparatus and interleaving method thereof
A transmitting apparatus is provided. The transmitting apparatus includes: an encoder configured to generate a low-density parity check (LDPC) codeword by LDPC encoding based on a parity check matrix; an interleaver configured to interleave the LDPC codeword; and a modulator configured to map the interleaved LDPC codeword onto a modulation symbol, wherein the modulator is further configured to map a bit included in a predetermined bit group from among a plurality of bit groups constituting the LDPC codeword onto a predetermined bit of the modulation symbol. |
| US09595977B2 |
LDPC decoder with efficient circular shifters
A decoder includes variable-node circuitry, check-node circuitry and a Message Passing (MP) module, which includes multiple configurable partial cyclic shifters that each supports only a partial subset of shift values out of a full range of shift values 0 . . . L−1. The variable-node circuitry and check-node circuitry are configured to exchange messages with one another in accordance with a parity check matrix that represents a respective Quasi-Cyclic (QC)-Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) Error Correcting Code (ECC) and that includes L-by-L sub-matrices, and to process the exchanged messages to decode a given code word that was encoded using the QC-LDPC ECC. The MP module is configured to schedule the variable-node circuitry and check-node circuitry that are interconnected in accordance with a respective sub-matrix to exchange L messages simultaneously by assigning a given partial cyclic shifter to shift the L messages cyclically a number of positions that depends on a structure of the respective sub-matrix. |
| US09595976B1 |
Folded integer encoding
Techniques of data compression involve performing a separate compression operation on each set of corresponding bits of a sequence of bit strings in which each bit string represents a number having an upper bound. Advantageously, compressing the sets of corresponding bits produces an improved compression ratio over compressing each number in the sequence. Further, decompression is straightforward as long as sequence order is preserved and the upper bound of each number in the sequence is known. |
| US09595972B2 |
Digital phase locked loop arrangement with master clock redundancy
Master clock redundancy is provided for a digital phase locked loop having a digital controlled oscillator (DCO) driven by a master clock source, for example, a crystal oscillator. One of a plurality of a crystal oscillators generating clock signals is selected to drive the DCO. The performance of the crystal oscillators is monitored, and the DCO is switched from being driven by a previously selected crystal oscillator to a newly selected crystal oscillator upon loss of a clock signal from the previously selected crystal oscillator or when the performance of the previously selected crystal oscillator falls below a predetermined acceptable level. |
| US09595969B2 |
Reciprocal quantum logic comparator for qubit readout
One aspect of the present invention includes a reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) readout system. The system includes an input stage on which a read pulse is provided and an output stage configured to propagate an output pulse. The system also includes an RQL comparator comprising a first Josephson junction and a second Josephson junction that are coupled to a qubit. A bias current switches between a first Josephson junction in a first quantum state of the qubit and a second Josephson junction in a second quantum state of the qubit. The first Josephson junction triggers to provide the output pulse on the output stage in the first quantum state in response to the read pulse and the second Josephson junction triggers to provide no output pulse on the output stage in the second quantum state in response to the read pulse. |
| US09595968B2 |
Cross point switch
A cross point switch, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a plurality of tri-state repeaters coupled to form a plurality of multiplexers. Each set of corresponding tri-state repeaters in the plurality of multiplexers share a front end module such that delay through the cross point switch due to input capacitance is reduced as compared to conventional cross point switches. |
| US09595967B2 |
Level shift circuit and driver circuit
According to one embodiment, a level shift circuit includes first through fourth transistors, a control circuit, and first and second generating circuits. The control circuit outputs a first voltage obtained by level-shifting an input voltage to a first terminal. The first transistor supplies a first electric current to the control circuit for outputting the first voltage to the first terminal. The second transistor increases the first electric current. The first generating circuit generates a first pulse signal for controlling the second transistor. The third transistor supplies a second electric current to the first terminal for generating a second voltage corresponding to a first supply of a low-potential side. The fourth transistor increases the second electric current. The second generating circuit generates a second pulse signal for controlling the fourth transistor. |
| US09595966B2 |
Level shifter and non-volatile memory device using the same
The level shifter of an embodiment includes a first level shifter configured to output an intermediate signal wherein a high voltage is a positive supply voltage or a positive voltage by inputting an input signal and a low voltage is a negative supply voltage, to an intermediate signal node and an inverted intermediate signal node and a second level shifter configured to output a low voltage to an output terminal and an inverted output terminal by receiving input of the intermediate signal and altering the low voltage to the negative supply voltage or a negative voltage. |
| US09595964B2 |
Programmable logic device
An object is to provide a programmable logic device having logic blocks connected to each other by a programmable switch, where the programmable switch is characterized by an oxide semiconductor transistor incorporated therein. The extremely low off-state current of the oxide semiconductor transistor provides a function as a non-volatile memory due to its high ability to hold a potential of a gate electrode of a transistor which is connected to the oxide semiconductor transistor. The ability of the oxide semiconductor transistor to function as a non-volatile memory allows the configuration data for controlling the connection of the logic blocks to be maintained even in the absence of a power supply potential. Hence, the rewriting process of the configuration data at starting of the device can be omitted, which contributes to the reduction in power consumption of the device. |
| US09595958B1 |
Semiconductor device and driving method for the same
The semiconductor device includes a switching arm unit in which first and second wide bandgap semiconductor elements, each having a body diode, are connected in series between a positive line and a negative line; a current detecting unit that detects a current in at least a wide bandgap semiconductor element in which a flyback current flows; and a semiconductor element driving unit that drives the first and second wide bandgap semiconductor elements. When driving one of the wide bandgap semiconductor elements, the semiconductor element driving unit determines, by referring to a fault inhibiting characteristic curve, whether a flyback current detection value of the other wide bandgap semiconductor elements falls within a fault growth region or a fault inhibiting region, and when a result of the determination indicates that the flyback current detection value is within the fault growth region, inhibits a current flowing in the one wide bandgap semiconductor element. |
| US09595948B2 |
Semiconductor device having a double-gate switching element
A semiconductor device has a drive unit outputting a first drive signal to a first electrode and a second drive signal to a second electrode, an instruction signal generation unit generating an instruction signal as a basis of the drive signals and a control unit outputting a first control signal as a basis of the first drive signal and a second control signal as a basis of the second drive signal, based on the instruction signal to control the drive unit. The control unit synchronizes the first control signal with the instruction signal, delays a turning-on timing of the second control signal by a predetermined time relative to the instruction signal and determines a turning-off timing of the second control signal based on a previous pulse width of the instruction signal. |
| US09595943B2 |
Implementing broadband resonator for resonant clock distribution
A method and circuit for implementing a broadband resonator for resonant clock distribution, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The circuit includes a pair of first inductors, and a second inductor and a capacitor coupled between a respective first end of the respective first inductors. An opposite free end of the respective first inductors is connected to a respective clock transmission line and connected in parallel to a load capacitance. A frequency response of the circuit includes two poles and a zero in a frequency band of the resonant clock distribution system. |
| US09595936B2 |
Reconfigurable bandstop filter
A reconfigurable bandstop filter and methods of designing and reconfiguring the bandstop filter are disclosed. The reconfigurable bandstop filter includes a plurality of transmission lines each including a phase shifter. The reconfigurable bandstop filter further includes a signal input port having a phase shifter and a signal output port having a phase shifter. The signal input port and the signal output port is coupled to the plurality of transmission lines. |
| US09595932B2 |
Adaptive music playback system
An adaptive music playback system is disclosed. The system includes a composition system that receives information corresponding to user activity levels. The composition system modifies the composition of a song in response to changes in user activity. The modifications are made according to a set of composition rules to facilitate smooth musical transitions. |
| US09595931B2 |
Two differential amplifier configuration
An apparatus is disclosed for providing a common mode voltage to the inputs of a first differential amplifier which outputs the difference between two signals. A second differential amplifier receives the output of the first differential amplifier, and the output of the second differential amplifier is fed back to the inputs of the first differential amplifier as a common mode voltage. Since both inputs of the first differential amplifier receive the fed back common mode voltage, the first differential amplifier still outputs only the difference in the two signals, but the presence of the common mode voltage allows the first differential amplifier to operate with lower noise if the voltage levels of the inputs to the first differential amplifier vary. The second differential amplifier may be of significantly lower quality and cost than the first differential amplifier, without affecting the performance of the first differential amplifier. |
| US09595928B2 |
Bias circuits and methods for depletion mode semiconductor devices
A Radio Frequency (RF) amplifier includes a depletion mode semiconductor device having a gate, a bias device and an inverting circuit. The depletion mode semiconductor device may be a HEMT and/or a MESFET. The bias device is configured to generate a bias voltage. The inverting circuit is configured to generate an inverted bias voltage from the bias voltage, and to apply the inverted bias voltage to the gate. Related circuits and methods are described. |
| US09595924B2 |
Calibration for power amplifier predistortion
In one embodiment, a method comprising during a first calibration instance, converting at a first transconductance stage a first output voltage from a power amplifier of a transceiver to a first set of current signals; and during a second calibration instance not overlapping the first calibration instance, converting at a second transconductance stage a second output voltage from the power amplifier to a second set of current signals. |
| US09595923B2 |
Systems and methods for optimizing amplifier operations
Methods and systems for optimizing amplifier operations are described. The described methods and systems particularly describe a feed-forward control circuit that may also be used as a feed-back control circuit in certain applications. The feed-forward control circuit provides a control signal that may be used to configure an amplifier in a variety of ways. |
| US09595921B2 |
Power amplifier having a common input and a plurality of outputs
Power amplifier having a common input and a plurality of outputs. In some embodiments, a power amplifier can include a plurality of signal paths having a common input node. Each signal path can include a dedicated amplifier stage, and be configured to be capable of amplifying a radio-frequency (RF) signal received at the common input node. The power amplifier can further include a bias selector configured to provide a bias signal to the dedicated amplifier stage of a selected one of the plurality of signal paths to thereby allow amplification of the RF signal through the selected signal path. Such a power amplifier can be implemented in products such as a die, a module, and a wireless device. |
| US09595920B2 |
Hardware-efficient compensator for outphasing power amplifiers
Digital compensators for use in outphasing-based power amplification systems (e.g., Linear Amplification using Nonlinear Components (LINC) amplifiers and Asymmetric Multilevel Outphasing (AMO) amplifiers) include a short memory nonlinear portion and a long memory linear time invariant (LTI) portion. In various embodiments, compensators are provided that are of relatively low complexity and that are capable of operation at throughputs exceeding a Gigasample per second. |
| US09595918B2 |
Stable microwave-frequency source based on cascaded brillouin lasers
A microwave-frequency source, generating an output electrical signal at an output frequency fM, comprises a pump laser source, an optical resonator, and a photodetector. Free spectral range vFSR of the optical resonator equals an integer submultiple of a Brillouin shift frequency vB of the optical resonator (i.e., vB=MvFSR). The pump laser source is frequency-locked to a corresponding resonant optical mode of the optical resonator. Pumping the optical resonator with output of the pump laser source at a pump frequency vpump results in stimulated Brillouin laser oscillation in the optical resonator at respective first, second, and third Stokes Brillouin-shifted frequencies v1=vpump−vB, v2=vpump−2vB, and v3=vpump−3vB. The photodetector receives stimulated Brillouin laser outputs at the first and third Stokes Brillouin-shifted frequencies v1 and v3 and generates therefrom the output electrical signal at a beat frequency fM=v1−v3=2vB. The output electrical signal at the output frequency fM exhibits exceptionally low phase noise. |
| US09595917B2 |
Antiferromagnetically coupled spin-torque oscillator with hard perpendicular polarizer
An apparatus includes a polarizer, a first free layer, a second free layer, and an antiferromagnetic (AF) coupling layer. The polarizer has a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). The polarizer, the first free layer, the second free layer, and the AF coupling layer are included in a spin-torque oscillator (STO). The AF coupling layer is positioned between the first free layer and the second free layer. |
| US09595914B2 |
Electronic component, electronic apparatus, and moving object
An electronic component includes a wiring substrate, a heating element, a first support, a second support, and a container. The heating element, the first support, and the second support are electrically connected to the wiring substrate. Each of the first support and the second support includes a protrusion portion, and the protrusion portion of the second support is shorter than the protrusion portion of the first support. |
| US09595913B2 |
Solar cell apparatus
Provided is a solar cell apparatus. The solar cell apparatus includes: a substrate; a first cell group on the substrate; a second cell group on the substrate; a first diode connected in parallel to the first cell group; and a second diode connected in parallel to the second cell group. |
| US09595912B2 |
Light concentrator and a solar cell
A light concentrator of an embodiment includes: a first high refractive index layer, a first low refractive index layer, and a second high refractive index layer stacked in sequence, wherein a surface on the first low refractive index layer side of the first high refractive index layer has a periodic concavoconvex region. |
| US09595910B2 |
Solar assembly and method of forming same
Various aspect provide for a solar assembly. The solar assembly may be a mechanical structure that allows many small solar cells to be integrated into the wing design of an aircraft without placing them on the surface area of the wing or the vehicle. Additional aspects may provide for an adjustable solar assembly. The adjustable solar assembly may be configured to be installed into a structure having a structural profile. When installed, the solar assembly may conform to the structural profile such that the structural profile is maintained. The solar assembly may further comprise an adjustable carrier system comprising a plurality of solar cells attached thereto. The adjustable carrier system may be configured to dynamically adjust the orientation of the solar cells so as to maintain an optimal angle with respect to an external light source. |
| US09595908B2 |
Power converter
A method for a power conversion apparatus to drive an electric motor using a power semiconductor device. The method includes detecting or estimating a temperature of the power semiconductor device to thereby obtain a detected or estimated temperature value, adjusting a torque command of the electric motor, so that the temperature of the power semiconductor device matches a preset temperature when the detected or estimated temperature value is equal to or higher than the preset temperature, and controlling the power semiconductor device using the adjusted torque command. |
| US09595906B2 |
Motor control apparatus having function for protecting LCL filter
A motor control apparatus includes: a PWM rectifier which converts an AC power to a DC power; an LCL filter provided between the AC power supply and the PWM rectifier; a cooling fan for cooling the LCL filter; a temperature detection unit for the LCL filter; an alarm detection unit for detecting an alarm state when a temperature detection value is a predetermined value or more; a time measurement unit for measuring elapsed time from a start of a normal operation of the PWM rectifier; and a protection unit which determines, in accordance with the elapsed time, an alarm generation cause whether the alarm state is generated due to a reverse connection of a power line of the LCL filter or due to a stop of the cooling fan when the alarm state is notified, and performs a protection operation in accordance with the alarm generation cause. |
| US09595904B2 |
Apparatus for modifying voltage command for detecting output current in inverter
An apparatus for modifying voltage command for detecting output current in inverter is disclosed to modify a PWM voltage command by determining a sector in a voltage hexagon, the sector having a PWM voltage command therein, by comparing the PWM voltage command, determining an area, the area having the PWM voltage command, within a current detection disabled area by converting a minimum sampling time to a minimum sampling PWM and using the converted minimum sampling PWM, and determining an adjusting voltage and a restoring voltage using a minimum injection voltage based on the determined area. |
| US09595902B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatus for adjusting modulation index to improve linearity of phase voltage commands
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of a multi-phase machine in a motor drive system. The disclosed embodiments provide a mechanism for adjusting modulation index of voltage commands to improve linearity of the voltage commands. |
| US09595901B2 |
Method for regulating a generator set
The invention relates to a method for regulating the output voltage of the alternator of a generator set, said generator set including a heat engine driving the alternator, the alternator including a rotor having a pole wheel. Said method includes the following step: detection of an increase in the power at the outlet of the alternator, and in the event of a detected increase, the value of the current in the polar wheel is modified in such a way as to temporarily bring the output voltage of the alternator to a value lower than the value before the detection of the increase in power, with the aim of decreasing the level of torque required from the heat engine. |
| US09595890B2 |
Switching control apparatus of load drive system
A switching control apparatus is applied to a load drive system that includes a DC voltage converter having a reactor and at least one switching element, and a power transducer including multiple switching element pairs. The switching control apparatus controls a switching timing of the switching element in the DC voltage converter and the switching element pairs in the power transducer. The switching control apparatus includes a DC voltage converter control circuit, a DC voltage converter drive circuit, a power transducer control circuit, a power transducer drive circuit, a switching prohibition period calculation portion, and a switching correction portion. |
| US09595884B2 |
Sub-sea power supply and method of use
A sub-sea power supply includes a plurality of transformers, a wet-mateable connector, and a plurality of passive rectifier circuits. Each transformer includes a primary coil and secondary coil. The primary coils are coupled in parallel. The wet-mateable connector is coupleable to a sub-sea AC power source. The wet-mateable connector is coupled to the primary coils. The plurality of passive rectifier circuits is respectively coupled to the secondary coils. The plurality of passive rectifier circuits is configured to generate substantially uniform polarity voltage outputs coupled in series. |
| US09595881B2 |
Common mode noise reduction apparatus
A common mode noise reduction apparatus includes a power converter that supplies electric power to a load; a housing that houses the power converter; a common mode inductor arranged between the power converter and the load; a power wire that passes through the common mode inductor and connects the power converter to the load; a grounding wire that passes through the common mode inductor and connects the housing and a bus of the power converter to ground potential on the load side; a first impedance element provided on the grounding wire between the load and the housing; and a second impedance element provided on the grounding wire between the bus of the power converter and the load. |
| US09595880B2 |
Automatic configuration of a load control system
A control module is able to be installed with electrical devices, such as, for example electrical loads (e.g., lighting loads) and/or load regulation devices. The control module may determine whether the electrical loads (e.g., drivers for lighting loads) are responsive to one or more of a plurality of control techniques. The control module may be able to automatically determine an appropriate control technique to use to control the connected driver and/or lighting load. The control module may sequentially attempt to control the connected driver and/or lighting load using each of the plurality of control techniques and determine if the driver and/or lighting load is responsive to the present control technique. The plurality of control techniques may include one or more analog control techniques and one or more digital control techniques. |
| US09595877B2 |
Secondary side hybrid converter apparatus and method
An apparatus comprises an isolated power converter coupled to an input dc power source, wherein the isolated power converter comprises a primary switching network operating at a fixed switching frequency, a secondary resonant tank including a dc blocking capacitor and a rectifier having two input terminals coupled to the secondary resonant tank, an output capacitor coupled between a first output terminal of the rectifier and a load and a dc/dc converter coupled between a second output terminal of the rectifier and the load. |
| US09595875B2 |
Voltage converter compensation apparatus and methods
On the secondary side of a flyback switching power converter, a compensation diode and a voltage divider with an averaging circuit generate an output current-compensated reference voltage that is proportional to converter output current. The current-compensated reference voltage is added to a regulation feedback controller reference voltage, which in turn adjusts the negative feedback signal to the PWM regulation controller on the primary side in proportion to the converter output current draw. The net effect is to increase the converter output voltage set-point in proportion to the converter output current draw as compensation for a voltage drop in a cable connecting the converter to a powered device. More precisely-regulated voltage levels may be delivered to an input of the powered device as a result. |
| US09595871B1 |
High efficiency inductive capacitive DC-DC converter
Disclosed examples include high-efficiency integrated circuits and inductive capacitive DC-DC converters with a first converter stage including first and second switches and an inductor, and a second converter stage including third and fourth switches and a flying capacitor. A dual mode control circuit regulates output voltage signal in a first mode when the output voltage signal is below a threshold by pulse width modulating the switches of the first converter stage. When the output voltage exceeds the threshold, the control circuit operates in a second mode with a first state to close the first and third switches, and a second state to close the fourth switch to connect the inductor in series with the flying capacitor. Dual mode operation of the first and second stages facilitates buck-boost operation with reduced inductor losses and converter switching losses, and the integrated circuit can be used in boost, buck or other configurations. |
| US09595863B2 |
Inverter control circuit and inverter circuit
An inverter control circuit has a quantizer configured to generate a switching signal which changes over switches of a main circuit converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage, and a filter circuit configured to generate a signal having specific transfer characteristic by using a signal correlated with an output voltage of an LC filter which smooths the AC voltage and an instruction signal corresponding to a target value of an output voltage of the main circuit, wherein the quantizer generates the switching signal by quantizing an output signal of the filter circuit. |
| US09595859B2 |
Multi-phase multi-pole electric machine
A multi-phase multi-pole electric machine attached to a vehicle. The multi-phase multi-pole electric machine includes rotor, stator with five phase windings, machine controller, and torque sensors. The machine controller controls the flow of current. The torque sensors senses the torque exerted by the vehicle and transmits the information to the machine controller. The machine controller provides four degree of control through injection of five phase currents and thus providing higher torque. |
| US09595855B2 |
Resin gear device with resin lubricating grease composition
An actuator includes a stepping motor; a multi-stage gear device including a first stage gear attached to a rotation shaft of the motor, wherein a gear of each stage engages with a gear of a next stage; and a base member on which the multi-stage gear device and the stepping motor are mounted, wherein in the multi-stage gear device, a grease composition for resin is applied to a bearing part of the gear, and to an engaging part between the gears, and the grease composition for resin includes: (a) a base oil including a poly-alpha-olefin oil with a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 4 to 6 mm2/s; (b) a thickening agent which is lithium soap; (c) a viscosity increasing agent; (d) a solid lubricant; and (e) an anti-wear agent, and wherein the NLGI consistency number of the composition is 00, 0, 1, or 2. |
| US09595854B2 |
Electric machine, moisture guide and associated method
According to an embodiment of the invention, an electric machine for use in an environment having moisture is provided. The machine includes a housing that has an inner surface defining a cavity in the housing. The housing defines a leak path exit adapted to remove moisture accumulating within the housing away from the housing. The electric machine further includes a stator secured to the housing and a rotor that is rotatably secured to the housing. The electric machine further includes a moisture guide positioned at least partially within the cavity and adapted to guide at least some of the moisture toward the leak path exit. |
| US09595852B2 |
Apparatus and method for electrically insulating end turns of a stator assembly
An apparatus and method for providing electrical insulation between adjacent end turns at different phases within a stator assembly. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a stator assembly comprising: a stator core; at least two coils of different phases wound on the stator core through the slots and having an end turn that extends from the stator core; and one or more rigid separator members positioned between adjacent end turns of the coils. |
| US09595851B2 |
Rotary electric machine
Permanent magnets that form individual magnetic poles are configured by arranging three magnet blocks to be spaced apart from each other circumferentially, the three magnet blocks are each formed such that cross-sectional shapes that are perpendicular to a central axis of a rotor core are radially outwardly convex, and circumferential widths are narrower in magnet blocks that are further away from a magnetic pole center, and the three magnet blocks that are arranged circumferentially are formed to have mirror symmetry relative to a plane that passes through the magnetic pole center and the central axis of the rotor core. |
| US09595850B2 |
Construction of motorized wheel for vehicle motorization
A motorization apparatus for a motorized wheel comprises an axle secured to a frame of a vehicle. A rotor unit has poles of magnet material. A stator unit having slots and teeth secured to the axle is inward of said rotor to define a clearance gap therewith such that the rotor unit is rotatable about the stator core. An arrangement of coils is wound around the teeth of the stator unit, the coils adapted to be powered to induce a rotation of the rotor unit relative to the stator unit. A structure comprises hub portions rotatably mounted to the axle, the structure having lateral walls defining an inner volume for the rotor unit and the stator unit, the structure supporting the rotor unit. The structure comprises attachment members connected to spokes of the motorized wheel, located radially inward of the clearance gap between the rotor unit and the stator unit. |
| US09595847B2 |
Uninterrupted lithium battery power supply system
An uninterrupted power supply system incorporates a plurality of lithium batteries as a back-up power supply to an AC power supply. In the event that there is an interruption in the AC power supply, a power output switch is automatically activated by a power control system to draw power from a lithium battery pack. In an embodiment, a battery pack is monitored by a battery management system that is coupled to battery monitoring modules couple to each battery. The battery management system may be configured to monitor the voltage and/or temperature of each battery. In another embodiment, an uninterrupted power supply system comprises a battery unit balancing system that maintains each battery within a battery unit below a threshold voltage value. A charging circuit and discharging circuit are used to maintain the batteries in a ready state of charge when not being used for the output power. |
| US09595846B2 |
Automatic transfer switch
Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an automatic transfer switch (ATS) of a power system. The ATS allows for switching between two or more power systems while preventing back-feeding of the power systems. To provide the safety features of the ATS, a safety circuit and control board may be implemented with the magnetic latching relays to control the actions of the latching relays and provide the switching function of the ATS. In one particular embodiment, the safety board comprises one or more electromechanical relays positioned between the controlling electronics of the control board and the magnetic latching relays. The safety board design contains measures to ensure it still functions if one of the disconnect switches is not connected, if one of the connections to a first load phase, a second load phase or neutral is lost and if the main control board is not connected. |
| US09595845B2 |
Methods and systems for emergency lighting
Methods and systems for emergency lighting are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide a solid-state lighting system, light fixture or a collection of light fixtures, with a control input that is used to cause the system to dim to a specific level during an outage in order to conserve power in a building where power is backed up by an emergency inverter or a back-up generator. With embodiments of the invention, there is no need to run a separate power feed, as might otherwise be required for keeping distributed batteries charged or for running specified emergency-only fixtures from back-up power. In some embodiments the solid-state lighting system includes an occupancy sensor wherein the specified light output level is determined at least in part based on the occupancy of a room. In some embodiments, the system can be selectively configured for the specified output level. |
| US09595843B2 |
Battery charging apparatus and battery charging method thereof
Disclosed is a battery charging apparatus. The battery charging apparatus includes a charging plug receiving an AC power supplied from an outside, a plurality of charging units individually converting the AC power received through the charging plug into a DC power, a battery storing the DC power output through at least one of the charging units, and a charging control unit comparing a specification of the battery with specifications of the charging units, determining at least one of the charging units to be used for charging of the battery, and controlling the charging of the battery by the at least one charging unit that is determined. |
| US09595838B2 |
Electronic apparatus, control method and recording medium
An electronic apparatus includes a power receiving unit that receives power from a power transmitting apparatus wirelessly, a connection unit that connects an external apparatus, a detection unit that detects power received by the power receiving unit, and a control unit that changes a mode of the electronic apparatus to a first mode after the detection unit detects that power received by the power receiving unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined value if the electronic apparatus is in a second mode. |
| US09595837B2 |
System of batteries of accumulators with simplified supervision
A system of batteries of accumulators includes electrochemical accumulators in series, a power connection connecting either a load or recharging power supply across the accumulators, a control device connected to the accumulators by the power connection, measuring circuits, each of which is attached to a respective accumulator and configured to measure voltage across its terminals, and communication circuits, each of which is attached to an accumulator and configured to induce a voltage drop across its terminals when the measured voltage crosses a threshold. The control device identifies this drop in voltage. |
| US09595835B2 |
Methods for manufacturing and operating a semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing and operating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a first capacitor node, a second capacitor node, a first capacitor electrode, a second capacitor electrode, a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is coupled between the first capacitor electrode and the first and second capacitor nodes such that the first switch has a first position that couples the first capacitor electrode to the first capacitor node and a second position that couples the first capacitor electrode to the second capacitor node. The second switch is coupled between the second capacitor electrode and the first and second capacitor nodes such that the second switch has a first position that couples the second capacitor electrode to the first capacitor node and a second position that couples the second capacitor electrode to the second capacitor node. |
| US09595833B2 |
Inductive power for seismic sensor node
Embodiments of systems and methods for inductively powering seismic sensor nodes are presented. An embodiment of an inductive battery includes a battery cell configured to store charge for use by an external device. The inductive battery may also include a first inductive element coupled to the battery cell, the first inductive element configured to receive current from the battery cell and emit a responsive magnetic field for powering an external device through inductance. In an embodiment the external device is a seismic sensor node. |
| US09595832B2 |
Control unit for an electrical generation/consumption system
The invention relates to a control unit for an electrical generation/consumption system including generation sources (200) and consumption units (300) connected by a distribution network (100), including a control center (400) which transmits, to controllable consumption units (310) and to controllable generation sources (210), modulation orders based on warning information received from an external operator (500), on information relating to the potential of the respective suppression of units (310), and on information relating to the respective potential of generation or of a decrease in generation of sources (210), or of the suppression of the latter, at each unit (310), a module (312) which transmits, to the center (400), data updated in real time representing the potential modulation suppression of the unit (310), and at the sources (210), a module (212) which transmits, to the control center (400), data which is updated in real time and which is representative of the potential of generation or of the decrease in the generation of the source (210), or of the suppression of the latter. |
| US09595831B2 |
Network system
A network system is provided. The network system includes: at least one component of an energy supply unit supplying energy and an energy management unit managing the energy supply unit. An amount of energy used or energy charge of the energy supply unit is adjustable. An amount of energy used or energy charge when the component is controlled on the basis of information related to at least usage charge may be less than that when the component is controlled not on the basis of the information related to at least usage charge. Also, the energy supply unit has a power saving mode to determine a driving method or a driving time of the energy supply unit on the basis of the information related to energy charge. |
| US09595830B2 |
Highly stable maximum power point tracking for bipolar photovoltaic inverters
The invention is a method of tracking the overall maximum power point of a grounded bipolar photovoltaic array by tracking and regulating the voltage of the weaker of the two monopolar subarrays at any instant in time. The transfer between subarrays being tracked for the maximum power point is seamless when the voltage of one subarray becomes lower than the other. This tracking method insures stable operation and maximum power transfer under all balanced and unbalanced PV array conditions. This tracking algorithm would typically be part of a larger digital power converter control system. |
| US09595828B2 |
Sequentially operated modules
Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation. |
| US09595824B2 |
Self-testing auto monitor ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) with power denial
A self-testing fault detector having a line side and a load side and a conductive path there between is provided. The self-testing fault detector includes an auto-monitoring circuit electrically coupled to a fault detection circuit and an interrupting device and it continuously monitors one or more signals to determine an operating state of the fault detector. At least one of the monitored signals includes a fault detection signal, wherein if said automonitoring circuit determines that the fault detection circuit is not properly driving the interrupting device, the automonitoring device converts an input-output port receiving the fault detection signal from an input to an output and drives the interrupting device into a tripped condition using the input-output port. |
| US09595818B2 |
Housing construction kit for electrical equipment, in particular including plug devices and fuses
A housing construction kit that includes at least one plug device and/or one fuse. The kit contains a housing base body with numerous installation openings and numerous installation plates. A first coding means is formed on each opening and a second coding means is formed on each plate. Every first coding means of an opening has a unique first coding and every second coding means of a plate has a unique second coding. Every second coding means of a plate is designed to be complementary to at most one first coding means of an opening and every second coding means of a plate is designed to be complementary to a first coding means of another opening as every second coding means of a plate, which is designed to be suitable for assembly of at least one plug device. |
| US09595815B2 |
Terminal block for interconnection of DPGS power and communications via meter collar
Technologies are generally described for a pocket junction box system. In an example, a pocket junction box is configured to fit inside a meter collar. The pocket junction box includes a first set of electrical terminals on a rear surface of the pocket junction box for interfacing with wire leads inside the meter collar, and a second set of electrical terminals on a front surface of the pocket junction box for interfacing with field wire leads outside the meter collar. The pocket junction box may further include at least one current transducer and at least one microprocessor for monitoring the power flow through the pocket junction box. A front casing is attached to the front surface of the pocket junction box and connected to the second set of electrical terminals. The front casing may include a communications circuit board for communicating with a meter data management system. |
| US09595814B2 |
Spark plug
A connection portion connecting a center electrode and a terminal metal fixture together in a through hole of the insulator includes a resistor and a magnetic substance structure including a magnetic substance and a conductor and being disposed on a leading end side or a rear end side of the resistor while being positioned away from the resistor. The connection portion further includes a first conductive sealing portion, a second conductive sealing portion and a third conductive sealing portion. The first conductive sealing portion is disposed on a leading end side of a first member and is in contact therewith. The second conductive sealing portion is disposed between the first member and a second member and is in contact with the first and second members. The third conductive sealing portion is disposed on a rear end side of the second member and is in contact therewith. |
| US09595812B2 |
Crossed nanobeam structure for a low-threshold germanium laser
A crossed nanobeam structure for strain engineering in semiconductor devices is provided. For example, such a structure can be used for a low-threshold germanium laser. While the photonic crystal nanobeam enables light confinement in a subwavelength volume with small optical loss, another crossing nanobeam induces high tensile strain in the small region where the optical mode is tightly confined. As maintaining a small optical loss and a high tensile strain reduces the required pumping for achieving net optical gain beyond cavity losses, this technique can be used to develop an extremely low-threshold Ge laser source. Moreover, the structure can be easily integrated into electronic and photonic circuits. |
| US09595809B2 |
Wavelength tunable laser device and optical coherence tomography apparatus
A wavelength tunable laser device, including: a first reflector; a second reflector; an active layer formed between the first reflector and the second reflector; a quantum well structure layer that exhibits a quantum confined stark effect; and an electrode configured to apply a reverse bias voltage to the quantum well structure layer, wherein the active layer and the second reflector have a gap formed therebetween, the gap having a length to be changed to thereby sweep a resonance wavelength, and wherein the electrode is further configured to change application of the reverse bias voltage to be applied to the quantum well structure layer depending on the length of the gap when the resonance wavelength is swept. |
| US09595793B2 |
Electric connector having a retaining member with a cover in electrical contact with a shell of a mating connector
Electromagnetic shielding about a part connected with a wiring board is easily and reliably carried out by a simple configuration. An electrically-conductive cover member provided at a mating retaining member of both of electric connectors is provided with a cover contact-point part contacting an electrically-conductive shell of a counterpart connector when the mating retaining member is subjected to a turning operation, and the electrically-conductive cover member is subjected to the turning operation together with the mating retaining member, thereby covering the connection part of the counterpart connector mounted on a wiring board and the wiring board by the electrically-conductive cover member, carrying out electromagnetic shielding with respect to the part connected with the wiring board; and, by forming a ground circuit by grounding the electrically-conductive cover member through the cover contact-point part of the electrically-conductive cover member and the electrically-conductive shell, further good electromagnetic shielding characteristics (shield characteristics) are configured to be obtained. |
| US09595792B2 |
Cable with connector
A cable with connector includes a cable including at least two or more differential signal transmission cables for transmitting/receiving differential signals, a connector at both ends of the cable and including a built-in paddle card to electrically connect the differential signal transmission cables to a connected device. The paddle card includes a sending-side transmission path that is formed on the paddle card so as to transmit electrical signals input from the device to the differential signal transmission cables. The sending-side transmission path includes a common-mode reflecting transmission path that is in a common-mode impedance mismatched to a transmission path of the device so as to reflect common-mode signals input from the transmission path of the device. |
| US09595791B2 |
Electric wires with identification indicators
Colors for electric wires are reduced. A plurality of electric wires to be connected to a single connector have a single color, rubber plugs are attached to boundary portions that are each located extending from a terminal for connection to a connector connected to an end of the electric wire to the insulating coating of the electric wire, and the rubber plugs have different colors for identification. |
| US09595787B2 |
Latching connector assembly
An electrical cable connector includes a cable connector housing and a latch attached to the cable connector housing. The cable connector housing includes a first set of electrical contacts and a latch channel. The latch includes an arm portion, a hinge portion, and an actuation portion. The arm portion is disposed in the latch channel and includes a pair of latch arms. The latch arms include opposing catch portions disposed at a front end thereof and are adapted to securely attach the cable connector to a mating connector by surrounding a protrusion inside a housing of the mating connector. The hinge portion extends from a back end of the arm portion. The actuation portion extends generally upwardly from the hinge portion. Pressing down the actuation portion about the hinge portion splays the latch arms such that the catch portions are moved away from each other. |
| US09595782B2 |
Pin with angled retention member
A contact pin includes a retention section having at least one retention member extending radially outward from contact pin. A first portion is angularly offset in the linear direction of the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal body from a second portion. The at least one retention member has a surface which extends outwardly, beyond an outer diameter of a first end section of the contact pin. As the at least one retention member is angled linearly, the displacement of material around the opening of the deformable component causes forces to be applied to the at least one retention member in at least two directions thereby increasing the retention force of the pin in the deformable component. The angularly offset first portion and the second portion cause the retention section and the pin to rotate relative to the opening as the pin is inserted into the opening. |
| US09595780B2 |
Connector, and connection mechanism of flat circuit body and connector
A terminal of a connector includes a press-fitting fixation portion which is pressed and fixed into a terminal press-fitting arrangement portion provided in a connector housing. The press-fitting fixation portion includes a pair of protrusion press-fitting portions protruding from both side portions in protruding directions. The protrusion press-fitting portions abut against a pair of first opposed inner wall surfaces of the terminal press-fitting arrangement portion, and each of the protrusion press-fitting portions includes: a first surface gradually separated from one of a pair of second opposed inner wall surfaces opposed to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first opposed inner wall surfaces toward the protruding direction; and a second surface gradually approaching the other of the pair of second opposed inner wall surfaces toward the protruding direction. |
| US09595778B2 |
Electrical junction box
An electrical junction box includes a rescue terminal, protruding from a top surface of a box body, and a terminal supporting plate, attached to the rescue terminal. The rescue terminal has a space in its proximity to allow a clip of a booster cable to be connected to the rescue terminal with the clip in a horizontal lying posture. The rescue terminal is also provided with a supporting portion that is to be located under the clip to support the clip. A plurality of relays attached to the box body have top surfaces that constitute the supporting portion. To connect the clip to the rescue terminal, the clip in a horizontal lying posture is brought close to the rescue terminal so as to clamp the rescue terminal and the terminal supporting plate on their sides, with the clip placed on the top surfaces of the relays constituting the supporting portion. |
| US09595776B2 |
Connector producing a biasing force
A connector includes, in one embodiment, a post, a coupling element configured to engage the post, and a connector body configured to engage the post. The connector body, in one embodiment, is configured to produce a biasing force. |
| US09595769B2 |
Terminal temporary holding structure and resolver including terminal temporary holding structure
A terminal temporary holding structure includes: winding terminals each including a winding-side spot-welded portion having a flat plate shape; a terminal holding base that holds the winding terminals; and cable terminals each including a cable-side spot-welded portion having a flat plate shape and respectively connected with external cables. The cable terminals are temporarily held by the terminal holding base in such a manner that the winding-side spot-welded portion and the cable-side spot-welded portion are opposed to each other, so as to weld the cable-side spot-welded portion of each cable terminal to the winding-side spot-welded portion of each winding terminal. The cable terminals are temporarily held by the terminal holding base at at least two locations that sandwich the cable-side spot-welded portion. |
| US09595768B2 |
Glazing with a soldered connector
A glazing is disclosed comprising at least one ply of glass having an electrically conductive component on at least one surface, and an electrical connector electrically connected to the electrically conductive component through a soldered joint, the solder of the joint having a composition comprising 0.5 wt % or more indium, wherein the electrical connector comprises a nickel plated contact for contacting the solder. Also disclosed are solders having a composition comprising 14 to 75 wt % In, 14 to 75 wt % Sn, to 5 wt % Ag, to 5 wt % Ni, and less than 0.1 wt % Pb. Also disclosed is use of a solder having a composition comprising 0.5 wt % or more indium to solder a nickel plated electrical connector to an electrically conductive component on the surface of a ply of glass. The aspects of the invention improve the durability of electrical connections on glazing. |
| US09595767B2 |
Wireless antenna array system architecture and methods to achieve 3D beam coverage
Embodiments of wireless antenna array systems to achieve three-dimensional beam coverage are described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US09595764B2 |
Dual port single frequency antenna
An antenna further comprising a first port, a second port, so constructed and arranged that the first port is 180-degrees out of phase with respect to the second port. |
| US09595760B2 |
Antenna focusing ring
The antenna focusing ring disclosed herein is configured for use with any given subscriber module (antenna). The antenna focusing ring may also be used to focus and concentrate the electromagnetic signal generated by the subscriber module onto a parabolic reflector antenna used in the transmission of data over wireless transmission systems. The antenna focusing ring described herein is used to increase signal gain in the wireless data transmission system by focusing and thereby correcting the poor illumination of an internal patch antenna within the given subscriber module. |
| US09595757B2 |
Integral RF-optical phased array module
An integral phased array module may include a substrate and a radio frequency (RF) element provided in relation to the substrate. The RF element being configured to at least one of transmit and receive RF signals. The RF element includes a footprint of a particular size and shape with respect to the substrate and the substrate is sized to accommodate the footprint of the RF element. The integral phased array module may also include an optical function element configured to perform an optical function. The optical function element is located relative to the RF element on the substrate for integrating multi-band functionality into a single aperture. |
| US09595756B1 |
Dual polarized probe coupled radiating element for satellite communication applications
An antenna includes three metallization layers having metallic dipoles organized into two clusters. Each of the two clusters includes metallic dipoles generally elongated along a common axis to produce signals of specific polarization. Each of the two clusters is oriented orthogonal to the other to produce two separate, orthogonally polarized signals. Each of the two clusters is associated with a dedicated vertical probe, positioned to maximize gain of the radiating element. |
| US09595752B2 |
Vehicle antenna unit
A perpendicular substrate antenna 7 is fixed vertically on an upper surface of a baseplate 3. An antenna pattern 18 is formed on the surface of the perpendicular substrate antenna 7 and a coil is 13 mounted. A plate shaped antenna 8 is attached to an upper edge of the perpendicular substrate antenna 7. The plate shaped antenna 8 includes a structure in which a pair of flat parts 81, 82 are connected via clip parts 83˜86 and contact arms 93, 84, 62, 64 which contact the surface of the perpendicular substrate antenna 7 and latching arms 96, 97, 61, 62 which pass through perpendicular substrate antenna 7 and contact the opposite side surface each protrude from a lower edge of each flat part 81, 82. |
| US09595747B1 |
Method for designing an electrically small antenna
The present invention relates to a method for designing an electrically small antenna, in one embodiment, within an enclosing volume. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of designing the electrically small antenna which has a general cross-sectional contour shape of an oblate spheroid from a top load portion to a stem portion below the top load portion. The oblate spheroid contour shape is represented by an antenna dipole moment algorithm which includes a dipole moment term. The method further comprises the steps of controlling the amplitude of the dipole moment term, including adjusting the amplitude of the dipole moment term to independently change the oblate spheroid contour shape, resulting in a change to the electric field outside the enclosing volume and a change to the electric field inside the enclosing volume. |
| US09595745B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 100 according to this invention includes a positive electrode 10, a negative electrode 20, a separator 40 interposed between the positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 20, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution. A porous heat-resistant layer 42 is additionally provided between the separator 40 and at least one electrode from among the positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 20. The porous heat-resistant layer 42 includes hollow particles 44 made of an inorganic material, and a binder 46. |
| US09595742B2 |
System and method for replacing a battery in an uninterruptible power supply
A system for guiding a user through a procedure corresponding to installing a battery in a UPS that is associated with the system. The system includes at least one programmed processor embedded within the UPS. The programmed processor is configured to retrieve at least one stored procedure corresponding to installing the battery in the UPS including at least one step to be performed by the user. The system further includes at least one device embedded within the UPS to provide information regarding a status indicator of the battery of the UPS. The programmed processor and the device are operatively coupled such that the programmed processor receives at least a portion of the information of the battery from the device. The system further includes a user interface forming part of the UPS. The user interface is coupled to the programmed processor for displaying the step of the stored procedure. The programmed processor is configured to prompt the user via the user interface to install a battery and reset at least one battery performance indicator. Other systems, devices and methods for replacing a battery within a device are further disclosed. |
| US09595741B2 |
Battery pack of novel structure
Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a battery cell having a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal, a protection circuit module (PCM) including a protection circuit board (PCB), at which a safety element is mounted, the PCB having a protection circuit, and connection members (A and B) connected respectively to the first and second electrode terminals of the battery cell, an electrically insulative pack frame configured to have a structure in which the battery cell is mounted in the pack frame, the pack frame having an insulative mounting part, at a top of which the PCB is mounted, an electrically insulative top cap mounted at a top of the battery cell while surrounding the PCM, an electromagnetic induction type charging coil mounted at at least one main surface of the battery cell, the charging coil being connected to the PCM, and a shielding member interposed between the battery cell and the charging coil. |
| US09595740B2 |
Secondary-battery system and secondary-battery-failure-detection system
A secondary battery system and a secondary battery failure detection system includes a monitoring unit, a main gas pipe, a plurality of auxiliary gas pipes, and a plurality of solenoid valves provided in correspondence with the respective auxiliary gas pipes. The monitoring unit includes a pump for sucking a gas supplied into the main gas pipe, an active material detection sensor for detecting active material contained in the gas, a failure module identification unit for identifying a module having a failure based on an output from the active material detection sensor, and a sequence controller for performing opening/closing operation of the solenoid valves in accordance with a predetermined sequence. |
| US09595733B2 |
Battery modules and assemblies
A battery module is provided. The battery module includes a first battery cell; a heat transfer plate contacting the first battery cell and defining a perimeter, the heat transfer plate having a first thickness; a heat transfer fin extending from the perimeter of the heat transfer plate, the heat transfer fin having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness; and a fluid conduit coupled to the heat transfer fin, whereby, during operation, heat is transferred from the first battery cell, to the heat transfer layer, to the heat transfer fin, and to the fluid conduit. |
| US09595731B2 |
Electrolyte for redox flow battery and redox flow battery
Provided is an electrolyte for a redox flow battery, the electrolyte allowing suppression of generation of precipitate during a battery reaction. In the electrolyte for a redox flow battery, the total concentration of impurity element ions contributing to generation of precipitate during a battery reaction is 220 mass ppm or less. In a case where the impurity element ions contributing to generation of precipitate include metal element ions, the total concentration of the metal element ions may be 195 mass ppm or less. In a case where the impurity element ions contributing to generation of precipitate include non-metal element ions, the total concentration of the non-metal element ions may be 21 mass ppm or less. |
| US09595730B2 |
Flow battery and usage thereof
A voltaic cell comprising an iron in alkali anode where metal iron is oxidized to iron II hydroxide and a ferricyanide in alkali cathode where ferricyanide is reduced to ferrocyanide, and uses thereof. |
| US09595728B2 |
Ionic electrolyte membrane structure method for its production and solid oxide fuel cell making use of ionic electrolyte membrane structure
To provide an ionic electrolyte membrane structure that enables contact between the air pole and the fuel pole in which structure an edge face of the interface between an ion conducting layer and an ion non-conducting layer stands bare on a plane, an ionic electrolyte membrane structure which transmits ions only is made up of i) a substrate having a plurality of pores which have been made through the substrate in the thickness direction thereof and ii) a plurality of multi-layer membranes each comprising an ion conducting layer formed of an ion conductive material and an ion non-conducting layer formed of an ion non-conductive material which have alternately been formed in laminae a plurality of times on each inner wall surface of the pores of the substrate in such a way that the multi-layer membranes fill up the pores completely; the ions only being transmitted in the through direction by way of the multi-layer membranes provided on the inner wall surfaces of the pores. |
| US09595727B2 |
Electrochemical device comprising an electrically-conductive, selectively-permeable membrane
An electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell or an electrolyzer. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, the membrane including a solid polymer electrolyte and a non-particulate, electrically-conductive material, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and/or metal nanowires. In addition, each bipolar plate also includes an electrically-conductive fluid chamber in contact with the electrically-conductive, selectively-permeable membrane and further includes a non-porous and electrically-conductive plate in contact with the fluid chamber. |
| US09595725B2 |
Heated ejector assembly for a fuel cell
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an ejector in fluid communication with the fuel cell stack and having a converging-diverging (CD) nozzle with a hydrogen feed nozzle and a recirculation conduit upstream of a throat of the CD nozzle, and a thermal source configured to heat the ejector. A hydrogen supply assembly for a fuel cell system includes an ejector having a converging-diverging (CD) nozzle and a mixing chamber upstream of the CD nozzle. The mixing chamber has a recirculation conduit and a hydrogen feed nozzle. A thermal source is configured to heat the ejector. A method of controlling a hydrogen supply device for a fuel cell includes, in response to detecting a heating condition at fuel cell start up, controlling a thermal source to heat an ejector upstream of an anode stack to prevent ice formation in the ejector. |
| US09595723B2 |
Fuel cell separator
A fuel cell separator (10) which comprises a base (1) constituted of titanium or a titanium alloy and a conductive carbon layer (2) that was formed by press-bonding a carbon powder to the base (1) and that covers the surface thereof; an interlayer (3) having been formed between the base (1) and the carbon layer (2). The interlayer (3) has been formed by a heat treatment in an atmosphere containing a slight amount of oxygen, contains titanium carbide yielded by the reaction of the Ti of the base (1) with the C of the carbon layer (2), and has an oxygen content of 0.1-40 at %. |
| US09595721B2 |
Stacking system
A stacking apparatus includes a first rotating table that is equipped with a plurality of stacking regions and intermittently rotates the plurality of stacking regions respectively to a plurality of work positions, a first turning unit; and a second turning unit. The first turning unit includes a first arm that turns between the first stacking position and a first pickup position where an anode sheet is picked up and a second arm that turns in concert with movement of the first arm between the first stacking position and a second pickup position where a separator is picked up. The second turning unit includes a third arm that picks up a cathode sheet and a fourth arm that turns in concert with movement of the third arm and picks up a separator. |
| US09595719B2 |
Composite metal foil and production method therefor
A composite metal foil is provided comprising a porous metal foil comprising a two-dimensional network structure composed of a metal fiber, and a primer provided on at least a part of the interior and/or periphery of pores of the porous metal foil. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a composite metal foil which has a desired function imparted by a primer in addition to superior properties derived from a porous metal foil, in a highly productive and cost effective manner that is suited for continuous production. |
| US09595718B2 |
Lithium secondary battery and method for producing same
The present invention provides a lithium secondary battery using a lithium transition metal composite oxide as a positive electrode active material. The lithium secondary battery is constituted with a negative electrode on and/or around which a cyclic silazane-based compound and/or a reaction product thereof are present. The cyclic silazane-based compound comprises a Si—N bond in the ring constituting the cyclic silazane-based compound and also has at least one vinyl group. |
| US09595717B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte composition and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A nonaqueous electrolyte composition includes: an electrolyte salt; a nonaqueous solvent; a matrix polymer; and a ceramic powder having a thermal conductivity of 50 W/m° C. or more. |
| US09595716B2 |
Electrode and method for manufacturing an electrode
An electrode for an energy store, in particular for a lithium-ion battery. To achieve a particularly good and long-term stable capacitance, the electrode includes an active material, optionally a binder, optionally a conductive additive, and a sorption agent; intermediate stages of the active material arising during a charging and/or discharging procedure of the energy store may be immobilized by the sorption agent. Furthermore, also described is a method for manufacturing an electrode for an energy store, and the use of a sorption agent for manufacturing an electrode for an electrochemical energy store. |
| US09595714B2 |
Electrode-forming composition
The present invention pertains to a solvent based electrode-forming composition which comprises at least one vinylidene fluoride (VDF) polymer and a graphene oxide with an oxygen content of no more than 25 wt % dispersed in an organic solvent, wherein the VDF polymer comprises recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and from at least one (meth)acrylic monomer (MA) having formula (I) here below: wherein: —R1, R2 and R3, equal to or different from each other, are independently selected from a hydrogen atom and a C1-C3 hydrocarbon group, and —ROH is a hydrogen atom or a C1-C5 hydrocarbon moiety comprising at least one hydroxyl group. The present invention further relates to a process for manufacturing said electrode-forming composition, and the use thereof for manufacturing an electrode of secondary lithium batteries. |
| US09595709B2 |
Anode active material having high capacity and lithium secondary battery comprising the same
Disclosed are an anode active material comprising a lithium metal oxide, and a metal powder reacting with lithium ions present in an electrolyte to form a lithium alloy, or a metal oxide, the metal powder or the metal oxide having a content of not lower than 1% by weight and not higher than 30% by weight, based on the total weight of an anode mix, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same. |
| US09595708B2 |
Composite cathode materials having improved cycle life
Lithiated composite materials and methods of manufacture are provided that are capable of imparting excellent capacity and greatly improved cycle life in lithium-ion secondary cells. By supplementing a high nickel content lithium storage material with a transition metal oxide lithium storage material or a dopant at relatively low levels, the capacity of the high nickel content lithium storage materials is maintained while cycle life is dramatically improved. These characteristics are promoted by methods of producing the materials that intermix unlithiated precursor materials with a lithium source and sintering the materials together in a single sintering reaction. The resulting lithiated composite materials provide for the first time both high capacity and excellent cycle life to predominantly high nickel content electrodes. |
| US09595707B2 |
Lithium ion secondary battery
A lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material having a composition represented by the formula (1) LixNiyCozMtO2 (1) (wherein the element M is at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ba, Al, Ti, Mn, V, Fe, Zr, and Mo and x, y, z, and t satisfy the following formulae: 0.9≦x≦1.2, 0≦y≦1.1, 0≦z≦1.1, and 0≦t≦1.1), and a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material mainly containing silicon and silicon oxide, and having an absorbance of 0.01 to 0.035 at 2110±10 cm−1 according to an FT-IR method. |
| US09595704B2 |
Electrical energy storage module and method for producing an electrical energy storage module
The invention provides an electrical energy storage module (100), comprising: at least one storage cell stack (10), comprising: a plurality of energy storage cells (1), which each have a cell housing (1a) each having two pole connections (1b,1c), wherein the energy storage cells (1) are arranged in series in the storage cell stack (10) in such a way that in each case a first pole connection (1b) and a second pole connection (1c) having different polarities of two adjacent energy storage cells (1) are galvanically connected to one another by means of flat cell connecting elements (4), wherein the cell housings (1a) of all of the energy storage cells (1) are galvanically connected to one another, wherein the first pole connection (1b) of an energy storage cell (1) arranged at a first end of the storage cell stack (10) is galvanically connected to the cell housing (1a), and wherein the second pole connection (1c) of an energy storage cell (1) arranged at a second end of the storage cell stack (10) and the cell housings (1a) each have a flat return conductor (5). |
| US09595703B2 |
Polyethylene microporous membrane and process for manufacturing same
A polyethylene microporous membrane has a Gurley air permeability of 1 to 1,000 sec/100 mL/25 μm, wherein the total length of waviness widths in the width direction of the polyethylene microporous membrane is not more than one-third of the overall width of the microporous membrane. The polyethylene microporous membrane has excellent planarity without compromising any other important physical property such as permeability. |
| US09595702B2 |
Battery module
A battery module is provided with: battery holders, which have accommodation sections; rechargeable batteries arranged side-by-side while being respectively received in the accommodation sections; a metal plate member, which is provided at least between rechargeable batteries adjacent to each other in the direction in which the rechargeable batteries are arranged side-by-side; and a pressure application member, which presses the rechargeable batteries and the plate member in the direction of the side-by-side arrangement. The battery holders respectively have openings into which the plate members are fitted. The plate members are fitted into the openings to protrude from the battery holders in the direction in which the rechargeable batteries are arranged side-by-side. |
| US09595700B2 |
Battery cell and method for closing the battery cell
The invention relates to a battery cell (10) having a cell housing (12) which comprises a housing container (14) and a housing cover (16), two electrodes that are arranged in an inner region of the housing container (14), an electrolyte material that is arranged in the inner region of the housing container (14) and that surrounds the electrodes, and two electrical contacts which in each case are electrically coupled to one of the electrodes and which extend from the inner region of the housing container (14) through the housing cover (16) into a region outside of the cell housing (12), wherein the housing cover (16) has an overlap area (18) at an outer edge, in which overlap area the housing cover (16) and an edge region of the housing container (14) are arranged parallel to each other, wherein in the overlap area (18) a flanged seam (20) is formed, in order to close the cell housing (12). |
| US09595699B2 |
Rechargeable battery and module of the same
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly that performs charging and discharging; a case in which the electrode assembly is installed; a cap plate coupled to the case; an electrode terminal coupled to a terminal hole of the cap plate; and an insulator between the cap plate and the electrode terminal. The electrode includes a flow path that supplies a cooling fluid to a portion of the electrode terminal coupled with the insulator. |
| US09595696B2 |
Operating platform
An operating platform includes a first sensing assembly and a gas supply device. The gas supply device includes a second sensing assembly configured to detect the water content and oxygen content of a protective gas inputted from an input terminal; and a first electromagnetic valve. With the use of more than one sensing assemblies, the water content and the oxygen content of the protective gas provided by the gas supply device can be further detected, so as to solve the problems of inaccurate detected values and abnormalities. |
| US09595691B2 |
Organic light emitting diode device
Disclosed is an organic light emitting diode device fabrication method that includes: preparing a substrate which is defined into a display area and a non-display area; forming a light emission portion, which includes a thin film transistor and an organic light emission layer in the display area, and a pad portion in a part of the non-display area; sequentially forming a sacrificial layer and an encapsulation passivation film throughout the display and non-display areas; and separating the sacrificial layer and the encapsulation passivation film from the pad portion through an irradiation of laser light. |
| US09595689B2 |
Display device and manufacturing process of display device
A display device includes a substrate, a light emitting layer including one or more kinds of organic light emitting films, a transparent electrode that comes in contact with an upper surface of the light emitting layer, and a glass plate that covers an upper side of the transparent electrode, in which the transparent electrode has a contour corresponding to a contour of the glass plate in a plan view. |
| US09595688B2 |
Organic light emitting diode and organic light emitting display device including halogen dipole material
An organic light emitting diode includes: a first electrode; a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode facing each other; an emission layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode; and an electron injection layer provided between the second electrode and the emission layer, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes: a first material that is one of a group-1 metal based halogen dipole material, a group-2 metal based halogen dipole material, a lanthanide metal based halogen dipole material, or a transition, metal based halogen dipole material; and a second material that is a metal reacting to the first material. |
| US09595686B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
A light-emitting layer, which is a stack of a first light-emitting layer and a second light-emitting layer, is provided between an anode and a cathode. The first light-emitting layer is formed on the anode side and contains a first light-emitting substance converting triplet excitation energy into light emission, a first organic compound having an electron-transport property, and a second organic compound having a hole-transport property. The second light-emitting layer contains a second light-emitting substance converting triplet excitation energy into light emission, the first organic compound, and a third organic compound having a hole-transport property. The second organic compound has a lower HOMO level than the third organic compound. The first light-emitting substance emits light with a wavelength shorter than that of light emitted from the second light-emitting substance. The first and the second organic compounds form an exciplex. The first and the third organic compounds form an exciplex. |
| US09595683B2 |
Organometallic compounds and organic light emitting devices including the same
Organometallic compounds and organic light-emitting devices including the same are provided. Each subject organometallic compound may be a transition metal complex comprising up to seven organic ligands including one to three ligands which are derivatives of one of 2-(pyrazole-3-yl)pyrimidine and 2-(1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyrimidine. Organic light-emitting devices including the subject organometallic compounds show lower driving voltages, higher luminences, higher efficiencies and better lifetime characteristics versus organic light-emitting devices including comparative organometallic complexes. |
| US09595678B2 |
Dye solar cell with improved stability
A photovoltaic element (110) is proposed for conversion of electromagnetic radiation to electrical energy. The photovoltaic element (110) may especially be a dye solar cell (112). The photovoltaic element (110) has at least one first electrode (116), at least one n-semiconductive metal oxide (120), at least one electromagnetic radiation-absorbing dye (122), at least one solid organic p-semiconductor (126) and at least one second electrode (132). The p-semiconductor (126) comprises at least one metal oxide (130). |
| US09595672B2 |
Memory elements using self-aligned phase change material layers and methods of manufacturing same
A memory element and method of forming the same. The memory element includes a first electrode within a via in a first dielectric material. An insulating material element is positioned over and in contact with the first electrode. A phase change material is positioned over the first electrode and in contact with sidewalls of the insulating material element. The phase change material has a first surface in contact with a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the first dielectric material. A second electrode is in contact with a second surface of the phase change material, which is opposite to the first surface. |
| US09595671B1 |
Methods of fabricating storage elements and structures having edgeless features for programmable layer(s)
A method can include forming a bottom structure with a top surface and a side surface that form at least one edge; forming an opening with sloped sides through at least one insulating layer to expose at least a portion of the top surface of the bottom structure; forming a programmable layer over the at least one edge, in contact with the sloped sides of the opening and the top surface of the bottom structure; and forming a top layer over the programmable layer and opening; wherein the programmable layer is programmable between at least two different impedance states. |
| US09595669B2 |
Electroplated phase change switch
The present disclosure generally relates to a structure, system, and method for manufacturing an electrical component for a memory device. For example, depositing alternating layers of conductive and insulator materials over an etch stop layer to create a vertical stack, etching a trench through the vertical stack to expose the etch stop layer, electroplating the conductive layers using a plating material based on a desired electrical behavior, and forming a connection between the plating materials for each of the conductive layers. |
| US09595667B2 |
Three dimensional memory array architecture
Three dimension memory arrays and methods of forming the same are provided. An example three dimension memory array can include a stack comprising a plurality of first conductive lines separated from one another by at least an insulation material, and at least one conductive extension arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to the plurality of first conductive lines, such that the at least one conductive extension intersects a portion of at least one of the plurality of first conductive lines. Storage element material is formed around the at least one conductive extension. Cell select material is formed around the at least one conductive extension. |
| US09595666B2 |
Method of fabricating smooth seed layers with uniform crystalline texture for high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy materials
A method for fabricating a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (pMTJ) device includes growing a seed layer on a first electrode of the pMTJ device. The seed layer has a uniform predetermined crystal orientation along a growth axis. The method also includes planarizing the seed layer while maintaining the uniform predetermined crystal orientation of the seed layer. |
| US09595665B2 |
Non-reactive photoresist removal and spacer layer optimization in a magnetoresistive device
In forming a top electrode for a magnetoresistive device, photoresist used in patterning the electrode is stripped using a non-reactive stripping process. Such a non-reactive stripping process uses water vapor or some other non-oxidizing gas that also passivates exposed portions the magnetoresistive device. In such magnetoresistive devices, a non-reactive spacer layer is included that helps prevent diffusion between layers in the magnetoresistive device, where the non-reactive nature of the spacer layer prevents sidewall roughness that can interfere with accurate formation of the lower portions of the magnetoresistive device. |
| US09595663B2 |
Magnetic memory having magnetoresistive element and method of manufacturing magnetoresistive element
According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory includes a transistor having first and second diffusion layers in a semiconductor substrate and a gate electrode between the first and second diffusion layers, a first insulating layer on the semiconductor substrate, the first insulating layer covering the transistor, a first contact plug in the first insulating layer, the first contact plug connected to the first diffusion layer, a second contact plug in the first insulating layer, the second contact plug connected to the second diffusion layer, a magnetoresistive element on the first insulating layer, the magnetoresistive element connected to the first contact plug, an electrode on the magnetoresistive element, and an impurity region in the first insulating layer, the second contact plug, and the electrode. |
| US09595661B2 |
Magnetoresistive random access memory structure and method of forming the same
A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) structure includes a bottom electrode structure. A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element is over the bottom electrode structure. The MTJ element includes an anti-ferromagnetic material layer. A ferromagnetic pinned layer is over the anti-ferromagnetic material layer. A tunneling layer is over the ferromagnetic pinned layer. A ferromagnetic free layer is over the tunneling layer. The ferromagnetic free layer has a first portion and a demagnetized second portion. The MRAM also includes a top electrode structure over the first portion. |
| US09595660B2 |
Method of manufacturing electromechanical transducer, electromechanical transducer, droplet discharge head, droplet discharge apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A method of manufacturing an electromechanical transducer includes forming a first electrode on a substrate or a base film, forming a piezoelectric film made of lead zirconate titanate on the first electrode, forming a second electrode on the piezoelectric film, and polarizing the piezoelectric film. The polarizing includes applying to the second electrode a positive polarity voltage having a positive polarity relative to a potential of the first electrode, and satisfying a first expression of −EcP−(−Ec)<0 and a second expression of |−EcP−(−Ec)|>0.15×EcPav, where −Ec represents an initial coercive field of a negative polarity side of the electromechanical transducer, −EcP represents a coercive field of the negative polarity side after the applying, EcP represents a coercive field of a positive polarity side after the applying, and EcPav represents an average of absolute values of the coercive field −EcP and the coercive field EcP. |
| US09595657B2 |
Composite substrate
A composite substrate 10 includes a supporting substrate 12 and a piezoelectric substrate 14 which are bonded to each other. In this embodiment, the supporting substrate 12 and the piezoelectric substrate 14 are bonded to each other by an adhesive layer 16. In the composite substrate 10, since the supporting substrate 12 is composed of a translucent alumina ceramic, alignment is easily performed during FCB compared with the case where the supporting substrate is composed of an opaque ceramic. Furthermore, preferably, the linear transmittance and the total light transmittance from the front of the supporting substrate 12 in the visible light range (360 to 750 nm) are 10% or more and 70% or more, respectively. |
| US09595651B2 |
Electronic component package and method for manufacturing same
A method for manufacturing an electronic component package comprises: (i) preparing a metal foil having opposed principal surface “A” for placement of an electronic component and principal surface “B”, and a through-hole located in an electronic component-placement region of surface “A”; (ii) placing the electronic component on the metal foil such that the electronic component is positioned in the electronic component-placement region, and an opening of the through-hole is capped with an electrode of the electronic component; (iii) forming a sealing resin layer on surface “A” such that the electronic component is covered with the sealing resin layer; and (iv) forming a metal plating layer on surface “B”. A dry plating process and a wet plating process are performed to form the metal plating layer in step (iv) such that the through-hole is filled with the metal plating layer, and the metal foil and the metal plating layer are integrated. |
| US09595650B2 |
LED package and method of manufacturing the same
A method is provided for manufacturing a LED package base including providing a metal core substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface and forming two first trenches in the metal core substrate. The first trenches extend from the top surface to the bottom surface. The method further includes at least partially filling in the first trenches with first dielectric material to form dielectric isolations. The dielectric isolations divide the metal core substrate into three metal core portions. Two of the metal core portions may be configured to serve as LED package electrodes. The method also includes applying a second dielectric material to cover at least a portion of the first dielectric material, and forming a conductive layer over the second dielectric material to form circuit contacts. The conductive layer includes a first conductive material. |
| US09595649B2 |
Nanostructured LED
The device according to the invention comprises a nanostructured LED with a first group of nanowires protruding from a first area of a substrate and a contacting means in a second area of the substrate. Each nanowire of the first group of nanowires comprises a p-i-n-junction and a top portion of each nanowire or at least one selection of nanowires is covered with a light reflecting contact layer. The contacting means of the second area is in electrical contact with the bottom of the nanowires, the light-reflecting contact layer being in electrical contact with the contacting means of the second area via the p-i-n-junction. Thus when a voltage is applied between the contacting means of the second area and the light-reflecting contact layer, light is generated within the nanowire. On top of the light-reflecting contact layer, a first group of contact pads for flip-chip bonding can be provided, distributed and separated to equalize the voltage across the layer to reduce the average serial resistance. |
| US09595648B2 |
Light-emitting device
An illuminator includes a light-emitting element and a light extraction sheet which transmits light occurring from the light-emitting element. The light-emitting element includes a first electrode having a light transmitting property, a second electrode, and an emission layer between the first and second electrodes. The light extraction sheet includes a light-transmitting substrate having a first principal face and a second principal face, a first light extraction structure on the first principal face side of the light-transmitting substrate, and a second light extraction structure on the second principal face side of the light-transmitting substrate. The first light extraction structure includes a low-refractive index layer and a high-refractive index layer. The second light extraction structure is arranged so that light which is transmitted through the light-transmitting substrate and arrives at an incident angle of 40 degrees to 60 degrees has an average transmittance of 42% or more. |
| US09595644B2 |
LED lighting arrangement including light emitting phosphor
A method of manufacturing an LED lighting arrangement, comprises: receiving an optical component having a diffusing material that is light diffusive and at least one photoluminescent material that is excitable by light of a first wavelength range and which emits light of a second wavelength range; receiving an LED assembly that is operable to generate the light of the first wavelength range and mounting the optical component to the LED assembly to form the LED lighting arrangement. The optical component having the diffusing and photoluminescent materials is mass produced separately from the LED assembly and can be selected such that light generated by the optical component combined with the light generated by the LED assembly corresponds to light of a selected color. Also disclosed are LED lighting arrangements, components for LED lighting arrangements and methods of fabricating an optical component. |
| US09595642B2 |
Chip substrate comprising a plated layer and chip package using the same
A chip substrate includes laminated conductive portions, and laminated insulation portions that electrically isolate the conductive portions, with a cavity in a recessed shape in a region including the insulation portions on an upper surface of the chip substrate. The substrate includes an insulation layer on the upper surface, excluding a region of the cavity, and a continuous plating layer along a periphery of the chip substrate on the insulation layer. A portion of a top surface of each insulation portion is exposed in the cavity, and another portion of the top surface of each insulation portion is coated with the insulation layer. A chip package includes a chip substrate, with an optical element sealed in the cavity by a sealing member or lens. |
| US09595640B2 |
Light emitting device, light emitting device package and light emitting module
Disclosed are a light emitting device, a light emitting device package and a light emitting module. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure including a first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer and an active layer between the first and second conductive semiconductor layers; a support member under the light emitting structure; a reflective electrode layer between the second conductive semiconductor layer and the support member; and first to third connection electrodes spaced apart from each other in the support member. The second connection electrode is disposed between the first and third connection electrodes, the first and third connection electrodes are electrically connected with each other, and the support member is disposed at a peripheral portion of the first to third connection electrodes. |
| US09595638B2 |
Light emitting diode package and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a nitride light emitting diode (LED) package, and more specifically, to a nitride light emitting diode package which can improve light-emitting efficiency by increasing light emitting surface area, reduce operating voltage by simultaneously emitting light from six cells at once, and can increase operating current. |
| US09595637B2 |
Nanostructure semiconductor light emitting device having rod and capping layers of differing heights
There is provided a semiconductor light-emitting device including a base layer formed of a first conductivity-type semiconductor material, and a plurality of light-emitting nanostructures disposed on the base layer to be spaced apart from each other, and including first conductivity-type semiconductor cores, active layers, and second conductivity-type semiconductor layers. The first conductivity-type semiconductor cores include rod layers extending upwardly from the base layer, and capping layers disposed on the rod layers. Heights of the rod layers are different in at least a portion of the plurality of light-emitting nanostructures, and heights of the capping layers are different in at least a portion of the plurality of light-emitting nanostructures. |
| US09595636B2 |
Light emitting device substrate with inclined sidewalls
A light emitting device having improved light extraction is provided. The light emitting device can be formed by epitaxially growing a light emitting structure on a surface of a substrate. The substrate can be scribed to form a set of angled side surfaces on the substrate. For each angled side surface in the set of angled side surfaces, a surface tangent vector to at least a portion of each angled side surface in the set of angled side surfaces forms an angle between approximately ten and approximately eighty degrees with a negative of a normal vector of the surface of the substrate. The substrate can be cleaned to clean debris from the angled side surfaces. |
| US09595623B1 |
PCSS-based semiconductor device, switching device, and method
A present novel and non-trivial semiconductor device, switch device and method performed by the switch device is disclosed. A semiconductor device for conducting current may be comprised of an SI substrate and a plurality of electrodes deposited upon the substrate, where at least one electrode may be comprised of a transparent conductive material (“TCM”). A switching device may be comprised of a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources and a plurality of the semiconductor devices. The method performed by the switching device may be comprised of receiving a plurality of cycles. During a first cycle, a first semiconductor device may be irradiated, and in response, current may flow through the first semiconductor device and provided to a user circuit. During the second cycle, a second semiconductor device may be irradiated, and in response, current from a user circuit may be received and flow through the first semiconductor device. |
| US09595622B2 |
Structures and methods for high-efficiency pyramidal three-dimensional solar cells
The present disclosure enables high-volume cost effective production of three-dimensional thin film solar cell (3-D TFSC) substrates. Pyramid-like unit cell structures 16 and 50 enable epitaxial growth through an open pyramidal structure 3-D TFSC embodiments 70, 82, 100, and 110 may be combined as necessary. A basic 3-D TFSC having a substrate, emitter, oxidation on the emitter, and front and back metal contacts allows for simple processing. Other embodiments disclose a selective emitter, selective backside metal contacts, and front-side SiN ARC layers. Several processing methods, including process flows 150, 200, 250, 300, and 350, enable production of these 3-D TFSCs. |
| US09595620B1 |
MOS varactors and semiconductor integrated devices including the same
A MOS varactor includes a first N-type junction region and a second N-type junction region spaced apart from each other by a channel region, a gate insulation layer disposed on the channel region, a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulation layer, and an N-type well region including the channel region and surrounding the first and second N-type junction regions. The N-type well region exhibits a maximum impurity concentration in the channel region. |
| US09595619B2 |
Semiconductor device with different contact regions
A semiconductor device includes at least one first contact region of a vertical device between a semiconductor substrate and an electrically conductive structure arranged adjacent to the semiconductor substrate, and at least one second contact region of the vertical device between the semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device and the electrically conductive structure. The at least one first contact region is arranged adjacent to the at least one second contact region. The electrically conductive structure includes a first electrically conductive material in contact with the semiconductor substrate in an area of the at least one first contact region and a second electrically conductive material in contact with the semiconductor substrate in an area of the at least one second contact region, so that a first contact characteristic within the at least one first contact region differs from a second contact characteristic within the at least one second contact region. |
| US09595618B2 |
Semiconductor devices with heterojunction barrier regions and methods of fabricating same
An electronic device includes a silicon carbide layer including an n-type drift region therein, a contact forming a junction, such as a Schottky junction, with the drift region, and a p-type junction barrier region on the silicon carbide layer. The p-type junction barrier region includes a p-type polysilicon region forming a P-N heterojunction with the drift region, and the p-type junction barrier region is electrically connected to the contact. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US09595617B2 |
MOS P-N junction diode with enhanced response speed and manufacturing method thereof
A MOS P-N junction diode includes a semiconductor substrate, a mask layer, a guard ring, a gate oxide layer, a polysilicon structure, a central conductive layer, a silicon nitride layer, a metal diffusion layer, a channel region, and a metal sputtering layer. For manufacturing the MOS P-N junction diode, a mask layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A gate oxide layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a polysilicon structure is formed on the gate oxide layer. A guard ring, a central conductive layer and a channel region are formed in the semiconductor substrate. A silicon nitride layer is formed on the central conductive layer. A metal diffusion layer is formed within the guard ring and the central conductive layer. Afterwards, a metal sputtering layer is formed, and the mask layer is partially exposed. |
| US09595609B2 |
Semiconductor device including superjunction structure formed using angled implant process
A semiconductor device includes a superjunction structure formed using simultaneous N and P angled implants into the sidewall of a trench. The simultaneous N and P angled implants use different implant energies and dopants of different diffusion rate so that after annealing, alternating N and P thin semiconductor regions are formed. The alternating N and P thin semiconductor regions form a superjunction structure where a balanced space charge region is formed to enhance the breakdown voltage characteristic of the semiconductor device. |
| US09595608B2 |
Semiconductor device
An n− drift region is disposed on the front surface of an n+ semiconductor substrate composed of a wide band gap semiconductor. A p-channel region is selectively disposed on the surface layer of the n− drift region. A high-concentration p+ base region is disposed so as to adjoin the lower portion of the p-channel region inside the n− drift region. Inside the high-concentration p+ base region, an n+ high-concentration region is selectively disposed at the n+ semiconductor substrate side. The n+ high-concentration region has a stripe-shaped planar layout extending to the direction that the high-concentration p+ base regions line up. The n+ high-concentration region adjoins a JFET region at one end portion in longitudinal direction of the stripe. Further, the n+ semiconductor substrate side of the n+ high-concentration region adjoins the part sandwiched between the high-concentration p+ base region and the n+ semiconductor substrate in the n− drift region. |
| US09595605B1 |
Vertical single electron transistor formed by condensation
A method for forming a vertical single electron transistor includes forming a heterostructured nanowire having a SiGe region centrally disposed between an upper portion and a lower portion in the nanowire. An oxide is deposited to cover the SiGe region, and a condensation process is performed to convert the SiGe to oxide and condense Ge to form an island between the upper portion and the lower portion of the nanowire. A bottom contact is formed about the lower portion, a first dielectric layer is formed on the bottom contact and a gate structure is formed about the island on the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on the gate structure, and a top contact is formed on the second dielectric layer. |
| US09595603B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer and a trench gate portion that extends toward a deep portion from a front surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes an island region surrounded by the trench gate portion. A first side surface of the trench gate portion and a second side surface of the trench gate portion are in contact with the island region. A first conductivity type contact region that includes a first contact region that is in contact with the first side surface and a second contact region that is in contact with the second side surface is provided in the island region. Moreover, a second conductivity type contact region that is in contact with the trench gate portion at a position between the first contact region and the second contact region is provided in the island region. |
| US09595600B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a high reliability thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor layer which has stable electric characteristics. In the thin film transistor in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used, the amount of change in threshold voltage of the thin film transistor before and after a BT test is made to be 2 V or less, preferably 1.5 V or less, more preferably 1 V or less, whereby the semiconductor device which has high reliability and stable electric characteristics can be manufactured. In particular, in a display device which is one embodiment of the semiconductor device, a malfunction such as display unevenness due to change in threshold voltage can be reduced. |
| US09595599B1 |
Dielectric isolated SiGe fin on bulk substrate
A method for forming fins on a semiconductor device includes etching trenches into a monocrystalline substrate to form first fins and forming a first dielectric layer at bottoms of the trenches. Second fins of a material having a different composition than the substrate are grown on sidewalls of the trenches. A second dielectric layer is formed over the second fins. The first fins are removed by etching. The second fins are processed to form fin field effect transistor devices. |
| US09595594B2 |
Compound semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A compound semiconductor device includes: a compound semiconductor region having a surface in which a step is formed; a first electrode formed so as to overlie the upper surface of the step, the upper surface being a non-polar face; and a second electrode formed along a side surface of the step so as to be spaced apart from the first electrode in a vertical direction, the side surface being a polar face. |
| US09595590B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a well region, a drain region and a source region disposed in the well region, a gate electrode disposed above the well region, a thin gate insulating layer and a thick gate insulating layer disposed under the gate electrode, the thick gate insulating layer being disclosed closer to the drain region than the thin gate insulating layer, and an extended drain junction region disposed below the gate electrode. |
| US09595588B1 |
Semiconductor device with embedded cell and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device with embedded cell is provided. A silicon substrate has a first area with at least one first cell and a second area with at least one second cell. The first cell is positioned in the first area and formed in a trench of the silicon substrate, and the second cell is positioned in the second area and formed on the silicon substrate. The first cell includes a first dielectric layer formed on sidewalls and a bottom of the trench, a floating gate formed on the first dielectric layer and embedded in the trench, a second dielectric layer formed on the floating gate and embedded in the trench, and a control gate formed on the second dielectric layer and embedded in the trench, wherein the control gate is separated from the floating gate by the second dielectric layer. |
| US09595586B2 |
Schottky barrier diode
A semiconductor device, includes an n-type semiconductor layer provided with a first semiconductor layer with a low electron carrier concentration and a second semiconductor layer with a high electron carrier concentration, an electrode that is in Schottky-contact with a surface of the first semiconductor layer, and an ohmic electrode formed on a surface of the second semiconductor layer. The n-type semiconductor layer is formed of a Ga2O3-based single crystal. The first semiconductor layer has an electron carrier concentration Nd based on reverse withstand voltage VRM and electric field-breakdown strength Em of the Ga2O3-based single crystal. |
| US09595584B2 |
Semiconductor device, and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
[Object] To provide a semiconductor device capable of improving a discharge starting voltage when measuring electric characteristics, and widening a pad area of a surface electrode or increasing the number of semiconductor devices (number of chips) to be obtained from one wafer, and a method for manufacturing the same.[Solution Means] A semiconductor device 1 includes an n-type SiC layer 2 having a first surface 2A, a second surface 2B, and end faces 2C, a p-type voltage relaxing layer 7 formed in the SiC layer 2 so as to be exposed to the end portion of the first surface 2A of the SiC layer 2, an insulating layer 8 formed on the SiC layer 2 so as to cover the voltage relaxing layer 7, and an anode electrode 9 that is connected to the first surface 2A of the SiC layer 2 through the insulating layer 8 and has a pad area 95 selectively exposed. |
| US09595583B2 |
Methods for forming FinFETS having a capping layer for reducing punch through leakage
A method for forming FinFETs having a capping layer for reducing punch through leakage includes providing an intermediate semiconductor structure having a semiconductor substrate and a fin disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A capping layer is disposed over the fin, and an isolation fill is disposed over the capping layer. A portion of the isolation fill and the capping layer is removed to expose an upper surface portion of the fin. Tapping layer and a lower portion of the fin define an interface dipole layer barrier, a portion of the capping layer operable to provide an increased negative charge or an increased positive charge adjacent to the fin, to reduce punch-through leakage compared to a fin without the capping layer. |
| US09595582B2 |
Layouts and vertical structures of MOSFET devices
A metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor device includes a first active area, a first gate electrode configured to cross the first active area and extend in a Y direction, and define a first source area and a first drain area, first gate contacts disposed on the first gate electrode to align on a first virtual gate passing line extending in the Y direction, first source contacts disposed on the first source area to align on a first virtual source passing line extending in the Y direction, and first drain contacts disposed on the first drain area to align on a first virtual drain passing line extending in the Y direction, wherein at least one of the first drain contacts is disposed to align on any one of first virtual X-straight lines configured to pass between the first source contacts and extend parallel in an X direction perpendicular to the Y direction. |
| US09595579B2 |
Dual shallow trench isolation (STI) structure for field effect transistor (FET)
Various embodiments include structures for field effect transistors (FETs). In various embodiments, a structure for a FET includes: a deep n-type well; a shallow n-type well within the deep n-type well; and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region within the shallow n-type well, the STI region including: a first section having a first depth within the shallow n-type well as measured from an upper surface of the shallow n-type well, and a second section contacting and overlying the first section, the second section having a second depth within the shallow n-type well as measured from the upper surface of the shallow n-type well. |
| US09595574B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display including a substrate main body; a driving circuit on the substrate main body; an organic light emitting element on the driving circuit; and a front substrate covering the organic light emitting element and coupled to the substrate main body, wherein the driving circuit includes a wire, the wire including a planar portion parallel to a surface of the substrate main body, and a connection portion connected to the planar portion and extending in a direction orthogonal to the substrate main body. |
| US09595571B2 |
Light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
A novel light-emitting device with small power consumption, which can be formed with high productivity, is provided. The light-emitting device includes a first pixel, a second pixel, and a third pixel. The first pixel includes a first light-emitting element and a first optical element, the second pixel includes a second light-emitting element and a second optical element, and the third pixel includes a third light-emitting element. A first light-emitting layer or a second light-emitting layer is shared among the first to third light-emitting elements. Furthermore, the first light-emitting layer includes a first light-emitting material having a spectrum peak in the range of higher than or equal to 540 nm and lower than or equal to 580 nm, and the second light-emitting layer includes a second light-emitting material having a spectrum peak in the range of higher than or equal to 420 nm and lower than or equal to 480 nm. |
| US09595570B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a reflection electrode located on a first substrate; a pixel electrode located above the reflection electrode; a common electrode located above the pixel electrode; a light emitting layer located between the pixel electrode and the common electrode; a first color filter located above the common electrode, the first color filter being green or red; and a second color filter located at a position overlapping the first color filter as seen in a plan view, the second color filter being yellow. |
| US09595565B1 |
Memory structure
The present invention relates to a memory structure, which is a kind of resistive memory. A middle layer formed by a first dielectric film and a second dielectric film is included between the top and bottom electrodes. The material of the top electrode is iridium oxide. Thereby, preferred oxygen vacancy filament paths can be provided and thus exhibiting complementary resistive switching of memory arrays. Furthermore, the memory structure can be applied to biological tests. |
| US09595563B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device includes: a pair of first wirings extending in a first direction; a second wiring extending in a second direction crossing the first direction; a pair of third wirings extending in the second direction; and a fourth wiring located between the pair of the third wirings. The nonvolatile memory device has four resistance-change elements each which is provided adjacent to respective four crossing areas in which each of the pair of first wirings intersects with each of the pair of third wirings, and a first contact plug disposed at an intersection of two diagonals of a virtual tetragon defined by the four resistance-change elements. Two transistors arranged in the second direction, among four transistors, share each one first main terminal located between the pair of the first wirings, the shared each one first main terminal being connected to the second wiring. |
| US09595562B2 |
Memory cell structure, method of manufacturing a memory, and memory apparatus
A memory cell structure, a method of manufacturing a memory, and a memory apparatus that conform a memory cell structure of an MRAM, which reduces resistance of drawn wiring to be connected to an MTJ, reduces an area of a memory cell, and avoids performance degradation of the MTJ due to heat are provided. A memory cell includes: a transistor with a first diffusion layer formed in a bottom portion of a concave portion, and a second diffusion layer formed in upper end portions of two opposing sidewall portions of the concave portion, to form channels at portions between the first and second diffusion layers in the two sidewall portions; and a memory element that is disposed below the first diffusion layer. The first diffusion layer is electrically connected to the memory element via a contact formed after the silicon substrate is thinned. |
| US09595556B2 |
Image sensor for reducing crosstalk characteristic and method of manufacturing the same
An image sensor includes a plurality of photoelectric detectors, a plurality of color filters, and at least one pixel isolation region between adjacent ones of the photoelectric detectors. The color filters include a white color filter, and the color filters correspond to respective ones of the photoelectric detectors. The at least one pixel isolation region serves to physically and at least partially optically separate the photoelectric detectors from one another. |
| US09595554B2 |
Sensor arrangement with a silicon-based optical sensor and a substrate for functional layer systems
A sensor arrangement with a silicon-based optical sensor, particularly color sensors for colorimetric applications is disclosed. The invention aims to find a novel possibility for suppressing interference ripples occurring in optical sensors when adding substrates with optically functional coatings which permits a simple production without complicated adaptation layers. The sensor passivation is composed of a combination of thin SiO2 layer in the range of 5 to 10 nm and an antireflection-matched Si3N4 layer and a substrate which carries at least one optical filter is arranged over the sensor passivation and connected to the sensor by means of an adhesive and forms an intermediate space between sensor surface and optical filter which is filled with an optical medium having a low refractive index (n2) and a height variation (Δh) over the associated sensor surface. |
| US09595553B2 |
Optical modules including focal length adjustment and fabrication of the optical modules
Fabricating optical devices can include mounting a plurality of singulated lens systems over a substrate, adjusting a thickness of the substrate below at least some of the lens systems to provide respective focal length corrections for the lens systems, and subsequently separating the substrate into a plurality of optical modules, each of which includes one of the lens systems mounted over a portion of the substrate. Adjusting a thickness of the substrate can include, for example, micro-machining the substrate to form respective holes below at least some of the lens systems or adding one or more layers below at least some of the lens systems so as to correct for variations in the focal lengths of the lens systems. |
| US09595552B2 |
Method of simultaneously manufacturing partially shielded pixels
A method of simultaneously manufacturing First and second pixels respectively shielded on a first and on a second side are simultaneously manufactured using a process wherein a first insulator is deposited on an active area. A first metal level is deposited and defined, with a first mask, to form a shield on the first side of the first pixel and on the second side of the second pixel, and a line opposite to the shield. A second insulator is deposited, and via openings therein are defined, with a second mask. An overlying second metal level is deposited and defined, with a third mask, to form two connection areas covering the via openings on each side of the first and second pixels. The second and third masks are identical for the first and second pixels. |
| US09595548B2 |
Method of manufacturing thin film transistor substrate having etched trenches with color filter material disposed therein
A method of manufacturing a color filter substrate includes forming a plurality of trenches having a predetermined depth by etching a surface of a transparent substrate, disposing a color filter material in the plurality of trenches to form a color filter layer, and forming a transparent electrode on the transparent substrate including the color filter layer therein. |
| US09595543B2 |
Array substrate for liquid crystal display devices and method of manufacturing the same
An array substrate for LCD devices and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. By using a structure where an empty space is secured in a data line area as in a DRD structure in which the number of data lines is reduced by half, a capacitance is sufficiently secured by forming a sub storage capacitor in the data line area of the empty space, and thus, an area of a main storage capacitor can be reduced. Accordingly, the cost can be reduced, and moreover, an aperture ratio can be enhanced. |
| US09595542B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor array panel includes a first insulation substrate, a gate line and a data line which are positioned on the first insulation substrate, are insulated from each other, and cross each other, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, an organic film positioned on the thin film transistor, a second passivation layer which is positioned on the organic film and defines a plurality of second openings therein, a common electrode positioned on the second passivation layer, and a pixel electrode positioned in the plurality of second openings, where a thickness of the common electrode is larger than a thickness of the pixel electrode. |
| US09595537B2 |
Display panel
A display panel is provided, which includes a first substrate, a first insulating layer on the first substrate, a semiconductor layer on the first insulating layer, and a second insulating layer on the semiconductor layer and the first insulating layer. The second insulating layer has a surface in the vicinity of the first insulating layer. The second insulating layer has a first region. The first region is 40 nm in depth starting from the surface of the second insulating layer, and the second insulating layer has a fluoride ion gain ratio of 80% to 95% in the first region. |
| US09595536B1 |
Standard cell library that includes 13-CPP and 17-CPP D flip-flop cells, with DFM-optimized M0 cuts and V0 adjacencies
A library of a DFM-improved standard logic cells that avoid pattern-degrading configurations in the M0 and/or V0 layer(s), and includes 13-CPP and 17-CPP D flip-flop cells, is disclosed, along with wafers, chips and systems constructed from such cells. |
| US09595531B2 |
Aluminum oxide landing layer for conductive channels for a three dimensional circuit device
A multitier stack of memory cells having an aluminum oxide (AlOx) layer as a noble HiK layer to provide etch stop selectivity. Each tier of the stack includes a memory cell device. The circuit includes a source gate select polycrystalline (SGS poly) layer adjacent the multitier stack of memory cells, wherein the SGS poly layer is to provide a gate select signal for the memory cells of the multitier stack. The circuit also includes a conductive source layer to provide a source conductor for a channel for the tiers of the stack. The AlOx layer is disposed between the source layer and the SGS poly layer and provides both dry etch selectivity and wet etch selectivity for creating a channel to electrically couple the memory cells to the source layer. |
| US09595527B2 |
Coaxial carbon nanotube capacitor for eDRAM
A deep trench (DT) opening is provided in a semiconductor substrate and then conducting carbon nanotubes are formed within the DT. Each conducting carbon nanotube is coated with a high k dielectric material and thereafter the remaining volume of the DT is filled with a conductive material. |
| US09595524B2 |
FinFET source-drain merged by silicide-based material
A method includes conducting a laser-based anneal treatment on a metal layer positioned above and in direct contact with a top portion of a silicon cap layer located in direct contact with a first diamond shaped epitaxial layer surrounding a first fin and a second diamond shaped epitaxial layer surrounding a second fin. The metal layer extends from the top portion of the silicon cap layer in direct contact with the first diamond shaped epitaxial layer to the top portion of the silicon cap layer in direct contact with the second diamond shaped epitaxial layer. The conducted laser-based anneal treatment forms a silicide layer, a portion of the silicide layer between the first and the second diamond shaped epitaxial layers is substantially thicker than a portion of the silicide layer in contact with the first and the second diamond shaped epitaxial layers. |
| US09595522B2 |
Semiconductor device with a dislocation structure and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device with bi-layer dislocation and method of fabricating the semiconductor device is disclosed. The exemplary semiconductor device and method for fabricating the semiconductor device enhance carrier mobility. The method includes providing a substrate having a gate stack. The method further includes performing a first pre-amorphous implantation process on the substrate and forming a first stress film over the substrate. The method also includes performing a first annealing process on the substrate and the first stress film. The method further includes performing a second pre-amorphous implantation process on the annealed substrate, forming a second stress film over the substrate and performing a second annealing process on the substrate and the second stress film. |
| US09595516B2 |
Semiconductor devices and arrangements including dummy gates for electrostatic discharge protection
A semiconductor device and device arrangement including a plurality of semiconductor regions of different conductivity types and a plurality of gates which form electrically conducting paths between the semiconductor regions. The semiconductor device and device arrangement may be configured to protect against electrostatic discharge. |
| US09595515B2 |
Semiconductor chip including integrated circuit defined within dynamic array section
A semiconductor chip includes four linear-shaped conductive structures that each form a gate electrode of corresponding transistor of a first transistor type and a gate electrode of a corresponding transistor of a second transistor type. First and second ones of the four linear-shaped conductive structures are positioned to have their lengthwise-oriented centerlines separated by a gate electrode pitch. Third and fourth ones of the four linear-shaped conductive structures are also positioned to have their lengthwise-oriented centerlines separated by the gate electrode pitch. The first and third ones of the four linear-shaped conductive structures are positioned to have their lengthwise-oriented centerlines co-aligned and are separated by a first end-to-end spacing. The second and fourth ones of the four linear-shaped conductive structures are positioned to have their lengthwise-oriented centerlines co-aligned and are separated by a second end-to-end spacing substantially equal in size to the first end-to-end spacing. |
| US09595507B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a laminate including a plurality of semiconductor chips and having a first width, at least part of the semiconductor chips including an electrode extending through the semiconductor chip, the semiconductor chips being stacked and connected to each other via the electrode; a silicon substrate provided on a first surface of the laminate and having a second width larger than the first width; a wiring layer provided on a second surface of the laminate; and a resin provided around the laminate. |
| US09595505B2 |
Thermally-enhanced three dimensional system-in-packages and methods for the fabrication thereof
Embodiments of three dimensional (3D) System-in-Package (SiPs) and methods for producing 3D SiPs having improved heat dissipation capabilities are provided. In one embodiment, the 3D SiP includes a heat-dissipating structure having a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposite the first principal surface. The backside of a first microelectronic device is disposed adjacent and thermally coupled to the first principal surface of the heat-dissipating structure, while the backside of a second microelectronic device is disposed adjacent and thermally coupled to the second principal surface of the heat-dissipating structure. During operation of the 3D SiP, heat generated by the microelectronic devices is conductively transferred to and dissipated through the heat-dissipating structure. |
| US09595504B2 |
Methods and systems for releasably attaching support members to microfeature workpieces
Methods and apparatuses for releasably attaching support members to microfeature workpieces to support members are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a method for processing a microfeature workpiece including a plurality of microelectronic dies comprises forming discrete blocks of material at a first side of a support member. The blocks are arranged on the support member in a predetermined pattern. The method also includes depositing an adhesive material into gaps between the individual blocks of material and placing a first side of the workpiece in contact with the adhesive material and/or the blocks. The method further includes cutting through a second side of the workpiece to singulate the dies and to expose at least a portion of the adhesive material in the gaps. The method then includes removing at least approximately all the adhesive material from the support member and/or the workpiece with a solvent. |
| US09595503B2 |
Dual lead frame semiconductor package and method of manufacture
A semiconductor package and a method for making the same are provided. In the method, a clip is used to conduct a lead frame and at least one chip. The clip has at least one second connection segment, at least one third connection segment, and at least one intermediate connection segment. The second connection segment is electrically connected to a second conduction region of the chip and a second pin of the lead frame respectively, and the third connection segment is electrically connected to a third conduction region of the chip and a third pin of the lead frame respectively. The intermediate connection segment connects the at least one second connection segment and the at least one third connection segment, and is removed in a subsequent process. Thereby, the present invention does not need to use any gold wire, which effectively saves the material cost and the processing time. |
| US09595501B1 |
Wire bonded electronic devices to round wire
A disclosed circuit arrangement includes a flexible substrate. A layer of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) is directly adhered to a first major surface of the substrate. One or more metal foil pads and electrically conductive wire are attached directly on a surface of the PSA layer. The wire has a round cross-section and one or more portions directly connected to the one or more metal foil pads with one or more weld joints, respectively. An electronic device is attached directly on the surface of the layer of PSA and is electrically connected to the one or more portions of the round wire by one or more bond wires, respectively. |
| US09595494B2 |
Semiconductor package with high density die to die connection and method of making the same
A semiconductor package according to some examples of the disclosure may include a substrate having a bridge embedded in the substrate, a first and second die coupled to the substrate, and a plurality of electrically conductive bridge interconnects in the substrate coupling the bridge to the first and second die. The plurality of electrically conductive bridge interconnects may have a first bridge contact layer directly coupled to the bridge, a first solder layer on the first bridge contact layer, a second bridge contact layer on the first solder layer, a second solder layer on the second bridge contact layer, and a die contact directly coupled to one of the first and second die where the plurality of electrically conductive bridge interconnects are embedded in the substrate. |
| US09595493B2 |
Reducing liner corrosion during metallization of semiconductor devices
Reducing liner corrosion during metallization of semiconductor devices at BEOL includes providing a starting metallization structure, the structure including a bottom layer of dielectric material with a via therein, a liner lining the via and extending over upper edges thereof, the lined via over filled with a conductive material, recessing the conductive material down to the liner, further selectively recessing the conductive material below the upper edges of the via without damaging the liner, and forming a cap of the liner material on the conductive material. |
| US09595491B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor device and the semiconductor device
An apparatus for a manufacturing semiconductor device including a plate member and a joint member. The apparatus includes a plate-type tool having the plate member mounted thereon, a first fixing tool and a second fixing tool having an inclined surface for abutting an upper edge of an end part in a width direction of plate member. The second fixing tool is fixed onto the plate-type tool adjacent to the end part. An ultrasonic horn applies ultrasonic vibration in the width direction of plate member while pressing the joint member toward the plate member. |
| US09595485B2 |
Microelectronic packages having embedded sidewall substrates and methods for the producing thereof
Methods for fabricating microelectronic packages and microelectronic packages are provided. In one embodiment, the microelectronic package fabrication method includes producing a molded panel containing a sidewall substrate. The molded panel is singulated to produce a Fan-Out Wafer Level Package core including a molded body having a fan-out region in which the sidewall substrate is embedded. A side connect trace is printed or otherwise formed on a sidewall of the Fan-Out Wafer Level Package core and extends at least partially across the embedded sidewall substrate. |
| US09595484B2 |
Power converter
In a power converter, a plurality of semiconductor devices and a plurality of cooling plates are stacked. The plurality of semiconductor devices includes a first-first sealed semiconductor device, a second-first sealed semiconductor device, and a plurality of second sealed semiconductor devices. The first-first sealed semiconductor device has a first high potential side terminal, and a first low potential side terminal. The second-first sealed semiconductor device has a second high potential side terminal, and a second low potential side terminal. When viewed along a stacking direction, the first high potential side terminal is disposed to overlap with the second low potential side terminal. |
| US09595483B2 |
Cutting device and cutting method
A cutting device includes: an imaging module for capturing first marks and third marks, to produce primary image data; and a control module for aligning, by a conveyance mechanism, a cutting jig and an object to be cut that is placed on the cutting jig. The control module compares first positional information including positional information of a specific first mark stored or first positional information with third positional information to calculate a primary displacement amount showing a relative positional displacement between a plurality of cutting grooves and the plurality of third marks, respectively. The conveyance mechanism picks up the object from the cutting jig, and the conveyance mechanism and the cutting jig are moved relative to each other based on the primary displacement amount, to move the object by the primary displacement amount to a primary target position. The cutting mechanism cuts the object along a plurality of cutting lines. |
| US09595473B2 |
Critical dimension shrink through selective metal growth on metal hardmask sidewalls
A method for fabricating a self-aligned via structure includes forming a tri-layer mask on an ILD layer over a lower metal wiring layer, the tri-layer mask includes first and second insulating layers and a metal layer in between the insulating layers; defining a trench pattern through the first insulating layer and metal layer, the trench pattern having a first width; defining a first via pattern in a lithographic mask over the trench pattern, the first via pattern having a second width that is larger than the first width; growing a metal capping layer on an exposed sidewall of the trench pattern to decrease the first width to a third width that defines a second via pattern; transferring the trench pattern into the ILD layer to form a trench; and transferring the second via pattern through the ILD layer and into the metal wiring layer to form a via. |
| US09595472B1 |
Semiconductor device, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device comprises forming a first pattern and a second pattern to be placed apart on a semiconductor substrate; and forming an arch pattern in which the tops of the first pattern and of the second pattern touch by making the first pattern and the second pattern bend in directions in which they face each other. |
| US09595470B2 |
Methods of preparing tungsten and tungsten nitride thin films using tungsten chloride precursor
Methods for forming tungsten film using fluorine-free tungsten precursors such as tungsten chlorides are provided. Methods involve depositing a tungsten nucleation layer by exposing a substrate to a reducing agent such as diborane (B2H6) and exposing the substrate to a tungsten chloride, followed by depositing bulk tungsten by exposing the substrate to a tungsten chloride and a reducing agent. Methods also involve diluting the reducing agent and exposing the substrate to a fluorine-free precursor in pulses to deposit a tungsten nucleation layer. Deposited films exhibit good step coverage and plugfill. |
| US09595469B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for producing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body with a front face and a back face, having an active zone located at the front face, a front surface metallization layer having a front face and a back face directed towards the active zone, the front surface metallization layer being provided on the front face of the semiconductor body and being electrically connected to the active zone, and a first barrier layer, including amorphous molybdenum nitride, located between the active zone and the metallization layer. Further, a method for producing such a device is provided. |
| US09595467B2 |
Air gap formation in interconnection structure by implantation process
Methods for forming air gaps in an interconnection structure with desired materials formed on different locations of the interconnection structure using an ion implantation process to define an etching boundary followed by an etching process for semiconductor devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method for forming air gaps in an interconnection structure on a substrate, the method includes implanting ions in a first region of an insulating material disposed on a substrate, leaving a second region without implanted ions, the second region having a first surface interfaced with the first region and a second surface interfaced with the substrate, and performing an etching process to selectively etch the second region away from the substrate, forming an air gap between the first region and the substrate. |
| US09595466B2 |
Methods for etching via atomic layer deposition (ALD) cycles
Methods for etching a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for etching a substrate disposed within a processing volume of a process chamber includes: (a) exposing a first layer disposed atop the substrate to a first gas comprising tungsten chloride (WClx) for a first period of time and at a first pressure, wherein x is 5 or 6; (b) purging the processing volume of the first gas using an inert gas for a second period of time; (c) exposing the substrate to a hydrogen-containing gas for a third period of time to etch the first layer after purging the processing volume of the first gas; and (d) purging the processing volume of the hydrogen-containing gas using the inert gas for a fourth period of time. |
| US09595465B2 |
Vias and methods of formation thereof
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device includes a first metal line in a first insulating layer, and a via having a portion surrounding a portion of a first sidewall of the first metal line. |
| US09595463B2 |
Wafer processing method
A wafer processing method which includes a protective tape attaching step of attaching a protective tape through an adhesive layer to a front side of a wafer in only a peripheral marginal area thereof, and a cutting step of cutting the front side of the wafer in its peripheral portion by using a rotating cutting blade to thereby form a peripheral cut portion having a predetermined width and a predetermined depth. Accordingly, edge trimming to the peripheral portion of the wafer can be easily performed without adhering of particles generated in cutting the wafer to a device area. |
| US09595460B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus, recording medium and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A substrate processing apparatus includes first and second process chambers; a mounting section on which a housing vessel that houses the substrate is mounted; a vacuum transfer chamber that has a vacuum transfer machine to transfer the substrate under a negative pressure; and an atmospheric transfer chamber that has an atmospheric transfer machine that transfers the substrate under an atmospheric pressure. Timing for the atmospheric transfer chamber to take out the substrate from the housing vessel is based on a recipe remaining time, which is a remaining time of substrate processing, and an approach time, which is a time from when the substrate is taken out from the housing vessel till when the substrate is mounted to the vacuum transfer machine. |
| US09595456B2 |
Wafer manufacturing cleaning apparatus, process and method of use
A cleaning wafer or substrate for use in cleaning, or in combination with, components of, for example, integrated chip manufacturing apparatus. The cleaning substrate can include a substrate having varying predetermined surface features, such as one or more predetermined adhesive, non-tacky, electrostatic, projection, depression, or other physical sections. The predetermined features can provide for more effective cleaning of the components with which they are used, such as an integrated chip manufacturing apparatus in the place of the integrated chip wafer. The cleaning substrate can be urged into cleaning or other position by vacuum, mechanical, electrostatic, or other forces. The cleaning substrate can adapted to accomplish a variety of functions, including abrading or polishing. The cleaning substrate may be made by a novel method of making, and it may then be used in a novel method of use I combination with chip manufacturing apparatus. |
| US09595453B2 |
Chip package method and package assembly
The present disclosure relates to a chip package method and a package assembly. A metal plate is micro-etched to form trenches having a predetermined depth. A metallic conductor is formed as a leadframe by filling the trenches with a material having relatively small adhesion with the metal plate. In such manner, the metal plate can be peeled off from a package body after the chip is electrically coupled to the metallic conductor and encapsulated by a molding process. A bottom of the metallic conductor is exposed from the package body. A chip package is thus completed. It simplifies a manufacture process for forming a chip package, reduces manufacture cost, and increases reliability of the chip package. |
| US09595449B1 |
Silicon-germanium semiconductor devices and method of making
Oxidation treatment of a Si1-xGex (0 |
| US09595448B2 |
Method for cleaning plasma processing chamber and substrate
A method for cleaning a plasma processing chamber is provided. The method includes introducing an organic gas into a plasma processing chamber. The organic gas includes an organic compound including carbon and hydrogen. The method includes generating an organic plasma by exciting the organic gas. The organic plasma reacts with metal compound residues over an interior surface of the plasma processing chamber to volatilize the metal compound residues into a gaseous metal compound. The method includes removing the gaseous metal compound from the plasma processing chamber. |
| US09595446B2 |
Methods of processing substrates
Methods processing substrates are provided. The method may include providing a bonding layer between a substrate and a carrier to bond the substrate to the carrier, processing the substrate while the substrate is supported by the carrier, and removing the bonding layer to separate the substrate from the carrier. The bonding layer may include a thermosetting glue layer and thermosetting release layers provided on opposing sides of the thermosetting glue layer. |
| US09595442B2 |
Method of forming semiconductor structure with anti-punch through structure
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes implanting a first type of dopants in a first region and a second region of a substrate and implanting a second type of dopants in the second region of the substrate. The method includes forming a material layer over the first region and the second region of the substrate and patterning the material layer, the first region of the substrate, and the second region of the substrate to form a first fin structure and a second fin structure The method includes forming a gate structure across the first fin structure and the second fin structure. |
| US09595440B2 |
Method of using a vaporizing spray system to perform a trimming process
A method of semiconductor device fabrication including placing a substrate having a first and second features disposed thereon in a vaporizing spray deposition system. An atomizing spray head of the vaporizing spray deposition system is used to deposit a conformal polymer layer on the first and second features. The first feature having the layer of the polymer disposed thereon and having a first width. A spray trim process is performed on the first and second features having the polymer layer disposed thereon using the atomizing spray head. |
| US09595439B2 |
Method for preparing nanostructure by electrochemical deposition, and nanostructure prepared thereby
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a nanostructure by electrochemical deposition, and a nanostructure prepared thereby, and more specifically, to: a method for preparing a nanostructure by electrochemical deposition, wherein it is possible to prepare a nanostructure having remarkable morphological, structural and optical characteristics by controlling a method for applied power during electrochemical deposition; and a nanostructure prepared thereby. |
| US09595437B2 |
Method of forming silicon on a substrate
A method for forming a silicon layer using a liquid silane compound is described. The method includes the steps of: forming a first layer on a substrate, preferably a flexible substrate, the first layer having a (poly)silane; and, irradiating with light having one or more wavelength within the range between 200 and 400 nm for transforming the polysilane in silicon, preferably amorphous silicon or polysilicon. |
| US09595436B2 |
Growing graphene on substrates
Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for forming graphitic carbon such as graphene on a substrate. The method includes providing a precursor comprising a linear conjugated hydrocarbon, depositing a hydrocarbon layer from the precursor on the substrate, and forming graphene from the hydrocarbon layer by applying energy to the substrate. The precursor may include template molecules such as polynuclear aromatics, and may be deposited on the substrate by spinning on, by spraying, by flowing, by dipping, or by condensing. The energy may be applied as radiant energy, thermal energy, or plasma energy. |
| US09595435B2 |
Method for forming multilayer film including oxide semiconductor film and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
To form an oxide semiconductor film with a low density of localized levels. To improve electric characteristics of a semiconductor device including the oxide semiconductor. After oxygen is added to an oxide film containing In or Ga in contact with an oxide semiconductor film functioning as a channel, heat treatment is performed to make oxygen in the oxide film containing In or Ga transfer to the oxide semiconductor film functioning as a channel, so that the amount of oxygen vacancies in the oxide semiconductor film is reduced. Further, an oxide film containing In or Ga is formed, oxygen is added to the oxide film, an oxide semiconductor film is formed over the oxide film, and then heat treatment is performed. |
| US09595434B2 |
Apparatus and methods for manufacturing semiconductor devices and treating substrates
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a pattern on a surface of a semiconductor substrate; placing the substrate on a platform of a substrate treatment apparatus; rotating the wafer while applying a cleaning liquid from a first nozzle and a wetting liquid from a second nozzle to treat a first region on the surface of the substrate; vertically changing the distance of the second nozzle together with the first nozzle with respect to the platform; after the vertical change, rotating the wafer while applying the cleaning liquid from the first nozzle and the wetting liquid from the second nozzle to treat a second region on the surface of the substrate; and forming a semiconductor device from the treated substrate. |
| US09595433B2 |
Substrate processing method and substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing method includes a rinsing step of supplying water of a first temperature to a surface of a silicon substrate to apply a rinsing process using the water to the silicon substrate surface, a second temperature water supplying (coating) step of supplying water of a second temperature lower than the first temperature to the silicon substrate surface after the rinsing step, and a drying step of rotating the silicon substrate after the second temperature water supplying step to spin off the water on the silicon substrate surface to a periphery of the silicon substrate and thereby dry the silicon substrate. |
| US09595432B2 |
Time-of-flight mass spectrometer and a method of analysing ions in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer
A time-of-flight mass spectrometer (1) comprises an ion source a segmented linear ion device (10) for receiving sample ions supplied by the ion source and a time-of-flight mass analyzer for analyzing ions ejected from the segmented device. A trapping voltage is applied to the segmented device to trap ions initially into a group of two or more adjacent segments and subsequently to trap them in a region of the segmented device shorter than the group of segments. The trapping voltage may also be effective to provide a uniform trapping field along the length of the device (10). |
| US09595426B2 |
Method and system for mass spectrometry data analysis
In estimating a structural formula of an unknown substance produced through partial structural change of an original substance having a known structure caused by metabolism or the like, structural change is considered in two stages, the elimination of a partial structure and the addition of another partial structure. First, an additional partial structure is collected as known information in addition to an MSn spectrum of the unknown substance and a structural formula of the original substance. A structural formula at the time when a partial structure is eliminated from the original substance is estimated, and a structural formula of each of product ions is estimated. The structural formula of the unknown substance is determined by estimating a structure that can produce the candidates for structural formulas of the product ions by dissociation. |
| US09595425B2 |
Antenna, dielectric window, plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
An antenna, a dielectric window, a plasma processing apparatus and a plasma processing method are capable of improving uniformity of a substrate surface processing amount in the surface of the substrate. The antenna includes the dielectric window 16; and a slot plate 20, provided on one side of the dielectric window 16, having a plurality of slots 133. The dielectric window 16 has a flat surface 146 surrounded by a ring-shaped first recess; and a plurality of second recesses 153 formed on the flat surface 146 so as to surround a center of the flat surface 146. Here, the flat surface 146 is formed on the other side of the dielectric window 16. When viewed from a thickness direction of the slot plate, a center of each second recess 153 is located within each slot 133 of the slot plate. |
| US09595424B2 |
Impedance matching circuit for operation with a kilohertz RF generator and a megahertz RF generator to control plasma processes
An impedance matching circuit (IMC) is described. The impedance matching circuit includes a first circuit. The first circuit has an input coupled to a kilohertz (kHz) radio frequency (RF) generator. The IMC includes a second circuit. The second circuit has an input coupled to a low frequency megahertz (MHz) RF generator. The IMC includes a third circuit. The third circuit has an input coupled to a high frequency MHz RF generator. The IMC includes an output of the first, second, and third circuits coupled to an input of an RF transmission line. The first circuit and the second circuit provide isolation between a kHz RF signal sent through the first circuit and a low frequency MHz RF signal sent through the second circuit. |
| US09595422B2 |
Plasma etching of porous substrates
The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor fabrication, and more particularly to plasma etching of dielectric materials having pores. In one aspect, a method for etching a porous material in an environment includes contacting the porous material with an organic gas at a pressure and a temperature. The organic gas is such that at the pressure and the temperature, the organic gas remains in a gas state when outside of the porous material, while the organic gas condenses into an organic liquid upon contacting the porous material. Upon contacting the porous material, the organic gas thereby fills the pores of the porous material with the organic liquid. Subsequent to contacting the porous material, the method additionally includes plasma etch-treating of the porous material having filled pores, thereby evaporating a fraction of the organic liquid filling the pores of the porous material. |
| US09595420B2 |
Method for preparing lamella
A FIB is irradiated onto a sample to form a lamella whose upper side has a thickness of 100 nm or less and whose lower side has a thickness greater than that of the upper side. First and second measurement regions are set on an observation image of the lamella on the upper and lower sides, respectively, where the lamella is thin enough to transmit therethrough an EB. An EB is irradiated onto the first and second measurement regions and charged particles generated therefrom are detected, and a slant angle of one degree or smaller is calculated based on the detected amount of charged particles generated from the first and second measurement regions and the distance between the two regions. The lamella is slanted with respect to the FIB and then irradiated by the FIB by the calculated slant angle to uniformize the thickness of the lamella to a value of 100 nm or smaller. |
| US09595419B1 |
Alignment and registration targets for multiple-column charged particle beam lithography and inspection
The present application discloses methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beam tools to pattern and inspect a substrate. The inventors have discovered that it is highly advantageous to use patterns generated using the Hadamard transform as alignment and registration marks (Hadamard targets) for multiple-column charged particle beam lithography and inspection tools. Further, superior substrate alignment and layer-to-layer pattern registration accuracy can be achieved using Hadamard targets patterned in edge-proximal portions of the substrate that are typically stripped bare of resist prior to lithography, in addition to Hadamard targets patterned in inner substrate portions. High-order Hadamard targets can also be patterned and imaged to obtain superior column performance metrics for applications such as super-rapid beam calibration DOE, column matching, and column performance tracking. Superior alignment and registration, and column parameter optimization, allow significant yield gains. |
| US09595417B2 |
High resolution charged particle beam device and method of operating the same
A charged particle beam device is provided which includes a primary beam source device adapted for generating a primary charged particle beam, a mirror corrector device adapted for providing compensation of spherical and/or chromatic aberrations, a first beam separator adapted for transmitting the primary charged particle beam to the mirror corrector device and for separating the primary charged particle beam from a compensating primary charged particle beam reflected by the mirror corrector device, wherein the first beam separator has a magnetic deflector configured to generate at least one dipole magnetic field, an objective lens adapted for focusing the compensating primary charged particle beam onto a specimen, and a second beam separator adapted for transmitting the compensating primary charged particle beam to the specimen and for separating the compensating primary charged particle beam from a secondary charged particle beam originating from the specimen. |
| US09595412B2 |
Control panel including solid-insulated plug-in connection
A control panel for medium voltage or high voltage has a circuit breaker housing and a cable connector housing which can be connected in a current conducting manner via an external plug-in connection. |
| US09595409B2 |
Particle resistant enclosure for dead tank circuit breaker
A tank for a circuit breaker has a body defining an interior volume and having opposing ends. An flange is at each end of the body with the flanges defining a central longitudinal axis of the body. The body has an internal surface defining a top portion of the tank disposed substantially above the axis and defining a bottom portion of the tank disposed substantially below the axis. The top portion is spaced from the axis as defined by at least a first radius from the axis. The bottom portion is spaced from the axis as defined by at least a second radius from axis. The second radius is greater than the first radius so as to reduce an electric field intensity on the bottom portion of the body and thus reduce effects of foreign particles within the interior volume, regardless of phase rotation. |
| US09595407B2 |
Push switch
In an initial state where a push rod is pressed down, a base of a movable contact point board supporting a movable contact point makes contact with inclined protruding portions of a moving block by a second spring to be inclined. When the movable contact point makes contact with a fixed contact point following the projecting of the push rod, the base makes contact with stoppers. Thereafter, since the moving block alone rises, the movable contact point board rotates following the end edges of the stoppers according to release of the pressing by the protruding portion. Thereby the movable contact point largely slides and is displaced to the fixed contact point. |
| US09595403B2 |
Electrical switching apparatus and trip assembly therefor
A trip assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus has a housing, an electrical communication assembly coupled to the housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The trip assembly includes an actuating element structured to be coupled to the housing and structured to be electrically connected to the electrical communication assembly; and an indication assembly cooperating with the actuating element in order to electrically communicate a circuit status to the electrical communication assembly. |
| US09595400B2 |
Supercapacitor having improved conductivity properties and method of manufacture
An improved supercapacitor includes a first and second electrode with each electrode made at least in part from a highly-porous electrically conductive material, a insulative separator separating the electrodes; a first electrically conductive current collector in physical and electrical contact with the first electrode; and a second electrically conductive current collector in physical and electrical contact with the second electrode, wherein at least one current collector is configured to have multiple separate portions with each portion having a current capacity that varies as a function of current passing through during capacitive operation. |
| US09595398B2 |
Low resistance ultracapacitor electrode and manufacturing method thereof
A carbon-based electrode includes activated carbon, carbon black, and a binder. The binder is fluoropolymer having a molecular weight of at least 500,000 and a fluorine content of 40 to 70 wt. %. A method of forming the carbon-based electrode includes providing a binder-less conductive carbon-coated current collector, pre-treating the carbon coating with a sodium napthalenide-based solution, and depositing onto the treated carbon coating a slurry containing activated carbon, carbon black and binder. |
| US09595394B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor, anode lead connection method for the same, and production method for solid electrolytic capacitor
A solid electrolytic capacitor capable of assuredly connecting to a bolster member is provided. A solid electrolytic capacitor having a capacitor element with an anode made of tungsten is accommodated in a box-shaped case. An anode lead is connected to an anode circuit pattern provided on a bottom wall inner surface of the box-shaped case. In a state in which the anode lead is covered by an oxide film and is in direct contact with the anode circuit pattern, a conductive material is adhered between the anode lead and the anode circuit pattern to thereby form a conductive connection layer. The anode lead and the conductive connection layer are connected via the conductive film layer. The conductive film layer is connected to the anode lead at the film removed portion in which the oxide film has been removed from the surface of the anode lead. |
| US09595391B2 |
Ceramic electronic component and manufacturing method therefor
A ceramic electronic component that includes a ceramic element, and baked electrodes on a surface of the ceramic element. A resin film is formed at boundary sites between the ceramic element and the baked electrodes. The resin film includes a resin, and a cationic element that is a constituent element of the glass component in the baked electrodes. |
| US09595386B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component and board having the same mounted thereon
A multilayer electronic component is disclosed with a body having a thickness (T) and a width (W) satisfying the equation T/W>1.0, an upper portion of the body including a first and second internal electrodes with an average width of M1 and a lower portion of the body including a first and second internal electrodes with an average width of M2 satisfying M1>M2. |
| US09595379B2 |
Cooling device for transformer
A cooling device for a transformer, capable of reducing heat generation from windings and a core, is provided. The cooling device for the transformer includes a primary winding and a second winding wound around a center part of the core and separated from each other. A heat-dissipating panel for releasing heat generated from the core, the primary winding, and the secondary winding to the exterior using heat conductance is inserted between the primary winding and the secondary winding. In addition, the heat-dissipating panel is configured to release heat using exposed edges of the primary winding and the secondary winding. |
| US09595378B2 |
Resonator enclosure
Described herein are improved configurations for a wireless power transfer and mechanical enclosures. The described structure holds and secures the components of a resonator while providing adequate structural integrity, thermal control, and protection against environmental elements. The coil enclosure structure comprises a flat, planar material with a recess for an electrical conductor wrapped around blocks of magnetic material as well as an additional planar material to act as a cover for the recess. |
| US09595372B2 |
Harness exterior protection member and wire harness using the same
A harness exterior protection member with an electric wire bundle inserted therein includes a bent portion and a straight portion which are formed in a cylindrical shape in an integrated manner formed of a flame-retardant polyamide resin composition. A thickness of the straight portion is set to be twice to four times of a thickness of the bent portion. A bending radius of the bent portion is 10 mm or larger, and a bending strength of the straight portion is 15 to 25 N. |
| US09595369B2 |
Wire harness
A wire harness includes a main line, a branch line which is branched from an intermediate part of the main line, a self-adhesive sheet which holds and covers the main line and the branch line and is folded so that one pair of edge parts thereof extending along the main line are stuck to each other in a state the branch line is drawn out from the one pair of edge parts, and a temporarily fixing member which bundles the main line at a position outside of the intermediate part in an extending direction of the main line. |
| US09595367B2 |
High voltage direct current cable having an impregnated stratified insulation
A high voltage direct current cable includes at least one electrical conductor, at least one semiconducting layer, at least one stratified insulation made from windings of at least one paper-polypropylene laminate, the stratified insulation being impregnated with at least one electrically insulating fluid having a kinematic viscosity of at least 1,000 cSt at 60EC, wherein the laminate includes at least one paper layer having an air impermeability of at least 100,000 Gurley sec−1. Such a high air impermeability of the paper layer(s) remarkably reduces the swelling of the polypropylene layer(s) during impregnation with a high viscosity insulating fluid, thus preventing delamination, up to the end of the impregnation process for the whole stratified insulation. |
| US09595366B2 |
Conductive cellulose-based resin composition
Problem to be SolvedIt is intended to provide a conductive resin composition that exhibits high conductivity even without being supplemented with a special resin or a third component, and a molded article obtained from the resin composition.SolutionThe conductive cellulose-based resin composition of the present invention comprises (A) an aliphatic cellulose ester and (B) at least one carbon material selected from the group consisting of a single-walled carbon nanotube, a multi-walled carbon nanotube, single-layer graphene, multi-layer graphene, fullerene, and carbon black. The volume resistivity of this conductive cellulose-based resin composition is, for example, 10−3 to 20 Ω·cm, preferably 10−3 to 1 Ω·cm. The content of the carbon material (B) is, for example, 0.5 to 80% by weight of the whole conductive cellulose-based resin composition. |
| US09595364B2 |
Conductive sheet composition
Provided is a conductive sheet composition including a polycarbonate resin, a rubber-modified vinyl-based graft copolymer, carbon nanotube, and a silicone particle to improve conductivity and mechanical physical properties and reduce surface gloss. |
| US09595363B2 |
Surface chemical modification of nanocrystals
Nanocrystals comprising organic ligands at surfaces of the plurality of nanocrystals are provided. The organic ligands are removed from the surfaces of the nanocrystals using a solution comprising a trialkyloxonium salt in a polar aprotic solvent. The removal of the organic ligands causes the nanocrystals to become naked nanocrystals with cationic surfaces. |
| US09595360B2 |
Metallic alloys having amorphous, nano-crystalline, or microcrystalline structure
A metal alloy for use in a wire included in an electrochemical cell is disclosed having an amorphous structure, microcrystalline grains, or grains that are sized less than about one micron. In various embodiments, the microcrystalline grains are not generally longitudinally oriented, are variably oriented, or are randomly oriented. In some embodiments, the microcrystalline grains lack uniform grain size or are variably sized. In some embodiments, the microcrystalline grains have an average grain size of less than or equal to 5 microns. In some embodiments, the metal alloy lacks long-range crystalline order among the microcrystalline grains. In some embodiments, the wire is used in a substrate used in the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, the metal alloy is formed using a co-extrusion process comprising warming up the metallic alloy and applying pressure and simultaneously passing a core material through a die to obtain a composite structure. |
| US09595355B2 |
Fuel channel annulus spacer
An annulus spacer for a fuel channel assembly of a nuclear reactor, and method of manufacturing an annulus spacer. The fuel channel assembly includes a calandria tube and a pressure tube positioned at least partially within the calandria tube. The annulus spacer includes a garter spring configured to surround a portion of the pressure tube to maintain a gap between the calandria tube and the pressure tube. A girdle wire is positioned substantially within the garter spring and configured to form a loop around the pressure tube. The girdle wire includes a first segment and a second segment that overlaps the first segment to form an overlap, the overlap extending between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 135 degrees to reduce the possibility of girdle wire twisting. |
| US09595352B2 |
Manufacturer self-test for solid-state drives
An apparatus comprising a memory and a controller. The memory is configured to process a plurality of read/write operations. The memory comprises a plurality of memory modules each having a size less than a total size of the memory. The controller is configured to process a plurality of I/O requests to blocks of the memory that are not marked as bad on a block list. The controller is configured to track a plurality of bad blocks of the memory. The controller is configured to perform a plurality of scans on the memory. The scans are configured to (a) identify the bad blocks, and (b) mark the bad blocks as bad on the block list. |
| US09595341B2 |
Memory system to determine interference of a memory cell by adjacent memory cells, and operating method thereof
Provided are a memory system and an operating method thereof. The operating method reads an observation memory cell at least one time with different read voltages to configure a first read data symbol, reads a plurality of interference memory cells adjacent to the observation memory cell at least one time with different read voltages to configure second read data symbols, and determines a logical value of the observation memory cell based on the first read data symbol and the second read data symbols. |
| US09595340B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method of setting a reference current in a nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device comprises a cell array including a memory cell. The nonvolatile memory device also includes a reference signal generator configured to generate a reference current for reading data stored in the memory cell. The reference signal generator includes a first circuit coupled to a current summation node and having a reference cell. The first circuit is configured to generate a first current that flows between drain and source terminals of a transistor in the reference cell. The reference signal generator also includes a second circuit coupled to the current summation node and configured to generate a second current that is a temperature-dependent current. The current summation node is configured to combine the first and second currents to generate the reference current that tracks a temperature trend of a current flowing through the memory cell. |
| US09595339B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for reducing read disturb
Apparatuses and methods for reducing read disturb are described herein. An example apparatus may include a first memory subblock including a first select gate drain (SGD) switch and a first select gate source (SGS) switch, a second memory subblock including a second SGD switch and a second SGS switch, and an access line associated with the first and second memory subblocks. The apparatus may include a control unit configured to enable the first and second SGD switches and the first and second SGS switches during a first portion of a read operation and to provide a first voltage on the access line during the first portion. The control unit may be configured to disable the first SGD switch and the first SGS switches during a second portion of the read operation and to provide a second voltage on the access line during the second portion. |
| US09595334B2 |
Apparatus and methods of operating memory for exact and inexact searching of feature vectors
Apparatus and methods of operating a memory include storing a value of an attribute of a feature vector to a pair of memory cells by programming each of the memory cells to a respective data state of three or more data states, searching for an exact match to a particular value of the attribute by applying respective voltage levels to control gates of the memory cells to activate both memory cells only when the value of the attribute is the particular value, and searching for an inexact match to the particular value of the attribute by applying respective voltage levels to control gates of the memory cells to activate both memory cells when the value of the attribute is within a range of possible values of the attribute including the particular value. |
| US09595332B2 |
High speed, high voltage tolerant circuits in flash path
A circuit includes a first word line coupled to a non-volatile memory (NVM) cell. A first path includes a first inverter and a transistor. The transistor is coupled to the word line. The first path is coupled to receive a first input voltage signal. A second path includes at least the transistor coupled to the word line. At least a portion of the second path is embedded within the first path. The second path is coupled to receive a second input voltage signal. |
| US09595330B2 |
Configurable non-volatile content addressable memory
A Configurable Non-Volatile Content Addressable Memory (CNVCAM) cell consisting of a pair of complementary non-volatile memory devices and a MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor-Field-Effect-Transistor) is disclosed. The CNVCAM cells can be constructed to form the NOR-type match line memory array and the NAND-type match line memory array. In contrast to the Random Access Memory (RAM) accessed by the address codes with the prior knowledge of memory locations, CNVCAM can be pre-configured into non-volatile memory content data and searched by an input content data to trigger the further computing process. The unique property of CNVCAM can provide a key component for neural computing. |
| US09595325B2 |
Apparatus and methods for sensing hard bit and soft bits
A method is provided for reading a memory cell of a nonvolatile memory system. The method includes generating a hard bit and N soft bits for the memory cell in a total time corresponding to a single read latency period and N+1 data transfer times. |
| US09595322B2 |
Storage device with 2D configuration of phase change memory integrated circuits
A storage device, apparatus, and method to write and/or read data from such storage device. The storage device, comprises a channel controller and phase change memory integrated circuits (PCM ICs) arranged in sub-channels, wherein each of the sub-channels comprises several PCM ICs connected by at least one data bus line, which at least one data bus line connects to the channel controller. The channel controller is configured to write data to and/or read data from the PCM ICs according to a matrix configuration of PCM ICs, wherein: a number of columns of the matrix configuration respectively corresponds to a number of the sub-channels, the sub-channels forming a channel, and a number of rows of the matrix configuration respectively corresponds to a number of sub-banks, the sub-banks forming a bank, wherein each of the sub-banks comprises PCM ICs that belong, each, to distinct sub-channels of the sub-channels. |
| US09595320B2 |
Optimization of read thresholds for non-volatile memory
An SSD controller dynamically adjust read thresholds in a NVM to reduce errors due to device threshold voltage distribution shifts, thus improving performance, reliability, and/or cost of a storage sub-system, such as an SSD. In a first aspect, the controller periodically performs offline tracking on a portion of the NVM. The controller reads a representative sub-portion with current read thresholds. If the read meets a condition, then the controller reads the sub-portion with sample read thresholds, estimates the device threshold voltage distributions, and adjusts the current read thresholds of the portion to calculated new operating read thresholds of the sub-portion. In a second aspect, the portion includes data with a known statistical average number of zero and/or one bits. |
| US09595316B2 |
Design-for-test apparatuses and techniques
Embodiments of design-for-test (DFT) apparatuses and related techniques are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a DFT apparatus may include an SRAM cell, read/write (R/W) circuitry to provide a nominal word line (WL) voltage and a nominal BL voltage for application to the SRAM cell during accesses. The DFT apparatus may also include test circuitry having an activated state and a deactivated state. When the test circuitry is in the activated state, in some embodiments, the WL voltage and/or the BL voltage applied to the SRAM cell may be different from the nominal voltages provided by the R/W/decoder circuitry. The R/W/decoder circuitry may be operated to perform accesses to the SRAM cell while the test circuitry is in the activated state. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed. |
| US09595315B2 |
Semiconductor memory device compensating difference of bitline interconnection resistance
A semiconductor memory device includes a bit line sense amplifier, a first column select gate, and a second column select gate. The bit line sense amplifier senses an electric potential difference between a bit line and a complementary bit line during a sensing operation for memory cells. The first column select gate transfers an electric potential on the bit line to a local sense amplifier based on a column select signal. The second column select gate transfers an electric potential on the complementary bit line to the local sense amplifier based on the column select signal. The first and second column select gates have different current drive abilities to compensate a difference in bit line interconnection resistance. |
| US09595312B1 |
Adaptive refresh scheduling for memory
The present disclosure provides for adaptive scheduling of memory refreshes. One embodiment relates to a method of adapting an initial refresh sequence. In this method, flow and blockage scores for each refresh sequence of a plurality of refresh sequences are obtained and stored in an array of scores. An initial refresh sequence is selected in a way that favors a high flow score and a low blockage score. Another embodiment relates to a method of adapting a current refresh sequence. Current flow and blockage scores are obtained and stored for the current refresh sequence. The current flow and blockage scores are used to update (by averaging, for example) the existing flow and blockage scores for the current refresh sequence. The next refresh sequence is then chosen from amongst a plurality of refresh sequences in a way that favors a high flow score and a low blockage score. |
| US09595311B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises: a memory mat including a memory cell having a variable resistance element; a write driver which applies a write current to the memory cell in one of a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction in write; and a read driver which applies a verify read current to the memory cell in one of the first direction and the second direction in verify read after write. |
| US09595310B2 |
Circuits for control of time for read operation, using a current mirror circuit to mirror a reference current into the dummy device and generates time control signals based on the mirrored current
A circuit for control of time for read operation is disclosed which additionally incorporates a dummy device circuit and a dummy sensitive amplifier circuit, uses a current mirror circuit to mirror a reference current in a reference device circuit into the dummy device circuit to generate a mirrored current, and generates time control signals based on the mirrored current. Due to the same adaptation of the mirrored current to the size of a test device as the reference current, the time control signals are also adapted to the size of the test device. This addresses the problem of fixed time control signals arising from the use of a conventional RC relay circuit and enables the time control signals to change with the size of the test device as well as Process Voltage Temperature, thereby resulting in an effective reduction in average energy consumed in read operation. |
| US09595309B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cells coupled to multiple word lines a word line deactivation voltage generation block suitable for generating word line deactivation voltages having different voltage levels corresponding to temperature ranges, and a word line driving block suitable for driving a word line to be deactivated with the word line deactivation voltages selected from the word line deactivation voltages. |
| US09595304B1 |
Current-mode sense amplifier
The invention relates to a current sense amplifier (103) comprising a reference current input terminal (109), a sense control line input terminal (125), a sense current input terminal (108), a first output terminal (106), and a second output terminal (107). The amplifier further comprises a first NAND gate (100) comprising an output terminal being connected to the first output terminal (106), a second NAND gate (101) comprising an output terminal being connected to the second output terminal (106), a first (T1, T5) and a second (T2, T6) cross coupled inverters, the first inverter comprising a first n-FET (T1) and the second inverter comprising a second n-FET (T2), a transmission gate (104) comprising a first and a second transmission terminal and a transmission control terminal, the transmission control terminal being connected to the sense control line input terminal (125), an AND gate (130) having a first input terminal connected to the first output terminal (106) and a second input terminal connected to the second output terminal (107), a third n-FET (T3) having a gate connected to an output terminal of the AND gate (130), a drain connected to the sense current input terminal, a source connected to ground, wherein a source of the first n-FET is connected to the sense current input terminal and a source of the second n-FET is connected to the reference current input terminal, a first input terminal of the first NAND gate and a first input terminal of the second NAND gate are connected to the sense control line input terminal, the first transmission terminal and a second input terminal of the first NAND gate are connected to an output terminal of the second inverter and the second transmission terminal and a second input terminal of the second NAND gate are connected to an output terminal of the first inverter. |
| US09595303B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for compensating for source voltage
Apparatuses and methods for compensating for source voltage is described. An example apparatus includes a source coupled to a memory cell and a read-write circuit coupled to the memory cell. The apparatus further includes a sense current generator coupled to a node of the source and to the read-write circuit, the sense current generator configured to control provision of a sense current by the read-write circuit responsive to a voltage of the node of the source. |
| US09595302B2 |
Hard disk drive cover with differential inner and outer surface roughness
A hard disk drive cover with a smooth bottom (inner) surface and a textured outer surface is provided for covering a hard disk drive base assembly. A method of manufacturing the hard disk includes providing a metal material. The metal material is worked into a metal strip having a textured surface and an opposing smooth surface. A hard disk drive cover is stamped from the worked metal strip with the smooth surface being the inner surface of the stamped cover. The smooth inner surface of the hard disk drive advantageously enhances cleanliness within the base assembly. The smooth surface finish on the inner surface also advantageously enhances shear strength of a bond between a gasket and the inner surface. |
| US09595300B2 |
Contextual chapter navigation
A system and a method are disclosed for on-screen display that indicates to the user the current point in the playback of the video within the context of the chapter delineations. The user can access a chapter selection feature that presents a preview image from each chapter along with a timeline representing the video, and an indication on the timeline of where the chapters fall along the timeline. Alternatively, short video segments replace the still images as representing the chapters for some or all of the chapters. The user can select a chapter in which to resume playing the video by selecting one of the images or video segments. |
| US09595299B2 |
Method and apparatus for adapting audio delays to picture frame rates
To synchronize sound information with corresponding picture information for digital cinema compositions at different frame rates in a play list during play out of the digital cinema compositions, associated audio latency settings are first established for the corresponding picture information of the digital cinema compositions in the play list in accordance with the digital cinema composition frame rates. The timing between the sound information and the picture information is then adjusted during play out of the digital cinema compositions in accordance with the associated audio latency settings for the corresponding digital cinema composition frame rates. |
| US09595297B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for defining color regimes
To allow a better coordination between an image creation artist such as a movie director of photography and the final viewer (via the display and its built-in image processing), we describe method of adding image defining information to an input image signal (I), comprising: —showing the input image (I) to a human operator; receiving via a user interface (303, 308) descriptive data (D) from the human operator, the descriptive data (D) including at least luminance values and/or geometrical shape information on the one hand, and a regime descriptor (rd) on the other hand; encoding into an output description data signal (DDO), relatable to an output image signal (O) based upon the input image signal (I), of the descriptive data (D) in a technical format standardized to be intended for use by a receiving display to control its image processing for changing the color properties of its rendered images. |
| US09595295B1 |
Algorithmic based approach to image substitution for overcoming inappropriate apparent rotation of vehicle wheels in videos
Apparatus and methods are described to overcome the perception in viewed video or other presentations containing moving vehicles that the apparent rotation rate of their wheels is frequently inappropriate for the vehicle speeds, which is caused by the stroboscopic interaction between the wheel spokes and the rate at which the images are presented. A currently preferred embodiment operates off-line under human control on a previously recorded video, identifying the wheels and replacing them with suitably altered images which are perceived to rotate at rates appropriate to the vehicle speeds; or to suppress inappropriate perception of rotation. The apparatus and method results in a new recording of the original video in which the wheels appear to rotate at the correct rate for all vehicle speeds. Alternate embodiments implement a similar but automated process operating in near-real time for operating in-line on streaming videos; and variations achieving the same ends. |
| US09595294B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatuses for multi-directional still pictures and/or multi-directional motion pictures
The disclosure is generally directed to methods, systems and apparatuses for multi-directional still pictures and/or multi-directional motion pictures and their applications on mobile, embedded, and other computing devices and applications. |
| US09595293B2 |
Method and apparatus for composition of subtitles
Embodiments of the invention include a subtitling format encompassing elements of enhanced syntax and semantic to provide improved animation capabilities. The disclosed elements improve subtitle performance without stressing the available subtitle bitrate. This will become essential for authoring content of high-end HDTV subtitles in pre-recorded format, which can be broadcast or stored on high capacity optical media, e.g. the Blue-ray Disc. Embodiments of the invention include abilities for improved authoring possibilities for the content production to animate subtitles. For subtitles that are separate from AV material, a method includes using one or more superimposed subtitle layers, and displaying only a selected part of the transferred subtitles at a time. Further, colors of a selected part of the displayed subtitles may be modified, e.g. highlighted. |
| US09595291B1 |
Columnar data storage on tape partition
A method for writing data from a table to a tape includes setting a number of partitions on the tape, where the number of partitions is greater than or equal to a number of columns of the table to be written to the tape, and writing data from each column of the table to at least one partition of the tape, the at least one partition including two or more wraps, the data is written from a top of the two or more wraps towards a bottom of the two or more wraps in a direction of a width of the at least one partition. The written data is reciprocated from a beginning of the tape to an end of the tape in a longitudinal direction of the tape such that writing of a last data entry of one column ends at a beginning of the two or more wraps. |
| US09595288B1 |
Laser mode hopping detection in a heat-assisted magnetic recording drive
A method comprises performing a write operation using a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) drive operating at a plurality of temperatures. The method involves measuring a metric of write performance subsequent to the write operation at each of the operating temperatures. The method also involves detecting one or more laser mode hops using the metrics, and determining a temperature at which each of the detected mode hops occurred. The method further involves storing the temperature for each detected mode hop in a non-volatile memory of the drive. The method may involve mitigating laser mode hopping, such as by the drive avoiding the stored temperature(s). |
| US09595284B2 |
Glass substrate for magnetic disk and magnetic disk
A magnetic-disk glass substrate has a circular hole at a center, and includes a pair of main surfaces and a side wall surface orthogonal to the main surfaces. A roundness of the circular hole is 1.5 μm or less. A difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of radii of three inscribed circles that are respectively derived from outlines in the circumferential direction at three positions spaced apart by 200 μm in a substrate thickness direction on the side wall surface of the circular hole is 3.5 μm or less. |
| US09595280B2 |
Hard disk drive head-disk interface dithering
A procedure for accurately determining thermal flying height control (TFC) touchdown power associated with a head-disk interface (HDI) in a hard disk drive (HDD) involves dithering the spacing corresponding to the HDI by applying an oscillating signal. The touchdown power with the HDI dithering applied is determined and, based on that and the dithering amplitude, the touchdown power without dithering applied, as well as the back-off power, is determinable. |
| US09595278B1 |
High frequency reference patterns used to determine head-to-media clearance
A test track is written to a recording medium and includes a repeated series of reference patterns. The reference patterns each include a first portion with a high frequency pure tone and a second portion with a higher frequency component. A length of the first portion is greater than a length of the second portion. The series of reference patterns are read to determine first and second harmonic amplitudes, and a head-to-media clearance is determined based on the first and second amplitudes at first and second harmonic frequencies. |
| US09595274B2 |
Crystalline magnetic layer to amorphous substrate bonding
Various methods for attaching a crystalline write pole onto an amorphous substrate and the resulting structures are described in detail herein. Further, the resulting structure may have a magnetic moment exceeding 2.4 Tesla. Still further, methods for depositing an epitaxial crystalline write pole on a crystalline seed or template material to ensure that the phase of the write pole is consistent with the high moment phase of the template material are also described in detail herein. |
| US09595270B2 |
Selective post filter
In one aspect, the invention provides an audio encoding method characterized by a decision being made as to whether the device which will decode the resulting bit stream should apply post filtering including attenuation of interharmonic noise. Hence, the decision whether to use the post filter, which is encoded in the bit stream, is taken separately from the decision as to the most suitable coding mode.In another aspect, there is provided an audio decoding method with a decoding step followed by a post-filtering step, including interharmonic noise attenuation, and being characterized in a step of disabling the post filter in accordance with post filtering information encoded in the bit stream signal. Such a method is well suited for mixed-origin audio signals by virtue of its capability to deactivate the post filter in dependence of the post filtering information only, hence independently of factors such as the current coding mode. |
| US09595266B2 |
Audio encoding/decoding device using reverberation signal of object audio signal
An audio coding and decoding apparatus is disclosed. The audio coding apparatus may include an audio signal encoding unit to encode an audio signal; and a bitstream transmission unit to convert the audio signal into a bitstream and transmit the bitstream, wherein the audio signal comprises a channel audio signal, an object audio signal, and a reverberation signal of the object audio signal. |
| US09595261B2 |
Pattern recognition device, pattern recognition method, and computer program product
According to an embodiment, a pattern recognition device includes a signal processor, a first recognizer, a detector, and a second recognizer. The signal processor is configured to calculate a feature of a time-series signal for each frame. The first recognizer is configured to recognize which of a leaf class and a single class of a first class group the time-series signal belongs to for each frame based on the feature and output a recognition result. The detector is configured to detect a segment including a first target class on the basis of a sum of probabilities of the leaf classes which the frame belongs to on the basis of the recognition results for each frame. The second recognizer is configured to recognize which of second target classes the segment belongs to on the basis of the recognition results for the frames within the segment. |
| US09595260B2 |
Modeling device and method for speaker recognition, and speaker recognition system
A modeling device comprises a front end which receives enrollment speech data from each target speaker, a reference anchor set generation unit which generates a reference anchor set using the enrollment speech data based on an anchor space, and a voice print generation unit which generates voice prints based on the reference anchor set and the enrollment speech data. By taking the enrollment speech and speaker adaptation technique into account, anchor models with a smaller size can be generated, so reliable and robust speaker recognition with a smaller size reference anchor set is possible. |
| US09595254B1 |
Adaptive acoustical treatment assembly
An acoustical treatment assembly includes a frame, an absorption panel, and a removable diffuser element. The frame has opposing mounting channels. The absorption panel is disposed on the frame and at least in part between the mounting channels, and comprises an acoustically absorbent material. The removable diffuser element has a convex rounded shape and includes acoustically reflective material. Opposing edges of the diffuser element are disposed within the mounting channels. |
| US09595249B2 |
Electronic signal processor
An electronic signal processor for processing signals includes a complex first filter, one or more gain stages and a second filter. The first filter is characterized by a frequency response curve that includes multiple corner frequencies, with some corner frequencies being user selectable. The first filter also has at least two user-preset gain levels which may be alternately selected by a switch. Lower frequency signals are processed by the first filter with at least 12 db/octave slope, and preferably with 18 db/octave slope to minimize intermodulation distortion products by subsequent amplification in the gain stages. A second filter provides further filtering and amplitude control. The signal processor is particularly suited for processing audio frequency signals. |
| US09595248B1 |
Remotely operable bypass loop device and system
A remotely operable bypass loop device and system includes a bypass loop device having a wireless communication unit for communicating with a smartphone or other electronic device running a looper application. The bypass loop device includes an input for a musical instrument, an audio output, and a plurality of sound effect interfaces. Each of the sound effect interfaces communicate with an internal relay and control switch to form sound loops. The looper App generates a virtual representation of the bypass loop device, and functions to selectively engage and disengage sound loops based upon a user input to the App. |
| US09595247B2 |
Heel-toe actuated pedal system
A heel-toe actuated bass drum pedal system includes a pedal having a heel hinge point at a rear portion and an opposing toe hinge point at a front portion. A heel transfer arm is connected between the heel hinge point and the base. A heel rocker pivot is connected to the base and a heel linkage connected between the heel transfer arm and the heel rocker pivot such that movement of the heel linkage provides rotational movement to the heel rocker pivot which may carry a drum beater. A toe rocker pivot is connected to the base and a toe linkage connected between the toe rocker pivot and the toe hinge point for providing the rotational movement to the toe rocker pivot which may include a second drum beater. A return spring biases the rocker pivots toward a preselected rotation. |
| US09595245B2 |
Locking bearing mechanisms for fulcrum tremolo
The improved tuning mechanisms include a novel Global Tuner arrangement to extend the spring holder to comprise a lever pivotally connected to the inertia block or transverse element to additionally share, along with the thumbwheel element, the load of the counter springs element and, thereby, improve the ease of threading the thumbwheel element. In a preferred embodiment, the customary secondary spring holder is extended to provide a shaped end to facilitate pivoting such as an angled cutaway or taper at the extended end of the secondary spring holder element to provide knife-edge portions. |
| US09595240B1 |
Adjusting frontlight brightness during page updates
Techniques for adjusting a brightness of a front that lights a display of an electronic device in response to determining that the display is going to perform an update. Typically, page updates on certain types of displays, such as electronic paper displays, result in a relatively large but rapid change in brightness. Therefore, by increasing the brightness during the relatively dark portion of the update (e.g., when some, a majority, or all of the pixels are in the black state) and then decreasing the brightness back to its initial state upon completion of the update, the overall brightness perceived by the user remains more uniform. Increasing the uniformity of this perceived brightness in turn decreases the jarring affect of the flashing update and increases the experience of the user. |
| US09595236B2 |
Data driver and display apparatus including the same
A data driver for a display includes: a polarity signal generator outputting polarity control signals for setting polarity patterns of data voltages such that pixels have the same polarity inversion pattern for every 2h number of pixels (where h is a natural number) in each pixel row defined by pixels that are arranged on the same row and have the same polarity inversion pattern for every 2k number of pixel rows (where k is a natural number) in a column direction; and a data voltage generator determining polarities of the data voltages in response to the polarity control signal to provide the determined polarities of the data voltages to the pixels. |
| US09595232B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
Provided are: a liquid crystal display device capable of rapidly discharging an image signal which is held in a pixel formation portion, when a power supply thereof is turned off; and a driving method of the liquid crystal display device. If the liquid crystal display device shifts to an off-sequence mode, then a data signal Vd with a potential Vdoff1 corresponding to a shift amount ΔV3 lowered by a coupling effect of a parasitic capacitance formed between a gate terminal and drain terminal of a thin film transistor (12) is applied to a signal line SL. When a scanning signal Vg turns to a high level, the data signal Vd applied to the signal line SL is written into the pixel formation portion (11), and a potential of a pixel signal Vpix becomes the Vdoff1. When the scanning signal Vg falls to a ground potential GND after an elapse of a period t1, the potential of the pixel signal Vpix is lowered by a shift amount ΔV3, and accordingly, the potential of the pixel signal Vpix becomes the ground potential GND. In this way, a direct current voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer also becomes 0V. |
| US09595231B2 |
Method for driving display device
Objects are to provide a display device in which images with higher quality are displayed by a reduction in afterimages of a previously displayed image, and to reduce power consumption of the display device. A pixel in the display device is initialized to suppress an afterimage due to the previous gray level of a display element. Specifically, a voltage applied to the display element for initialization and the time for applying the voltage are changed in accordance with the previous gray level of the display element. Initialization of the display element can prevent an afterimage of a previously displayed image. |
| US09595230B2 |
Display device equipped with power generation function
An MEMS shutter-type display device equipped with a power generation function, which achieves reduction of power consumption, is provided in the present invention. The display device equipped with a power generation function according to the present invention includes: a first substrate including a movable first shutter with a first slit, a first electrode, and a second electrode that is installed on the side opposite to the first electrode via the first shutter; a second substrate including a second shutter with a second slit; a drive circuit to actuate the first shutter; the first shutter being positively or negatively charged; and the drive circuit being connected to the first electrode. |
| US09595228B2 |
Pixel array and organic light emitting display device including the same
A pixel array and an organic light emitting display device including the same, can display an image with uniform luminance by compensating for a variation in threshold voltage/mobility of a driving transistor for each pixel and compensating for a change in efficiency due to degradation of an organic light emitting diode. A first pixel among the pixel array includes an organic light emitting diode; a pixel circuit positioned among an anode electrode of the organic light emitting diode, a first scan line and a first data line through which a data signal is supplied to the first pixel, and controlling current flowing in the organic light emitting diode; and a switching element controlling the coupling between a second data line through which a data signal is supplied to a second pixel of the plurality of pixels and the anode electrode of the organic light emitting diode. |
| US09595226B2 |
Pixel circuit for AC driving, driving method and display apparatus
A pixel circuit for AC driving, a driving method and a display apparatus are capable of removing effect of internal resistance of a power supply line on the current for light-emitting and effect of the threshold voltage of the driving transistor on the display nonuniformity of a panel while effectively avoiding rapid aging of OLED. The pixel circuit includes: a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a voltage input unit, a data signal input unit, a first light emitting unit, a second light emitting unit and a light emitting control unit. |
| US09595225B2 |
Display device and method of driving the same
A display device includes a voltage drop amount calculating circuit that regulates a power source voltage, a power wire network in the organic EL display unit includes a row-wise resistance component Rah and a column-wise resistance component Rav, and the voltage drop amount calculating circuit divides the organic EL display unit into blocks each made up of pixels in Xv rows and Xh columns, and sets, for each of the blocks, a row-wise resistance component Rah′ to a value obtained by multiplying the resistance component Rah by (Xh/Xv), and sets, for each of the blocks, a column-wise resistance component Rav′ to a value obtained by multiplying the resistance component Rav by (Xv/Xh), thereby estimating a distribution, for the respective blocks, of amounts of voltage drop which occurs in the power wire, and regulates, based on the distribution, a voltage to be supplied to the display unit. |
| US09595224B2 |
Display device, method of driving display device and electronic apparatus
A display device includes a pixel array unit in which pixels are arranged, each pixel including a light emitting unit, a writing transistor that writes a video signal, a driving transistor that drives the light emitting unit based on the video signal written by the writing transistor, and a switching transistor that applies a fixed potential to one terminal of the light emitting unit, and a driving unit that causes the light emitting unit to enter a light extinction state by writing a voltage causing the driving transistor to enter a non-conduction state to a gate electrode of the driving transistor. |
| US09595221B2 |
OLED display with reduced power consumption
An OLED display with a plurality of pixels for displaying an image having a target display white point luminance and chromaticity, each pixel including three red, green and blue gamut-defining emitters defining a display gamut and a magenta emitter with two of cyan, yellow or white emitters as three additional emitters which emit light within the display gamut; the display including a means for receiving a three-component input image signal; transforming the three-component input image signal to a six component drive signal; and providing the drive signal to display an image corresponding to the input image signal. One embodiment is where the pixels have red, green, blue, cyan, magenta and yellow colored subpixels. |
| US09595217B2 |
Trace structure for improved electrical signaling
A trace to be coupled to an input of a receiver, the trace including: a plurality of first portions; and a plurality of second portions alternately coupled in series with the first portions, the second portions having a width that is different from that of the first portions. |
| US09595213B2 |
Organic light-emitting display panel
An organic light-emitting display panel includes a pixel unit connected to a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, and including a plurality of pixels, a panel test unit connected to first ends of the plurality of data lines, and configured to output a panel test signal for testing the plurality of pixels, a plurality of data pads connected to second ends of the plurality of data lines, and an array test unit configured to selectively apply a plurality of array test signals to a pixel column of the pixel unit according to a plurality of array test control signals, and detect a signal output from the pixel column to which the plurality of array test signals are applied. |
| US09595208B2 |
Trauma training simulator with event-based gesture detection and instrument-motion tracking
Surgical trauma training simulator system including replaceable trauma module structured to mimic a portion of human anatomy and, in particular, a prosthetic anatomical structure containing a periorbital structure that includes an eye-lid and an eye globe in cooperation with a drive mechanism. The system is structured to provide, in operation, an event-driven surgical gesture recognition-based tracking of the simulation of the surgical procedure by the trainee and, in absence of expert trainer, provide visual feedback comparing the tracked simulation with correct sequence of steps of such procedure. |
| US09595207B2 |
Method and system for minimally-invasive surgery training using tracking data
A system and method for training a person in minimally-invasive surgery (“MIS”) utilizing a video of the MIS. The system comprises a processor, a display, and a first interaction device. The processor programmed to receive the video and to obtain tracking data. The tracking data may correspond to the motion of a tool controller. The tracking data may correspond to motion of a first surgical tool in the video. The processor programmed to calculate motion of the first interaction device corresponding to the tracking data, to display the video, and to cause the first interaction device to move according to the calculated motion. The method comprises receiving the video, obtaining the tracking data, calculating a motion of a first interaction device corresponding to the tracking data, displaying the video, and causing the first interaction device to move according to the calculated motion. |
| US09595201B2 |
Wireless mobile training device and method of training a user utilizing the wireless mobile training device
A wireless mobile training device has a microprocessor, a first switch, a microphone, and a speaker. The microprocessor generates a first control signal to induce the speaker to emit a first audible instruction requesting a training program identifier. The microphone generates a first input signal corresponding to a received audible training program identifier. The microprocessor generates a second control signal to induce the speaker to emit a second audible instruction associated with a predetermined training program name, if the received audible training program identifier corresponds to the predetermined training program identifier. The microprocessor determines a first time interval for completing a first user task associated with the second audible instruction based on second and third input signals from either the first switch or the microphone. |
| US09595200B2 |
System and method for providing guidance during a flare maneuver of an aircraft
A system and method for providing guidance during a flare maneuver of an aircraft may include the steps of: (1) generating a primary flare command from a primary flare control law based on an altitude of the aircraft, (2) generating the secondary flare command from a secondary flare control law based on inertial vertical speed of the aircraft, and (3) generating an ultimate flare command by selecting one of the primary flare command when the aircraft is over regular terrain or the secondary flare command when the aircraft is over irregular terrain. |
| US09595199B2 |
Upgraded flight management system and method of providing the same
A preexisting FMS system may be upgraded to increase its functionality while still taking advantage of certain components of the legacy system previously provided on the aircraft and replacing other preexisting components with different components for enhancing the functionality of the FMS system. The preexisting IRU, CADC, DME receiver and DFGC in the upgraded FMS system are in communication with the legacy AFMC but, instead of employing the legacy EFIS which existed in the preexisting FMS system, the EFIS is replaced by a data concentrator unit as well as the display control panel and integrated flat panel display, and a GPS receiver. The upgraded FMS system is capable of such increased functionality as increased navigation database storage capacity, RNP, VNAV and RNAV capability utilizing a GPS based navigation solution, and RTA capability, while still enabling the legacy AFMC to exploit its aircraft performance capabilities throughout the flight. |
| US09595195B2 |
Wireless vehicle system for enhancing situational awareness
Electronic equipment in vehicles may transmit and receive wireless messages. Each wireless message that is transmitted by a transmitter may include information on the vehicle from which it is being transmitted, information on the location of the transmitter within the vehicle, and other vehicle status information. Receiving equipment in vehicles may be used to receive the transmitted messages. Received signal strength indicator information may be associated with the transmitted messages. Using the received signal strength indicator information and information on the locations of the transmitters within the vehicles in which the transmitters are installed, equipment in a receiving vehicle may determine locations for nearby vehicles. Alerts may be presented to a driver of a vehicle and other suitable actions may be taken based on the locations of nearby vehicles, vehicle type information, and other information regarding traffic in the vicinity of the driver. |
| US09595191B1 |
Traffic estimation
A system for using a traffic proxy measure includes an input interface and a processor. The input interface is to receive a vehicle data and a road data. A processor is to determine a traffic proxy measure based at least in part on the vehicle data and the road data. |
| US09595189B2 |
Traffic control device, traffic control method, and program
Adjustment values, including a station stop time or a departure interval, are set for each vehicle. Next, the set adjustment values and a traveling pattern are used to calculate the power consumption by and regenerative power from each vehicle when in operation for each time point. Next, the total vehicle power at each time point is calculated by subtracting the total regenerative power from braking vehicles from the total power consumption by powering vehicles one a per time point basis. Next, a positive value or a negative value is extracted from the total vehicle power at each time point. Next, an evaluation value is calculated using the absolute value of the total of the extracted values. Next, adjustment values that produce the smaller evaluation value are identified. |
| US09595188B2 |
Wireless control apparatus including communication module and control system including the same
Disclosed are a wireless control apparatus including a communication module and a control system including the same. The wireless control apparatus includes a module unit to generate a control signal for controlling an operation of an electronic appliance; and a communication module detachably coupled to the module unit to receive the control signal generated from the module unit and transmit the received control signal to the electronic appliance through a communication network. |
| US09595187B2 |
Wearable computing device for secure control of physiological sensors and medical devices, with secure storage of medical records, and bioimpedance biometric
A wearable master electronic device (Amulet) has a processor with memory, the processor coupled to a body-area network (BAN) radio and uplink radio. The device has firmware for BAN communications with wearable nodes to receive data, and in an embodiment, send configuration data. The device has firmware for using the uplink radio to download apps and configurations, and upload data to a server. An embodiment has accelerometers in Amulet and wearable node, and firmware for using accelerometer readings to determine if node and Amulet are worn by the same subject. Other embodiments use pulse sensors or microphones in the Amulet and node to both identify a subject and verify the Amulet and node are worn by the same subject. Another embodiment uses a bioimpedance sensor to identify the subject. The wearable node may be an insulin pump, chemotherapy pump, TENS unit, cardiac monitor, or other device. |
| US09595181B2 |
Wearable device assisting smart media application and vice versa
A system includes a wearable device connected to a user and a smart media in remote communication with the wearable device. The wearable device is operable to track movement of the user and transmit the track movement information to the smart media. The smart media is operable to receive the track movement information and to use the received track movement information in an independent application. |
| US09595180B2 |
Activity recognition with activity reminders
An athletic performance monitoring system, for motivating a user to reach a goal level of athletic activity. The system may motivate the user by calculation a deficit between a current total level of activity and the goal level of athletic activity, and suggesting activity types that the user may carry out an order to reach the goal level, wherein the suggested activity types may be based on activities that are geographically close to the user, or sporting equipment worn by, or in possession of, the user. |
| US09595174B2 |
Point of sale terminal having enhanced security
A case-open switch assembly for a data entry device including a housing, the case-open switch assembly including at least one arrangement of electrical contacts arranged on a base surface, the at least one arrangement including a central contact and at least one contact spaced from and at least partially surrounding the central contact and at least one element, having a conductive contact surface including a central contact engagement portion and at least one contact engagement portion spaced from and at least partially surrounding the central contact engagement portion, which contacts the central contact and the at least one contact spaced from and at least partially surrounding the central contact and defines a short circuit between the central contact and at least one of the at least one contact when in a closed operative orientation. |
| US09595171B2 |
Methods and systems for augmentative and alternative communication
Methods and systems for augmentative and alternative communication are disclosed. An example method can comprise receiving a candidate input, classifying the candidate input as an intentional input, and generating a signal in response to the intentional input. |
| US09595170B2 |
Skill calibrated hybrid game
Systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention include: a real world controller connected to a game world server, the real world controller constructed to: receive configuration information for an odds engine; configure the odds engine; receive gambling event occurrences; and provide a randomly generated payout of real world credits; and the game world server connected to an entertainment controller and the real world controller, the entertainment controller executes an entertainment game, and the game world server is constructed to: receive outcomes based upon a player's skillful play; communicate the gambling event occurrences; and receive player performance information; analyze the player performance information to determine the player's skill level; determine the configuration information for the odds engine; and communicate the configuration information for the odds engine. |
| US09595155B2 |
Wagering game with trail-based bonus game having player-selectable features
A gaming system having an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game including a trail-based game. A display for displaying the trail-based game is also included. The trail-based game includes a plurality of elements along a trail. Each of the plurality of elements has an associated award. In response to a player meeting a predetermined criterion, the player is awarded the associated award for all of the plurality of elements. |
| US09595151B2 |
Coin container for automatic machines
It comprises reception means for enabling coins to access the coin mechanism; identification means for determining the acceptability, type and value of the accessing coins; a coin storage compartment for selectively housing and delivering the coins destined for being refunded to a user, where the coin storage compartment comprises a plurality of tubes, according to rows and columns; extraction means for selectively extracting the coins from the tubes; and raising means for selectively raising any of the tubes during extraction of the coins, in order to momentarily provide a space for each coin to exit without colliding with the adjacent tubes. It allows greater optimisation of the use of the space destined for the coin mechanism, particularly the coin storage compartment. |
| US09595149B2 |
Electronic key for a security system with a mechanism for releasing a battery compartment cover
An electronic key for a security system including an access control system and/or driving authorization control system, for a motor vehicle, with a housing within which electronics for wireless communication with the security system are disposed. The key further includes a holding compartment formed in the housing, wherein the holding compartment an energy storage device for supplying electrical energy to the electronics is located. A cover is releasably fastened on the housing and sealingly closes the holding compartment in an inserted position of the cover. The key further includes a slot formed on the housing for receiving a mechanical key. A mechanism is disposed within the slot such that the mechanism can be activated by moving the mechanical key within the slot, whereby detachment of the cover from the housing can be effected. |
| US09595144B2 |
Access monitor using wireless devices
A system includes a first sensor supported proximate an opening having an RF attenuating material such that signals emitted from first sensor are stronger on a first side of the opening than on a second side of the opening and a second sensor supported proximate the opening having an RF attenuating material such that signals emitted from the second sensor are stronger on the second side of the opening than on the first side of the opening. |
| US09595142B2 |
Pairing a tow vehicle and a trailer
A method for pairing between a tow vehicle and a trailer, the method may include receiving a tow vehicle event indication and a trailer event indication; wherein the tow vehicle event indication is generated by a tow vehicle monitor that is arranged to monitor the tow vehicle; wherein the trailer event indication is generated by a trailer monitor that is arranged to monitor the trailer; determining, in response to a relationship between the tow vehicle event indication and the trailer event indication, whether the tow vehicle event indication and the trailer event indication are associated with a same event; and pairing the trailer and the tow vehicle is it is determined that the tow vehicle event indication and the trailer event indication are associated with the same event. |
| US09595138B2 |
Augmented reality display device
An HMD-type device for displaying an image in augmented reality, comprising: an assembly of light display pixels arranged on a first surface of a transparent support intended to be positioned on the optical path between a user's eye and a real scene to be observed, this assembly comprising a number N greater than 1 of pixel sub-assemblies, each comprising a sufficient number of pixels to display the entire image; and an optical system arranged on a second surface of the support opposite to the first surface, this system comprising N optical sub-systems, each pixel sub-assembly facing one of the optical sub-systems. |
| US09595137B2 |
Augmented reality computing device, apparatus and system
Embodiments of an apparatus and system are described for an augmented reality computing device. Some embodiments may comprise an enclosure comprising a display portion and a component portion, the display portion arranged to support a transparent display and the component portion arranged to support a processor and an augmented reality module operative on the processor to display one or more graphical user interface elements on the transparent display and to arrange the one or more graphical user interface elements based on one or more elements in a real world environment in proximity to the computing device. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09595132B2 |
Methods and apparatuses of lens flare rendering using linear paraxial approximation, and methods and apparatuses of lens flare rendering based on blending
A lens flare generation method and apparatus simulates lens flare effects through paraxial approximation-based linear approximation to generate a lens flare utilizing physical characteristics of a lens system while generating a lens flare at high speed. A non-linear effect may be added to a linear pattern-based lens flare effect to generate an actual lens flare reflecting most of physical characteristics generated from the lens system. A pre-recorded non-linear pattern may be used. |
| US09595130B2 |
Virtual model navigation methods and apparatus
Virtual model navigation methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, a user device includes a display screen configured to depict visual images for observation by a user, and processing circuitry configured to control the display device to generate a plurality of views of a virtual scene of the virtual model at a plurality of different moments in time, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control generation of a first of the views as viewed using the virtual camera at a first orientation within the virtual scene at a first moment in time, to detect a change in orientation of the user device in the physical world, to control generation of a second of the views as viewed using the virtual camera at a second orientation within the virtual scene at a second moment in time as a result of the detected change in orientation of the user device in the physical world, and to control generation of a third of the views as viewed using the virtual camera positioned at a first view point at a third moment in time which is different than a second view point where the virtual camera was positioned during at least one of the first and second moments in time. |
| US09595129B2 |
Canvas control for 3D data volume processing
A method is provided for displaying selected portions of a three-dimensional (3D) volumetric data set representing a subsurface formation. At least one two-dimensional (2D) canvas is generated. The 2D canvas corresponds to a plane in the 3D data set. The 2D canvas is shown in a first display window. One or more primitives are created on the 2D canvas. A volumetric region of the 3D volumetric data set corresponding to the one or more primitives is identified. The volumetric region is displayed in a 3D scene. The 3D scene is shown in a second display window. |
| US09595126B2 |
Visual function targeting using randomized, dynamic, contrasting features
A solution for targeting a visual function of an observer is provided. The solution presents an animation for display to an observer. The animation includes a background and at least a portion of the animation also includes one or more foreground areas, each of which is located in a portion of the background. The background and the foreground area(s) include a set of common attributes substantially continuously changing during the animation and at least one different attribute between the background and the foreground area. At least one attribute of the background changes randomly during the animation. The at least one different attribute targets the visual function. |
| US09595125B2 |
Expanding a digital representation of a physical plane
Techniques are presented for expanding a digital representation of a physical plane from a physical scene. In some aspects, a method may include determining an orientation and an initial portion of a physical plane in the scene, and subdividing a rectified image for the scene into a plurality of grid cells. For the grid cells, an image signature may be generated. A grid cell contiguous to the obtained initial portion of the plane is determined to include part of the plane. An iterative process may be performed for each neighboring grid cell from the grid cell contiguous to at least part of the obtained initial portion, determining whether the neighboring grid cell is to be included as part of the plane if the image signature of said neighboring grid cell is similar to the image signature of a grid cell already determined to be included as part of the plane. |
| US09595116B2 |
Body motion detection device and method
A contrast calculating unit calculates, as each of a contrast of a high frequency component and a contrast of a low frequency component of a transformed radiographic image, a contrast in a gradient direction of an edge portion in an analysis region with each of analysis points set by an analysis point setting unit being the center of the analysis region. A ratio calculating unit calculates, for each gradient direction, a ratio of the contrast of the high frequency component to the contrast of the low frequency component. A determining unit determines the smallest ratio as an index indicating the body motion, and determines whether or not there is a body motion during an imaging operation to take the radiographic image based on a result of statistical processing of the indexes at the analysis points. A display control unit displays a result of the determination on a display unit. |
| US09595103B2 |
Textural analysis of lung nodules
Methods, apparatus, and other embodiments associated with classifying a region of tissue using textural analysis are described. One example apparatus includes an image acquisition logic that acquires an image of a region of tissue demonstrating GGO nodule pathology, a delineation logic that distinguishes GGO nodule tissue within the image from the background of the image, a texture logic that extracts a set of texture features from the image, a phenotype signature logic that computes a phenotypic signature from the image, a shape logic that extracts a set of shape features from the image, and a classification logic that classifies the GGO nodule tissue based, at least in part, on the set of texture features, the phenotypic signature, or the set of shape features. A prognosis for a patient may be provided based on the classification of the image. |
| US09595100B2 |
Method and system for processing an image of a biological specimen
Components, e.g., background, cytoplasm, nucleus and nucleolus, of a biological specimen are identified using multi-wavelength analysis. Specimen components, such as nucleoli, are selected, and a determination is made whether cells having nucleoli are cancer cells or regular repair cells based on one or more physical characteristics of the identified component. The physical characteristics can be one or more of a shape, size, texture and gray value. |
| US09595099B2 |
Automated placental measurement
A method for analyzing the placenta comprising: selecting one or more placental samples to be analyzed; preparing a histology slide of tissue taken from said placental sample, staining the histology slide using an immunohistochemistry stain, obtaining a digital image of the stained slide; and performing an automated computer analysis on the digital image, wherein the number of trophoblast stromal inclusions is measured. |
| US09595093B2 |
Method for detecting alignment film and device for the same
A method for detecting an alignment film coated on a substrate of a liquid crystal panel comprises: obtaining an image of an alignment film test region of a substrate; and analyzing continuity of the alignment film along an internal boundary of the alignment film test region in the image obtained. since the alignment film test region is located outside an active display area of the substrate, when the alignment film along the internal boundary of the alignment film test region is determined as continuous, it can be determined that all the edges of the alignment film are outside the active display area, then a Haro region which might appear on the edge of the alignment film may also be located outside the active display area, so as to ensure uniform thickness of the alignment film in the active display area of the substrate. |
| US09595092B2 |
Methods and systems for inspection of composite irregularities
A method for inspecting a composite structure includes acquiring an image of the composite structure. The composite structure includes at least a first ply and a second ply adjacent the first ply. The method also includes transforming the image into a binary image, and determining a first boundary line between the first ply and the second ply. The method further includes characterizing an irregularity in the composite structure based at least partially on the first boundary line. |
| US09595089B2 |
Method and system for non-invasive computation of hemodynamic indices for coronary artery stenosis
A method and system for non-invasive hemodynamic assessment of coronary artery stenosis based on medical image data is disclosed. Patient-specific anatomical measurements of the coronary arteries are extracted from medical image data of a patient. Patient-specific boundary conditions of a computational model of coronary circulation representing the coronary arteries are calculated based on the patient-specific anatomical measurements of the coronary arteries. Blood flow and pressure in the coronary arteries are simulated using the computational model of coronary circulation and the patient-specific boundary conditions and coronary autoregulation is modeled during the simulation of blood flow and pressure in the coronary arteries. A wave-free period is identified in a simulated cardiac cycle, and an instantaneous wave-Free Ratio (iFR) value is calculated for a stenosis region based on simulated pressure values in the wave-free period. |
| US09595087B2 |
Image processing method for detail enhancement and noise reduction
One or more embodiments of the invention relate to an image processing system and method for detail enhancement and noise reduction, in which the method includes: (a) an original image is created, (b) an information measure is calculated on the basis of the original image, (c) a weighting measure is calculated on the basis of the information measure, (d) the original image is low-pass filtered with a low-pass filter to form a low-pass filtered image, (e) a high-pass filtered image is calculated by subtracting the low-pass filtered image from the original image, (f) a detail-enhanced and noise-reduced image is obtained by a high-pass image scaled with the weighting measure being added to the low-pass image. One or more embodiments of the invention additionally relate to an image processing device comprising an image recording device, an image processing unit and an image display unit. |
| US09595086B2 |
Image processing device, image processing system and method for image processing
An image processing device includes a gatherer configured to receive image data and gather statistics of color data from the image data. The image processing device includes a processor configured to analyze the statistics of the color data to determine whether the image data includes single color data or multi color data, determine a first gain value to perform an automatic white balance if the image data includes multi color data, and determine a second gain value different from the first gain value using a gain table if the image data includes single color data. The image processing device includes a gain applier configured to apply the first gain value or the second gain value to the color data. |
| US09595082B2 |
Image processor and non-transitory computer readable medium for generating a reproduction image which is reproduced so that visibility of an original image is enhanced
An image processor includes: an image group generating unit that generates, from an original image, a group of images including at least one smoothed image; an illumination image generating unit that generates an illumination image by use of at least one of the images included in the group of images; a smoothed image acquiring unit that acquires a particular smoothed image based on the at least one smoothed image; a reflection rate image generating unit that generates a reflection rate image based on the original image, the particular smoothed image, a synthesizing degree information which represents a synthesizing degree of the original image and the particular smoothed image, and the illumination image, and a reproduction image generating unit that generates a reproduction image which is reproduced so that visibility of the original image is enhanced, based on at least the reflection rate image and an enhancing degree information. |
| US09595074B2 |
Multistage collector for outputs in multiprocessor systems
Aspects include a multistage collector to receive outputs from plural processing elements. Processing elements may comprise (each or collectively) a plurality of clusters, with one or more ALUs that may perform SIMD operations on a data vector and produce outputs according to the instruction stream being used to configure the ALU(s). The multistage collector includes substituent components each with at least one input queue, a memory, a packing unit, and an output queue; these components can be sized to process groups of input elements of a given size, and can have multiple input queues and a single output queue. Some components couple to receive outputs from the ALUs and others receive outputs from other components. Ultimately, the multistage collector can output groupings of input elements. Each grouping of elements (e.g., at input queues, or stored in the memories of component) can be formed based on matching of index elements. |
| US09595068B2 |
Social marketplace affiliate administration
A method and system are disclosed for managing social commerce within a social media environment. Social commerce activity data corresponding to social commerce storefronts associated with various affiliates is processed to generate social commerce analysis data associated with a merchant's products. The social commerce analysis data is then processed to generate recommendations, which are then provided to the various affiliates. The recommendations are then provided to users of a social media environment to incent additional social commerce activity. |
| US09595067B2 |
Correcting errors in mortgage applications
Methods, systems, and products determine a cost to correct mortgage applications. When electronic data is submitted in an electronic mortgage application form, the electronic data is checked for errors. If an error is determined, a cost to resolve the error is also determined. |
| US09595060B2 |
System and method for data tagging applications
The present invention relates to a method and system for data tagging in the field of computer technologies. In this method, a user terminal acquires tag data, obtains information about services and functions associated with the tag data, then interacts with target servers to exchange service and function information, and fulfills appropriate services and functions to complete the business application. The disclosed data tagging method and system allow user terminal to interact with directly target servers that are associated with relevant services and functions, which allows functions to be realized in distributed target servers, which simplifies the implementations of tag data, reducing the cost to setting servers. The disclosed data tagging methods allow more extensive applications of data tagging, improved user experiences, simplified processes, and lower costs. |
| US09595059B2 |
Image-related methods and arrangements
A user captures an image of a retail product with a smartphone. Product recommendations associated with the retail product are provided to the smartphone. One claim recites a method comprising: receiving first imagery captured by a smartphone camera, the first imagery representing a first retail product located at a retail location, and presenting the first imagery on a screen of the smartphone; providing the first imagery to a processor to produce fingerprint data therefrom, the fingerprint data being utilized to identify the first retail product; receiving second imagery representing a second retail product, identified as a product recommendation associated with the first retail product, the second imagery being sourced from a source different than the smartphone camera; presenting, on the screen of the smartphone, the second imagery; receiving user input via a touch screen of the smartphone; as a consequence of said user input, initiating an action. Of course, a great variety of other claims, features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US09595053B1 |
Product recommendation using sentiment and semantic analysis
In an approach to determine a product rating a computer receives a user request for a product rating. The computer retrieves from on-line sources, product information on the product and analyzes the product information to determine a first product rating. The analysis includes at least a sentiment, and a trend of the sentiment. The approach includes a computer identifying products similar to the product and retrieving from on-line sources product information on similar products. A computer extracts comments on the product from the similar product information and determines an adjustment to the first product rating based on an analysis of the comments and references to the product in the similar product information. The adjustment to the first product rating includes using a sentiment, a trend of the sentiment over time, and a frequency of comments and references to the product over time in the retrieved plurality of similar product information. |
| US09595047B2 |
Incentive network for distributing incentives on a network-wide basis and for permitting user access to individual incentives from a plurality of network servers
Systems and methods for distributing incentives on a network-wide basis and for permitting user access to individual incentives from any network server are provided. A method performed by a server for accessing incentives may include receiving an access request from a device associated with a user and connected to a network, transmitting identifying information corresponding to the access request to a host, receiving incentive information from the host reflecting available incentives corresponding to the identifying information, and transmitting a network document, including the incentive information, to the device associated with the user in response to the access request. |
| US09595045B2 |
Advertisements in view
A technique is provided to determine whether a region within a web page is viewable to a user through a browser window. Often, browsers will only show part of a web page at given time, creating a difficulty in establishing whether a region of the web page, which may be an advertisement for example, is in view. This is addressed by providing one or more test features within the region, rendering the web page, monitoring a behavioral characteristic of the test features and determining whether the region is in view based on the monitored behavioral characteristic, wherein the behavioral characteristic varies according to whether the test feature is currently being displayed. One example of a behavioral characteristic is a frame progression rate. Browsers will typically redraw elements of a web page at a higher rate if they are currently in view through the browser window, and this characteristic can therefore be used to determine whether the test feature, and thus the region, is in view. The present invention finds particular utility where the region contains an advertisement, as it allows an advertiser to discover whether the advertisement has been seen by users. |
| US09595043B2 |
Method and system for adaptive offer determination
The optimization system monitors a mobile phone user's behavior in response to an offer for a reward and determines a good level for a product promotion. The determination may be made based upon the user's current response, past response patterns to various reward levels or a correlation between a user's behavior and the behavior corresponding to a class of users. The system can determine an offer level that maximizes the return on the profit or revenue from a potential purchase for which the offer applies. |
| US09595041B2 |
Customizable electronic commerce comparison system and method
In an internet based system, a method of ranking products includes storing and outputting data identifying a plurality of suggested paradigms. The suggested paradigms each includes a set of suggested weighting factors that represent a specific consumer preference. A consumer selects one of the suggested paradigms and further inputs a set of weighting factors that includes at least one of the suggested weighting factors from the selected paradigm. The consumer thereafter inputs a query related to a product that is received by a server. A server generates and returns a ranking of a plurality of products based on the set of weighting factors input by the consumer and stored data related to a plurality of products, as a response to the query. |
| US09595039B2 |
Stimulus/response-based binding of identifiers across information domains while maintaining confidentiality
Disclosed are methods for extracting and using information about an entity that has a presence in a number of information domains. The entity has separate identifiers in each of several domains. Various techniques are described that bind together the identifiers of the entity across the domains. The results of the binding are provided to an interested party that can review information extracted about the entity's behavior in the multiple domains. The interested party is not given access to information that would compromise the confidentiality of the entity. A trusted broker has access to information about the behavior of the entity in the several domains. The broker analyzes that information and provides the analysis to the interested party, again without compromising the confidentiality of the entity. An “incentivizer” works with the broker to extract from the domains information that would be useful in binding together the different identifiers of the entity. |
| US09595038B1 |
Inventory confirmation
Images of items may be evaluated to identify one or more attributes of the items, including points, contours or shapes corresponding to such items or their packaging, in order to determine whether such items are authentic or counterfeit. Such attributes may be compared to corresponding attributes of items that are known to be authentic. If the attributes identified in an image of an item arriving at a fulfillment center are determined to be consistent with attributes identified in an image of an authentic item, then the item arriving at the fulfillment center may be deemed authentic. If, however, the attributes identified in the image of the item arriving at the fulfillment center are not determined to be consistent with any attributes identified in images of any authentic items, then the item arriving at the fulfillment center may be deemed counterfeit. |
| US09595036B2 |
Service for exceeding account thresholds via mobile device
In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing a service for exceeding account thresholds via a mobile device. For example, in some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) receiving transaction information associated with a transaction, where the transaction involves an account, a transaction machine, and a holder of the account; (b) determining, based at least partially on the transaction information, that the account will incur an excess threshold amount as a result of the transaction; (c) prompting the holder to consent to the excess threshold amount via the mobile device, where the holder is associated with the mobile device; (d) receiving the holder's consent to the excess threshold amount; and (e) authorizing the transaction based at least partially on the receiving the holder's consent. |
| US09595034B2 |
System and method for monitoring third party access to a restricted item
A system and method for monitoring third party access to a restricted item is provided. Key data is embedded in the restricted item, the key data being associated with a store of value and usable to conduct a transaction against the store of value. A record of the transaction becomes visible in a transaction ledger. The transaction ledger is monitored to determine whether a transaction against the store of value has occurred, and the restricted item is designated as accessed by a third party in the event that a transaction against the store of value has occurred. |
| US09595032B2 |
Remote revocation of application access based on non-co-location of a transaction vehicle and a mobile device
Embodiments of the invention relate to an invention for accessing a remotely located mobile device of a user based on certain events is provided. The system, method, and computer program product are configured to: (a) monitor one or more transaction involving a transaction vehicle of a user; (b) determine a physical location of a transaction vehicle based at least partially on the one or more transactions; (c) determine a geographic location of a mobile device of the user, wherein the mobile device is associated with the transaction vehicle; (d) determine whether or not the transaction vehicle of the user and the mobile device of the user are co-located; and (e) reconfigure one or more applications accessible to the mobile device or one or more functional features of the mobile device based at least partially on determining that the mobile device and the transaction vehicle of the user are not co-located. |
| US09595031B1 |
Payment via a messaging application
Technology is disclosed for a convenient money transfer without requiring any account login and/or creation activities. The disclosed technology enables a sender to transfer a specified amount of currency to one or more recipients through a payment application while executing an instant message application. The disclosed technology enables the payment application to act as a background process associated with or incorporated in the instant message application, so as to provide the user with a “seamless” user experience. In response to detection of a specified identifier, the technology provides a user interface to collect a numerical value corresponding to the specified amount of currency, accesses a list of contacts in a database of the sender's mobile device, and then provides the list of contacts to the sender. The technology enables the sender to manually select recipients from the provided list of contacts and can accordingly initiate a payment process based on statuses of selected recipients. |
| US09595030B2 |
Flexible electronic payment transaction process
A point of sale (POS) terminal is programmed to execute EMV transactions by interaction with payment devices in accordance with a standard EMV transaction flow. An EMV transaction is commenced at the POS terminal with a particular payment device. The POS terminal receives a request from the payment device to interrupt the EMV transaction. The POS terminal responds to the request by interrupting the EMV transaction and taking an action indicated by the request. The action is not required for execution of the standard EMV transaction flow. |
| US09595028B2 |
Systems and methods to add funds to an account via a mobile communication device
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange coupled with a data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is to instruct a first controller of the controllers, via a first converter of the converters, to communicate with a mobile phone at a mobile phone number of a user to confirm a request to add funds to an account of a user, if the user has not yet provided an advance authorization. If the user has provided the advance authorization, the interchange skips communications with the mobile phone to confirm the request. |
| US09595021B2 |
All media story telling system and method
An all media story-telling system and method are disclosed. The system and method provide any media, integrated story telling, provide content management, distribution and syndication across multiple domains, and provide a relevancy-based match between content and advertising. |
| US09595017B2 |
Asset tracking and monitoring along a transport route
A system and computer program product for tracking and monitoring assets along a transport route. The system includes at least one receiver for receiving asset identifications transmitted from the assets, where each asset transmits its own asset identification. The receiver also receives physical location coordinates of each of the assets. A plurality of cameras is dispersed along the transport route for transmitting camera images of the assets. The system further includes a server coupled to the receiver and cameras. The server is configured to recognize the assets in the camera images, to correlate the asset identification from the receiver with recognized assets in the camera images, and to correlate the physical location coordinates of each of the assets with physical location coordinates of the cameras. The system monitors the visual appearance of the assets, and keeps track of whether or not they have sustained physical damage. |
| US09595013B2 |
Delegated and restricted asset-based permissions management for co-location facilities
At least one user is designated to manage assets including management delegations, access restrictions, and access permissions. Management responsibilities are applied based on business rules and based on a hierarchical model. The hierarchical model enables a well-defined logical flow of delegations and restrictions with pruning capability. User groups, asset groups, asset trees and asset permissions may be defined. The designated user can manage a single asset or all assets or a subset of assets. An asset may belong to one or more asset groups. |
| US09595007B2 |
Fact checking method and system utilizing body language
An efficient fact checking system analyzes and determines the factual accuracy of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with source information. The efficient fact checking system automatically monitors information, processes the information, fact checks the information efficiently and/or provides a status of the information. |
| US09595006B2 |
Detecting electricity theft via meter tampering using statistical methods
A system and method for detecting anomalous energy usage of building or household entities. The method applies a number of successively stringent anomaly detection techniques to isolate households that are highly suspect for having engaged in electricity theft via meter tampering. The system utilizes historical time series data of electricity usage, weather, and household characteristics (e.g., size, age, value) and provides a list of households that are worthy of a formal theft investigation. Generally, raw utility usage data, weather history data, and household characteristics are cleansed, and loaded into an analytics data mart. The data mart feeds four classes of anomaly detection algorithms developed, with each analytic producing a set of households suspected of having engaged in electricity theft. The system allows a user to select households from each list or a set based on the intersection of all individual sets. |
| US09595005B1 |
Systems and methods for predictive coding
Systems and methods for analyzing documents are provided herein. A plurality of documents and user input are received via a computing device. The user input includes hard coding of a subset of the plurality of documents, based on an identified subject or category. Instructions stored in memory are executed by a processor to generate an initial control set, analyze the initial control set to determine at least one seed set parameter, automatically code a first portion of the plurality of documents based on the initial control set and the seed set parameter associated with the identified subject or category, analyze the first portion of the plurality of documents by applying an adaptive identification cycle, and retrieve a second portion of the plurality of documents based on a result of the application of the adaptive identification cycle test on the first portion of the plurality of documents. |
| US09595002B2 |
Normalizing electronic communications using a vector having a repeating substring as input for a neural network
Electronic communications can be normalized using a neural network. For example, a noncanonical communication that includes multiple terms can be received. The noncanonical communication can be preprocessed by (I) generating a vector including multiple characters from a term of the multiple terms; and (II) repeating a substring of the term in the vector such that a last character of the substring is positioned in a last position in the vector. The vector can be transmitted to a neural network configured to receive the vector and generate multiple probabilities based on the vector. A normalized version of the noncanonical communication can be determined using one or more of the multiple probabilities generated by the neural network. Whether the normalized version of the noncanonical communication should be outputted can also be determined using at least one of the multiple probabilities generated by the neural network. |
| US09595000B2 |
NFC smart sign
The present invention relates to an NFC smart sign that can prevent damage to an NFC tag and allows an NFC tag to be easily replaced when the information in the NFC tag is required to be changed or supplemented. |
| US09594995B1 |
Magnetic card
A magnetic card internally includes a magnetic field generator, which includes a flexible substrate having pads, wires and a core material member arranged thereon. The pads are arrayed to form a first and a second zone. Every wire is extended in a first direction to connect to two pads that are separately located in the first and the second zone. The core material member is extended in a second direction oblique to the first direction. The substrate is in a bent state with the pads in the first zone correspondingly connected to the pads in the second zone and the core material member located in an encircling space defined by the connected pads and the wires. By changing the current amount supplied thereto, the magnetic field generator can generate variable magnetic field magnitude, enabling the magnetic card to change the transmitted data according to actual need in use. |
| US09594994B2 |
Security element and method to inspect authenticity of a print
The invention relates to a security element applied onto printing substrates (bank notes, securities, product packagings, identity cards/labels or other similar documents) by printing, comprising a unique identifier as primary information visible to the naked eye and secondary information protecting against copying non-visible to the naked eye. The unique identifier is typically a point code. Said secondary information is represented by a structure with the largest dimension of 2 to 40 microns, and due to printing distortions arising when the security element is applied onto a printing substrate, said secondary information is non-reconstructable from the print of the security element and a statistically analyzable inherent feature is associated to it. The invention also relates to a printed matter with such an inventive security element and to a method to check authenticity of a printed matter with the inventive security element in visible light (380-750 nm). |
| US09594982B2 |
Optical coin discrimination systems and methods for use with consumer-operated kiosks and the like
Systems and associated methods for optical coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining a digital image of a coin, identifying the outline of the coin using a suitable algorithm, and determining the diameter of the coin using the outline of the coin. The method of this embodiment further includes generating a rectangular image of the coin using, for example, a log-polar transform, generating a series of, for example, Fourier transforms from the rectangular image, and identifying spectral peak locations and intensities in the Fourier transform results. The diameter of the coin, spectral peak location, spectral peak intensity of the coin and/or other aspects of the coin can then be compared to known values for different coins to discriminate the coin. |
| US09594979B1 |
Probabilistic registration of interactions, actions or activities from multiple views
Images of an environment that are captured from two or more imaging devices may be captured and evaluated in order to identify a state of the environment, or an interaction that placed the environment in the state. The content of the images may be analyzed in order to recognize observed information or data expressed therein. The information or data may be associated with a given state according to one or more observation functions, and the state may be used to identify an action according to one or more transition functions. The observation function uses conditional probabilities to transfer the probability of making an observation by one imaging device to the observation made by the other imaging device. The observation functions and the transition functions may be derived based on historical training data including clips that are labeled to identify states or interactions expressed therein. |
| US09594977B2 |
Automatically selecting example stylized images for image stylization operations based on semantic content
Systems and methods are provided for content-based selection of style examples used in image stylization operations. For example, training images can be used to identify example stylized images that will generate high-quality stylized images when stylizing input images having certain types of semantic content. In one example, a processing device determines which example stylized images are more suitable for use with certain types of semantic content represented by training images. In response to receiving or otherwise accessing an input image, the processing device analyzes the semantic content of the input image, matches the input image to at least one training image with similar semantic content, and selects at least one example stylized image that has been previously matched to one or more training images having that type of semantic content. The processing device modifies color or contrast information for the input image using the selected example stylized image. |
| US09594974B2 |
Depth image filtering method, and depth image filtering threshold obtaining method and apparatus
A depth image filtering method, and a filtering threshold obtaining method and apparatus are provided. The method in the embodiments of the present invention includes: determining, for each pixel in an adjacent area of a pixel of a to-be-filtered depth image, whether the pixel meets a preset condition; determining a set of pixels meeting the preset condition; and determining a pixel value of the pixel of the to-be-filtered depth image according to pixel values of the pixels in the set. According to the embodiments of the present invention, a ringing effect at an edge of a depth image is effectively removed, and discontinuity of the depth image is reduced, thereby improving quality of a video image. |
| US09594973B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
Provided is an image processing apparatus including a moving object detection unit configured to detect a moving object which is an image different from a background in a current image, a temporary pause determination unit configured to determine whether the moving object is paused for a predetermined time period or more, a reliability processing unit configured to calculate non-moving object reliability for a pixel of the current image using the current image and a temporarily paused image including a temporarily paused object serving as the moving object which is paused for a predetermined time period or more, the non-moving object reliability representing likelihood of being a non-moving object which is an image different from the background that does not change for a predetermined time period or more, and a non-moving object detection unit configured to detect the non-moving object from the current image based on the non-moving object reliability. |
| US09594972B2 |
Payment card OCR with relaxed alignment
Extracting financial card information with relaxed alignment comprises a method to receive an image of a card, determine one or more edge finder zones in locations of the image, and identify lines in the one or more edge finder zones. The method further identifies one or more quadrilaterals formed by intersections of extrapolations of the identified lines, determines an aspect ratio of the one or more quadrilateral, and compares the determined aspect ratios of the quadrilateral to an expected aspect ratio. The method then identifies a quadrilateral that matches the expected aspect ratio and performs an optical character recognition algorithm on the rectified model. A similar method is performed on multiple cards in an image. The results of the analysis of each of the cards are compared to improve accuracy of the data. |
| US09594971B1 |
Method and apparatus for receiving listings of similar vehicles 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 listing corresponding to another vehicle in response to the transmission. |
| US09594961B2 |
Methods and apparatus to count people in images
Methods and apparatus to count people in images are disclosed. An example method includes identifying, via a processor, active segments of a plurality of segments of a first frame of image data based on respective fluctuation factors; determining, via the processor, that a first one of the active segments is adjacent to or overlaps with a second one of the active segments; and providing, via the processor, a region of interest in the first frame of image data to an object detection operation, the region of interest including the first and second ones of the active segments and excluding an inactive one of the plurality of segments of the first frame. |
| US09594960B2 |
Visualizing video within existing still images
Video from a video camera can be integrated into a still image, with which it shares common elements, to provide greater context and understandability. Pre-processing can derive transformation parameters for transforming and aligning the video to be integrated into the still image in a visually fluid manner. The transformation parameters can then be utilized to transform and align the video in real-time and display it within the still image. Pre-processing can comprise stabilization of video, if the video camera is moveable, and can comprise identification of areas of motion and of static elements. Transformation parameters can be derived by fitting the static elements of the video to portions of one or more existing images. Display of the video in real-time in the still image can include display of the entire transformed and aligned video image, or of only selected sections, to provide for a smoother visual integration. |
| US09594958B2 |
Detection of spoofing attacks for video-based authentication
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture detect spoofing attacks for video-based authentication are disclosed. Disclosed example method to perform video-based authentication include determining whether a sequence of input images provided to perform video-based authentication of a subject exhibits a first region having fluctuating pixel values. Such example methods also include determining that the sequence of input images is associated with a spoofing attack in response to determining that the sequence of input images exhibits the first region having fluctuating pixel values. |
| US09594956B2 |
Method and system for managing a parking lot based on intelligent imaging
To manage a plurality of parking spaces, one or more images are acquired, with each parking space appearing in at least one image. Periodically acquired images of occupancy and identity are used in directing a customer to a parked vehicle. Periodically acquired images of just occupancy are used in controlling respective environmental aspects, such as illumination and ventilation, of the parking spaces. For these purposes, the images are classified automatically as “vacant” or “occupied”, and are displayed along with their classifications so that the classifications can be corrected manually. |
| US09594948B2 |
Makeup supporting device, makeup supporting method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
A makeup supporting device includes: a position acquisition unit that acquires a relative position of a predetermined indicator to a face; a contact determination unit that determines whether or not the indicator is in contact with the face; a makeup decision unit that decides a way of makeup to be applied to a facial image obtained by photographing the face, based on a contact position which is the relative position when the indicator is determined to be in contact with the face; and a makeup presentation unit that generates a simulation image by superimposing a makeup image on the facial image, the makeup image indicating a state of the makeup when the decided makeup is applied. |
| US09594944B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring a worker performing a crowdsourced task
The disclosed embodiments illustrate methods and systems for monitoring a worker performing a crowdsourced task being presented on a computing device. The method comprises performing at least one of a facial detection processing or an eye tracking processing, on a video stream captured by a camera of the computing device. An inattention instance of the worker is determined based on at least one of the facial detection processing or the eye tracking processing. Further, the inattention instance is communicated to a crowdsourcing platform, wherein the crowdsourced task is received from the crowdsourcing platform. |
| US09594943B1 |
Image capture enhancement using dynamic control image
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for image capture with infrared emitters, with associated computer control and processing for providing consistent and high quality image data. Image data of consecutive frames from a camera is obtained, with a first frame being taken during an emission of infrared light directed at a scene to be captured by the camera and a second frame being taken without an emission of infrared light. The consecutive frames provide a dynamic control image of the captured scene. The image data may be used to support photometric sampling techniques used in building geometric models for subject recognition in camera imagery in variable lighting environments. |
| US09594942B2 |
Using a probabilistic model for detecting an object in visual data
A probabilistic model is provided based on an output of a matching procedure that matches a particular object to representations of objects, where the probabilistic model relates a probability of an object being present to a number of matching features. The probabilistic model is used for detecting whether a particular object is present in received visual data. |
| US09594941B2 |
Phase distribution measurement method and phase distribution measurement apparatus
A phase distribution measurement method inside a biological sample includes taking in an optical image of the sample formed by a microscope to form a plurality of images with different image contrasts; calculating a component corresponding to phase distribution of the sample and a component corresponding to other than the phase distribution, and dividing the component corresponding to the phase distribution by the component corresponding to other than the phase distribution to forma normalized phase component image; breaking down the phase component image into a plurality of frequency components; performing a deconvolution process to each of the frequency components using an optical response character corresponding to each, and calculating phase distribution of a refraction component and phase distribution of a structure component; and calculating phase distribution of the sample by compounding the phase distribution of the refraction component and the phase distribution of the structure component. |
| US09594939B2 |
Initial point establishment using an image of a portion of an object
A system and method of determining an initial point for a scan path may include acquiring, using a mobile device, an image of an object, the image comprising decodable indicia. Using the mobile device, data is decoded from the decodable indicia. Indicia dimensions of the decodable indicia are determined based on the data, and image dimensions of the decodable indicia in the image are determined. An initial location of the mobile device is calculated relative to the decodable indicia based on a geometric relationship between the indicia dimensions of the decodable indicia and the image dimensions of the decodable indicia in the image. |
| US09594934B2 |
RFID remote antenna security system
A remote antenna security system for preventing unauthorized reading of RFID cards. The RFID remote antenna security system generally includes at least one remote contact in communication with a remote antenna. A carrier member is provided that includes at least one contact and a tag that is in communication with the at least one contact. When the contact of the carrier member is physically connected to the remote contact of the remote unit, the radio waves received by the remote antenna are communicated to the tag and the tag transmits radio waves including data from the remote antenna for reading by the reader. |
| US09594932B2 |
Method for connecting a portable RFID reader to a handheld computing device via an audio connection
Methods and systems for efficiently communicating information to/from an RFID reader are provided. According to one embodiment, a command is received by a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) reader from a handheld computer via an audio connection of the handheld computer. Responsive to the command, a tag scanning process is initiated by the RFID reader to cause all RFID tags within range of the RFID reader to communicate their unique IDs to the RFID reader. A unique ID of an RFID tag is received by an RFID transceiver of the RFID reader. Responsive to receipt of the unique ID, the RFID reader: (i) assigns a short tag ID to the RFID tag and creates an entry in a table having stored therein the short tag ID and the unique ID; and (ii) reports detection of the RFID tag by transmitting to the handheld computer the short tag ID and the unique ID. |
| US09594929B2 |
Open architecture security methods and systems
Devices, methods, systems, and computer-readable media for open architecture security are described herein. One or more embodiments include a method for open architecture security, comprising: identifying a source of a received computing component, assigning a value to the received computing component based on the source, and designating the received computing component into a security level based on the assigned value. |
| US09594928B1 |
Multi-channel, multi-lane encryption circuitry and methods
Encryption/authentication circuitry includes an encryption portion having a first number of encryption lanes, each encryption lane including a plurality of encryption stages, and keyspace circuitry including a plurality of key lanes corresponding to a predetermined maximum number of channels. Each key lane has key storage stages corresponding to the encryption stages, and includes key memories for the predetermined maximum number of channels. Key channel selection circuitry for each stage selects a key from among the key memories at that stage. An authentication portion includes a second number of authentication lanes, hash key storage for the predetermined maximum number of channels, partial hash state storage for the predetermined number of channels, and hash channel selection circuitry. Based on the channel being processed, the hash selection circuitry selects, in each respective lane, respective hash key data from the hash key storage and respective partial hash state data from the partial hash state storage. |
| US09594926B2 |
Data processing apparatus, data processing system, and data processing method
A data processing apparatus includes a first communication interface configured to acquire the history data; a memory configured to store the acquired history data; a data processing module configured to generate first data including the first identifier and the time information by using the acquired history data, and store the generated first data into the memory; an ID conversion processing module configured to generate second data by converting the first identifier into a second identifier, which is effective for the first data including the time information indicating a time that falls within a first period, and store the generated second data into the memory; and a maintenance module configured to delete the history data and the first data from the memory. |
| US09594925B2 |
Method to delay locking of server files on edit
A server is implemented with a modified file open action, which, when a user performs the modified open, initially opens a file without locking the file. When a user indicates (either explicitly or implicitly) that the user is attempting to or intending to open the file, the file can then be locked for editing. In this way, the default action when a user requests a file is to open the file without denying other users access to the file. Then, when the user indicates that editing should occur, the lock for the file is obtained. |
| US09594924B2 |
Managing global cache coherency in a distributed shared caching for clustered file systems
Various embodiments are provided for managing a global cache coherency in a distributed shared caching for a clustered file system (CFS). The CFS manages access permissions to an entire space of data segments by using the DSM module. In response to receiving a request to access one of the data segments, a calculation operation is performed for obtaining most recent contents of one of the data segments. The calculation operation performs one of providing the most recent contents via communication with a remote DSM module which obtains the one of the data segments from an associated external cache memory, instructing by the DSM module to read from storage the one of the data segments, and determining that any existing contents of the one of the data segments in the local external cache are the most recent contents. |
| US09594923B2 |
Data protection systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for protecting electronic content from the time it is packaged through the time it is experienced by an end user. Protection against content misuse is accomplished using a combination of encryption, watermark screening, detection of invalid content processing software and hardware, and/or detection of invalid content flows. Encryption protects the secrecy of content while it is being transferred or stored. Watermark screening protects against the unauthorized use of content. Watermark screening is provided by invoking a filter module to examine content for the presence of a watermark before the content is delivered to output hardware or software. The filter module is operable to prevent delivery of the content to the output hardware or software if it detects a predefined protection mark. Invalid content processing software is detected by a monitoring mechanism that validates the software involved in processing protected electronic content. Invalid content flows can be detected by scanning the information passed across system interfaces for the attempted transfer of bit patterns that were released from an application and/or a piece of content management software. |
| US09594910B2 |
In-system provisioning of firmware for a hardware platform
A hardware platform includes a nonvolatile storage device that can store system firmware as well as code for the primary operating system for the hardware platform. The hardware platform includes a controller that determines the hardware platform lacks functional firmware to boot the primary operating system from the storage device. The controller accesses a firmware image from an external interface that interfaces a device external to the hardware platform, where the external device is a firmware image source. The controller provisions the firmware from the external device to the storage device and initiates a boot sequence from the provisioned firmware. |
| US09594909B2 |
Software updating apparatus, software updating system, invalidation method, and invalidation program
To aim provide a software update apparatus including an install module group composed of a plurality of install modules. Each of the install modules has a function of receiving, from an external server, a replacement protection control module to be used for updating a protection control module having a function of verifying whether a predetermined application has been tampered with. Each of the install modules simultaneously running is verified by at least another one of the install modules simultaneously running, as to whether the install module has a possibility of performing malicious operations. If any of the install modules is verified as having the possibility of performing the malicious operations, any another one of the install modules that is verified as not having the possibility revokes the any install module verified as having the possibility. |
| US09594906B1 |
Confirming a malware infection on a client device using a remote access connection tool to identify a malicious file based on fuzzy hashes
A device may receive a trigger to determine whether one or more client devices, of a set of client devices, are infected by a malicious file. The device may generate file identification information associated with the malicious file based on receiving the trigger to determine whether the one or more client devices are infected by the malicious file. The device may obtain remote access to the one or more client devices using a connection tool based on receiving the trigger to determine whether the one or more client devices are infected by the malicious file. The device may obtain information, associated with the one or more client devices, using the remote access. The device may provide information indicating whether the one or more client devices are infected by the malicious file based on the file identification information and the information associated with the one or more client devices. |
| US09594903B1 |
Reputation scoring of social networking applications
A method and apparatus for reputation scoring of applications on social networking services is described. A reputation score system scans a profile area of an application operating in a social networking service and generates a profile metric based on the content of the profile area. A reputation score system scans analyzes application installation behavior of an application and generates an installation metric. The reputation score system analyzes application activity of the application and generating an application metric. The reputation score system analyzes permissions requested by the application and generates a permissions metric. The reputation score system generates a reputation based on the profile metric, installation metric, application metric and permissions metric. |
| US09594895B2 |
Information processing system and authentication information providing method for providing authentication information of an external service
An information processing system includes an electronic device; a service providing system including information processing devices connected to the image forming device via a network; a single sign on unit configured to send a request from the electronic device to the service providing system, to acquire authentication information of an external service that performs a process in cooperation with an application operating in the image forming device; an access control unit configured to receive the request from the single sign on unit whose validity has been confirmed, based on a result obtained by using identification information of the single sign on unit, in the service providing system; and a data management unit configured to acquire the authentication information of the external service from a storage unit based on the request from the single sign on unit that is valid, and to provide the authentication information of the external service to the single sign on unit via the access control unit. |
| US09594892B2 |
User authentication method and apparatus based on electrocardiogram (ECG) signal
An authentication apparatus includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal receiver configured to receive a target ECG signal, and a preprocessor configured to filter the target ECG signal. The apparatus further includes an authenticator configured to process the filtered target ECG signal based on a pattern of a reference ECG signal, and determine whether the target ECG signal corresponds to the reference ECG signal based on the processing. |
| US09594885B2 |
Licensing using a cloud public-messaging infrastructure
In various embodiments, methods and systems for license-messaging using cloud public-messaging infrastructures are provided. A cloud public-messaging infrastructure supports license message communication between applications. The cloud public-messaging infrastructure may implement license-messaging that circumvents network control units that control communication to the network components. A license-messaging channel is initialized with an on-premise relay service using the cloud public-messaging infrastructure. A cloud-based relay service listens for a license request from the cloud-based application. The license request is pushed using the cloud public-messaging infrastructure such that the license request is pulled through the license-messaging channel via the on-premise relay service to the on-premise license server. A response to the license request is received at the cloud-based relay service, via the on-premise relay service using the license messaging channel, and forwarded to the cloud-based application. |
| US09594883B2 |
Recording medium device, terminal device, distribution device, control method, and program recording medium
When the terminal device attempts to use a special content, which has an attribute including information distinguishing the special content from regular contents and which is stored in the recording medium device, the recording medium device refers to the revocation information indicating terminal devices restricted from using the special content. When the recording medium device determines the terminal device as a terminal device to be restricted from using the special content based on the terminal identifying information of the terminal device, the usage information output unit of the recording medium device does not transmit the necessary information for using the special content to the terminal device. |
| US09594882B2 |
Telecommunications apparatus and method, storage medium, and program
The present invention relates to a telecommunications apparatus and a method, a storage medium, and a program for determining whether or not an other side communicating apparatus is near in a network. In a transmitting apparatus, a transmitting unit transmits a sending-message, and a control unit receives a response message to the sending-message, which includes acknowledgement information based on shared data and transmission information in the sending-message. The transmitting apparatus also includes a first judging unit that judges whether a response time of the acknowledgement message is less than a predetermined time. A receiving apparatus includes a generating unit that generates the acknowledgment information and transmits the response message to the transmitting apparatus. |
| US09594879B2 |
System and method for determining the isotopic anatomy of organic and volatile molecules
A computer implemented system and method for determining the isotopic anatomy of molecules. The system receives a user identified molecule that is to be analyzed, makes an initial guess as to the isotopic anatomy of the molecule, and iteratively refines the initial guess based on one or more observations made by the user. When sufficient iterations have been performed, the system outputs information about the isotopic anatomy of the molecule. The information may then be stored, displayed on a monitor, analyzed for making other conclusions, and/or printed. |
| US09594876B2 |
Systems and methods for simulation of occluded arteries and optimization of occlusion-based treatments
Systems and methods are disclosed for simulation of occluded arteries and/or optimization of occlusion-based treatments. One method includes obtaining a patient-specific anatomic model of a patient's vasculature; obtaining an initial computational model of blood flow through the patient's vasculature based on the patient-specific anatomic model; obtaining a post-treatment computational model by modifying portions of the initial computational model based on an occlusion-based treatment; generating a pre-treatment blood flow characteristic using the initial computational model or computing a post-treatment blood flow using the post-treatment computational model; and outputting a representation of the pre-treatment blood flow characteristic or the post-treatment blood flow characteristic. |
| US09594875B2 |
Medical device update system
A system and method for providing updates to medical devices is disclosed. In one example, the medical devices are configured to pull update files in response to the reception of an update message from a server. Once the update files are downloaded by a medical device, the update files can be installed. While the medical device pulls the update files, the medical device can continue with its normal operation. If desired, a user can select which medical devices should be updated, based on any desired factors, such as the physical location of the device, the model of the device, the type of device, and the way the device is being used. |
| US09594873B2 |
Medical emergency framework
Disclosed herein is a framework for facilitating a medical emergency workflow. In accordance with one aspect, a code cart is paired with a computer system. The code cart may include tracking tags attached to the code cart and cart items. The computer system may include a data collector for scanning the tracking tags and an application. The application may be executable by a processor to perform steps including receiving, from the data collector, information associated with the code cart and one or more selected cart items, and updating a medical emergency record based at least in part on the received information. |
| US09594867B2 |
DRC-based hotspot detection considering edge tolerance and incomplete specification
A range-pattern-matching-type DRC-based process hotspot detection is provided that considers edge tolerances and incomplete specification (“don't care”) regions in foundry-provided hotspot patterns. First, all possible topological patterns are enumerated for the foundry-provided hotspot pattern. Next, critical topological features are extracted from each pattern topology and converted to critical design rules using Modified Transitive Closure Graphs (MTCGs). Third, the extracted critical design rules are arranged in an order that facilitates searching space reduction techniques, and then the DRC process is sequentially repeated on a user's entire layout pattern for each critical design rule in a first group, then searching space reduction is performed to generate a reduced layout pattern, and then DRC process is performed for all remaining critical design rules using the reduced layout pattern. Candidate locations are then identified using the DRC results, and then the true hotspot locations are confirmed using longest common subsequence and linear scan techniques. |
| US09594866B2 |
Method for checking and fixing double-patterning layout
A method includes receiving layout data representing a plurality of patterns. The layout data includes a plurality of layers and spaces identified between adjacent patterns. In at least one layer of the plurality of layers, the adjacent patterns violate a G0-rule. The method further includes determining whether each identified space is a critical G0-space. The identified space is determined to be a critical G0-space if a portion of at least one adjacent pattern that is removed merges two adjacent odd-loops of G0-spaces into a single even loop or G0 spaces or alternatively, if a portion of an adjacent pattern that is removed converts one odd-loop of G0-spaces to a non-loop of G0-spaces. The method further includes receiving a modification of at least one adjacent pattern and updating a spacing of a layer that is adjacent to the layers within the adjacent pattern that violate the G0-rule. |
| US09594864B2 |
Method for asymmetrical geometrical scaling
A circuit layout data has a start value of a first-axis pitch and a start value of a second-axis pitch, the second axis pitch being transverse to the first-axis pitch. The start value of the first axis pitch and the start value of the second axis pitch correspond to single pattern lithography. The first axis pitch is scaled to a first axis single pattern-to-double pattern pitch transition threshold, and then additionally scaled until reaching a first axis double pattern resolution limit. Scaling the first axis pitch to the first axis double pattern resolution limit utilizes routing spaces parallel to the second axis pitch. |
| US09594863B2 |
Method for determining by optimization a multi-core architecture
The invention relates to a method for determining by optimization a multi-core architecture and a way of implementing an application on the architecture for a given application, the method comprising: providing a parallelized application and candidate architectures comprising different hardware blocks, defining a first exploration space whose elements are the different ways of implementing the application on each of the candidate architectures, selecting, in the first exploration space, the elements verifying a criterion to obtain a second exploration space, determining, in the second exploration space, the elements verifying a criterion to obtain a third exploration space, computing the number of data exchanged between the hardware blocks for each of the elements of the third exploration space to obtain a fourth exploration space, and optimizing the elements of the fourth exploration space according to a criterion. |
| US09594861B1 |
Method and system to perform equivalency checks
An improved approach is provided to implement equivalency checking. A check is performed as to whether two designs are equivalent without needing to analyze their outputs on a cycle-by-cycle basis. Instead, the two designs are checked to see if they are equivalent on the transaction-level. This approach abstracts the timing delays between the two designs, which allows verification of data transportation and transformation between the designs. |
| US09594858B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for implementing scalable statistical library characterization for electronic designs
Various embodiments scalable statistical library characterization for electronic designs by identifying an electronic design, performing circuit simulations on strongly connected components on a component-by-component basis, performing the logic cone analysis on the entire electronic design, and performing combinations of influences on the electronic design caused by variations of parameters. Some embodiments perform simulations on one or more stronger parameters or the strongest parameter of a circuit component and use the simulation results to calibrate the predicted behaviors of one or more remaining circuit components of the electronic design. Various statistical or mathematical techniques may be used for performing the combinations of influences on the electronic design caused by variations of parameters. The techniques described are scalable with the increase in complexities and sizes of electronic designs while reducing or minimizing the impact on sensitivity accuracy. |
| US09594855B1 |
Method and apparatus for lightning protection in densely packed heliostat fields
Methods, systems, and devices for determining the placement of one or more lightning rods in one or more circles of non-interference in a solar field, where the placement is based on a determined location of one or more ungrounded triangular heliostat structures and one or more circles of interference, where the one or more circles of interference are areas within a range of motion of one or more heliostats disposed on corners of the one or more triangular heliostat structures in the solar field. |
| US09594853B2 |
Combined deterministic and probabilistic matching for data management
A method for data management. The method includes a computer selecting a first data record and a second data record. The computer determines whether the first data record and the second data record share a deterministic matching category. Responsive to determining the first data record does not share a deterministic matching category with the second data record, the computer determines whether the first data record and the second data record share a probabilistic matching category. |
| US09594850B2 |
Method and system utilizing a personalized user model to develop a search request
A method and system for developing a computer-executable query relating to a search request issued by a user includes determining whether a search term of the search request has a user-specific meaning, connotation, context, or association based on an analysis of electronic content associated with the user and/or an analysis of interactions of the user with electronic content that is accessible to the user through one or more computing devices. If the search term has a user-specific meaning, connotation, context, or association, the method and system can incorporate the user-specific meaning, connotation, context, or association into the search request and/or the computer-executable query. |
| US09594848B2 |
Load balancing for multi-tiered querying
Technology is disclosed for establishing a querying system and load balancing the multi-tiered querying system. A multi-tiered targeted query system can comprise three tiers: a web tier, an aggregator tier, and a shard tier. When load balancing of shards is performed, fan-out can occur, increasing latency. The disclosed technology performs load balancing while minimizing the amount fan-out increase. Selecting the databases to move can comprise determining which databases on that server are causing the most load, and determining if moving any of these databases will increase an expected amount of fan-out above an acceptable threshold value. Determining the expected amount of fan-out increase incurred by moving a database can be based on an analysis of a number of friend relationships between that database and other databases on the same or other servers. |
| US09594843B2 |
Identifying an incorrect entry at an imaging checkout terminal
A store can stock items that have the same appearance but have different prices. For instance, organic bananas can look like conventional bananas, but can be priced higher than conventional bananas. In some examples, a higher-priced item can be tagged with an identifier, which can include a visual cue that indicates, to the naked eye, that the item is higher-priced. For instance, organic bananas can include tape that visually indicates that the bananas are organic. In some examples, the problem of a person purchasing a higher-priced item at an imaging checkout terminal, but selecting a price of a corresponding lower-priced but visually similar item, can be overcome by capturing an image of the purchased item, determining from the image that an identifier is attached to the item, determining that a lower-priced item is selected at the terminal, and producing an alert for an attendant. |
| US09594842B2 |
Hashing algorithm for network receive filtering
Roughly described, a network interface device is assigned a maximum extent-of-search. A hash function is applied to the header information of each incoming packet, to generate a hash code for the packet. The hash code designates a particular subset of the table within which the particular header information should be found, and an iterative search is made within that subset. If the search locates a matching entry before the search limit is exceeded, then the incoming data packet is delivered to the receive queue identified in the matching entry. But if the search reaches the search limit before a matching entry is located, then device delivers the packet to a default queue, such as a kernel queue, in the host computer system. The kernel is then responsible for delivering the packet to the correct endpoint. |
| US09594841B2 |
Methods and software for web document specific messaging
The present invention is directed to methods and software for web document specific messaging. The methods and software may comprise first determining the digital identifier of a current web document from an application on a user device. The digital identifier is then received at the application server comprising a database. The database is queried for any viewable content associated with the digital identifiers. The viewable content may further be filtered based on user selected filters. The resulting filtered content is then displayed to the user. The user may further be able to input user content relating to the current web document and other user content, which may be viewable by other users depending on user selected privacy settings, this user content may be submitted and associated to the same digital identifier to be shared with other users. |
| US09594838B2 |
Query simplification
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for query simplification are provided. A search engine executed by a server receives a query. In response, the search engine determines whether the query is a long or hard query. For long or hard queries, the search engine drops one or more terms based on search engine logs. The search engine may utilize statistical models like machine translation, condition random fields, or max entropy, to identify the terms that should be dropped. The search engine obtains search results for the simplified query and transmits the results to a user that provided the query. |
| US09594833B2 |
Automatically classifying page images
Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically classifying images of pages of a source, such as a book, into classifications such as front cover, copyright page, table of contents, text, index, etc. In one embodiment, three phases are provided in the classification process. During a first phase of the classification process, a first classifier may be used to determine a preliminary classification of a page image based on single-page criteria. During a second phase of the classification process, a second classifier may be used to determine a final classification for the page image based on multiple-page and/or global criteria. During an optional third phase of classification, a verifier may be used to verify the final classification of the page image based on verification criteria. If automatic classification fails, the page image may be passed on to a human operator for manual classification. |
| US09594825B2 |
Systems and methods for analyzing entity profiles
Embodiments of the subject invention comprise a computer based system and methods to collect and compare the attributes of a group of entities using data representing topic data of the entity and interaction data between entities. Embodiments of the invention comprise using minimally invasive means to automatically collect and model both an entity's attributes such as their knowledge/work/interest as well as model the social interactions of the entity together with a means to identify opportunities to influence changes in the entity attributes. Minimally invasive means to collect and model attributes include semantic analysis and topic modeling techniques. Means to model social interactions include social network analysis techniques that can incorporate location data of the entity. Embodiments of the invention further provide a sharable index of the attributes of the entities and the group of entities. |
| US09594819B2 |
Wireless system with database transfer mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a wireless system includes: receiving a notification packet through a wireless channel; calculating a retrieval route based on the content of the notification packet including identifying a final WLAN hub accessible form the retrieval route; transferring an update database while travelling the retrieval route including receiving a final update packet from the final WLAN hub through the wireless channel; and loading a storage unit with the content of the update database including copying the content to a display interface for displaying on a device. |
| US09594818B2 |
System and method for supporting dry-run mode in a network environment
A system and method can support subnet management in a network environment. One or more inactivated switches can be included in a subnet, wherein each of the inactivated switches is associated with an empty set of known secret keys. A subnet manager (SM) in a dry-run mode can perform one or more dry-run operations on the one or more inactivated switches, before activating the one or more inactivated switches. |
| US09594816B2 |
System and method to provide analytical processing of data in a distributed data storage systems
The present disclosure in general relates to technologies for processing data in a distributed data storage system, and more particularly, to a method, a system, and a computer program product for analytical processing of data by using the processing power of the distributed data storage system. In one embodiment, a system for analytical processing of data in a distributed data storage system is disclosed. The system comprises: a data extraction module configured to perform analytical operations to extract data from source databases in one or more data formats; and a processing module configured to perform data refinement operations to categorize the data while the data is being extracted. The processing module comprises: a mapping module configured to perform mapping operations of the categorized data; and a transformation module configured to perform an analytical transforming operation of the mapped categorized data to obtain a transformed categorized data. |
| US09594815B2 |
Local extrema based data sampling system
A computing device sorts a plurality of data points in a first dimension. A first data point has a first value, a second data point has a second value, and a third data point has a third value defined in a second dimension. (a) The second value is compared to the first and third values. (b) When the second value is less than the first value and greater than the third value, or the second value is greater than the first value and less than the third value, the data point is deleted. (c) The first data point is defined as the second data point. (d) The second data point is defined as the third data point. (e) The third data point is defined as a next data point. (a)-(e) are repeated until each of the plurality of data points is defined as the third data point to define a plurality of sampled data points as remaining data points of the plurality of data points. |
| US09594812B2 |
Interfaces for accessing and managing enhanced connection data for shared resources
Embodiments are directed to providing access to supplemental query data that is relevant to a data query. In one scenario, a computer system receives an input indicating that a data query is to be processed, where the input provides various search criteria. The computer system then generates the data query according to the search criteria in the received input. The computer system further sends the data query to a second computer system which is configured to process the data query and receives the results of the data query. The results indicate that additional data elements relevant to the search criteria have been identified. The computer system then displays an indication of various steps that are to be taken in order to access the identified additional data elements. |
| US09594810B2 |
Methods and systems for transforming multiple data streams into social scoring and intelligence on individuals and groups
A system, method and computer program product for determining and identifying a highly accurate description of an entity, including discovering hidden attributes, features, characteristics, behaviors, and opinions of an entity; and identifying the entity through processing, summarizing, abstracting, generalizing, discovering, and inferring information from a plurality of databases including publicly available data, private purchased data, private data provided by others, and derived data from public or private data. |
| US09594806B1 |
Detecting name-triggering queries
A system may be configured to receive a query; identify an object and a verb associated with the query; obtain information indicating a quantity of occurrences, in one or more documents, of the object in a sentence that may include the verb, or a quantity of occurrences, in one or more documents, of one or more terms, which are related to the object, in a sentence that may include the verb; generate a confidence score that may indicate a probability that the query seeks a result relating to a name of a person; identify a set of documents that are responsive to the query; determine that the confidence score satisfies a threshold; identify one or more documents, of the set of documents, that are associated with one or more names of people; select a particular document, of the set of documents; and output information regarding the selected particular document. |
| US09594798B2 |
File system with per-file selectable integrity
A file system uses data integrity techniques that are a selectable attribute of a file system object. Some file system objects have integrity on for various accesses, while other file system objects do not. Different default settings can be provided for different file system objects. Such a setting for a file system object can be changed to and from having integrity on. Given a file system object with an attribute, the file system provides file system operations for which the data integrity operation used on the file system object depends on this attribute. Such operations include, but are not limited to, operations for changing the attribute, creating file system objects with such attributes, providing and changing default settings for such attributes, and writing data to and reading data from files, which use different data integrity techniques based on this attribute. |
| US09594788B2 |
Displaying logical statement relationships between diverse documents in a research domain
Method and apparatus for analyzing a document against a managed research domain are provided. In one embodiment, a managed research domain provides an infrastructure where logical statements in research documents stored in the research domain repository are quantified and semantically analyzed. A user may submit a draft research document for analysis against the managed research domain to compare the draft against the current research knowledge in particular topics. The draft research document is annotated to reflect how the logical statements in the draft compare to the statements made on similar topics in the managed research domain. |
| US09594787B2 |
Identifying relationships between entities using two-dimensional arrays of scalar elements and a block matrix and displaying dense blocks
A computer-implemented method for identifying relationships between entities includes accessing a first data structure being a two-dimensional array of scalar elements (e, eij, ekl(i)) representable as a matrix, each of the scalar elements capturing a relationship between two entities; reorganizing the first data structure by clustering the scalar elements separately on each dimension of the two-dimensional array, to obtain a second data structure, representable as a K×M block matrix, wherein each block is a reordered sequence of rows and/or columns of the first data structure; compacting the second data structure by: determining two parallel block sequences, which are the most similar according to a given distance measure, the parallel block sequences being either distinct rows or distinct columns of blocks of the second data structure; and reorganizing the second data structure by merging the two determined sequences into a single block sequence. |
| US09594786B2 |
Append-only b-tree cursor
Existing algorithms to build balanced tree structures (“b-trees”) compare a data element (e.g., a key) to be inserted with the data elements that have already been inserted to find the correct position to insert the data element. Additionally, the algorithms balance and/or rebalance the b-tree when any individual node gets over-filled. As part of this balancing, data elements stored in the various nodes are moved to other nodes. These operations can incur both time and resource costs. We propose an algorithm to build a b-tree in a bottom up manner and a technique to modify trees built using the aforementioned algorithm so that they are balanced. We also propose a method to allow for adding more data into the thus-built b-tree as long as it follows a certain set of pre-conditions. |
| US09594779B2 |
Generating a view for a schema including information on indication to transform recursive types to non-recursive structure in the schema
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for generating a view for a schema. A schema provides a definition of elements, wherein at least one of the elements comprises a recursive element of a recursive data type, wherein the recursive data type allows for instances of the recursive element to include instances of that same recursive data type at different levels in a hierarchy. Indication is received to transform the recursive types to non-recursive structures. A view for the schema is generated including information on the indication to transform the recursive types to non-recursive structure, wherein the processing of the data defined by the view causes a parser to generate a structured element for each instance of the recursive element in schema data being parsed, wherein the generated structured element includes a unique identifier of the instance of the recursive element. |
| US09594776B2 |
Dynamic, parameterized image resource selection
Embodiments are directed to providing an image in response to a request for an image and to requesting an image for a specified context. In one scenario, a computer system stores multiple image representations of a corresponding visual asset identified by an identifier. The image representations include a vectorized representation of the visual asset and/or a rasterized representation of the visual asset. The computer system receives a request that includes an identifier for one of the visual assets and usage parameters. The computer system evaluates at least one of the usage parameters to identify an image representation of the identified visual asset that substantially corresponds with the usage parameters. The computer system then obtains the identified image representation of the corresponding visual asset based on the evaluation and provides the obtained image representation in response to the request. |
| US09594773B2 |
Pattern-retaining method for displaying large volumes of geographic based data using statistical depopulation
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a method for graphically displaying large volumes of data points on a display in an intuitive and readily understandable manner using statistical depopulation by defining multiple regionation levels using a combination of location based data and density based data with a random selection process to add more data points as more detail is requested while retaining the same overall pattern as when all points are displayed. Also disclosed are various embodiments for using the geographic bounds of a screen display to determine the appropriate level of data to display. The embodiments described ensure that the user is not overwhelmed by too much data on screen for areas with multiple data points, while ensuring that areas with few data points are also represented on the display. |
| US09594770B1 |
Score-based selection of storage device for virtual disk with specification of quality of service
Selecting a storage device to be mapped to a requested virtual disk includes maintaining attributes for a set of storage devices including a cost attribute, a capacity attribute and quality-of-service attributes. A request for a virtual disk includes request parameters including a price parameter, a capacity parameter and quality-of-service parameters. A device selection function generates a score for each storage device based on the request parameters and the storage device attributes, and identifies a best suited storage device by comparing the respective scores of the storage devices. The virtual disk is then created in satisfaction of the request with a mapping to the identified storage device to provide underlying physical data storage for the virtual disk. |
| US09594769B2 |
Computing device configured with a table network
A computing device configured to compute a data function on a function-input value, the device comprising an electronic storage storing a first table network configured for the data function and a second table network configured to cooperate with the first table network for countering modifications made to the first table network, an electronic processor coupled to the storage and configured to obtain first table inputs for the first table network, the first table inputs including the function-input value, and to compute the data function by applying the first table network to the first table inputs to produce first table outputs, the first table outputs including a function-output value corresponding to the result of applying the data function to the function-input value. |
| US09594765B2 |
Performing keyword-based search and retrieval on data that has been losslessly reduced using a prime data sieve
Some embodiments can factorize input data into a sequence of elements. Next, for at least one element in the sequence of elements, the embodiments can identify one or more prime data elements and determine a reconstitution program based on the element and the one or more prime data elements. The embodiments can then use the one or more prime data elements and the reconstitution program to generate a losslessly reduced representation of the element, and store the losslessly reduced representation of the element at a storage location. Next, in response to determining that a keyword is present in the element, the embodiments can (i) create a link that associates the keyword with the storage location, and (ii) store the link in the keyword index. The link can additionally associate the keyword with an offset where the keyword occurs in the element. |
| US09594763B2 |
N-way Inode translation
Example apparatus and methods concern storing additional information about inodes to facilitate n-way inode translation between local inode spaces and external inode spaces. Example apparatus and methods also concern publishing information about actions that affect inodes to facilitate n-way inode translation. Additional data is added to local file systems so that a local file system can determine whether an inode for which an action is requested or reported is a native inode or an imported inode. The additional data added to the local file systems through the updated inode data storage and inode action publication also facilitates determining which local inode to act on based on the n-way inode translation mechanism. |
| US09594759B2 |
Backup and archival of selected items as a composite object
An archive of items, which are computing data accessed by a user, is created at a semantic object level. The object archiving may group seemingly disparate items as a composite object, which may then be stored to enable retrieval by the user at a later point in time. The composite object may include metadata from the various items to enable identifying the composite object and providing retrieval capabilities. In some aspects, an archiving process may extract item data from an item that is accessed by a computing device. Next, the item may be selected by a schema for inclusion in a composite object when the item data meets criteria specified in the schema. The composite object(s) may then be stored in an object store as an archive. |
| US09594753B1 |
Fragmentation repair of synthetic backups
Fragmentation repair of synthetic backups is disclosed. In various embodiments, a locality measure is computed with respect to a group of segments comprising a portion of a file. The computed locality measure is compared to a repair criteria. A decision whether to repair fragmentation of segments comprising the group is made based at least in part on the comparison. |
| US09594751B1 |
Predictive delivery of digital content items to mobile devices to support offline transactions
A server system that hosts an electronic catalog of digital content items uses behavioral data to predictively select digital content items to proactively deliver to mobile devices of users. The digital content items may, for example, include mobile applications, mobile application components or add-ons, e-books, music tracks, and/or videos. An application component that runs on the mobile devices caches the proactively delivered content items in anticipation that they will be requested by the associated users. In some embodiments, the system supports off-line purchases of cached digital content items such that a user can purchase cached digital content items on the mobile device when no network connection is available. |
| US09594748B2 |
System and method for localization of assets using dictionary file build
A system and method for organizing localization content for video game development is disclosed. The method includes generating executable instructions for a video game being developed, wherein the video game is being developed for deployment in a plurality of natural languages, wherein text strings and/or multimedia data to be rendered during game play are referenced by the executable instructions. The method further includes identifiably storing the text strings and/or multimedia data in one or more dictionary files such that the text strings and/or multimedia data are identifiably referenced by references in the executable instructions and are identifiably referenced by a corresponding natural language. |
| US09594745B2 |
Systems and methods for improving the efficiency of syntactic and semantic analysis in automated processes for natural language understanding using general composition
A natural language understanding system may be given the capability to construct a semantically detailed parse tree for each acceptable interpretation of an input natural language expression (or fewer such parse trees than interpretations) by independently solving sub-trees corresponding to various series of post nominal modifiers and associating those partial solutions with corresponding nodes in the overall parse tree. The argument order in predicate calculus atomic formulas may be standardized in a manner that supports the use of a chart parser applied to a head-driven phase structure grammar and that permits a simplified more tractable grammar that in turn can be used as a domain general semantic grammar. |